Growing up, weekends were for chores, errands, and play and Sundays were for church, lunch, and naps. Even if you're not a particularly religious person, the weekend, in many cultures and religions hold our day of rest, or "Sabbath". Why it's consistently practiced by many (including those who practice Wicca, apparently) is because it's so very necessary. We all need at least one day to reset our body.
Some of us have different ideas and and ideals when it comes to this rest and reset thing. While I am not about to bash anyone who has a weekly tradition of "Sunday Funday" (a carafe of mimosas followed by a Bloody Mary buffet), I do want to touch on one thing...this one thing has nothing to do with moral fiber! Unless you are as mystical as a unicorn and can tolerate copious amounts of alcohol without feeling the aftermath of blahness and compromised productivity on Monday morning, this doesn't pertain to you. But, those of you who are in the majority and don't fall into this somewhat miraculous category: for the sake of your wonderful self, if you do participate in this tradition and it has you feeling a little blue, empty, or debilitated, maybe reconsider it. There's nothing wrong with a few mimosas, but if any voluntary activity happens to come with a negative backlash, in any shape or form, I wholeheartedly hope that you try to tap into your motive and see if it can be satisfied with a more beneficial pastime. The weekend is for nurturing yourself. What that means to you is probably completely different from the next person, but just be sure it is actually helpful or encouraging in your development. I am also not going to suggest that people forgot scrumptious stacks of pancakes on Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon chicken fried steaks, but I will just put the thought in your head: while allowing your body to rest on the weekend, maybe giving your intestines a day of rest could be equally valuable? We put loads of responsibility on our livers, depending on what we eat and drink, and autoimmunity starts in the gut. Do I fast every Sunday? Nope, I don't. While fasting is probably the optimum choice for most, I rarely go that extreme, but I also never dub the weekend my "cheat days". I think that can be a slippery slope and I believe that working to achieve balance is always the perfect long-term and short-term goal. (If you're interested in learning how to make healthier alternatives to things like pancakes and chicken fried steak, I'm your girl and would love to schedule a complimentary consultation to chat about how I can help you with your lifestyle goals and any other related interests you may have!) So, to tie this all together. The purpose of this blog is to give you the opportunity to refine yourself from the inside out via forms of self-care-- so that you can step out into this world as the optimized version of yourself. Redefining your days of rest is the perfect chance for you to ask yourself if you're needing some down time because maybe the week was hectic or, maybe, you're needing to make up for not exerting yourself enough during the week and need some face time? (...and by "face time", I don't mean FaceTime.) Maybe you need to take these days to play catch-up on FUN or catch up on sleep? What is your idea of rest or reset?...while keeping with the nurturing side of self-care. Please share in the comment space below! (Also, for those of you in the world of retail, restaurants, etc., I am not leaving you out! I know your schedule may be inconsistent but consistently during the weekends. So, your weekday off is still considered your day of reset.)
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While I know how important consistency is on a blog, I also hold the very important responsibilities of working full-time and devoting myself thoroughly to my IIN studies! I try to post each week, but, sometimes, that just doesn't happen....which is why I feel the need to remind you to give yourself grace, patience, and a break. Let's just say this topic is autobiographical. Giving yourself grace is an extremely important form of love. Exercising forgiveness and avoiding that inner voice of criticism and shame is one of the most freeing and generous gifts you can give yourself (and to other people). The "shoulds" and "buts" hold no real value if you're A. Referring to the past and/or B. Are already trying. You know your heart. So, stop thinking about "buts" and quit "shoulding" all over yourself! It's not conducive or supportive to your bigger picture-- especially if you're already living by the "bird by bird" task protocol. There's only so much we can accomplish in a day. Life can be heavy, there's no room for shame-- just learn, assess your actions, and try something differently next time. Most of all, cut yourself some slack. A personal example: instead of criticizing myself about not writing consistent blog entries, I am deciding to use this as fuel to make a little change. I now know that instead of attempting to write and post these each week, I am going to write multiples when I am in a writing mood and/or if I get a bunch of ideas at once, and voila! Something a little less taxing, still productive, and I am going to let myself off the hook (guilt free) because, moving forward, I will be doing things differently. See, that's true love and self-care! Given the theme of this form of self-care, I am going to give myself a break and keep this short and sweet. I was going to go into the health reasons as to why it is important to avoid shaming and criticizing yourself, but I'm going to bake instead. If you would like the information on how negative thinking really and truly makes an impact on your body: premature aging, imbalanced hormones, anxiety, etc. and the magnificent power of your thoughts and words, enter your email below and I will e-mail you some really fascinating resources! *If you didn't have a chance to read the initial post to explain the kick-off for this New Year blog series, please catch up below...it's good stuff. I figured I would start off this series of self-care with something very simple but oh-so-important! (And extremely appropriate for anyone recovering from New Year's Eve.) Drink water. Many people underestimate the power of getting enough water each day. Approximately 60-75% of your body is made up of water and your brain is approx. 85% water-- so, you can imagine that dehydration could have a substantial impact on your health. The amount of water you should consume daily typically varies on a few factors including your activity level and the temperature, but I try to drink half of my weight in ounces each day. I usually start my morning by drinking a glass of spring water. Spring water is naturally more alkaline, which combats inflammation in the body. Sometimes, if I'm feeling the need for bonus detox or a little energy boost, I'll add fresh lemon or lime juice. If I am feeling a little rough and need an immunity booster, I'll add organic granulated turmeric. This little act of self-care is a wonderful morning ritual mostly because you have gone without water for 7-8 hours-- so, making sure you properly hydrate your organs (brain) and intestines is imperative if you want to feel energized and balanced. You also want to get a jump start on cleansing your body of impurities from the get-go. Some of the not-so-obvious symptoms of dehydration are backaches, headaches, poor digestion, fatigue, problematic skin, confusion, sugar cravings, and moodiness. It's also best to drink it steadily throughout the day, to maximize absorption. But, also, try to taper off a few hours before you plan on going to bed, to insure a solid night's rest. If you're not a fan of water, it's okay! Not so long ago, I had to teach myself to drink it again by flavoring it with a variety of organic fruit and vegetable infusions. Some of my favorites: fresh basil, mint, sliced cucumber, lemon and lime wedges. You can also add a little bit of pure stevia for a clean and refreshing mocktail. Quick tip: it's best to let the prepared ingredients soak in water overnight for optimum flavor...and have some fun with your flavor combinations! The quality of your water is definitely something to consider. The more alkaline the water, the better. I prefer spring because of the taste and it usually doesn't test high for acidity. I also take my own containers to my local Natural Grocers, where you can fill up a gallon jug for 25 cents. Most popular bottled water is highly acidic and unfortunately, you have to consider traces of BPA from the plastic. The great news is that there many water filters on the market that are not only useful in removing impurities, but, also, help reduce waste in the environment. In order to find the best filter, it is important to know which contaminants are present in your water. Research your city’s Consumer Confidence Report released each year by the Environmental Protection Agency to see if home purification is necessary. If possible, tap water should be avoided in most cities because of the high traces of chlorine, fluoride, led, and bacteria. If you live in the Tulsa area, check out our (not so fabulous) report: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/media/420250/2015TulsaCCR.pdf Lastly, if you've been noticing some unwanted wrinkles and haven't given water the attention it deserves, happy day! Your skin is an organ too and when it's properly hydrated, you will naturally look more smooth and supple! So, grab a BPA-free, aluminum-free jug, fill it up, and DRINK UP! Informative reading! (These articles may seem a little doom and gloom, but my intention is to leave negativity off of this blog altogether and, when the time is right, sporadically give you studies to empower you to make educated decisions for yourself!) Americans are ingesting from 300 to 600 times what the Environmental Protection Agency considers a “safe” amount. As if the more than 70,000 identified contaminants in your water supply were not enough , you also have to deal with the pollutants your local and national governments add to your water supply. *photo cred: Alicja Colon I have consistently had the struggle to keep it all together. Not that keeping it all together is even really possible. There's this wonderful quote I recently heard saying something like "even the person who has all of their shit together is still standing in it". Nonetheless, keeping it together has always been something I strived for. This term, in short, pretty much means keeping up appearances, consistently. It also means having more days when you, your home, your car, habits, and routine look polished, well-oiled, and productive and less days when you look and live like a slob kabob. It's not so much for vanity's sake but I truly believe that once you routinely incorporate the steps it takes to "keep it together", (the same steps that also just so happen to result in a visibly pleasing outcome), you show up in life with your best foot forward...boldly and enthusiastically. That type of energy attracts all sorts of wonderful and then, the domino effect commences! Once you master one thing, you're more likely to be mindful of another, and since that feels so good, why not add a few other feel-good accomplishments to the pile?! I am lucky enough to have a handful of fabulous