Tuesday "Try"... Conscious Eating

Try and pick one meal in your day that is not distracted by, TV, cell phones, phone calls, emails, reading, or even conversations and try to consciously eat that meal. Pause ~ take a moment to really look at the colors, smell the aroma that rises up from your plate, feel the work and care that was put into preparing it ( even if it was yourself). Bring your awareness to each small bite and consciously chew and taste your food. Feel the appreciation for the abundance that this meal is on your table and take a breath before the next bite.

Just give it a "try" ~ One meal ~ one try...

Tuesday "Try"... Nurturing Yourself

Do you need permission to take a little time in your day, week or month for "nurturing yourself?" 

     Eating healthy is one component to keeping our bodies nourished, but nurturing our spirit, that part of us that feels overworked, forgotten, unappreciated, needs a little TLC as well. There are times in my life when I forget to give myself permission to do that little extra, "just for me." But when I forget, I am reminded through, something I read in a book, a friend who inspires me with her actions or words, a show I saw on TV, a recording I was listening too, a conversation with my children, music I hear, or a walk in nature. But there was a time in my life when I actually needed a friend to say "I give you permission to take care of yourself. And when you allow that time, you unknowingly offer that same gift to those around you - So if you need that permission in your life today...  

Then I'm here to give you that... Go and be nourished! 

( it doesn't have to be a weekend away ( of course that would be awesome if you can), but it's like when your trying to eat healthy - start small, pick an idea that you know can be accomplished. Here are a few of my favorites:

~Taking that extra moment in the bathroom

~Having a special treat that you wouldn't normal do ( I like to stop in our local bakery for a Gluten/Dairy free treat that I don't have to make and when it's gone it's gone and I don't have the leftovers lingering around)

~Take an epsom salt bath ( the package says only to stay in for 20 min. so you don't have to feel guilty, plus it sooths tired muscles etc), and light some candles even if it's in the middle of the day.

~ Go out in your back yard and take your shoes off and connect with mother nature.

~Make something really easy for dinner, leave the dishes until later or the next day and take the extra time to read or just relax

Find what works for you with your time and schedule, but the most important thing with whatever you choose, do it with LOVE ( and remember you have my permission)!

GO AND BE NOURISHED

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!

Thursday "Tip"... Cheese - Cellulose?

What to do with a block of cheese?

It's so easy to pick up that bag of shredded cheese ( I'm guilty of it too), but buying a block of cheese is cheaper per pound and healthier because the packaged cheese contains cellulose, http://www.foodrenegade.com/would-like-some-wood-pulp-your-shredded-cheese/ that is used as a food stabilizer ( read more about it in the attached link). You can shred the whole block at one time and put it in a container (it will keep) and it's ready just like if you bought it pre-packaged or make cubes or cheese sticks for snacking with crackers. It's the little changes that add up to saving money and your health!

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!

Tuesday "Try"... Small Comparisons

     One way to incorporating healthier choices is to start with "small comparisons." Every time you go to the grocery store pick one item you normal buy and compare it to a healthier choice. Start making a list ( one item at at time) so you can see the price difference and if/when you go to another store or see a sale you will be more aware of a good deal, plus when it's written down, you don't have to remember it again. This will help you decide what items you feel are worth the extra difference. 

      I picked a few items that I compared when I was at the grocery store to show you. The prices will vary from store to store but comparing will give you a general idea so you can make more informed decisions and "choose" healthier. You may be surprised at the small difference in some of the items that you weren't even aware until you compared. And when you find them on sale, (if your able) buy more them one.

Store Brand 1 lb butter - 3.44
Name Brand 1 lb butter - 4.39
Store Brand Organic 1lb butter - 4.99 ( on sale for 4.49)
Earth Balance 15 oz Non-butter - 3.69

Pillsbury cinnamon. rolls - 3.09 (hydrogenated oils etc)
Immaculate cinnamon rolls - 3.29 ( not organic but no hydrogenated oils, no corn syrup, etc.)

Kraft Mac and Cheese 11oz. - 2.99
Annie's Mac and Cheese 11oz - 2.29 (organic ingredients )

Skippy Natural Peanut Butter  15oz - 2.69 (non hydrogenated oils or corn syrup)
Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter 15oz - 2.99 (non hydrogenated oils or corn syrup)
Organic Smuckers Peanut Butter 15oz - 4.19

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

This is one view of my containers.

