Throw out Those Crazy Diets.....

Seems that lots of people have been chatting away about weight loss to me lately. Not that I mind, in the matter of fact it is one of my most favoritist (I know not really a word) things to talk about mostly because all roads of weight loss lead to nutrition. If you have been reading my blog awhile (it didn't exist here before June, so it can't be too long) you know that I have a real soap box about weight loss, health and fitness.

This topic is so wide spread I hear so many people talk about, 'starting a diet' no offense my friends, you are always on a diet, perhaps it's a very poor one, but still a diet. It comes from the word diatia, which essentially means way of life. So lets just live. Choose wisely, cause we only get one chance at this 'way of life'. I know what keeps me motivated is when I think of so many people with chronic disease that are sick because of the choices they made.

Crazy diets schemes may get you to lose the weight; however, it wont keep you there. So drink your water and fill your plate with whole foods. Not the expensive stuff at the health food store, the real stuff you know with dirt on it that you have to wash off.

Some easy things to do to help lose weight.

*write it all down, if you can bite it, you can write it! no excuses *Leave the rice-a-roni at the store and buy brown rice instead *leave the white pasta in the store buy whole grain, or brown rice pasta *fill your plate with fresh veggies and fruits, and eat at least some of them raw, to aid your body with digestion. *if you can pronounce an ingredient or don't know what it is, don't buy it *don't forget to exercise, minimum of 30 minutes three times a week, preferably more

Spend MOST of your grocery money on fresh ingredients, challenge yourself to leave the packaged goods behind.

I am a busy mom of three, I volunteer with PTA, Room Mom, I workout at least 5 days a week, and I am in school full time. We eat healthy meals every night, it doesn't have to be complicated. I know if I fail to plan, I plan to fail period... I choose health and family... I was big(size 24), I hurt all the time, physically and mentally. No more. Life is too short. Getting healthy is a journey, not a two week period. Start slow, know you are worth it, and do something for yourself. Believe this, if I can do it, YOU CAN TOO!

Chew, Chew, Chew...

your food (to the tune of row, row, row your boat, so sorry) Just will not get out of my mind since the onset of my latest class, Anatomy and Physiology of the Digestive Process.

Yesterday it took me almost an hour to eat my delicious salad that I made myself for lunch. All that spinach and red cabbage and yummy veggies, and here I was chew, chew, chew your food. Yikes. By the time I finished I was sick of eating, I NEVER thought I would say that. It seems since my class lectures and readings I just have to stop and really chew my food well. I thought I was but alas I was not. Needless to say, today my dark greens went into the blender this am for breakfast.

I knew that chewing was part of the whole digestive process, however I suppose since the digestive process really works without our help (exception salivating over food and then chewing) that I never really thought of the importance of chewing thouroughly. This totally explains why I feel so darn energetic after drinking fresh juices and blended smoothies, the nutrients go right to my brain. Really they are just absorbed so much faster into the blood stream because much of the work has been done for us. All that's left is for the enzymes to separate the nutrients no breaking down required, and send them on their way to be absorbed.

It seems so simple, but over and over I find myself in a hurry, and even when finishing my meal, I tend to go for more. I find that when I really chew I am more satisfied and honestly kind of tired of chewing... did I just find a miracle cure for obesity? hardly; however, I am sure I sound like a broken record when I say we (especially me) need to slow down. Enjoy and be grateful for good healthy food and live in the moment.

A Challenge To Myself

In the past few weeks I have been trying to get myself back on a schedule, time for family, time for self, including a more rigorous exercise schedule, and some crafting.. Really the blog should be called Cook, Study and Dream of Being Crafty! Ha... My blog address is fitncrafty, another ha fit!

One thing I am doing is beefing up my fitness program. I had a goal before leaving WA and moving the NY that I wanted to do a triathlon before turning 40, and unless cooking, cleaning and studying fit the bill, I missed out on that goal. I miss the training group I had in WA and have found no such group here. (please don't get the idea that I should start one, I am clueless about how to train for one) Perhaps that will still come in time. Maybe with increased training I will still finish that triatholon.

Another thing is to finish my produce bags (sewing) that I have been so slowly working on. I am almost there, at least with the gift ones. Then I just have to make a few for myself. Also, on the crafty side I am knitting yoga mat bag (that will be felted). I am not loving the color combo that is going on and I am afraid that I am going to have to FROG it (rip it out) bummer, what's a girl to? I can't see felting this beautiful yarn(brown sheep) and not liking it.. too much investment here.

