healthy – Page 2 – Healthy and Hopeful

Gluten-Free Baby Shower

Published on March 6, 2016March 6, 2016 by Christine1 Comment

This weekend I hosted a baby shower for a friend who is allergic to gluten. We wanted her to be able to eat everything at her own shower without worry, so we created a completely gluten-free spread for the event.

In case you are hosting for a bride or mama with this same allergy, I thought I would share the menu we put together. While it certainly wasn’t sugar-free, we had plenty of healthier options to choose from. Plus, it was all super easy to put together so you won’t be in the kitchen prepping all day.

Chicken & Waffle Skewers – My friend thought up this brilliant, easy idea – find gluten-free chicken tenders and gluten-free waffles in the frozen food section. Toast them in the oven then cut into bite-sized pieces and alternate on a mini skewer or toothpick. Serve with hot syrup or honey.

Veggies & Hummus

Fruit & Dip – For a healthier alternative to the classic cream cheese + marshmallow fluff dip, mix 2 cups vanilla yogurt with 1/2 cup honey and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Serve with your favorite fresh fruit.

Gluten-Free Mini Oatmeal Raisin Cookies – found in the baked goods section at Whole Foods

and a beautiful “Naked” Cake!

I’m usually not a fan of baking because I don’t have the patience to follow recipes, but this cake was super easy! I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Vanilla Cake Mix and prepared according to the directions, baking in 2 9-inch diameter cake pans. I used coconut oil instead of toxic vegetable oil. The cake was super moist and didn’t taste at all gluten-free.

Once the cake cooled, I pulled them out of the pans and placed in the freezer for 30-45 minutes – this makes the cake easier to cut and frost. In the meantime, I made some buttercream frosting. I used this recipe because it calls only for butter and no shortening. I added about double the milk and double the vanilla it called for to make it a bit creamier and more spreadable.

When I pulled the cakes out of the freezer, I cut each in half so that I could have 4 cake layers. Then, I spread frosting in between each layer. Once I had all four layers stacked, I ran my knife around the outside to smooth out the edges a bit, without covering the cake completely, giving it that “naked” effect.

For drinks, we had yummy sparkling Italian sodas for the mama to drink, served in champagne glasses. And for the guests who weren’t pregnant, we had some local Peach & Grapefruit Deep Eddy Vodka(not gluten-free) to add – if you haven’t tried these yet, they are super delicious!

Happy Hosting!

Do You Breakfast?

Published on April 16, 2015April 16, 2015 by Christine3 Comments

Breakfast is, by far, my favorite meal of the day. If I didn’t have to rush out the door each morning for work, I’d take the time to prepare poached eggs, migas or cinnamon french toast with strawberries (paired with a coconut milk cappuccino or mimosa, of course!). Getting to enjoy breakfast is one of my favorite parts of vacation and the weekends.

But reality is most of us just don’t have time for that. Most of you, I can imagine, skip breakfast altogether most mornings. I’m sure you’ve heard it time and again, but breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. It jump starts your metabolism, gives you energy, and prevents the hunger that puts you in a bad mood or causes you to overeat later in the day. Plus, a healthy breakfast gives your body the best chance of absorbing those vitamins and minerals more easily at the start of the day, cutting down on your cravings later.

When my doctor told me last Fall that I needed to add 80 grams of protein into my diet each day, I knew that I would have to find a way to increase my intake at breakfast. I thought I would share a few of my quick go-to favorites for those of you looking to mix up your routine:

Poached Eggs on Sprouted Wheat Toast with Avocado

If you have an egg poaching pan, this option is as fast and easy as boiling an egg. While the eggs are cooking, I toast a piece of sprouted wheat bread (read why here), slather with organic butter or coconut oil and then top with sliced avocado. It takes me about 7 minutes total to throw together this delicious, filling meal.

On a side note, I always make sure to buy free-range, organic, soy-free eggs because they are the most nutrient-dense. I get this local brand at Whole Foods/Natural Grocers and love them; you truly can taste the freshness: Coyote Creek Farms.

