Healthy Living

What’s In My Shower?

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What’s In My Shower?

Over the past few years I have been working to find natural body products that I really love and that work well for my husband and I.  We easily settled on a few body washes that we really love but it has taken years and many bottles of shampoo and conditioner before we finally found a few that work for both of us.  Now that we have found our favorites we have eliminated non-natural products from our shower and rather than having a ton of different brands of products (for testing purposes) we now have just a few which makes the showering experience so much more pleasant- less clutter = more peaceful.

Current Conditioner: Avalon Organics Clarifying Lemon– I actually picked this up because it was on sale for $5 off at our local co-op a few weeks ago and I fell in love instantly.  It smells amazing and it works really well to condition my hair without leaving a residue.  It is also great for summer if you are looking to put some natural highlights in your hair, the lemon helps, like when I was as kid and sprayed a mixture of lemon and water in my hair to create natural highlights in the sun. Other conditioners I like: BWC Daily Benefits, Kiss My Face Whenever and Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Conditioner

Current Shampoo: Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint– I haven’t always been a fan of Dr. Bronner’s but about 6 months ago we gave it a second chance and I really am liking it and Neil is loving it.  I do find that I need to occasionally use  a different shampoo (which I’m currently out of) because it can leave a bit of residue in my hair but overall I like it.  I also love that Dr. Bronner’s can be used for so many other things such as body wash and the peppermint is great for clearing out your sinuses. Other shampoos I like: BWC Daily Benefits, JASON Smoothing Sea Kelp and Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo

     

Current Body Washes: JASON Purifying Tea Tree, Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint and Kiss My Face Anti-Stress – I know it looks like a lot but I use them all depending on my mood.  JASON is my everyday go to, Dr. Bronner’s I actually don’t really use as a body wash but Neil does most days and then the Kiss My Face is really perfect when I want to relax. Other Body Washes I like: Dr. Bronner’s Rose and Kiss My Face Active Athletic

Other Products:  Eco-Armour Shaving Foam, Bulldog Natural Skincare Face Wash (for Neil not me) and Kelapo Coconut Oil. The shaving foam is for my legs and I love it. The face wash is Neil’s and he loves it (I don’t keep mine in the shower).  Lastly, the coconut oil is used by both Neil and I for different reasons; I use it on my pregnant belly and Neil uses it on his scalp to moisturize it.

What’s in your shower? What are you favorite natural body care products?

Recipe of The Week: Chickpea-Quinoa Salad

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I know that the recipe above is hard to read and there is a typo so here is a better version below.

Chickpea-Quinoa Salad

  • 1 cup organic quinoa, rinsed +2 cups water
  • 1/4 cup organic scallions, thinly sliced
  • 1 small red onion, diced small
  • 1/2 bunch organic fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 cups cooked or canned organic chickpeas
  • Juice of one lemon
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
Bring quinoa and water to a boil, reduce and cover for 15-20 minutes.  Let stand for 5 minutes. Uncover and allow to come to room temperature.
Prepare and combine remaining ingredients in a bowl.  Add the quinoa and stir to combine.  Season with salt and pepper to taste

This month over on my health coaching blog  we will be discussing how to live healthy on a budget.  Above is one of my favorite healthy, inexpensive spring/summer dinner recipes for you to enjoy.  For more recipes and to learn different tips on how to live healthy without breaking the bank keep checking back on the coaching blog.

Speaking of health coaching…I have a brand AFFORDABLE new program that just started this week! Check out the details here. 

Lunch: Where Are The Leftovers?

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If you’re like me Monday through Friday our lunches usually always consists of leftovers from the previous nights dinner, however sometimes there are no leftovers to be found. When this happens it would be so easy to grab lunch out which is going to cost you more and isn’t as healthy as creating your own meals at home.

So rather than spend $6-8 on a sandwich at the local deli or hitting up the the vending machine at work for your afternoon snack keep a well stocked pantry and refrigerator to create a healthy and delicious lunch.

Items to Keep On Hand:

  • Greens (romaine, kale, or other salad greens)
  • Salad toppings (carrots, tomatoes, celery, cucumber, ect)
  • Frozen Brown Rice Wraps
  • Quinoa <– only takes about 15 minutes to cook up!
  • Veggie Burgers
  • Beans
  • Condiments (oil and vinegar, vegenaise, hummus, ect.)
  • Fresh Fruit
  • Dried fruit and nuts
  • Nut Butter

Lunch Ideas (including snacks):

  • Mega Green Salad with veggies, chickpeas and salad dressing of your choice, an apple and 1 oz walnuts
  • Greens topped with veggies, veggie burger and condiment of your choice (fruit or agave sweetened BBQ sauce is great), a 1/2 cup of baby carrots and 2 tablespoons of hummus
  • Brown rice wrap filled with quinoa, black beans and salsa, small green salad with dressing of your choice, 1/4 cup of homemade fruit and nut trail mix
  • Quinoa bowl with beans, sauteed kale and condiment of choice (love a little shoyu or tamari and sriracha), a medium banana and 1 tablespoon almond butter
  • Brown rice wrap with hummus and veggies, 1 apple sliced and 1 tablespoon organic peanut butter

 

As you can see it can take less than 20 minutes in the morning to put together a quick, easy, inexpensive and healthy lunch!  All you need is to keep your pantry/fridge stocked and you can throw something together in a pinch without having to sacrifice you health or your budget.

What do you usually eat or lunch? Do you bring your lunch or buy out? Are you a fan of leftovers for lunch?

P.S. If you haven’t yet don’t forget to enter to win one of the great Chia Goodness giveaway packs! 

