Monday Morning Mix-up

My family and I love Nano Greens10. My husband first brought home Nano Greens over a year ago, when I was pregnant with baby. I was having some issues (infections, false labors, etc.) Nano greens has so many amazing ingredients (check below). We love it! My boys drink it and enjoy it! 

Last week, I started to drink this when I couldn't keep anything down. I wanted to make sure that I was putting high quality foods/drinks in my body. I started taking Nano Greens on Thursday, we were out before that, just in hopes to keep it in long enough to absorb the vitamins (and other goodness!) before loosing it. 

May I tell you Thursday was my worse day. May I also tell you Friday I was 95% better.

Bio Pharma - does carry a few other products that I hope to sometime try. Nano Red, Nano Omega, Nano Pro, etc. 

Nano Greens website

Check out the SUPER Ingredients:

Barley Grass Juice Powder*, Spirulina*, Chlorella (Japanese soft shell) 

Phyto-Nutrient Blend (Proprietary) 325 mg 

Blueberry, Green Tea Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Cranberry, Raspberry, Tart Cherry, Pine 

Bark Extract, Broccoli, Tomato, Carrot, Spinach, Kale, Brussels Sprout, Bilberry, Elderberry, 

Pomegranate, Blackberry 

Isoquercitin/Rutin 50/50 160 mg 

Raspberry Extract (20% Ellagic Acid) 50 mg 

Fruit & Vegetable Blend 900 mg 

(Proprietary; freeze-dried, low temperature dried) 

Apple*, Carrot*, Mango*, Sweet Potato*, Lemon*, Parsley*, Peach*, Kale*, Broccoli*, Spinach*, Leek*, Beet* , Cranberry* (Quinic Acid 6%) 

Acerola Cherry Powder* (17.5% Ascorbic Acid) 175 mg 

Rice Bran Soluble* 2500 mg 

Aloe Vera Powder Extract* (100:1 freeze dried) 30 mg 

Green Tea, White Tea (decaffeinated, 50% Polyphenol) 100 mg 

Polygonum Cuspidatum (15% Resveratrol) 50 mg 

Oat Beta Glucan* 2200 mg 

Cinnamon Blend (Proprietary) 50 mg 

Cinnamon Extract 8%, Cinnamon Bark Powder* 

Milk Thistle (20% Silymarin) 50 mg 

Marigold Extract (5% Lutein with Zeaxanthin) 50 mg 

Dunaliella Salina (Natural Carotenoids) 100 mg 

Enzymes (plant-based) 40 mg 

Alpha Amylase, Bromelain, Cellulase, Galactosidase, Glucoamylase, Hemicellulase, Lipase, Papain, Protease 

Lecithin (non GMO) 1925 mg 

Cabbage (Japanese, fermented) 30 mg 

Lycopene Extract-10% (from tomato) 25 mg 

Lemon Peel Powder* 25 mg 

Quinoa Sprout* 90 mg 

Artichoke Extract (5% Cynarin) 20 mg 

Atlantic Kelp Powder* (Laminara Digitata) 20 mg 

*Certified Organic Ingredient 

Other Ingredients: 

Natural flavors (plant-based), stevia, NanoSorb (phospholipids, lipid esters), citric acid. 

This Mornings Monday Morning Mix-up is Chocolate Avocado Smoothie. 

This raw, healthy milkshake is not only incredibly delicious, but contains an abundant amount of nutrients. You'll never have to feel guilty drinking a milkshake again!!!!

My 2 1/2 year old thought this was a ice cream milkshake! :) It is that good!!!

The Ingredients:

1 Avocado

2 TBSP Cocoa Powder

1 cup Coconut Milk

1/2 banana

2 TBSP RAW Honey (we prefer RAW but local or whatever honey you can get is fine too!)

1 tsp Vanilla

Handful of ice

The Directions:

Put all the ingredients in a blender for a minute or until smooth. You can add more or less milk, depending on how you like the thickness of the shake to be.

Feel free to get creative on the shake! Post your changes under the comment section!

Healthy ways to prevent ...

What a crazy 10 days... 


Last Friday, sweet baby, came down with fever and a runny nose. We had a few rough nights because Baby just wanting to be held and loved on! I spent most of the nights rocking him and trying to make him comfortable. 


As you can imagine, I was beat. I was running on empty. Tuesday, my body gave up fighting and I have spent the week in bed and bathroom. I am still fighting but I am healing! 


With that being said I thought this was a perfect time to write a little about what my family and I do when a cold/flu hits the house. 


