My obsession with coconut continues.

These are a great snack to not only help curb that sweet tooth but nourishing as well.  High in protein and only natural sweetness from the dates make for a hard to resist treat. 

Almond Joy bites

1 cup almond meal/flour
2 cups chopped dates
1/2 cup slivered or chopped almonds
1-1/2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes (add more or less to taste)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 c melted coconut oil
1/4 cup coffee or water (I prefer coffee YUMM)
2 scoops whey vanilla protein powder

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse 15-20 times.  I had to take out and use my hands to mix it as it was very thick.  Roll in balls.  I made 32 coconut bites.  You can make them as big or as small as you like. If you would prefer, you can put them into a glass dish and cut in squares.  For a complete snack, I eat two or three.

I'm on week 11 of my challenge.  I'm happy to announce that my hip is healing and feeling great.  I am back to teaching jazzercise and I even ran two miles today!!  I am sleeping better and my head is clear! I am not nearly as cranky!!  Yay!!!     I am down to 135 pounds, (up one pound pre-hip injury) 12 pounds from when I started my challenge.  I have had so many positive changes!!  I am so glad I didn't wait another day to start.  What are you waiting for?  Don't wait til next month or next week. Start your positive changes now.  I will be with you every step of the way.

Happy, happy, joy, joy....
j

"It's better to regret something that you did, than something you didn't."

80% of obese kids end up as obese adults…

I had to post this video to share with you friends.  It gave me the chills watching it.  It is SO true and it makes me so sad because so many people think this is the only way it can be.  Only we can change it friends.  How?  One meal at a time.

With love,
j

Butternut Squash Lasagna and Roasted Brussel Sprouts.

I've been trying to stay away from Pasta because I tend to lose my portion control with pasta.  I tried using butternut squash in place of lasagna noodles and I was quite pleased with the results.

Home made Marinara Sauce   

 2 cans crushed tomatoes

1 can tomato paste

1tbsp oregano

1 tsp basil

2tbsp minced garlic

2 tsp honey (more honey can be added if you want a sweeter sauce)

1 cup onion (optional)

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

salt to taste 

Put all ingredients into crock pot and cook on low for 3-4 hours.  If time is an issue, you can cook on stove and simmer...taste better the longer it can simmer!

Butternut Squash Lasagna

1 Red Onion chopped

3 cloves of garlic

1 red or yellow pepper, diced or sliced

1 container of fresh portabello mushrooms, sliced

 extra virgin olive oil

1 butternut squash, cut in planks

Home made Marinara sauce (I probably used about 3 to 4 cups.)

Preheat over to 400 degrees.  Saute onions, pepper, mushrooms and minced garlic in olive oil.  But the top and ends off squash and peel it.  Cut it in half, then cut each half in half, lengthwise.  Pull out the seeds and then cut the squash into planks.  

Using a 9x9 or 8x8 baking dish- cover bottom of pan with marinara sauce, next add squash (do not overlap) then sauteed veggie and marinara.....  Repeat until all ingredients are used.  Reserve enough sauce to cover top of lasagna.  Bake for 45 minutes.  Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan.   I didn't add any cheese or meat.  If you so choose you can add any veggie or sausage if you prefer!

Here is the end result!!

Roasted Brussel Sprouts..

I also made some Roasted Brussel Sprouts.  I took 2 pounds of fresh sprouts and put into a gallon size bag. I added 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted, 1tsp each of salt and pepper and shook that bag good!  I cooked in oven at 400 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  I pulled the pan out and shook every 10 minutes or so to cook them evenly.

  This is my daughter Cari, trying brussel sprouts for the first time.

She is being a good sport and trying foods that I could NEVER get her to eat before.  This is what she said "Sorry but it tasted like feet, then broccoli.  I'm not sure what to think anymore!"  She has a thing with food tasting like "feet."  I don't know about you, but I've never tasted feet before.


Step out of your comfort zone friends.  Try a vegetable that you have never tried or didn't like in the past.  Sometimes, it's all about the way you cook it that makes or breaks the taste.

With positive thoughts,

love j

Random facts...

1.  Many foods get their red food coloring "carmine" from ground up insect shells that can cause severe allergic reactions in some people.  Pink grapefruit juice gets its coloring from this.


