Lisa Consiglio Ryan's Blog, page 9

Win a FREE Winter 10 Day Detox

So tell me, how’s the first week of the year going for you?

I’m a little thrown off to be honest. I planned to work out each morning. BUT nature and traffic and 2 hour delays had another idea. But I’m determined! I still made it to the gym, albeit late. I’m “Doing Me” gosh darn it!

Double-fisting makes it all better!

I’m stole “Doing Me” from Katrina, a gorgeous client who participated in a lecture series I co-lead recently. We were talking about the holidays and I asked what she wished for.

“My wish is not just for this time of year but for life. I’m “Doing Me.”

She went on about how pole dancing makes her so happy. She gets exercise (and amazing abs!), feels great after, etc… She HAS to get to class or it’s a sad day for her. There was a time when someone took her pole, and she felt out of sorts because of the drama. She ended up missing class a lot. She now attends a class that fits her schedule and she gets to hang with people who make her happy.  It fuels her soul! That’s how she “Does Me.”

I am totally DOING ME this year! How about you?

There are all kinds of ways to DO YOU:

drink more water
make a green smoothie
go to yoga class
write in your journal
laugh with your friends
take a trip
hire a personal chef (I want to do this!)

The list is endless…

Once you start DOING YOU, your cells change, your attitude changes, YOU change. Pretty soon you’ll feel lighter, happier and overall, you’ll begin to connect with your body again.

I have a plan to help you get started with “doing you” and you can win it TODAY!

 

Here’s how to win your FREE Winter Renewal Detox ($129 value):

1. Answer these 2 questions by leaving a comment below:  What do you need to do each day (hint, healthy habit) to make you feel alive (i.e. How do you “Do YOU?”). AND what is ONE reason why you want to cleanse with me this winter?

Make sure you type in the comments section just in case I don’t see your response on the giveaway box.

 2. Complete all steps to gather 20 points. Oh la la!

3. Click the SHARE button to spread the detox lovin’ around. Thank you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Easy peasy! I will post TWO winners January 9th by 3 pm EST. Come back here or go to WHD Face Book page to see if you won.

Good luck and can’t wait to find out how you DO YOU!

PS.  For more Winter Renewal info, click here>>>

Click the SHARE button to invite your friends! Post to FB timeline, tweet or pin!

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Free 5 Day Clean Recipe Guide

It’s the last day of 2014…what are you up to?

Maybe celebrating?

It’s green juice, I swear!

So is your liver giving you the middle finger these days? All the sugar, alcohol (if you drink it), caffeine…the non-stop eating… the poor liver needs a good cleansing!

It’s about that time to start thinking about your New Year’s Resolutions. Possibly you are doing some reflecting on the year and deciding where you want to go in 2015 in regards to your health.

So after the ball drops, it will be time to get down to business.

I know you. You want to feel better and give your liver a break after all the eating you did during the holidays. And you want to be in the best health of your life, full of energy and to know what it feels like to feel good about your body.

So come January 1st (tomorrow!) who’s ready for the #healthyupgrade2015?

What is ONE simple healthy thing you can implement each day?

Eat organic…

Drink a smoothie for breakfast…

Add more fiber with a salad for lunch..

Drink water with lemon in the mornings…

Go to bed before 10 pm each night…

Write in your gratitude journal…

The key is to work on gradual change so your habits form for the long-term. And guess what? We are going to do that this year! Hells yes!

What simple healthy fix you add into your life for 2015? Tell me your #healthyupgrade2015 in the comments below.

Also, download your FREE 5 Day Recipe Guide>>>

I made this guide just for you because I know you are serious about upgrading your health and flushing the yuk from the holidays.

The guide includes:

• Calendar chart to put on your fridge

• Recipes for 5 days

• Grocery list so you can do one shop before you start.

The guide is a sneak peek into what I have in store for you during Clean + Sexy Membership and Detox so download immediately.

Here’s to an AH-MAZING 2015! Here we come!
What is your #healthyupgrade2015 ? Share with me below!

PS. Speaking of Clean + Sexy Community and Detox program, it’s time to join!

Click here for Clean + Sexy 2015 info and sign up>>>

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Vegan “Egg” Nog Recipe

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Now that the holiday is almost here, the glimpses of panic are now washed over with ease.

What will get done, will get done. What won’t, won’t.  And it’s okay.

At least we got our tree. We started a new tradition and cut our own.

 

Kate “pretending to cut the tree…we all know Dad did all the work!

 

 Jack and I played around. Not very helpful!

Our family tree!