The truth is I am avoiding reviewing my notes for my conference with my instructor tonight. Imagine that, I just really want to be done with that class (you know the research one that you all helped me do the nutrition study for) Research methods is just not my favorite topic.

So my challenge to myself is. Making it through my review tonight, finish my sewing and knitting, and run, and then run some more. Without neglecting my yoga practice and weights. I would like to force myself back into the pool to do some swimming (gotta get new goggles my current ones are leaking) I will report back on how things are going. I am hoping to feel accomplished with some things really soon!

How about you all, what are you challenging yourself to accomplish???

What Am I Up To These Days

I have been so busy these days, with the kids going back to school, and back to the grind of activities. It seems that time just never stops and there is never enough of it.

With the family, I volunteer with the PTA at school, I am den leader for Nikolas' cub scout den, Room Mom for Ariana's classroom, chauffeur for Zach for fencing, friends, scouts and more. I will soon be the digger of potatoes, as Zach's Boy Scout Troop sells them for a fundraiser and we dig them ourselves (anyone local want some?). Not to mention the driver to Physical Therapy 3 days a week for Ariana, nurse, cook, maid, teacher, Mom, and all those other things I am called on for during the day. The nice thing is Brian is home every night now, so he is also involved in family dinners, school etc.. for the first time since we got married. For the most part I love every minute!

For me and only me, I am plugging away at my classes and loving every minute of it. My high opinions of food and health are coming out here a lot! Sometimes on other peoples blogs too.

I spent the afternoon today working out in the yard, cutting, weeding and transplanting and preparing the yard for gardening next year. You can see the photo of my last yield of cucumbers above. They were marvelous! I am going to be eating them for a long time. My neighbors are very grateful because they are having their fare share as well.

I am going to be getting the garlic in the ground soon. I hope I am not too late. I also have to harvest my stevia. It's at least 4 ft tall now. Holy cow! I am excited and planning the garden for next year. There will be much more than just a few pots. I cleared a whole bed for herbs next year! yeah..

On a health note, I have been eating so well, it is hard to believe that the food is really healthy! Just tastes so darn good! Lots of raw fruits and veggies, in addition to the foods I have been cooking. My insides are so happy with me they are beaming happy energy!

I have also upped my fitness program. I am SO excited! Here's the just of it:

M-Run and Body Flex class T- Zumba W-run and weights Th-Yoga and Trekking F- Mind Body Mix(yoga, tai chi and pilates) and run maybe some weights S-Run or aerobics S-off or light walking, yoga

Also, I have been adding a short mediation a few days a week. I am hoping to find some time to start swimming??? My YMCA is also going to be adding indoor cycling soon. Where of where will I find the time?? I will have to figure out something once I get the schedule. I have to say that there was a time that I hated and I mean hated exercise! Now I can't and wont live without it! Ever. More than a few days without and I am a nut case!

My house is smelling SO good right now as I am cooking another batch of magic mineral broth I guess that's it for me for now. I have been really enjoying writing, here on my blog and for school. I just love it! So that's it for me now, what are you all up to?

Those Skinny B!tches Did it Again!

Another fabulous recipe from the Skinny B!tch in the Kich cookbook! It's Pad Thai and it is delicious! The best part is that the sauce is not all fatty and full of peanut butter like I am used to making. We gobbled it up and came back for more. Guess what I am having for lunch tomorrow? Has anyone else used that cookbook and have any recipe recomendations?

Eat Consciously!

What exactly does that mean anyway?

There are two ways to look at this eating consciously thing. From a personal (digestive) view and from an ecological view. I will discuss both here as in my own little world one is just as important as the other and they do overlap quite a bit! Let's begin.

First, I find it so important to be be aware of what I am eating, best thing is to eat it as close to nature gave it me. I am unaware of what a pringles bush, or wheat thins vine looks like so I figure they are not my best choices for what to eat today (notice I said today). Wheat Thins, have you ever read the ingredients on the box? High fructose corn Syrup not to mention lots of other stuff... you would think because it says 'wheat' it would be good for you. Think again, I do my best keep those sorts of food to a minimum if I eat them at all. Non sweetened dehydrated veggies and fruits are a better option for that crunchy taste, or maybe even some good old fashioned popcorn. (leave the microwave off)

I figure it this way, if I can't pronounce the ingredient and I have no idea what it is then I have no business eating it! Period! (This is not encouragement to go learn the 3000 plus additives we put in our foods) Occasionally, I do eat things I shouldn't it is rare, and the goal is to leave it alone and find natural foods to take the place. For me awareness starts at the store, I try to go shopping and buy as little processed foods as I can. What I do buy that's packaged, I am VERY careful about reading labels, mostly the ingredient list. I don't care what they say on the front of the box, cause organic white flour still has no nutritional value even if it is organic, it's just bad for you without the pesticides. Whole grain wheat bread that is filled with high fructose corn syrup and a myriad of other additives is still not good for me. There are foods many out there that are healthy and I have found some.

