Inspiration

Posted on August 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

Who is your inspiration/motivation? Today I have been thinking a lot about what keeps us going. Mentally, physically, emotionally, we all get run down once in a while. So who do you go to to bring you back up? I get a lot of my inspiration from motivational teachers. I actually have a dream team of teachers that I go to whenever I need a boost!

When my spirit needs a lift I go to Gabrielle Bernstein. She is a miracle worker and a teacher of A Course in Miracles. She is an amazing woman who inspires me daily to meditate, love, and believe in myself and miracles. She has two books (Add More ~ing to Your Life and Spirit Junkie) both of which are fantastic. Her next book about miracles is due out later this year. Gabby also has a social networking site just for women to connect, learn, and share.

Feeling run down and in need of a stretch? My girl Tara Stiles is an excellent yoga instructor. She is actually Deepak Chopra’s very own yoga instructor. She also has books, videos, a youtube channel, and a blog with wonderful advice on getting your body moving and your mind relaxed. I find her yoga videos to be challenging but very relaxing at the same time. But I need a real butt-whopping I go to Lisa-Marie of BodyRock.

For food matters I head over to Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Life site. I have spoke about Kris in other posts, she is just amazing. After being diagnosed with cancer in her 30s she took charge of her health and food choices. She completely turned around her life and became an advocate for healthy, cruelty free eating. Her Crazy Sexy Diet book is excellent. She is also coming out with a cook book later this year/early next year.

Lastly, for some business advice for women I turn to Marie Forleo. She has built an empire on giving women business advice and is a superb teacher. She also has a weekly video newsletter that she sends out answering her readers’ most burning questions. I always learn at least one thing when I tune into her channel.


Do you have a dream team? What/who is your motivation or inspiration? Check out my team of pros!

XOXO,
D.

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Packing school lunches

Posted on July 31, 2012 | Leave a comment

A great blog post about packing your children’s school lunches!

LiveLifeShopSmart

Re-blogged below:

Tips to Preparing Kids’ School Lunches + Save $5 at Organize.com

July 31st, 2012

Parents have many concerns as a new school year approaches. From school sports to school supplies, it all seems equally important. However, one of the most crucial things parents should worry about is their children’s nutrition.  School lunches may not be as nutritious as you may have hoped, that is why many parents have chosen to send their children to school with home cooked (or packed) lunches. With the increase in childhood obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol, this is a wonderful idea!

Some things to remember when packing your child’s lunch:

  • Whole grain carbs are much healthier than white flours/pastas or other refined carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates turn to sugar which then turns to fat aiding in the obesity epidemic.
  • Skip the chips and the cupcakes. Processed foods wreak havoc on little bodies causing children to ‘crash’ after lunch.
  • Also avoid sugar laden treats and high fructose corn syrup which is damaging to growing bodies and minds.
  • Fruit is a healthy and delicious dessert with good-for-you sugars.
  • The fiber found in many vegetables keeps children fuller longer.
  • Bento style lunch boxes make preparing lunch a snap which can be easily found at Organize.com which is currently offering $5 off your purchase when you spend $40 with coupon code SR540.
  • There is more power in numbers. Get a group of parents together to trade lunch ideas. Your kids are more likely to eat something healthy if all of their friends are eating it as well.
  • Lastly, do your research. Google your little hearts out. There are plenty of books, blogs, articles, and websites to help you prepare the best food for your children. (Some great blogs to check out: Oh She Glows, GF Vegan Mom, The Wellness Junkie, Healthy Happy Life). Don’t forget Pinterest which has a wealth of information and pictures!

Here are some health child-approved lunch ideas:

  • Whole grain pasta with vegetables
  • Club sandwiches (some deli meat and lots of veggies) on whole grain bread
  • Veggie burgers
  • Turkey and cheese rollups (in whole grain tortillas)
  • Rice and beans
  • Cucumber sandwich
  • Grilled veggie sandwich
  • Almond butter and jelly sandwich (on whole grain bread)
  • Meat, cheese, and veggie skewers
  • Chili
  • Homemade pizza on a whole grain tortilla (just pop it in the toaster oven)
  • Tuna and crackers

And dessert and snack ideas can include many fruits, vegetables with dipping sauces (such as hummus, almond butter, etc.), homemade trail mix, or granola bars.

A seriously great site with school lunch inspiration:


http://bleubirdvintage.typepad.com/blog/kiddo-lunch/

XOXO,
D.

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Give yourself a break…a Kit Kat break

Posted on July 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

I am often times asked what I eat when I have a sugar craving or a craving for something comforting. As much as I would like to say that I don’t get these cravings often, it would be a lie. I try to eat VERY healthy but I’m only human, as are you, and deserve a break every once in a while.

