Granola Addiction

I have decided I absolutely love granola, so much I've been eating it everyday. My favorite thing about it, besides the crunch, is the nutrition.  Granola is full of heart healthy whole grains such a oats, wheat, and whole wheat flour.  These work together to help lower cholesterol and increase overall heart health.  As many studies show, eating whole grain is a great source of fiber, which helps you feel full longer and keeps you regular too.  In addition, add some nuts to get your Omega-3 fatty acids; almonds and walnuts are best.  With looking for a great granola, look for one made with agave nectar or honey. These are natural sugars, so they break down slower and are overall better for your body than regular sugar.  Lastly, eating more texture is even better. So throw in some flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds. They give you more benefits such as vitamin E, mineral zinc, manganese, magnesium, and more Omega-3's. 

So the next time you head to the store, grab yourself some great granola. Make a great parfait, add a few nuts & dried fruit for a trail mix, or just eat it plan. Yum, Yum!!!

Accepting change

WoW!!!! 2013 Here we are. I am so sorry to my followers and future followers for being absent from my blog. After graduating from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in April 2012, life became crazier than imagined. The biggest change was a move from Murray, Utah to Lakeville, Minnesota. I am so excited to begin blogging again and am more passionate then ever to change the world, one healthier person at a time. Here goes nothing...Who's with me?????

Upcoming...recipes with pictures.

Sugar...the Truth

Last night I watched the best "60 Minutes" I've seen in a long time. It spoke wonders for my cause, as a health coach. The truth behind sugar...it is truly killing us. Now, we have the studies to back up what some of us have been saying for years. Even some of the doctors doing the studies and research were surprised by the results. The question is, will the government intervene now like they did with fat? Will our health crisis start to change with a reduction in fat and sugar? Do you consider the sugar you like to eat a "cocaine high?" Could it be true? Seeing the difference in how sugar impacts my own children's behavior, I couldn't agree more with this research.

Here is a link for video, "Is Sugar Toxic?" Take a look, let me know your thoughts.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7403942n&tag=contentMain;contentAux

If you have concerns about your sugar intake, I'd be happy to provide a free health history consultation. As always, "Keep it simple, make it healthy."

My newest find. SUMO Mandarin Oranges

A few weeks ago while in California, I went to the Whole Foods in Long Beach. Awesome Store!!!! Anyway, the were sampling this orange called a "Sumo." DELICIOUS!!!!! It is local to California. Similar to a mandarin orange but over twice the size. No seeds. Best of all... Easy to peel. I found them at my local Whole Foods in Cottonwood Heights, UT. Best of all, my kids love them and they can peel it all by themselves. Simple and Delicious.

Till next time... Keep it simple, make it healthy.

A Delicious Breakfast

A Kiwi Green Smoothie

This juice was invented by my 7 year old daughter. She loves green smoothies, so I decided to let her 

invent her own. She used green grapes, her brother added two big handfuls of spinach,

she added green kale, a fuji apple, a pear, a whole kiwi, a half of lime,

a drizzle of agave nectar, almond milk, and lastly...frozen yogurt.

YUM...YUM!

Child inspiration

You have to love it, as a mother, when your 10 year old daughter adds, can I have an EXTRA salad???? Of course. This is her salad...spinach, alfalfa sprouts, cherry tomatoes, sunflower seeds, carrots, an onions. Yum, yum. Topped with her favorite dressing. What an inspiration to us all.

My New Toy... I got a VITAMIX

I finally did it. I purchased a Vitamix for my business. After watching demonstrations for years at Costco and by friends, I bought one. For Saturday night dinner we made the best Tortilla Soup ever. It was fresh and light, but most importantly my kids loved it!  We added red peppers, yellow squash, zucchini, avocado, corn, onions, cilantro, and limes to hot chicken stock. Once mixed, we added chunks of cheddar cheese and tortilla chips. Yum, Yum. My four children thought it was very flavorful and full of color. Remember...keep it simple, make it healthy. Kids will love it.