 

And you know what goes well with tree cutting? “Egg” Nog!

This Vegan “Egg” Nog is super easy to make.  In fact, it’s raw so no cooking involved! Plus the whole family can sip on it.

Here’s how to make your Nog:

Vegan “Egg” Nog

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups almond milk

1/2 cup raw cashew butter (raw almond will work, too)

2 Tbsp. maple syrup

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 Tbsp. bourbon, rum (optional)

 

Directions:

Blend all ingredients in a blender on high. Serve cool or warm gently before serving.

 

Serves 4-6.

Happy Holidays to you, my dear friends! I hope your celebration is full of love, peace and ease.

 

What do you say?

During this time of year, how do you find ease? Tell me in the comments below.

PS. Vegan Egg Nog is a signature recipe for Kickin’ It Clean Holiday Style.

Purchase your eBook for $4.99 and all proceeds will go to Women for Women International.

Click to purchase>>>

Dig this recipe? Share with your buds!

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Vegan Chocolate Truffles Recipe

So how goes it? Really, how are you? I know this time of year can get crazy so I want to touch base with you.

I have to admit, I’m so far behind on all the holiday stuff. I try to keep breathing and reminding myself to let go and do what I can.

I love this time of year, but it brings a flood of emotions that I thought I buried way deep and the overwhelm is all around me. Seems like everyone is rushing around, checking their lists, and moving fast.

I sometimes want to escape. I fantasize about lying in bed in my pjs crack-watching Scandal on Netflix (I watched this season for the first time so I need to catch up with Season 1, 2 and 3. I have to figure out what the hell is going on!).

Photo credit:  Scandal Face Book

Do you ever want to escape and not have to do anything but just vedge?

But I know we will get ‘er done, no matter what we have planned. Yes. We will dear, {name}.

And chocolate always makes things better!

These Choco Truffles are super delish and easy to make. Promise. Pinky swear. Very easy!

There are only 4 ingredients to work with.

 

Choco Truffles

Ingredients:

4 oz. cacao or dark chocolate (70% cocoa) (Alter Eco is what I used but you can use any dark chocolate you like)

¼ cup coconut oil (Spectrum is a good brand)

1 tsp. almond extract

¼ cup cocoa powder (I used Navitas Naturals cacao instead but any cocoa powder will do)

Toppings:  shredded coconut or chopped hazelnuts

Directions: Heat chocolate, oil, almond extract, and 2 Tbsp. of water in a saucepan until melted.

 

Transfer into an 8 inch baking dish and cool in refrigerator for 1 hour.

Using a 1 inch melon baller, scoop out chocolate mixture and transfer to baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll chocolate into balls and coat with cocoa.

 

Refrigerate for 10 minutes and top with coconut or hazelnuts.

Makes 16.

Download the recipe and bring them to the cookie exchange or better yet, eat these babies in bed during your escape!

What do you say?
I would love to hear how you “escape” from all the holiday hustle and bustle. Tell me in the comments. That way we can “escape” together!
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24 Hour Holiday Recovery Detox

 

I LOVE food. Especially holiday food. I scour Pinterest for recipe ideas and go through my cookbooks each year in order to make something divine. I strive to have my taste buds say, “Oh, man. This is sooooooo good.”

During the holidays, I  put on  my cute apron, light a cinnamon-type spice candle, and listen to my cd with  Jack Johnson and G Love.   AND  cook in my kitchen; mixing and matching ingredients to nourish my family.

Even though I’ll make healthier versions of stuffing and mashed potatoes and tweak the with almond meal instead of white flour, I still dig into the Kettle chips with sea salt (my Kate says they are healthier!), have a glass of wine and get seconds for dessert.

I know that it’s okay. Really, it’s all good.

I’ll get back to eating and living clean the next day. If I stop myself from having foods I enjoy, I’ll either go crazy overboard OR I’ll feel so guilty, I won’t really enjoy myself. The pattern happened year after year throughout my life until I learned how to listen to my body and navigate the .

(Disclaimer: Learning to pay attention to my body took time, a lot of time, and I’m still working on it, but it’s definitely doable. I will never go back to punishing myself with food. Ever.).

The 80/20 guideline for the Clean Life:

You strive to eat anti-inflammatory whole foods (a lot of plants and greens, gluten-free real food, and organic produce), you use natural ingredients when cooking, and you are eco-conscious.

80% of the time you eat clean and healthy, move your body, practice gratitude; you do what makes you feel amazing.

The other 20%, you drink wine with your girlfriends, eat pizza at the birthday party, skip a workout…all without guilt. You listen to your body and really tap into the body, mind, and spirit connection.

