Day 24

9-29-12

Juice Lunch:

I threw all of this into my juicer for a yummy, healthy meal.  This makes about 12 0z. of juice.

-cucumber, kale, spinach, broccoli, carrot, orange, apple, celery

Play around with the amounts of each fruit or vegetable you use!

DON'T put Bananas or Avocados into your machine - they are too oily.  If you want to add them, blend them in your blender and mix with your finished juice.  I've blended plain or vanilla yogurt with my juice to make it more thick and creamy like a milkshake.

Day 23

9-28-12

Juicing Recipe #1

Orange Apple Carrot Grape Tomato Juice

Add 1 orange, 2-3 small apples,1 carrot, a handful of grapes, and 1 tomato.

Helpful Hints:

*when peeling orange, make sure to leave as much of the white inner layer as possible, cut in half

*cut apples into quarters - removing seeds and stem is optional

*Cut tomato in half

**Try to use Organic if possible  - but either way, be sure to wash all fruits and vegetables before prepping them for juicer.

-Ideally, you want to have some greens in your juice, but I did not happen to have any for the time being :-(

Day 22

9-27-12

JUICING!

I was first introduced to juicing while in San Antonio visiting family ... My brother and sister-in-law made me something with celery and appple and I couldn't believe how good it was because I don't like raw celery at all, so I was hooked.

For my birthday, they sent me a juicer and I went crazy with it - using it 2-3 times a day.. juicing oranges, apples, strawberries, grapes, plums, blueberries, mango, spinach, kale, cucumber, lemons, limes, cabbage, carrots, celery, cantaloupe, tomatoes, watermelon, broccoli ... pretty much any piece of produce I could get my hands on.. I didn't have a headache for a week straight.

It started getting expensive so I had to slow down.  I try to juice at least 4 times a week. 

If you can acquire a juicer, please do.  There are so many benefits because you can get the nutrients of many fruits and vegetables that you otherwise wouldn't be able to consume in the span of a day.  Also, the liquid form gets into your blood stream so much faster.

It doesn't matter if you find a 1970's vintage juicer for 1$ at a yard sale (works perfectly):

....spend 40-80$ on a decent one:

....or 2,500$ on a top of the line juicer (I wish):

If you are interested in juicing, research it, and make sure you check out "Gerson Therapy".  If you have access to Netflix, please watch "The Gerson Miracle" - especially if you know of anyone who is battling cancer.  Juicing can be a life saver.

Day 21

9/26/12

"Leftovers" Salad

When you have no idea what to eat for dinner, just pile a mound of lettuce on your plate and add whatever you can find in your cupboard & fridge.

Here I have leftover wild rice with black beans and corn.  I added my leftover maple syrup carrots from lunch.  Then I threw in some cheese, croutons, raisins, and green grapes and made a real quick red wine balsamic vinaigrette (red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and a little pure maple syrup).

Just use what you happen to have and get creative!

Day 20

9/25/12

On day six I posted this picture:

I hope you have been able to get  your hands on these products so you can try your new AwEsOme Laundry Detergent.  

I have tried countless DIY recipes which work great, but I find this is easier (fewer ingredients, no soap shredding, boiling water or special containers). These three ingredients are all that you need.  Oh, and a tablespoon to keep near your washer for easy access.

Add one tbsp of Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap to the already-running-warm-water in your washer.  Add one tbsp. of baking soda to follow.  Then top it off with one tbsp. of white vinegar.  Add an additional tbsp. of white vinegar to the 'fabric softener' slot of your washer.  Wham Bam.. walk away.

I have been using this method for a few months, and believe it or not - the clothes come out smelling very fresh and clean every time - - and not at all like vinegar.  For stains, add an extra tbsp. of castile soap.... play around with it.  This works great for me.  I am still trying to figure out a non-toxic stain spot treatment for heavy stains because this doesn't completely dissolve grass stains... but it will get your clothes clean.  I use the hot-cold cycle for my lights and the warm-cold cycle for my darks.

**The 32 oz. of Dr Bronner's Soap costs under 12$ at Kroger (I  have also seen it at Target in the make-up aisle). This bottle will last about 68 loads making each load cost under .20 cents.

TOXIC FREE AND CHEAP. yay.

Good Luck!

If anyone knows of a great stain fighter please let me know.

Day 19

9/24/12

Weight-loss breakfast #1:

Ingest the bulk of your calories early in the day when you are the most active and save the lighter meals for later in the day.