**The most important thing my family does is gets adjusted. Yes, we are blessed to have a chiropractor in our home but please know I have seen a chiropractor most of my life. Our boys have been getting adjusted since they were hours old. 


For those of you who do not know about Chiropractic --- The Power that made the body can heal the body. Chiropractors work on turning on the power. 


Watch the clip below.




**The second thing we do is put hydrogen peroxide in the ears. Dr. Mercola has a great article on this, go here! He says, " Many patients have had remarkable results in curing colds and flu within 12 to 14 hours when administering a few drops of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into each ear. You will hear some bubbling, which is completely normal, and possibly feel a slight stinging sensation.

Wait until the bubbling and stinging subside (usually 5 to 10 minutes), then drain onto a tissue and repeat with the other ear. A bottle of hydrogen peroxide in 3 percent solution is available at any drug store for a couple of dollars or less. It is simply amazing how many people respond to this simple, inexpensive treatment."

**The third thing we do is we address our diet. We eliminate the sugary foods. Before starting Paleo we would have to eliminate sugary fruits and grains but know we just have to eliminate sugary fruit. Since, I like knowing what I can do, here are some good choices: 

Grass-fed beef

Coconut Oil

Omega 3 fats & co-factors

Locally grown vegetables and fruits (berries)

Herbs

Garlic - kills bacteria and viruses

Drink plenty of water. 

Chicken soup can help reduce your symptoms. Chicken contains a natural amino acid called cysteine, which can thin the mucus in your lungs and make it less sticky so you can expel it more easily. 

** Finally, sleep. Your immune system is also the most effective when you're not sleep-deprived, so the more rested you are the quicker you'll recover.  (that is just want I needed. Thank you to my mother-in-law for coming and letting me nap)

Supplements: 

Some of the more helpful options for cold (and flu) -- above and beyond vitamin D -- are:

• Vitamin C
• Oregano Oil
• A tea made from a combination of elderflower, yarrow, boneset, linden, peppermint and ginger; drink it hot and often for combating a cold or flu. It causes you to sweat, which is helpful for eradicating a virus from your system.
• Thieves Oil

Other GREAT POINT from Dr. Mercola. 

Avoid the Antibiotics!

More than 300 different viruses can cause colds, so each time you have a cold it is caused by a distinct virus (i.e. adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, coronavirus). A virus is much smaller than a bacteria; it is a tiny cluster of genetic material surrounded by a protein wrapper.

There are currently NO drugs available that can kill these viruses. Antibiotics, including penicillin, do not have any effect on viruses, but unfortunately have been vastly over-prescribed for this very (useless) purpose. That, coupled with the excessive use of antibiotics in agriculture, has contributed to a steep rise in antibiotic-resistant diseases.

Antibiotic-resistant infections now claim more lives each year than the "modern plague" of AIDS, and cost the American health care system some $20 billion a year!

Further, according to one meta-analysis, the health risk from over-use of antibiotics is also a very personal one, as opposed to simply raising the occurrence of antibiotic resistance in the general population over time.

Whenever you use an antibiotic, you're increasing your susceptibility to developing infections with resistance to that antibiotic -- and you can become the carrier of this resistant bug, and spread it to others.

So please, if you have a simple cold remember that an antibiotic will do far more harm than good.

What do you and your family do to stay healthy??? 

Chicken Broth made meal.

Yesterdays post was crockpot chicken and I know you know I love stretching a chicken. 

I have posted this several times, but for those of you who are new to ENJOYING HEALTHY FOODS, I will tell, quickly! :) 

Here is what I am planning for this chicken.  

Day 1 - I cook the chicken in water and spices - DONE!

Day 1 night and Day 2 - I cook the broth on low and then add vegetables to make soup. 

The rest of the chicken will be used for lunches! 

Go here to read one of my detailed posts on it! 

I felt brave with my chicken vegetable soup... I added noodles!!!! SPAGHETTI SQUASH for the other night!!! The soup hit the spot.

The Ingredients:
Broth - leftover from cooking the chicken
1 - 2 cups chicken
carrots
turnips
parsnips would be good, just didn't have any
celery
1/2 spaghetti squash - left over
Garlic Powder, Basil, Parsley Lemon Pepper, Pepper

The Directions:
The day you make the chicken in the crockpot, continue to cook the broth over night on low. In the morning prepare the vegetables (Carrots and Turnips, and whatever else you choose). Cook on low all day. Since the Spaghetti Squash and chicken is already cook all you have to do is add it at the end. I added it 30 minutes before dinner and turned the crockpot up to high.

