Winter is here, bringing cold and flu season. But that doesn’t mean you have to get sick. If you are giving your body what it needs to boost your immune system, it will take care of the rest! I find that the morning is the easiest time to set up an immune-boosting routine. 8 Daily Immune Boosters 1. Start with a BIG dose of Vitamin C Every morning I have a cup of hot lemon water, followed by Zija Moringa drink. In the winter months, I make sure to have a smoothie loaded with immune boosting ...
Healthy Snacks to Fuel The Body
Hello friends! Last week, I talked about why it was important to incorporate more raw plant-based foods into your diet. Why? Because I know that plant-based foods can be so protective for the body - keeping it vibrant and free from disease. And another reason: I’m human - some of the summer temptations have triumphed over my good intentions. I am going to use the month of August as a launching pad to get back in shape and have a healthy routine in place before jumping into the ever-busy ...
Gluten-Free, Nut-Free and Dairy-free Baking!
Amy is baking "without" this week: come taste the delicious results! -- Denise When my family went gluten-free last year, I started to notice that many gluten-free products weren’t nut- or soy- or dairy-free. Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem, but I also began to realize how many children have nut allergies or soy-sensitivity and how many adults are eating less dairy. My son couldn’t sit at the allergy table because he was usually bringing nut-based foods to school. Living gluten-free ...
Overindulged? 3 Strategies to Get Back On Track
We have all been there before - holidays, vacations, and parties add up and before we know it, we have had too many sweets, rich foods or cocktails. Celebrating with family and friends is always good but there comes a time when we need to return to our healthy routine. These are three strategies that I use when I need to get back on track. It is also how I like to start my Mondays. 1. Go Green! Start your morning with a Green Smoothie - to give your body a jolt of power nutrients that is easy ...
Gluten-Free Pantry
Amy's admiring her pantry this week. Come see what she's doing right! -- Denise My family recently celebrated our gluten-free anniversary. Looking back at the changes we have made during the past year has been pretty awe-inspiring. The idea of keeping our home completely gluten-free was daunting at first but now it seems like the “same old, same old.” And having two celiacs who are symptom free? Awesome. What were our tricks to success? 1. Get a clean start The most important thing we ...
Detox Day One
Curried Butternut Squash Stew I have always loved food and cooking. I still remember my very first Peanut's Cook Book and making Lucy’s Lemon Squares for my dad every Father's Day. When I became a nurse, I started learning more about the link between food and health. But it wasn’t until I became a mom that I started thinking of food as medicine. We lead such busy lives that committing to healthy habits can be a real challenge. Believe me, I know first-hand! To stay consistent, I created ...
Let Go, Lose Weight
For Christians, early spring brings the 40 days of Lent. As a kid, I didn’t look forward to it. Lent began with ashes on your forehead and having to give up candy for what seemed like forever! Now, I actually look forward to it. It’s a time to be quiet, reflect and let go of some of the routines or habits that can inhibit true personal and spiritual growth. This year, I gave up alcohol for Lent. I will admit that I was a little scared that I couldn’t stick to it. Would I have as much fun at ...
Why I Eat Goji Berries
And Why You Should, Too! Ever wonder how I came up with my recipe for Dark Chocolate Goji Bark? As you may know, I don’t like to eat anything unless it is jammed with healing nutrients and delicious. Why waste the time and calories if it’s not going to benefit my body? At the time, I was trying to create a healthy sweet, just a little something for the end of a meal. Dark chocolate is a sweet you want to eat because it contains potent antioxidants called flavanols. These flavanols help to ...
A New Year’s Celebration to a Healthier You!
I am so looking forward to the new year. I love the celebration with friends and family, followed by time spent on deciding my intentions for the year ahead. Once I know my goals, I love finding ways to kick start the new year. As you ring in 2014, here are some new recipes and traditions that I hope will bring you health and prosperity. For your New Year’s Eve Celebration, Pomegranate Champagne Punch is a great starter. When hosting a dinner or celebration, I like to greet my guests with a ...
3 Tips for a Healthy Holiday
Winter is upon us -- brrrr! Cold weather coupled with the busy holiday season can be taxing on our immune system, which can cause us to get sick, leaving us not so jolly. Although there are many great strategies and power foods to strengthen your immune system, today we will focus on my top three, specifically designed to keep you healthy during the often hectic holiday season. 1. Lather Up! Washing your hands is crucial for preventing illness -- get in the habit before leaving a public ...