*Start every morning with a protein-rich breakfast
*Squeeze in 30 minutes of exercise every day before noon

Day 1

FRUIT PARFAIT
Layer:
1/2 cup dry oats
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup sliced almonds





Serve with: 2 scrambled eggs seasoned with cracked black peppercorns

-Courtesy of All You magazine October 2010

Day 18

9/23/12

More on GMO's:

I know this is rats, but if Genetically Modified Foods have this effect on them, what will its long term effects on humans be?

YUCK.

Day 17

9/22/12

Simple almond soap/shave gel/body wash:

Fill a spray bottle 3/4 of the way full with Dr. Bronner's castile soap.  Add a few tbsp. of sweet almond oil to moisturize.  Fill almost to the top with water.  Shake before each use.

I also used the peppermint flavor - you can use a different oil such as grapeseed if you don't want to mix peppermint with almond scent.

I found these 16 oz. bottles at Publix for under 5$ each.  That's a pretty good deal for this awesome stuff!!

Seriously,
If you haven't gotten your hands on this stuff yet, please do. It's amazing!

Day 16

9/21/12

My Motivation.

My stomach: 2003(size 2), 2007(size 4), and 2012(size 6-7). 

Obviously the first one looks extra good because I was so tan!  This is my main motivation.  I know I am not grotesquely huge, but when I look back at these pictures, I wish there wasn't so much of a change.  For the first two pictures I was in highschool playing 3 sports a year with constant practices so I was bound to be in shape.  Currently, I am lucky if I fit in a 30-60 minute walk or a workout video in each day.  My goal is to have my stomach look at least like the middle picture again.  (For those of you with PCOS, you know that any excess chub will gather around your mid-section)-- so hopefully I will be able to sled some of the side chunk and get it a little bit flatter with some ab definition- ASAP!

 

The Blue Pants!

I saw these suckers at a thrift store and had to get them for 3$.  They are kinda old-school Express cargo pants and the material is a little bit shiny.  As you can see, they are about 2 inches from zipping comfortably (they are a size 4).  I wouldn't normally buy something too small for me, but I know I can drop a few pounds and tone and fit perfectly into them. 

Size 4, here we come!

What's your motivation?

Day 15

9/20/12

I told you on Day 2 that I intended to help you replace any toxic body care products that you may have decided to get rid of.

Here is your new Creamy Rosemary Oat Body Wash-

 Recipe:

• 1 tbs steel cut oats (to infuse)
• 1 sprig of rosemary (to infuse)
• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 tsp citric acid (to prevent bacteria)
• 2 tbs coconut oil (OR olive, grapeseed, almond, jojoba oil)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 cup Dr. Bronner's mild castile baby soap (Blue bottle)
• 1 tsp guar or xanthan gum (Bob’s Red Mill grains)
• 20 drops essential oil of your choice

1. Boil water and pour over the oats and rosemary.  Cover and let sit for an hour, then strain to remove oats and rosemary bits from your infusion.
2. In a bowl whisk your oil, honey, infusion, and citric acid together.
3. Sprinkle in the guar/xanthan gum, whisking to combine, and then immediately afterward whisk in the castile soap (if you wait too long the gum will thicken and you’ll have clumps).  Blend until smooth.
4. Drop in your essential oils and fold in with a spoon. Store the mixture in a sterilized bottle, out of direct sunlight and shake before each use.

**I didn't use the citric acid because I didn't have any, and my batch is fine about 3 weeks out**UPDATE: I attempted to use this today and it had a funny smell so I had to dump it.  I recommend using the citric acid! Also, you may want to cut the recipe in half unless you have multiple people using it*** I also used about 3/4 cup Dr. Bronner's soap because a little goes a long way.**

Day 14

9/19/12

Lettuce Wraps! AMAZING!

*Thanks Christy for the great idea!! -Your pictures came out better than mine so thanks for letting me borrow!!

You will need:

• Iceberg Lettuce
• Long Grain or Brown Rice
• Corn
• Plain Greek Yogurt
• Chicken (optional)
• Hard Boiled Egg (optional)

--You may want to double-layer your lettuce because mine ripped and turned into more of a salad than a "wrap".  I used a hard boiled egg instead of chicken because I am still grossed out by the video that I watched.

If you are interested in watching it - be warned: it's sad and disgusting.. it may change your mind about a few things.

The Meat Industry

If not, then PLEASE consider consuming organic meat, eggs, and dairy in the future.

Day 13

9/18/12

Oh My Gosh.

