Overthinking Healthy Eating?

Try a New Idea and New Recipe!!!

When people start talking about dieting, food, weight, healthy, organic, boxed food, and so on, it can be a bit overwhelming sometimes.  It really can be easier than you think! I am trying to find ways to simplify the process and make the transition of eating healthier easier for those of us who grew up eating very differently.  I want to introduce the idea of being open to new things, new discoveries and new plan of action in menu planning.  I want to reach busy people, people who travel a lot, moms, grandmas, everyone who needs an easier way to healthy eating.... 

I was thinking today that I needed to come up with a good recipe for grandma day tomorrow. I want to provide something different than chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese.  I want to give then a yummy and healthy alternative.  This is what I found - Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Garlic and Lemon Chicken sounds delightful, doesn't it? 

What's for Dinner?

Making a new meal plan when you are new to trying to transition your cleaner eating idea can be a challenging and daunting task.  Check out my recipe page for this delicious and easy to make dinner idea.  You may just convince yourself that this new way of cooking can be much easier than you thought! Let me know what you think!  

Remember, these are just ideas from someone (me) who is also learning to transition herself as well.  They are not full-on recipes, however, an explanation of how I put it together is present.  I hope this gets you excited about your new journey to cleaner eating.  I will be adding more soon - as well as a program that will be available soon to assist you with any kind of special eating plan you may require! I can't wait til it is available so I can tell you all about it! Happy cooking!

Change - It Isn't Just For The Seasons of the Year!

Change - It isn't just for the seasons of the year!

There are seasons in all of us :0)

Notice in this picture - There is green...in the middle, there are leaves changing color in vibrant reds and yellows...in the far back, there is snow on the mountain tops! How beautiful is this? I loved hiking up the mountain today with a friend to see the changing of the season!

Change is a scary thing sometimes.  At least when we are talking about changes that are happening in our own worlds.  What is happening around us and/or within us.  I love the saying, a time and a season for all things.  What does this mean to you? 

Sometimes I think of it like being asked when you are little - "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Well, as a child, it seems the answer is easy! It is exactly what you are feeling that day... what influenced your choice for an answer that moment? It could have been a tv show, or your parents example, a teacher you loved and who was a wonderful influence for you, hope - hope in that it was something you would love, enjoy, and always want to do with a smile. What happens in life as things "change"? The world around us give us different opportunities, a variety of circumstances...people do the same. Our choices may change a thousand times over years. We are scared to step out of our comfort zone to go from elementary school, to middle school, to high school, then to college, then to the "real" world! LOL - but in that, also excited to the next adventure! Hope for what is to come! Right?

So here we are... I am in a new season of my own life! I have loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother!!! I still get to be all of those things, however, my role in all of that is different than it used to be.  There isn't as much diaper changing for me going on these days.  Instead... I decided to go back to school to help me be in a position to do some of the things I love to do - Help others discover ways to better reach their health and wellness goals as an Integrative Medicine Health Coach Practicioner! I am looking forward to this new season in my life.  There are many reasons, circumstances, people, and opportunities that were a big part in how things fell into place for this change.  I am all the things I felt as a child when change came around....scared, excited, hopeful, and stepping out of my comfort zone in ways.  One thing is different though - I have learned in my life that you don't grow if you don't try.  I have learned that focusing forward is my only option...that is the direction I want to go - forward! 

I will be coordinating many things over the next couple of months to bring this dream I have to more of a reality. You may see things change as I throw things out there, and maybe see a reason to change it...or I MAY make a few mistakes even! LOL - So I am throwing this out there... Introducing Better Body Health Coach!  My draft of my logo is below... I will be using that until I get things firmed up...it may also evolve as my business does.  We shall see. 

Let's just say, this is a new journey for me... I would love for you to be part of it! In the meantime - Don't let change be scary...embrace and enjoy the changes that come your way! You never know what they may bring!

Doing Hard Things

I finally sat down and took a deep breath...and shared a little more of mama's story.  I can't seem to hold back the flood of tears and emotions...so although there is much more to be told, I will need to share a little bit at a time. For today, I wanted to show my sweet mama's love for people through her visit at the Gerson Clinic in Mexico. I hope you can feel her heart through what I share today....



Please read my new entry on the tab above - My Mom's journey with Cancer.  

New Discoveries in My Healthy Lifestyle Changes!

My Protein Powder Discovery!

WOW!!! Have you tried to find a good protein powder lately? Holy cow...there are a LOT to choose from! I have tried many...from whey proteins, soy proteins... the ones even with nice looking labels that sounded like they had all the right stuff in them, but one thing they all seemed to have in common was this (and I am sorry if this is TMI) but they all tended to give me digestive issues! I would drink them and within a short amount of time feel extremely bloated or gassy...YUCK! No one wants to feel that way when they are attempting a new routine at getting healthy! 

LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!! 

 

Pure Vegan Pea Protein+

Smooth Vanilla Flavor

All Natural

and...it tastes DELICIOUS!!

Lactose Free - Soy Free

Gluten Free

No artificial Flavors or Preservatives
Sweetened with Stevia
Contains Flaxseed and Chia Seed
+good source of Omega-3

25g Protein/5g Carbs/

2g Fiber/Only 138 Calories!