friends. This group of people, like me, regularly discusses how they need to get back into their gym routine, or they need to get some color on their skin, or they need to make a habit of a spiritual practice: church, meditation, etc! We all have some pretty hectic schedules...especially compared to what it was like in high school. Living in the grown up world of consistent jobs, errands, bills, and priorities that keep the lights on and a roof over our heads takes up a majority of our adult day. While we can't walk away from those necessary priorities, or "adulting", we can make sure we still give ourselves the attention we deserve. Yes, life gets hectic but in the grand scheme of things, if you're too busy working your ass off, it's not that you can't afford to master self-care, but, really, you can't afford to not to master self-care. A chance to recoup and honor yourself with some daily love is as valuable as it gets. What is all of that hard work really for if you don't enjoy your everday? Time is precious, yes, but I think serving yourself a nice, hot slice of "you" time on the daily will not only have an impact on your happiness, but, also, your income! Those daily treats, in the long run, can make you even more productive because of that wonderful sense of clarity that comes with regulated cortisol (the stress hormone). So, my idea. This year, I am going to debut a new blog series called 365 Days of Self-Care: How to Make 2016 Your Bitch. (I apologize if profanity offends anyone but the title made me laugh too hard not to use it.) This series will focus on the many forms of self-care that you can treat yourself with on the daily. I have gathered the consensus that many people have massive reservations about making resolutions because they don't want to set themselves up for failure. I get it. You've set these goals before and end up feeling defeated before the end of January. I've been there too. With this series, you're not setting yourself up for any realm of failure because you can incorporate one form of daily TLC that will take you very little time and will contribute to your bigger picture...you becoming even more awesome! To be honest, I am looking forward to this as a form of accountability. I have mastered clean eating & listening to my body, I am in the ever-evolving process of honoring myself, and now, I would like to treat myself like I deserve to be treated via pampering, love, and FUN! So, please join me in this pursuit! Expect a lot of embarrassing videos, exciting tutorials, hopefully some pounds shed, stress melted, healthy habits adopted, and delicious recipes tasted! Can't wait! Want to be all in? Sign up below for my monthly newsletter that's packed with lifestyle tips, recipes, and positive support! *photo cred TTFMag To love yourself means to look forward. Not to only think in the future tense but to continue to look at your bigger picture. To really wait, check in with yourself, your day, your thoughts and make sure they're in line with your core values, loves, and life purpose. Ask: "Does my day contribute to my bigger picture?", "Do the things I do throughout my day support me in making those decisions?" To really succeed in life is to live a life honoring yourself. You won't stand a fighting chance unless you LISTEN.
If you're lucky enough to have intuition, or the natural ability to hear your inner guide, don't take it for granted. If this is a foreign concept to you, you too can be "in touch". You just need to practice yielding. Obtaining and maintaining balance is only an arms length away. As easily as you can push it away, you can pull it back in. One of the primary ways to reach balance is by eating for nourishment. (By the way, eating purely for nourishment doesn't mean you've abandoned eating for enjoyment. The two can actually coexist!) If you wholeheartedly strive to avoid unfavorable habits and consuming hindrances that limit your chances to thrive, you're 12 steps ahead. When you consistently interrupt that inner guide with the "yeah, but" excuses and allowances, you know good and well that that rebellious behavior can keep you imbalanced, keeping you from a life of ease and flow. The beautiful rhythm that God offers down to us. Can you imagine what your life could look like if you stayed in God's rhythm, or took cues from your inner guide? If every time you got slightly distracted from your symphony or felt temped to stop and stray down that path of resistance, you kept looking forward with blind faith? When really, it isn't blind faith at all because you are built with the intuitive knowledge to know that food, music, people, art, television all can generate either positive or negative energy within our lives. Imagine all of the things in the world as one of the two color categories of energy: dark and light. The more dark energy you surround yourself with, feed yourself, and create, the lower your light fades. Now think of yourself as a battery. That same energy, dark and light, represent the dark energy that drains you and the light energy that feeds and sustains you. Each time you participate in dim, draining activities: eating foods that require your body to detox on overdrive, throwing off your hormones, energy level, and your system's wellbeing, watching too much TV, spending beyond your means, keeping friends who display toxic behavior or conversation, staying in a job that makes you dread waking up each morning...all of those contribute to draining your battery. Then, you have the things that make life lovely: balanced foods, exercise, nature, drinking plenty of water, playing with animals, reading good literature, spending time with supportive and uplifting friends and family, your favorite coffee shop, travel...all of those activities, big and small, that contribute to breathing life back into you. Now, think about your battery. Do you spend most of your time doing things that drain you or that feed you? Are you feeling like you're currently on empty or in the negative? Write down a list of the things that make you thrive. Even though some of us aren't living in the means of worldly riches, we can still live in abundance. Most of us have responsibilities like work, errands, house work, etc. but if we look for ways to infuse our day with the energizing activities that feed us, we won't feel depleted. This will also show the oh-so-wonderful y.o.u. that you're worth setting aside 10 minutes of each lunch break to enjoy the outdoors, or implementing a daily tea time, or admitting to yourself that by limiting the amount of TV you watch, you can nurture yourself by doing something a little more productive. Most of us watch television to vacate. Maybe sitting with yourself in silence and getting something accomplished will eventually make you want to stay in your body more, so that you don't feel the need to vacate. It is so valuable to push yourself to carve out the time to do things that may not naturally be activities we enjoy, but that contribute to our core values and goals. Cooking my not be your favorite thing in the world. You may even detest it, but making sure you plan out your meals each week not only contributes to your appearance, but, also, your daily stamina, productivity, etc. To go even deeper, it will contribute to the longevity and quality of your lifeline so it's not just a gift to yourself, but your family. Those are the things that will give us that added energy to make another positive decision, moving us in the right direction, to that beautiful, one of a kind, God-given rhythm. The general struggle that comes up for most people is the generated by the belief that they are not in control of their body. They were never able to fully subscribe to this way of living because they've had a lifelong battle with their cravings and their cravings have always won. Well, I have some great news for you. Cravings aren't actually the opposing force keeping you away from creating balance. Cravings are actually our bodies way of telling us that a shift needs to be made in order to maintain/ reach balance. Before you start thinking, "oh, so if I crave dessert, that's my body telling me I need cookies in order to feel balanced?", you need to sit with the truth that many of us look to food to satiate the general craving for pleasure or relaxation. The cool part about this is that once you're honed in on honoring your primary needs in life: relationships, exercise, quiet time, etc., you magically quit feeling plagued or controlled by crazy cravings because you're able to decipher if your body is saying you have a nutrient deficiency (which is the primary purpose for cravings) or because you have a fun/ love/ touch/ exercise/ self-care/ spirituality deficiency. (i.e. low battery) Not only will you soon experience the light and airy feeling you get from adopting a cleaner lifestyle, but, also, a freeing notion that you're actually doing everything within your control to feel good and be the best version of yourself-- which is the utmost rewarding sense of accomplishment. When things don't go your way and are beyond your control, you can rest assured that all you CAN do is let it go because you've covered the bases. When my life was in disarray and I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong to have attached myself to this dim reality, I refused to accept that dead-end feeling. I decided I would take control of every area of my life that I could control-- the areas of my life that God wouldn't dispute was the right or wrong move. Exercise, eating well, getting sleep, limit my drinking, etc. I figured those were the things I would invest my energy on and doing so would HAVE to have a positive impact on my present reality. Everything else, all of the negative things you can't control take a backseat and become secondary because you are purely focused on that positive rhythm. Regardless of your religious beliefs, I don't think anyone could dispute this mindset for a little soul makeover. In my experience, this is when my life started to take a complete shift in a positive direction. When I began to quit resisting and take direction from my inner voice/ intuition/ God/ subconscious/ "self"/ Universe, whatever you want to refer to it as. So, now is your time to decide and ask yourself: "are the activities and thoughts I participate in each day conducive to my big picture?" Are you giving yourself daily doses of the most important supplement of all, vitamin L? (LOVE.) Taking steps in the right direction may not feel what's most natural in the beginning, just like learning to waltz, but I assure you, that when you listen to your inner instructor and keep practicing, you will slowly begin to feel ease and fluency with each beautiful move you make. When you're in balance, the steps you make in life will become set in motion to that sweet, symphonic rhythm. Happy New Year! In the comments below, share what feeds your battery and will contribute to bettering your new year! A few years ago, I was feeling rather festive, which quickly resulted in my having a massive craving for pumpkin pie. I do have an incredible gluten free, refined sugar free, soy free, dairy free, etc., etc. pumpkin pie that I will for sure eventually share, BUT I was sort of wanting more immediate gratification! Update: click here for my pumpkin pie recipe!
