Japanese Miso Soup Along with Pictures from Trip to Tokyo, Japan

Japanese Miso Soup
1 bunch of Organic Green Onions
1/2 Package of Firm Organic Tofu, diced in small cubes
3 cups Organic Vegetable Broth
1 Package of Organic Soba Noodles
1/2 cup Organic kale
1 sheet of Toasted Seaweed
1 tbsp. miso paste

In a medium pot I heat 2 cup of water.  Once the water starts to boil I add in the Soba noodles, with NO salt or oil.   These Noodles cook in 4 minutes so one cook, you drain and rinse.  In the Cookbook, they recommend rinsing and then placing in cold water.  Set aside.
In my large Ozeri Wok, I add in Vegetable broth, tofu, kale, green onions, and seaweed and bring to a boil.  Once soup is at a boil I then turn the heat to low and add in the miso paste.  You do not want to boil the miso in the soup because it will not taste as good.  Then drain the noodles and add into the soup.  The kids loved it, and we added a little Braggs Liquid Aminos for our soy sauce. 

Benefits of Cooked Kale

Because this meal has kale and seaweed there are a lot of great minerals in the broth.
Cooked Kale is low in Cholesterol, good source of Protein, Vitamin E, A, C, K, and B6, Calcium, Potassium, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Iron, Magnesium, Copper, Manganese, good source of Dietary Fiber.

 

Benefits of Roasted Seaweed

Roasted Seaweed nutritional benefits include Vitamin B6, B12, Iodine, and also fiber.  B6 in both the kale and seaweed can boost bran function and concentration, while helping to balance hormones and anxiety.  Iodine helps your thyroid function correctly.  This is something we miss in most traditional meals, and using table salt is not a good substitute for iodine.  If you are not a big fan of sushi, try sneaking it in to dishes like this, and stews.  This can be a substitute for taste salt in almost any cooked dish.  Sometime, I like to pick up a seaweed crushed seasoning, that I add over dishes to boost its nutrition without all the seaweed taste.  You can always reduce the amount and add as you go.  The B12 found in the Kale and Seaweed helps to form red blood cells and boost immunes system. 

When my husband travels he always brings me home a new cook book.  I love exploring the dishes and traditions of other cultures.  In Japan, the main staple is Seafood.  My husband has a very adventurous spirit and loves to try what some may say are daring dishes.  He enjoyed raw squids, frozen raw horse meat, traditional Ramón, shrimp, sea vegetables of many verity, dried fish, cooked whole fishes, and rice's. 


Would you like to see more Japanese Dishes? 








These where not made by me, these were from my husband's travels.  I will be hoping to work on some of these soon.  The trick is getting the freshest seafood, which is difficult in Arizona. 


This is a couple different raw fish mixed with onions and other herbs.













This was a group dinner of sushi a verity of sushi.  My husband said that the squids were very sweet and especially delicious.















This one just one of the sides they enjoyed along with the whole fish below, raw clams.  Presentation is an art of Japanese cooking.  This is something I am working work.

This is was a normal breakfast choice with fish, miso soup, seaweed vegetables, rice, egg, and bacon. 

Whole fish.  It's pretty interesting how they gut the fish before cooking it.  In the cookbook above, they show me how to use chopsticks to stick down the mouth and twist over and over until the gills and guts are detached and then you pull them out.  It's pretty interesting and I hope to try this with trout this summer on our fishing trip. 







By far the best cup of Ramón noodle my husband said he has ever had.  The cookbook has a recipe to make as well and I hope the kids are open to try the authentic version. 

Boiled Shrimp.  While this looks pretty easy to make it's the sauces that come with each dish that make the dishes so amazing. 

While in Japan the Cherry Blossoms where amazing, beautiful, and everywhere.





























These where taken at the Imperial Palace, Japan!  What a great adventure to get to experience all these amazing taste and to see such wonderful sites! 

What would you like me to make in the next few weeks?

Ways to Cut the Sodium in Your Diet

Sodium is need by the body, but unfortunately, with the highly processed diet that most have these days, we over consume it.  Sodium is essential to muscle contraction and nerve transmission.  It is also helpful in balancing your body acid bases, maintaining normal fluid and electrolytes balance.  It helps with formation of saliva and other digestive enzymes that help balance the body's water amounts.

Even when we eat too much Sodium the body works to keep things in balanced. When we consume sodium, it is absorbed straight from the intestines and sent to the blood stream, where it travels freely.  It then travels to the kidneys where it is filtered out and sent back to the blood stream to be delivered where needed.  If we are smart with our diet, keeping things in moderation, the amount going back into the blood stream, from the kidneys, is the exact amount we consumed.  This is not the case for some and the body has an excess of sodium.  When our body notices an excess of sodium it sends messages of thirst, to help get the body back to a normal water-sodium ratio.  Once that ratio is restored the kidneys then excrete the water and excess sodium.

What Foods Should You Cut or Reduce Intake?

These are foods that are highly processed and the manufactures add it in excess to preserve and make taste more appealing.
Cereals
Cheeses, especially processed types
Canned and instant Soups, Legumes, Vegetables, and Fruits
Sauces: BBQ, Catsups, Mustards, and such
Junk Food/Snacks: chips, pretzels, popcorn, breakfast bars, instant foods that are packaged
Foods prepared in brine: pickles, olives, fish, meats, some vegetables.