I have become very aware of my health and what goes in my body. Eating this way is good for me, and good for OUR environment! Do we really need to eat food that makes so much pollution, waste from manufacturing and waste after the sale in the form of mass packaging. I have found that if I choose to buy goldfish crackers for my kids, I can buy the wholesale club large container. My kids can happily take their fish in a reusable container and I know that they won't be in therapy because I didn't buy the prepackage kind. What I do know is that I am saving the environment and money at the same time! My kids have never once lost a container! (that will probably happen today since I just said this!)

The other part of conscious eating is internal and digestive. When I eat, I do my best to slow down and give my food the attention it deserves. I spent time purchasing or growing it and preparing it, so I should really sit down and enjoy it, every bite! I enjoy the colors, smell, taste and texture. I know that I am more satisfied when I do this. Food is my fuel, my life force, preventitive medicine and beyond. Unfortunately, most of the time it doesn't get the respect it's worthly of. Our family dinner time is more valuable to me than most times of the day, even if it only lasts for 15 minutes, there is a meal on the table and we all come together!

The digestive part, I chew my food and chew it well. I find that I have less problems down the road if I do my part of the digestive process. Did you know that if you eat while stressed it can cause your digestive system to function improperly? I know I have been guilty of this in the past. I really have to take the time to pay attention to how I am feeling while and after eating. Do certain foods really agree with me? Do I know why I am eating when I do, hungry, bored etc? Food is my energy, and if I want it I must be aware of what's going in. If I buy crappy gas for my car, it will run poorly and get bad mileage. Same with my body.

Awareness for me is key, balancing out my needs with my wants. Truthfully, when my body and mind are in balance I don't have cravings for things I don't need or shouldn't have. I can easily stay away from the crinkley bags and boxes at the grocery store. It benefits me and Earth.

look Who's Promoting the Green Again!!!!

It's Oprah and Dr Oz! Go Green: This is from Dr Oz's e-newsletter!

Dr. Oz says he makes a breakfast drink for himself many mornings that he calls his green drink.

What's in Dr. Oz's green drink? 2 cups spinach 2 cups cucumber 1 head of celery 1/2 inch or teaspoon ginger root 1 bunch parsley 2 apples Juice of 1 lime Juice of 1/2 lemon

After everything is combined in a blender, this recipe makes 28 to 30 ounces—about three to four servings. Oprah takes a sip and is pleasantly surprised. "It's a glass of fresh," she says.Dr. Oz's second drink might not be as pleasant, but it's still important—a shot of cod liver oil. "First of all, cod liver oil has the right kind of vitamin D in itvitamin D3. That's why people who live in the north lands who don't get any sun at all can still survive. It's got the healthy fats that you want in it," Dr. Oz says.

The Lowdown on Oils

As I said I was going to do some more research on coconut oil, and why one lecturer said it was bad for you! That statement was quite disturbing to me, as I have become VERY fond of my coconut oil for cooking. I really didn't set out to research it this minute but then there is was in my required reading for class, so I saved the other post I was working on and here goes...

Yes, I personally will continue to use coconut oil in my cooking.

Why? Every oil has what's called a smoke point. (this is the temperature in which the structure of the oil begins to change, and can bring on free radical damage to the body) Olive oil has a very low smoke point, thus it is important to take care when cooking with it.(Yikes!) Best to cook with oil's that have a high smoke point. Guess who? You got it Coconut oil! Coconut oil is a saturated fat, and yes we have all been warned about it; however, coconut oil is only 9% palmitic acid (long chain saturated fat associated with heart disease) so it seems a better choice if we are concerned with smoke point and free radical damage. High oleic versions of sunflower or safflower are also more stable when cooking at higher temperatures. Avacado oil is also a great high temperature oil to cook with, is monounsatured fat with a high smoke point.

It is best to save olive oil for low very low temperature cooking (if at all) or salad dressings. Flax seed oil is also best not cooked with.

