My yummy lunch

I try to do as little carbs as possible. It's not so easy when we eat out so I try my best to eat this way when we're home. When the warm white rolls at a restaurant are staring you in the face it's VERY tempting. So for the most part we don't eat out, it's much cheaper, much healthier and it makes the times we do super special and fun for us! You should see the kids excitement when we say we're going out! I have a feeling our overindulging of Restaurants in our today times is also not such a good thing besides just because of the food.
I use the 80/20 rule in our home. 80% we eat 'clean'..unprocessed, organic food and 20% is left for eating out and birthday parties (which seem to be ALL the time since my kids are school age now, LOL)
I have heard friends say things like 'I only live once, why care?' and 'It's FDA approved and recommended, its gotta be fine for us'.
Well, I don't agree. Maybe at one point I'll know how to organize my thousands of thoughts to share 'why' through this blog. :-)

My recipes and dishes have to be simple otherwise I won't cook. That's just me. If you are looking for some wonderful creative, thousand ingredient recipes, you won't find them here either... Believe it or not Healthy and Quick can be used in the same sentence, PROMISE! We don't use boxed foods..Everything I share will be simple...very very simple and AFFORDABLE! :-)

Here is a delicious dish I made up in less than 7 minutes today!

Two handfuls of frozen organic greenbeans in a pan with Extra virgin olive oil and a half cup or so of water...(COSTCO has AWESOME FROZEN ORGANIC green beans..great price!) Let the green beans steam until they are soft and cooked..you'll want to use a wooden spoon or something and toss them a little. Add either powdered garlic or cloved garlic (I've done both) and Salt (USE SEA SALT! IMO the best salt is Himalayan Salt (Sprouts carries it). Add chopped From the Vine Tomatoes (Costco has them, they are Pesticide free and taste so yummy!)
Add a couple slices (I just rip it into little pieces with my hands) Chicken or Turkey deli meat(NITRATE free, Trader Joes and Sprouts)
Add Mozzarella Cheese (Costco has a huge bag of hormone free mozzarella cheese)
to your liking, put the lid on until it melts...
There ya have it...
It's so yummy and SO healthy. And just about 2-3 servings of Vegi's.
PS: If you aren't to the STEP yet where you are ready to change your vegis to Organic, or your Salt to Sea Salt...then BE where YOU are. And that is PERFECT. SMALL STEPS.
ENJOY!
Have a peaceful day!

STEVIA ideas

I received a bunch of questions since the last post about Stevia...phone calls, emails and facebook posts, I'm thrilled to share these ideas with you! It feels so good to help you all take some 'Small Steps'. Only through small steps can we make big LASTING changes to our lives. THANK YOU for showing enthusiasm for my blog. It means a ton!

Here are some of the Q&A regarding my Stevia (Healthy Soda) post below:

Is Stevia healthy for you?
Stevia has been around for ages...many tests have been done to make sure it is healthy for human consumption. From the studies I've read, never has anyone had adverse effects. Its like drinking herbal teas.
Stevia does not effect your blood sugar levels. NICE! Sugar (in most all forms glucose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, invert sugar, white sugar, even honey and Agave (newly studied) raise insulin levels way too high for our bodies to stay healthy. If you are interested in this, please google Insulin Resistance Causes, Symptoms. Most of us on the typical American diet have Insulin Resistance. Anyone use stimulants like coffee to 'wake up', crave sugar for a temporary energy boost only to need more a few hours later? This is a huge indicator! Insulin Resistance if it continues can develop into Diabetes. Our society is becoming more Diabetic all the time. If this article I recently read is correct, it is predicted that 1 in 4 children will have Type 2 diabetes in the next decade. CRAZY! This is highly preventable! Its our sugar laden diets (high carbs included) and the beginning of this problem starts with Insulin Resistance. Friends, this is a huge deal...and moms...you can help your family with SMALL STEPS.

Can I buy Stevia in bulk to get it cheaper?
I haven't found it yet. AND I really wish they made the bottles with flavors in smaller so we could try them all before committing to buying such a big bottle. Maybe soon!
GOOD NEWS though. SPROUTS will take it back if you don't like it!!! Keep your receipt and don't use half the bottle and return it! HAHA..They are soooo good about returns! They are about 11.00 a bottle. This might sound like a lot but it is soooo cheap! Its an initial investment that last 4 months or so in our cupboard and we use it all the time. Its VERY concentrated, you only need an average of 5 drops in 12 oz or so...depending on how sweet you like it.