Eat foods high in salt sparingly within moderation. When cooking add little to no salt to the foods, and try seasoning with spices for added flavor.  Spice mixes and rubs tend to have a lot of sodium as well, look for sodium free varieties or make your own herb rubs.  Read all your labels and keep an eye out for Salt and Sodium.

The average person gets enough of the needed sodium through a balanced daily diet that has its 5-7 servings of vegetables a day.  By eating a balanced diet with plenty of whole foods you can get your needed sodium naturally.  This does not mean you can't have table salt, just use sparingly and use a organic seas salt variety.  By watching your salt intake you can make sure your body stays within homeostasis.

As we move into summer, we might be hiking, swimming, and other activities that cause us to sweat and lose our sodium supplies.  Instead of reaching for sports drinks, think about adding a refreshing smoothie with some of the raw food choices below.  During the summer we should include more salads and vegetables that replenish natural sodium and cool the body naturally.

Good Foods High in Natural Sodium
Kelp, Celery, Dulse, and Irish Moss- these are sources that you will find good for adding to cooked dishes and soups.

Raw Juice Containing Sodium
Celery, Carrots, Okra, Spinach, Cucumbers, Beets, Apples, Asparagus, Swiss Chard, Plums, Radishes, and Turnips.

Getting Your Protein From More Than Just Meat

With the increase in my running schedule, I needed to increase my protein and complex carbohydrates as well.  I am not a huge meat eater so I wanted to share my creative ways of increasing proteins with vegetables and legumes. 

Here is a list of Protein Plant Based Foods that are higher in Complex Carbohydrates.
String Beans
Cabbages
Asparagus
Green Juices
Kale
Cauliflower
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Endive
Broccoli
Nettle salads
Spinach
Sauerkraut
Dried Beans

While I am not a strict vegetarian, I lean more towards a vegetarian diet.  I still eat meat occasionally but in smaller amounts.  So there is always a concern to make sure I am getting enough protein.  Most are not aware of the substantial amount of protein that is found in plant foods.  We generally first think of meats as our primary sources, but plant based diets can easily meet our daily needs.  When you use meats as your protein sources you have higher fats and health effects that come with it, like cholesterol.

 

So which plant foods give us protein sources?

Grains: It is interesting to know that grains supply half the world's protein.  Grains like quinoa have amino acids that make them comparable to animal origins.  A nice benefit to grains is that they meet our percentages needed for protein and are low in fat, provide iron, zinc, B vitamins, and fiber. 

Legumes: Think of these as your protein powerhouses!  These little beauties carry twice the protein you will find in grains.  There are four advantages to eating legumes over meat; low fat, no cholesterol, high fiber, and greater amounts of calcium.    There are over 13,000 kinds of legumes but a few common varieties you know are chickpeas, peas, lentils, black beans, and soybeans. 

Seeds and Nuts:  While these carry nice amounts of protein they tend to carry larger amounts of fat too.  I like to eat a handful of raw nuts and seeds daily.  When we cut out dairy and meats we tend to lose a source of fats, which can be easily provided in nuts which provide valuable oils.  Nuts can be a fast easy nutritious way to get in protein, fats, along with vitamins and minerals.  You can add these as snacks, butters, and over salads. 

Vegetables: While vegetables are a lower source of protein, they do add protein to your daily needs.  The wonderful bonus to vegetables is that they are low fat, and an abundance of vitamins and minerals. 

As a runner I have to get in more protein than the average person.  While I need to be creative in my protein sources I still want to keep the fat amounts low, the vitamins and minerals high, and the variety tasteful.  These are a few great tasting meals I made this week that provided energy, protein, and needed vitamins and minerals. 

Sprouted Three Bean Salad Recipe
Baked Ziti Meal Recipe.
Brown Rice and Vegetable Soup Recipe
Sausages, Collards, and Cabbage Stew

Disclaimer: I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post. These are my opinions and thoughts. I enjoying bring my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.

Heart Healthy Valentines with Joe Cross (Recipes)

Watch Joe's Newest Video on Reboot with Joe!

 

Heart Healthy Valentines Day

 

Just Beet It Juice

 

Chocolate Covered Banana & Berries Smoothie

 

Raw Chocolate Mousse

 

Looking for some delicious healthy recipes to enjoy this Valentines? 

Why wait, you can have these any time of the year!

 

Disclaimer: I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post. These are my opinions and thoughts. I enjoying bring my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.

 

GMO News: Genetic Roulette Watch It FREE, Jeffrey Smith Speaking in Arizona, New Animated GMO Video

What is happening in GMO News?  I have a few announcements and videos for you!

 

The movie Genetic Roulette—The Gamble of Our Lives was just awarded the Top Transformational Film of 2012 by AwareGuide!

 

You can watch this informational film for FREE right now until February 10th.  This movie is 1.24 hours long, but so important to watch!  If you can take this small hour and a half, it will open your eyes to the problem of Genetic Modified Organism.  This is not just about eating healthy anymore, it is about saving lives and saving our food sources.

