Angie's Healthy Living Blog

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2011-12-06T04:55:00.000-11:00

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Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)

2011-11-16T03:09:00.000-11:00

I just bought 2 huge Dragon Fruits! And thought I would share this article again!

Have you ever wondered what a dragon fruit looked like in the inside? Perhaps you have not wanted to buy one, cause you were unsure if it was worth it?

Dragon Fruit is definitely worth a try! It is so easy to prepare...just cut in half and scoop out the insides with a spoon. Cut into chunks! The little black seeds are similar to the kiwi seeds. The fruit has a pleasant flavor, not to sweet. And it is so healthy for you! Your kids will love it!

A Few Dragon Fruit Facts

Dragon Fruit is a good source of Vitamin C.
Dragon Fruit are rich in fiber and minerals, notably phosphorus and calcium.
The seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Dragon Fruit also contain significant quantities of phytoalbumin antioxidants, which prevent the formation of cancer-causing free radicals.
Dragon Fruit increases excretion of heavy metal toxins and lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. Eaten regularly, it is credited with alleviating chronic respiratory tract ailments.

7 Bone Health Facts (Guest Post)

2011-10-01T06:36:00.000-11:00

Flaunting that killing look all through the year will never be a possibility if you do not take care of your health. After all, good health is fundamental to looking beautiful.

Osteoporosis is one of the most common diseases faced by aging women nowadays, though men may also have it is found to be more rampant in women. Though this bone disease affects older people, it is what your diet that you take when you are young that determines your future.

Begin eating foods rich in Vitamin D and calcium to ensure that you age only externally with no signs of this dreaded disease. Be physically active and be informed. Read on to know more facts about osteoporosis that you may not have known before.

When you reach your 30s, you bones begin to lose density. The process is slow but gains momentum when you reach menopause. Your life from 30s to 60s will see a rapid loss in bone mass and will slow down again after you reach the ripe age of 60.
However, you can prevent this loss by eating food rich in Vitamin D and Calcium. Milk, soybean and green leafy vegetables are good sources of these. Remember that though you need calcium for strong bones, you body will not be able to absorb it unless it gets a supply of Vitamin D. Maintain an optimum body weight and good health.
Though loss of bone mass decreases after 60, your body needs a lot of Vitamin D after 70. You can get this from Vitamin D supplements and sunshine.
In women, irregular periods are one of the major causes of osteoporosis. This can happen in younger women too. Therefore, if you have irregular periods, get treatment immediately for a healthy future.
Being physically active is another way to keep your bones stronger. Include brisk walking and other exercises in your life.
It is a common belief that osteoporosis is a part of the aging process but this is a myth. If you lead a healthy lifestyle when you are young, you can prevent this disease. Avoid alcohol, take a healthy diet and include vitamin D and Calcium, make exercise a part of your life and get a lot of sunshine for strong bones. You will surely beat the disease.
It is the loss of bone mass that makes older women look as if they are shrinking. The human body cannot shrink but reduction in bone density can make you look tiny and as if you will collapse anytime.

Osteoporosis affects bone density and the bones can crack or break any time. When it begins to heal, you must take precautions to ensure that the healing is complete. A little care will go a long way in ensuring a strong future.

Brenda Lyttle is a health expert who began writing for publications in her community in 2005 and now commands an authority in writing on healthy living, fitness, and anti-aging related topics. She is also a strong believer of the goodness of

a popular HGH supplement, but insists that exercising can never be replaced by any supplement whatsoever

11th Share - EXTRA Tomatoes!

2011-08-22T07:51:00.000-11:00

Today's 11th share came with extra tomatoes! I am thinking tomato sauce, salsa, roasted tomatoes, and a bunch of tomato sandwiches!
See the rest of the share below!

Corn
Beets
Beans
Eggplant
Carrots
Zuchinni
Cucumber
Red Onion
Patty Pan Squash
Jalapeno's
Peppers
Rutabaga

CSA Shares!

2011-08-19T09:33:00.000-11:00

So blogger is being annoying(pics out of order, side ways)...but here are the pics of some of my summer shares from our CSA.

I missed taking a pic of my 8th share.

We are loving our CSA! It did start out a bit small but now we are getting so much produce! The kids are eating it up so quick! I should tell you that our shares are half shares meant for 3-4 people. Next year I think we may consider upgrading to a full share 5-6 people.

10th Share

7th Share
Designed by my daughter

6th share

9th share

5th CSA Share

2011-07-18T03:41:00.000-11:00

Here is Kaitie with our 5th farm share!

A basket full of fresh organic produce!

This share included

Peas

Beans

Kale

Swiss Chard

Cucumber

Herb bouquet

Why does blogger turn my pics sometime?

The 100 Mile Diet: How to Get Local (or At Least Come Close!) -Guest Post

2011-07-14T11:00:00.001-11:00

Buying locally benefits the local economy while improving the environment by enriching soil, protecting water quality as well as air quality, and minimizing energy consumption. Local farms are also inherently preserving land while using less packaging that cannot be reused or recycled. The reasons to eat local in your meal planning never end!

So why do people still emphasize buying organic? Buying organic assures that your food has been produced without using most pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering or ionizing radiation. Some people feel hesitant to buy local food because most local farmers cannot afford the time-consuming and costly organic certification. However, you can still ask famers whether or not your food is organic by the certification standards by inquiring what types of pesticides or fertilizers they use. You can eat organic and local simultaneously.

Additionally, eating local is time consuming and sometimes difficult. Some people just don’t feel up the the challenge. However, there are some ways that you can eat local, even if you can’t become a full-fledged “locavore.”

For example, you can make sure you can purchase by the season to minimize your food’s travel time. There are tons of websites, such as Smart Living, that provide charts and lists of foods that are in season in your area. Print these out, put them on the fridge, and shop by the season.

You can also try buying from a local food producer, like a butcher or bakery. Instead of buying that loaf of bread in the aisles of the grocery store, pick it up from your local bakery.

Don’t hesitate to go local from home, either. Planting some herbs like basil and rosemary is a little effort that can go a long way. If you have a green thumb, you could try your hand at planting some berries or vegetables too.

But let’s face it -- not everyone has the time or resources to go all local. If you can’t go local, think regionally or for items produced in the

United States

. Get as close to home as you can. When shopping for ingredients that you can’t get in the

United States

, look for Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance certification. Fair trade guarantees that farmers receive a fair price for their product, work directly with buyers, and prioritize sustainable farming methods without harmful pesticides or child labor. Rainforest Alliance guarantees that products are grown with environmentally responsible management practices including integrated pest and disease management, soil and water conservation. Workers are fairly compensated for their work through this certification.

Going local means become more aware of the environment and paying close attention where your food comes from. By doing so, you get fresher food to your table and help the environment. It’s a win-win.

James Kim is a writer for foodonthetable.com. Food on the Table is a company that provides online budget meal planning services. Their goal is to help families eat better and save money.

4th CSA Share

2011-07-07T02:30:00.001-11:00

Kale, cabbage, rainbow swiss chard, herb bouquet, parsley, strawberries, radishes, and green onions.

3rd CSA Share!

2011-06-27T07:28:00.000-11:00

This weeks share is a bigger one!

butter lettuce
romaine lettuce
rainbow chard
kale
broccoli
cabbage
strawberries
thyme
green onion
lemon basil

10 Items!
Now what to make with it all! The strawberries were a big surprise! I just bought some strawberries this morning. So I have so many to use. I am thinking a nice strawberry salad tonight.
Does anyone have any fresh cabbage, chard, or kale recipes to share?

We are having so much fun with our CSA!

2nd CSA Produce Box

2011-06-22T11:25:00.000-11:00

This weeks produce box contains Kale, Rainbow Swiss Chard, Green Onions, Radishes, Basil, and Lettuce!
(The pic is sideways because of blogger...does anyone else have this problem?)

