Luscious Lentils for Dinner

Being a full-time working mom has created many new challenges for me but I refuse to let Healthy Cooking fall by the wayside. I also refuse to add any unnecessary stress to my already hectic life. Having said that, I cook 98% of all our meals, and I swear it is what keeps me going most days! While I'm not the most organized person in the world, I have acquired a few staple meals that I cycle through every few weeks. Lentil soup is a NEW recipe for me, and while it was not the tastiest soup that I've made, it satisfied our bellies and actually tasted better the next day.

I cooked the Lentil Soup on Monday night but we didn't eat it then. Instead, I re-heated the soup on Tuesday and cooked it a little longer than expected, so that when I went to remove it from the stove it looked more like a bean dip than a soup! I got rave reviews from the family on this one, so I decided to post it here for all my followers. Please feel free to let me know what you thought, or if there are other ways or ingredients to make Lentil Soup. For now, I am very pleased with this soup's ease, simplicity, and comforting appeal. I hope you are too!

Ingredients:

2 cups of Green Organic Lentils (soaked overnight)

3 Tablespoons of Pasture Butter

1 Organic Yellow Onion (diced)

3 large Organic Carrots (chopped)

4 cloves of Organic Garlic (chopped)

2 small Organic Russet Potatoes, Peeled and chopped

8 cups of Organic Chicken or Vegetable Broth (I use homemade Bone Broth)

Salt & Pepper to taste

1. In a large pot, toss the butter, onions, garlic, carrots, & potatoes and saute' for about 8-10 minutes.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook (uncovered) on medium heat for 90 minutes or until the lentils are soft. You can continue to add more liquid as it boils down, or you can make a thicker soup consistency.

Serve warm with fresh bread, or boil down the water until it becomes like a "bean dip" and serve with Tortilla chips!

The Healthiest Chocolate Pudding!!!

I've always enjoyed chocolate. It has been my favorite flavor when it comes to many things, but these days I no longer crave the Snickers bars of the past. Now that I've acquired a taste for raw Cacao beans, I'm totally addicted to this pudding. It's a healthy addiction. One that includes an energy boost, mental clarity and a release of those feel-good endorphins! I highly recommend you give this a try. If you do, please share your thoughts with other followers of this blog by commenting below.

Until next time, Live Well!!!


Raw Chocolate Pudding Recipe

3 medium Organic (ripe) Avocados
1/2 Raw Cacao Powder
1/2 cup of filtered water
1/4 cup Agave Nectar
1/4 cup raw wild honey
(OR just add 1/2 cup Agave or Honey)
2-3 Tablespoons of Vanilla (if using Raw Vanilla Bean, try only 1 Tablespoon)
1 tsp of Sea Salt or HimalaSalt (pink rock salt)

Combine all ingredients in a high powered blender. Blend until hot, smooth and creamy
Top with crushed almonds, walnuts or slices of banana!

Turkey Meatballs in November?

Thanksgiving Week is quickly approaching, but that doesn't even stop me from getting my weekly dose of homemade Turkey Meals. For the most part, Turkey meatballs are a staple in our home. My 2-year-old toddler can't seem to get enough of them and I just love the fact that it takes me all of 10 minutes to prep, then plop in the oven for 30 minutes. Since so many people have requested this recipe, I thought I would add it my blog. I don't measure the ingredients when I make this dish, but I've tried to be as precise as possible here. Use your judgement and let me know if you made any adjustments. Gobble, Gobble!! =)

1 package of free range, hormone free, antibiotic free ground turkey meat.
1 egg (organic is always best)
1/4-1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (we use gluten-free)
3-4 cloves of freshly chopped garlic
1/4 cup grated cheese
2 tsp of fresh parsley (finely chopped)

Preheat oven to 350
combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix together with your hands.
Add 2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin, Organic, Oil Olive to a baking pan, or cookie sheet
Use an ice cream scooper to scoop out balls of meat and drop into pan
Bake on 350 for 30 minutes!

Butternut Squash time of the year!!

If you've only had Butternut Squash with butter or tomato sauce, you are truly missing out!! It took me 10 minutes to prep and then it baked in the oven for 30 min. All-in-all, a very simple meal to make. I never knew Butternut Squash could actually be an entire meal!! Give it a try. Let me know what you think if you do!

Spaghetti Squash I Recipe - Allrecipes.com

Carrot, Banana, Walnut Muffin Recipe

The Fall season seems to be the best time for Baking and Cooking homemade goodies! I usually start by making a few different soups for the week and then I begin experimenting with new Muffin or bread recipes. This time I came across a truly delicious and HEALTHY Muffin recipe! I decided to give it a try when I looked at all the ingredients and saw there was no need for Sugar!!!! The ingredients were very basic and I had them all on hand.