So, I crossed my fingers and whipped up (literally) a fantastic raw, vegan, treat that more than sufficed for a quick pumpkin pie-like treat! Since almonds are used to make a delicious milk alternative, it makes a lot of sense that this would create a sweet, milky/ creamy flavor. Added bonus: it took 2 minutes to make! This treat does taste better after being chilled in the fridge. What you will need: - One 15 oz. can of pumpkin. (I use organic Farmer's Market brand because the can has a BPA free liner. Available at Whole Foods.) - 1/3 cup almonds, chopped. (It's best if you soak them in water overnight to remove enzyme inhibitors and to soften them so that you reach a creamier consistency.) - 2 1/2-3 tablespoons brown Lakanto (other options are xylitol or organic brown coconut sugar) - 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie seasoning blend. (I love, love this pre-mixed spice of cinnamon, ginger, lemon peel, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, star anise, fennel, and black pepper. You can find this with the spices at almost any grocery. It also tastes wonderful in quinoa, paired with a natural sweetener.) - 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract, preferably alcohol free. - 1 tablespoon water What to do! - Add drained almonds and 1 T of water to a food processor (I used my Vitamix for this). - After the almonds are blended into a paste, add pumpkin, sweetener, vanilla, and seasoning. - Blend until smooth. - Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and/or almonds for garnish. ENJOY! I really enjoyed it with a hot cup of chai tea. Although, I love tea with almost everything. Good news: this is one of those sweet treats you can enjoy for breakfast and not feel the least bit guilty! This dish is packed with potassium, vitamins A and C, protein, and if you were as happy as I was after eating, it also has a mood boosting effect! *I actually just read that pumpkin boosts serotonin, which is said to give you a more positive outlook. In society today, it's really hard not to get wrapped up in things and, not just things, but STUFF. I grew up working retail. I wanted to get the experience needed in order to become a fashion stylist.
Working with beautiful merchandise on a daily basis is nothing to complain about. But, soon, you can slip into a repetitive mentality, thinking you need to acquire things that will "successfully represent” your A. status, if you've "made it" (or to portray that you have), B. Your availability to a potential suitor(s), C. Your fashion-savvy in the world of new and established designers, and/or D. Your mood. In that type of environment, you become the best salesperson in the world and, not only to your clients, but, mostly, to yourself. (As an example of how well I refined this art, I sold over one million dollars in clothing in less than a year.) Not to say being the best salesperson would make you dishonest, but practicing justifications becomes an art that you wholeheartedly start to believe. I would joke with coworkers while holding close a gorgeous expensive bag, asking them if it made me look cooler and if it would make them want to be my friend more. Partially joking, but, also, touching on a deep realization that really, it wasn't so much about appreciating the art of fashion as it was having the power over people and their idea of you. While going to college in LA, I worked at a fabulous boutique on Robertson Blvd. I would scan through the racks, painting scenarios of the perfect place to wear each piece. Only, it wasn't a real opportunity I had coming up that would require the outfit, it was the outfit that would CREATE that ideal scenario. Almost like a scene from an ad, I would see me dressed to a “T", my friends, a lot of attractive guys, all sitting around a bonfire on the beach. As if, if I bought this item, that scenario would inevitably come into existence. Laughable and slightly embarrassing to admit out loud? Of course! But, deep down, don't we all imagine ourselves pulling up to brunch in the perfect car or how that room full of people will perceive your fancy status in that new amazing outfit? They say you can't make a second first impression. From a very young age, I began to realize what it took to fit in and that your clothing had a huge impact on how "well" you could achieve that. After a period of heavy soul searching, I was able to put the pieces of my life puzzle together. I started understanding that why I had wanted to be a fashion stylist since age twelve had a lot to do with the way a styled outfit made people feel about themselves. I first started styling friends and family and, eventually, got to work with big names in Los Angeles. (You would think working with celebrities would be the ultimate, but it didn't take long for me to realize that the last thing most of those people needed was to feel any better about themselves.) What I didn't understand, until later, was that my love for styling didn't start with how it made other people feel good, it was how it made me feel good, accepted, and confident. Recently, I hit a bit of a low point financially after taking a 6-month hiatus from working. I wasn't able to acquire the most current looks of the season and I truthfully felt pretty horrible about myself. I spent a lot of time with people who would make mention of certain luxuries and, somehow, I felt like I fell short like I was inadequate and somewhat of a failure because I looked as if I wasn't aware of what was on-point and didn't have the success that would accompany the financial means to "properly" arm myself. Did those people think that of me? I have no idea. Most of it was in my head and, not only did those feelings almost startle me, they forced me to dig deep. I didn't want to be defined by stuff. I have never ever been a "label whore". I genuinely appreciate designers for their craft, not their names and used to make a point of it, seeking out alternatives to the more exposed labels. After clarifying my motives for wrongly demoting myself from a stylish and respectable twenty-something to a poor, disheveled old maid, I slowly began to fall in love with fashion, again, for the art of it. I also started to rediscover my passion for helping people invent and fine-tune their personal style and amplified self. Style isn't materialistic and, although I am sure many people would disagree, style isn't even superficial if (and this is a big if) you have things in the right perspective. I have worked with people who have never given clothing much thought as if they didn't want to join the fashion sheep cult, not that I totally blame them these days. Just within the past 10 years, I feel like fashion has become something else. With the rise of bloggers, social media fame, and mega-celebrity, people see fashion in a whole new light which can be very daunting for some and, also, very misleading. Most fashion bloggers aren't just selling a style, they're selling a lifestyle-- A life of leisure, lox, lattes, and Louboutins. Many of these individuals were born into a life of luxury or they've created such a following that they receive a majority of their looks (and lifestyle) for free from designers hoping to get some exposure-- faking it until they make it. I don't know about you, but, if Instagram is considered a modern art form, I want my art to imitate life vs. life imitating art. I am in no way dogging fashion and lifestyle bloggers out there! I have many friends who do it well, but, again, it's all about perspective. While working for a fashion magazine in LA, I thought I had hit the epitome of where I wanted to be until I went to a fashion PR house to pull some clothes for a shoot. The girls who worked there acted as if they had the most important job in the entire world and had no time for social courtesies (or decencies). That's when I saw the cold side of fashion. This side wasn't bettering anyone, but shuffling them into a folder, categorized by social class which, really, made people feel poorly about themselves and no where near better! You may have already been asking yourself this question as you read this article, but it's smart to start tapping into where you stand in the world of fashion and ask yourself, "what level of importance does fashion hold in my life?" Does your motivation to shop (on the appropriate amount of occasions) come from a healthy, light-hearted place? Most of us actually don't need much of anything in the way of clothes. Do you agree with this statement or do you struggle putting things that you really shouldn't buy back on the rack? There are the shopaholics and there are the I-will-break-out-in-hives-if-I-step-into-a-clothing-store-ics. Just because you take pride in your appearance, doesn't mean you're a sellout or a conformist or have a problem. We all need to honor ourselves and project ourselves in a way that's aligned with just how great we are and what we step out in each day is a pretty sound vehicle to get there. I have never tried to push someone out of their comfort zone unless it meant 1. they were still being true to themselves and 2. they felt good about the outcome; (and, frequently, I would need to nudge middle-aged women who didn't think they could pull off a look because they clearly had a distorted body image and I wanted to enlighten them). I am speaking to everyone: introverts, extroverts, males, females, and this especially rings true for Highly Sensitive People. I have come across many articles about the vast array of endless options that can sometimes overwhelm a HSP. But, the truth is, a HSP may be the person who really should consider tapping into this kind of self-care. To all of my Highly Sensitive and/or Introverts: there is nothing wrong with finding yourself in a noisy social setting and being the reserved person in the room vs. the butterfly working the room. Playing "getting to know you" isn't fun for a lot of people and the silver lining is you may not have to say much in a group setting because your clothes say a lot for you! This could be the good news or the bad news, depending on your confidence level with your wardrobe. It's not about drinking the "cool"-aid. It's realizing the reality that making a first impression does have a lot to do with the clothes you wear. It may not be optimum but, statistically, it's the truth. (This little truth is a great example of "knowledge is power" and can be a valuable thing to consider before those important first impressions including a job interview, a big date, loan interview, etc.) So, all of these jumbled thoughts and points narrowed down: self-expression means "the assertion of one's own personality". Many could get caught up in materialism by