I know you. I know you very well. I know you make amazing choices. I also know that you like to have a plan, some sort of steps to take for “the day after.” I’m the same way…winging it only frustrates me and then I give up.

So I made you a handy 24 Hour Recovery Kit to use after a holiday party or anytime you feel a bit “yuk.”

I included a special tea to drink as well as a few clean recipes to flush the toxins; all my go-to remedies for bouncing back quickly.

Here’s the 24 Hour Recovery  Kit (you can do for one, two, even three days after “a little too much fun”):

Goals:

Alleviate water retention and bloating
Boost metabolism
Detoxify the liver (fatty toxins)
Balance out blood sugar levels (so you don’t crave the carby foods and keep the “yuk” going)

Stick to this plan for 24 hours  either before a party OR in between days of celebrating during the holidays.

*Low glycemic and serves 1.

*Take a probiotic and a omega 3 supplement to support the liver and digestive system.

Drink A LOT of water! Try this special flush drink IMMEDIATELY upon waking:
Super Flush

Ingredients:

Water (2 cups)

Cucumber (use slices)

Lemon (1/2 lemon)

Ginger (1/4 inch fresh root)

Drink 5-6 cups a day.

Breakfast: Power Boost Cereal

Mix  ingredients in a bowl: 

½ cup cooked quinoa (make sure to cook quinoa according to package directions ahead of time)

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 ounce of sliced almonds

1 Tbsp. of flaxseed

1 cup coconut milk

Snack (see options)
Lunch: Cleansing Salad

In a large bowl, combine ingredients. Toss and serve.

¼ cup pumpkin seeds

1 medium beet, peeled and julienned (or chopped)

¼ cup chopped cilantro leaves

1 cup spinach leaves

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Snack (see options)
Dinner: Lentil Deluxe Salad

Bring ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat and then simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Serve.

½ cup red lentils

¼ tsp. red pepper flakes

¼ tsp. turmeric

1 cup vegetable broth

Drink 1-2 hours before bed:

Straight Up Bliss Tea

Ingredients:

6-inch piece of fresh ginger

1 teaspoon turmeric

2 cinnamon sticks

1/2 teaspoon cayenne

spoonful of raw honey (optional)

squeeze of lemon

Directions:

Peel ginger and slice thinly on the diagonal. Use the side of the knife to smash the ginger (exposing more surface area).
Add ginger slices to a saucepan with 6 cups of water and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the cinnamon sticks, turmeric, and cayenne. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
Strain into a mug.
Stir in a spoonful of honey and squeeze of lemon.

*Snack Ideas:  carrots sticks with hummus, apple with nut butter (no peanut butter as it is acidic and can cause digestive issues), or a green juice or smoothie.

Try Lean Green Juice:

Juice these ingredients: 2 celery stalks, 1 cucumber, 1 bunch kale leaves, 1 apple, 1/2 lime, 1/4 inch fresh ginger root.

Stick to this plan “the day after” and you’ll be on your way to feeling back to your healthy self.

I would love to hear from you so in the comments below, tell me one thing you make sure you do to bounce back after a holiday party. Tricks and remedies, please!

PS. Did you like this post? If so, please share it with your friends.  They can download the freebie, too! Love it when that happens! xo

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What It Takes to be a BossLady

I’m extremely thrilled to be a part of the r and spread the love about the Bead Effect! When , the creator of the , asked me to be a part of the fun, I didn’t have to think twice. My gut yelled “YES!”   I have known Kimberly for 3 years now (or maybe even more!), I adore her and love what she brings into the world.  And I’m thrilled to be in the company of 11 kick-ass women entrepreneurs!

A BossLady…
Listens to her intuition.
Doesn’t follow the guru’s advice.
Keeps going no matter how hard it gets.
Has integrity, guts and the “boobs” to start a business under her terms, her way.

When I think of my favorite BossLadies, (my mentor who helped me during my first year of biz) to come to mind. They are fearless, strong, and know what they want.  They also approach life with a lot of love and tons of kick-ass style.

Now me, a BossLady… feels so good to say it, to actually really FEEL it.  Sometimes I have to pinch myself  to see if it is all a dream…Am I creating my life the way I want and having a good time while doing it?

Hells yes! A BIG hells yes!

If you are thinking of starting your own gig, I have to say there’s nothing in the world I would trade for the freedom I have  to create a service to help others in my own way.  But on the other hand, I feel waves if schizophrenia come over me at times.