After these were done, I began dipping into the pan, night and day, for a little treat. (You may not want to make the bite-sized versions, as it was much more conducive for snacking on throughout the day.) These are truly hard to resist! I think next time I will return to making the large muffins that can be eaten as a meal or a FULL snack-on-the-go! If Tyler were already in school, this would definitely make a great snack to include with his lunch!

If you decide to try out this Carrot, Banana, Muffin Recipe, please leave a comment letting me know what you thought. If you didn't like, or altered it in any way I'd love to hear about that too!!!

~ Here are the list of ingredients I used that may have changed the flavor or the quality slightly.

- Aluminum-Free Baking Soda

- Gluten-Free Sorghum Flour

- HimalaSalt

Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash recipe

I have to say this is very simple and delicious!! Great that we'll have some warm, soothing, comfort soup for this cool Autumn week ahead! Try it and let me know what you think. (This is another example that homemade cooking can be simple and stress free!)

Full-time working mom & home-cooked meals?

Is it even possible to be a Full-time working Mom, and a FULL-time cook at all meals? Well, in order for my son and me to have the best nutrition, I had to give it a try to find out. So far I will tell you that it does require a whole lot of planning. I'm thinking that may get easier as time goes by and I learn how to fully adjust to the cook ONE, eat Twice plan.

I used to think that it was too much work to plan the meals for the week in advance, but now I see it's just too much work NOT to!!!! When I go shopping I already have a few meals in mind that I'd like to make for the week. Breakfast is pretty simple, as we cycle through the main meals and smoothies but dinners are always a little more of a challenge.

I've been making MORE servings of each meal and freezing in preparation for the days towards the end of the week when I am tired and don't feel like cooking when I get home. I've turned to my crockpot in the past for certain meals, but now I'm beginning to get more creative!!!

This morning before leaving for work I put Turkey Drumsticks in the crockpot, and when I came home I had a delicious dinner waiting for me!!! Here's the recipe in case you'd like to give it a try. IF you do, please be sure to post a comment and give me some feedback. Suggestions are always welcome too!

Barbecue Turkey Drumsticks

2 lbs of Organic, fee-range, Antibiotic free TURKEY drumsticks

1/2 cup Organic Barbecue Sauce

2 tablespoons of Steaksauce

1/2 cup of spring water

Put turkey and water in the crockpot. Pour the sauces over the top of the drumsticks. Cover the crockpot and set on LOW for 8-10 hours.

Split Pea Recipe

Okay, my friend Kellie shared this very simple recipe with me last year. At first I never dreamed of making, "Split Pea Soup" because quite frankly it didn't sound very appetizing to me. After a little convincing of how simple and sweet this soup was, I caved-in and gave it a try. It has become one of my favorite soups of all time- especially when served over PASTA!!!! SOOO yummy!!! Give it a try. You will NOT be disappointed! For all the busy moms, it freezes really well too!

Split Pea Soup

(Soak peas overnight) 1st Bring to a boil, then rinse.

1 package of 16oz of Organic Split Peas

6 cups of Filtered water

2 Organic Carrots

1 head of chopped Organic Garlic chopped

1 Organic Yellow Onion chopped

2-4 small Organic Potatoes

Himala Salt (pink rock salt) or Sea Salt & Black Pepper to taste

Cover & Simmer up to an hour. Once peas are broken, blend with an Immersion Blender (hand-blender or transfer soup into your regular blender) and blend until smooth and creamy.

Serve over Pasta or with pieces of homemade bread!!! Sooooo Delicious on a cool evening!

Homemade Deodorant

Try making this homemade Deodorant at home!! Easy, and non-toxic to your system.

1 tablespoon of baking soda

1 tablespoon of corn starch

1 tablespoon of olive oil

5-6 drops of tea tree oil

5-6 drops of peppermint oil

Mix together and it forms a paste that you can spread easily under your arms after a shower (it spreads easiest when skin is a tiny bit damp)

** Special Thanks to my friend Ashley for sharing this! **

GREEN, "Back to School Supplies?!?"

As a teacher with summers off from work, I certainly hate all the HYPE and RUSH centered around, "Back to School" marketing, but not this time! For once, I'm actually excited to read and share a site that has listed the best choices for "green" school supplies. While it may be a little more difficult to find these products, I've decided to post this now so Moms can start preparing for these purchases. EWG's Back to School Guide is here!