I used the Basil to make pesto.
The Kale into chips!
Swiss Chard I sautéed with garlic and onions.
Green Onions and Radishes are being thrown into all my salads!

I had a question about what to do with so many green onions last week. I don't get enough to do any bigger recipes. But if I did...I would make yummy onion rolls! What do you do with all you green onions?

Fresh from the garden to my front door! My 1st CSA Share!

2011-06-14T06:25:00.000-11:00

Yesterday my first produce box arrived at my door! It is a bit small, but my farmer assures me that it will get bigger as produce grows. So I have lettuce, Kale, cilantro, rhubarb, and some green onions! Yummy!

How my CSA works
I give my farmer a set fee prior to the start of the season. This cover the costs of the farm operation.
There are risks due to weather and other factors out of the control of my farmer, which are are shared by everyone in the CSA community.

Why I like my CSA

I love that I support my local farmer and the personal contact with that our farmer provides us with the opportunity to ask questions about the practices the farmer uses and to visit the farm to see how it all works!
I get fresh organic produce every week delivered to my door!
The quality of locally organically grown fresh produce. Yummy!
The cost(if it is a good year) is way cheaper then buying from the grocery store!

Local Food Makes Sense!
Exceptional taste and freshness - Local food is fresher and tastes better than food picked before ripening that has been shipped thousands of miles.

It strengthens your local economy - Buying local food keeps your dollars circulating in your community.

Health benefits for the entire family - No lost nutrients compared to grocery store bought foods.

Protects the environment - Local food doesn't travel far, reducing carbon dioxide emissions from transportation lines and packing crates.Organic methods benefit the soil, air, water, wildlife and people in the farm ecosystem

Now, what to make? Does anyone have any good rhubarb recipes?

Warning! Do not lick your Food Processor Blade! Raw Ice Cream

2011-06-06T06:20:00.001-11:00

Now I was always the one who scooped out the ice cream...You know with the metal scoop...and when finished the first thing I would is give the scoop a lick. Ouch not to smart right. So then I tried short licks...and well I always got that ice cream off! Now please when you make your raw ice cream I beg you not to lick the food processor blade....Even though it looks so tasty...and I know you hate to waste that little bit....But really it is not worth cutting your tongue for. I tell you it was so hard for me not to lick the blade :)

I have seen recipes for raw ice cream before, and I have been wanting to make my own...so I have been looking for an affordable ice cream maker. Yesterday I saw this Happy Herbivore recipe here. And I was like..."hey I can do that!" And I had everything I needed! So today I made raw ice cream! This what I did!

Raw Ice Cream for one!

1 frozen Banana
1/4 cup Almond Milk
1 Dried Fig (that I soaked the day before)
1/4 tsp Organic Cocoa

Throw all in your food processor(blender may work as well) And whirl until it looks like soft serve ice cream!
Enjoy your ice cream right away! (this bowl started melting on me cause I was running all over the house trying to find the card for the camera!!!)

I think this recipe would do amazing with home made coconut milk...and I am going to have fun making different flavours this summer!

WMWW - JUNE - Taking a break

2011-06-01T00:50:00.002-11:00

Hi Everyone,

I have found that I don't have as much time to be an active blogger. So I am taking a break from wmww till the fall. The May linky is still open so feel free to link up if you have a post...and visit and support everyone who has participated! That is why I created this meme :) To support each other.

I still will be posting healthy recipes this summer! I have joined a CSA and expect a lot of produce which to experiment with!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Chickpea Enchillada!

2011-05-13T07:29:00.000-11:00

My family loves this recipe! So much so that they requested me to make it tonight. I love this recipe as it is so easy to make! And of course I just use what I have on hand. I also made my homemade tortilla's, and homemade salsa. So yummy!!!!

2 cups    chickpeas(soaked and cooked as recommended) Today I am going to use my sprouted chickpeas!
1 cup                  salsa
1/2 cup               cottage cheese I have no cottage cheese in the fridge so I am going to use cheddar and add lot of add ins!

Add ins               onion, peppers, jalapeno peppers, mushrooms, corn, black beans, garlic, spices. what ever you have on hand or like!
1 1/2 cups           salsa
3/4 cup               shredded cheese
6                        tortilla's

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl mash chickpeas, mix with salsa, cheese, and any add ins.
Roll even amounts of the mixture in the tortillas. Arrange in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover with salsa sauce and 3/4 cup shredded cheese.
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving. Best served with fresh guacamole, and a nice garden salad.
If you are looking for more Chickpea recipes click here!

Black Bean Quesadilla!

2011-05-11T10:14:00.000-11:00

Tonight's Dinner!

This one of our favorite meatless meals! I have share this yummy recipe before...but it is so good I thought I would share again!

Prep all ingredients.

tomato diced
green onion sliced
soft cooked black beans(can substitute w/chickpea's, or leftover chicken or beef)
frozen corn
jalapeno pepper, diced real small, no seeds.(this gives it some kick...just enough that kids will still like it)
shredded marble cheddar cheese

Arrange ingredients in separate bowl and let you family members load up there own tortilla's! When they are done, fold in half, and bake till cheese is melted and tortilla crisp!

So simple! So yummy! No extra seasoning required!

Eat it with a side of salad and Enjoy!

I hope you have fun with creating your own quesadilla!
Let me know, what do you like in yours!

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

2011-05-04T02:52:00.000-11:00

Happy Wednesday All!

I have had a busy few weeks! Right now I am really trying to get more "raw" foods in my families diet. So I have been busy peeling and chopping fresh produce to add to all our meals!

I also have been sprouting lots of beans. So yummy!

I want to share a great book I found recently from the library!
Hooked On Raw

by Rhio

Hooked on Raw, is a "cook"book full of raw recipes. Also full of info about health-related issues, such as bringing wild foods and organic foods into your diet, soil fertility, food irradiation, genetic engineering of seeds/plants, hybridization of seeds, fasting, rejuvenation and much, much more. I found it very informative and easy to read! I love the recipes and will share some of them soon!

______________________________________

This is Aprils Watch My Weight Wednesday blog hop!

Add your old or new post below!

You can post once a week.

Be sure to visit the other links! Lets help each other!

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

2011-04-20T05:45:00.001-11:00

Last week was a great week!

Check out these great posts linked up last week!

I love this post that Julie linked up! Titled Satisfaction

"I have reached the NEW ME!!! I am SATISFIED with the new me. I am loving all that I can do. Now I’ll tweak it a bit and end up even better, healthier and full of smiles."

Your awesome Julie! You inspire us all!

Adena also linked up this post Monthly Measure/Weigh-In

She has achieved so much! Give her a visit and show your support!

______________________________________

This is Aprils Watch My Weight Wednesday blog hop!

Add your old or new post below!

You can post once a week.

Be sure to visit the other links! Lets help each other!

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Mid-Eastern Mushroom and Sprouted Chick Pea Couscous

2011-04-18T12:05:00.000-11:00

Mid-Eastern Mushroom and Chick Pea Couscous

Modified from recipe on canadianparents.com

Ingredients

1 ¾ cups vegetable broth
½ tsp Each ground cumin and ground coriander
¼ tsp hot red pepper flakes
1 tbsp grated fresh gingerroot
2 cloves garlic, minced (I used about 5)
sliced fresh Mushrooms
sliced carrots
1 onion, chopped (I used green onion to sprinkle on top)
1 cup whole wheat couscous
1 cup sweet red pepper, chopped
1-2 cups sprouted chickpeas
½ cup raisins
¼ cup chopped cilantro

Directions

1. In large saucepan combine broth, cumin, coriander, hot pepper flakes, gingerroot and garlic; bring to boil.

2. Add mushrooms, carrots and onion and cook covered over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until carrots are crisp-tender.