I was pleasantly surprised how good and tender the Spaghetti Squash was. This was delicious!

ENJOY!

Crockpot Chicken and Vegetables

I am going to upfront today and say that I am not 100%. I have spent the last few days caring for two little ones with many nights sitting up rocking and loving on and snuggling. My little ones were so kind to wear me out and to bring me down. I have spent the last couple days with a terrible headache and an extremely upset stomach. Thankfully, this is the first time in awhile that my body has shut down like this and I owe that to Chiropractic care, thanks babe, and the way we live our lives! (More to come!)

Do not worry -- I did not spend my sick day cooking in the kitchen. Here is a recipe that I made on Sunday! :) 

I love cooking whole chickens or chicken fryers in the crockpot! It is simple and you are left with a crockpot full of wonderful broth. 

The Chicken -
1 Chicken Fryer
enough water to cover the chicken
spices, whatever you fancy!

Cook the chicken in the crockpot all day on low. 5 - 10 minutes before you are ready for dinner pull the chicken out and let cool. Take off the skin and debone the chicken.

Was that hard!?!? :)

As for the vegetables
I roasted Brussels, again!!! :) My boys and I just can't get enough!

The other mixture is zucchini and broccoli. Saute in very little coconut oil and coconut aminos* (my new FAVORITE!!!) Start with the broccoli. Saute for 5 minutes then add the zucchini and then add the coconut aminos.

* I have been asked about Coconut Aminos. They can be found at Whole Foods or online. Coconut Aminos is a soy sauce or braggs replacement. Soy free, Gluten Free and Dairy Free!!! You will love it!

Weekend eats!

Hubby was away in California for a weekend full of seminars. 

Do you remember reading my struggles from the last time he left for seminars? Read here if you missed it. It is a struggle for me to stick with the plan when it is just the boys and I. Baby doesn't eat "much" and 3 year old is growing and meals are often hits but sometimes a miss. 

This time I was prepared. I had a plan and a plan to eat well! 

Spaghetti and Meatballs (1/2 pkg of ground beef)

Meatloaf (used the remained ground beef)

I was prepared which led to a great weekend of eating! Thankfully, I was prepared because Baby came down with a fever, which led to lots of rocking and loving and NO KITCHEN TIME!

Look forward to a post on what we do when the kids start to express wellness. It will be a post that you wont want to miss!!!!

I made a delicious spaghetti and meatballs this weekend. The noodles of course being Spaghetti Squash, which I have mastered a new way of making them.

Doesn't that look good!?!?

Spaghetti and Meatballs

The Ingredients:

1 Spaghetti Squash (I have left overs and already have big plans for them!)

1/2 lb - 1 lb of ground beef (I used 1/2 because I was alone and knew the rest would go to waste)

1 jar tomato sauce

1/2 - 1 cup Almond Meal

2 eggs

Basil

Garlic Powder

The Directions:

Preheat the over to 400 degrees. Cut the Spaghetti Squash in half and scoop out the seeds. In the center of both halves, I added 1 - 2 tsp of coconut oil. Place the cookie sheet in the oven and let the squash cook for 45 minutes - 1 hour. All depending on the size of the squash. Mine took 1 hour. 

*Please note - I take my squash out at 30 minutes and swoosh around the coconut oil. Making sure all sides still have some oil on them!

Meatballs:

Simple and Sweet! 

Mix ground beef, eggs and seasoniongs. Roll the meat into balls. 

In frying pan, sear all the sides. Depending on the amount of time you have, I cooked the meatballs in my crockpot for 2 hours. 

If you have the time cook on low for 2 hours. Add sauce and meatballs and seasonings!

If you are in a hurry cook on stove top on high. Sauce, meatballs and seasonings!!!

I enjoyed my spaghetti and meatballs with a side of Brussels!

ENJOY!

Green Smoothie

Welcome to the first MONDAY MORNING MIX-UP!!!! I am really excited to start posting recipes dedicated to my Vitamix.

I have said it before but I love my Vitamix! I have only had it a few short weeks and I am obsessed! I am enjoying my smoothies, as I have not had a blender since this summer. 

My boys are huge fans of the Vitamix, too, but because of the yumminess I am creating for them!

Please join in the fun and post your favorite smoothie recipes on my blog! I will be happy to try them and post them on my next Monday Morning Mix-up!!! :) I will not only be posting smoothie recipes, I will have baby food recipes, soups and much more! I am looking forward to this new section of my blog!!!! :) 

Edition #1 Green (Kale) Smoothie

(poor quality, sorry!)