I know we talk a lot about how to be in tip top shape by changing the way you eat. And I don’t want to feel like a hypocrite but I do cheat every once in a while and believe that everyone should. Just make sure it truly is every once in a LONG while :)

Although I try to pack myself some healthy snacks for work (such as fruit, dark chocolate, or almost anything from Chocolate Covered Katie), the occasional Oreo, pumpkin bread, or doughnut may creep its way toward my desk. And you know what? That’s okay. If I don’t have that small indulgence when the urge hits (and stays), I tend to have a big indulgence sometime later. So I cut myself a break and I have half the doughnut or just 1 Oreo. The key is moderation not denial. Don’t go crazy and don’t let it happen often. It sort of takes the fun out of it and that’s typically when guilt sets in.

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Ah, guilt. My thoughts on guilt is that is sucks and it’s completely useless. What’s done is done is done. Ponder on it, learn from it, forget it. That’s it. Don’t stew in your guilty feelings because that will only promote more guilt, depressing thoughts, and negative perceptions. Good for nothing! So you had 2 pieces of cake, no biggie. Have a large glass of juice with dinner or vow to drink extra water the next day. Acknowledge how you feel and remember those feelings next time. We are repetitive creatures. Practice makes perfect.

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So tell me, what is your favorite tiny treat to indulge in every now and then?

XOXO,
D.

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Dangerous food additives

Posted on June 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

I came across this really interesting article about the top 10 food additives to avoid. This article was mind blowing. I mean I knew that processed foods were horrible for one’s health but some these side effects are down right deadly. What are your kids eating? Are you unknowingly feeding your families poison? Educate yourselves! This information is crucial for living healthy, non-diseased, clean lifestyles.

Here is the list. For more information on where these additives are commonly found and why they are bad for us please visit: Hungry For Change

1. Artificial sweeteners
2. High fructose corn syrup
3. Monosodium glutamate
4. Trans fats
5. Common food dyes
6. Sodium sulfite
7. Sodium nitrate/nitrite
8. BHA and BHT
9. Sulfur dioxide
10. Potassium bromate

For more information on where these additives are commonly found and why they are bad for us please visit:Hungry For Change

XOXO,
D.

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What’s for dinner?

Posted on June 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

I often find myself starving and not in the mood to cook. So the other night I decided to make some soba noddles and veggies. YUM. Soba noddles are made out of buckwheat. Buckwheat has a lot of fiber and usually less calories than regular pasta. It is common in the Asian world and has been linked to living a healthier, disease free life. If you purchase the right kind, it is not highly processed which is another plus. Try it out with sauce, vegan butter, or just garlic.

I decided to saute whatever veggies I had in my freezer which turned out to be a delicious and nutritious meal. As you can see below, I sauteed green beans and leeks. Once soft, I added kale for a few more minutes. Season with garlic, sea salt, and a tad of vegan butter for a rich taste.

Add to the soba noddles!

The great thing about these noodles is that they rock hot or cold. I had these for lunch the next day in my salad. It was a perfect combo! Try soba noodles this week!

XOXO,
D.

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Product of the Day - Nutiva Coconut Oil

Posted on June 17, 2012 | 1 Comment

Reblogged from Run On Organic:

Click to visit the original post
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Nutiva Coconut Oil

Contains: pure, organic, extra virgin coconut oil. (is solid at room temperature, liquid when in the palm of your hand or heated otherwise)

Description: Coconut oil boasts many health benefits from its healthy Omega fats. One of the good fats, lauric acid, makes up about 50% of coconut oil. Lauric acid is a rare medium-chain fatty acid found in human breast milk.

Read more… 289 more words

I have been looking for a natural makeup remover. Thought I would give this a try since Jesica mentioned she uses coconut oil. I was shocked by how much LOVE it! Sure, it makes your skin a bit greasy but it totally beats red burning eyes from chemical removers! Thanks Jesica!

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Posted in Lifestyle, Products

Healthy Baked Falafel

Posted on June 16, 2012 | 3 Comments

Here is a recipe for healthy falafel. You can fry but I prefer to bake. I am continuing to improve this recipe so check back for an update.

What ya need:
1 can Garbanzo (chick) beans. Or approx 2 cups fresh
1 onion
2 cloves garlic
1 bunch parsley (approx 1/4 – 1/2 cup)
1 tbls cumin
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbls olive oil
1 tbls water
1 tsp kelp seasoning (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup flour and more for rolling (I used whole wheat but you can use any you like)

This is the kelp seasoning I use. I actually put it on almost everything including pastas, rice, veggies, and salads.

Kelp is a form of algae that is very good for you. Kale has high levels of vitamins,  A, B, C, D, E, and K, as well as a number of minerals, trace elements, and amino acids. It helps improve the immune system, maintain a healthy metabolism, digestive system, may reduce blood pressure, and aids in healthy skin. You can buy kelp powder, tablets, and flakes.

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375.

Add all of the ingredients above to a food processor. Process for about a minute until it is well combined and has formed a paste.

Coat cookie sheet with non-stick spray.

Form into balls and roll onto excess flour to coat. Place on cookie sheet. Bake for 13-15 minutes on each side.

Enjoy on a salad, in a pita with hummus, or alone!

XOXO,
D.

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