3. Meanwhile, place couscous in a medium bowl and pour 1cup boiling water over it; cover and let stand for 5 minutes.

4. Add red pepper, chickpeas and raisins to the mushroom mixture; continue to cook 2-3 minutes or until hot.

5. Sprinkle with cilantro

6. Fluff couscous with a fork and spoon into individual serving dishes; top with vegetable mixture including broth.

5 Question Friday!

2011-04-15T02:37:00.000-11:00

Happy Friday everyone! I have not done one of these in awhile.

1. What is your favorite sign of spring?

All the yucky snow melting and being washed away...I still have some in my flower beds. I just love watching spring flowers popping up beneath the soil to brighten the day!

2. What was your best birthday ever?

Would have to be my 19th Birthday! My boyfriend(now my husband)surprised me with a limo and took me bar hopping! (Drinking age is 19 in Canada) It was the best surprise! But not best surprise ever...My hubby keeps surprising me all the time! Love you Jason xoxoxox

3. What is your favorite dessert?

Hmmmm...This one is tough. I really don't like desserts...I know strange. I will eat one if there is one offered. But I won't go out of my way to make one unless it is for somebody else like birthday cakes and sometime company. But I do love a piece of dark chocolate with a nice red wine! One of our at home date night treats!

4. What is the best excuse you've ever used to get out of a ticket?

You can get out of tickets???

5. Do you wake up before your alarm, with your alarm, or after hitting snooze several times?

Depends on how tired I am. Today was with the alarm..this is my preferred method of waking up! I hate waking up before the alarm, I need all the rest I can

get...you know beauty sleep and all that :)

Joining in the fun with 5QF

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

2011-04-13T03:57:00.002-11:00

I want to thank everyone for joining in with this blog hop and linking some fabulous posts!

During March Melissa from Change is Inevitable has been posting some great Healthy Swaps recipes! She has been finding some healthy swaps for fries, onion rings, pizza, and some yummy desserts! You need to check them out!

Rochelle from The Pretend Chef has been posting about her journey on the Flat Belly Diet!

You should definitely give her a visit to cheer her on!

______________________________________

This is Aprils Watch My Weight Wednesday blog hop!

Add your old or new post below!

You can post once a week.

Be sure to visit the other links! Lets help each other!

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

The Ultimate Blog Party!

2011-04-01T00:26:00.000-11:00

Woo Hoo! It is that time again! Party Time!

One of my favorite sites, run by twin sisters, Susan and Janice are hosting The Ultimate Blog Party!!! Not only is it great fun, and a chance to win some pretty terrific prizes, it’s also a great way to get to meet some new mom bloggers.

Let me just take a moment before we get to the fun stuff to introduce myself. I’m Angie, a mom with 2 beautiful kids, Kaitie 13, and Andrew 10. I am married to the man of my dreams! I love him more today than the day I first fell in love with him. Well, enough about me, let the party begin!!!

This is my blog, where I share healthy recipes and weight-loss tips! So welcome to my little home on the blogosphere and please take a look around, and don't forget to tell me a little about yourself so we can get to know each other!

Now to the food! Would you like to try a...

Black Bean Burger!

or for the kids how about a Banana Cracker!

Perhaps some yummy Waldorf Salad

I’d love to get know my fellow bloggers! How about a few questions…

What’s your favorite thing to do?

What is your favorite meal?

What was the last thing you ate?

Why is the sky blue?

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

2011-03-23T00:54:00.000-11:00

______________________________________

This is March's Watch My Weight Wednesday blog hop!

Add your old or new post below!

You can post once a week.

Be sure to visit the other links! Lets help each other!

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Sweet Potato Steaks!

2011-03-19T07:22:00.001-11:00

My daughter and I love our sweet potatoes! Our favorite dish is baked sweet potato wedges! We decided to try something new and something I never saw before.

Sweet Potato Steaks

2-3 Sweet potatoes cut in rounds
3 tbls Dijon Mustard
2 tbls Olive oil
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 tsp seasoning (we used red pepper flakes)

Pre-heat oven to 350
Cut potatoes
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and coat Sweet potato rounds
Bake until tender 30-45 mins.

These were so yummy! We will definitely do this recipe again! I had lots of extra topping cause I only did 2 sweet potatoes so measurements should be fine for 3 longish potatoes.

Enjoy!

Urgent radiation preparedness action items for California, Oregon, Washington, B.C., Yukon and Alaska

2011-03-17T04:57:00.002-11:00

( www.NaturalNews.com ) - please forward

The New York Times report that a radiation plume will reach California by Friday has a lot of people asking us for more information about what to do. (Seehttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/science/17plume.html?_r=1)

Fortunately, the amount of radiation that would actually fall on California (or Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska, etc.) is currently very small. Too small to pose a serious health risk for right now.
The time to get really concerned is if -- and only if -- the Fukushima reactors suffer a fuel rod "meltdown" event which would release a massive amount of radiation into the atmosphere. The United Nations has calculated that such an event would send a cloud of very powerful radiation headed eastward, arriving on the shores of the United States and Canada within 2-3 days after the meltdown, depending on wind patterns.
Importantly, this will give you some time to take action should such an event occur. The next 24 - 48 hours are crucial in Japan's effort to stop the nuclear fuel rod meltdown. It is entirely unknown whether Japan can succeed in stopping it. The situation remains dire.

If you live in the western states or provinces of North America, it is extremely important to be prepared by taking the following actions RIGHT NOW:

1) Fuel up your vehicle(s) and be ready to hit the road for a possible evacuation (or hunker down if you're out in the country and feel like you would be safer there).
2) If you plan to stay put, go to the hardware store TODAY and buy large amounts of plastic and duct tape to seal up your windows and doors. This will help protect you from radioactive fallout. You will also need to store water, food, and all the usual emergency supplies because outside help probably won't be available.
3) If you plan to evacuate, have a "Go Bag" ready to go at a moment's notice. This go bag should include a water filter, emergency radio, flashlight, duct tape, emergency knife, spare cash, whatever medical supplies you might need, extra food and water, spare fuel cans and so on. Have it ready now in case you need it.
4) Significantly increase your intake of iodine-containing foods and superfoods starting right now: Seaweeds are a great source. We've listed our entire inventory of what we have available at our store (http://www.naturalnews.com/031730_iodine_radiation_poisoning.html), but I would actually prefer you to go out and get this locally TODAY at your local health food stores, where possible. You may not have time to wait on a UPS delivery. Fortunately, our store ships from Ojai, California, meaning that if you order foods from us today that are in stock, and you're in California, you could receive them very, very quickly (within 1-2 business days).
5) If you have potassium iodide pills (radiation pills), don't take them yet. Keep them ready to take if and only if a meltdown event occurs and a massive dose of radiation has been released into the atmosphere.
6) Have a plan for you and your family. Where will you meet if you need to evacuate? Don't count on cell phones working. Have a plan of where to go, how to get there and how to survive once you get there.

Hopefully none of this will be necessary. If they can stop the meltdown at Fukushima, there is virtually no real radiation risk in North America. That's the outcome we're all hoping and praying for.
But if a meltdown takes place, it is almost certain that strong winds will push a massive radiation cloud right into North America within a matter of days, potentially dropping a highly dangerous amount of radioactive material on California or other regions. That's the scenario that we all need to be prepared to guard against.

Do not rely on your government to tell you the truth about what's happening. Governments are in the business of "preventing panic" by withholding information you need to know. Governments believe that if too many people know the truth, it might start a panic, and even more people could die in the panic than from the event itself. They may actually be correct at some level on that, but I believe that people have a right to know what's really going on. And the sober, shocking truth of the matter is that as of right now, our world is facing an unprecedented nuclear meltdown event that could dwarf the Chernobyl catastrophe of 1987. We're talking about as many as 600,000 spent fuel rods which are now threatened by fires and loss of cooling fluids. This is not a set of circumstances to be taken lightly.

