I’m always looking to add greens to meals and adding spinach into pasta sauce is an easy way to bump up the nutritional profile of this dish.
You could be eating in 30 minutes or less. All you need are the 4 ingredients below. Baby spinach, pasta sauce, whole grain (wheat or gluten-free) rotini pasta, and ground turkey. I recommend Plainville Farms ground turkey since they are a certified humanely raised, antibiotic and hormone free company. Read more →
Sunday lunch was a culmination of leftovers! Grilled chicken marinated in balsamic vinegar, grapeseed oil, and dried spices oregano and rosemary, along with grilled zucchini. Read more →
This morning I needed to complete a training run and was not really in the mood for a workout. I wanted to plan out meals for the week and head to the grocery store. But, I knew that not working out in the morning would significantly decrease the chance that my workout would happen today. So what did I do? Read more →
It’s holiday shopping time and what better way to show your love than give gifts that will create better health. Here’s my list of best bets for health wise gifts to give this year.
1. A series of fitness or yoga classes or even a massage from Groupon or Living Social!!
2. A gift certificate for home delivered Organic produce, teas, beans, herbs/spices, nuts, whole grains, gourmet salts, coffee, and sprouts. Healthy World Organics is my favorite local home delivered organics.
3. Work out gear, a great functional gift and very motivating. Who doesn’t love working out in gear that looks great and makes you feel great too!!
4. Stainless steel water bottles, Nathan is my very favorite! We have several in our home and are great for staying hydrated when you’re on-the-go!
5. Foam roller is great for working soreness out of tight muscles. These are all the rage now, a great way to give yourself a massage or use for doing core strengthening Pilates moves.
6. The gift of laughter is one of the best gifts for greater health! Make someone smile with a Happy Dancing Solar Flower!
7. Give the gift of health with Health Coaching Sessions! Give my $99 Healthy Holiday Coaching Special to yourself or someone you love!!
8. Thinking positive is one of the best ways to improve your health and how much joy you get out of life. I Can Do It 2012 Calendar by Louise Hay provides daily positive affirmations and words of wisdom to bring more good into your life.
9. A great cook book filled with healthy meals that taste great and are great for you! The Healthiest Meals on Earth, Eat, Drink, and Weigh Less, Greens Glorious Greens, Feeding the Whole Family, Clean Food, Peas and Thank You. I have most of these books except 2 and they are on my wish list this year!
10. For a splurge, here’s some great gadgets: Garmin 305, Vitamix, Breville Juicer, BOSU Balance Trainer.
After the long winter, it’s time to open up the windows, let in Spring’s fresh air and clear out excess clutter that has piled up all winter long. We can do this in two ways, both physically and mentally.
Physically, start by cleaning out both “houses”, the home you live in and your body. Your home may have a buildup of old magazines, clothes, or unnecessary odds and ends. Make a date to go room by room clearing out this excess clutter, dust and vacuum as you go to remove pollutants and allergens in the home.
Our bodies can have accumulations of toxins or environmental pollutants and food residues from a period of eating heavier foods and not enough physical activity during the colder months. Begin the process of Spring cleaning your body by crowding out rich, and processed foods. Add in more fresh fruits and vegetables, and be sure to drink plenty of fresh filtered water. Brew a kettle of green tea and serve over ice with fresh squeezed lemon or lime for a refreshing and antioxidant packed drink.
Be sure to chew food well to help the body digest and absorb nutrients better. Enhance flavors of fresh produce with mild herbs and spices along with first cold-pressed olive oil or ghee (clarified butter).
Eating seasonally is a good practice as well. Click here to access map. Select month above the map, then click on your state to see a list of what’s in season in your location.
Mentally, clean your mind and heart by clearing out negative thoughts and behaviors. Sit down and think about what thought patterns leave you feeling drained or stuck in a rut. Record the thoughts that make you feel the most stuck. Next to each of those thoughts, write a positive thought to break the negative thought pattern.
Take a look at your relationships and determine those having a toxic effect on your life and take steps to move away from those negative influences. Spend more time with those who are supportive of you and give you positive energy.
Here’s a quick recipe to help you kick start your Spring cleaning. Asparagus is great for Spring cleaning your body as it helps flush out extra fluid and reduces bloating. It’s a prebiotic food that promotes the growth of healthy bacteria your body. Another well known prebiotic in inulin which is typically added to foods like yogurt and granola bars that naturally do not contain prebiotics. Other natural food sources of prebiotics are dandelion greens, garlic, leeks, and onions.
Easy asparagus:
Take a bunch of asparagus and rinse well. Chop off about 1 inch from the bottom. You can also snap off the fibrous ends.
Place asparagus as shown below in a pan and pour about 1 inch of water over the asparagus, so it’s just barely covered.
Cover pan and bring water to a boil. Turn down to a simmer and let asparagus cook for 3-5 minutes.
Remove from heat and drain promptly. Serve immediately. Drizzle with olive oil, sea salt, and spices.
Chop up leftovers to toss in salads!
Years later, as I young adult, I changed up my diet. I removed dairy and found that I was no longer in pain every day. >> Read More