way of shopping with negative or unhealthy intention. Maybe it's because of poor body image, lack of confidence, or just feeling down on yourself altogether. Although clothes aren't the solution, they are the medium for one of the most present forms of self-expression. Empower yourself. Take advantage of that first-impression society tidbit and start asking yourself, “What does my wardrobe say about me?" Do you feel as if your personal style reflects your personality accurately? I know some of you may be thinking, "write me a big enough check and I can correct that pretty quickly!" but the truth is, you can successfully exercise your self-expression on a VERY tight budget. Believe me, I have been there. Once you zero in on your personal style, you can find the right pieces anywhere, from Walmart to the Salvation Army. If zeroing in on your style seems like a large feat, this is when a fashion stylist comes into play. If you have a family member or friend whose style you admire, ask him or her for some assistance. If you can manage it, professional stylists are very helpful to work with, especially when you're always on the go and you like the perks of coming home with everything already decided for you. Just imagine waking up and getting dressed without the stress that's involved in figuring out what to wear. If you feel like your closet is pretty solid but you still feel like you have nothing to wear, this would be another opportune time to consider having a stylist take a look at how to revise your closet layout and put together different ensembles with your classic items you don't feel the need to part with. Fashion can be very beneficial to your wellness or it can be detrimental. If you idolize it too much and put more emphasis on it that it deserves, you could be in an endless state of never having enough, always comparing and constantly striving for more stuff. Having done all of this, I have come full circle. I have seen what happens when you put an unrealistic inflation on the role that fashion plays in your life. It shouldn't define you or your self-worth. It shouldn't be your idea of the material catalyst, elevating you to the socially acceptable status, because you're not enough on your own. On the flip side, I have also seen what a healthy dose of fashion-savvy can do. It can be a positive bump to your self-esteem, allow you to be creative and make the most of an outing, it can be that added edge you needed to get the sought-after job you've always wanted, and, the most important benefit, it can contribute to that inner confidence that radiates out of your pores! Need the name of a good stylist? I would love to apply for the job! As the trees start to lose their leaves, it is an almost poetic reminder to let go of things that are dead or no longer doing us a service anymore. This can pertain to a few things like habits and people, but, today, I am going to touch on STUFF. We all have things, but what goes in the category "stuff" are the things that no longer serve a purpose in our home, other than taking up space. Many studies have been done that prove that by removing excess, our productivity levels go up. I'm not going to go into consumerism, but, by doing an annual home detox, it can have a hefty influence on shopping habits, saving you money, because, sometimes, the hardest things to get rid of are the things you never got use out of. Surveying those items will allow you to avoid the same pitfalls of buying items just in case you need them or for future events or projects you foresee maybe doing, but aren't on the immediate horizon. 1. Clothing. I'm starting with clothing because this is what many of my clients (and I) have had the biggest weakness with. Many specialists suggest applying the "if you haven't worn it in six months, get rid of it" rule, while weeding out your closet. I am a rarity because I don't agree. Just because you haven't worn something in six months doesn't necessarily mean it's not worth keeping. A clothing item's relevance can change from season to season. If you bought a pair of quality wide-leg jeans that fit you perfectly and the next year, you see that skinnies are what you're gravitating towards, it doesn't mean that next season wide-legs will still be out. In fact, they could be the very style that you are dying to wear. That's when you realize that if you had parted with them, you would have to go on the ultimate search to find that same type of pant and, alas, you get stuck in the consumerism trap. Keep quality classics. I am a firm believer that your closet should be a nice balanced mix of price points. Usually, that means you will have a combination of quality pieces and, as I call them, "one hit wonders". When it comes to purchasing a blazer, classic cut denim, tailored shirts, etc., go for the pieces that will practically pay for themselves with as much wear as you end up getting out of them. Buy items that will be worth the investment and once they start to look a little tattered, remind yourself that they had a nice life and (quickly) send them to retirement at your local charity drop-off. For the trendier, more elaborate items, try your best to find less expensive alternatives. Those are the pieces that lose their thunder after one season or a few nights out with the same crowd. You will feel much less of a sting parting with them when you realize that look has run its course or it's starting to fall apart only after a few wears. Another pro to this technique is, if you really reason with yourself and admit you'll only wear it a handful of times, you can decide to part with it sooner. This increases your chances of getting a little money back for it at a consignment or resale shop and will then reduce the amount of work you'll have to do during your annual purge. Poshmark is also a new favorite resource of mine. It's a super simple app where you can immediately shoot and post the items you want to part with. The thing I do suggest is creating a personal deadline for the item to sell. If you pass the deadline, find an alternative to get it gone! (Sign up with code GRDRE to save $5!) So, while weeding through your closet, I have devised a little mental routine. If you land on an item you're unsure of, figure out if it lies in the category of: Quality + trendy: part with it if it's been a year since you've worn it. Quality + classic: part with it only if you can really never see yourself wanting to wear it again and you haven't worn it in over a year. Cheaper + trendy: part with it if you even pause for a second on it while sifting. Cheaper + classic: part with it if it's showing its quality or if you haven't worn it in a year. Another great tip is if you're at odds with letting something go, ask yourself, "what would I wear this to?" Once you answer, ask "if I were going to _____, would this be the piece I would want to wear over everything else in my closet?" If the answer is no, let it go. These rules also pertain to accessories and jewelry. For the sentimental pieces, keep no more than five of them. It sounds harsh, but, really, that item doesn't hold special power, it's the memory attached to it that's special. Take a picture of it so that you can get that warm feeling when you see it again and find a better home for it. 2. Crafts and office supplies - You don't want abandoned projects staring back at you. Not only will you maybe feel a small sense of failure because you never completed it, you will also feel that pressure of getting back to it so that you're not out the money you spent on it. Do yourself a favor, donate or sell it and utilize that energy towards something you WILL happily complete and succeed in. As far as office supplies goes, if it's dated paperwork, shred it and recycle it. If you have 50 pens, donate at least 35 of them. If you have a lifetime supply of stationary or notepads, you don't have to toss even half of it but try to narrow it down. I used to buy those "just in case" greeting cards in case of a birthday emergency of some sort. I recently went through my pile and more than half of them weren't something I would give to anyone anymore. Case in point, buy as you go. 3. Old magazines and books - Outdated decor or fashion books: part with. Those styles may come back around again, but, usually, they will incorporate updated classics. Books that were a gift and you don't feel like diving into probably aren't worth keeping. The sentiment is wonderful and I don't think this is for every book, but if the content of the book is of no real interest to you and it isn't something that even touched you when you received it, it's okay to let it go. A book that you have already read doesn't need to be on your shelf unless you know for a fact you'll read it again. If anything, give it to a friend if it was a book you enjoyed that much. Up until recently, I was all about keeping magazines. I used to keep every fashion magazine that came into my grasp. Then, I narrowed it down to just keeping special ones and all of my Allures from 1999-2014. Then, I narrowed down my Allures. I finally settled on tearing out the special pages in all of my picked over publications and began putting them in a portfolio for stored inspiration. Another great option is taking a picture of the page or scanning it and adding it to something like Evernote, Google Drive, or Pinterest. I am pretty old school so I like tactile things, making the portfolio a nice compromise for me. It took me a good few years to get this down because they were (clearly) hard to part with for some reason. I do sound a little crazy but I HAD to add method to my madness. If this process is difficult for you-- make it work. Add little incentives like if you weed through x, you will go get a pedicure. An even bigger incentive: imagine these items being put to good use again by someone who truly needs or wants them; anything that will spark the urge to let go of unnecessary build up in, what is supposed to be, your sacred space. Now, take a deep breath and release! Need a little push? Try this challenge! Just as soon as I start seeing upcoming fall fashion in magazines, my head immediately goes to crisp, cool weather, and takes a sharp turn to the state FAIR! Growing up, the fair was something I looked forward to all year long. Was it the rides, pop-up shops in the expo, or live music? Nope, it was the food. All of the deep fried "goodness" the U.S. had to offer. Not only did I become fond of the Tulsa State Fair, I also was able to experience the Orange County Fair when I lived in LA, and the Texas State Fair when I lived in Dallas. Of course, there was inevitably a list of new concoctions to try, but the always classic corn dog was my mandatory indulgence.