I urge all NaturalNews readers to take this seriously. Get prepared now. Get your go bag ready just in case. Start boosting your natural iodine intake TODAY. Be ready to head out of Dodge if you're in a geographic area that could be impacted. And then watch the news on this to stay informed (and read NaturalNews for an honest analysis of the situation).

Another thing: If a meltdown does occur and an evacuation is announced for parts of the west coast of North America, you will need to be one of the first to head out if you expect to get out at all. The highways around Los Angeles in particular do not have the capacity to handle a mass evacuation. They barely have the capacity to handle rush hour! Imagine what happens if half the people in L.A. try to leave all at the same time... that will be a week-long traffic jam, and people will run out of gas on the highways, abandon their vehicles, and make the highways impassable.

I don't mean to paint this as a worst-case scenario, but I'm trying to give you an accurate description of what might realistically happen if a radiation cloud is headed toward LA and an evacuation effort is announced. If you aren't out of LA by the time the government announces an evacuation, you're probably too late.
This is actually a good time to own a Prius because a Prius can idle without the engine running and use virtually no gas. A Prius is a great getaway vehicle for jammed evacuation highways where traffic is barely moving.

Be safe and be smart about all this. Think ahead. Get real about what might unfold if a meltdown occurs. This is a time to interrupt your regularly scheduled programming and start thinking seriously about what you can do to protect yourself and your family. It's better to be prepared than to be caught by the unexpected.

We are lucky in one sense right now because we have forewarning of all this. There is time right now to take preparedness steps to deal with a meltdown event should one occur. I strongly advise all NaturalNews readers to use this time wisely and get squared away for what might be coming.
Watch NaturalNews.com for more updates throughout the day. We'll be posting stories at an increased frequency during this Fukushima catastrophe to help bring people information more rapidly.

Thank you and stay safe,
- Mike Adams, the Health Ranger

Creamy Vegetable Chowder

2011-03-17T01:00:00.000-11:00

I love, love this soup!
Almost didn't get a picture as it so yummy! This was the last bowl out of the pot! I added a sprinkle of roasted garlic seasoning to give a little punch! The kids just love it too.

Creamy Vegetable Chowder

1 medium onion, chopped
1 cauliflower, chopped
1 cup broccoli, chopped
2 carrot, chopped
1 cup corn
2 cups vegetable broth
2 cups milk
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
fresh parmesan curls

Use a little broth and cook and stir onion over medium-high heat until tender. Add cauliflower, broccoli, carrot, corn and the rest of the broth. Bring to boil.

Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Whisk milk into flour until smoothly combined; add to saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens.

Remove pan from heat; add fresh parmesan curls on top and serve!

If you like chowder recipes please be sure to check out my potato chowder!

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

2011-03-16T02:26:00.002-11:00

Plan to eat and keeping track.

It has been proven...By me...planning out your meals ahead of time will make dieting easier to stay on track!

Planning the night before will greatly help you stay on track.

Write it down
Check your kitchen for all ingredients
Prep any food (if you have time) the night before

Keeping track (Weight loss Diary)

It is often forgetfulness (which may at times be willful or deliberate) that causes us to eat more than our plans call for.

Record all that you eat; including snacks, unplanned desserts, even what gets left behind on junior’s plate! Everything!
Jot down your water consumption
Record your workouts and activities
Each night record your thoughts on how you did that day and what you hope improve for the next day

Did I forget something?

What are your tips to help with weight loss?

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This is March's Watch My Weight Wednesday blog hop!

Add your old or new post below!

You can post once a week.

Be sure to visit the other links! Lets help each other!

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Owl Ice Cream Cake

2011-03-15T02:50:00.005-11:00

This year for my daughters 13th birthday she requested an ice cream cake! Since the theme for her party was Night Owl, I made an owl shaped cake!

The cake turned out great!

Check this post out for what was my inspiration!

I had so much "fun" figuring out how to mold the shape of the owl.

I used my roasting pan. I lined it with card from cereal boxes and a ton of wax paper.
I remembered to put a long strip of card underneath it all for easy removal from the pan.
I then put a layer of butterscotch ice cream on the bottom. And put the whole thing in the freezer to "harden" up a little.
Then using a piece of card wrapped in wax paper I made a wall to separate colors when I added chocolate ice cream for wings and ears, and vanilla for the rest!
After returning to the freezer to "set" I carefully took it out of its "mold" to decorate.

Decorating was the fun part!

I used soft cookies for the eyes...but I really wanted to use dried pineapple slices! Which I couldn't find anywhere!

And the slivered almonds would of stood out more if I found some with the skins still on.

I did try to make chocolate shavings to look like feathers for the wings...but It turned out to be more of chocolate saw dust.

For the "nest" I used multigrain honey pretzel twists.

The beak turned out so cute! I wasn't sure on what I was going to use??? But I ended up using 2 pieces of a walnut! I love how it turned out!

If you want to read more about the Night Owl Party click here!

Charlie Sheen's Winning Recipes!

2011-03-10T06:25:00.000-11:00

Charlie Sheen's Winning Recipes from Charlie Sheen

WMWW - March

2011-03-02T02:19:00.000-11:00

Today I am sharing a poster that I found. I am hoping that this will help with motivation! Post it where you will look at it often!
Click on the image if you would like to print! Found on Healthy Living Road Map...

Simple Weight Loss (free PDF poster)

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This is March's Watch My Weight Wednesday blog hop!

Add your old or new post below!

You can post once a week.

Be sure to visit the other links! Lets help each other!

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Prickly Pear (Cactus Fruit)

2011-03-01T11:38:00.000-11:00

Have you ever tried a prickly pear? Also known as Optunia. First thing you need to be aware of this fruit is grown on a cactus so it does have many prickles that do hurt if you get pricked. Be very careful when handling. Perhaps use a produce bag as a "glove"
To prepare...just cut in half and scoop out the insides with a spoon.
The inside of the fruit is full of seeds. We just cut it into chunks and ate the seeds...if you don't like eating seeds this may not be the fruit for you.

Prickly pear provides essential nutrients. It is also a source of carbohydrates and is an excellent source of antioxidants, having substantial amounts of vitamin C.

Some of the health benefits associated with prickly pear:

Immune support
Diabetes
Obesity
Helps manage cholesterol

Some of the nutrients found in prickly pear cactus:

Flavonoids | Pectin | Vitamin A | Vitamin B | Vitamin C

A short video of finding prickly pear and how to eat. I do find it easier to just cut in half and scoop insides out then peeling.

WMWW! The W.O.W.Diet (Book Review)

2011-02-23T04:16:00.003-11:00

The W.O.W Diet
Words of Wisdom and Dietary Enlightenment from leading World Religions and Scientific Study
Written by Michelle Snow RN, MSPH, MSHR, PhD (C)

Lose Weight, Feel Great, and never be Hungry

When I was contacted about reviewing this book I was unsure if it would be something I would be interested in. I never thought about looking towards religion for dietary advice. Also I was worried it might be more text booky (Boring). I was so wrong!

About the book
This book is the authors story of finding a diet that works for her. After trying many different diets she decides to look towards religion. She studies Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Seventh-Day Adventist, and Latter-day Saint (“Mormon”).
Her findings lead her to put together the W.O.W diet. Her personal results of being on the diet are life changing! Her husband also goes on the diet, his diet diary is also included!
Included in the book is a recipe section (with many GF recipes), the 10 W.O.W diet rules, and helpful advice on how to put it all together to work for you!

My Thoughts
I really did enjoy reading the book! I found that once I started to read it I couldn't put it down. The author writes her book similar to a blog. It is very readable, very informative, and really fascinating! I really enjoyed following her journey to finding healthy wellbeing!

