Hearts

This weekend is Valentine’s Day so what better to time to talk about our hearts than now?!  Heart disease is still the leading cause of death for men and women in North America.  So know the risks, symptoms and ways to help prevent heart disease!

   
Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Hangry

Do you ever get hangry?  So hungry that it actually makes you angry?!  It’s happened to me before!  One of the best ways to keep from getting yourself into a food emergency is to be prepared!  There are all kinds of things that you can keep handy.  But trail mix is a great one and it’s fairly healthy!  It’s easy to make your own which can help you save money.  Just choose your favorite things and throw them in a baggie.  Ba-da-BING!  Hangry issues are solved! 

 Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Your Plate

It’s January and I’m sure you’ve been bombarded with advertisements for “diets” and weight loss methods.  There are so many “diets” out there nowadays!  I personally hate to think of the word diet like that.  Like, “I’m going on a diet.”  That sounds so restrictive!  Your diet is what you eat.  The foods that you consume.  An elephant’s diet consists of grasses, small plants, bushes, fruit, twigs, tree bark and roots.  So your diet consists of the foods you eat.  You can have a healthy or unhealthy diet.  Unfortunately a lot of the information we receive about what to eat has become very confusing.  Some people say to eat only fruits and veggies.  Some say only meats and minimal grains.  Others say to juice everything.  So who is right?!  First of all, everyone is different.  So what works for one person may not work for another.  There is not a one size fits all way to eat.  I prefer to keep things simple.  Ready for it?  Eat real food.  BOOM!  That’s it!  Eat foods void of chemicals, preservatives and artificial colors.  Real foods not foods made in a factory.  I try to follow this guideline as far as serving size:

Do I hit this 100% of the time?  Absolutely not.  But I use this as my guideline to make good choices.  It helps me to remember to choose more healing veggies instead of extra potatoes!    And you can adapt it to meet your needs and likes.  Throw in a fruit and drink plenty of water!  It doesn’t have to be confusing.  It doesn’t have to be difficult.  You just have to be open to changing your current situation. 

 

If you’d like some more information or have any questions let me know!  I hope you have a GREAT weekend!

Health Hacks

I saw these health hacks on Pinterest and thought they were great!  I’ve heard of some of them……..but defintely not all of them!  

Have a WONDERFUL long weekend! 

Happy New Year!

Did you read that title correctly?  It says:  HAPPY New Year!  You’ve probably said it several times recently, right?  So I thought it would be cool to share with you some foods that are natural mood boosters.  You could call them your happy foods.    These foods help boost and elevate your mood and can help make your new year even HAPPIER!!!

1. Fish – The omega-3’s in fish not only fight depression, but they also increase your energy, circulation and brain activity.
2. Nuts and Seeds – This is another good source of omega-3’s.  It also has vitamin B which helps with focus, energy and concentration. 
3. Apples – Apples give your body the sugar it craves, without being processed or refined.  They’re also filled with fiber to help you feel fuller, longer.
4. Leafy Greens – These are filled with folate and phytonutrients that help reduce anxiety.
5. Berries – Berries contain antioxidants that reduce inflammation in the body
6. Dark Chocolate – A little dark chocolate can release endorphins in the body that give you that “feel good” feeling.
7. Oranges – Citric fruits are high in vitamin C which helps reduce stress and boosts the immune system.
8. Cheese – Cheese has tryptophan and melatonin in it which has a calming effect. 

So if you’re feeling a little bummed out in the afternoon, go snack on an apple and some nut butter!  And see if you can turn that frown upside down!  L….J

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Chocolate Bark

I thought I’d share a quick holiday recipe in case you need a last minute idea for something to take to a party.  This recipe takes a healthy spin on the traditional chocolate bark.  It’s got lots of delicious superfoods so you can enjoy this treat with less guilt!   

Ingredients
200g dark chocolate
¼ tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp pistachios (shelled and halved)
2 tbsp goji berries
1 tbsp desiccated coconut

 

Instructions

1. Line a dish with baking parchment. I used an 8x8in dish but you can use a smaller or bigger one depending on how thick or thin you want your bark to be.
2. Sit a heat proof bowl in a pan of boiling water over a medium heat. Break the chocolate into small pieces, add to the bowl and stir continuously until it has all melted. Add the vanilla and mix well.
3. Pour the melted chocolate into the parchment lined dish. Top with the pistachios, goji berries and coconut.
4. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes or until the chocolate has set.
5. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week

 

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Christmas!

Protein

Protein is an essential part of any healthy diet.  Your body needs protein to function at it’s top capacity!  Proteins are the building blocks for everything in your body.  They form enzymes, antibodies, hormones, hair, nails, bone, teeth, hemoglobin, neurotransmitters, skin…………..they are the basic component for any and all types of cells in the body.   Protein is required for the growth and maintenance of every kind of cell.  It actually forms enzymes, hormones and antibodies.  This promotes a healthy metabolism and boosts our nervous and immune system. 

 

Most of us know that protein can be found in all types of meat.  And lean meat is the best type to consume.  But maybe you don’t eat meat, like meat or tend to eat enough.  You can still get protein in many different forms!  Here are some meatless options for you!  

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!