2.  According to research from UCLA, it takes only two months to lower levels of brain chemicals responsible for learning and memory on a steady diet of processed foods.


3.  The same company that makes metal detectors for airports also sell them to food manufacturers, who use the devices to test processed meats for stray wires, metal shards and hypodermic needles.


4.  Castoreum is used to enhance the flavor of puddings, candies and some frozen dairy desserts.  What is castoreum?  Castoreum is a bitter, orange-brown, odoriferous oily secretion found in two sacs between the anus and the external genitals of beavers.  Yep and you can find it as "natural flavors" in your Yummy processed foods.  (Can you imagine a group of people sitting around the table saying, "This pudding is missing something....I can't put my finger on it....Oh wait, I know, let's try the secretions from beaver anal glands....yes that's perfect!"  Seriously?!  How does this happen?!


5.   An average person yearly fast food intake will contain 12 pubic hairs.  


6.  Propylene used for antifreeze keeps your salads crispy.


7.  Just in time for Easter- jelly beans keep their shine with Shellac.  It is associated as being a type of wood finishing material.  Shellac is derived from the excretions of the Kerria lacca insect which is native to the Thailand Forests.


8.  The FDA allows 19 maggots and 74 mites in a three and a half ounce can of mushrooms.


9.  Cheese products contain less then 51% cheese.  Any cheese whose package states it is processed is most likely less than 51% cheese.  The other 49%?  A blend of flavorings and additives to give you the illusion of cheese.  




10.  The following is the ingredient list for "Strawberry Flavoring"

• Amyl acetate
• Amyl butyrate
• Amyl valerate
• Anethol
• Anisyl formate
• Benzyl acetate
• Benzyl isobutyrate
• Butyric acid
• Cinnamyl isobutyrate
• Cinnamyl valerate
• Cognac essential oil
• Diacetyl
• Dipropyl ketone
• Ethyl butyrate
• Ethyl cinnamate
• Ethyl heptanoate
• Ethyl lactate
• Ethyl methylphenylglycidate
• Ethyl Nitrate
• Ethyl propionate
• Ethyl valerbate
• Heliotropin
• Hydroxyphrenyl-2butanone (10% solution in alcohol)
• A-Ionone
• Isobutyl anthranilate
• Isobutyl butrate
• Lemon essential oil
• Maltol
• 4-Methylacetophenone
• Methyl anthranilate
• Methyl benzoate
• Methyl cinnamate
• Methyl heptine carbonate
• Methyl naphthyl ketone
• Methyl salicylate
• Mint essential oil
• Neroli essential oil
• Nerolin
• Neryl isobutyrate
• Orris butter
• Phenethyl alcohol
• Rose
• Rum ether
• G-Undecalactone
• Vanillin
• Solvent

Now, who wants a strawberry milkshake?!  That is 46 chemical ingredients to make strawberry flavor!!!!!!!!!  Wouldn't it be easier to just throw some strawberries in there?  I don't know, I'm just thinking outside the box.  


Knowledge is power friends.  Keep reading those nutrition labels.  When in doubt, put it back on the shelf.  


Eat to Live friends, don't Live to Eat.


I am feeling a bit better.  My water intake is up and my weight is down two pounds. YAY!!! I also cut my portion sizes a little bit since I am not working out.  I have been eating as if I have still been working out.  I used to wear a body bug which is a device that you can wear on your arm to see just how many calories you burn in one day.  I would normally burn around 500-1000 calories (just working out calories-not my metabolic rate the entire day)   depending on how many classes I would teach.  So since I am not burning those extra calories, I need to cut my calories slightly.  I am lucky that I have a good amount of muscle that burns calories even when I am at rest.   
I don't count calories.  I have done so in the past and find it tedious and I tend to lose interest quickly.  I do think it is important to measure my ingredients though.  I also want to remind you that what works for me isn't necessarily going to work for you.  I believe writing down what you are eating and counting calories is the BEST way to lose weight.  Once you do it enough, you become more aware of what is in your food and you become more aware of portion size.  There is a program a lot of my clients are using called Lose It that you can download on a smart phone.  Sparkpeople.com is another weight loss support system that is free and has LOTS of resources on it.  