The W.O.W. Diet is what I would consider to be very healthy and a diet I do wish to follow. I totally recommend this book to anyone who is looking to live a healthier lifestyle, also to people who wish to lose weight in the most healthy way!

* Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate my review. This post reflects my honest, personal opinion and experience with the product which may differ from yours. No monetary compensation was provided for this post.

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This is February's Watch My Weight Wednesday blog hop!

Add your old or new post below!

You can post once a week.

Be sure to visit the other links! Lets help each other!

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Check this out!

2011-02-18T16:56:00.001-11:00

I am a featured resource on treadmillreviews.net!

www.TreadmillReviews.net

Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)

2011-02-17T06:29:00.000-11:00

A Few Dragon Fruit Facts

Dragon Fruit is a good source of Vitamin C.
Dragon Fruit are rich in fiber and minerals, notably phosphorus and calcium.
The seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Dragon Fruit also contain significant quantities of phytoalbumin antioxidants, which prevent the formation of cancer-causing free radicals.
Dragon Fruit increases excretion of heavy metal toxins and lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. Eaten regularly, it is credited with alleviating chronic respiratory tract ailments.

Watch My Weight Wednesday! February Blog Hop!

2011-02-16T01:54:00.000-11:00

How to get out of bed to get your exercise workout in!

Decide on your ideal wake up time. Start slowly, by waking just 15-30 minutes earlier than usual. Get used to this for a few days. Then cut back another 15 minutes. Do this gradually until you get to your goal time.
Go to bed earlier. Turn off the TV, shut the internet down, and a grab book! I find reading before bed helps relax to fall asleep sooner.
Have your alarm clock far from you bed. If it’s right next to your bed, you’ll hit snooze button. Never hit snooze.
Get going. After you turn off the alarm head towards the bathroom.
Do your workout. You know you will feel great when you are done! What a great way to start your day!

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This is February's Watch My Weight Wednesday blog hop!

Add your old or new post below!

You can post once a week.

Be sure to visit the other links! Lets help each other!

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Easy Cheese Cake Brownies For your Valentine!

2011-02-14T02:45:00.000-11:00

Easy Cheese Cake Brownies For your Valentine!

Happy Valentines Day Everyone! Here is my special cheese cake brownie recipe perfect for valentines! Be careful...this is not one of my "healthy " recipes. These brownies are very addictive so if you make them make sure you have lots of people to share with!

Ingredients

3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 melted butter

Cream Cheese Layer

1pkg softened cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350.
Grease your 9x13 baking dish.
In big mixing bowl whisk eggs with sugar, and vanilla.
Add in flour, cocoa, and baking powder.
Melt butter and add to the mix. (do not forget to melt the butter! the recipe will not work if not melted)
Save 1/2 of the batter, set aside
Using a hand mixer, mix cream cheese.
Add sugar, vanilla, and egg until blended.
Pour mixture on to brownies
Drop brownie mix and using a knife make swirly patterns.
Bake at 350 for 30 mins!

Let cool before enjoying! Yummy!

One More Girl

2011-02-10T01:54:00.000-11:00

This is a new film that documents the stories of the numerous girls adversely affected by the HPV vaccine.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/031279_HPV_vaccines_One_More_Girl.html#ixzz1DYmYP4Lz

Watch My Weight Wednesday! Spinach Chopped Green Salad

2011-02-09T03:36:00.000-11:00

I am currently looking for a new "linky" as my current Linky Tools has expired.

Please add you link in the comment section. You can link up all your helpful tips/recipes/stories!

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Spinach Chopped Green Salad

This is such a yummy healthy salad definitely worth going to store to buy all the ingredients! The kids love it too!

Ingredients

Salad
Cucumber
Avocado
Cilantro (fresh just leaves no stems)
Green onion
Alfalfa sprouts
Baby spinach

Dressing
Olive oil
Red wine vinegar
Dijon mustard
Fresh ground pepper

Chop all salad ingredients, add half to bowl, make a well in the middle of salad bowl and add olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, and a little fresh ground pepper. Toss salad, and add rest of ingredients. Enjoy!

Cilantro is a good source of folic acid, and also helps detox heavy metals out of your system including mercury, lead and cadmium.
Spinach also a good source of folic acid, calcium, and whole list of nutrients!

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

2011-02-02T05:49:00.000-11:00

SNOW DAY!

This morning Kaitie made fruit salad! Included are mangoes, orange, banana, dragon fruit, prickly pear, and passion fruit! It was yummy!

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What is your favorite fruit?

This is February's blog hop! Add your old or new post below with Linky! You can post once a week.

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Black Bean Brownies!

2011-01-28T05:15:00.001-11:00

Black Bean Brownies With Avacado Superlicious Fudge Spread!

Have you tried a black bean brownie? I have and they are so good! This recipe is perfect if you are trying to feed your family more nutritious snacks! A very healthy alternative to regular brownies!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups soft cooked black beans
2 ripe bananas
1/3 Cup agave nectar
1/4 Cup unsweetened cocoa
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 Cup instant oats
1 Tbsp walnut pieces

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease an 8x8" pan and set aside.

Combine all ingredients, except oats, in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth, scrapping sides as needed.

Stir in the oats and pour batter into the pan.

Bake approx 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow to cool before icing.

Superlicious Fudge Spread

2 Avocado's
1/4 agave nectar
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Pour all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth.

Tastes like chocolate pudding the kids raved!

Sharing with What Cooking Wednesday

Swiss Cheese Onion Soup

2011-01-27T05:13:00.000-11:00

I have been eating a lot of soup lately. Cream soups are my comfort food for cold wintry days! Please note the cook times 30-40 minutes to prepare.

Swiss Cheese Onion Soup

1/4 cup butter
3 cups thinly-sliced onions
1 1/2 cups chicken broth(or you can use beef, or veggie)
1/4 cup flour
1 3/4 cups milk
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
Buttered bread

Melt butter in large saucepan.

Cook onions over medium heat for about 10 minutes.

Stir in chicken broth. Bring to boil. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.

Whisk flour and milk in a measuring cup.

Stir milk mix into onion mixture. Cook on medium heat until soup comes to a boil and thickens.

While cooking cut bread into the shape of the bowl and butter. (Save crusts in freezer to use for bread crumbs when needed)

Remove from heat. Stir in 3/4 cup of the cheese until melted.

Ladle into oven-proof soup bowls.

Top with bread butter side up. sprinkle with with remaining cheese.

Broil until bread is toasted!

Yummy!

WMWW -WATER- We all need it, Do you get enough?

2011-01-26T04:46:00.000-11:00

Water

We all know that drinking plenty of water is essential to good health and wellbeing. And yet through our busy everyday lives we are not only constantly dehydrating ourselves, but also failing to quench our body’s need for water. Our skin suffers, our eyes are dry, we can’t seem to shake off colds, we complain of headaches, lack energy, often feel bloated or constipated and our concentration levels are poor.

Did you know? You should drink between 7-10 glasses(about 48 fluid ounces) of water every day. But if your not used to this amount, build up to it – your body will need to adjust. If you don't like the taste of water. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime or even crushed mint for a little flavor.

So what can you do?

Drink a glass of water when you wake up. Have your water carafe in your bedroom, so before you get out of bed you can drink a glass!
Drink a glass before you eat. Sometime we mistake thirst for hunger. This also helps with weight loss!
Drink water after you exercise. You lose water through sweat, make sure you replenish it.
Keep water where ever you are. Get yourself a BPA free reusable water bottle, also have a water carafe near you if you work at a desk, also in the bedroom/living-room, that will be so handy to keep your glass full. Sip as you work, play and relax.

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What are your tips of getting enough water?

This is January's blog hop! Add your old or new post below with Linky! You can post once a week.

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Cauliflower Vegetable Chowder

2011-01-25T08:11:00.000-11:00

Another yummy soup recipe your family will be sure to enjoy!

