Apr 7, 2013
It all starts with our Thoughts. All good or bad has to have a beginning. If you want your life to be full of positivity whether that means happiness, good health, prosperity then you have to have the good thoughts in order for it to manifest. I know we have all heard about the “laws of attraction” and some people run with it and others are too skeptical. I am a believer that we create what we think. I am also a person who believes that through our experiences (going way back to childhood events, media, parents values, etc) that we have a lot of mind programming which turn into our personal belief system.
There is scientific evidence that positive thoughts have a direct correlation on your hormonal system and can improve your health immediately.
Having positive thoughts for some people comes easily. For others, it is a bit more challenging (like myself). I was not raised in an environment that was overall positive nor was I taught to think positively even when times are rough. It takes a lot for a negative thinker to overcome their ways. However, it can be done with constant self reminding and surrounding yourself around positivity. I find that making a list of Positive Affirmations is a great way to start. Write down 10 things that that deal with yourself and positivity and then say these as many times as you possibly can during the day. I recommend making several visual reminders for example, post-it’s with the affirmations and put in places that you will see them such as your bathroom mirror, along side your computer monitor, or in your car. Key times to say your affirmations is in the morning when you wake up and right before you go to bed. Here is my Affirmation list (you are more than welcome to use any of these or add your own). I also re-visit my affirmations when I feel that changes are necessary.
Not in any particular order:
1. I am kind and considerate.
2. I am free of all disease, infections and injuries.
3. I am happy and full of joy.
4. I am sexy, beautiful and confident.
5. I am smart.
6. I am efficient.
7. I am strong.
8. I am able to manage stress.
9. I am patient.
10. I am loving and thoughtful.
Have fun with your affirmations. Choose words that feel right for you and see the wonderful changes that you create with positive thoughts.
Sep 8, 2012
Joe and I rarely eat any other place than home. We like to cook and more so like knowing the exact ingredients and quality of ingredients of the food we eat. So when our wonderful friends (The Matsikh’s) invited us over for dinner we were honored that they went out of their way to accomodate by making us an all organic meal. The entire meal was delicious. We had a fresh green salad with a great (super easy) salad dressing that Evelin created. Wild caught Alaskan Salmon that was baked and served with a basil sauce on top. For dessert, we had decadent chocolate ice cream with fresh raspberries on top. We had a wonderful time and are reminded that this is what life is all about. Eating great healthy food and spending time with people you care about. As simple as that!
Click here for the oh so good ice cream! Remember to use ALL organic ingredients. It will taste better and make you feel better and you are worth it! Enjoy.
Aug 11, 2012
I have been a little lazy on my blog posts….it’s summer, that’s my excuse. We all deserve to have a few lazy times. Now I am back on track. I don’t have cravings very often however it happened to be “that” time of the month and I was once told from a colleague that it is better to allow a woman to have what she wants rather than deal with the negative emotions that arise if she is deprived when it is “that” time of the month. As always I stay true to keeping it as healthy as possible. The original recipe came from Elana’s Pantry and I have tweaked a couple of things. I like a slightly crisp outside and chewy on the inside chocolate chip cookie so this is what I came up with. Remember to use ALL organic ingredients. It will taste better and make you feel better, and you are worth it!
My Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, sea salt and baking soda. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, grapeseed oil or coconut oil, coconut palm sugar and the vanilla extract. Stir the wet ingredients into the almond flour mixture until thoroughly combined. Fold in the chocolate or carob chips. Refrigerate the dough for 20 minutes.
Spoon the dough 1 tablespoon at a time onto the prepared baking sheets. Press down with the palm of your hand to flatten (I like a thicker cookie, so I don’t press too much). Leave 2 inches between each cookie.
Bake for 9-12 minutes until lightly golden. Let the cookies cook on the baking sheets for 20 minutes. Then take a bite of deliciousness!