Am I doing enough?
Am I good enough?
Am I ENOUGH?

Yes, I am! Wait, no, not quite, not yet. Wait, yes!

In all  honesty, it’s scary hard running your own show, and it brings up every ounce of doubt you may have about yourself and what you have to offer.

I’ve learned SO much about myself, good and the awful, since I started my biz four years ago.

Things like my 11th hour behavior when I have a deadline… Procrastination was a way of life but after having my cortisol levels rise day after day and experiencing  floods of ongoing panic, I learned to plan ahead and schedule my days, my months, my year in advance.  I might still feel overwhelmed at times, but the system flows and I now ask for help. (Plus I get to use super cute calendars from the Paper Source…so all about that!).

OR how I wouldn’t eat because I kept working and working through meals…my mind would be so fried, I couldn’t think straight, make a decision or even do my work. And if I did eat, I scarfed something down and indigestion immediately followed.  I ended up learning how to plan my snacks and actually leave my desk and computer for lunch. I sit, chew, and breathe instead of inhaling every morsel and not even remembering that I ate something.  I feel clear and focused, making decisions efficiently and now my tummy doesn’t hate me anymore.

But the best part is that I benefited from delving into the “not so good” stuff about myself which makes me a better health coach and BossLady.

As I navigate the BossLady world (I love the sound of that!), I come to realize that there is ONE quality every BossLady has…

OWNING IT

I had to learn how to “own it.”

Own what?

My worth.  Plain and simple.

There are tons of strategies you can use to start your business like how to gain more Instagram followers or write amazing copy, but until you truly, deep down in your cells, own your worth, your business won’t grow. YOU won’t grow.

” Owning” that you have what it takes to run a business that not only makes money but helps many, many people.

“Owning it ” or “owning your shizzle” as my close friend, t, says, means honoring the light within yourself, the special sauce you possess without apology.

You walk, talk, dress, write, laugh…like you own it.  Your head is held up high, you look people in the eye, you make decisions with intention, you speak with grace and determination.  You OWN it.

This didn’t happen overnight, for me, but I can see myself growing closer and closer to “owning it” and  being my own guru (in the words of my dear friend, ). I look to myself for answers because I realize that I have the right ones when it comes to being a BossLady.  I know what is best for me. I know what is best for my business.  And I’m worth it.

Own it, my darling. Really own it. I’m still working on it some days when the doubt pops up when I do something new or move to the next level.  I know, however, with all my heart, that once you step into your power, there’s  no stopping you.  You will serve others with your gifts to make this world a better place. You will create a happy, healthy, prosperous life when you keep your eyes on your own paper and not look to someone else for the answers.

You KNOW the answers. You got all you need.  Own it.

I’m excited for you to embrace the BossLady life and always remember, even when it gets hard and ugly, that you are worth it.

Now I have something to ask you?  How do you “own it?” What is ONE thing you do that allows you to “own it” each day? Tell me in the comments below.

 

PS. Check out yesterday’s AWESOME article by Eyenie Schultz,  Technicolor Priestess and SoulStyle Coach, .
AND next up, we have the lovely, Maggie Patterson, copywriter and communications magic-maker,  .
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Gluten-Free Burger Recipe

I’m so proud of the Fall Renewal group! We are on Day 10, our last day!

We’ve been celebrating our wins:

clear skin (breakouts be gone!)
clothes feel loose
becoming more aware of our cravings and how to deal with them
busting the sugar
being present and grateful
recipes to make over and over (staples rock!)
healing pain like arthritis, tendonitis, headaches
feeling centered and bad ass.

There are so many discoveries happening during our cleanse… bodies healing, feeling more balanced and at ease.   I have to say, personally, I made a big leap. Besides feeling lighter in my belly and compliments on my skin (yeah, I’m all into that!), the biggest take away is being more present. My detox intention was to let go more and not push. I practiced this a lot, and I have to tell you, it’s been fascinating.

During the cleanse, I float above my physical body, and observe, watch, without any judgement or pushing to make something happen. I found myself actually chuckle out loud, recognizing “aha’s” and instances where I could push and struggle. I’ve been also trying to be more present, aware, of my surroundings, all the beauty, the love from my family and friends, the love from our group, how lucky I am. Really lucky. It sounds a bit cliche, I know, but there have been many times where I would focus on what I didn’t have or nitpicking at what was wrong in my life. But in reality, life is good. Very. Good.

In addition to this awareness, I have crazy energy and my mood is happy, happy!

And my belly is happy, happy, too.