Cauliflower Vegetable Chowder

1 tbsp butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cauliflower, chopped
1 cup broccoli, chopped
2 carrot, chopped
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar

Melt butter in large saucepan. Cook and stir onion over medium-high heat until tender. Add cauliflower, broccoli, carrot and chicken broth. Bring to boil.

Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Whisk milk into flour until smoothly combined; add to saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens.

Remove pan from heat; add 1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese and stir until cheese is melted.

Sprinkle the rest of cheese and serve.

If you like chowder recipes please be sure to check out my potato chowder!

Homemade Whole Wheat Tortilla's

2011-01-24T05:37:00.001-11:00

Yesterday I made baked tortilla chips! So I thought it would be a perfect time to post my tortilla recipe! Tortilla's are so easy to make! You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry! So give this recipe a try and let me know how it works for you!

Ingredients
4 cups       WW flour (also can use regular flour or half and half)
1/2 tsp      baking powder
1/2 cup      olive oil
1 tsp        salt
1 1/2 cups warm water
You can also add any seasonings for fun if you want your tortilla's to have a little zip!

Mix together flour and baking powder.
Cut in oil until crumbly consistency.
Stir together water and salt.
Drizzle over dough while mixing to make soft dough.
Let dough rest for 20 min.
Divide into 16 pieces.
Role out into circles.
Fry on dry pan at medium heat, 20 seconds per side(until bubbles form).

Makes 16 tortilla's

To make baked tortilla chips, just cut into triangles and bake in a 340 oven for about 5-8 mins till crisp!
Serve with salsa and guacomole!
Yum!

Dilly Chick Wraps

2011-01-20T11:48:00.000-11:00

Dilly Chicks is my "on no what to make for lunch?" concoction.

Dilly Chick Wraps

1 cup chickpea sprouts
2tbls mayonnaise
1 dill pickle
2 handfuls shredded cheese
A few lettuce leaves
2 whole wheat wraps

Use a food processor to mix chickpeas, mayo, and a dill pickle.
Spread chickpea mix on a wrap.
Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
Lay lettuce.
Roll it up!
YUM!

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

2011-01-19T04:26:00.001-11:00

My Goals this week...

1. Work out 4 times this week! I am using the RevAbs program and using my treadmill.
2. Keep up with my water! I am doing well with this!
3. Keep up with portion control! Something I haven't been watching lately.

4. Eat raw veggies every day! Did you know eating raw veggies helps you lose weight more than eating cooked!

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What are your goals this week?

This is January's blog hop! Add your old or new post below with Linky! You can post once a week.

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Fit Meals Monday!

2011-01-17T05:58:00.000-11:00

Fit Meals MondayI have to go grocery shopping so this meal plan may change...My goal is to have raw veggies served with every meal. It could be a salad or veggie plate. Did you know that raw veggies are more nutritious then cooked, and they also help with weight loss! A win win for everyone!

Monday - Chickpea Taco's and Salad.

Tuesday - Soup and salad.

Wednesday - Chicken stir fry with tons of veggies!

Thursday - Thai Peanut Noodles and raw veggies.

Friday - Roast beef, potatoes, and salad.

Click on the above button to find some more Fit Meal Plans!

WMWW - 20 ideas to make this your best year yet!

2011-01-12T05:25:00.002-11:00

20 ideas to make this your best year yet!

Here are twenty healthy ideas to help you accomplish improved health and happiness in 2011.

Eat more raw foods! Try to add more raw salads, veggie platters, and fruits to every meal!
Go meatless once a week(or more).
Get more active! Schedule 5 minutes more of activity to your exercise routine a day. Don't have an exercise routine? Start with 5 minutes a day!
Meal plan!!! Make a decision to think of food as nourishment instead of entertainment. Eat what your body needs, not what your taste buds desire.
Schedule in more quality family time! Try a game night, or a sport the whole family can do together.
De-clutter. Find time to de-clutter your home.
Cut out the caffeine! Replace with tea or water.
Get more sunshine! No sunshine where you are? Look into vitamin D supplements.
When shopping, park farther away. You'll get a little more walking exercise and a little more sunshine!
Make a point to get at least eight hours of sleep for 2-3 nights a week (or more, if you can). Most people are sleep deprived, and the health cost is enormous.
Start visiting local farmer's markets so that you eat more local food in 2011. You'll be healthier and happier as a result.
Grow your own sprouts! Eating just one ounce of sprouts a day has a huge impact on preventing cancer and boosting immune function.
If you have space, consider getting a treadmill for your living room. You can walk/run while watching movies or documentary DVDs at the same time.
Learn pilates or yoga for core strength and flexibility.
Make a commitment to start a garden this Spring, and you'll reap so many health benefits in the months ahead.
Teach others how to be healthy! The more you talk with others about healthy habits, the more you'll follow them yourself.
Enjoy a relaxing hot bath with epsom salts and soothing herbs like lavender. It will do wonders for your mind and your muscles.
Try quinoa: It's a high-protein, low-carb "grain" that can easily replace rice or couscous.
Get more indoor plants: They purify the air in your home.
Get a professional massage! Massage therapy is really, really healthy, and it's a great way to reward yourself for some of the other accomplishments you're making.

I hope you enjoyed these 20 ideas for improving your health in 2011 (and beyond).

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What are some of your Ideas on making 2011 the best year yet?

This is January's blog hop! Add your old or new post below with Linky! You can post once a week.

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Fit Meals Monday!

2011-01-10T03:07:00.001-11:00

Fit Meals Monday

Monday - Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas and Salad.

Tuesday - Soup (Homemade Turkey) and salad.

Wednesday - Buttered Chicken with rice and Raw veggies.

Thursday - Veggie Lasagna and raw veggies.

Friday - Roast beef, potatoes, and salad.

Click on the above button to find some more Fit Meal Plans!

WMWW - Happy New Year!

2011-01-05T03:33:00.001-11:00

I love New Years! It is so nice to start a brand new year fresh. Making goals for the year ahead are easy to do, but may not be so easy to keep. Whether you want to get fit, adopt healthier eating habits, look your best or improve your overall sense of well-being, now is the perfect time to take that first step!

First thing to do is to write goals down by hand! And post them up where ever you will see them the most; on the refrigerator or bathroom mirror, in the daily planner, stuck on the computer screen. Maybe use sticky notes and post your goals in multiple spots around the house.

Second, is to take action. Figure out what is holding you back from achieving your goals. And set a up plan.

New Years Resolutions

Some people set a goal to start eating healthier one way to achieve this goal is to eat a fruit or vegetable every time you eat. Fruits and vegetables fight everything from aging to cancer, But sometimes it can be hard to get in enough servings in a day.

Being more active. Get up and get moving as much as you can! Humans were made to move, and the more we do the happier and healthier we are. Start with things you enjoy that keeps you active. Get out every single day, turn some music on and dance while cleaning the house, take your dog for a walk, but also have some fun playing and running around with him, sign up for fitness class with friends, and if you have kids watch what they do and copy!

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What are some of your New Years Resolutions? Any more tips on how to achieve them?

This is January's blog hop! Add your old or new post below with Linky! You can post once a week.

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Go For A Walk In The Snow!

2010-12-23T05:08:00.000-11:00

Today's Health Tip!

Go for a walk in the snow - Exercise improves sleep! Studies from the University of Arizona show that women who even walked short distances at a normal pace during the day found their sleep significantly improved. Exercise reduces the time it takes to get to sleep by 12 minutes, and it increases total sleep time by 42 minutes.

Getting enough sleep has so many benefits! To list a few...
Sleep Keeps Your Heart Healthy, Sleep Reduces Stress, Sleep Reduces Inflammation, Sleep Makes You More Alert, Sleep Bolsters Your Memory, Sleep Helps You Lose Weight, Naps are known to make you smarter, and Sleep Helps the Body Make Repairs!