With light and love,
j

Frustrating...

I have been down (no cardio) going on a little over two weeks now with this hip issue.   Hip pain has been going on for more than a month.

I am up 4 pounds.
I am frustrated.
I am dehydrated.
I am sad.
I am not sleeping well.
I am hungry to jazzercise again.
I am scared.
I am tired.

I am  am in week 10 of my clean eating challenge.  I have been on steroids for 12 days and with no improvement decided to see an orthopedic doctor.  He had good news for me.  He is sure I will be up and running in no time after a cortisone shot.  With tears in my eyes, I agree and pray it isn't too painful.  Ok, the shot wasn't horrible but the pain after the shot was!!!  Sometimes the cortisone "crystallizes" in the body and causes more pain than you had before the shot!  Yep, that's what happened.

My eating hasn't changed since I have stopped cardio but my water intake has.  I  have been trying and trying to drink water but I am having a really hard time.  I have been reading that we are supposed to drink a gallon of water a day.  So I set out to see just how much I do drink normally.  I know when I am working out regularly, I consume about 4 of my metal water bottles daily.  Not sure how many ounces in them but thought I'd see if I really could drink a gallon of water in one day without peeing myself, ha!!

This gallon of water could not include coffee or tea or my cocktail with lemon and acv.  Sunday morning at 7am, I woke and started my gallon.  I finished it at 9pm.  I did it.  Turns out, one gallon is about 5 1/2 of my water bottles.  Since I normally drink about 4 of those in one day, I decided I'm pretty happy with that.  I am not however, happy with my intake over the last two weeks.  I can feel the water weight in my fingers.  I will do better.

Doctor thinks I can get back to teaching jazzercise by next week.  I hope to introduce running soon too.

I need those endorphins that exercise provides.
I need the toxic release from my body that exercise provides.
I need to energy that exercise provides.
I need the deep sleep that exercise provides.
I need the happiness that exercise provides.
I need the heart pumping and lung burning sensation that exercise provides.


It will happen and I will survive.  One day at a time.

By the way, someone left a Valentine on my desk yesterday but no one would fess up to it.  I got a package of Justine's Peanut Butter Cups and a Kroger gift card.  Thank you to my secret valentine!!

One more random thing- my friend Kelly has been watching her calorie intake since before Christmas and has lost 16 pounds!!  Way to go Kelly!!  I am SO proud of you.  She posted this on facebook earlier and I wanted to share with all of you!  

"I conducted a nonscientific experiment. For one week I ate the same # of calories per day, spread out at 3 meals, instead of my "new" way of eating - same # of calories per day spread out over 3 snacks and 3 meals. Guess what happened? I STOPPED losing weight and started to gain slowly. Reaffirmed to me that my "new" eating habits are firing up my metabolism and keeping me losing weight at a steady pace. The moral to the story is: it's not only WHAT you eat that matters, but also WHEN & HOW you eat it!"


YES YES YES!!!!!   Did you hear that friends!???!!!!  We do have to eat to lose weight.  We have to eat to burn fat.  Eating once a day is not good for our bodies.  I hear so many excuses and I have an answer to each one!  You can choose to change or choose to stay the same.  


I choose to be healthy!  I choose to eat to live!  I choose to continue to share my journey with you!  Please share your journey with me!


Mucho Love,
j

Benefits of Coconut Oil.

If you  haven't tried cooking with coconut oil, let me tell you what you are missing!  Coconut oil has many health benefits.  It is great for maintaining cholesterol levels, helping with weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and increased metabolism.  It helps kidney function, heart disease and high blood pressure.  It has been shown to help people with diabetes, HIV and Cancer.  It helps our bodies absorb minerals which can directly help bone strength.  It is also great for our skin and hair!!

The benefits of coconut oil is due to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid.  It has antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-fungal properties.  

Coconut oil is solid at room temperature and doesn't melt until 76-78 degrees Farenheit.  Do not store it in the refrigerator.  Coconut oil is great for high heat as the health benefits of the oil do not change as it is heated.  