PLEASE SHARE THIS MOVIE WITH FRIENS AND FAMILY!

 

 

Jeffrey Smith, author of Seeds of Deception, is coming to Arizona!

Genetic Roulette:
The Health Gamble of Our Lives FREE LECTURE: Thursday, February 21, 2013, 6pm in Phoenix, AZ.

Thursday, February 21, 2013  FREE
6:00 p.m. doors open - Free Refreshments hosted by ASU Global Institute of Sustainability
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. event
Shadow Rock Mountain Campus
12861 N. 8th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85029

to register:
http://sustainability.asu.edu/events/rsvp/jeffrey-smith

for more info on GMOs:  www.responsibletechnology.org

Jeffery Smith will also be speaking in Prescott, AZ

Genetic Roulette:
The Health Gamble of Our Lives FREE LECTURE:  Prescott Sat Feb 23 LECTURE  7pm  FREE
www.gmofreeprescottaz.org
Prescott Sat Feb 23 Speaker/Activist Training 9:30am - 12:30pm, $20 in advance

Prescott College, Mariposa Room E, 301 Grove Avenue, Prescott, AZ  (map) 
    Address: 301 Grove Ave., Prescott College Mariposa Building Rm. E                             

Preregistration Required:  $20.00 with advance registration.  $25.00 at the door:
Online Registration:   www.foodpolicyfund.com

 

Sedona Sunday Feb 24 Noon - 1:30pm Raw Living Expo 
www.rawlivingexpo.com

A New Animated Movie on GMO

 

 

 

Disclaimer: I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post. These are my opinions and thoughts. I enjoying bring my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.

What Organ is Most Affected by Skipping Breakfast?

Most of us are always on the go which might make this week revamping your Breakfast a little more difficult than those that stay at home.  That said, stay at home moms seem to have little time to sit down and have a relaxing and nourishing breakfast too.  I would like to challenge you to really work on this.  You owe it to yourself to start and set the pace for a stress free day.  This falls into the positive affirmations.  When we think "I don't have time to sit and eat Breakfast", "can't take the time" "I'm running behind", these are all negative thoughts that stick with us and carry into our day. 

What is the one area of your body that is affected by malnutrition?  First, let me explain that someone can be affected by malnutrition even if they are eating three square meals a day.  Malnutrition is a lack of nutrients and the body is essentially starving.  You can be 400 lbs and be malnourished.  They have not lacked in foods, but they are starving their body none the less with less nourishing foods.  Foods that have vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, and so forth, your live foods that are unprocessed will keep you from starving your body with empty calorie foods.

Answer: The BRAIN! 

You may think that feelings come from the heart, hunger from the stomach, and thinking with the brain, but really the brain is responsible for all three.  Your behaviors, moods, and memory are all affected by the brain not to mention over 1000 metabolic processes.  Your brain uses up 20% of your bodies energy sources.  The ability to think clearly, stay calm, make decisions, are running on 20% of your fuel you are providing.  No other organ is as demanding as your brain, yes important and affected but not as much.  Think about this next time you want to skip Breakfast and you have a meeting, driving, paying bills, studying for a test, deciding on a house, you get the idea. 


For some people we run out of time or get behind because of certain morning routines.  My husband likes to wake up to reading the news and emails.  This causes him to skip breakfast most mornings.  While he is getting ready I am making the kids breakfast and lunches.  I have to make my husband's breakfast and lunches for him to take to work.  He is someone that cannot eat breakfast that early in the morning.  To balance this I send him with a mid-morning breakfast, which he usually has sometime around 10 am.  I pack him, egg burritos, yogurt, mixed fruits, cereal bars, smoothies, and protein bars, because I like to change it up through the week.  You can have breakfast on the go and it can still be healthful.  It takes planning and follow-through to make this happen. 
You can be "eating" foods that may be satisfying your craving, but is it nourishing your body.  Remember we said that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you have been fasting and you need to fill up.  Think of your body as a car and your stomach as the gas tank.  What happens when we run out of car?  You'll need to put something in it, right?  What if you just add enough to get you from point A to B, although you will eventually have up to 15-20 stops through the day.  Your gas tank needs to have the right fuel and the right amount.  You don't want to have to keep filling up at gas stations all day long that would just be frustrating.  It sounds ridicules, but that is what we do when we don't take the time to eat a regular meal and just provide our body with quick energy snacks.  Maybe it's a donut, a slice of toast, a granola bar, or a small bowl of cereal , the list can go on with the variety of processed foods we have available for us.  We have engrained in our heads that we have so much to do with little time to do it.  We have a ton of convenience foods that boast about eating on the go, no more running behind, but are these processed foods or live foods.  I think of sugary donuts, candy bars, chips, anything you grab from the vending machines as diesel fuel for your unleaded tank.  Your car is eventually going to shut down.  It may take you a little ways, but it will stop working.  Why add a few dollars of gas instead of filling up the tank?  You will eventually need and burn that gas, but we keep only adding just enough to get us to one point or the next.  Treat your body like you want it to stay in good condition instead of needing a expensive tune up in a short time.  When the car needs to have work done on it, it can be expensive and takes away from time you need in other areas.  When we get a cold that knocks us out for a week, or a trip to the doctors off, everything gets off schedule.  I like to use the mental vision of a car because most people take better care of their cars than they do themselves. 