Egg Bacon Muffins

I originally found this recipe on one of my favorite health blogs, Wellness Mama, and I love its versatility. It is so incredibly easy to mix up a batch and throw in whatever extra vegetables are in your fridge. Also, bacon! I will make these on Sunday night for the week. I usually eat a couple of these at a time – wrap them in foil and warm a few minutes in the toaster oven, then eat them in the car. If you want to nix the bacon for whatever crazy reason, you can also just whip up some eggs, throw in some diced veggies and bake in muffin tins for mini frittatas.

“Bento Box”

This is another one of those easy make-ahead options that you can put in a container to grab on your way out the door. Simply boil a couple of eggs (can’t boil an egg? try this!), throw in a few berries for an antioxidant boost and then I add a muffin or two that I’ve baked on Sunday. This gluten-free banana muffin is one of my favorite & totally healthy recipes – you can add in a couple tablespoons raw honey if you like it sweeter or some dark chocolate chips and nuts for some texture.

Greek Yogurt & Grain-Free Granola

Greek Yogurt is a yummy way to get some great protein in the AM with 15 g in 1 cup. I personally love the Wallaby brand made with organic whole milk from pasture-raised cows and no artificial ingredients. Then, I top with some grain-free granola and fresh berries. I recently found this Wildway Granola at Whole Foods and fell in love… it’s not cheap but it’s packed with fiber & protein (8g), is completely raw, has no added sweeteners. It is made entirely of fruit, nuts, and seeds, so is gluten-free, paleo and truly the healthiest pre-made version of granola you can buy. P.S. I also love this as a late night protein snack to help me fall asleep.

GoMacro Bars

If you want an option with zero prep, try these tasty, wholesome breakfast bars. My favorite is the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip with 12 grams of protein. I love this brand because they are organic, GMO-free, soy free (try finding another protein bar that is, especially with chocolate), free of refined sugar AND are reasonably priced compared to other options. The whole mission of GoMacro is to provide a “macrobiotic” or minimally processed, found-in-nature product. You can buy them individually or by the case for a discount at Whole Foods or Natural Grocers.

Any other healthy breakfast ideas? Please share – I am always looking to mix it up!

Product Review: Primal Pit Paste

Published on March 10, 2015March 17, 2015 by Christine12 Comments

A few months ago, I posted about some great natural deodorant options I had found and it’s been one of the most-read posts lately. So, apparently, I’m not the only one who has struggled to find something that works. Since initially hearing about how harmful the chemical ingredients in regular antiperspirant deodorant, I’ve been committed to not putting myself at risk for those health effects (learn more here). But, I have had such a hard time finding something that truly lasts all day (for me, at least) and that also helps with sweat. While not the worst inconvenience, I still had to reapply most products at least once during the day. So, when I heard about a local company (with an awesome name!) producing a new product, I had to try it out!

I have seen plenty of DIY natural deodorant recipes online that I’ve been meaning to make, but I decided I would go the lazy route and buy it first to see how it works. The ingredients are simple and contain no artificial preservatives or parabens: shea butter, arrowroot powder (similar to cornstarch), coconut oil, non-aluminum baking soda, beeswax (in some versions) and essential oil. The kind I use comes in a small glass jar and you just swoop a pea-size amount out with your finger to apply under your arms. They also have a stick version if you prefer to apply that way (though it’s a little tougher for guys with underarm hair to apply). The consistency is really smooth with the shea butter and coconut oil and melts as soon as it hits your skin, plus it’s super moisturizing.

The best part about this product is that the arrowroot powder absorbs any moisture and leaves you dry, while still allowing you to sweat. This is essential to your body being able to naturally sweat out toxins (and very unlike regular antiperspirant deodorant which uses aluminum to block your glands). Primal Pit Paste does not inhibit this function, which keeps you healthy while still preventing any embarrassment when you raise your arms.