Please remember that even though our bodies need some fat, too much is never a good thing. It is best to choose your oils according to what you plan to use them for. Many oil labels will have the smoke point labeled on the container.

Source: World's Healthiest Foods- George Mateljan

Nutritional Lectures at Their Best

Well here it is! A very bad photo of me with Dr T. Colin Campbell. I debated not putting it up here, but I suppose that as long as I said I really wanted to meet him and get my 'groupie' photo with him here it is!

He spoke that the Vegetarian Expo, in Saratoga Springs, NY, today. I was in heaven all day. I listened to 4 lectures on Nutritional information. I am so excited about each one!

First lecture was on, Heart Healthy Recipes the speaker was Ann Crille Esselystyn, She really didn't give much recipes which was a bit disappointing to me. She was a dynamic speaker although she just talked mostly about the ingredients in health foods, she did talk about dark leafy greens, the rest of her talk was on packaged 'health' foods.

After her lecture, I had a great opportunity to move up to the front row! A few hours from Dr Campbell's lecture I moved up and vowed to stay there. I did take a quick break to grab a bite to eat, and the gal sitting next to me, saved my seat for me!

The next Speaker, Brenda Davis RD(from Canada), spoke on defeating Diabetes and work she did in the Marshall Islands. she was a marvelous speaker, with a myriad of books, including her new Raw Revolution Diet (which I picked up and she signed it with a very kind and inspiring note!) She was a dynamic speaker with exceptional knowledge and it was obvious that she loved her job. Although, diabetes is not my primary focus, she had SO many good things to say during her lecture, and we really had a great and inspiring conversation afterwards. I would like to get some more of her books as well, they are going on my wish list. You can read more about this inspiring lady here.

After Brenda Davis, I heard the most inspirational and informative speaker of the day, he was smart, funny and really knew his stuff. His name Jeff Novick. His lecture was on Healthy food vs Health Food, this lecture was amazing in every way. I felt so enlightened throughout his whole talk. He brought great humor to a otherwise, frustrating topic. The majority of his lecture was on the proper reading of nutritional labels and packaging. I never thought I would learn so much. he very humorously exposed the truth about labeling laws and how to defeat it! Brilliant. Also, encouraged us to eat whole foods where ever possible. My only horror here was when he talked about how bad coconut oil is for us! ARGH! Could it possibly be true!? I do recommend anyone with a chance to hear this man speak do! Despite the coconut oil rumor! I guess I will have to do more research! You can visit his website here.

Last but certainly not least was Dr T. Colin Campbell. Definitely not as funny as the speaker before him, I learned so much. Not to mention he is writing another book! yeah! He did speak a lot on The China Study (the actual study not the book) and on the benefits of eating a plant based diet. It was incredible to hear about it first hand. How he came to believe what he does and why! Coming from a dairy farm, eventually converting to a vegan diet. He also has an nutritional .org website that will be coming out. I will post when I get the link for it. (I signed up for his newsletter) His son is now an MD and will be following in his footsteps for sure.

Overall I had an amazing day. I got to see lots of new products and eat some really good vegan chili! I picked up a VegNews magazine (and subscribed) I got Dr Campbell to sign my book and pretty much now I am home and resting. I am tired for sure!

Bragging About My Silver Medalist!!!

Tonight my oldest Zach, won a silver medal in his fencing class quarterly tournament! You can read about it here, with photos! He is very excited as well. Way to go Zach.. see hard work does pay off!!!

Got Green Smoothie???

Ariana invented her own Green Smoothie tonight! Spinach, Zuchinni, mango and grapes, with a bit of water for blending and ice! As you can see, she enjoyed it very much. I am so happy for her and her health to think of this as dessert!!! Green Smoothies and Good Nutrition Really do a body good!!

You Really Are What You Eat!

I was gearing up for my next class, thinking about food(of course) and started wondering, how many of us actually know 'why' we eat. I mean, sure we are hungry, but isn't there much more to the whole process of eating then just we are hungry? To some we eat because we are sad, lonely, bored, upset, happy, and/or celebrating. Really where does all this get us? Usually it leads to obesity, undernutrition, overnutrition, tired, bored, guilty and the list goes on. How(as a society) do we begin to slow ourselves down. Find some gratitude for the bountiful foods in which we are blessed.