I just made the most fantastic Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub.  It smells devine.  I can't wait to use it!!

This was the easiest thing to make!

Recipe: (adapted from chindeep dot com)

In a glass bowl, mix-

• 1 cup sugar (I did 1/2 regular sugar and 1/2 sugar in the raw)
• 1 cup epsom salts
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped rosemary
• 1 cup pure grapeseed oil
• 20 drops of peppermint essential oil  

Spoon into an air-tight container and ENJOY!
 

Day 12

Chia Pudding

So, the Chia Seed pudding (Dr. Oz's Weight-Loss Pudding from Day 7) was a success!

Here is another Sambazon product (Acai-Blueberry-Pomegranate) and it's my favorite flavor so far.  

I am not a fan or measuring and usually wing the amounts needed so I added a few scoops of Chia seeds with about 1/2 cup of juice until it looked right.  I gave it a good stir and set it in the fridge for 20 minutes, then stirred it again and returned it to the fridge for about 10 more minutes.  The seeds absorb the juice and expand to really form a pudding-like consistency.  I also used orange juice and they were both very good. 

Day 11

9/16/12

Taste the RAINBOW!!

It is important to eat fruits and veggies that are colorful because they are more nutrient-rich.  Thanks to Pinterest, I have a new favorite snack.  All you need is an ice cube tray and some yummy, vibrant assorted foods.

My first one contained raspberries, baby carrots, yellow watermelon, a brussles sprout, asparagus, a plum, grapes, raisins, almonds, dark chocolate (86% cacao), and my homemade orange dill dressing from Day 8 (to dunk the carrots in).

My second one contained strawberries, orange, grapefruit, banana, broccoli, blueberries, grapes, peanut butter (to dunk the bananas in) and ranch dressing (to dunk the broccoli in). 

**Obviously you don't have to arrange your rainbow snack in this way, or eat all the colors at once, but try to fill your diet with multiple NATURAL colors (avoid food coloring) to get all of the nutrients that your body needs**

Also - I don't drink much besides water, tea, a little milk, and occasionally 100% orange or tangerine juice, but i really like Sambazon's line of juices.  They are expensive, but there are usually printable coupons.  They don't have any ingredients that I haven't heard of - most organic, and it gives you a boost of energy (and TMI - - will clean your right out!  so don't stray far from your restroom for good 30 minutes)

Day 10

9/15/12

Helpful hint:

**Wash out an old Parmesan cheese shaker, dry it, and fill with baking soda for an easy shake bottle.  So far I have used this when my Chuckie had a rare little pee pee accident on the carpet, and I used it for a stinky garbage can.  The uses are endless!

Day 9

9/14/12

Frugal Tip:

So, the other day I hit up the PX - the military postal exchange, it's like a big Walmart but has name brand items and clothing at discount prices.  I always head to the clearance section.  I found a few great deals including 3 shirts for under 7$.

My favorite find was this dress.  It is valued at $45.90, but being that the PX is normally cheaper, it was originally priced at $39.00.  As of right now, I wouldn't spend that much on a dress unless it was for something super special.  Luckily it was an additional 75% off which brought it down to $9.75.  *The button on the back was missing so I thought why not bring that to the cashier's attention - so I did and she took off another 10%. I ended up getting this dress for a whopping $8.77.  When I got home, I added a vintage jewel button from my grandma's collection - I think she would be proud of me for getting her 'crafty' gene.

Make sure to always check the clearance section, especially at the end of seasons, for great deals!  If there is a flaw with your item, mention it and see if you can get an additional discount :-) Happy Shopping!

Day 8

9/13/12

Hola!  So, if you got an error page when you tried to access my blog, it's because it was marked as spam (I think because I posted too many links).  Apparently they reviewed it and determined that there is no spam here :-)

Anyways, I want to share a yummy salad dressing that I made... I got the recipe from Clean Start - a book I borrowed from the library.

Spinach Salad with Orange Dill Dressing

I threw together some of what I had on hand to make a salad - spinach, 2 hard-boiled eggs, homemade croutons, and swiss cheese.

Orange Dill Dressing:

      Mix together-

• 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice
• zest of one orange
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• 1 tbsp. fresh dill
• sea salt and black pepper

(It was real yummy but to make it creamy I added some plain greek yogurt and I added a little maple syrup to make it sweeter.)

Day 7

9/12/12

Yummy in my Tummy!