I love making popcorn on the stove with coconut oil.  It gives the popcorn a delicious taste that does not need addition of butter.  I'm a huge lover of coconut and have a  recipes to share with you!

Almond Joys

1 1/2 cup 72% or higher cacao dark chocolate

1/2 c coconut oil

1 T sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut

1 tsp coconut extract

30 almonds

Microwave chocolate 30 seconds stir and repeat until melted.  You can line a muffin tin with paper liners or use silicon muffin tins.(the chocolate will pop right out no paper liner needed)  Line the bottom of each one with just enough chocolate to cover the bottom and up the sides slightly.  Place in fridge until it hardens.  Mix coconut oil, sugar, coconut and extract with mixer about 2 minutes.  Put equal amounts in each section, put 5 almonds on top of that then top with remaining chocolate.  Put in refrigerator until hardened.  Enjoy!!!  

If you prefer smaller bite size pieces, you can make with mini muffin tins and put one almond in each.

Yes, there is one missing from the pan!  So YUMMY!!

Blessings,

j

Clean goodies...

 Can you say Peanut Butter Cups??!!!!  Oh my!!  I found these at the health food store on Michigan Ave!  They are dreamy!!  The ingredients are all organic and clean.  Decadent Dark chocolate and organic peanuts equal two perfectly proportioned pieces of heaven.  $2.19 for these two puppies BUT it came with a $1.00 coupon for the next batch.  I even shared mine and only ate one.  I ate it s.l.o.w.l.y.    If you have never had Justin's products, they are worth a try.  You can find more Justin's products at Kroger in the healthy, organic section.


Here are the stats- Two of these are 200 calories, 16g fat (say peanuts), 120 mg sodium, 20 carbs, 2g fiber, 14g sugar and 4g protein.  Here are the ingredients- Organic dark choc (organic evaporated cane sugar, organic choc liquor, organic cocoa butter, organic soy lecithin (extract of soy beans, prevents separation of cocoa and cocoa butter), organic vanilla), organic peanuts, organic evaporated cane sugar, organic cocoa butter, organic palm fruit oil, organic vanilla, sea salt.    There is sugar in this treat in the form of evaporated can sugar but if you are looking for a "treat" and not eating this regularly, I wouldn't worry about this amount of sugar.

To be fair, I bought a Reeses Peanut Butter cup to compare.  Here are the stats-  210 calories, 13g fat, 150mg sodium, 24g carbs, 1g fiber, 21g sugar and 5g protein.  Ingredients are-- Milk Chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, nonfat milk, milk fat, lactose, soy lecithin, pgpr, emulsifier), peanuts, sugar, dextrose, salt, tbhq (preservative).    Doesn't seem to bad right?  Well, what is pgpr and tbhq?  Hmm, let's find out. PGPR is known in the candy industry as polyglycerol polyricinoleate.  Does this make the chocolate better?  Of course not!  PGRP is used to replace the expensive cocoa butter that is normally found in chocolate.  To make a long story short, they are using the chemical because it is cheaper than using real ingredients.  Ok so let's check out TBHQ-  TBHQ is  the acronym used to describe tertiary butylhydroquinone, which is an antioxidant that comes from petroleum and is related to butane.  It is often used as a preservative, applied either to the carton of fast food items or sprayed directly onto them as well as in various other prepackaged food items. Yumm?!  NOT!!  

 Hmm, I guess I have lost my love for Reeses and found a new love in Justin's.  

If you are in need of a clean, healthy, quick snack on the go, the LARABAR is for you.  LARABAR are strictly fruit and nuts.  I don't know about you but I heart Key Lime Pie. LARABAR is a blend of unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices. Made from whole foods, each flavor contains two to nine ingredients.  Pure and simple!   The only thing is-- I wish LARABAR had more protein.   

Key Lime Pie ingredients-  Dates, cashews, almonds, unsweetened coconut, lime juice concentrate. 5 ingredients make one tasty treat. It has 220 calories, 10g fat, 31g carbs, 4 g fiber, 4g protein.  It is a very calorie dense bar because it has nuts in the mix.  Don't let this scare you away. Nuts can be a healthy part of every diet!!   