Where can you make more time in your morning? 

Wake up just 15 minutes earlier.
Precut fruits ready.
Have oatmeal and spices in a container ready to cook.
Make you egg burritos the night before and add some hot sauce.
Make muffins the night before and make enough for a few days that week.
Have veggies cut and ready for an omelet.
The emails and news can wait to read when you're done eating.
Iron you cloths the night before and set out to have ready.
Think of breakfast as family dinner, everyone starting the morning together.  If you have children this is the time to help train them to understand the importance of breakfast. 

I have timed my breakfast items. 

These are meals I can make in less than 5 minutes. 

• Scrambled, boiled, or poached eggs and toast
• Mixed fruits, bowl
• Omelet's, when the veggies are cut the night before.
• Parfee's
• French toast
• Yogurt and fruits.
• Smoothies
• Breakfast wraps or burritos
• Oatmeal

Changing up the fruits, vegetables, sides, spices, and these can go on for months with a different breakfast meals using similar bases. 

What are some ways you can make more time to sit, chew, and eat breakfast without the rush?

Breakfast Get Creative, Keep it Fresh, and Make it Enjoyable.
Goals and Making Rewards That Help and Not Become an Obstacle
New Year's Resolutions That Work

Disclaimer: I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post. These are my opinions and thoughts. I enjoying bring my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.

Dr Joel Furhman Video Natural Eating

Dr. Joel Fuhrman talks about what is wrong with the way we eat.  There is 3 main items that we eat that are causing us to be addicted to food and causing our weight gain.  Protein, Carbohydrates, and Fats, which are all macronutrients.  We thought we were so cleaver to add vitamins and minerals to foods to make them "more healthful".  Unfortunately we are not getting enough micronutrients.  He goes on to explain how if we lack in micronutrients we over eat in the Macronutrients leading to high rates of diabetes, heart disease and more. 

When we eat a more natural food based diet of whole foods and reduce the amount of processed foods we can get these micronutrients and phytonutrients that improves health and allows the body to health, repair, and detox naturally. 
He has a wonderful way to gently bring these information to you to understand and inspire you to eat more natural.  Take a 20 minutes in your day to see this message, you'll be glad you did. 

Raw30day-Dr.JoelFurhman
To access you do add you name and email to open the video. 

Disclaimer: I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post. These are my opinions and thoughts. I enjoying bring my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.

Goals and Making Rewards That Help and Not Become an Obstacle

We are all pumped and motivated to improve ourselves and have set some New Year's Resolutions of some kind.  So how to make our goals and what should we use as rewards or motivation?

 

With all goals you should make them obtainable but still a challenge. 
You know yourself best and know if you are someone motivated by a challenge or if you are the person that throws in the towel early.  Knowing yourself is a vital part of change.  You want to give yourself the tools to help you make those changes.  Some people are motivated by a huge challenge while others see that same challenge as an un-climbable mountain.  Take this into consideration when making your goals. 
Here is an example for someone who wants to lose 30 -50 lbs. 
I am going to lose _____ lbs for this year and will meet half the goal by June. 

List the reasons you want to obtain better health and wellness.  This is your accountability tool, and means to motivate you for success.  You need to know what your goals are so you can rejoice in the accomplishments and make adjustments on the areas still requiring further development. 

Rewards are a great motivation to keep you on track and to inspire you onward.  Sometimes these rewards can be negative and hurtful to us.  Say you are trying to lose some weight; you don't want to reward yourself with a night out at your favorite restaurant.  The next morning you might get on the scale and see 5 lbs back on that you worked so hard to remove.  Something you need to remember about weight loss is that your body is set at what it thinks is it normal weight, a set point.  When you lose weight your body might think that it has been in a fight or flight scenario and will look to put weight back were its set at.  When you lose weight you have to maintain that weight for a few months, to a year, for your body to reset its set point.  Frustrating I know, but true none the less.  This is why you NEVER reward with foods, desserts, or things that you have been omitting from your diet.  These are not rewards you need to look at them as SETBACKS.

 

What can be rewards?

I will share with you a few of my personal rewards I have set for myself. 
These are rewards that I have set for different times through the year with a larger reward in December. 

• Pedicure
• New Cook Books
• Movie night
• Golf
• New Jeans
• Hairstyle makeover
• Massage
• Shopping spree $$
• Wrap and Massage
• Spa Weekend:  This is my huge December/January reward.  A weekend at one of my favorite hotels with a spa package, facial, message, pedicure, and healthy dishes.  A time of relaxation and reward for the hard work of all year.  I am someone who likes to visualize my goal.  I also have all year to save up for it, slowly. 

I work my body hard and am sore a lot.  I like rewards that pamper my body, there are many rewards you can chose that are better for you. 
Movie, workout DVD, workout outfit, new running gear, a RACE (love this one), any workout gear, books, makeovers, jewelry, adding to your backyard garden, you get the idea.  These are things that you want to have, but you will work hard for them with not setbacks. 

 

Don't go making these too easy to obtain. 