The baking soda in this product does a super effective job at deodorizing. I got the strong version and the regular version to try; the strong certainly lasts longer for me but the regular lasts all day still. Everyone’s body chemistry is different so they have sample sizes to try if you’d like to see what works best. While I haven’t experienced any issues personally, I know that baking soda can be irritating to those with really sensitive skin – their Happy Stick is an option made with clay instead.

Of course, I am a big fan of essential oils and love the different scents this company offers. Plus, it’s natural way to add a scent without chemical fragrances. So far, I’ve tried the lavender and lemonade, but the Jasmine one is next on my list. Lavender & Lemon essential oils both have freshening properties as well and are great for the skin, so I know they can only adds to this product’s effectiveness.

If this is your first time trying a natural deodorant, I want to note that you may experience some detox effects depending on your diet and overall health. Primal Pit Paste has a whole protocol on their website that explains exactly what that means and how to get through it.

If you are still looking for a natural deodorant option that will convince you it’s possible they can work, you should definitely give this one a try. Buy Primal Pit Paste here!

A Year in Review & Looking Forward

Published on December 31, 2014January 19, 2015 by Christine2 Comments

2015 is upon us… does anyone else find that as insane as I do? I really feel like 2014 just flew by. It was a a pretty crazy year for me, with an amazing trip to Europe and fun moments with friends & family, but also lots of work (aka stress) the rest of the year that took over my life and effected my health. As I look back, I am so thankful for all that I’ve learned and I’m ready to tackle 2015 with some big resolutions. They aren’t much different than what I was inspired by in Europe, I am only more determined by not accomplishing them in 2014:

Nourish my body – I’ve really taken a step back in what I eat due to convenience and it’s certainly not making me feel great. My goals for this year are to meal-plan weekly to ensure I am getting adequate protein and veggies, to shop local & organic at the Farmer’s Market at least twice per month, and to cook from scratch at a minimum of 5 times per week. This used to be routine for me, so I know it’s realistic to achieve. I am not really a calorie counter or weight watcher, but I am committed to consistently tracking what I eat on an app and making goals to lose weight & inches where needed in order to keep myself accountable.
Get moving – I need to exercise more, plain and simple. I got a Jawbone UP 24 for Christmas (loving it so far, by the way!) and it is astounding how little I move throughout the day. I’ll never reach my step goal if I don’t do some intentional fitness daily. I want to explore more resistance training to build muscle and get back on my spin bike that’s just sitting upstairs. And, again, I want to take more walks with my sweet puppy who so loves them.
Learn to relax – I am still trying to figure out what this means and how to accomplish it. I am hoping the two above goals aid in reducing stress, but I truly want to learn how to leave work at the office. I want to come home and be able to focus on my family and my health. Reading & writing are both so relaxing for me, and I want to read more health books, do a bit more research and share about it here on this blog. One main area I want to explore more this year is essential oils. I have been using them for a couple of years now and seeing great results, so I recently became a distributor with Young Living in hopes to share my experience with more people. There is so much to learn about these natural oils from plants that God provided to heal us. Plus, I have recently discovered how effective they are at helping me relax – I have the “Joy” and “Stress Away” blends in my diffuser right now bringing loveliness to my home.

I’ve said it before, but I am always astounded by how many people this blog has reached. I started it on New Year’s Day only 2 years ago thinking it would just be a way to keep myself accountable and share with friends and family. This year, I reached over 10,000 views! To close out 2014, I wanted to do a recap of the most popular posts of this year:

2nd Year Running Most Read Overall – Kombucha Home-Brew

Most Pinned on Pinterest – Health Foodie Series

Most Reader-Shared – Healthy Hygiene Routine & Part 2: Deodorant

(Char)coal in your stocking?