Since shifting my lifestyle three years ago, I thought fair food would be a thing of the past, until I started doing makeovers on life-shortening foods, turning them into life-transforming foods! Last fall, my "clean creation" triumph was my non-GMO blue corn muffins. Quickly, after finding a clean hot dog option, it wasn't long before I put the two together and hoped to goodness blue corn dog muffins would be close to the real deal. Luckily, for me, my family, and (hopefully) yours, it's pretty dang legit! Ingredients: (Always try to use non-GMO, organic ingredients, if possible!) - 1 cup blue corn meal, (I buy the Natural Grocers brand) - 1 cup brown rice flour - 2 tablespoons + 2 tsp brown coconut sugar - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt - 1 egg - 1/4 cup, heaping, chopped & peeled green apple - 1 cup, unsweetened almond milk - 1 pack of all beef, grass-fed, nitrate-free hot dog franks. (Image of my favorite clean option below.) 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 2. Add chopped apple and almond milk to food processor and blend until liquefied. 3. Blend all ingredients, minus corn meal, together in a food processor until smooth. 4. Then, add corn meal to mixture. Avoid over blending so that you don't lose all of its texture. (Unless you purchase Bob's Red Mill corn meal, which is a courser texture. In that case, add the corn meal with the other ingredients to create a finer consistency.) 5. Coat each muffin cup with non-stick spray or oil. I typically use ghee or coconut oil. Another easy option, great for people on the go, is paper liners. 6. Fill each muffin tin with batter- only half way full, add sliced franks (I cut each frank into 3 pieces), and then top with batter. After topping off each cup, you may need to lightly force some of the franks down a bit more so that they are submerged in the batter. But be sure not to push them too low so that the frank is still centered in the muffin, to avoid a sloppy bottom. 7. Bake for 15-20 minutes. 8. Enjoy!!! These marvelous treats are even delicious after being frozen, stored in an airtight container. Simply reheat by placing them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes. Also, if you have some family members who don't love hot dogs, you can always use this recipe, sans franks, for a wonderful corn muffin option! In this case, I usually add twice the amount of brown coconut sugar to the recipe but everything else is the exact same. Or, for all of the lovely vegans out there, replace the beef frank with your favorite option! The mustard in the image above is a wonderful organic and gluten-free option by Koop's. Why blue corn? Read this article for the info: http://livehealthy.chron.com/blue-corn-healthier-2206.html First of all, I have always been addicted to trying the newest and most "amazing" products out there. As a young girl, I had various subscriptions to fashion and beauty magazines starting at age 11. I was every editorials' dream because I read each issue cover to cover, tabbing pages with that particular month's new breakthrough lotion, potion, and cosmetics. Wanting to see if the miraculous claims were true, I would go out and buy these products, discarding the ones that were guilty of false advertising and RAVING about the ones I saw any positive outcome from. I became the go-to girl to see what products were worth buying from those closest to me.
Now, I'm on to the new adventure of trial and error with the world of natural, eco-friendly, animal-friendly, human-friendly body products, cosmetics, & beauty regimes. One of my newest favorites? My lymphatic dry brush! I have come across the positive claims before but didn't actually buy into it until I started reading Sara Gottfried's fabulous new book, The Hormone Reset Diet. She claims that it's a great way to promote healthy detoxification and increased circulation. It also helps eliminate cellular waste products. So cute, huh? After seeking out more information, I thought it would probably be a wonderful regimen to improve the quality of my skin and smooth out some of my unfavorable cellulite. (Thanks to genes, I have consistently had cellulite since I was 9 and, even, at my lightest.) Daily, I began dry brushing in the morning, as instructed on the product's pamphlet, in quick strokes, starting at my feet and moving upward, all in the direction of my heart. I would complete this process by massaging grapeseed oil (improves circulation), mixed with coconut oil (vitamin E and fatty acids), and a drop or two of geranium essential oil (promotes cell regeneration, improves elasticity, and the smell is a natural mood-booster). Let me tell you, this little cocktail works like a charm! I saw results within a few weeks! Which is a stark contrast to the products I've used in the past...trust me, anything at CVS won't work. I've tried them all. Don't believe me? Try it out for two weeks and see for yourself! Want to know why it works? Dr. Mercola explains it better than I do: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/24/dry-skin-brushing.aspx Years ago, I purchased this fabulous cookbook that had a collection of some of the best recipes from church cookbooks from around the U.S. I had never actually used it until recent...and I'm really happy I did! Of course, none of the scrumptious comfort foods featured are considered "clean" but in the past 3 years, I've become quite the pro at cleaning up recipes! This one is officially one of my favorites! Ingredients: - 1 cup - brown rice flour - 3/4 cup - xylitol, erythritol, lakanto, or brown coconut sugar (I used a blend of xylitol and white lakanto) - 6 teaspoons - unsweetened, raw, organic cocoa powder, divided - 2 teaspoons - baking powder, aluminum-free - 1/4 teaspoon - sea salt or pink salt - 1/2 cup - organic, unsweetened coconut milk - if canned, BPA-free liner. Unsweetened almond milk and/or coconut milk from the carton also works. - 2 tablespoons - raw, organic coconut oil, softened or melted - 1 teaspoon of organic vanilla extract - 1/4--1/2 cup of organic brown coconut sugar and/or brown lakanto (I used a blend of the two. Since I gave up sugar years ago, I personally preferred the version with just 1/4 cup but my audience of taste testers liked the sweeter version, using 1/2 cup. (Lakanto has no effect on your blood sugar and brown coconut sugar is a low glycemic sweetener.) - 1 3/4 cups - hot water 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Combine flour, white sweetener, 2 tablespoons of cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Then, add oil and vanilla and mix until smooth. Spread batter in an ungreased 9 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. 3. Combine brown sweetener and remaining 4 tablespoons of cocoa. Sprinkle evenly over top of batter. 4. In a teapot or pan, heat water almost to a boil. (I just added about 2 cups of water to a kettle and once hot, measured out the 1 3/4 cup.) Pour hot water evenly over all of your mixture in pan. Do not stir. 5. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before cutting to serve. The bottom of this cake will be a gooey consistency. Enjoy! Voila! As you can see, this version looks a tad different from the top version I made. This particular cake I used 1/4 cup sweetener vs. the 1/2 cup. I also diluted the canned coconut milk with a little bit of water to see what it would do if someone were to use a thinner coconut or almond milk from the carton. Other than appearance, the taste didn't really differ, other than sweetness, of course because of the sweetener reduction. The texture was slightly different but not enough to prefer one method over another. Many of my friends and clients are almost in a panic when I say "no bread", when it comes to following the Body Ecology Diet. (There are a few rare types of bread that are almost approved and (eventually) fine in moderation, once you've achieved balance in your body, including: Grindstone Bakery's gluten-free options found on their website and Food for Life's new Sprouted gluten-free options you can find at most health grocery stores.) I somehow went over the two year mark before I decided that it would be might be wise/ fun to start exploring my options-- so that I could hold a hamburger in between something other than lettuce AND so that I could give my clients a silver lining to this "no bread" rule. After surfing the internet for a recipe that didn't include yeast or cheese, I tried a few that were good, but required random ingredients that were either not ideal for your body, or weren't very accessibile. Just recently, I finally fell on one that worked AND I didn't have to make a handful of replacements and modifications (which is usually always the case)! Thanks to The Lucky Penny blog and a few changes by me, here is a fabulously satisfying bread replacement that you can enjoy for pizza, burgers, sandwiches, with hummus, or solo! Depending on how many people, you will need to adjust the volume. I am going to list the amount it took for me to make a top and bottom hamburger bun for 7 people (14 pieces total). Since this recipe is slightly tedious and delicious, I do suggest you make a relatively large batch because it can keep but you probably won't have the opportunity to store it for too long, considering it's delicious and multi-purposeful. Ingredients: - 3 medium-sized heads of cauliflower - 3 eggs - 3 tablespoons of organic, extra-virgin olive oil - 6 tablespoons of almond meal (or almond flour) - approx. 1/2-3/4 teaspoons of pink salt or sea salt (You can add oregano, garlic, basil and other Italian seasoning if you are making it for pizza but since I was using it for burgers, I stuck to salt.) 1. Place baking sheet or pizza stone in oven and preheat to 450 degrees. 2. Pull out a piece of parchment paper and lightly coat with olive oil. (Do not use wax paper- it will melt using such a high temperature.) Leave on counter until "dough" is ready for baking. 3. After rinsing cauliflower, remove leaves and bottom base of florets. In Lucky Penny's instructions it says to remove the base completely and only use florets but I used most the of the cauliflower and it worked just fine utilizing more of the goods! 4. In shifts, add cauliflower to food processor and blend into a snow-like consistency. Make sure you get it into a fine texture without blending it into mush. (That's why I suggest doing small to medium bunches at a time, removing the processed cauliflower into a large bowl as you go.) 5. After all cauliflower is blended into snow, in a large baking pan or wok, heat on stove covered on medium-high heat for approximately 5-8 minutes, mixing every few minutes. It's okay if some of it browns a little but you don't want to cook it all of the way- just until it's tender, keeping its texture. 6. Once it's tender, remove from heat and let cool. 7. KEY STEP! Place cheese cloth or clean kitchen towel* on a large plate and spoon cauliflower on it. Over a large bowl or sink, squeeze out as much moisture as you can. (One of my trial and errors occurred because I didn't remove enough moisture and the vegan pizzas I made pretty much fell apart the second you picked them up.) I do really suggest using a triple-ply cheese cloth because it allows you to strain the cauliflower better than a kitchen towel. And by "triple-ply" I mean, since it comes in a large piece (I bought mine at Natural Grocers), you can cut it so that you can use the other portion for later use but use enough so that you can fold it and there are 2-3 layers- because the cauliflower will squeeze through otherwise. If using a towel, try to use one that's not tightly woven- to insure a better strain- and one that isn't too plush- to avoid a fuzzy, matted mess. 8. Place the grainy lump of cauliflower into large bowl. Add egg, almond meal, olive oil, and desired ingredients and stir until completely mixed. 9. On the parchment paper you have set aside, make desired size rounds. This mixture will not rise or grow so make them the exact size you'd like and feel free to place them tightly next to one another on sheet. 10. Remove baking sheet or pizza brick from the oven, hold it level to your counter, and carefully slide parchment paper onto the baking sheet. By now, the baking sheet is crazy hot so be sure to use your thickest mitt or double up since you will be gripping it for a bit. 11. Bake in oven for approximately 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are browned. This step is optional but I flipped the bread and cooked for an additional 5 minutes or so to crisp the other size a bit. If you don't flip, you may want to cook up to 20 minutes total. Sometimes, when we are experiencing a difficult day or season in our lives, we think we deserve to splurge a little. Maybe start our Monday morning with a few doughnuts, pick up some take-out after a long day of work, or enjoy a bag of chips on the couch, just to unwind. While it's definitely necessary to make sure we are taking care of ourselves daily and become especially nurturing when we're going through hard times, we need to sit and reflect on how we can truly honor ourselves. Those fleeting and temporary moments when we are enjoying the release we experience while eating something that's good, but not good for us, in the long run, you're really only masking the upset. Don't get me wrong. I know eating a treat during a stressful day can sometimes be extremely effective to make the situation subside, bringing you to a “happy place”. I used to have a tea and cookies break at 4 pm almost every day. But, clearly, that wasn’t something that was conducive to living a healthy life and it wasn’t really helping me since the "fix" was so short-lived.