Everyone’s been talking about the Mushroom Burgers from Fall Renewal:

Heidi’s  burger patties

Misty’s baked in oven, finished under broiler

 

Paige’s delights~almost done!

Suzanne’s mashed avocado ~ yum!

I’ve been getting requests to post the recipe and, well, here we are!

Mushroom Burgers have tons of protein (quinoa and black beans), sweet potatoes (ground root veggies to satisfy our sweet tooth and packed with beta carotene to protect us and get us ready for cold and flu season) and lots of “meat” from the Portobellos. So satisfying, even for a meat-lover.

Want to make them for dinner?

Sure, let’s do it.

Mushroom Burger

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

½ onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup)

1 garlic clove, minced

1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup cooked quinoa (make ahead of time according to package directions)

½ cup sweet potato puree ( I used canned)

¼ tsp. ground cumin

2 Portobello mushrooms

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Garnish: ½ avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced

 

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In pan, heat 1 Tbsp. oil over medium high heat. Add onion and sauté for 2 minutes. Add garlic and beans and cook for 3 minutes. Remove beans from heat and transfer to large mixing bowl.

Lightly mash the beans with a fork until semi crushed. Add rest of ingredients (except mushrooms and remaining olive oil) to the bowl and mix well.

Form patties with your with hands and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, turning once. Remove from oven.

For mushrooms, remove stems and coat with remaining oil. Season with salt and pepper and roast for 15 minutes. When ready to serve place each burger on top of mushroom and garnish with avocado. Serve.

Serves 1-2.

 

Garnish ideas:

tomatoes

spinach (arugula is also a good choice)

avocado (a favorite obvi)

red onion

cilantro

pickles

lime

 

Burgers are gluten-free, too. An added bonus!

You know, detox isn’t some scary, deprivation, “I’m going to eat my arm off!” type of thing. At least  not my detoxes. AND these burgers are proof that DETOX = DELICIOUS!

Will you make the Mushroom Burgers? What will you use as a topping? Please share your idea with me in the comments below.

PS.  Our bodies want the best for us…our desires to be granted, our essence to be revealed. As we clear away all the clutter within our cells, it’s easy to see, feel, connect, to heal.  Very powerful stuff happens during detox!

Fall Renewal Detox Kits are now on sale.

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5 Signs You Need a Fall Detox

You body is so wise. In fact, your body loves you unconditionally and will do anything to keep you alive.

Breathing.

Pumping blood.

Loving you up , all without you paying any attention.

Your body also lets you know when it’s time to hit the reset button.

You know how it goes.

Too many late nights (watching Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight Show, although he IS my new boyfriend, but …)

Skipping meals because you can’t tear yourself away from the computer…

Eating breakfast in the car on your way to work…

Feeling the  “have to have something” sweet after dinner, every night and going for the bowl of ice cream…

I’ve been guilty of some if not all of these sabotaging acts from time to time.

Letting go of your self-care practices can take a big toll on your body, though. You might not see or feel a difference right away, but your body is being taxed to the max.

Your body thrives on being balanced. On the physical level, your cells need to operate at a 7.365 pH level in order to achieve optimal health (i.e. pain-free life).

*You can test your pH by using pH strips.  You can get them on or at any natural food store.

Eating  inflammatory foods such as

processed sugar
caffeine
dairy
gluten
animal protein
alcohol

can tip us over to the acidic side. This might take a long time, but it can happen.

Acidity leads to inflammation. Inflammation is that silent killer which leads to chronic disease (cancer, heart disease, diabetes…).

Inflammation can come in the form of eczema, acne, tendonitis (or and -itis), yeast infections, too.

Since your body has “your back,” she gives you signals to let you know

“Hey there! I need a break! I’m inflamed!”

Here are the 5 most common signs of inflammation that signal you need a detox, a good cleaning out.  Plus I have remedies (found on hand at home) to implement immediately:

1. Bloating

Stress, fast eating, not chewing properly (I have a habit of doing this…my days as a 1st grade teacher are to blame!), too much high fat, high sugar, and processed foods means indigestion and bloating. Our gut is the center of our health, and if everything is working properly, you feel light, have more energy and absorb nutrients and enzymes from our food efficiently.

Remedies:  You need specific ways to absorb toxins in the gut and flush them out.

Always take a good probiotic…that’s a given. There’s good and bad bacteria, and probiotics help support the good bacteria.

I suggest . You can grab this the next time you are at Whole Foods or order from Amazon.

But you might not know about my favorite remedy for bloating:  charcoal. Yep, charcoal. Not the kind you use for your old-fashioned grill, though. Let’s not get that mixed up (or you’ll be really feeling ill!).

