Wow it has been over a month since my last post! I actually have a few recipes I've been wanting to share but life just gets so busy. However today I couldn't wait to jump on here and record my amazing experience of a visit I had with a chiropractor/naturopath. I went in for a pinch in my back that I've had for a week and got the recommendation for this particular guy from my trusty Dr. Lucy. Aside from getting help with my back I couldn't wait to talk with a health professional who has been helping people for over 30 years. A little bit daunting considering I have some very strong views that don't exactly match up with what the majority population thinks but I knew if Lucy recommended him we would probably see eye to eye. I couldn't have imagined how well I would connect with this wise, lively, 60 year old fit triathlete. Talk about practice what you preach. How refreshing it was to speak to someone with his knowledge and experience and be validated in every single one of my opinions. How comforting to be given a high five when I told him I stopped vaccinating my kids. We even talked on a very deep personal/religious level (not on purpose but somehow the conversation went there, holistically its all connected right) and agree 100%. The one thing I thought we would disagree on is being vegetarian. I thought for sure he would advocate eating meat everyday and I was ready with my defense. Not even close! As he confirmed to me that animal protein is an inferior protein source, it is a very small percentage of nutrients that need to be met on a daily basis and can easily be reached through eating plants only. Even taking it a step further acknowledging I should stay away from dairy (which is my one weakness that basically holds me back from being vegan). Our enthusiasm was mutual as I'm sure he wasn't expecting to meet someone like me today. In his own words, "You are the perfect patient, it's rare I get to just fine tune someone." I know how self absorbed this post must sound and I'm really not trying to toot my own horn. It just feels good to connect with an experienced health expert who totally understands me and basically validates all these "crazy" ideas I have, including everything I have shared on this blog thus far. I certainly don't need his validation, I know how good I feel with my lifestyle choices and I am confident in the knowledge I have gained about how the body functions and how to best maintain it, but it still feels nice.
He also practices Iridology which I have been so interested in since I heard about it several months ago. So I had my eyes read and he pinpointed a few areas that can be the most problematic for me. It was really interesting to learn how the eyes tell all.
Oh AND he fixed my back haha! I've never been to a chiropractor in my life! I was a tiny bit scared getting cracked in all these places I didn't know could crack, but boy did I feel good walking out of there. The pinch is all but gone and I just need to follow a few recommendations to keep improving it. I really can't say enough good things about this guy and it is such a relief to know that there are other people like me that exist but with 30+ years of experience and perspective. You can tell he really does this job to help people. If the old run down office they operate from, or the additional half hour he spent with me while other patients waited didn't give that away, his kind and loving spirit certainly did. Thank you Dr. Johnston!
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
Favorite Snack - Kale Chips
These are really popular at our house. Even Thurston who is my picky eater LOVES them. One huge tray is never enough either!
Healthy, easy and so YUMMY! Here's proof...
Kale Chips
1 bunch kale - torn into chip size pieces
1Tbs Olive oil or other plant oil of choice
Salt
Nutritional yeast
Preheat oven to 350 F. Drizzle olive oil over kale leaves and toss so that they are evenly coated. Spread out evenly over a baking tray making sure that none of the leave overlap. Sprinkle salt and nutritional yeast or any other seasoning and spices you like over the top. I've also used garlic powder and pepper in the past which was really good. Bake for 15-20 minutes until crispy.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Best Granola Bars
My sister Lucy brought these to a family reunion we had a few weeks ago. I could not stop eating them! Best part is they are healthy and even the kids go crazy over them! Get the recipe HERE. This website has turned into one of my favorites for healthy meal ideas.
Friday, July 18, 2014
I'm coming out...
One month ago I became a vegetarian. More specifically a lacto-ovo-vegetarian since I have decided to continue to eat eggs and dairy products. I decided to write this post not only for my own journal sake but to also explain why I've gone down this path. I don't think I need to justify this lifestyle to anyone, but I think it is useful information for family and friends who wonder how or why I decided this. If you read this blog you may remember I set a goal at the beginning of this year to only buy meat that was grass-fed, free-range, organic etc. I think pursuing that goal has really opened my eyes and pushed me in this direction. So far it hasn't been a difficult transition as I haven't been eating very much meat anyway. I am not writing this post to change anyone's mind about eating animals! I simply want others to see the perspective I have gained that caused me to make a lifestyle change.
I do believe animals, just like anything created on the earth, was created for our use. However I also believe in only using what you NEED. The definition of need is to "require (something) because it is essential or very important." Is eating animal flesh essential or important to me or to my health? No. Are there times in history and even in other cultures today that need to use animals for food and other resources? Absolutely. I would kill and eat an animal if I needed to. However in the society I live in, it is completely unnecessary as there is an abundance of food available at every grocery store.