Makes 24 cookies
Jul 28, 2012
Carob Chips… I have been trying to find carob chips to use for baking and cannot find any that don’t have added ingredients that I would not consider to be healthy. So I have decided the best way to get what you want to ensure the quality of ingredients is to make them yourself. I found this simple recipe (I tweaked it just a little bit) in Sally Fallon’s book “Nourishing Traditions” a must read for anyone interested in healthy cooking. These chips are a great replacement for chocolate chips as they do not have the caffeine that chocolate does and therefore do not place stress on the adrenal glands. Remember to use ALL organic ingredients, it will taste better and make you feel better. You are worth it!
CAROB CHIPS - makes 1 cup
Place all ingredients in a glass container and set in simmering water until melted. Mix together well. Spread mixture on a piece of buttered parchment paper and allow to cool in the refrigerator. When hardened, remove parchment paper and cut into chips. Store chips in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Enjoy!
Jul 28, 2012
DREAMS… It’s hard to believe that the London Olympics have begun. Four years flies by and now we get to watch all these unbelievable athletes realize their dreams of winning gold. I am always inspired by the Olympics, proud nations coming together to participate in fierce competition to prove who is the best in their chosen sport. What I love most about the Olympics is that these athletes know what it takes to succeed.
I believe we all have the ability to realize our dreams. By following six foundational building blocks: Thoughts, Breathing, Hydration, Food Therapy, Exercise and Sleep you will reach optimal health and be able to do anything you choose to do in life. Life is a journey and we all need to start with a solid foundation. All six of these foundational building blocks have a dramatic effect on our day to day existence. When one or more are out of balance, we cannot function at our best. By addressing each area, you will improve the overall quality of your life. Benefits include: a more positive outlook on life; feeling more balanced; body systems function properly; lose body fat; increase strength and energy. You will look better, feel better and increase your vitality!
Start today by choosing one area that you know is out of balance and make one change this week to improve it. Example “Thoughts”: everyday this week consciously focus on something positive and at the end of your day say something that you are grateful for. Example “Food”: if you drink coffee or soda, cut the intake in half this week. Example “Sleep”: commit to going to bed by 10:30 pm everyday this week. These are just a few examples. If you need more help, please dont’ hesitate to ask me. Remember shoot for gold in your life everyday and take control of your health!
Jul 13, 2012
Strawberry Cupcakes… To make these cupcakes puts a smile on my face as I am a strawberry lover. Fresh organic strawberries are easy to find and these tasty cupcakes are moist and delicious. I found this recipe on Elana’s Pantry and adapted the sweetener to Coconut Palm nectar as she uses Agave and you all know how I feel about agave….BAD stuff. And remember, use ALL organic ingredients, it will taste better and make you feel better. And you are worth it!
Strawberry Cupcakes
Jul 7, 2012
Cheesecake Brownies… I haven’t made this recipe very often so I would not say that I have perfected it by any means. Each time the texture comes out a little different however the flavor is super yummy. I love cheesecake and I sort of like brownies so the two together makes a decadent treat. I found this recipe on a blog called Food Renegade. Most of the information on her blog is spot on so feel free to check it out. On this particular recipe I changed only the cheesecake part as I used liquid stevita to cut down on the sugar whereas she uses coconut palm sugar (which is not bad but if you don’t need it then why have it). Remember to use ALL organic ingredients. It will taste better and make you feel better and you are worth it!
Brownie Ingredients
Cheesecake Ingredients
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, whisk together the brownie ingredients until well combined, and pour into a greased 9×9 oven-safe baking dish.
Add the cream cheese to your mixer bowl and beat until smooth, add the rest of the ingredients and beat until combined.
Dollop the cream cheese batter on top of the brownie batter. Using a knife, or a toothpick, swirl the cheesecake batter into the brownie batter.
Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until the top has slightly cracked. Place in refrigerator and serve well chilled, just like cheesecake. Do not over bake.