If you are someone who needs smaller challenges then think about weekly rewards with a bigger monthly reward.  You can get really creative with this; just remember to keep it positive and a challenge. 

 

New Year's Resolutions That Work

You should be working on your food journal.  Remember to look back and evaluate what you have been eating the calorie amounts and how it is affecting your weight gain or loss. 

What is Negative Self-Talk and Does It Hurt Me?

Have you made your positive affirmations to repeat and motivate you?  Here is an awesome example of a friends workspace she made to keep her motivated and strong.  Make your own this weekend!

 

Disclaimer: I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post. These are my opinions and thoughts. I enjoying bring my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.

 

New Year's Resolutions That Work

Happy New Year!! 

I am so excited about 2013, because this year is going to be all about a New You!

We are going to make it simple to make gradual changes in our health, fitness, and natural living.

I think America needs a little help in getting back to our roots, eating for health, and living simply.  Now I am not asking us to go back to Little House on the Prairie, or that we need to be as drastic as the show Revolution, but we need to make some changes and it starts with you.
 

 

The problem with New Year's Resolutions is that we getting all excited, make HUGE changes, and look at it as a short term thing.  Whether you want to improve health, get more fitness, or lose the weight, you have to look at this as a lifelong change.  If you are planning on doing this like a diet, than I am sorry but it will not last. 

 

Before you throw out all your junk food, processed foods, and buy up everything you can find in the produce section, I ask you to look at your normal schedule now.  You may already now your daily diet is lacking in vegetables and nutritious foods, but when you make changes you have to know where you are starting from.  I have noticed when people go all in and hit the "health kick" they do amazing for the first week or two, and then go on an all-out binge or just throw in the towel completely.  Want we want to do is make gradual changes so you will change just a few things a week and when you look back in a few months you don't even remember the change.  This makes it easier on you and your household.  Usually, I don't ever tell my family when we have changed something, I just do it gradual and they never even knew.   

Nutrition is a process. 

You will not be able to just change everything overnight.  It is actually going to be difficult in the beginning, with reading labels and making menus.  I am not discouraging you, but I do want you to be aware that it is a challenge for most.  In about five months you will be surprised how much has changed and how most decisions become an afterthought of good choices.  When things are changed gradual, always moving forward, you no longer have to struggle like you might have in the beginning.

Here are a few things to understand and know where to start.   

• Know that you have to make a conscious decision to make the change.  We usually think it will be too much work and we say "I can't do this; it’s too much to change".  Stop that thinking and erase it from your memory.
• When we identify the objects that are in our life and weigh them against the benefits, we take the objects out of the equation or they lose their weight of a negative influence.  After all we are looking to change our nutrition for the benefit of better health and life.  So what could possibly be so much more important than our children and family members’ health and wellness? 
• Do not be hard on yourself that you do not know where to start and what all the labels mean.  That is why it is a gradual change to learn and to heal the body in a gradual more beneficial way.

Some of the Negative self-talk you might be saying right now.  

• My child is a picky eater
• Nutrition is too expensive
• My schedule is too busy
• It’s too confusing
• It’s just too hard......YOU CAN DO THIS.  Some of these obstacles that are keeping you from changing are real but here are a few things to take into consideration. 

Know that others before you, including myself, have successfully brought health in to their lives.  We are not reinventing the wheel here; we are making things simpler and taking the gimmicks out of it.  Know that as you building the foundation of health for your family, your child is receiving a better future and an inheritance that money can't buy.  Taking the steps now will also help teach your child healthy choices to take with them into their adulthood.  Know that this is your decision and no one can stop you from having a better life and better healthier home.

 

This week: Journal everything and make your goals.

 

If you have a smart phone I recommend the app "Lose it", this is what I use to log my exercises and food.  When we see what we are eating every day it helps give us perspective into where we need to make changes.  The great thing about the app is that it also gives you calorie count.  This will help you see why the Value Meals are not really a value.  Why some snacks are not as satisfying as you think when you can blow 30 minutes of exercise on one handful of chips.

NO apps No problem.  I recommend picking up a journal or notebook that is easy to carry with you everywhere.  You want convenience and something to big and bulky will become an obstacle, make it easy on yourself.  What you will be writing down each day is everything you put to your lips: drinks, water, food, snacks, mints, candy, everything.  You will want to write next to that entry whether you brought from home, fast-food, vending machine, convenience store and such.  If you are purchasing your food out, I recommend writing the price next to that entry.  This was a huge eye opener for a few of my clients.  When they really saw how much they were spending on daily purchases that compared it to groceries and found that healthy eating was more affordable and saved them money. 

 

I recommend a gradual move into fitness.  You don't have to go out and get a membership at the Gym, start with walking around your neighborhood, a community park, or a simple at home workout video.  You don't have to go full force just start moving and you will want to log this as well.  What you did, for how long, and how far.  Fitness should be fun and a stress reliever.  In the beginning you can be very creative.  Last night as we brought in the New Year, we rented Just Dance for the Wii.  I am a fit woman and I loved the workout I got while laughing and dancing.  We like to take family bike rides, hike, swim, and so forth.  The idea is just start moving.  Most people find that when they mark their calendars and actually schedule it they make that appointment, so you can try that as well.