Activated charcoal is known for cleansing and assisting the healing process of the body. Charcoal has proven to be very effective in preventing many intestinal infections, diarrhea and excess gas.

Taking charcoal at the first sign of bloating, nausea, or gas can be helpful, as the charcoal absorbs symptom-causing bacteria. Charcoal is suitable for occasional use only, though. Do not exceed ten capsules in a day or use the product more than two days per week, as the charcoal can also soak up good bacteria and minerals. Check the directions on the bottle just in case.

Bonus:  Activated charcoal also whitens teeth! Just open a capsule, mix it with water, and swish.  Might be a frightful smile until you rinse but well worth it.

2.  Mood swings or just plain irritability

You’re less able to cope with day to day stress when your body’s not in balance.   And stress itself produces toxins.  Stress is the #1 cause of inflammation.

In addition to managing your stress and busy life with meditation and breathing, I suggest a bath and not just any bath.

Remedy: An Epsom salt bath. Put a big scoop of salts in a warm bath and relax in it for 20 minutes. The warm bath relaxes tense muscles and the magnesium in the salts helps with pulling toxins from the body as well as calming you down. Usually after this type of bath, you have the best sleep and feel even and calm the next day.

3.  Dry and Dull Skin

Most likely your moisturizer isn’t the reason for dry, flaky skin. If there’s too much toxicity and  your cells are inflamed, nutrients are not getting to your skin, the last stop for nutrient delivery in the body.  There’s no glowing going on when this happens.

Remedy: To help boost the circulation to the skin, the lymphatic system needs a huge boost.

Dry brushing is my recommendation for revving up the circulation and lymphatic system (the seat of immunity).  And the fastest way to glowing, soft skin.

Dry Brushing Steps:

Make sure the brush is completely clean. Starting with your right leg, place the body brush on the top of your right foot. Make small, very gentle, counterclockwise circular motions all over the foot before gradually moving up your right leg. Then repeat on left leg and foot.
Next start at your right hand, make small, counterclockwise circular motions all over your hand and fingers and all the way up (both on top and beneath) your right arm. Stop when you reach your right shoulder, then repeat on your left hand and arm as far as your shoulder.
Beginning on the lower left of your abdomen, make small, counterclockwise movements with the skin brush in a big counterclockwise circle around your belly button. Move up your abdomen to your chest, always making circular movements, and brush the whole of your chest, moving across and upward until you reach your neck.
When you have finished, rinse off the dead skin cells with a warm shower.

Bonus:  You can always treat yourself to a massage…another fantastic way to flush out toxins and get things moving along.

Recommended: 

4. Puffy Eyes

Puffy eyes can result when your liver and kidneys are overloaded. (Dang that 2nd glass of Merlot!)

Remedy: Supporting both these organs with dandelion will work wonders.

Dandelion leaves contain vitamins A, C, D, and B complex as well as iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, chlorine, calcium, boron, and silicon. A trace mineral haven!

In almost every herbal healing tradition, the root of the dandelion has been used for the treatment of a variety of liver and gallbladder problems.

Sip a nice dandelion tea for two weeks, and you’ll notice symptoms will disappear.

5.  Brain Fog

Brain fog, you know it…the fuzziness, can’t remember one day to the next, can’t finish a task… an epidemic in modern life.

Inability to focus is the biggest sign that your body is stressed out and toxic.

Remedy: All the remedies I mentioned above will help tremendously but let me suggest a powerhouse herb that will boost your brain cells quickly.

Rhodiola will help you feel clear and focused. This herb grows at high altitudes in the arctic areas of Europe and Asia, and its root has been used in traditional medicine in Russia and the Scandinavian countries for centuries. and make sure to follow guidelines for use. Productivity here we come!

 *Make sure to check with your doctor if you are taking any current medications or supplements. Contraindications may occur so please get the okay from your doc.

These remedies will get you started on your way to feelin’ fine. Try one to start; I suggest the Epsom salt bath because you can get the salts at any grocery store and it’s cheap.  Then build your way, step by step.

I got a mac daddy Epsom salt package…I’ll have this for years, I tell ya!

Remember, my dear, to pay close attention to your body. Listen up…she is wise and loves you very much. She has all the answers you need!

What do you say?

Do you have a natural remedy for dry skin? Puffy eyes? Bloating? Share your remedy below with me. 

PS. Did you know that I am leading a LIVE detox group starting Oct. 13th? It’s called Fall Renewal 10 Day Detox. During this whole food cleanse, you’ll be able to implement a few of the above remedies as well as eat yummy food, get coaching from yours truly, and support from a loving group.