What else do you use Stevia for?
I use Stevia a lot. I love sweet. Who doesn't? Thats why we are addicted to sugar right? Yup. The darn cravings.

Here are some ideas:
Everyone has to have 'feel good' addictions..things we look forward to daily to make us "HAPPY". LOL I know you understand.

Iced Green Tea from AJS- (already made behind the pastry case, yup you have to resist the pastry temptation- hehe) I go there all the time and take my bottle of Stevia in my purse and make SWEET tea...I love it and it hits the spot!
AJs also has a tea called HIBISCUS RASBERRY HERBAL TEA, it is made by China Mist and it is already sweetend with STEVIA LEAVES! When I first saw it at AJS, they told me it was sweetend with Stevia, I was in total disbelief...so I researched it on the China Mist website...sure enough its really STEVIA! AWESOME!! We have hope! LOL!

Yogurt- I buy PLAIN Greek Yogurt (make sure it is cultured). I add plain Stevia, some blueberries or other fruits and some sunflower seeds. DELISH! If you aren't into the Sunflower seeds...leave em off. The point is I am eating sweet yogurt without the TON of sugar most yogurts have in them!

There are many other things I use it for....think through what all you add sugar to...if you need help on how much or other thoughts regarding consistancy...ask...I will share my experience with you!

Regarding the HEALTHY SODA! You can use CLUB SODA...its much cheaper if you like.
Also, HINT HINT....most soda machines at restaurants have SODA WATER as a little lever on the machine...ask for a water cup, bring your favorite stevia flavor and there you have SODA for your kids (and you!) while dining out. It's cheaper too! Many restaurants also carry Perrier, Pellegrino now...even Starbucks (oh and they have wonderful iced green tea too! Ask for it unsweetened and add your stevia)

God bless your journey... Remember Small Steps can make a HUGE difference.
With love I write....

Healthy SODA

I try and keep my family away from Sugar. Insulin Resistance (IMO) is a huge problem in our society today and most people have symptoms from it and don't know it stems from this problem. Headaches, obesity, ADD, developing diabites, anxiety, depression and so many more conditions are (IMO) symptoms of Insulin Resistance.

My kids get very little sugar. I don't want to deprive them so I am constantly and persistantly on the search for alternatives to where they feel they are not 'left out'. Our soda consumed world doesn't help with this challenge...BUT I have found a great alternative and its really AMAZING! ASK MY KIDS!

Stevia is a South American herb that has been used as a sweetener by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay for hundreds of years. The leaves of this small, green Stevia rebaudiana plant have a delicious and refreshing taste that can be 30 times sweeter than sugar. (check out Stevia.com)

They have made FLAVORS!!!! Way cool! We started with just the regular not flavored Stevia years ago.

I have bought GRAPE and VANILLA CREME. They have about 10 flavors.

I buy sparkling water (I love Pellegrino) at Costco....add a few drops of Stevia and there you go...GRAPE SODA and CREME SODA...and it ROCKS!

NO sugar....and my kids ask for SODA now....and I'm happy to give it to them!

Protein shakes

My favorite protein shakes....
Many of you know the massive amount of shakes and protein powders there are out in the market...what to choose???
My biggest thing is finding the purest formula's possible.
Here is my favorite, purest protein shake that I have passed on and have had great feedback!

1 scoop MRM Whey Protein powder (you can find it at Sprouts) Vanilla is my preferred choice.
5-6 Organic Frozen Strawberries (or any fruit)(cheapest and best ones I've found yet from Trader Joes)
1 scoop Flax seed (Costco has a wonderful Flaxseed, its the most powdered form I've found without loosing its nutritional value)
8oz Coconut milk (unsweetened) (you can find it at Sprouts,it's in the cold section, in a carton and the brand is "SO".)

Put it all in the blender and there you have it.
This is SOOOOO yummy. It my breakfast and afternoon snack.

Think 'pure' when you shop...it will help you in your choices for the best foods. :-) I hope you like it!