My challenge for you: check in with yourself during one of those moments when you're seeking release with food, (or shopping, alcohol, etc.) and ask, "What is really going on right now that is making me want to splurge on ______________?" "How can I really serve myself in this time of need?" When you think big picture, you will realize that there may be some inner work you need to focus on. If you need to let off steam or you’re feeling depressed, go exercise. If you are stressed and need an escape, try a new delicious clean recipe that will encourage a healthier lifestyle. Or, maybe, read or watch a funny TV show. Any positive replacement or real solution that will help serve that inner urge, not just mask it. Again, bigger picture. 10 minutes of enjoyment while eating a snack that has negative long-term effects on your health? Or, a healthy alternative that will not only quiet that inner voice and craving, but, also, will generate a positive outcome! (Weight loss, increased energy, clear mind, etc!) If you’re on the go and want to enjoy a little refreshment, grab a water or tea and flavor it with lemon and a few drops of stevia. That may not sound like a treat but the more you train yourself to entertain alternatives and realize that “it” really is a temporary fix, you’ll see that "it" is really not much more than a placebo. Those of you who are addicted to sugar and have candida overgrowth will realize something similar but it’s no joke that you could be experiencing withdrawals. In that case, remember that it’s not you who “needs” the sugar, it’s the bacteria that is wanting to multiply and wreak havoc in your system. Taking this a step further, here is another technique that has helped me and continues to help me make good decisions. When I have plans to go to the gym or skip out on that pile of dishes or laundry, I check in with myself asking “Why don’t I want to get that done?” Most of the time, I will find that it has been a taxing week or the weather isn’t ideal and I think, “I want to treat myself to a work-free morning/evening.” And while sometimes it is extremely necessary to not only give yourself a little break but many little breaks or pauses throughout the day, I will realize, to really genuinely serve myself, I will get at least one of those tasks completed. Not only will it give me a sense of accomplishment, but, it will also keep my world of wellness in alignment and that’s a bigger favor that I can do for myself than having an overly restful morning or evening…that’s not even really restful because I’m thinking about what I should be doing. Give it a try. You may surprise your body, mind, AND soul! : ) The second thing I did upon my arrival from Los Angeles was promptly tear into my suitcase to get out the NEW exciting noodle I found at my favorite store on the planet, Erewhon Market. (This is, of course, after I fed my yorkie, Eloise, her souvenir organic treat from Trader Joe's!) Erewhon Market is grocery store that really sets the bar where it should be, only offering non-GMO, organic, and ethically sustained foods... which, sadly, makes Whole Foods almost look like a Neighborhood Walmart. Since I started following the Body Ecology Diet 26 months ago, it has been a mission to find tasty noodles. During stage 1, I did attempt to find some quinoa, buckwheat, and millet options and got by but they could only be appreciated as a food in a category of their own and not an equal replacement for your typical noodle. Ex. Eden Selected Buckwheat Soba is one of the only brands that offers 100% pure buckwheat noodles and although they are edible, they are a little pricey and they have the gummy texture that many would expect from a noodle alternative. (Quick fact to avoid confusion: buckwheat isn't wheat but is a complete protein in the seed family.) Another thing you should know, first and foremost, even if it says "quinoa noodle" it usually isn't only quinoa. That also goes for pretty much any other noodle out there. Always read ingredients! For instance, Ancient Quinoa Harvest's "quinoa pasta" not only also has rice flour but, also, corn. This isn't necessarily a bad thing if you can tolerate corn, since it is organic and doesn't contain scary GMOs. BUT, case in point, it can say it's a ____ noodle but can also contain five other ingredients. After following the Body Ecology Diet for almost two years, the moment I entered stage 2 of the diet, I was able to graduate to brown rice. Although this made finding noodles much easier, it wasn't exactly a no-fail process. So, here is my assessment of some of my favorite noodle options! This is wonderful if you are gluten-free or trying to only eat low glycemic foods! King Soba - Organic Brown Rice & Wakame Noodles Verdict: they had a delicious taste and fantastic texture. Added bonus: King Soba also offers other varieties including brown rice & buckwheat and brown rice ramen! For those of you who aren't familiar, wakame is a really nutritious sea vegetable, more popularly called seaweed. Serving Suggestion: This noodle could be eaten Italian-style but would be best paired with a vegetable sauté and/or with a little bit of ghee, pink salt, and fermented veggies. In the image seen above, it is served with Wildbrine's Kimchi. Worth noting: it does hold up served in a soup broth, shown in top image with veggies and egg. Stores: Erewhon Market, Amazon.com Jovial - Brown Rice Pasta This is one of the best options out there if you want a nice, hearty pasta. It has great texture and flavor. This brand carries a variety of shapes, including spaghetti, fusilli, and elbow. I made a clean lasagna for Christmas this past year and everyone was blown away that I used a brown rice noodle that didn't fall apart or taste gummy or mushy. I will note: if making lasagna, I suggest most definitely boiling the noodle before baking, even though they say "no boiling required"! Serving suggestion: This is my go-to for Italian dishes and cold pasta salads, since it keeps its shape and never has an unfavorable texture. Stores: Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Amazon.com Explore Asian - Organic Black Bean Spaghetti This noodle is purely made with black beans and a little water! I discovered this selection a few years ago at Whole Foods in L.A. and it is now available in Tulsa. (A little secret: if you find yourself really getting tired of ordering online, just ask your local grocery to look into a product you frequently purchase. There have been quite a few instances where I will ask or make mention of a product to a grocery store manager and it actually shows up on the shelves, eventually!) This noodle option is very unique. It has a spongy but nice texture and the flavor is mild but can't really be compared to much, not even black beans. Serving suggestion: As you can see in the image, I made a Mexican Spaghetti with taco-seasoned ground beef, sautéed fajita-style veggies, and vegan nacho cheese sauce. It is a really fun option to add to your Mexican dishes instead of rice, beans, tortillas, or chips! Stores: Whole Foods, Sprouts, Amazon.com Trader Joe's - Organic Brown Rice & Quinoa Fusilli Pasta This is probably my favorite only because it tastes just like you would expect a wheat noodle to taste like but, also, it contains quinoa, which is a complete protein! Serving suggestion: This noodle can be eaten with anything. I do suggest cooking it a tad longer than the instructions but this is my preference, only because it doesn't get gummy and I prefer soft noodles vs. al dente. Stores: Trader Joe's Happy and healthy eating! - Holly
p.s. what you put ON the pasta is just as important as the actual pasta! I prefer adding 80% veggies with 20% noodles and/or using a nut-based cream sauce. Always be sure to check the label because a majority of store-bought sauces and broths contain unnecessary sugar (even organic)! This fresh and festive dish is the perfect way to bring Mardi Gras' Cajun flair to your table!