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Easy to Make Snack Recipes

Well, hello September!

I’m slow to motivate but at least my calendars are getting some action. It’s my first time using washi tape. I’m going crazy with it…

 

 

I LOVE the “back to school” nostalgic feeling…

New friends…
New school clothes…
New planners and pens that write like silk…
And new intentions to set.

Even though I resigned from teaching almost 9 years ago, I still feel the same way every September.

Planning my lessons, covering every inch of the bulletin boards with name tags and helper charts, and putting dates on the calendar, well, I was all about that.

I still am.

When my kids go back to school, the “brand new start” vibes wash over me.

Just watching them…I learn so much. Things that I probably was born with but forgot somewhere down the line during my 45 years in this world.

Eating intuitively is a big one.

Jack is especially good at this. There are many times when we will be eating dinner, and he just stops.

“Jack, you’re not done. “

“I know. I’m full. I’m not hungry any more. I’m done. “

He’s even joined me with meditating each morning.  Grant it, he can only sit still for about 3 minutes, but he tells me it calms him down for school.

Well, okay. He’s listening to his body. Easy.

For adults, not so easy. Portion control, curbing cravings, numbing out with food, busyness…a lot gets in our way.

When you are tired, hungry, running on empty for most of the day, it’s extremely difficult to make decisions, do your best, and actually be healthy.

There’s ONE thing you can implement immediately, I mean today, in order to start paying attention to that gorgeous body of yours.
SNACK, SNACK, SNACK

Eating every 3 hours keeps your metabolism boosted, blood sugar level stable, and helps you focus and feel energized throughout your day.

During my teaching days, I used to drink a few cups of coffee and skip lunch. By 3 pm, I went crazy, eating everything in site. And of course, it was mostly junk.

Late afternoons can be killer. There have been times where I actually put my head down at the table while helping the kids with homework. I think I almost passed out a few times!

When you design your snacks, follow this formula for a well-balanced nutritious snack:

Healthy Carb (fruit or veggie) + Healthy Protein (nuts, seeds, quinoa…) + Healthy Fat (avocado, coconut…) = A damn AWESOME snack!

Here are my top picks for healthy, gluten-free and plant-based snacks (oh, these are super-quick and easy to make):

Tip: Batch the recipes so you can keep the snacks in containers and pull out when you need to them. Most are portable especially if you have to travel for work and spend most of your time in the car.

1.  Apples or celery with raw nut or seed butter (tahini, almond, sunflower, etc…)

2.  Crunchy veggie sticks ( cucumber, celery, pepper, etc) and dips (hummus, white bean dip, spinach dip etc…)



White Bean Dip Recipe

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

½ onion, diced (1/4 cup)

1 15 oz. can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

Sea salt to taste

Directions:

In a food processor, blend all ingredients together. Add water as needed to create smooth consistency. Try 1/8 cup of water to start. Season with salt.

Makes 4 servings.

*If kept in an airtight glass container in fridge, the dip will last for 4-5 days.

*Try to serve warm with your veggies for snack.

3.  Leftover quinoa drizzled with cinnamon; add coconut milk and bananas, heat and enjoy warm oatmeal-like porridge.

Coconut Berry Quinoa

Ingredients:

½ cup cooked quinoa (make ahead of time according to package directions)

½ cup strawberries

¼ cup coconut flakes

¼ cup chopped pecans

1 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Serve warm.

Serves 1

4.  , Salsa and Guac

Ingredients:

1 tomato, quartered (1 cup)

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 Tbsp. lime juice

1 Tbsp. fresh cilantro

1 tsp. sea salt

1 avocado, peeled, pitted and cubed

Directions: Pulse all ingredients, except for avocado, in a food processor. Place pulsed ingredients in bowl. Add avocado and mix with rest of your salsa ingredients. Serve. *Makes 1-2 cups and tastes best if served immediately.

The Berry Avocado Salsa is a great one to dip the chips into… the sweet twist gives it somethin’  special.

5. 

I usually make Rock the Tacos for dinner, but I sometimes make the spicy chickpeas for a snack.

Just mix the chickpeas with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, lime juice, chili pepper,  cumin, paprika and bake for 3-40 minutes (350 degrees F).  I like mine extra crunchy so I go for 40 minutes.

 

6.  Smoothies – mix any of the following: 1 fruit, 2 – 3 leaves of dark leafy greens (kale, spinach, or collards) and/or veggies, ice, almond, coconut or hemp milk, protein powder (Vega is preferred brand), carob powder, etc.