Published on December 19, 2014October 18, 2015 by Christine6 Comments

I still can’t believe that Christmas is less than a week away! In remembering last Christmas, some very lovely memories of time spent with family are a bit overshadowed by a bad bout with food poisoning. Miles away from the comforts of home, all I could think of was getting back to my charcoal. And, yes, I am speaking about the charred wood type of charcoal. I know it sounds a bit strange, but let me tell you about this surprising little cure-all…

As charcoal is created, “the gases, resins, proteins & fats in the wood are burned out, the heat-generated and change in chemistry cause the development of a charge on the charcoal granule which attracts most poisonous substances.” Activated charcoal is created in a controlled setting and steam is introduced to enhance the adsorbtive power by creating finer pores.

Activated charcoal is a powder form that is easy to ingest and very fast-acting. I have it in both capsule form and straight up powder. The capsules are easy to take just like any pill; they’re good for kids (or husbands) who may not be willing to drink a glass full of black water. Personally, I just mix a tablespoon or two in a glass of water and drink it – it’s completely tasteless, odorless and mixes well so the texture is barely granule. Plus, drinking lots of water enhances its effectiveness. “Charcoal reaches its maximum rate of adsorption within one minute.”

Charcoal has some surprising health benefits you’d probably never imagine. It is actually classified in the safest Category 1 by the FDA for all ages. It is an absolute staple in my “medicine” cabinet that’s filled only with harmless remedies and I highly recommend you get some too. Here’s the short list of its uses:

Charcoal is an extremely effective antidote to poisoning from chemicals or drug overdose. There is a long list of substances which charcoal easily absorbs and the fact that it can be administered quickly & act quickly is a major advantage. Ideally, it should be taken on an empty stomach and should be double the dosage of the poison (double further if person has eaten recently).
It is widely used as a remedy for stomach and intestinal issues like gas, bloating (especially from food allergies), diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. As I mentioned, this is my go-to whenever I have food poisoning (which I have somehow contracted 3 times this year!). As soon as I am able to keep down the charcoal for a few minutes, the vomiting stops, my stomach cramps lessen and I feel dramatically better within a matter of 10 minutes. It decreases recovery time by preventing dehydration and, best of all, it truly absorbs the toxins causing your body to react instead of you just having to get it out of your system.
Swishing charcoal around your mouth for 30 seconds helps whiten and clean your teeth (seriously – it works wonders!) and stops bad breath. Rinse with regular water afterwards to avoid a smile full of very black teeth.
Here’s a fun fact many of you may need over the holidays: although charcoal does not prevent alcohol intoxication, it does reduce the effects of a hangover.
It can be used externally on venomous bites or stings. Wet a band-aid and put charcoal on there before applying to a bee/wasp/ant sting, a mosquito bite or even poison ivy (just use a larger compress). There are several case studies of how helpful charcoal has been when a snake or spider bite has occurred. It was ingested and applied externally before the patient could reach the hospital to start removing the poisons from the body; it’s even cured brown recluse spider bites.
Topically, it can help clean & remove bacteria from skin lesions and ulcers. It can also be used as a treatment for acne. I mix a little bit with coconut oil and put on as a mask… its ability to draw substances out is great for removing blackheads.
It can be used safely with pets! Like humans, it can help with bites or skin infections as well as intestinal problems. When my dog has had diarrhea in the past, I’ve simply filled a syringe with a water/charcoal mixture and put it down her throat.
A few other uses for illness include foot and mouth disease, chronic pancreatitis and newborn jaundice.

I’ll give a couple of cautions: 1. The only side effect -real talk here- is that you will have black poop afterwards. 2. It doesn’t absorb nutrients that your body needs, but it will absorb any medications that you’ve taken. If you can, wait a couple of hours after taking meds before you drink it.

Interested in adding this to your medicine cabinet in case of emergency? The best news of all is that charcoal is cheap! You can buy activated charcoal at your local health foods store or online. Here’s a couple of options that I have used personally: capsule and powder version. I’d also recommend you buy this short book for $7 and keep it handy to reference for dosage information. It was the main source for this blog post & has a ton of really fascinating stories of healing to read: RX: Charcoal by Agatha Thrash, M.D. & Calvin Thrash, M.D.

Do you think charcoal is something that you’d try? I’d love to hear your thoughts or questions!

Spread the word:

Spread the word:

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