ACD Friendly Recipe Guest Post by Ricki Heller

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Ricki Heller, the creator of Diet, Dessert and Dogs, is an educator, writer, cookbook author, natural nutritionist and lover of all things canine. She studied natural nutrition at The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and is currently a college teacher who works as a part-time cooking class instructor/chef and a part-time freelance writer.

I have asked Ricki to contribute a guest post on Candida Related Complex aka Candida, a condition that arises when someone has an overgrowth of yeast (usually candida albicans) in the body. Ricki has been sharing her personal struggle on her blog since March 2009 and today on my health coaching blog she is giving you the opportunity to learn more about candida, the effects it has on the body and what you can do about it.  She also has included a anti-candida (ACD) friendly recipe, which I have included below, for you to try and trust me her recipes are a must try, she is an amazing chef (source).

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Recipe: Cinnamon-Walnut Loaf

Here’s an ACD-friendly bread recipe that’s perfect for breakfast or brunch.  For a savory loaf (from which you can make sandwiches), omit the nuts and use only 4-10 drops of liquid stevia. 

1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp (25 ml) whole psyllium husks

1 tsp (5 ml) apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp (15 ml) pure vanilla extract

2 Tbsp (30 ml) smooth natural almond butter or tahini (sesame paste)

enough unsweetened plain or vanilla soy or almond milk to make 1-1/2 cups/360 ml (see instructions)

1/3 cup (55 g) teff flour

1/2 cup (55 g) amaranth or quinoa flour

1/4 cup (60 ml) potato starch

1-1/2 tsp (7.5 ml) baking powder

1/4 tsp (1 ml) baking soda

1/4 tsp (1 ml) fine sea salt

1 Tbsp (15 ml) cinnamon

1/4 tsp (1 ml) pure stevia powder or liquid, to your taste

1/3 cup (40 g) lightly toasted walnut pieces or chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Lightly grease a regular loaf pan, or line with parchment paper.

Place the psyllium husks, apple cider vinegar, vanilla and almond butter in a glass measuring cup.  Add enough milk to reach the 1-1/2 cup (360 ml) mark.  Using a small whisk or fork, whisk everything together until the almond butter is well dissolved in the liquid and no lumps remain.  Set aside while you measure the dry ingredients.

In a large bowl, sift together all remaining ingredients except for the walnuts.  Whisk well to distribute all the ingredients evenly.  Add the walnuts.

Whisk the liquid again to ensure that it’s smooth and everything is incorporated, then pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir just to combine (do not overmix!).  Turn the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

Bake in preheated oven for 65-75 minutes, rotating the pan about halfway through, until the bread is well browned on the bottom and sides, and the top springs back when touched lightly (there will be a fairly thick crust by this time, but it should still spring back).  A knife inserted in the center should come out moist but clean.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan allow to cool completely before slicing.  The bread is very moist on the first day and dries a bit by the second.  Store, tightly wrapped, in the refrigerator up to 3 days, or freeze for later.  Makes one medium loaf, or 8-10 slices.

Thank you Ricki for this wonderful recipe and her informative guest post over on my health coaching blog! If you would like to learn more about Ricki head over to her blog Diet, Dessert and Dogs and check out her amazing recipes.  I was a tester for her Desserts Without Compromise book and it includes so many amazing recipes perfect for those looking for ACD friendly recipes and for those who just love desserts. 

Mood Boosting Recipe: Chickpea & Potato Tagine

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Chickpea & Potato Tagine

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2″ rounds
  • 4 Yukon gold potatoes, diced
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1-25oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 ½ cup vegetable broth
  • 4 Medjool dates, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Harissa (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons slivered almonds
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped (optional)


Directions:
Heat heat the oil in a 4-quart heavy bottom pot over medium-high heat.
Add  the onions and cook 5-7 minutes until soft.
Stir in the potatoes and carrots and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.
Stir in the turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon.
Stir in the broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
Cover and reduce to low and cook for 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
Stir in the chickpeas and dates and season with salt and pepper and simmer for 5 minutes.
Stir in the harissa and almonds.
Garnish with cilantro and a slivered almonds.
Serve with Lemon-Herb Couscous.

Mood Boosting Recipe: Lemon-Herb Couscous

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Lemon-Herb Couscous

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¾ cup water
  • 1 cup whole wheat couscous
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil


Directions:
Bring the water to a boil in the small sauce pot. 
Stir in the couscous. Cover and turn off the heat.
Let stand 5-10 minutes until the water has been absorbed.
Transfer to a large bowl, add the lemon zest and juice, scallions, cilantro, and olive oil, as well as, salt and pepper to taste. Fluff with a fork to combine. Serve.

Other Options:

  • Serve this couscous as a cold salad.
  • Add chickpeas, diced tomatoes and/or parsley to make a new dish.

Mood Boosting Food

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We all are living busy and stressful lives and for many  food is a big part of this stress.  Finding time for healthy cooking and eating just adds to the already too long “to do” list causing more stress to our mind and body. Although food can cause a lot of stress in our lives it can also energize our body and help us to make the most of our busy days.

A small change in diet can improve energy levels and how your body responds to stress. So boost your mood and increase your energy, while decreasing your stress, by increasing fresh veggies, seasonal fruits, whole grains and lean protein. It is important to remember to start small this could be as simple as making your Mondays Meatless or upgrading your snacks to include more fruits and veggies.

Head on over to my health coaching site where you can find more information on Mood Boosting Foods and three Mood Boosting Recipes.

Keep your eyes peeled for the following recipes coming up this week:

  • Recipe: Lemon-Herb Whole Wheat Couscous
  • Recipe: Chickpea and Potato Tagine