Water-water-water....we are all told over and over to drink our water every day.  We are made up of up to 50-70% water, depending on our size.  I tell my clients to hang up the soda, diet or not, and drink water.  They come back to me with, "But I don't like the taste of water!"  


Personally I Heart drinking water.  Not that I haven't had my days where I don't want to drink water. If I'm not thirsty for water, chances are I am not drinking anything else to replace it. Not good!  I just have my days where I'm just NOT thirsty.  While I was on vacation, I visited a spa that had cucumber water.  I have heard of putting cucumbers in water but I've never actually tried it.  Have you?!  

If not, I highly recommend it!!  It tastes SO refreshing.  It instantly transforms you to feel like you are standing outside on a warm summer day with slight hint of the smell of fresh laundry hanging on the line.  You do have to close your eyes when you drink it :)  Makes you want to try the water, yes?
Seriously, it is delicious and I found myself drinking more water because of it.  I bought this cute little glass container with a lid at Wal-Mart.  I wanted a lid so my water didn't take on the flavors of the fridge.  I bought one for home and work. I also tried putting orange slices and lemon slices together.  Love that too but the cucumber is my favorite.   

Why do we need water?  

• regulates our body temperature
• transports nutrients and oxygen into cells
• moisturizes the air in our lungs
• helps with our metabolism (we need all the help we can get right?)
• protects our organs
• helps digestive tract keep moving
• helps our organs to absorb nutrients better
• protects and moisturizes our joints
• detoxifies our body     
• muscles consists of 75% water 
• brain consists of 90% water (now I know why I can't think straight if I am dehydrated)
• bone consists of 22% water
• blood consists of 83% water

If I try to work out and I have not had enough water, I notice I am not nearly as energized.  I have a very hard time getting through an hour.  I am tired and fatigued.    

Here are some other signs of dehydration.

• migraines
• constipation
• muscle cramps
• irregular blood pressure
• kidney problems
• dry skin
• cravings
• hungry

So how much water should we drink?  Of course we have all heard the 8 glasses a day water rule.  I truly believe you should listen to your own body and do what is right for you.  I noted in a previous blog that I read where we should drink a gallon of water a day.  I tried it and it was too much water for me.  A good way to tell if you are drinking enough is to look at the color of your urine.  If it is dark yellow or orange you are dehydrated.  It should be pale yellow to clear.  The bad thing about drinking the amount of water we should drink....too many trips to the bathroom.  Glad my bathroom is close to my desk!!!


I am well into my third week of eating only one ingredient AND no sugar!  I am dead tired friends!!  By one or two in the afternoon, I could sleep standing up!  Not sure what is going on here.  Detox of sugar? Didn't think I was having that much sugar before this challenge.  I'm unsure where this extreme fatigue is coming from.  I feel better today so maybe the worst is over. Maybe I just need a nap.  I heart naps!!!


Don't forget to pick up some cucumbers at your next trip to the grocery store!  You will LOVE it!!


In light and love,
j

Being a redhead, people think I have a hot temper.  I really don't.  I am a very easy going redhead.  It really does take a lot to get my redheaded temper out.  Todays blog does just that.  Take a few minutes to check out the links below.  


As much as 50% of the olive oil sold in the U.S. is not actually pure olive oil, as some brands claiming to be "extra-virgin" or "100% Italian," have actually been adulterated with toxic rapeseed oil [canola], soybean oil, and other low-grade oils.

Check this link out!





Interesting... I am happy a whole foods is coming to South Bend soon but I am not happy about this! Gahhhhh!


Organic or not?




I know we have heard a lot about the pink slime in our meat lately.  This explains a little more.  


Pink Slime- what's wrong with our food industry?!

We have to stand up for ourselves friends!  We have to stop letting these big companies walk away with our money only to provide us with bad quality foods.  




Knowledge is power friends! 


Inhale, Exhale.  Repeat.


  j

I'm craving crunchy!

I'm on day 12 of my 6 week challenge and I am craving CRUNCH big time!!!!  I have tried nuts, celery, water chestnuts....but I am NOT satisfied.  I gave in and had a handful of organic pumpkin granola.  Ugh!!!  I knew if I didn't just give in and have that little bit, I would possibly lose it and have way more than I should of something else!  Sometimes giving in IS a good thing.  I can stop at one handful.  It worked- my craving is gone!  Thanks for keeping me honest friends!