Whole foods are an amazing gift, directly from nature(G-d, the universe) or whatever you may call it in your personal life. I have been reveling in my cucumbers and the amazing power of their creation everyday. Each time I get poked by the plants runner, or the cucumber itself. I can't believe what an amazing canopy the leaves give the fruit and the little 'prickers' really do protect the plant so well. The design is amazing, sometimes you really have to work to find a cuke even though you just saw it yesterday! (perhaps the neighbor ran off with it)

Really we are supposed to eat for nutrition, health and to maintain vitality/energy. What is energy? Well it's a calorie! So when people are talking about cutting calories, they are talking about cutting out energy, do they have enough energy stored(in their fat cells) to afford cutting out energy and is the energy/calories we are eating quality. Too bad it is just not that simple, yes eat, and get calories, however, our bodies need a myriad of different nutrients to function and stay healthy thus a wide variety of foods. Also, our bodies, lose energy and health if we eat the wrong things and in our society it is just beyond easy to do. Every corner has a junk food restaurant, or a convenience store. Don't be deceived by your local health food store, some of the food in there isn't good for you either.

Our best bet is to eat most(not all) of our diets from whole food sources. I am referring to as close to it's natural state as possible! Orange Ice Pops don't count as a fruit! So where do you get this fruit from? Personally, I like the local farm stands and farmers market for most of my produce. I like to talk to the farmer, and know how they grow their food. Trust me, if you have not tried to eat local, in season produce you are in for such a treat! Do you think that cavemen ate strawberries in the dead of winter? No of course not. I know it is impossible to eat entirely from local sources if you live in some places that farming is not available, however we can preserve local grown produce by canning, drying and freezing. (and no I don't do it all myself, yet!) Each season I am learning new things. This year I stepped outside of growing herbs and grew tomatoes and cucumbers, next year I will conquer a much bigger garden!

I love to ask children where their food comes from! Most children say the grocery store, if you ask were does the grocery store get it, most will say from the delivery truck~ What does this say about our society? It is really time to slow down, do we really have to be running with our family everyday of the week? With a family with 3 children we are busy, however, we make a strong point to cook a healthy, homemade meal from scratch most nights! (Not just when we have guests).

I have personally been making a strong effort to get in my fruit and vegetable servings every day... I have been serving my kids (and myself) fresh juice and smoothies (no sugar or additives here) everyday. I love that my daughter (8yrs) is begging me to make her green smoothies (yes there is fruit in them)for dessert!!!!

The nutrients in our food is the basis of good health, slow aging, and energy to help us keep up with this busy world. I am thinking more and more not just about eating, but about eating foods that are nourishing to me, and not depleting to my body and to my family as well. (OK I have no control over the husband) I am setting an example for my family and friends, of desire to live healthy and free of chronic disease, with enough energy to be creative and productive in my life. Are you?

Just too Darn Excited!!

This Saturday is the Vegetarian Expo in my town! I am so excited because I am going to hear T. Collin Campbell speak! (Author of The China Study) I am beside myself with excitement!! The line up of speakers is great... and FREE! Here's the lowdown about his presentation.. I hope to get a photo and maybe my book signed!!! Crossing Fingers here! From The expo website: T. Colin Campbell, PhD (NY) 3:45pm - 4:45pm {Room B} The Extraordinary Health Value of Plant Based Nutrition T. Colin Campbell, who was trained at Cornell (M.S., Ph.D.) and MIT (Research Associate) in nutrition, biochemistry and toxicology, spent 10 years on the faculty of Virginia Tech's Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition before returning to the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell in 1975 where he presently is Jacob Gould Schurman Professor Emeritus. His principal scientific interests, which began with his graduate training in the late 1950's, has been on the effects of nutritional status on long term health, particularly on the causation of cancer. He has conducted original research both in laboratory experiments and in large-scale human studies; has received over 70 grant-years of peer-reviewed research funding, has served on several grant review panels of multiple funding agencies, has lectured extensively, and has authored over 300 research papers. His recent book: The China Study; Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health (2005)* has been translated into 10 languages. It is the most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted.

Wholesome Homemade

Yummy... This is our delicious dinner. Boy it was good, everyone was begging for more! The corn juicy and sweet was grown 3 miles from home. The red potatoes and red peppers also grown at the same farm a few miles away! The cucumbers were grown in my own yard! The sloppy joes (vegan) recipe is from the Skinny @#%$ in the Kitch book, it's the first time that I have tried that recipe. The bread... heavenly, again made from Tam's Best yet bread . This time I found 100% hard whole white wheat (unbleached) it was fabulous! I am amazed that I can make bread from scratch by hand that tastes this good! My husband was moaning in delight at the table! (I was going to name the post something else, but I didn't want to offend anyone) Two hours after dinner he is still telling me how much he loved dinner! I think I will milk it and try for a good backrub!