This will be the first year that I don't fill my classroom with Purell hand sanitizers and Lysol Wipes or sprays. Geeze, I've learned so much from becoming a Holistic Mom and Health Coach. I want to make the best choices for all my loved ones, including my students. I'm hoping my class parents will meet me with understanding and acceptance, and don't see me as being too extreme. It's my mission to now educate others in hopes of changing the world for our future generations.

Please let me know what your thoughts are on this issue. Would you support me or try to discourage me? Would you be willing to donate these items to your child's teacher? Maybe you'll even do so and report back on how it went.

Looking forward to hearing from you! Until next time... LIVE WELL!!!

Infant babies growing breasts from FORMULA!

This is yet another testament to why it is imperative to breast feed your babies. It has become very clear that we cannot trust the health of our children to any companies. After my son was born I saw how he could not tolerate the formula. Some may say he was sensitive, but I say the best thing I every did for him, aside from breast feeding was make homemade formula. I knew exactly what he was getting, and it certainly was NOT cow's milk.

I feel for all the mamas who are unaware of their choices, or obediently listen to doctors, and baby commercial companies. The truth is, each parent should do his/her own research before their baby is born. It is unfortunate that we don't learn these things in school. Many moms don't have the time to research things while they are working full time, and once baby arrives there is even more stress due to lack of sleep, new routines, and the unchartered waters that come with parenthood.

Again, I will say it here because I feel so strongly about it: Cow's milk is not meant for humans. Cows produce this for their own offspring, the calf. While there is great controversy about the benefits of Dairy, I will say that it is a BIG BUSINESS!! Business is about sales, which always comes down to money. We all know how supply and demand works, right? Well, companies are injecting hormones into cows so they produce lots of milk. These hormones are being passed on to our babies, children and all of mankind. The statement below just makes me sick to my stomach.

"Along with China, the U.S. is today one of the few countries in the world that still allows bovine growth hormones to be injected into dairy cows. Though banned in Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most of Europe, the use of these hormones in U.S. dairy is not only legal, it's routine in all 50 states."

Read this article mamas, Female Infants growing Breasts, and always trust your internal instincts and feelings. If you'd like to know more about alternatives to cow's milk, dairy, or dairy-free formula, yogurts, and milk, please contact me today!

"If you are going to buy dairy products, try to get them from organic sources. Organic milk products by law can't be produced with bovine growth hormone (BGH). Or look for dairy products that specifically say they are produced without BGH (also called recombinant bovine somatotropin, or rBST). Starbucks only uses dairy products that have not been produced with the hormone. Ben & Jerry's ice cream likewise uses only milk and cream from dairy farms that have pledged not to use BGH." - John Robbins

** Contact me today for your first Health session. **

Until next time.... Take care of yourself, your babies and your family!!! LOVE and PEACE!

Glorious Garlic

So if you know me well enough, you know how I absolutely adore garlic, and how I try to sneak it into a meal every chance I get. If you're not convinced, just ask my friend Kellie, who has now adapted to adding lots of fresh garlic to her own homecooked meals.

While I used to shy away from Garlic because I had IBS, GERD, and Acid Reflux, I have since learned that garlic is my FRIEND!!!! I would eat chunks of it at a time if I could!! Fortunately it seems that adding it as a staple to my diet and traditional meals has done the trick. My newest obsession with garlic is adding it to my raw salads. It is so tasty and refreshing. JUST be sure to use ORGANIC!!! Yes, it does make a BIG DIFFERENCE!

Aside from my personal experimentation with garlic, there is always research available that states all the health benefits of eating or cooking with garlic. Here is a site by one of my favorite mentors, Dr. Andrew Weil. Take a look and let me know what you think.

5 Reasons to Eat Garlic - Dr Weil's Daily Health Tips - Natural Health Information Blog

What's the deal with kids' juice?

Okay, so as a new mama I've never quite bought into the concept of giving my child juice. This is probably because my pediatrician has been against it since day one stating, "Juice feeds yeast," and "There is very little nutritional value in packaged juice."

Of course my dad believes firmly that children should have their "Tropicana OJ," in the morning because it is packed with Vitamin C, but from my own research and schooling, I now know better. If my son wants fruit juice, I make it for him because I know exactly what he is getting. However, too much fruit juice can elevate blood sugar levels and set children up for future health problems. As parents, we need to be educated about what our children's nutritional needs are and how we can best fill their daily requirements. For me, packaged JUICE has never been the answer.

Here is more research (85% of kids' drinks contain lead) that shows that juice, snacks & baby foods contain high levels of lead. It's alarming because even buying, "Organic" brands does not mean you are in the clear. Take a minute to read this article and maybe you'll decide to PASS on the fruit juices for your little one. It may seem radical but the truth is we must watch out for our children. We cannot trust big name companies, pretty packages, or healthy labels. The truth is, if it is packaged it is probably contaminated and in my opinion there is enough contamination in this world that is already making us sick. Take control over what you already have control over, your food choices. Your children will thank you for it one day!