In addition to it being an unnecessary food source, I also believe meat to be an inferior source of nutrition compared to plants. Animal meat is thought to be the best source for protein (which is simply chains of amino acids). While meat does contain all 20 of the different amino acids, human genetics do not require us to eat all 20 at one single meal nor does it require an over abundance of this nutrient. Eating a variety of fruit, vegetables, grains and legumes will give the body all the protein (aka amino acids) it needs. It makes sense when you look at other species of mammals, such as the elephant or rhinoceros, who do not require animal protein to sustain cell growth either. Meat is also not digested as easily as plants and in the long run can have severe consequences on the liver and digestive system.
All animals have a purpose on this earth. If you study an ecosystem you can see how each species keeps the other species of plants and animals in balance. The sole purpose of animals on this earth is not to be a food source for humans. Especially if keeping them as a food source means these animals are required to suffer their entire life before sending them to a violent death. Also known as factory farming, this method of raising animals for food has grown into a multibillion dollar industry where the animals have no rights and brutally suffer and die on a very large scale. The secrecy of this industry is proof that they do not want the public to know how these animals are dealt with. That secrecy is also protected by laws so that to even set foot on one of these remote properties without authorization can be prosecuted like an act of terrorism. As a consumer I should have every right to look into any factory and see how a product is being made. It's not just the animals that suffer from this practice but also the quality of meat as a result of poor unnatural diet, routine antibiotics, steroids, and cramped unsanitary living conditions, all of which ends up in the meat for human consumption. Even companies label grass-fed, organic, and free range, have loop holes protected by law. Mass production of animals is also an inefficient use of resources. For example it takes more than 2,400 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat, compared to growing 1 pound of wheat which only takes 25 gallons. That means a person could save more water by not eating a pound of meat than they could by not showering for 6 months! The amount of water and feed it takes to grow the animals could be used to feed the entire world twice over. The abuse to the animals and to our planet is across the board, and for what? Not because it is the only way to raise animals for food or because it produces the best quality food, but so the large corporations can maximize profits.
After knowing what I know, I simply could not continue to support this industry for the sake of social acceptance. Humans are not the only species who feel love, compassion, pain, pleasure, fear, and happiness. I choose to no longer discriminate between species who I would love and protect (like a family pet) and those who I eat. They are the same to me and both deserve to live a life free from unnecessary suffering and pain.
As you can imagine, this all came as a HUGE shock to my husband who is an avid meat enthusiast. Definitely in his top 3 favorite things to eat (it may even be #1). When I came out to him, I asked him to watch one video about the subject because I thought it would make it easier for him to accept these changes if he could really understand my perspective, even if he didn't want to change or stop eating meat. I had to ask him three different nights and he finally agreed just so I would stop asking him! The video did change his perspective. Not enough to stop eating meat, but enough to fully support me in my decision. For those interested you can watch that same video HERE.
I do believe animals, just like anything created on the earth, was created for our use. However I also believe in only using what you NEED. The definition of need is to "require (something) because it is essential or very important." Is eating animal flesh essential or important to me or to my health? No. Are there times in history and even in other cultures today that need to use animals for food and other resources? Absolutely. I would kill and eat an animal if I needed to. However in the society I live in, it is completely unnecessary as there is an abundance of food available at every grocery store.
In addition to it being an unnecessary food source, I also believe meat to be an inferior source of nutrition compared to plants. Animal meat is thought to be the best source for protein (which is simply chains of amino acids). While meat does contain all 20 of the different amino acids, human genetics do not require us to eat all 20 at one single meal nor does it require an over abundance of this nutrient. Eating a variety of fruit, vegetables, grains and legumes will give the body all the protein (aka amino acids) it needs. It makes sense when you look at other species of mammals, such as the elephant or rhinoceros, who do not require animal protein to sustain cell growth either. Meat is also not digested as easily as plants and in the long run can have severe consequences on the liver and digestive system.
All animals have a purpose on this earth. If you study an ecosystem you can see how each species keeps the other species of plants and animals in balance. The sole purpose of animals on this earth is not to be a food source for humans. Especially if keeping them as a food source means these animals are required to suffer their entire life before sending them to a violent death. Also known as factory farming, this method of raising animals for food has grown into a multibillion dollar industry where the animals have no rights and brutally suffer and die on a very large scale. The secrecy of this industry is proof that they do not want the public to know how these animals are dealt with. That secrecy is also protected by laws so that to even set foot on one of these remote properties without authorization can be prosecuted like an act of terrorism. As a consumer I should have every right to look into any factory and see how a product is being made. It's not just the animals that suffer from this practice but also the quality of meat as a result of poor unnatural diet, routine antibiotics, steroids, and cramped unsanitary living conditions, all of which ends up in the meat for human consumption. Even companies label grass-fed, organic, and free range, have loop holes protected by law. Mass production of animals is also an inefficient use of resources. For example it takes more than 2,400 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat, compared to growing 1 pound of wheat which only takes 25 gallons. That means a person could save more water by not eating a pound of meat than they could by not showering for 6 months! The amount of water and feed it takes to grow the animals could be used to feed the entire world twice over. The abuse to the animals and to our planet is across the board, and for what? Not because it is the only way to raise animals for food or because it produces the best quality food, but so the large corporations can maximize profits.
