My DD and I are trying very hard to adopt a new healthy way of eating and snacking. After years of unhealthy habits, it is hard, but there are a few really delicious snacks that help us stay on track. I thought I would share them here, some are healthier than others, so eat at your own risk. . .
1. Veggies with Ranch or Veggie Dip - I know, the dip is a bit questionable, but come on, as long as we all are getting more veggies in us. . .let them have the white goo.
2. Chips and Salsa - Meijers has an organic blue corn chip with sesame seeds that are soooooo good, and relatively good for you. Put some salsa in a bowl with some diced alvacado and you have a healthy snack with lots of antioxidents.
3. Fruit - All the kids I know have at least one favorite fruit, so go ahead and fill up a bowl of their favorites and set it right in the middle of your table.
4. Smoothies - Now that summer is here, it is so easy to find fresh, ripe fruit that a sweet smoothie is super easy. I use 100% juice, yogurt (regular or soy), a banana and whatever fruit I have handy. If you add some whey protein to this it can even be a healthy meal replacement.
5. Nuts & Raisins - When I was growing up my Mom would mix peanuts and candy corn together for my dad and I love that snack. Now that I am older, I try to stay away from candy and don't let my kids have it much either. But I have found that adding raisins to any healthy nut is a great snack that fills me up when I am out and about.
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
All Natural Diet Favorites
My DD and I have been dieting/fasting for over three weeks now, and I have to say that we are having a bit of fun. It turns out that we actually like the health food store, and we both like the challenge of finding the healthiest, most naturally made foods. It is especially exciting when they taste great. So I thought I would share with you today some favorite staples from the last few weeks.
1. For me has to be veggie chips. My favorite brand so far is EatSmart Veggie Crisps, but I also really enjoy the Good Health Veggie Chips. I have many more brands to try, but these are great, eaten in moderation of course.
2. My brother turned us on to another natural snack that is fantastic, but you have to try different brands to find the one you like best. Blue corn nacho chips are super good and can be made even better with some homemade guacamole. The brand we liked the best was the Meijer Organic Blue Corn Chips with Sesame Seeds.
3. Our local health food store has a smoothie bar and bakery in it, and they make some delicious little date ball things that are very good and great for the sweet tooth. You could make these yourself by taking some ground nuts, dates and raisins, smushed bananna and rolling them into a ball and then dropping them in coconut.
4. Fresh fruit. I can't say it enough, I love fruit. After being on the Atkins Diet on and off for over 7 years, it is such a joy to pick up an apple, orange, bananna or grapefruit and dig in.
5. Fresh vegetable stir fry. To me, it matters not what seasonings you use, stir frying fresh veggies with some oil and spices is pretty close to heaven. Add these veggies to a plate of brown rice and one could really feast quite happily.
Have any great fresh or all natural food favorites? I would love to hear them, we are trying to make this a healthy lifestyle change and need all the ideas and tips we can get.
1. For me has to be veggie chips. My favorite brand so far is EatSmart Veggie Crisps, but I also really enjoy the Good Health Veggie Chips. I have many more brands to try, but these are great, eaten in moderation of course.
2. My brother turned us on to another natural snack that is fantastic, but you have to try different brands to find the one you like best. Blue corn nacho chips are super good and can be made even better with some homemade guacamole. The brand we liked the best was the Meijer Organic Blue Corn Chips with Sesame Seeds.
3. Our local health food store has a smoothie bar and bakery in it, and they make some delicious little date ball things that are very good and great for the sweet tooth. You could make these yourself by taking some ground nuts, dates and raisins, smushed bananna and rolling them into a ball and then dropping them in coconut.
4. Fresh fruit. I can't say it enough, I love fruit. After being on the Atkins Diet on and off for over 7 years, it is such a joy to pick up an apple, orange, bananna or grapefruit and dig in.
5. Fresh vegetable stir fry. To me, it matters not what seasonings you use, stir frying fresh veggies with some oil and spices is pretty close to heaven. Add these veggies to a plate of brown rice and one could really feast quite happily.