 

Make your Goals for the Year. 

This is your visual motivation.  When making your goals, word them in a positive manor and make them obtainable.  Sometimes we make goals that are beyond are limit say, I am going to lose 50 lbs. in 3 months, while you might be able to do that we are going to focus on healthy weight changes that come off and stay off.  The idea is to make changes that have you eating foods that support a healthy weight and the weight is no longer a concern.  Here is an example of a friends goals for this year. 

To lose 30 LBS, to be GMO free in at least 75% of all foods, and to run a Half Marathon.  I told her that these were wonderful goals, they are obtainable, and they are positive. 

 

Come back for post that will be supporting these changes.

What is Negative Self-Talk and how to avoid it. 
Goals and Making Rewards that help and not become an obstacle.

What is Nutrition and What are Non-Foods.
Getting Organized
What are you doing to get moving with ideas for Fun Family Fitness?

Next Week~ Changes in Breakfast Only. 

 

What are your Goals or Thoughts about a New You 2013?

 

Disclaimer: I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post. These are my opinions and thoughts. I enjoying bring my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.

Free App Pink Pad

Ladies you are going to love this App!  I have never before had an App like this, where everything is in one convenient place.

I think this app is perfect for all women, young and older.  Whether you are a young girl understanding her cycles and her changes, a woman wanting to conceive, a woman delaying conception, or experiencing menopause, you can use this app. 

App Features: Pink Pad

• Lets you Track and Estimate when menstrual happens.
• Tracks and Estimates Flow, which is your heavy, medium, light, and spotting days.
• Tracks you Intimacy if you are trying to conceive or abstain.
• Tracks your moods so you can look at past history.  This I personally loved because your moods can subjected to your nutrition.  See Post Here for more information.
• Symptoms: acne, backache, Anxiety, breast tenderness bloating, cramps, constipation, and more.  This I find also beneficial, because if you are tracking it you can see what foods are offensive to your PMS. 
• Tracks Fertility
• Tracks your weight
• Tracks your Basal Body Temperatures.  For anyone that has tracked temperatures to help you conceive or avoid conception, you know how confusing those charts can be. 
• Notes to track any additional information you want to impute this ay.  I recommend and use as a food diary.  This allows me to look at what I ate and how it affects my symptoms and moods.
• You have forums that allows you to talk about specific topic on woman's health.  This you can have public or private.   
• You can change Themes for your backgrounds, I am on Fall right now. 

It is FREE on iPhone and iPads. 

When you know more about your body and how food affects it in good and bad choices you can make better daily decisions.   


How would this app best help you?

 

 Disclaimer: I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post. These are my opinions and thoughts. I enjoying bring my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.

What is GMO Really Contributor Post

 

Hi everyone.  You know that I am a big Supporter of labeling GMO foods.  My Contributor post this Month on Happy Mothering explains a lot as to what is GMO and how is affecting our bodies.  Please take the time to read and share with your Friends and Family. 

 

What Are GMOs?

How Did GMOs Get Started?

Are GMOs Causing Harm?

What Can We Do About GMOs?

More GMO Resources

 

Check out the full article here. 

 

 Disclaimer:  This information is here for readers to hear all sides of the spectrum.  There are two sides to the story and I only wish to provide my readers with information to help them make their own decisions.  Food is a Freedom.  We have a right to know all the information and be allowed to make decisions that best fit our families.  

Libre Tea The Prefect Gift for The Holidays Giveaway

Did you know that we are smack-dab in the middle of the Holidays?  Thanksgiving and Christmas is coming and with that comes stress, spending money, and rushed errands.  I would like to offer you a relaxing solution.  

I have been using my Libre Tea Mug for months and I it has become a constant companion in my life.  Whether I am at home, running errands, hiking, traveling, volunteering, and more this mug knows no bounds.  I am a huge tea drinker and know that tea holds many health benefits.  In my tea box I can pull out a tea for calming, one for energy, one for a peaceful mind, one for relaxing, and the list goes on.

I like to use both tea bags and lose leaf, mostly because some of the tea's I like are not all in lose leaf form.  I like that I can make my own blends of tea from my local health store, in bulk.  This makes Libre a very ECO awareness company.  One of the many wonderful things about Libre Tea glasses is you can use both bags and lose.  The glasses are very versified.
Ways Libre helps the environment

• No tea bags to throw away
• No convenience store coffee and tea containers to throw away, just carry yours with you.  

  "Loose leaf tea has a much smaller eco-footprint than teabags. Unlike ‘bagged’ tea, loose leaf tea is sold by weight, easy to dispose of and biodegradable. It also requires minimal packaging, unlike bagged tea, which requires significant packaging resources and generates considerably more waste with its bags, boxes and plastic wrappers."~~LibreTea

I have used my Mug for

• Coffee
• Tea, lose and bags
• Ice Tea
• Smoothies
• Infused Fruits and Vegetables

One of my favorite summer drinks is Lemon and Cucumber water.  Cooling and delicious the Tea Mug keeps all my fruits/vegetables in the container so I can just enjoy the cooling flavor.  Today, we went for a morning hike and I made a Cucumber and Grapefruit blend.  Let's be honest plain water is just boring, liven up your health with some variety and get out in Nature.  