I can teach you to make the quickest, easiest, healthiest meals for your family. I'm not Super-woman, but I've made small changes that have had a huge impact on the health of my child. If you're interested in learning more about what I do please message me: HealthCoachChristine@yahoo.com. I'm giving FREE Health Histories, where we can discuss your health concerns & goals for you and your family. I am NOW accepting clients!!! I can't wait to help you to live your best life. You''ll have tons of energy, much more patience, best quality sleep (and sex- had to throw that in) and weight that will just melt off your body with every little effort. If this sounds that something that will improve your quality of life, please get in touch with me TODAY!!!!

Until next time... Live Well and LOVE the life you Live!!

Acid Reflux in Children- Modern Disease

This topic is one that hits home for me. I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux at the age of 24 but have suffered with it my entire life, dating back to infancy. Fortunately, my mom never put me on medication or prescription formula because during those years, pediatricians knew that some babies suffered from reflux and most babies outgrew it. The truth is, if your baby is born with Acid Reflux, sensitivities, or intolerances of any kind it is because they have a gut imbalance and you should start to help your baby to heal from the inside out.

My son, Tyler, suffered from acid reflux, colic, milk intolerance, projectile vomit, diaper rashes and so forth when he was an infant. I immediately sought the care of a Holistic Nutritionist who helped me to heal his gut. I began adding probiotics to Tyler's diet, made him homemade, non-dairy formula, and helped to rebalance his digestive tract.

This article Acid Reflux: A Red Flag is by far the best I've ever read regarding Acid Reflux. It made me realize just how big of a problem this is in our country. Today, 50% of infants suffer from Acid Reflux disease in the first few months of life and recently, there has been a 56% increase in sales of medicine for acid reflux and digestive disorders in infants and children.

These statistics alone are very alarming! As parents, it is time to learn to heal your child with other remedies and avoid medications, which yield long-lasting side effects. "Let food be Thy medicine, and medicine be Thy food." - Hippocrates.

Until next time... Be well!

SUN-Sational, Safe, Sunscreens

As moms, we want to protect our babies and children from harm. During the summer months, while we are spending lots of time outdoors with our little ones, the Sun can be cause for alarm. Playdates in the park, time at the beach or spent swimming in the pool can equal long exposure to direct sunlight.

First and foremost, it is important to dress our children appropriately during the summer months. The safest way to limit sun exposure is by covering them with hats and t-shirts but if your little one has trouble keeping these on, then it's time to break out the "Sun Block!"

Sounds like a simple enough solution but with so many choices out there, how do we know which ones to use? Should we, "Get on the Boat. The Banana Boat?" Or use sunscreens like Coppertone, that our moms put on us? This is where research and networking comes into play again. Fortunately for those reading this blog, I have done the work for you!

Here are websites that list the best sunscreens to use as well as other great tips for Summer. You can even check the sunscreen you are currently using to see how it measures up!

EWG's 2010 Sunscreen Guide

The Thin Green Line : Green group compares sunscreen to snake oil

Best Beach & Sport Sunscreens | EWG's 2010 Sunscreen Guide

Top Sun Safety Tips | EWG's 2010 Sunscreen Guide

Wishing everyone a Healthy and Happy Summer!!!! Until next time.... Live well!

Seriously, Sushi @ 2 ??

I never thought I would experience something like this, especially coming from a family that doesn't eat Seafood or Sushi. Today, as I made Wild Salmon, Brown Rice, and Salad for dinner, I thought of jazzing it up a bit. I added something called "Nori" Sea Vegetable - A type of Seaweed wrap, and made myself some homemade, cooked Sushi. Well, Tyler thought it looked yummy and wanted to taste it. So, for fun I let him try, and would you believe he ate the entire wrap?!?! Yes, I even posted the pictures to prove it. I'd have to say that giving your children a variety of foods, and lots of choice seems to make a huge difference in their eating habits. Tyler finished his SALAD and then asked for MORE lettuce!!

For all the mamas out there struggling with feeding their kids healthy meals, I encourage you to continue to keep the faith and try adding more variety of fruits and veggies to your diet. Of course, there are other things I've done as well that I attribute to our healthy lifestyle but a lot of it comes back to Nutrition! If you're interested in setting up a free Consultation with me, I can take a closer look at what's on your menu and possibly assist you in the future!

Until next time.... Live Well!!!