LARABAR has many flavors so you are sure you can find one to fit your taste buds!  They can be found at Kroger in the health food section or anywhere protein bars are found.  

Eating clean does not mean being deprived.  Love your body and what goes in it.

Namaste,

j

My daily cocktail.

If you remember from one of my earlier posts, I talked about how I drink warm/hot water first thing in the morning with half a fresh lemon squeezed in it.  This helps to detox our liver, get the digestive tract moving and wake up the metabolism.  Lately I have been reading more on the benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar.  Here is my journey through apple cider vinegar.


Day one- I tried drinking 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar with 1/2 cup hot water.  I figured less water, less to drink, let's get this over with.  STUPID!!!  GAG!!  Wasn't sure if I was going to throw up or spit it out.  I wasn't near a sink or toilet so down it went.  Cough, cough, gag!  Not sure if this is something worth trying.  I think I am crazy.


Day two- I think I will try mixing it with my lemon water.  Something has to mask the taste.  Maybe that will help.  Well, better than day one but YUCK!!!!!!  Tried drinking through a straw and not breathing while drinking.  Forgot to breathe after drinking.  Almost died.  Day two- failure.


Day three- After extensive research online.  Someone suggested to add honey to the mix.  Of course!!  Something sweet.  I add 1 Tbsp organic honey to the lemon -apple cider vinegar- warm water mix.  I use a straw again not only to help bypass the ENTIRE mouth but because the apple cider vinegar and lemon can be very acidic on the teeth wearing down the enamel.  Better, maybe even do-able...maybe!   Once I read all the health benefits of the ACV (apple cider vinegar), I knew I wanted to do this daily but I still felt like there had to be a less torturous way.  


By the way, let me mention that my 17 year old daughter, Cari, is drinking this every morning.  She inspired me to keep trying to find a much more appealing way to drink it because she said she was tired of drinking "feet" every morning.  Yes, she said it tasted and smelled like "feet" even with the honey.  Ok, back to the drawing board.


More research and finally, finally found the answer.  I came across Dr. Axes secret detox drink.  Not sure why all the secrecy here but NOT a secret anymore!  Here is what he suggest.
2 Tbsp ACV, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, (I still use half lemon), 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 stevia packet and a dash of cayenne pepper in up to 16 ounces of water.  I prefer less water.  I use a regular coffee cup so about 10-12 ounces.  You can drink this cold or hot.  Again, I prefer hot.  It is suggested that you can drink this up to 3 times a day before each meal.  I drink every morning and before lunch. 


Back to the taste....SO MUCH BETTER!  The cinnamon and stevia totally knock out that pungent vinegar taste.  Now there is a LOT of cinnamon so the need to keep stirring is there until the last drink.  It's not a refreshing glass of iced tea but it is SO much better.  


It's all a work in progress.  If the acv upsets your stomach, then start with 1 Tbsp or half Tbsp.  Cari was getting an upset stomach with 2 so she has cut back.  I asked her what she thought of the new taste and here was her answer.  "It doesn't taste like 'feet' anymore, but I about threw up this morning!!  It's too cinnamony!!  I almost died and couldn't finish drinking it."  Hmm, work in progress.  Note to self, less cinnamon for Cari.  


I know what you all are thinking.  WHY THE HECK ARE YOU DRINKING IT THEN?!!!!  Well, to help YOU of course!!!  Get ready for this friends...if the taste doesn't knock your socks off why you should drink it will!


Benefits of the lemon in your cocktail-
Helps to lose weight and keep hydrated.  Improves digestion and gives you vitamin C. Vitamin C helps us to have a more efficient digestive system.  Vit C also boosts your immune system and can help prevent coronary heart disease and lowers your risk for a stroke.  Lemon helps to stimulates the digestive track and improves your body's ability to absorb nutrients.  Also helps to flush the kidneys and liver of wastes and toxins.  Lemon also helps the body better absorb calcium.  Calcium absorption helps to lose weight because calcium is stored in fat cells.  The more calcium in your fat cells the easier it is to stimulate burning the fat cell off.