Here’s my favorite blended creation:

Check out my

and if you want to know my #1 trick to making smoothies ahead of time,

These two resources will save you a lot of time.

7.  Juices- experiment with combos and even freeze for juicy Popsicles.

Here’s my go-to morning juice recipe:

8. 

*Special thanks to my beautiful client, Cathy Shaw, for her awesome balls (okay, that doesn’t sound right but it is what it is!)

9. 

 

10. 

I have more ideas to share with you so I developed a healthy snack cheat sheet.  You can download it for FREE.
Stick it on your fridge for easy access.

Click the image below to receive your goodie.  From me to YOU!

 

 

Remember my dear friends, build your healthy snack with a good carb, protein and fat and feel fierce all day long. And the snacks above are also kid-approved! Wa hoo!

Do you have a favorite snack you LOVE to munch on?  Share with me in the comments below, and I’ll add it to our list.

Did you like this post? Feel free to share it with your friends. I know they’ll be glad you did! Thank you with all my heart.

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4 Fresh Summer Salsa Recipes

 

 

 

I’m a chip kinda girl not to mention I devour tacos and nachos every chance I can get. The  main ingredients for my Mexican food are  Daiya “cheese”, beans, guacamole and salsa. Lots of salsa.

And did you know that if kids can dip their food into something, well, they are more inclined to eat it?

I know this first hand with Kate and Jack.  Eating carrot sticks is  waaaaaay more fun with ranch dip. Same goes for salsa. Salsa can spice up any snack or meal, and it’s fun to dip things into it.  A party in your mouth! I used to buy my salsa at the store to save time, but I realized that it became pretty pricey…     and I usually had most of the ingredients on hand in my pantry anyway. An onion here. A tomato there.

So I started making my own Salsa Bar and you can, too.

You will need the following kitchen gear:

food processor (anyone kind do but I prefer to use my )


chef’s knife (I use a )
bamboo cutting board ( I recommend )


pretty bowls ( love my ones)


and storage containers ( brand rocks!)


And since all the recipes below have 5 main ingredients or less, 5 steps or less, and you can make your creations in less than 5 minutes.  You’ll be partying it up in no time.

 

4 Salsa Recipes for Your Salsa Bar

1.  Berry Avocado Salsa

Ingredients: 1 tomato, quartered (1 cup) 1 cup fresh blueberries 1 Tbsp. lime juice 1 Tbsp. fresh cilantro 1 tsp. sea salt 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and cubed Directions: Pulse all ingredients, except for avocado, in a food processor. Place pulsed ingredients in bowl. Add avocado and mix with rest of your salsa ingredients. Serve. *Makes 1-2 cups and tastes best if served immediately.

2. Summer Salsa

Ingredients: 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 cup fresh corn kernels (from 2 ears) or use frozen 1 tomato, chopped (1 cup) 1 Tbsp. chopped cilantro 1 Tbsp. chopped jalapeno with seeds 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Directions: In a skillet, heat oil over medium-heat. Add corn and sauté 2 minutes, or until corn is tender. Spread out on a plate. Transfer to refrigerator for 10 minutes to cool quickly. Combine tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno, and lime juice in medium bowl. Mix in corn. Season with salt and pepper. Serve. *Makes 1-2 cups  

3. Zucchini Salsa

Ingredients: 1 tomato (1 cup) 1 medium zucchini ½ yellow onion, chopped (1/4 cup) 1 garlic clove, minced 1 Tbsp. fresh cilantro 1 Tbsp. lime juice Sea salt to taste Directions: Combine all ingredients into food processor. Roughly pulse until everything is mixed well but still a chunky texture. Transfer to a medium bowl. Serve. *Makes 1-2 cups and tastes best if refrigerated ½ hour before serving.

4. Paradise Salsa

Ingredients: 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced (1/2 cup) ½ small pineapple, peeled, cored, and diced (1 cup) 1 green onion, thinly sliced (¼ cup) 1 red chili pepper, chopped (1/4 cup) 1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and diced Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Directions: Stir together cucumber, pineapple, onions, and pepper in medium bowl. Mix in avocado. Season with salt and pepper and let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve. *Makes 1-2 cups.

What can you eat with your salsas?

Why all sorts of things like:

pita bread
tortilla chips
mix with quinoa
hummus
corn bread (mix in batter)
soup (tortilla and corn chowder)
even as a topping for gluten-free pizza

 

What fun thing do you do to liven up your snacks? Share with me below!
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