Health is Everything

The last few weeks have been especially stressful around our house. We are packing, cleaning, moving, switching schools.. etc. Yet with all that is going on around us, and MANY children and adults around us being very sick with colds & flu's, we have all remained very healthy. The kids have not missed a day of school this entire year. We are so blessed with our good health this year.

Despite all the stresses around us in the last few months, the bottom line and the only thing that really truly matters in the end is our health.
It has made me appreciate our good eating habits, vitamin taking, and exercise routines so much more. Everyday that we choose to eat right, exercise and take supplements, we are choosing to live healthy lives.

If you are ready to live a healthy life and reap the many benefits, start small. Don't get overwhelmed by all that you need to change. Every little change has a big impact on your health.

Make small changes in the beginning. Drink more water, take a walk, fill your dinner plate with more vegetables and less meat, read labels, find support, set goals. Choose 1 thing a week that you will change and stick to it!

Happy Monday!

Question & Answer

Q: What's your favorite healthy snack?

A: I have so many I have a hard time narrowing it down to just one snack. If I had to I would say that right now I am in love with kale chips. They are super simple to make and kale is a super food with many health benefits.
To make kale chips you tear the kale leaf away from the stem and tear into bite size pieces. Spread onto baking sheet, drizzle olive oil, sea salt, cayenne pepper (optional), lime or lemon juice and mix with fingers until it's coated onto kale. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Watch kale carefully because it burns easily. Flip & stir kale halfway between cooking time to ensure even cooking.
Take out of oven, let cool and enjoy.

Q: How do you deal with bad days? Days where you don't feel motivated to exercise, eat right, or work towards your goals?

A: Everyone has bad days, me included. I don't always deal the way I know I should with a "bad day". I try to keep my goals in mind. Remember that whatever is bothering me today will soon pass and better things are to come. I will be a stronger woman because of the obstacles that get in my way. If I don't feel like exercising on a bad day I will usually put some good music on, something that gets me in the mood to move. That usually makes me want to run it out on the treadmill or go push some weights around at the gym. I'm not a perfect eater and if I am having a bad day and clean, healthy food is the last thing I want then I will indulge but because I don't keep too many junk food options within my immediate reach those "wants" don't usually get fulfilled (thankfully). If it's not within my reach I usually won't go to the trouble of getting it when it comes to food. Support. My friends & family also are there when I need them for love, support and just a shoulder to lean on if I am having a hard day.

Thanks for all the questions that were emailed this morning. I will email each one of you back with answers. Keep the questions coming!!

Happy Wednesday!

Eat To Live

It's so common in today's world to eat for pleasure, for celebration, or for comfort. What about eating to live?

Have we lost sight of what food is really for? Food is for survival, to live, to be able to accomplish what we need to do in our lives.

If we start changing our thinking about food and it's real purpose, maybe we can learn to eat healthier.
If you eat to live instead of living to eat, then you can better understand what purpose food has inside your body, for your health and life.

For example, when you eat an orange you can think of it as a way of feeding your body through it's high levels of vitamin C which helps your bodies immune system fight off disease & viruses, or the fact that vitamin C helps you absorb more iron.

Once you learn this concept and apply it, then it can be applied in the opposite direction. When you consume a basket of french fries you can begin to realized the negative affect it has on your body. The fact that the grease it was fried in is actually suppressing your immune system and clogging your arteries, and eventually will make you sick.

Every bite you take will becomes a series of questions to you. How is this food going to make me healthy? Help me get through my day with the energy that I need? Fight off disease & viruses?

Try out this concept of really using food as a way of surviving, feeding your body what it needs vs. what you want.

Eat to live don't live to eat!

Happy Monday!