Benefits of the Apple Cider Vinegar- 
Diabetes-  The effect of vinegar on blood sugar levels is perhaps the best researched and the most promising of acv health benefits.  Several studies have found that vinegar may help lower glucose levels.  For instance, one study showed 11 people with type 2 diabetes found that taking 2 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar before bed lowered glucose levels by 4-6% in the morning.  If you have diabetes, check with your Dr before drinking as acv contains chromium which can alter insulin levels. It also slows down the digestion of starch which breaks down into sugar in the body.  This helps to buffer the blood sugar spike!


It is said to help eliminate allergies!  No more runny nose and watery eyes!!  

Acv helps to burn fat as it breaks down the fat to a usable state rather than allowing the body to store it.  What does this mean for you??  A flatter tummy!!!  It also helps your body to digest food better which means your body is getting more nutrients from your food.  What does this mean?  NO BLOAT!!!  Woot- Woot!!!  


It helps the body to maintain healthy PH levels which is said to make an environment not conducive for cancer cells.  Acv works to improve bowel function and works as a detox (say clearer skin)!!!  


Benefits of cinnamon-
Cinnamon has shown to improve digestive ailments such as indigestion, gas, bloating and diarrhea.  It also has a mild anti inflammatory effect.  One teaspoon of cinnamon contains 28 mg of calcium, one mg of iron and over a gram of fiber!  Cinnamon has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and blood glucose control by taking as little as half a teaspoon per day.  Improving insulin resistance can help in weight control as well as heart disease.  


Benefits of Cayenne Pepper-
Comes from red hot chili peppers.  When in powder form it has potent possibilities!  It nourishes the heart with vital nutrients, removes plaque from arteries, heals hemorrhoids, re-builds stomach tissue and ulcers.  It improves circulation, rebuilds blood cells, lowers cholesterol, emulsifies triglycerides and improves overall heart health!  It removes toxins from the bloodstream and immediately equalizes blood pressure in your system.  This amazing spice, also aids in healing the gall bladder!  It detoxes the body by helping with elimination of both bowel and bladder.   It increases metabolism by immediately influencing the blood vessels in the body.  


Benefits of Stevia packet-
TASTE!  Nuff said!


Now I know you are super excited to run out and get your supplies so here is what you need to know.
When shopping for acv, you must get the unpasteurized with "the mother" in it.  The mother  is the cloudy substance found in the vinegar formed from naturally occurring pectin and apple residues.  It appears as molecules of protein connected in strand-like chains.  The presence of the mothers shows that the best part of the apple has not been destroyed.  


Never drink acv alone.  Always dilute with plenty of water. Apple Cider Vinegar is highly acidic.  The main ingredient is acetic acid.  It can be quite harsh if not diluted before swallowed.  Drinking from a straw and brushing your teeth afterwards is a good idea to prevent damage to the tooth enamel.  


If you have low potassium levels, or take medicine for diabetes or heart disease, you may want to talk to your doctor first.  Long term use can lower potassium levels if you already have low levels.   


Only you can decide if this will work for you.  Try drinking one glass first thing in the morning and see how you feel.  You may have to tweak the amount of the ingredients and that's ok.  If you aren't ready for this cocktail, try the lemon and water for a while. 


I have to say, if my 17 year old daughter can/will drink it.  Anyone can!!


Bottoms up!


Love j

My new crunchy finds...

If the name doesn't say it let me... I LOVE THIS CRUNCH!!!  Oh my, this is some good chocolate craving medicine!  I got an email about it first from Natures Path.  It can be ordered online on their website but also at....COSTCO!!  Oh my love for Costco grows and grows.  This Organic granola has a 1/4 serving size so be careful as it can be dangerously easy to overeat.  (I have the bag at work and can't remember exact calorie count) Perfect in some yummy Fage greek yogurt!  It has chocolate chunks and delicious dried berries that will keep you coming back for more.  In the ingredient list, I found it to say "natural chocolate flavor."  You know how I feel about that sneaky "natural flavor" ingredient.  Is it good?  Is it bad? Will I ever know???? I did email the company to inquire on said "natural chocolate flavor".  Oh yes, I will get to the bottom of this mystery!    