Have any great fresh or all natural food favorites? I would love to hear them, we are trying to make this a healthy lifestyle change and need all the ideas and tips we can get.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Fasting for Healthy Mind and Body
A few weeks ago my DB challeneged me to take part in a fast with him. I wasn't excited about it, but told him I would do it. DD is also doing it, and her only stipulation was that we wait until after her birthday and Easter to start.
So it is that I find myself this morning beginning a 20 day fast. We are doing the Daniel Fast, which is basically only fruit, veggies, nuts and water. No animal products, yeast, or caffine, of course it is the latter that has me the most sad this morning. I LIVE on coffee, I drink it all day long in fact. I guess anything I am that dependant on must go, before it becomes some kind of idol, but boy this is harder than I thought it would be and it isn't 9 am yet!
I am interested to see if I feel any healthier or if some of my bad sugar and wheat addictions are cured after this fast. I did the Atkins Diet 5 years ago and stuck with it for a couple of years and lost 50 pounds, and I know from that experience that once you get a week in, the cravings for sugar and carbohydrates do leave. I am also taking this time to try and become more spiritual. I want to focus on my faith and my family just a bit more. I will be documenting my spiritual journey in my daily devotional blog.
Here's to a quick and successful 20 days!
So it is that I find myself this morning beginning a 20 day fast. We are doing the Daniel Fast, which is basically only fruit, veggies, nuts and water. No animal products, yeast, or caffine, of course it is the latter that has me the most sad this morning. I LIVE on coffee, I drink it all day long in fact. I guess anything I am that dependant on must go, before it becomes some kind of idol, but boy this is harder than I thought it would be and it isn't 9 am yet!
I am interested to see if I feel any healthier or if some of my bad sugar and wheat addictions are cured after this fast. I did the Atkins Diet 5 years ago and stuck with it for a couple of years and lost 50 pounds, and I know from that experience that once you get a week in, the cravings for sugar and carbohydrates do leave. I am also taking this time to try and become more spiritual. I want to focus on my faith and my family just a bit more. I will be documenting my spiritual journey in my daily devotional blog.
Here's to a quick and successful 20 days!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Finally Friday fun - With the Flu?
I have the flu today, and it is really kicking my behind! I got it last night after I got home from work and it had me in my bed by 6:30 pm. I felt like a truck hit me! I did not have any stomache trouble, it just started with a scratchy throat and by 6:30 had progressed to full body aches and a pounding head and feeling like I needed an ice shower.
I quickly took some medicine and went to bed. One dose didn't do it, but after taking another dose this morning and a nap I am much better. I feel like I have a head cold now, but the debilitating body aches are gone. What medicine did I use? The one that always seems to cure me within 24 hours, Vicks NiQuel Cold and Flu. I have been using it for years and it has never let me down.
A friend of mine wanted me to try some of her Colloidal Silver, but I was a bit skeptical. Even more so after reading about Paul Karason, you know, the blue guy, on some news sites.
How about you? How do you fight colds and the flu?
I quickly took some medicine and went to bed. One dose didn't do it, but after taking another dose this morning and a nap I am much better. I feel like I have a head cold now, but the debilitating body aches are gone. What medicine did I use? The one that always seems to cure me within 24 hours, Vicks NiQuel Cold and Flu. I have been using it for years and it has never let me down.
A friend of mine wanted me to try some of her Colloidal Silver, but I was a bit skeptical. Even more so after reading about Paul Karason, you know, the blue guy, on some news sites.
How about you? How do you fight colds and the flu?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Beginning Runner
I stared running daily recently, and thought I would share some helpful links and tips for starting a running routine.
1. Start small and slow. I am running at a slow speed for 20 minutes at least 5 days a week right now. I don't expect to loose weight or be able to run a marathon anytime soon, but I am doing something good for myself that will payoff eventually. Right now, I can run/jog for 20 minutes so that is what I am doing. I did find another plan that I would use if I wasn't already well on my way with my own workout at the Cool Running website.