So, I have been hearing lots of good things about Chia Seeds lately.. ya know, Ch Ch Ch Chia pets? Well the seeds are all the rave these days.  I happened to see this container for 10$ marked down from 22$ at the grocery store, so I jumped on it.

*This whole grain is an ancient health food that was used by the Aztecs and Mayans as a main energy source. Now, as modern scientists and nutritionists are recognizing the extreme lack of certain nutrients in the standard American diet, they are looking to history for natural solutions*

For starters, I just followed the recipe on the back of the container-

CHIA FRESCA: 2 tsp Chia Seeds, 8 oz. water, juice of 1 lemon or lime, and stevia or other natural sweetener.  I know it looks questionable, but it really tastes good.  If you have texture issues, this may not be the recipe for you.

I plan to use this gluten free, high fiber-protein-antioxidants product in many other ways in the days to come!

Other Uses:

Add to casseroles and baked goods
Sprinkle on cereal, yogurt, or salads
Stir into beverages, soups, and sauces

Weight-Loss Pudding
1 oz ground chia seeds
3/4 cup juice

BENEFITS:

1. Weight loss
2. Balance blood sugar
3. Help with Diverticulitis
4. Add Omega-3-6-9 to diet
5. Boost Energy
6. Cut cravings

For more information, check out Dr. Oz's page about Chia Seeds!
Dr. Oz

Day 6

9/11/12

It would be very wise if you made these products your best friends! I use these in my home daily. 

• White Vinegar
• Baking Soda
• Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap (available in 8 scents - almond is my favorite)

*I use one or more of these products for my laundry, dish washer, floor cleaner, hand soap, body wash, and more!! (We will get to that later)

I would like to take a moment to honor the lives lost 11 years ago today - and those who gave their lives trying to save others.  I would like to thank the heroes who stepped forward to defend our country that day, and every day since.  We will never forget.

Day 5

9/10/12

Firstly: I would like to thank my mother-in-law Mary Ann, my friend Dawn, and my cousin Lucretia for sharing the link to my blog on their facebook pages!  Thank you for helping to spread the word!!

Helpful Hint:

One thing you can try with a simple spray bottle is creating your own healthy cooking spray!  I tried to find olive oil spray at the store with no luck, so I decided to make my own.  I got this idea from Nature's Nurture Blog.

1. Sterilize the spray bottle with hot water.
2. Place 1 part olive oil (or oil of choice) and 3 parts filtered water in spray bottle
3. Shake well
4. Store in cupboard- not the fridge, it will harden and won't spray
5. Enjoy your new healthy cooking spray :-)

Clearly I was not reading these instructions while I concocted my spray.  Luckily, this particular batch works great, but next time I will not make so much since it says to only keep for about a week.


* P.S. My Lola turned 2 today :-)

 

*new squeaky toy! - I am starting to regret that decision!!*

Day 4

9/9/12

If you happen to come across any of these....

                                                           

 ... you would be wise to get your hands on a few, - especially if you find them for .25 cents each at your local grocery store :-) They come in very handy! Just wait and see!

These glass mason jars are also a great addition to your cupboards or pantry:

I like to label mine with my label maker (for things such as Rice or Oatmeal that I always keep in stock) because it looks more classy!  But if I am only using it for temporary storage (like my Edamame snack) then I use a dry-erase marker and write what it is on the metal top.

As of last week, these mason jars are my new Tupperware of choice.  They are more durable, last longer, and don't leach out questionable chemicals into your food when heated. --The same goes for all of the plates, bowls, and glasses in my house.  (This idea originally came from my dear friend Suzanne - but I just recently starting using them!)

Until next time,

Lisha

Day 3

9/8/12

GOOD TO KNOW:

-Photo Courtesy of Pinterest

I have been interested in learning more about Genetically Modified Produce for a while.  Initially, the idea didn't sit well with me.  I prefer to consume things in their natural state.  (That's not to say I am not thankful of many of the advances that technology and science have yielded). Apparently 60%-70% of processed foods on U.S. grocery shelves are said to have genetically modified ingredients, most commonly - soybeans, corn, cotton, and canola oil.

**What is most troublesome to me is that currently, companies aren't required by law to label foods containing genetically modified ingredients.  Is there a reason that these companies don't want the population to know which foods contain the GMO products?

I did a quick comparison of the positives and negatives to come to a further conclusion.
      