Our Summer Indulgences

As Summer approaches and the days get longer, my family looks to have a nightly treat. We started to get into the habit of going for Italian Ices or Ice Cream, but since we try our best to live 90% Dairy-free and limit our processed sugar, I found myself struggling to come to terms with these TREATS!

So, I started to think of ways that I could make some Healthy Alternatives to Ice and Ice Cream, and boy do I LOVE what I've found!!! Our newest pleasures are Homemade Organic Sorbets!!!! So far I've experimented with Blueberry and Strawberry and they are soooo yummy!!! (As you can see from my favorite Test-Taster!) Recipes are found on the left Side Bar of this blog!

I encourage you to take a few minutes to try simple, inexpensive (compared to buying Ralph's or Rita's) and healthy treats that are homemade! I bet you'll be glad that you did!!!

Changing One Family at a Time

Okay Mamas,

If you need some daily Inspiration, you will get it here, along with some Motivation to start making changes in your lives for a better tomorrow. We've all witnessed our World change since the times when we were children, and not for the better. We're seeing our children grow sicker with many more illnesses than I every remembered while growing up.

Please take a moment to watch this. It will change the way you currently think about the things around you! It is my hope that it may awaken you to a whole new awareness, a new importance in life and maybe you'll even be ready to make some SMALL changes that will make a BIG difference! I'm counting on you!

A Wake Up Story

Do you soak your grains?

Okay mamas, so I wonder how many of us are soaking our rice, nuts, seeds & beans? I know some of my friends do soak their beans because the package requires it for easier cooking but there are important nutritional reasons for soaking them as well.

Here is a simple breakdown: Phytic acid is found within the hulls of nuts, seeds, beans and grains. Ironically these are the "healthy" foods we eat so we should be knowledgeable about what phytic acid is and ways we can neutralize it as much as possible.

In large quantities, phytic acid may cause mineral deficiencies in people, along with tooth decay, bone loss and digestive issues. This is because the phytic acid binds to minerals in your body and carries them out.

The good news is there are ways to reduce the phytic acid in foods. This article will give you more useful tips but even just soaking your grains overnight can make a big difference!

Living With Phytic Acid

I hope you've learned something today and put it to good use for yourself and your families!

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." - Ben Franklin

Until next time, Live Well!!!!

Awesome Article from HMN blog

Food and Wellness - This article sums up why I am specializing in becoming a Health Coach for Moms. Knowledge is power, and all moms need to make informed decisions. I say this a lot because I realize I cannot say it enough!

We live in a world where we have become desensitized to the many aliments that we all suffer from, but especially those inflicting our children. How many children do you know that suffer from Allergies, Asthma, Acid Reflux, Milk-Intolerance, ADD, ADHD, Autism, Asperger's and Cancer. Yes, I know that we cannot control most of the environmental factors (although we can control the immediate environments of our homes & schools, but I'll save that for another post) but it all begins with what we put into our bodies. It seems rather simple but many of us don't realize what's in our food. If what we consume is mostly filled with concoctions being created in labs then we aren't doing our bodies justice. Stay tuned for more on this topic, as you will find it to be a recurring theme in my posts. I hope this sparked your interest and got you to start questioning why there are so many illnesses in our children and how we can be proactive in preserving their health.

Until next time, live well!!

Why do you eat ORGANIC????

I am asked this question a lot! "Why do you eat Organic food?" "Does it really make a difference in the world?" "Is it better for your health?" "Do you taste a difference?" Today, I received an email from Integrative Nutrition, the school I am enrolled in that sums it all up! Happy reading everyone! Let me know if you still have questions regarding Organic food when you're done.

Here are some interesting facts about eating organic...

• The President's Cancer Panel suggests giving preference to organic food to avoid pesticides which have been linked to several types of cancers.
  
  
• Organic farming puts less strain on wildlife and the environment; these methods result in less air, water, and land pollution and produce less global warming gases.
  
• Unlike much of the food we see on grocery store shelves, organic food isn't genetically modified. Under organic standards, genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are prohibited.
  
  
• Organic food doesn't contain harmful food additives, flavor enhancers (i.e. MSG), artificial sweeteners (i.e. aspartame and high-fructose corn syrup), contaminants (i.e. mercury) or preservatives (i.e. sodium nitrate), that have been linked to a multitude of health problems.
  
  
• Organic food appears to promote weight loss since it reduces exposure to chemical pesticides which bind to fat. In fact, once absorbed, these pesticides may stay in the body for a lifetime (over 350 chemicals can accumulate in our body fat)!
  