Another way I recently used my Mug was a little at home medicine.  This last Friday I started to have the horrible feeling in my bladder and back that a UTI or bladder infection was coming on.  From the time I was a teenager I would get these often.  I have not had one in over a year, but knew my body well enough to know that something was off balance.  It probably had to do with the Halloween candy I indulged in.  I juiced cranberries and drank one cup of fresh cranberry juice right away.  I then made a cranberry infused water to drink for the rest of the day.  I was so happy to wake the next day with that problem flushed out of me.  The Tea Mug helped keep even all those tiny seeds in the main glass and I just enjoyed the healthy benefits of the cranberry water.

While this works for me I know to go to the Doctor if my symptoms continue.  I like to use natural methods of healing the body, but recommend getting a physicians opinion if you are not sure. 

I use to think that Libre Glasses where just for teas, but they are so much more!  This is why I think they are the perfect gift for anyone this Holiday.  My Husband loves the Mug, as do I, but he thinks it looks more his style.  I am expecting a Glass, which has no handle, and very excited to see how I like the change. 

Check out my First Libre Tea Review HERE
Libre Tea on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Libre Tea Website

BUY IT

I think Libre Tea glasses or mugs make the perfect gift for that special someone in your life and yourself.  So save yourself this Holiday Season, grab a Libre Tea glass or mug to relax with.

Libre Original $24.00 Add to Cart

Out of Stock - Libre Large $32.50 Add to Cart I have been told these will be back in-stock this friday! 

Libre Mug $32.50 Add to Cart
These are HOT Christmas items, so grab them while you can.

ADDED 11/16  Libre Tea has teamed up with My Yoga Online!  Now if you buy a Libre Tea Glass you will get one month FREE subscription to My Yoga Online!  This could be an amazing, life changing, present for that special tea lover in your life, and for YOU!  Don't start News Year's Resolutions later, start them now!  Offer Good through December 15th.  Check out announcement HERE.   

WIN IT
One of my wonderful readers is going to be winning a Libre Tea of their CHOICE!  This is part of our Pitch List Holiday Gift Guide.  So many wonderful companies to see and enter for awesome prizes and Libre Tea is one of my top favorites.  This giveaway is open to US and Canada.  Giveaway starts NOW and ends at 11:59pm November 29th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLAIMER: No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. This promotion is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook and is Facebook-compliant. Winners will be notified by email from a ‘Pitch List ‘ Blog. Winners will have 36 hours to respond or risk forfeiting their prize. Prize fulfillment is the sole responsibility of the sponsor. This blogs participating may not be held liable for Sponsors who do not fulfill prize shipments.

Use Food to Lower Risk of Diabetes

November happens to be American Diabetes Month, among other events.

Help spread the word on how to eat to beat Diabetes, one way is to enjoy more berries.

  

Blueberries

Blackberries

Cranberries

Cherries

Raspberries

All these beautiful delicious fruits have Anthocyanins which help to lower the risk of type II diabetes.

Cranberries fresh and whole are now in season and can easily be found at your local grocer.  I like to stock up on these and throw them in the freezer for during the Spring and Summer months.  I like to make my Cranberry Juice from scratch and it helps to detox the kidneys and bladder.

What kind of healthy ways will you be using these fruits this season?
Disclaimer:  I am not paid for my announcements, news, or post.  These are my opions and thoughts.  I enjoying bring my readers wonderful Companies, Events, Health News, and Green Living.  

Just Because You Can Eat It Does Not Make It Food, Contributor Post

I know some of you may look at the title and wonder, what can that mean? Isn’t that the definition of food – something you eat? Actually no… not in today’s day and time. Food is life giving, sustaining and nourishing. Much of what you find in the grocery store now days is processed and designed for quick and easy meals.

I encourage you to read more about this topic over at Happy Mothering.

Disclosure: I am not paid for my reviews, post.  These are my personal thoughts and opions that I share to help others know about companies, lifestyle, and products I am passionate about.  

Raw Almond Balls Recipe

Raw Almond Balls Recipe

2 1/2 cups shredded coconut, unsweetened
1 cup almond butter
1/2 cup raw honey
1 cup raisins
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cups almonds, ground into meal
shredded coconut, unsweetened for coating balls.

Add first 6 ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Blend until all ingredients look combined.  Form into balls in your palm.  These can be same or large.  I personally like to make mine about 1 1/2 inch balls so they are single servings.  This way I don't just easily keep popping them in and forgetting to count them.  I am not counting calories, but no need to waste them.  :-)  after you form your balls then coat them with the extra coconut.  I keep pressing the coconut to the balls and reforming the ball shape over and over.  Then place in refrigerator until cold.  They store nicely in the frig for up to 10 days.  I froze half my batch for later.  When I took them out of the freezer they thawed nicely within 5 minutes and taste amazing still. 

This recipe comes from the Making Babies Book, by Shoshanna Easling.  She has so many wonderful recipes, herbal creations, and advice all in one amazing book.  While these recipes are especially helpful for a mom and dads trying to get pregnant, moms carrying babies, it is also great for those wanting healthy options. 
I find this to be a great source of protein, fiber, folate, good fats, and energy to power me back up after a hard run.  It taste like a cookie to me, but has all great ingredients that my body needs.  I love when a food taste like your cheating, but its totally good for you. 