Wow! Who is with me today! Lets all go for a walk in the snow! Make a snowman or just have fun with the kids!

Mustard Crusted Potatoes (Potato Review)

2010-12-22T15:14:00.003-11:00

I am in love with these little potatoes! They are not only tasty but so good for you too! These potatoes are already pre-washed and ready to cook. No peeling or prep, just season and cook! So nice for busy moms!

Tasteful Selections has eight varieties to choose from.

Ruby Sensation: A light fresh flavor with creamy flesh & tender skin
White Delights: Mellow with hints of sweet flavor and a firm, yet fine texture
Golden Temptation: A hint of butter flavor with a soft & creamy flesh and soft skin
Purple Passion: Slightly sweet, yet nutty with a plump texture and firm skin
Honey Gold: Buttery sweet flavor with velvety golden flesh and delicate skin
Sunrise Medley: A mix of sweet, nutty and fresh flavors with consistently soft texture
Gold Fingerlings: Golden flesh with a firm texture and rich buttery flavor
Ruby Fingerlings: Light red flesh with a creamy, moist flavor
Sunset Fingerlings: A bouquet of flavors and textures from buttery to nutty

With The holiday season here. These would be a perfect potluck dish to bring to parties. They will definitely be the dish everyone wants to try! I particularly like Sunrise Melody, looks so festive with three colors. I would throw in an extra bag of Purple Passion as everyone wants to try a purple potato! Yes the inside is purple! Very fun and cool.

I tried this recipe from Tasteful Selections Website! It was so yummy, the kids gobbled them up and asked when I was going to make more!

Mustard Crusted Potatoes

1 package Tasteful Selections Sunrise Melody Potatoes
3 tbls Dijon Mustard
2 tbls Olive oil
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Mix all ingredients together, Throw in potatoes to coat. bake in preheated oven for 35-40 mins
And Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product exchange for my honest review. The opinions & thoughts expressed are my own. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

WMWW - A Guest Post

2010-12-15T03:44:00.002-11:00

Winter Workout: 6 Tips on Staying Active During the Holiday Season

Edward Stern is a guest blogger for An Apple a Day and a writer on becoming a phlebotomist for the Guide to Health Education.

During the season of eggnog, gingerbread cookies, and family feasts, it's hard not to overindulge. And why not indulge? After working so hard all year, you’ve earned the right to kick back and treat yourself.

At the same time, the end of the year brings new opportunities. Don't just make a New Year’s resolution to “exercise more” and “live healthier;” instead, kickstart new habits by beginning them right away. Here are six ways you can stay active during the holiday season:

1. Sign up for indoor fitness classes. If you're already a member of a gym or YMCA, these classes are often free for members. Try something you've always wanted to learn, like yoga, or push yourself hard with a spin class or boot-camp. Sign up with friends to push each other to do your best, or meet some new people. For many, it's easier to stay motivated when you have others to hold you accountable.

2. Go shopping. You'll need to do some holiday shopping anyway, so plan one or two days of mega shopping at large indoor malls to get some walking time in. Walking burns calories, and depending on the size of your gift list, you can log more than two or three miles in no time. If you're looking for a serious workout, wear light ankle weights or muscle-building shoes to give your lower body a better challenge.

3. Try out winter sports. Go snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, or all of the above, especially if you never have before. Not only is this a great outing with family or friends, but it also gives you a tremendous workout--believe me, the next day muscles will be aching that you didn't know you even had before. Downhill skiing or snowboarding is great for your lower body and your core, and cross country is one of the ultimate total body workouts.

4. Play in the snow. If your town is blanketed in a layer of fluffy white snow, get outside and enjoy it. Make a snowman, have a snowball fight, play tackle football while it won't hurt to go down. Bundle up to store heat and burn more calories. If you're the working type, shovel your drive and walkways for a terrific upper body workout.

5. Check out holiday lights in your neighborhood. But don't drive—walk. Again, extra layers = extra calories burned, so bundle up well. Grab a significant other, friend, or relative in town for the holidays and go for a long walk around the neighborhood to admire the holiday decorations and yard displays. Sometimes, exercise is at its best when it's disguised as something else.

6. Decorate the house. Housework burns calories too, even just everyday chores like vacuuming and dusting. For the holidays, ramp it up a little bit by going all out on the decorations. Spending lots of time on a ladder hanging up holiday lights or hauling out big, light-up reindeer from storage can be a good workout. So is cutting your own holiday tree, especially for upper body and core.

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This is Decembers blog hop! Add your old or new post below with Linky! You can post once a week.

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Quick Quesadilla's

2010-12-11T05:11:00.002-11:00

Quick Quesadilla's

Sometimes during the holiday you will find you are to busy to make a whole healthy meal. That is why I always relies on this quick and healthy recipe! It one of our family favorites!

I always use what ever I have in the fridge!

tomato diced
green onion sliced
soft cooked black beans(can substitute w/chickpea's, or leftover chicken or beef)
frozen corn
jalapeno pepper, diced real small, no seeds.(this gives it some kick...just enough that kids will still like it)
shredded marble cheddar cheese

Arrange ingredients in separate bowl and let you family members load up there own tortilla's! When they are done, fold in half, and bake till cheese is melted and tortilla crisp!

So simple! So yummy! No extra seasoning required!

Eat it with a side of salad and Enjoy!

I hope you have fun with creating your own quesadilla!
Let me know, what do you like in yours!

Watch My Weight Wednesday

2010-12-08T08:16:00.000-11:00

This is a blog hop! Add your old or new post below with Linky! You can post any helpful tips/recipes/stories you have! Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Five Question Friday!

2010-12-03T17:59:00.001-11:00

It has been awhile since I participated in 5 Question Friday, I have been so busy trying to get ready for Christmas. I still have many things to do and buy. But I have a free moment to participate even though it is going to be Saturday in a few short minutes :)

1. What's on the top of your holiday wish list and why?!

My wish list is full of wishes! My #1 would be a 10cup food processor! My little one just can't handle a family of 4. But my real "wish" is for a food dehydrator!

2. What is your favorite Christmas gift from the past?

Diamond earrings from my husband...the year we agreed not to buy gift for each other! It was such a beautiful surprise...He is very romantic like that.

3. If you had life to do over, what would you be when you grow up?

I wouldn't want to do it all over...I like the person I am today and wouldn't change anything. I don't think I am fully grown up yet...so I still have time to figure out what I ultimately want to be :)

4. When do you put up your tree?

Soon! We buy a real tree, so we can't put it up to early. But I am so excited to get all the decorations out and decorate!!!!

5. What is your favorite Holiday?

Christmas. I like it cause it lasts for the whole month! It is the best time of the year!

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

2010-12-01T04:53:00.000-11:00

The holidays are here! The cold weather has arrived. And I just want to hibernate! So I can't tell you how happy I am that I have a treadmill in my home! It is so easy to turn it on and start going! Between the treadmill and RevAbs I have lost 5lbs! So that is a huge motivator for me to stay away from holiday treats! I am trying to work out 5 days a week. I still find it hard to do workouts on the weekend. I am so pleased with my results so far, I can feel the difference on how my clothes fit!

So my question to you is...
What do you do to keep motivated during the holidays?
Do you have a plan?

I have changed WMWW into a monthly link up party! Now you can link up as many times as you like through out the month! I will still post on Wednesdays. You still can post all your recipes, tips, and your weight loss stories!

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This is a blog hop! Add your old or new post below with Linky! I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!
Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

"RAW" Taco Salad

2010-11-29T08:03:00.002-11:00

I found this yummy recipe here

http://www.fitmomsfitkidsclub.com/2010/08/daddy-does-it-raw-week-3-menu/

I am always looking for new yummy recipes and when I found this one I just had to try it out! This was a hit with the family! We all enjoyed it. The kids liked the nut(meat) mixture scooped into lettuce leaves drizzled with the cashew cream. I made up a huge garden salad and added the nut(meat) mixture to the top, also drizzled with cashew cream. It was so filling and yummy! Another "RAW" recipe our family will make again and again!