This has been a bit harder than I thought it would be.  It is the crunch that got me.  I am still eating every three hours- all whole foods.  I am having stevia in my morning apple cider vinegar cocktail.  I know I said I wouldn't have any sugar but seriously friends, I can not do the drink without it.  I believe I am better off with the drink than without. So one pack of stevia a day but I am not having any other sugar. 


 I was at a baby shower yesterday and I chose not to eat any cake.  Thank goodness there was a veggie tray there!!!  Someone questioned why wasn't I eating cake and my friend pipped in saying "she is on a diet".  I am NOT on a diet friends!  I'm eating healthy!   Diets don't last- eating healthy for a lifetime does!

I posted about these Ziploc- zip n steam bags in a previous blog.  These are awesome!!!  If you have not tried these, put them on your shopping list!  There is cooking times on the back of each bag!  I can cook my fish in 3 minutes and my sweet potatoes in 4 minutes.  You can cook shrimp, chicken, veggies and even hot dogs in these fancy bags.  (I don't recommend eating hot dogs, ha!)  If you need convenience and speed, these are for you!

Here are a few of my recent meals-

Stuffed red peppers with quinoa, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes topped with pine nuts and spinach!

Egg whites (oops part of the yolk snuck in there), spinach, mushrooms, sweet peppers and tomatoes!

I have been eating a lot of fish, shrimp, eggs and tons of veggies!  I am eating greek yogurt with fruit and oatmeal with cherry juice!  I have been crazy busy so I have not been able to try any new recipes these last couple weeks.  Tosca Reno just published a Clean Eating book for vegetarians.  I have ordered it and will share the recipes in the future.  I am very excited to get it!!

Blessings,

j

Another sweet treat.

These cookie are THE BOMB!!!  As you can see from my beautiful model!  I tried taking pictures of them but....well....the pictures didn't turn out the greatest.  I tried putting them on a plate and well, they looked like blobs of ........chocolate...yeah that's it.  Then I tried stacking them and they looked like....... delicious cookies...right?!  Ha!!  

Almond fudge cookies

2/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder

3 egg whites

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup almond butter

1/4 cup dark choc chips

1 tsp vanilla (no imitation here folks, use the real stuff!)

You could use peanut butter if you don't have almond butter.  Try for as high cacoa content you can find.  I found 60% cacoa chips at Kroger.

Wisk all ingredients together and put on baking sheet covered with parchment paper.  Bake for 8-10 min. at 350 degrees.  Allow time to cool and don't let your family know you made them because you will want them all for yourself!!!!

Trust me,

j

Banana coco-nutty bars...

It's true friends!!  If you want to get rid of that spare tire around your middle, what you put in your mouth matters.  I wish  more things were made with ingredients like these below.  

It says it is made with a LOT of LOVE!!!!  Isn't that adorable?!  This is a couscous salad I found at Costco a while back.  Ok, time for a pop quiz......

 Can you tell me what 24 ounces of broccoli and 8 Hershey Kisses have in common?  I took a picture of the broccoli in the pan because it can be deceiving in the package. Answer at the bottom of the blog....wait for it.....wait for it.......

 I am on day 5 of my one ingredient eating.  It's going pretty well.  I need to be prepared at all times.  This is truly key, as always-right?! I had a late breakfast and I had to eat on the run, so I ate an apple and 10 almonds.  Not my normal, but it was an "on the road breakfast".  For my morning snack, I had a delicious home-made banana coco-nutty bar.  I will share the recipe!!!


I just had lunch-Yumm!  Steamed Tilapia, sweet potato and green beans.  I use the steam fresh ziploc bags a lot!  I can cook my fish in two minutes and my sweet potato in 4 min.  The sweet potatoes are HUGE, so I cut it in four servings.  Remember protein should be about 3-4 ounces or the size and thickness of our palm.  Complex carbs should be the size of one fist and veggies equal two fists.  I never put a limit on my veggies.  I cut the tilapia in half and will eat the other half for a snack with berries.  Tonight, I plan on having stuffed peppers with quinoa and mushrooms on the grill.

This may seem boring to some, but not to me -I love eating healthy foods.  I did not put anything on my potato.  I don't think sweet potatoes need anything; they are perfect without all that butter and brown sugar!!!  I did put some cajun seasoning on my fish but nothing on the green beans, which I ate one at a time!  I am eating to LIVE not living to EAT.  

Here is the ingredients for the recipe I made last night- 

 Banana Coco-Nutty Bars.

