12.31.2010

Happy New Year 2011

Well, another year has passed by...how quickly time flies when your busy and having fun! Our little family certainly has had it's challenges this year, but as always, you learn and grow from life's experiences. I feel that this year, more then ever, we "made alot of lemonade, when life threw us those lemons!". However, we are so blessed on so many levels - we have a smart, healthy, adorable baby boy; a loving and supportive family; and many wonderful and exciting career opportunities. And, we are so thankful that we have eachother; a strong and loving marriage keeps us positive during times of discouragement.

Our family's resolutions include buying our dehydrator and starting to make our our crackers, chips, granola, cookies and more! This is a great way to know EXACTLY what is in your food and keep it healthy. The other is to add more running and biking to our routine, now that it is cooler out. Nolan will be starting preschool 2-3 mornings a week, Avery will be starting his new job and I will work on continuing to grow my business and continue my education. Good things are happening!

Tonight will be a quite one, as our family spends some much needed quality time alone. We will reflect back on 2010, say good-bye to this year of our lives...and welcome 2011 with open arms!

Prenatal Fitness Video

12.27.2010

Family Yoga @ the Civic Center

Family Yoga at the PSL Civic Center on Saturday, December 11, 2010. Awesome day with some great families. We are looking to do this class more regular, possibly once a month or more! This class is for all ages, approx. 5 years old and up! Moms, dads, teens, grandparents...anyone can partcipate. Come ready to laugh and have fun! Here are some pics...










12.20.2010

Beat the Flu - Naturally!

This is a great article! I have added my own comments to it (in red). Our family has been following these recommendations along with others for several years now. Although both my husband and I work with the public all day everyday, we never get the flu! And, if we feel the onset of a cold coming on, we beat it - naturally - within a few days. No missed work or doctor visits (two expenses that most people can not afford!) Nolan has also never been sick, even though he is also around people everyday and in a daycare often. Staying healthy is not because of "luck" or "good genes". It is because you take an active role in your health and make proper lifestyle choices. Educate and empower.

The following message was written by Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist), having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial, etc. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W):

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is. While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu): 1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications). Remember regular soap and warm water for 60 sec is all it takes. Don't over do it with the "antibacterial" soaps or wipes/hand sanitizers. They dry out your skin, causing microscopic cracks in the skin for bacteria to enter the body. They also kill the "good" bacteria on your skin that we need to stay well. 2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap). 3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method. You can also gargle with warm water and a drop of Tea Tree oil - a natural anti-bacterial product. 4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at using a Neti pot, but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton swabs dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.* A Neti Pot costs about $10.00  - well worth it and easy to use! 5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption. On a side note, you should always be eating nutrient-dense food to keep immune system healthy. Avoid sugars, or anything with a lot of sugar in it. It will suppress your immune system even more! Especially when you are getting sick, load up of fresh, raw greens, beets, carrots, berries. 6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can - sans sugar!  *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm. Hot water with a bit of lemon will ward off bacteria and soothe the throat. Six simple steps to stay healthy!

On top of that - get plenty of sleep, de-stress (yoga does wonders!), eat well ( a green smoothie a day will keep the flu away!), exercise everyday and get regular chiropractic adjustments, especially if you feel a cold coming on. Remember, the nervous system controls everything in the body; every cell, muscle, tissue and organ, including the immune system. Chiropractors are expects of the nervous system, which is housed in the spine...eat well, move well, think well...

Our family does not get the flu shot. We have not done that for the past 15+ years. I personally think it is a waste of time, money and actually does more harm then good. I'm sure the CDC does their best, but there are over 600 strains of the flu and they can only put what they suspect will be the top few strains for that year in the vaccine. Are vaccines really safe? Is the exposure to mercury, aluminum and other harmful chemicals really worth not getting the flu (which you probably will get anyway, even if you DO get the vaccine, but DON'T follow the above advice!) It is OK to get sick - you actually build up your immune system that way.

12.17.2010

Holiday Pumpkin Pie

I love when I can bake something completely homemade. I love that is usually does not look "perfect", as some of the store bought items so, as it is a work of art. I love that I know exactly what is in it and I can substitute ingredients as needed for my family. And, I love that I am eating REAL food! My goal this year to eat more raw, and with my Christmas gift a dehydrator, I am excited to meet that goal head-on!
I just made this Pumpkin Pie! It is so good, and so easy. Do not use that Libby stuff, or a premade pie crust. Use the real thing - your body will thank you!


Vegan Pumpkin Pie

20 min prep / 1 hour cooking + pumpkin cooking time (45min) + pie crust cook time (10 min)

1 medium Pumpkin (1 ¾ C cooked)
¾ C Almond butter
¼ C Almond/rice milk
¼ C Maple syrup
¼ C Sucanat or organic sugar
2 Tbl Arrowroot powder
½ tsp Vanilla extract
¼ tsp Cardamom ground
¼ tsp Cinnamon ground
¼ tsp Nutmeg ground

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cut pumpkin in half and remove the seeds. Place face down on a well oiled or parchment paper lined baking pan. Bake until a knife easily goes through the skin and the flesh of the pumpkin, approximately 45 minutes.

2. While Pumpkin is cooking, make pie crust.

2 C Spent Flour
1/4 C Sucanat or Organic Sugar
1 Tbl Arrowroot powder
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Cardamom ground
1/4 tsp Sea Salt, or to taste
1/3 C Oil (coconut or olive)
2 Tbl Maple Syrup
2 Tbl Apple Juice
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Mix dry ingredients together in large bowl. Mix wet ingredients in separate bowl. Add wet to dry, mixing well with hands, making sure all ingredients are well blended. Press into the bottom of 9"pie tin. Bake for 10 min.


2. When pumpkin is done, scoop out approx. 1 ¾ C pumpkin, place in food processor or blender with remaining ingredients and process or blend until smooth.

3. Pour mixture into pie crust and bake until top is firm to touch, approximately 1 hour. Filling may puff up and rise above crust line as it bakes. It will fall back down as it cools.

ENJOY!!

Vegan Fusion World Cuisine: Extraordinary Recipes & Timeless Wisdom from the Celebrated Blossoming Lotus Restaurants

12.14.2010

Healthy, Delicious Comfort Food

Here is another tummy-warming dish we made last night. Super easy, and super healthy. You can increase/decrease the quantities depending on how much you want to make.

(1) Cup dry Quinoa or Rice
(1) Whole Yam
(1-2) Chicken Breasts
Onions/Scallions
Can or Dried Cannolli Bean (or any other beans you like)

Cook the Quinoa. Dice and boil the Yam until medium soft (not mushy). In large frying pan or wok, add coconut oil and start to cook chicken. When the chicken is about half cooked, add in onions/scallions, any other veggies you like (broccoli is great!), quinoa/rice and yams. Add in about 2 tbs. Lemon Juice (or more if needed), Curry Powder, Cinnamon and Cayenne Powder to taste. (We like it spicy!!) Stir well, cover and let cook. More spices can be added as it cooks. When chicken is completely done, remove from heat and ENJOY!!!

The Quinoa, Beans and Chicken are a great source of protein. Since protein breaks down more slowly in the body, it generates energy (and HEAT!) for a longer time. All the spices are ANTI-CANCER, and the Yam has tons of fiber, Vitamin A and C. Nolan loved this....and hubby and I enjoyed it with a beer!