Good news friends.  For those of you that need more  crunch, Mary's Gone Crackers has it.  If you are need of Gluten free, this is for you too!  You can find these at Kroger in the Organic section.  A 6 ounce box is $4.49.  However.....wait for it.....wait for it.....Costco has a 20 ounce box for $6.99!!!  And it is on sale right now, no coupon needed for $4.99!!  These are also extremely addictive so COUNT THEM OUT!  13 crackers for 140 calories.  No, 5 half broken crackers does not equal ONE!  Ha, kinda funny though as all the crackers are not the same size so does that mean I can pull out 13 of the bigger circle crackers and still think I only ate 140 calories.  It's my fantasy friends.  Don't ruin it. 

Rumor has it, Mary's Gone Crackers just came out with a pretzel stick.  A healthy Clean pretzel stick. I'm on it friends.  I'll find them! 

This is right along the same path as the LOVE Crunch!  There are two yummy bags inside this box.  It's all organic and it's all clean. Throw a handful in your oatmeal, yogurt or smoothie.  Can't go wrong with Natures Path. They are working to get us all healthy one box at at time!  

Speaking of oatmeal....I have found a wonderful way to celebrate my breakfast.  I absolutely Love cherry pie.  I USED to long ago use sugar free cherry pie filling in my oatmeal because I pretend I am eating pie for breakfast.  Well, I stopped doing that a long time ago because obviously it just wasn't healthy.  I found a new way to have my cherry pie and eat it too!!  I take Tart Cherry Juice daily for my joints.  I find it helps my joints stay healthy.  I don't know why it took me so long to figure it out but I started putting the tart cherry juice in my oatmeal with dried cherries and YIPPEE, I have my healthy, clean cherry pie for breakfast. 

 Oh friends, this couldn't make me smile more!

I use 1/2 c oatmeal, dry 

Teaspoon or two of wheat germ, flax seeds and chia seeds

one scoop vanilla protein powder

scant handful of dried cherries

2 TBSP tart cherry juice

I put just enough water to cover the oatmeal and put in microwave for 90 seconds. 

Delish!  It taste like cherry cobbler. I am addicted. 

 You can find the cherry juice for about $16 at Kroger in the refrigerated section by the healthy juices and veggies.  It is expensive but does last a while.  I am told it is cheaper at Meijer.  I will let you know as I am getting low and need to buy some more!

I am down to 134 pounds.  That's 13 pounds down!  People are starting to notice my weight loss.  I am feeling AWESOME and even better than I can imagine.  It's true that you don't realize how bad you feel until you actually feel good.  I was feeling bad.  My hip is still not good.  I would love you to send me some healing prayers.  Doc put me on more steroids and rest.  I'm doing my best.  Rest.  Rest.  Trying!

 I encourage you to make a clean meal this weekend for you and your family.  Make your plate look like the rainbow.  Food IS our Medicine friends.  

With positive energy,

j 

Gummmmm....

I headed to the Health Food Store on Michigan Ave to see if I could found some healthy "clean" gum!  I asked the owner where I could find the "clean" gum. 

He led me to it then said, "If you knew how they made regular gum, you would never chew it again." 

I'm sure if we truly knew how a lot of things were made, we would never eat again!  Anyway, back to the gum.  As I read the ingredients, I was a little concerned because it said, natural flavor (peppermint oil) and natural flavor (spearmint oil).  I wasn't sure if they were stating the natural flavor WAS the oil or trying to trick me into thinking that it WAS the oil.  There was not a comma after natural flavor so I was hopeful that the oil WAS the natural flavor.  I noticed there was an 800 number on the package so I bought them and decided to call the company to find out the truth.  I also bought a licorice gum that said natural flavors but no parentheses next to it.  No 800 number but there was a web site to visit.  Haven't checked it yet, but not so hopeful on that one. 

I called the company and a live person answered.  Kind of surprised me to be honest.  Who answers the phone anymore at a company?!  The gal was very helpful and said the natural flavor WAS in fact, the oil!!!!!!!!!  YIPPEE!!!  Success!!  I am more of a spearmint girl, so of course I chose to chew that one first.  Good news!  They taste good too!  Whew, my chewing gum days are not over!  I can chew gum and not fill my body with unneccesary chemicals on a daily basis.  I am at peace!

Over and out,

j