NewGreens Review and Giveaway

I love to drink smoothies and shakes at any time of the day, it is a great way to get a power punch of vitamins and nutrients.  That said, I am very excited to be sharing with you NewGreens.

New Greens, made by Pure Prescription,  is a complete super food blend and it taste delicious!  I was sent 1 pouch, that is a 30 day supply, and the mixer cup to be able to drink on the go.  This has been a normal morning routine for me.  I love that it is packed with 15+ servings of Fruits and Vegetables per a scoop!  For those that have a hard time getting in all your fruit and vegetable servings, this would be a great option for you.  New Greens is Gluten Free and Vegan.  I have found that when I drink this super antioxidant blend I have a constant energy all day.  Another great feature is that is provides natural energy instead of other energy drinks that may give you jitters or crashing.  It contains fiber which is important to a healthy digestive system with no added sugars or preservatives. 

I loved the berry blend but it does come in two other options Organic and The Original.  

http://www.pureprescriptions.com/newgreens/products.aspption

I never like to skip breakfast and I don't like to eat anything heavy before a run or tough workout.  This drink has been a wonderful addition to my mornings that keeps me hydrated, filled, energized, and ready to run, or whatever the day has planed.  All you do is drop in your one scoop of NewGreens, fill with cool filtered water, and shake.  You can use a juice, milk, or milk alternative, I just enjoyed with plain filtered water.  It taste great and perfect for moms on the go that tend to be too busy for a healthy breakfast.  Oh, did I mention is is only 40 calories!!!!  Keep in mind the assortment of vitamins that you can be adding to your body, 15+ servings and 54 super foods!  

Benefits of New Greens

• Immune system health
• Optimum digestion!!
• Body repair and longevity
• Body detoxification
• Mental Clarity, which we all need.

Want to buy it?
New Greens 30 day supply is valued at $44.97.  For customers in the US, shipping is Free and NO sales Tax!  Awesome right?

 Like Pure Prescriptions on Facebook

Follow on Twitter

Visit their Website

Want to Win some?  

Of course you do! One lucky reader is going to win a packet of Berry Blend for a 30 day naturally energizing, immunity building, month.  Just fill out the Raffelcopter below and Good Luck!

DISCLAIMER:  No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. This promotion is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook and is Facebook-compliant. Winners will be notified by email. Winners will have 24 hours to respond or risk forfeiting their prize. Prize fulfillment is the sole responsibility of the sponsor. The blog participating may not be held liable for Sponsors who do not fulfill prize shipments. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Microwaving destroys benefits of Vitamin B12?

The microwave has become a normal everyday tool in the kitchen, but at what cost?  Research is showing that the microwave destroys vitamins and alters the nutrient makeup of foods.

Vitamin B12 is needed for nourishing the nerves and is found to be helpful with MS, Bell's Palsy, and Parkinson disease.  B12 also plays a huge role in protein conversion and is needed to prevent anemia.  Some studies has even shown B12 to be one of the few items to have an impact on damaged nerves.  With all the ways this amazing vitamin is needed and helps, we do not want to destroy it by using the microwave.

Foods B12 are found in listed below.
Sea Vegetables: Kelp, Dulse, and Nori.
Soybeans
Meats
Eggs
Seafood
Dairy Products

Try to use your microwave less and help your body to absorb the B12 in your foods.
More information at Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry.

Simple Breakfast Make it Count.

I am a mother first and always.  I love being at my children's school as a volunteer and room mom.  Today, I needed to be at the school right as it opened and things where a little chaotic at home.  I needed to make breakfast, lunches, make sure everyone was ready, but with less time than normal.  As a mom moving in all directions would you have stopped and made sure you ate breakfast?  Most moms would have grabbed a coffee mug and ran out the door with the kids.  This is normal and happens everyday.  We are super mom's and we will take care of ourselves later.  Let's change that.  Take a few minutes and make sure you start your day off right as well.  Here was the breakfast I had this morning.  It was supper simple and I made it as I made the kids lunches. 

Newman's Own Organics Prunes                                                                       
Clementine slices
handful full of grapes
palm full of almonds

While I sent the kids to get their socks and shoes on I sat down and ate my simple breakfast.  It is loaded in fiber, natural sugars, and vitamins.  I was full, satisfied. and ready for a run when I get home.   So often I am tempted to quickly eat my food, standing at that, and rushing along.  It really takes a mental note to say "Kelley, sit down and chew your food".  Let's face it moms are always on the go, so make the most out of your food choices.  Fill your tank right so you have the energy and patience for all your super mom demands of you.

I have to say that I love the Newman's Own Organic prunes.  These are delicious, sweet, a great snack, and don't forget to add them to your meal.  Today I used them in my breakfast, because I wanted a little of my Scotland experience.  While in Scotland every morning I had dried plumes and grapefruit along with my breakfast.   

Disclosure:  I am not paid for my reviews.  These are my thoughts and opinions that I share to help others know about companies and products I am Passionate about.