Taco Mixture - Process 1 cup of sunflower seeds (soaked for 1 hour), 1/2 cup of cashews, 1 clove of garlic, 2 tablespoons of onions, 2 tablespoons of cumin, 1 tablespoon of cajun seasoning, a dash of sea salt.

Cashew Sour Cream

In a food processor or high powered blender 1 cup cashews (soaked), 1 cup water, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder. Blend until the ingredients are a thick and smooth cream (add more water if needed) it should look like sour cream.

Fit Meals Monday!

2010-11-29T07:42:00.000-11:00

Fit Meals Monday

Monday - Leftover Shepard's Pie (made from yesterdays leftover roast beef and potatoes!)

Tuesday - Soup (I am bringing back soup Tuesday!)

Wednesday - Chicken Curry

Thursday - Curried Sprouted Mung Beans (Didn't have this last week, forgot to sprout the beans...starting today with the sprouting process to prepare for Thursday!)

Friday - Veggie Lasagna

Click on the above button to find some more Fit Meal Plans!

WMWW - RevAbs Winner!

2010-11-24T03:32:00.000-11:00

And the winner is...#37 Joyce she says "I need this cause I have no abs and would really like some!"

Congratulations Joyce! I have sent you an email you have 48hours to respond.

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Thank you to all participants! Please visit the below links to meet some great people! Next week it will be a new linky.

This is a blog hop! Post your recipes, tips, and your weight loss stories! It can be a new post or an older one that you would like to share.

Add your old or new post below with Linky! I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!
Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

2010-11-22T05:00:00.000-11:00

Fit Meals Monday

Monday - Turkey Garam Masala

Tuesday - Egg Drop Surprise Soup

Wednesday - Beef Stir Fry

Thursday - Curried Sprouted Mung Beans

Friday - Curry

WMWW

2010-11-17T08:00:00.000-11:00

Hi all! I am still on the RevAbs 14 day Jump start program! I did have a little set back over the weekend, but now I am back on track.

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This weeks link up is more of last weeks! The more you linkup the more chances you have to win The RevAbs program! Please link up one link per week.
Just comment to let me know you linked up, so it will count in the contest!

Good Luck!

________________________________________________________________________________

This is a blog hop! Post your recipes, tips, and your weight loss stories! It can be a new post or an older one that you would like to share.

Would you like to be a guest blogger? Send me an email!

Add your old or new post below with Linky! I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!
Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Fit Meals Monday!

2010-11-15T04:14:00.000-11:00

Fit Meals Monday

This is a great new blog hop to share our family’s ***healthy* *food*** meal plans for the week!

Monday - Country Dijon Pork Chops with a garden side salad!

Tuesday - Butternut Squash Soup.

Wednesday - Black Bean Burgers with a side salad.

Thursday - Lemon Rosemary Chicken with salad.

Friday - Leftover Chicken with red pepper, mushroom, and onion grilled salad.

Stuffed Tomato for One a "Raw" Recipe

2010-11-11T07:13:00.000-11:00

I am starting to add "raw" recipes to our meal plans! This is a tasty easy recipe that only requires a food processor! Perfect if you are making lunch for one. Of course you can double/quadruple the recipe if making for more than one. I did have more mix that didn't fit into the tomato, you can save for later or share with a friend...perhaps put it in to a lettuce leaf!

Stuffed Tomato for One

Ingredients

1 tomato cut in half,
1/4 cup of soaked sunflower seeds (soak 1 hr in water, then drain),
1/4 teaspoon of mustard powder,
half a stalk celery,
finger sized carrot,
1 green onion,
1 small clove of garlic,
a squirt of lemon juice to taste,
Optional - Add your favorite spices. (dill, cilantro, curry, paprika, etc).

Hallow out half of your tomato, throwing all tomato remains in food processor.

Process all ingredients.

Scoop mixture into tomato half.

Enjoy this very healthy lunch beside extra celery, and carrot sticks!

Yummy!

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

2010-11-10T04:04:00.001-11:00

Just a reminder to enter my Giveaway for RevAbs

On Monday I started the RevAbs 14 day Jump start program! The 14 day program provides me with meal and snack plans. Including when to eat, what to eat, drink, and workout routines. It is great! I am on my 3rd day and am very excited to see what results will come after 14!
I am still getting used to the workouts, but the meal plan is easy and is working out fine for me! I even got my hubby to do this program with me! So I am super motivated!

This weeks link up is more of last weeks! The more you linkups the more chances you have to win The RevAbs program! Please link up one link per week.
Just comment to let me know you linked up, so it will count in the contest!

Good Luck!

________________________________________________________________________________

This is a blog hop! Post your recipes, tips, and your weight loss stories! It can be a new post or an older one that you would like to share.

Would you like to be a guest blogger? Send me an email!

Add your old or new post below with Linky! I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!
Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Fit Meals Monday!

2010-11-09T09:46:00.007-11:00

Oh no I am a day late for this new blog hop Fit Meals Monday

This blog hop is for us to share our family’s ***healthy* *food*** meal plan for the week! So here I go!

Monday - Chicken with red pepper, mushroom, and onion grilled salad. (So yummy!)
Tuesday - Roasted beef with carrots and broccoli.
Wednesday - Left over beef(sandwich or stir fry).
Thursday - Lemon Thyme Chicken with salad. (a new recipe I am trying out!)
Friday - Country Dijon Pork Chops with Bean, Tomato, Onion grilled salad!

Fit Meals Monday!

2010-11-01T04:52:00.001-11:00

So I am attempting to plan my meals once again. And what better day to start, then the day after Halloween! I am really excited about this new blog hop Fit Meals Monday. This blog hop is for us mom's to share our family’s healthy food meal plan for the week! so here I go!

Monday - Black Bean Burgers with a side salad.
Tuesday - Butternut Squash Soup
Wednesday - Roast Beef, roasted potatoes and veggies!
Thursday - Beef Fajita's (to use up leftover roast)
Friday - Thai Peanut Noodles
Not sure of the weekend yet...just baby steps for me :)

Halloween Whole Wheat Spice Cookies

2010-10-28T03:01:00.001-11:00

With Halloween around the corner this is a yummy healthy recipe for the kids. I did not make these. This recipe is from my very good friend! Thank you for letting me share!
Just look how gorgeous they are! And so very tasty!

Whole wheat spice cookies with apple and cinnamon icing.

Cookies:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine/butter
1 tbsp water
2 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch salt
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 cup ground sunflower seeds (calls for nuts, but this is nut free for school)

Beat together sugar and margarine/butter. Add water, vanilla and egg, beat well.
Mix together dry ingredients, and add to wet. Don't over mix. Divide into 4 balls, cover and place in fridge for 45 minutes. Can wrap in wax paper and leave for a couple of days at this point. Preheat oven to 375F. Roll out balls, and cut with cookie cutters of choice (we chose halloweeen theme, but this is a good holiday one too). Place on sheet, and bake for 8-10 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool a couple of minutes, then transfer to wire rack. Prepare icing in the mean time.

Icing:
3 large dried prunes (could use figs)
1/4 cup boiled water
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup powder sugar
1/4 cup apple juice (to the consistency you like)

Place prunes in small bowl, and cover with boiled water. Steep for 20 minutes. In a blender or mini food processor. Process the prunes and water, then add brown sugar and spices, till smooth. Mix powdered sugar in 1/2 cup at a time. Then add enough apple juice to your liking. Spread onto cooled cookies and top with sprinkles (if you like them). Hopefully a little healthier than royal icing!

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