Jambalaya Sauté Serves 4 Ingredients - it's best to use organic, antibiotic-free, wild-caught, if you can! - 2 medium onions, chopped - 4 stalks of celery, chopped - 1 red pepper, chopped - 1 yellow or orange pepper, chopped - 8 stalks of green onion, chopped - 2 large chicken breasts, shredded or cubed - 4 cups of chicken broth, if purchasing, check the label to avoid getting an option with sugar! I like Imagine. You can also make your own broth by boiling your chicken. - 1 lb. shrimp - 1/3 cup brown rice flour - 3 teaspoons of extra-virgin coconut oil - 1 teaspoon oregano - 1 teaspoon paprika - 3 teaspoons granulated garlic - 1 teaspoon black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper - 1 teaspoon sea salt or pink salt, add more depending on taste - 1 1/2 cups basmati rice (all of the benefits of wholegrain brown rice but with the taste and texture white rice. Great option for diabetics or those of you looking to eat foods with a low glycemic index) Although this recipe is a breeze, I suggest prepping all ingredients prior to getting started. I personally had made my chicken "bone broth" the day before and purchased frozen cooked shrimp. Bone broth has health-boosting collagen and results in a more gelatin texture, which lends itself nicely to the gravy-like consistency you want to achieve. To make a simple bone broth, simply cook bone-in chicken in boiling water and salt. I also bought Lundberg Farms Organic Basmati Rice and followed the instructions but added a spoonful of ghee while the rice was boiling. After the rice had cooked, (at a point during the directions, you take the rice off of the burner and let sit with the top on it for 10 minutes), I added approx. 1/2 cup of chicken broth to the pot and covered it while I continued cooking for another 20 minutes. 1. to make sure it didn't stick to the bottom of the pot, 2. added flavor, and 3. I like a stickier rice texture. If your chicken isn't cooked yet and you want to make your own broth: add both breasts to a pot of just enough water that the chicken is submerged with 1 tsp of salt. You want the chicken to be cooked thoroughly but use the least amount of water you can get away with (to get more flavor). But, you will be using at least 4 cups of the water/broth for the recipe. Bring the water to a boil and cook until center of chicken is white. Set the chicken aside to shred/ cut into bite-sized pieces, and allow 4-5 cups of broth to chill in the fridge. Instructions: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, on low heat. Add onion and celery, on medium heat, until mixture becomes slightly transparent, about 5 minutes. Then, add chopped peppers to pan for another 5 minutes, or, until mixture becomes tender. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, stirring until melted. Add brown rice flour, stirring constantly as you pour, until fully mixed in. Add all seasonings. After seasoning and flour are fully stirred and mixture has thickened, add half of your chicken broth to the pan, pouring slowly and stirring constantly. *It's normal for the flour to stick to the bottom of your pan- simply scrape it off the bottom and stir into mixture. Once combined, add remaining broth and increase heat to medium-high. The mixture will thicken so, feel free to add additional broth, to insure a gravy-like consistency. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cooked chicken, cooked shrimp, and green onion, until warm. If you're feeling a little fancy, reserve some of the raw green onion for garnish. Make a nice little nest with your rice, top with the sauté, and... Enjoy! Because of my dietary restrictions, I have to get creative when I get a craving for pasta, dairy, and dessert. A lot of the time, I have to order non-produce items online because finding a packaged food item I can actually have (an item lacking the unnecessary nonsense most companies, even organic ones, just have to put in their foods) is nearly impossible in good ol' Oklahoma. So, when I went to LA recently, I was pleasantly surprised to see the wonderful variety of noodles at their Whole Foods. In the Body Ecology Diet, the four grains allowed are: quinoa, amaranth, millet, and buckwheat. Quinoa is fabulous but finding a quinoa noodle without traces of rice or some sort of flour is impossible. And although I use quinoa in replacement for noodles frequently, a lot of the time, texture plays a big role in successfully curing a craving! After strolling the isle, I was lucky enough to find 100% buckwheat noodles (which I will touch on in another entry) and Organic Black Bean Spaghetti. I was pleasantly intrigued because after Stage 1 of B.E.D. (Body Ecology Diet), you are able to re-introduce some beans back into your diet, slowly. I was excited to see that the ingredients only contain organic black beans and water! They also contain 25 grams of protein per serving and were a whopping $4 for a bag that serves four people. Score! Now, I just needed to see if they were actually edible! (Spoiler alert: they are!) Because they were a black bean noodle, I decided to create a Mexican-style spaghetti meal for my family. It consists of: ground taco beef, sauteed onions and red bell pepper, and vegan cheese. If you don't have the noodles in your grocery store, you can replace them with brown rice noodles or, this recipe can be easily made into a taco salad by replacing the noodles with lettuce and maybe adding some blue corn chips to add some heartiness. *Please note: people suffering from candida should avoid all grains other than the four listed above but brown rice is the best alternative for others. Vegan cheese is a relatively new adventure for me because I just graduated to Stage 2 of the B.E.D. Meaning, I can also add new nuts to my diet since soaked almonds are the only nut allowed during Stage 1. But all I can say is vegan cheese is magical! I was really excited to be able to have an excuse to make this "cheese" because it is so very satisfying and flavorful. (It actually tastes extremely similar to the cheese from the kid's snack packs with cheese dip and cracker sticks. If that sounds questionable, don't let it mislead you. It's fabulous!) What you will need! (This meal serves 4.) Taco Meat: -2-2.5 lbs Ground beef (grass-fed is best). You can also use turkey, if preferred. Taco/ Fajita Seasoning: -2 teaspoons chili powder -1 teaspoon salt -1 teaspoon paprika -1/2 teaspoon onion powder -1/4 teaspoon garlic powder -1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper -1/4 teaspoon cumin Vegetable Saute: (Feel free to add more veggies! Zucchini would be a great addition. I just used what I had.) -1 clove of garlic -2 onions -2 red peppers -1 Tbsp ghee (A wonderfully tasting, healthy option that cooks better at a higher temperature than butter. Available at Whole Foods and many other grocery stores.) -1 bag of Explore Asian- Organic Black Bean Spaghetti "Nacho" Cheese: -1 cup- raw cashews that have been soaked in water for 2-3 hours (this softens the nut to create a smooth consistency and also makes it easier to digest). -1/4 cup- chopped red bell pepper -2 tablespoons- extra-virgin or virgin olive oil (meaning, it hasn't been exposed to chemicals) -2 tablespoons- water -1 1/2 tablespoons- lemon juice -1/2 teaspoon- sea salt -1 teaspoon- onion powder -1/2 teaspoon- turmeric Let's get started! First, start with browning your meat on medium-high with the mixed taco meat seasoning. Stir occasionally. While your meat is browning, cut vegetables and garlic. Place a tablespoon of ghee and chopped garlic in pan on medium-high heat, until garlic turns almost transparent. Then, add vegetables. Later, lower the temperature to medium-low to avoid over-cooking the peppers. You want them to stay crisp for texture and preserving nutrients. Place 5-8 cups of water in a pot and set on high heat for noodles. Once water is boiling, add noodles, and stir frequently for 8-10 minutes. Drain noodles and immediately run cool water over them. (This is what the instructions on the bag stated but I also went ahead and added a tablespoon of ghee to the pot before I put noodles back in to prevent sticking.) While items are on stove, place drained, soaked cashews in a food processor (both Cuisinart and Vitamix work well), along with all of the other ingredients, and blend until it turns into a creamy texture. After everything is cooked, top to your liking, and enjoy! I can definitely assure you that this meal is absolutely fabulous!!! There is a ton of great nutrients, protein, texture, and amazing flavor and it is very satisfying and filling! I am one of the few (or many) who love having leftovers! To save time, I typically try to make extra so the meal can be enjoyed the next day OR so that I can use the ingredients for another dish. Two evenings ago, I made my delicious taco meat and made sure to make a little extra. Since then, I have been able to enjoy it with multiple meals, including my breakfast this morning! I also had a partial red bell pepper, chopped garlic, jalapenos, and vegan parmesan cheese left over from other previous meals. The nice thing about eggs is that you can add them to almost anything, and you've got a fantastic scramble for breakfast! For probably 10 years, I have had the tendency of taking pictures of my food. Sometimes, I like to scroll for ideas and recently noticed how many simple scrambles I had shot. It left me wondering if I could even utilize them for this blog because they were just so simple! But, I do think it's useful to point out, they were all beautiful dishes that I thoroughly enjoyed and they were made by just grabbing what I had in the fridge and adding eggs! * Please note: this meal was made with what I had from left over dishes, which you can easily recreate even if you don't have these items already prepared in your fridge. Any vegetable or ingredient can be replaced, added, or eliminated! But as is, this particular dish was delicious. This morning, my scramble consisted of: -1 handful of chopped fresh kale. -1/2 red bell pepper, chopped. -1/4 clove garlic, minced. -1/4 onion, chopped. -A little bit of fresh jalapeno, chopped. -1 small spoonful of ghee -Cooked ground grass-fed beef, that had been seasoned with my fajita seasoning, (ingredients available in Mexican spaghetti post). How much is your preference! I used approx. 1/4 cup. -2 eggs Instructions: *If you don't have cooked ground beef or an alternative in your fridge, be sure to brown the meat in the pan first, before you add the vegetables. -Add ghee to pan and let melt on medium heat. -Add garlic and onion to pan, cook on medium-high heat for a minute or so. -Add all vegetables and meat and cook for 4 minutes. -Then, add eggs and scramble! -I topped it with vegan parmesan cheese (recipe listed in my previous zucchini pasta post) but you can obviously simply season it with sea salt and pepper. Here are other examples of dishes I made and the fabulous meal I got to enjoy the day after. .. Steamed shrimp and veggies with potatoes and avocado. The next morning for my scramble, I used the potatoes, avocado, and leftover veggies from the night before and added eggs and fresh spinach for a completely different and equally satisfying meal! Sauteed zucchini and onion with smoked salmon on fresh spinach with cauliflower dill soup. The next morning, I added eggs to the sauteed veggies and smoked salmon for a delicious morning meal! One evening I made fish and this steamed asparagus and onion were my side. So, the next morning I added the leftover veggies to eggs and ground beef and placed it on a bed of fresh spinach!