After knowing what I know, I simply could not continue to support this industry for the sake of social acceptance. Humans are not the only species who feel love, compassion, pain, pleasure, fear, and happiness. I choose to no longer discriminate between species who I would love and protect (like a family pet) and those who I eat. They are the same to me and both deserve to live a life free from unnecessary suffering and pain.
As you can imagine, this all came as a HUGE shock to my husband who is an avid meat enthusiast. Definitely in his top 3 favorite things to eat (it may even be #1). When I came out to him, I asked him to watch one video about the subject because I thought it would make it easier for him to accept these changes if he could really understand my perspective, even if he didn't want to change or stop eating meat. I had to ask him three different nights and he finally agreed just so I would stop asking him! The video did change his perspective. Not enough to stop eating meat, but enough to fully support me in my decision. For those interested you can watch that same video HERE.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
DIY Deodorant
I came across a really easy and cheap recipe for deodorant a couple months ago and have been using it ever since! If you are fussy about how smoothly your deodorant goes on, this might not be for you. However if you are more concerned with the chemicals and/or metals that might be lurking in your traditional store bought deodorant then this is the prefect homemade solution for you! My sister and I have a running theme lately when we talk about new makeup or products that we find and we always ask "could you eat it"? Basically if you wouldn't eat it, you probably shouldn't put it on your skin. Skin is the barrier protecting the rest of our organs but it also happens to be pretty absorbent and while our skin does its best to keep the majority of substances and microscopic particles out of the body, it is impossible to keep all toxins out. Over time a build-up of toxins can cause other health problems, including cancer which in recent studies has shown a correlation between deodorant and breast cancer. This easy to make alternative has 3 ingredients that you probably have in your house right now....cornstarch, coconut oil and baking soda. I also added a couple drops of lemon essential oil for fragrance. Like I said it doesn't roll on like normal deodorant, you have to rub it in with your fingers but so far it has worked fantastic for me and I won't be going back to the store-bought stuff anytime soon!
To get the recipe click HERE
(BONUS! This is one of my favorite blogs. It's basically a family blog written about their everyday life, but the author has the most hilarious wit and is able to see the humor in everyday situations)
Friday, May 30, 2014
Summer Salad
Prepping a few lunches the other day and decided I better blog this yummy salad. Its kind of a rip off of a Paradise Bakery salad and is one of my favorites this summer!
Summer Salad
Spring Mix Lettuce
Alfalfa Sprouts
Avocado
Apple
Blueberries
Feta
Walnuts
Poppy Seed Dressing
1/4 Cup Extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tbsp Honey
1 Tsp Poppy Seeds
Pour dressing ingredients into a jar and shake until combined. You can play around with the ratio of ingredients if you like it sweeter etc. I put the measurements here as a reference but rarely do I measure out ingredients for a dressing. I rather use the taste and adjust method! Also this recipe only makes enough for about 3 or 4 salads so you might want to increase the ratios to make more and then store it. I am always changing my dressing and I really like it best when its fresh so I only make a little at a time. Drizzle over Summer Salad and enjoy!
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Mediterranean Spaghetti Squash
Mediterranean Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients:
1 small to medium spaghetti squash
Dried Italian Herbs
extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 zucchini, diced
1 Cup Kale (torn into bite size pieces)
1 can artichokes in water, cut into quarters1/2 Cup marinated sundried tomatoes, roughly chopped
Pepitas
Feta cheese
Salt and Pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut Squash in half length ways and remove seeds. Place on a baking tray cut side up, spray with non-stick cooking spray and then sprinkle with italian herbs, salt and pepper. Bake 45 min-1 hour until soft. While the squash cools down prepare the rest of the ingredients. In a large pan sauté onions, garlic and zucchini in olive oil on medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes. Turn heat down to low and add kale, artichokes and sundries tomatoes. Now shred the spaghetti squash by combing through it with a fork and add to the pan with the other ingredients. Stir another 4-5 minutes until everything is well mixed and heated through. To serve top with feta cheese and pepitas. Delish!!
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