 2 ripe bananas

1/2 cup oats

1/4 cup peanut butter 

1/3 cup unsweetened coconut

1 square 100% cacoa chocolate, melted

Mash bananas in bowl with fork then add all other ingredients.    Place in small container and place in freezer for 20 minutes or so.  Cut in squares and enjoy!!!  I was going to make these into balls then roll in coconut but then changed my mind and mixed it all together.  So feel free to switch it up!  

I usually make my own peanut butter but my daughter likes this brand.  I like crunchy peanut butter and this one offers the crunch with just one ingredient, peanuts.  You can find this brand at Wal-Mart along with the 100% Cacoa chocolate.   You cannot find unsweetened coconut at Wal-Mart however.  Kroger carries that!

Have you missed me?

It's been a couple weeks since I posted and I have heard some of you are upset.  Hmmmm, does this mean you missed me?  I have completed my 12 week eating challenge and this is what I gained from it.

• energy
• clearer skin
• happy energy- good moods
• longer eyelashes (weird right?)
• better sleep
• woke up more rested
• digestive tract working better (TMI I know)
• flatter stomach
• thinner thighs YEAH!

This is what I lost-

• 13 pounds
• almost daily headaches
• stomach aches
• stomach bloat
• daily water weight gain
• achy joints
• restless nights
• sugar shakes - blood sugar getting too low
• my favorite creamer and kettle korn- both of which are no longer my favorite!!
• I lost inches in my THIGHS- oh I already mentioned that!

I know there has to be more to add to the list but you get the idea!  I feel SO much better friends.  I am so glad to have all of you supporting me through this.  So what's next?!  

I have a new challenge!  I am going to eat only single ingredient items for 6 weeks.  Yep, I started yesterday.  My friend B, is going to do this with me too!  I am very excited!!  

I will be able to eat lean protein, beans, legumes, all veggies, all fruits and whole grains with some dairy.   I will be able to mix single ingredient items but I cannot buy anything that is already mixed.  For instance, I can make a stir fry but it has to be from all single item ingredients.  Am I making this harder than it sounds?  I will post my meals for you to see!

Why am I doing this?  For you of course...all in the name of health.   Oh and I will not be eating any SUGAR.  Not in any form!!!  No honey, no stevia in the raw, no nuthin!  

I have a favorite recipe to share with you.  Since I don't eat meat, I eat a lot  black beans.  These are a great substitute for a hamburger, even if you are not a vegetarian.  I will be able to make this recipe during this 6 week challenge except I can't use the whole wheat bread because it is more than one ingredient.  I am going to try to make it without.  

Black Bean Burgers:

·         1/2 onion, diced

·         1 can black beans, well drained

·         1/2 cup whole wheat Flour

·         2 slices whole wheat bread toasted and crumbled

·         1 tsp garlic powder

·         1 tsp onion powder

·         1/2 tsp seasoned salt

·         2 TBSP Ground Flax Seed

·         salt and pepper to taste

·         olive oil for frying

Add one egg white if mixture too thick

Preparation:

Saute the onions till soft, about 3-5 minutes.

In a large bowl, drain and mash the beans until almost smooth. Add sauteed onions and the rest of the ingredients, except the oil, adding the wheat flour a few tablespoons at a time to combine well. If you need, add an egg white to the mixture.  Mixture will be thick.

Form bean mixture into patties, approximately ½ inch thick and fry patties in a small amount of oil until slightly firm. Make veggie burgers and enjoy! Can even be cooked on the grill.  You can even make these up ahead of time and put in the freezer for a quick meal later!

I like to make two small patties and put some laughing cow swiss cheese in the center....mold the two patties into one.  When you take a bite, you have a delicious surprise in the center.  

This is how they look once they are cooked and the picture below is how I prepared it!!  I put it on a bed of spinach surrounded by baby carrots and tomatoes.  I also put jalapeno dip on it!  

I have a dessert for you too.  Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies straight from the Clean Eating cook book! I made these a few weeks back and they are YUMMY!!  

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup unsalted almond butter, stirred well
• 3/4 cup Sucanat- you can find at health food store Type of sugar- like raw brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 3 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa or greater), broken into small pieces

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, stir together first 5 ingredients until blended. Stir in chocolate.
2. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and let cool for 15 more minutes.  Look for smiling faces- unlike when they eat brussel sprouts =0)

Lots of Love,

j