Available at Healthshop101 - READ MORE

 I will usually drink one of these after my run in the morning.  Protein is good for muscle recovery after a good work out.  It can be used as a meal replacement as well.  In addition, it is yummy enough that if your diet is lacking in a good source of protein, you can incorporate this into many other foods like a healthy muffin, hot cereals, etc.  Other things like fruit, or pure grade b maple syrup can be added for a different flavor as well!

I am so excited that I found this that I just HAD to share! It works for me and I hope it will work for your too!!! Let me know what you think!!!

In the meantime - make every minute count, keep balanced as best you can, enjoy the balance of the sunrise and sunset, and most of all....embrace the beauty in your world...

Challenges - Curagious Changes... What are yours?

Challenges face each and every one of us EVERY day! Have you noticed? Some challenges are emotional; some physical...some financial...some family...work...schedules...relationships... the list can go on and on.  The key is to not let challenges overcome your determination and focus.  Embrace that which places challenge before you and use it to develop strength and heighten your perseverance to keep moving in a forward direction...with LIFE as it is presented to you. The idea is to keep on that road and celebrate the times you made it around one of the curves or uphill battles :0)

I am going to focus a lot of my posts in the next month on facing challenges.  I hope that if you relate to any of them, you can either share your experiences with me - to share with others so we can band together as a supportive community of people just trying to put the next foot in front of the other!I am not a doctor or healthcare provider.  I am simply a person who cares about improving my health and wellness, and sharing it with others.  Let's start with a firm focus forward!


A Personal Challenge:
When I am faced with challenges, I try to take just one step at a time.... My Next Best Thing.  A good friend said that to me once, and it stuck! So what is your challenge? What is your next best thing? Just one... after that has been mastered and fits with life...go on to the Next Best Thing.

It was about four years ago when I made a life changing challenge decision.  I was feeling sluggish all the time, I had no energy, I was out of breath quickly, I couldn't run...I could hardly even walk fast...SOMETHING had to change.  I needed to exercise more.  I needed to eat better.  There were so many things I was sure I needed to do and I just felt so overwhelmed I wanted to just sit down and cry.  Where would I even begin? This was MY personal step forward.  I gave up drinking soda.  It was difficult for me to do.  I had been to a point at one time where that was almost ALL I was drinking.  I cut back a little at a time.  Then soon I was down to one a day, 1/2 a day, then every other day.  Once I kicked it, I couldn't believe the difference it made for me!  I was able to start moving in a forward motion with tackling other things that were in my way of setting and achieving my goals.  It has been about five years now and I am feeling great!

So this is Today's CHALLENGE:

If you are a soda drinker, start reducing your consumption of soda TODAY!

Struggling with this challenge? Let's get through it together! I am always looking up and researching ideas for getting through certain issues this way - other readers may also have some good ideas!

Here are some things you may not have thought about:
What are the BENEFITS you feel you are getting from drinking soda - BE HONEST!! For me, the only benefit I could honestly tell you that I just liked the ZIP it gave me in my mouth! LOL - That was it for me.  So, What does it do for you??

NOW - Let's talk about some of the RISKS of drinking soda:

These are just a few - I am sure most people know it just isn't good for you, but here's the deal...for ME - I can notice a difference like night and day in my running endurance if I do drink soda...Remember the Challenge - GIVE IT A TRY!!! 21 days makes a habit...I DARE YOU!!

My Journey Forward

Life after Fifty -

Anyone who knows me, knows I love birthdays! All Birthdays! Everyone's Birthdays! I won't lie though...I really, really LOVE MY BIRTHDAY!!! I am grateful for EVERY one! I am more grateful for who is there sharing it with me, for the day itself that we are there to share it together, the present of each day after my birthday that is giving me yet another day to enjoy.  Maybe it is another day to get a "do-over". Perhaps an opportunity for second chances.  It could be just another day to embrace that which happens...rolling with the sun, or the rain, the snow, or the wind...but embracing whatever comes our way!
Whenever YOUR birthday is...I hope you won't dread the day as many do - we are aging every minute and birthdays are GOOD!!! The alternative is not having one! I hope instead, you look forward to the day of your birth and celebrate with style! Take the day on with a HUGE smile and enjoy every minute celebrating the YOU in who YOU are! Find the beauty in the little things...the things that make you smile and the perhaps makes you giggle inside... and if you can REALLY take in the day - enjoy a good "gut-laugh"!
My journey forward is just that...taking every day as it comes (good or bad) and learn what makes me tick... learn something new...learn to grow from the bad and appreciate it all.
I ONCE AGAIN am going to make a better attempt at keeping this blog current.  I have some updating to do on several of the pages.  I want to finish my mom's story - that one is hard for me to do.  It still seems so fresh.  I do miss her so, but she lives within me every moment...in fact, I think she has a lot to do with my enthusiasm for LIFE!
I hope you will travel with me - through each day of this life's journey, whether it be in cooking, vacations, stay-cations, health and wellness, and just loving and embracing life!
Let's take on this journey together!