2. Warm-up! I didn't do any warm-ups (I know, I know, very bad) the first two days I was running, and my back quickly reminded me that I am not in my 20s anymore. I was able to find a routine that does work on my sore areas.
3. I check the Runners World website regularly for inspiration. I would someday like to run a race or something, but for now, I will just read about others who do and enjoy their stories and use them to inspire me to keep it up. It is also a great place for finding running gear and the latest gadgets.
4. I read my Women's Health Magazine religiously. This is a great magazine, really. It has great articles, recipes and tips. There is a new workout each month that you can do right at home, and there are also great articles on ways to be more healthy. Check out their website to get a pretty good feel for the types of articles and tips they have.
1. Start small and slow. I am running at a slow speed for 20 minutes at least 5 days a week right now. I don't expect to loose weight or be able to run a marathon anytime soon, but I am doing something good for myself that will payoff eventually. Right now, I can run/jog for 20 minutes so that is what I am doing. I did find another plan that I would use if I wasn't already well on my way with my own workout at the Cool Running website.
2. Warm-up! I didn't do any warm-ups (I know, I know, very bad) the first two days I was running, and my back quickly reminded me that I am not in my 20s anymore. I was able to find a routine that does work on my sore areas.
3. I check the Runners World website regularly for inspiration. I would someday like to run a race or something, but for now, I will just read about others who do and enjoy their stories and use them to inspire me to keep it up. It is also a great place for finding running gear and the latest gadgets.
4. I read my Women's Health Magazine religiously. This is a great magazine, really. It has great articles, recipes and tips. There is a new workout each month that you can do right at home, and there are also great articles on ways to be more healthy. Check out their website to get a pretty good feel for the types of articles and tips they have.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
5 New Healthy Changes for 2008
Not really a New Year's Resolution, but my family and I are trying very hard to be healthier.
1. We definitely want to stay away from hydrogenated oils. If you have not read anything about this, I recommend that you do. I am not sure I really think that it is the root of all evil, as some claim, but I do think it is an artificial substance that I can keep my family away from without too much trouble.
2. We are also trying very hard to snack on and eat lots of pure fruits and vegetables. This is not quite as easy in Chicago in the middle of winter as it is in the spring and summer, but it can be done.
3. We are moving from drinking soda to drinking water, and the occasional healthy (100 % pure) juice. I have never been a big water lover, and so neither of my children are either, but we are trying to change that this year.
4. No more artificial sweeteners. I don't really care if they are the best thing since sliced bread or if they really are killing us, they are not natural and therefore we will stop consuming them. I do know that if I have them, I get a certain stomach discomfort that I would rather avoid, and if DD consumes them, she gets headaches. It could be all in our heads, but we feel better without them.
5. Finally, we are gonna move. My DD and I have pedometer
and we are going to do at least 10,000 steps 5 days a week. I am also hoping that some of those steps will eventually be at a running pace, but we are starting slow and just walking for now.
1. We definitely want to stay away from hydrogenated oils. If you have not read anything about this, I recommend that you do. I am not sure I really think that it is the root of all evil, as some claim, but I do think it is an artificial substance that I can keep my family away from without too much trouble.
2. We are also trying very hard to snack on and eat lots of pure fruits and vegetables. This is not quite as easy in Chicago in the middle of winter as it is in the spring and summer, but it can be done.
3. We are moving from drinking soda to drinking water, and the occasional healthy (100 % pure) juice. I have never been a big water lover, and so neither of my children are either, but we are trying to change that this year.
4. No more artificial sweeteners. I don't really care if they are the best thing since sliced bread or if they really are killing us, they are not natural and therefore we will stop consuming them. I do know that if I have them, I get a certain stomach discomfort that I would rather avoid, and if DD consumes them, she gets headaches. It could be all in our heads, but we feel better without them.
5. Finally, we are gonna move. My DD and I have pedometer
and we are going to do at least 10,000 steps 5 days a week. I am also hoping that some of those steps will eventually be at a running pace, but we are starting slow and just walking for now.
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