Variation: I have not tried substituting the cocoa powder for carob however I do not see why it wouldn’t work and would be a healthier choice for those that want to stay away from chocolate.
Jun 30, 2012
Click Here for the Anti-Fungal
Most of you have heard or will hear myself, Joe or our staff mention the Anti-Fungal. This “diet” is not really a diet, just a food list that keeps things really simple. One column lists the food source and the other two columns let you know whether you can eat it or you cannot. The purpose of this food plan is to allow your body to naturally detox using foods. It is a great way to drop some pounds and to feel better within a two week period. If you have any symptoms that include but not limited to: inflammation in the body, fungus (candida, athlete’s foot, psoriasis, skin problems: acne), overweight, high cholesterol, blood pressure problems, diabetes, blood sugar issues, allergies, asthma, headaches, aches and pains, arthritis, sugar addiction, and the list goes on and on) then this is a must for you to do.
The requirement on this plan is that in order for it to work you must eat this way for a minimum of 14 consecutive days. You may experience “flu-like” symptoms for the first few days or experience withdrawal feelings. This is a GOOD thing please do not treat these symptoms by rushing off to the doctor thinking you are sick. Allow the body to process and eliminate. Remember to drink lots of water to help flush the toxins through your body and be kind to yourself for the first few days. I typically do this food plan at least two times a year just because it makes me feel good. Remember to eat as much organic food as possible as part of the problem today is that commercial foods are injected with so many pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics and steroids that create a lot of the toxic build up in our bodies. Typically by day 7, you will feel great and most people will choose to stay on it for a month (or even longer) because you feel so good are getting results. Remember, we do not believe in calorie restriction so please make sure that you eat enough while on this plan!
For more detailed information regarding the Anti-Fungal check out this wonderful must read book (which we have all three on our book shelves at the gym), “The Fungus Link” by Doug Kaufmann. He has done tons of research on fungus overgrowth in the body and this is the Phase I protocol. He even has great recipe books as well.
I invite and challenge you to take control of your health and by doing so you will receive the wonderful benefits of feeling and looking better! If you have any questions or need any support feel free to ask us, we are here for you.
Jun 23, 2012
Wild Caught Lox Salmon Egg Scrambler… This recipe is great for breakfast. Remember to use ALL organic ingredients, it will taste better and make you feel better. And you are worth it!
Ingredients: (Serves 2)
Place heaping tablespoon of coconut oil in skillet set on medium heat. In bowl or blender, whisk eggs then add to skillet. Allow eggs to form and scramble. Add the slices of Lox to the eggs. Once eggs are scrambled, add cream cheese in pieces and allow to melt by stirring in the egg and salmon mixture. Place spinach on plates and serve scrambler on top of spinach. Sprinkle with green onions or chives.
Variation/Additions: Place large slices of tomatoes on top of spinach on plate then top with the scrambler. Sprinkle with capers and thinly sliced red onion.
Jun 15, 2012
A CLASSIC SUMMER TREAT….POPSICLE Summer is here and it is getting hot and sticky outside. No complaints from me as I would much rather have it warm than cold. This is a refreshing and oh so simple treat that I enjoy making as summer rolls in. It takes me back to my childhood and gives us adults a chance to feel like a kid again. The best thing about popsicle recipes is that there are NO limits on what flavor you can make. I happened to have frozen strawberries so I chose to make this version. Here is your chance to be super creative so go for it. Come up with any flavor you like and play around with it. If you like creamy then add some Organic heavy whipping cream. If you like texture then add some Organic unsweetened shredded coconut. Change the fruit and play around with the sweetness according to your own preference. Have fun with these and remember to use ALL organic ingredients. It will taste better and make you feel better, and you are worth it!
Strawberry Popsicle
Place all items into blender and process on high until thoroughly combined. Pour into popsicle molds and put into freezer until frozen. Once frozen, enjoy the cold sensation of this great summer treat!