Yesterday, like many days, I was wanting something sweet to eat. Recently, I've read about dessert recipes that were made with beans. I was thinking the same thing you're probably thinking right now! Beans? Yes, beans! I am open to giving anything a shot because I have been pleasantly surprised time and time again so, after reading through various recipes, I decided to give it a shot, Body Ecology style! I had to try a few different varieties to see if my omits and replacements would work. The second batch was the winner and it was really very simple! This protein-packed treat is a great item to make as a grab and go breakfast, dessert, or snack! Quick note: if you're unfamiliar with Lakanto- an all natural sweetener that I use in mostly all of my sweet recipes, definitely give it a shot! It is great for people who suffer from candida, diabetes, or weight problems because it has zero calories and zero glycemic index. It is comparable to stevia but is much easier to bake with because it converts equally with sugar when you're substituting ingredients. It comes in a brown and white form. The brown actually tastes similar to brown sugar, so I prefer it over the white for a lot of my baked goods. What you will need:
(For optimized health, I suggest you try to make sure you use as much organic ingredients as possible!) -1 1/2 cups chickpeas/garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained. -3 heaping tablespoons of chopped almonds, or 3 tablespoons of sugar free almond butter, or nut butter. -2 teaspoons vanilla extract, preferably alcohol free if you're suffering from candida. -1/8 teaspoon baking soda -1/8 teaspoon sea salt -2/4 cup + 1-2 tablespoons Lakanto (or 3/4 cup of coconut sugar if you don't have a candida issues). -1 tablespoon coconut oil -1 tablespoon ground chia seeds, or if you prefer more texture, whole chia seeds. -3 tablespoons non-denatured, GMO free, sugar- free protein powder, such as RenewPro or Whey Factors. (Non-denatured pretty much means there was no chemical process involved in making it.) -3 teaspoons cinnamon Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend all ingredients in a food processor until mixture is smooth. Place batter into an 8" x 8" pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 30-32 minutes. For a thicker blondie, use a smaller pan and bake for an additional 2-5 minutes. Store in the fridge. Voila! You can also add additional chopped nuts for extra, extra protein and texture. My serving suggestion: enjoy this sweet treat with a warm cup of chai tea! I am all about easy eating. I definitely enjoy a challenge on occasion, like my previous post on Mexican Spaghetti, but when I don't have the time, meals can sometimes be a little difficult with The Body Ecology Diet because you have to actually make something. This simple zucchini dish is a fabulous treat, full of flavor, and takes no time at all! It's a nice alternative to fettuccine alfredo.
What you will need: (Serves 2) -3 large zucchini squash. If smaller, 6. -3 tablespoons of ghee -A splash (2 teaspoons) of lemon juice -1 tablespoon sugar-free plain kefir (this adds a creamier texture and a nice flavor but the dish is fine without it!) -1 clove minced garlic -3 teaspoons sea salt. -3 teaspoons pepper *With the seasonings, you can alter to your taste preference! -In a food processor or with a vegetable peeler, shave zucchini into noodle-like strips. -Place 1 tablespoon of ghee in pan on medium-high heat and cook minced garlic until it turns clear. -Add zucchini, 2 tablespoons of ghee, salt, and pepper and saute on medium-high until zucchini is tender (approx. 8 minutes)- but try not to overcook to preserve nutrients. -Take pan off heat and while stirring, add kefir. -Squeeze lemon and voila! If you have the time, it also tastes great with a little bit of vegan parmesan cheese on top! I make larger batches of this high-protein treat and store in the refrigerator for convenience to add to salads on other dishes. -1/3 cup raw cashews -1/4 teaspoon mustard powder -1/4 teaspoon salt -1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds Add all ingredients into a food processor (Cuisinart, Vitamix, or coffee grinder) until mixture becomes finely ground, similar to real sprinkle parmesan cheese. One of my regular cravings is sushi. At a very young age, my siblings and I were introduced to this delicacy and after being spoiled in college and eating it almost every single day, I crave it on a weekly basis. It is definitely one of those foods for me that the more you eat it, the more you crave it! When I began eating clean years ago, I was sworn off of white rice. Luckily, I was living in LA at the time so it was relatively easy to request brown rice. (Geisha House in Hollywood always happily obliged.)
On the Body Ecology Diet/ anti-candida diet, rice in general is not allowed for the first few stages. This made eating sushi pretty impossible until one day, I was determined to satisfy my craving. I went to a local natural grocer and after getting assistance and researching via Google, I was able to purchase (fresh, antibiotic-free) fish from the butcher. My selection included shrimp, smoked salmon, and raw tuna. And although the helpful grocer assured me other raw fish options would be safe, I didn't feel comfortable after reading some negative reviews online about potential bacteria and side effects from eating some raw options and salmon that hadn't been treated in some shape or form. Moving on, I also was sure to pick up other staple ingredients including avocado, cucumber, and nori (seaweed paper). Please note: some seaweed paper isn't pure so be sure to read the ingredients because some hide sugar, GMO soy, and other unnecessary ingredients. Lastly, the key replacement ingredient: quinoa! To begin, start cooking the quinoa first. I suggest you cook it longer than the suggested time frame, to achieve a stickier consistency (and you may need to continue to add water so it doesn't get too dry). While the quinoa is cooking, prepare and cook the shrimp. Then, cut your vegetables and fish in bite-size portions but try keeping the fish intact to easily and cleanly place in bowl. When the quinoa is at the desired consistency (similar to sticky rice), add sea salt. Then, arrange the chopped fish, vegetables, and avocado in a bowl over the quinoa and garnish with the nori. Voila! Super easy and delicious. If you're a huge soy sauce fan, I would suggest using Coconut Aminos. Many people think Bragg Liquid Aminos is a healthier, gluten free alternative to soy sauce but it also contains soy, which has been shown to be potentially dangerous (phytoestrogrens, neurotoxins). If you suffer from candida, opt for pink or sea salt. It really does the trick. When setting the table, add small bowls of cut cucumber, avocado, and other ingredients so your guests can top off their quinoa with additional helpings. If you're feeling even more ambitious or have some extra time on your hands, you can try rolling the sushi. Compress the quinoa in a flat square, cover with nori paper, dampen the paper with small amounts of water so that it adheres to the quinoa. Add fish 1/4 of the way in and roll with sushi roll mat. Although it was a little messy and slightly tedious, I was able to make a few intact hand rolls. I may eventually try using the nori on the outside as well, to see if it stays together better. But, the bowls are just as satisfying and extremely simple! Also, a wonderful addition: it was surprisingly inexpensive compared to eating at a sushi restaurant, costing no more than $13 a person and we had plenty of leftovers. |
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