  
• Organic farming standards prohibit the use of antibiotics, growth hormones and genetically modified vaccines in farm animals. Not only is this better for human consumption, but organic meat and dairy with the labels "free range" and "pasture fed" means that the animals were treated in a more humane and ethical manner.
  
• Organic fruits and vegetables contain up to 40% more antioxidants than conventional produce; organic milk from pasture raised cows contains up to 90% more antioxidants than non-organic milk.
  
  
• Organic foods have higher levels of beneficial minerals such as iron and zinc, minerals crucial to early child development.
• - Integrative Nutrition

Simply Saturday

We started the morning off with some Watermelon cubes, while waiting for breakfast to be cooked- Simply scrambled eggs yet one of Tyler's favorites. Then Tyler asked for some chocolate milk. We use Living Harvest Hemp Milk, but as I've started reading labels more closely, I noticed the chocolate milk has more sugar than I'd like him to have. It's great on occasion but not something I'd want him to get used to having every morning. So, I decided it was time to whip up a new shake! Something we've tried and really like is a smoothie that includes (Organic) Pineapple slices, pear, apple, broccoli & Green Chard (any type of lettuce or green with do). Be sure to include a cup of ice to make it a nice, cold, frothy, smoothie! Now, we/re off to run some errands and spend some time outside in the sun at a local park. Hope everyone gets to enjoy some quality time with the family today! Try, as much as possible, to live in the moment with your kids - Set time aside each day that you spend together, where you behave as if NOTHING ELSE in the WORLD exists, except for you and them!!!! This is nourishing to their soul as well as your own. Until next time... Live well!

My Son's 2nd Birthday Celebration!

Welcome back everyone! I'm going to try to be more consistent with my postings. It seems that it took me almost a full week to recover from my son's birthday festivities! For all the mamas out there I'm sure you can relate.

As the birthday approaches I feel this tremendous excitement to give my little man the best birthday ever! I don't know exactly what comes over me, but I experience feelings of love, nurturing and reminiscing of the year that has passed. I then direct that energy into the planning of the big day, or days, as was the case this year. So here are some highlights that I'd like to share with you:

The Thomas the Train birthday cake was Gluten-free, made with Bob's Mills Chocolate cake mix! It was yummy and the design came out pretty cute too! (It only took me 4 hours to make this cake from start to finish, but again that was the insanity that came over me to complete this project for my son). I also made some yummy Thomas cupcakes from the same batter.

Goody Bags were filled with Organic Lollipops by Yummy Earth and kites for the kids to fly, along with Thomas the Train rings and hats to wear. Hopefully all the guests enjoyed their goodies.

Happy Birthday to Tyler! Still can't believe that he's 2 years old!

Shame on PBS Vaccine program last night

As I tuned in to the PBS program titled, "Vaccine Wars," I watched with great dismay. Once again, the Big Pharma was funding this program and it turned out to be one-sided and frightening.

It was wonderful to hear Dr. Jay Gordon address these concerns today on his website. Thought I would share with my fellow Mamas! Let me know your thoughts! Shame on PBS Frontline, ” The Vaccine War” « Jay Gordon, MD FAAP

The Interview with God is something that always creates strong emotions within me, but also helps to put my life into perspective. I hope that it may do the same for you today.

Toy Rankings

Toy Rankings

Are you Hungry for CHANGE?

This blog is just ONE of the tools I will use to make a change in the lives of others. If you are reading this, then you've already taken the 1st step in admitting you want change! You are probably tired of all the Cancer, Asthma, Allergies, Autism, ADHD, ADD, Asperger's, etc that are so prominent in our world today, especially when it comes to our children.

You may think, "Well this is the way it was always done." What's terribly wrong about this statement is that 100 years ago our world was very different. Did you know 100 years ago EVERYONE ate ORGANIC food? That's all that there was! I know that while I was growing up I never knew one child, friend, neighbor or classmate that had Autism. Where are we failing our children? Where have we failed ourselves?

Sure you can tell me, "You can't live in a bubble!" Obviously this is true, although many times I find myself wishing I did. BUT, I can control 2 important parts of my family's life:

1. What we put into our bodies (FOOD), What we put on our bodies (to wash & moisturize, which is also food if you think about it) and

2. What I use to clean with, and which particles are going into the air that we breathe, at home anyway. (By the way, I clean pretty much everything with diluted White Vinegar and Water.)

These may seem like just small pieces of the puzzle, but in actuality they make a huge difference in our mental, physical & spiritual health each and every day. If you haven't already done so, please rent the documentary, Food Inc.