These are my blueberries bushes.

        I came across this link the other day http://brownthumbmama.com/2014/04/start-vegetable-garden-25.html about starting a vegetable garden for $25.00. So I thought I would share what I'm doing in my own backyard.
        For years I had an organic square foot garden and this past year a new neighbor moved in and decided to use lots of chemicals to try and get rid of ivy that was growing on his side of the fence (coming from my yard). Can't say I blame him, but at that time we were having non stop rain and all the chemicals ran down onto my lawn, garden, flowers and plants I had put in the ground. Lost almost everything! I was very discouraged but not out, so I decided to container garden. I'm using containers       I've had around my house and ones I hope to can find from family and friends, plus the dollar store has containers as well. You don't have to have a lot of money to grow your own herbs and vegetables. One thing I do for seeds, is buy them a few here and there ( or you can ask friends and neighbors to share if there is extra) that way the expense is spread over time.
        Right now I only have some herbs started and will continue to plant vegetables in the coming weeks. Growing a garden always gets me excited... there is NOTHING better then fresh whole food from my own back yard. So get a few containers, plant a tomato, a pepper a few fresh herbs then you will have all you need for that tomato sauce your going to make when your harvest is ready!!!

Another view... I have a few strawberries in the hanging basket.

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!

Tuesday "Try"... Skinny dipping

Homemade Hummus

Looking for something to dip your naked vegetables or chips in? 

Try homemade hummus! 

http://allrecipes.com/Video/172/How-to-Make-Hummus/Detail.aspx

     I have to admit, I've never made it before, but it was SO easy and really good!! And like a lot of my cooking, I didn't make it all in one day. When I made dinner (and with planning to make hummus on my mind) I decided to cook the chickpea's ( you can use canned, but I like to use fresh when possible) and then put them in the refrigerator until the next day when I had more time. I also made a double batch so the next time I want hummus that part is already done. 

      Hummus is one of those foods that you can do so much with. You can taylor it to your liking, with extra garlic, hot chili peppers etc. You don't even have to use chickpea's (garbanzo beans) - try making a bean free hummus with, spinach, beets, cauliflower or carrots. Even the traditional recipe you can played with like, extra tahini, lemon juice etc. just taste and adjust.

       Try making hummus to take to a party, spread it on your sandwich or hamburger bun instead of mayo, turn it into a salad dressing with vinegar, salt and pepper, or just have something yummy and healthy to use as a dip. The idea's are endless... google it!

       A few health benefits are: there high in fiber, minerals and vitamins (manganese, zinc, magnesium, copper and iron) and lots of protein. And it only takes a few ingredients, a blender or food processor and a desire. 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/hummus-for-real-recipe.html

2 cups of cooked chickpea's (garbanzo beans)

2 cloves of garlic

1/2 tsp. salt

4 Tb. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/8- 1/4 cup water

1/3 cup tahini

1/8-1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

(This is my adjusted recipe from the original link posted above)

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!

Tuesday "Try"... Mochi

Mochi is a traditional Japanese food made from a special short-grain sweet rice. It's steamed then the rice is pounded to accentuate its chewy texture and nutty flavor.

I found a cinnamon raisin Mochi the other day marked down, so I thought why not give it a try ( there is a plain flavor available too). The recipe on the back of the package was, Raisin Cinnamon Mochi Danish that I decided to follow and see what happened, but Pinterest is full of ideas for what to do with Mochi. I even saw one idea to make waffles.

This is what it looks like when you take it out of the package.

The recipe said to cut 2 inch squares and follow baking instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Place pieces at least 1 inch apart on a baking sheet

Bake 8-10 minutes, until Mochi pieces puff up and brown.

Here is what they look like after they come out of the oven.

The recipe said to remove them from oven, let cool and take a sharp knife, cut a slit in one side of each Mochi pocket and stuff with cream cheese, nuts and honey.

I didn't have cheese or non-dairy cheese on hand, so I used peanut butter, honey and chopped up some walnuts. I'd like to try the cream cheese ( non - dairy for me) next time. It would add a very nice contrast that the peanut butter didn't. But it was still really good, easy and fun to play around with. 

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!