Benefits (+)                                               

• Produce, such as tomatoes say fresher, longer
• Produce more crops at a faster rate - increases food supply, especially for developing countries - - how much of the U.S.' GMO actually end up helping other counties?
• Withstand harsh weather such as drought

Risks (-)

• Mixed across different species - new allergens & toxins introduced?
• Modified using bacteria and viruses - will we see new diseases that are immune to antibodies?
• Unnatural way of producing food
• Transferring animal genes into plants and vice versa - good idea?
• Cross-pollination method can cause damage to other organisms that thrive in the environment. Possibility of adversely changing the nutrient content of a crop

In conclusion, I didn't find the black and white information that I was hoping for.  You will have to decide for yourself what you prefer to consume.  I am going to attempt to avoid GMO products as much as possible, because it is still a fairly new idea and the long-term effects have not been assessed.

If anyone has further knowledge on this subject, please share!!  This information is just a quick assembly of the information that I found.  I am interested in learning more on the subject!

 

Day 2

9/7/12

Hi friends!

I hope you all enjoyed my very first blog post ever! I want to share the website that got me started with this whole transformation in the first place.  If you are curious as to what impossible-to-decipher-potentially-harmful ingredients lie in your everyday products, please take a look.

Cosmetic Database

When I searched my products such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, and lotion; I was appalled.  This website determines the toxicity level from 1-10 of everyday bath and beauty products and breaks down all those chemical names such as: DISODIUM PEG 12 DIMETHICONE SULFOSUCCINATE...... Really? I don't know about you but that seriously grosses me out. That can't possibly be beneficial to my skin and other affected organs.

When I realized that 3/4 of my products were given a rating of 6 or higher, I was disturbed and did an all-day purge of those bad boys. What bothered me the most was the fact that some of the chemicals have been linked to cancer, and others have a harmful effects on the endocrine (reproductive) system. So long chemicals.. Me and my ovaries don't need any additional "disruptions" from methylparabens.

Lucky for me, unlucky for our bank account, there is a Whole Foods about an hour away.  We took a family trip as soon as my husband got home after I junked most of the bottles in my bathroom.  I will share some of my goodies in future entries. But please be aware- just because a "health food store" carries a product, doesn't mean it is safe.  Read labels. If there are mysterious chemicals, steer clear.  If you can't read the name of a chemical, it is probably not a good idea to be using it.

DON'T WORRY: I am completely prepared to show you how to replace your harmful products with homemade, inexpensive, non-toxic, natural yummy goodness if you so choose.

Get to that database this weekend and decide what you can live without! Trust me, I know it's not necessarily an easy thing to do (especially if you hate to waste things like me) but it is so completely worth it and you will feel much better in the long run :-)

Good Luck <3

*P.S. - Parents with children or expecting a child, please look into their shampoos, lotions, wipes, and baby wash.  These companies don't care if they harm even the most innocent lives.  Young children have especially sensitive systems and we need to be careful what their skin absorbs.*

Day 1

9/6/12

Okay, so if you happened across my "intro", you know that I suffer from headaches, migraines, and polycystic ovaries.  Along with those conditions comes excessive sleepiness, nausea, moodiness, low energy, and decreased libido along with a teeny tiny itsy bit of depression thrown in every now and then. I am sick of living like this, turning down invitations from friends to hang out, and spending so much dang time in my bed!  I am 24 years old and have been dealing with this since I was 13.

Well I am DONE.

I have made some small changes (using olive oil insead of canola oil.. ect), I am so tired of trying like 42 different prescription drugs that don't help.  I need to step it up.

Today starts the OFFICIAL beginning of my health makeover.

GOALS:
Not only do I want to boost my overall health & well-being, but I want to get in shape, rid my home and body of toxins, decrease my environmental footprint and eat clean, nourishing goodness ... oh, and saving money couldn't hurt either!

The reason I brought all my jibberish to the blogging world is just a little bit selfish.  I need to hold myself accountable.  Every day I want to post something helpful for us all.  Luckily, I am someone who gets warm-fuzzies from helping anyone or anything in any way, shape, or form.  I will be satisfied if I can motivate even one person to get on track with one or more of my goals.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, advice, or additional tips.  If you have a great idea that I haven't covered, I will totally put it out there and give you a shout-out so you get complete credit!  P.S. I am not perfect so if I make errors please let me know!!

Alright, so my first tidbit of advice: Get to your local library (I know, who does that anymore?....) and search for books on the issues that you are currently struggling with.

Clearly I went a little overboard.. I tend to do that sometimes.  I was more than impressed with their selection and had a hard time sticking to my library's check-out limit.  Happy Reading :-)