Big Fat Relief!!!!

I just submitted my work for my Applied Research Skills class..... and then took my test.... it's 20% of my grade... I got 100!! My stomach was churning until I saw the grade.... I am SO relieved to be almost done with this class. I just have the oral review! I survived another class, 14 more to go, and then I have to write my thesis!

Waste Free Lunches and Their Nutritional Benefit

With the kids heading back to school tomorrow I have to jump in and talk a bit about this subject. A few days ago, I made a trip to BJ's to get a few things, and all around me are these parents buying mass quantities of prepackaged processed foods. Carts were flowing over with 100 calorie packs, fruit in little cups, pudding in little cups, juice boxes, little frozen PB & J sandwiches and even little cut up apples in individual bags(oh why do people think they need this).

Then there was my cart, whole grain pretzels, cat litter, cat food, and a ton of produce. I feel compelled to buy things in the largest container possible to save on waste.

Back to lunches. At my kids school, even the trays are disposable! I find this mortifying. We used to have washable trays and silverware. Now for the sake of 'saving' money we are filling landfills everyday with Styrofoam and plastic.

Most of the lunches brought to school are filled with processed junk. (does anyone read a label anymore?) What do we really save when we fill our kids lunchbox with all this stuff. It may be easy to reach into the pantry and shove a bunch of this stuff into a lunchbox, (or brown paper bag, yikes!) zip it up and hurry out the door. Then we fill the garbage cans at school with little bags and containers (some of which could be recycled, if it were available).

Two weeks after school starts, parents are rushing to get Doctors appointments because little johnny has caught a cold, from someone at school. If we give our children foods that boost immunity, like fresh fruit and vegetables, healthy whole grain breads with real foods on their sandwiches, lots of fresh water, well our kids would be so much more healthy and resistant to these virus'.

It is not that difficult to cut up carrots, celery and the like in advance. it is easy these days to find lunchboxes that have containers that neatly fit together. The laptop lunchbox, pictured above, is what I have used for years. It seemed expensive at first, however, this is the third year that I have used them. So I have to say, I have more than made up my initial investment. Not to mention that it is a great way to portion too! There are many other systems like this now, for the health of the earth and for the health of my children I will continue to use these lunch systems for the benefit of all. I hope you will too!

Too many parents say, well johnny wont eat that. Well he wont allow himself to starve either. So if he is hungry he will eat! Even when kids aren't used to whole foods, they can still start to eat them and like them, if offered to them on a regular basis! Yes, even your kids! I saw a great BBC/ Discovery show, about just this topic, hosted by Dr Oz. and his research showed that a child needs to try something at least 30 times! How many of us do that? I do it more now, and I even try things myself from time to time (still I don't care for mushrooms) however, I will do it if I expect my children to do it!

I pack my kids lunches each day, it only takes about 5 minutes. They get sandwiches on whole grain bread, leftovers, cut up fresh fruit and veggies and sometimes crackers. However this year that might change since I have some great healthy cookie recipes! I know lunches can be hard, and busy mornings stressful, but with anything else, I feel I must make health a priority. My kids don't visit the doctor much, only when they have a required physical(or break an arm) We save on medical costs, time and hope to live long healthy lives.

I consider these imperative to my daily life. There is nothing more important than nutrition for the whole family. Save the Earth and the Children!

If A Picture Says 1000 words.......

What Does This Photo Say?????

Going Green..... In The Blender That Is!

Last night while Denise and I were eating dinner (at the B&B) we were talking about green smoothies and why we are making them. Some people just say that they would rather just eat their salad. However, it seems by making your greens into a smoothie it seems that you would be able to pack more nutrition into your daily intake. We were also wondering how far would the bowl of salad go in the blender. I have a crummy blender, so we weren't sure that it would all blend up; however, below is the results. First we put in, flax, spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, carrot, and sugar snap peas. This is what it looked like while it was blending. Then added a lot of fruits to it to make it sweeter without adding extra sugars. So we added, an apple, mango, strawberries, and blueberries.

This finished product actually turned brown. not so appealing, however it tasted pretty good. Some of the kids drank a small bit. I will say that it is very filling and energizing to start your day this way. I have made smoothies before, but I am really new to green ones. Without the addition of the fruit there would have only been enough smoothie for one. So it did show that you can really pack in high nutrients this way, obtaining more quality nutrition, there is no way that I could have eaten that entire salad, it was definitely salad for 2.