Why do I bother? Nothing will change. Well, for starters, every time I purchase ORGANIC foods, I am being heard by our Gov't. We all get 3 VOTEs a day by what we choose to eat. I am sending LOUD & CLEAR messages that are saying, "I will not be controlled by your Major Corporations: BEEF, DAIRY & SUGAR (that have no regard for human welfare, just the thickness of their wallets), that are killing the American people, our animals and our Earth!" What things are you voting for?

So, I'll ask you again, "Are you hungry for change?" We all have our part in this world. Don't sit back and allow this to negatively impact the health of your family. Here are some simple changes you can start with. Get Involved today!

Pleasant Surprises

Thursday is almost over, yet I feel compelled to check in and write about some of today's wonderful events. The day started with my hubby getting up and taking care of our son Tyler. He wanted me to catch up on some much-needed sleep. Can you believe I actually slept until 9am?!?! He said he was going to come check on me if I didn't get up soon. It's so unlike me to sleep that late, but my body REALLY needed some R&R!

Sleep was a gift that my husband was thoughtful enjoy to give to me today. Did he know this was exactly what I needed today? I was comforted by the idea that our son had been taken care of while mommy was also getting in some self-care.... REST!!!! Definitely not a daily occurrence.

When I woke, I found out the dogs had already gone for a long walk on the trail with Tyler & daddy, and breakfast was waiting for me on the table!!!! Delicious Scrambled eggs!!! Hubby decided that I needed some "alone" time- another gift in disguise. So, I took a nice shower and headed out to do some shopping.... for food (don't get too excited!) Although Brian suggested I go clothes shopping, I just wasn't feeling it today.

Upon returning, I discovered Tyler had already been put to bed for nap. I quickly whipped up some yummy Organic Fried-Rice, per my husband's request. Since tomorrow will be 5 years since my husband and I first met, we thought about going OUT for dinner! So, I called Nonna and she said she was free to take care of Tyler for a few hours this evening.

What a terrific night!!!! After going to Nonna's for a while Brian and I slipped away to La Candela's, our favorite Mexican Restaurant! It was Seafood Paella for me, and some sort of Burrito, taco, and Tortillas for Brian. Another treat because this was the 1st time in 2 years that we were out to dinner alone!!!! We got to reminisce, laugh and have some Sangria. Dessert was a delightful Tartufo!!! I think they make it the best!!!

After getting Tyler to bed, hubby retired for the night and I came downstairs to do some reading and posting. I hope everyone else is safely tucked in their beds for the evenings and having some pleasant dreams and deep slumber.

Until tomorrow.... sleep well! Nite Nite.

Managing my life

Today I'm realizing that my blog doesn't have to be perfect everyday because that would cause more stress and take away from the JOY of doing this.

So, today I'll focus on adding more yummy recipes. Many friends that have viewed it have requested some recipes to try with their own families. I'll just tell you that these FOODS have helped my family to thrive! Don't forget we've eliminated Dairy, Gluten, Corn and processed sugars. (I'll get into WHY another time). These are wholesome meals that would provide nourishment to all. They've also been tested by me and tasted by my loved ones! They've earned our seal of approval.

Learning that cooking can be quick, easy & fun has changed my life tremendously. I've joined a Food Co-op, which supplies me with locally grown, Organic fruits & veggies. Here is the one I belong to, but I'm sure they're available in your area as well. Purple Dragon Co-op. As a side note, if you decide to join this one please be sure to let them know I referred you. I believe they will honor us both with some discounts!

The food co-op has prompted me to cook new foods that I didn't even know existed. On the right, you can see a picture of the Acorn Squash I cooked for the 1st time. You'll find more recipes that incorporate new foods and I encourage you to purchase the ingredients and try them with your families. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Joining a Co-op has also helped me to support my local farmers, and eat fresher food at a more affordable price. There is great satisfaction in going to pick up my fruits & veggies every 2 weeks and bringing them home excited to show the family what our meals will consist of! I highly recommend it!

That's all for now! Enjoy the blog!! Please leave comments or check off the boxes after each post to give me some feedback & don't forget to become a FOLLOWER!

Peace & Love to all! Until next time... Live Well!

Another Manic Monday

Good morning everyone!! My Monday was so Manic that I forgot to complete this blog until now!! LOL! I will tell you, I spent more of my day cooking and try new recipes which was lots of fun.

The new recipe of the day was Healthy, Organic, Egg-Fried Brown Rice. I found this recipe online (which is not so healthy) but I changed it to suit our needs. I used all Organic Ingredients, Olive Oil, Brown Rice, and added Green sweet peas. YUMMY! Hubby was delighted by this tasty lunch that I proudly whipped up in 10 minutes!!! WOW!!! And again I had FUN doing it. I never thought I would become a Chef in the kitchen. That time has not come just yet, but I'm well on my way!