 This smoothie had a little more fruit in it then I wanted and I will be changing it! This was a great tasting smoothie!!!!

Seriously, when you create a great smoothie you will not flinch with taste. My 3 year old enjoyed this delicious smoothie with me! :) Baby would have but he was napping!

Kale Green Smoothie
The Ingredients:
2 cups of Kale
5 Strawberries
1/2 banana
1/2 cup of coconut milk
1 date
3 year old added a few blueberries
ice

The directions:
MIX all the ingredients and then ENJOY!!!!

Cooking/Blogging Rut

Hello FABULOUS followers!

I am not sure if you have been able to tell but I have been in a blogging rut and in a cooking rut.

It is difficult to cook something new every day/night. To be honest the cost of the amount of food (vegetables and meat) ADDs up. I do love blogging and I do love sharing recipes but let's be honest -- I am sharing and doing this for you for FREE! Understand - I am happy to do so! I do advertise through Foodbuzz** but it is basically nothing at this time. It is not about the money to me but I do need to watch my grocery bills a little closer.

Here is what I am changing:
Monday - I am calling it Monday Mix-Up. I will be posting Vita-Mix recipes.
(comment on my Monday posts recipes you want me to try and I will try and give a shout out to you and your blog!)

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - I will be posting recipes. It might not be everyday but I will try. I might just post what we are eating and lead you to the past post!

Friday and Saturdays - If I post I will be posting educational information.

What are your thoughts on my changes??? I'd love to hear what you think. Comment away!

** I am struggling with the advertising because an ad on my blog does not agree with our philosophies.
Does that make sense?

We are not perfect....pt2

As promised, here is a REAL post about our progress!

February 1 - I started a no coffee for 30 days. Mainly because of my addiction to creamer! :) I am one of those people who enjoys SWEET coffee, 1/4 cup creamer 3/4 coffee! I went without coffee for a week and have only had coffee a couple of times. My success is I do not have coffee everyday which is improvement and I do plan to completely rid of coffee! I will do this! I plan on continuing my dwindling progress until I am coffee free.

Our eating habits at home are great! Our fridge is loaded of vegetables and some fruit and our pantry is grain-less. :) We do great at home because we are prepared and have a plan. Hubby commented on how easy it is to create a last minute meal with all our vegetables prepared and ready to go. We have many choices!

Going out --- not so much. We are working on this.. It is a struggle. We went to visit family this weekend and we were tempted and we FAILED terribly. We do not like to have sweets or grains in the house simply because if it is around, we will eat it. Point - A large bowl of chocolate candies sat on the counter this weekend and I think I ate half the candy. I just do not have control. I see it and eat it. I am still paying for it today. I am bloated. I am have been feeling sick to my stomach because I have become irregular again. I have break out spots. My elbows are itching uncontrollably. I have not been able to fall asleep easily. My list goes on and all this just from one weekend of poor eating.

3 year old struggled, too. When we are at home he drinks water, vitamin water or on occasion, drinks Almond Milk. This weekend he had juice. Juice is never in our house. I do not like all the sugar in juice.  Joshua rarely gets OJ.  He will drink a fresh fruit/vegetable smoothie. Baby has NEVER had juice but has had a fruit/vegetable smoothie made at home. It is our preference. He also was on an all time high, sugar high. He had crackers, teddy grahams, candy, gum balls, fruit cups, french fries and much much more. We are just not used to grains and sugars. We are starting to educate him on food choices - but realistically, he is 3. He prefers fruit and vegetables but when other junk is around he becomes obsessive.
We are not upset about the juice or the food. Splurges happen and need to happen. Towards the end he was begging for fruit. He also told us his belly was hurting! :)

This is why we have decided not to have grains and dairy and sweets in the house... WE WILL EAT IT.

Joshua is experiencing BOOT CAMP, food boot camp, that is. It might have only been 2 days but 2 days is a lot of such a little one.

He has already gone through a large bag of carrots, frozen bag of peas, asparagus and 2 zucchinis. He is asking for Brussels. I am thankful that my 3 year old loves vegetables and fruit. I too, have been downing the vegetables and eating the Paleo way because I need to start feeling better again.


I am still working on preparing for trips. I need to come up with a game plan. Maybe I should make beef jerky and grab some just in case bars, PURE are my new favorite! I will post something on this soon!

Until then -- Here is more recipes from Valentine's Day dinner with my boys!