The picture above is actually a Quinoa and Black Bean recipe. ** I substituted the corn for Sweet Peas! This has also become a FAVORITE!!!

Hope everyone enjoyed their Monday!!! The week has started to get some momentum....

Until next time... Live well!

Satiated Sunday

Good morning and welcome to Sunday, the first day of a new week! The beginning of a week holds great possibilities, plans, and unknown events that lie ahead. It is another sunny day here and I plan to get out and enjoy it with my family.

We started the day by filling our bodies with the most satisfying foods. Today's menu included a delicious Oatmeal (Gluten-free & Organic for us), topped with Cinnamon, chopped Almonds, shredded Coconut and Cranberries. I find that eating a well-rounded meal at the start of my day keeps me full and energized until lunch! This is important since Sundays include Church and some traveling. I also pack snacks for the car in case we get caught-up or feel like munching. Cut up Apples, carrots, homemade trail mix, Organic fruit/nut bars, Gluten-free Pretzels and a few canteens filled with filtered water are some of the varieties we choose from. It takes some planning ahead of time but once you get in the routine of preparing snack-sized packages it becomes easier to grab and GO!

With Breakfast we had a Green Smoothie that included: apple, grapes, kale, orange, pineapple, & carrots. It is beneficial to include RAW FOODS in your diet, in addition to cooked foods. This is another way to pack in the fruits & veggies for the day. Look at all the wholesome foods we consumed with just breakfast alone! These may seem like gourmet meals to you at first, but once you get used to cooking these foods it becomes second nature. Cooking Oatmeal is one of the simplest breakfasts I make. Just boil water, add oatmeal and let cook for 20 min while make the smoothie. Twenty minutes later everything is done, and it's an easy cleanup.

Next I set my intention for the day: To get outside to a park, or play area with Tyler, Hubby and possibly some family members and enjoy this glorious day!

Today I am grateful for: The day of SUNDAY!!! To be able to connect with family and friends that are NOT working on this day. I am grateful for the energy that I have and the inspiration I feel inside. Eating Healthy opens so many doors in life. I feel more connected, grounded, spiritual and energized!

Have a Great Sunday Everyone!!!! Until next time.... Live WELL!!!

"The Gift of An Ordinary Day" - A Must see for MOMS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olSyCLJU3O0

Breakfast Rituals

It's a great way to start the day with everyone eating together and connecting before we go our separate ways. Even though it's Saturday, Daddy is off to work. Today we started our day with some Scrambled Eggs with Leeks, Carrots & Garlic. The combination of flavors really compliment each other and it's now become a family favorite. Yet another way to sneak in those veggies, and it tastes sweet so my little man likes it! I even took a picture to document just how much he enjoys breakfast. I'll work on posting some recipes for you to try with your families. Let me know if you try them and how everyone liked the meal!

Now, before I get ready to head out into the world I check in with myself and set some intentions for the day. It's a beautiful day, the sun is shining in through the kitchen windows and I can see the wind blowing through the trees outside.

I'm looking forward to enjoying this day with Tyler and meeting up with family later tonight to celebrate some birthdays!

Today I am grateful for: being able to listen to my inner-self and live in the moment. I'll keep this with me as I travel throughout my day and see how it impacts the day's events.

Tyler is asking for his "green smoothie!" Off to blend more fruits & veggies together to make a yummy shake! More about that another time.

Hope you enjoy this beautiful day! Until next time.... Live well!

To a new Beginning...

Today, I begin the next chapter of my life - Blogging! It feels kind of surreal to sit in front of a computer and write my thoughts for the rest of the (cyber) WORLD to read!! I can hear the voice in my head narrating my story, almost like Carrie Bradshaw in "Sex and the City!"

Here I hope to reach out to other women, in particular mothers and moms-to-be, who are in search of living healthier lives. Women, from all walks of life, that are starting to realize there must be a better way to care for themselves and their families.

They say that, "When a child is born, so too is a mother." I never could have imagined the person I would become through Motherhood. I never knew the love I would be capable of giving and receiving, the selflessness that would overcome me, and the inner strength & wisdom that would surface. I never knew that I would be awakened to the life I was meant to live - One of Holistic living, Health & Nutrition, Wellness and Spirituality.

Today, I invite you to come along with me on this journey, as I take the steps towards living the life I was MEANT to live! I begin this blog with hopes that I may inspire you to learn new ways of living, thinking and interacting that assist you in living the life you always dreamed you would. I am energized by the thought of this blog having a positive impact on those that choose to join me!!! I appreciate that YOU have taken your time to read my blog. I hope that you will stop by again. Until next time.... Live well!