T-Bone steaks with Asparagus wrapped with Turkey Bacon

In a baggie add thawed steaks, 1 TBSP Olive Oil, 2 TBSP Coconut Aminos, Lemon Pepper and Garlic. Let marinade for 2 - 4 hours. 

Since we still have ice and snow outside I cooked the steaks inside. 

Steered the meat on both sides for a minute and then put the steaks in the oven topped with the extra marinade at 350 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes depending on desired pink-ness!

When steaks are done serve with Chocolate Red Wine sauce

 Chocolate Wine Sauce
1 TBSP Cocoa Powder
1/4 cup Coconut Oil
1 dropper of Stevia

Sweet Potato Tater Tots with Coconut Butter

ENJOY!

Part of Pennywise Platter, Monday Mania

PURE bars

I have recently come across a great company! PURE bars. 

These are their flavors: Chocolate Brownie, Wild Blueberry, Cherry Cashew, Apple Cinnamon, Cranberry Orange, Trail Mix.

I love my bars, as well as 3 year old, He tests products with me as well. My favorite so far is the trail mix. Lots of great ingredients and lots of healthy things for you. They are not PALEO but a great alternative when you are on the run and a great kid lunch snack. They are Gluten Free. 

Thank You pure bar for giving me the opportunity to review you, these BARS ROCK!!!! PURE Goodness! 

1. Pure bar facebook page –BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK!! http://www.facebook.com/thePureBar

2. Theres a SWEET sweepstakes opprotunity on there too!

FROM THE PAGE- “Share your Pure lifestyle tip and win a five-day,
four-night trip for two to Costa Rica ! We’d like to learn more about your Pure lifestyle, whether that’s your favorite healthy snack, workout regimen, recycling program or anything else that you do to stay healthy, active and Pure! Submit your tip by clicking below and we’ll choose one lucky grand prize winner on February 21st.”

GRAND PRIZE: A Pure Eco Resort Trip for two people to Costa Rica and a one-year supply of Pure Bars*

Weekly Prize: Over the next five weeks, we’ll also select weekly winners. If you’re a lucky weekly winner, you will receive a supply of Pure Bars**, and will also choose one of three organizations for Pure to donate $100 on your behalf.

3. BUY ONE GET ONE FREE COUPON  http://thepurebar.com/offers/buy-one-get-one-free/

Another thanks to the wonderful people at PURE bar!

Grain-Free Fudge Brownies

Grain-Free Fudge Brownies

~These brownies are grain-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and of course, sugar-free!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 Tablespoons ground flax or chia (optional. I added it for extra nutrition)

2 eggs

5 dates

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup water or milk-substitute (I used unsweetened chocolate almond milk)

optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts or chopped unsweetened chocolate.

The Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. First, blend the dates into a paste. In a separate bowl combine all dry ingredients. Then add wet. Stir until well combined. Add the date paste and mix very thoroughly to ensure there aren’t any date chunks. The dates are the natural sweetness in the recipe. Feel free to add more dates if needed to suite your sweet tooth 

Lightly grease a 8×8 baking dish (I used coconut oil). Pour batter into dish. The batter should be thick. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Great with Strawberries!!! AMAZING with Almond Milk Ice cream!

Please note - these came out with strong cocoa powder taste. Next time here is what I plan to change: Mix wet ingredients with a hand mixture. Really give the eggs a great beating! Maybe add a couple more dates. 

Valentine's Dinner

Hubby and I do not celebrate Valentine's Day... we take time throughout the year to celebrate one another and show our love. 

This year - Joshua, Ben (the boy I watch) and I have been busy working on art projects daily. We made Valentine's Day books filled with beautiful artwork!

I wasn't going to do anything special but dinner had a mind of its own! 

I took out T-Bones and we were just going to have steaks, like any other steak night.  Until...

 I remembered a trip Hubby and I took... We enjoyed T-Bones with Chocolate sauce.  So, I created Chocolate Sauce.

Sides - Turkey Bacon wrapped Asparagus
and sweet potato tater tots with Coconut Butter

I even made the kids special plates

 Baby has avocado, blueberries and asparagus on his tray and 3 year old had asparagus wrapped in turkey bacon, blueberries, salad and more turkey bacon. He chose not to have any steak.

To top off dinner --- 

 SUGAR FREE GRAIN FREE DAIRY FREE Brownies!!!!!

We decided once the boys were down to try and make Almond Milk Ice cream.

 I mixed Almond Butter and Brownies

Hubby mixed strawberries and brownies

I hope you had a special "LOVING" day!!! Recipes to come!!!!