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living life naturally

whole food nutrition for the body

faith and purpose for the soul

12 Essential Tips for Quality Sleep

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| Categories: Food and Nutrition, Inspiration, Natural Living

Sleep is the new kale!

Sleep is a hot topic. So you’re going to be hearing alot about it and hopefully making more room for it (or at least doing it better!) just like you make room for all that kale!

You may have a vague sense that your sleep isn’t the greatest and you’d like to get more or better sleep, but the research is out on just exactly how poor sleep is affecting us.

As we could expect, the consensus is that poor sleep quality is not doing us any favors as we try to reach our goals, and in fact, is doing…

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Thoughts on Life WAY Over 40

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| Categories: Faith and Purpose, Food and Nutrition, Inspiration, Nutrition, Purpose

I’m feeling a bit reflective, and also very grateful, because I have a birthday this week. And no, it’s not “the big one”, or any of “the big ones”, but it’s getting pretty close to a big one. Basically, I’m not a kid any more (understatement). I’m now WAY over 40, almost 48 to be exact. But I don’t always feel as grown up as I think I should at age 48. I thought I would feel older.

Older and wiser, right? And I do feel wiser. I know a lot of stuff now! But I also still don’t…

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Herb Roasted Chicken with Vegetables

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| Categories: Main DIshes, Recipes

If you cook (and I really hope you do!), learning how to roast a chicken should be in your repertoire! It’s just so easy and so very impressive at the same time. Not to mention comforting, and it makes your house smell like the South of France. But, I know you love those rotisserie chickens that sit under those heat lamps at the store. Convenience!  0% effort and dinner is served! Yes, I am also thankful for that convenience on busy nights, but there is no substitute for a fresh, organic chicken roasting away in your very own oven!…

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Cooking: Love Made Edible

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| Categories: Food and Nutrition, Inspiration, Nutrition

“Cooking is love made edible.”

I came across this quote this week and thought it an appropriate topic for a blog post during Valentine’s week! Cooking as an expression of love and connection and health. Also, as I was thinking about the Valentine’s meal I would prepare for my own family this week, this was on my mind. I’ve written about this before, but it matters to me, so I’ll keep writing about it.

Because the table is the place where we get nourished, not only physically, but emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

It’s a time of connection to others, to come together,…

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Improve Your Meal Planning to Save Money and Time

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| Categories: Food and Nutrition, Inspiration

I saved at least $200 this month by improving my meal planning. It’s true, maybe even more! And it didn’t take a lot of extra effort. I was simply more organized in planning our meals, shopped on the right days, reviewed the food I still had at the end of the week before buying more, and shopped only once a week.

Planning healthy meals has never been my issue, and we eat really well, but I’m trying to get better at the time and money part. I’m trying to simply shop less, buy less, waste less. It’s like the minimalist…

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Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup

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| Categories: Main DIshes, Recipes, Soups

Who’s craving tortilla soup?!? Me! But I’m in the midst of a cleanse, so no tortillas for me right now. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t satisfy my cravings with an equally delicious soup complete with all the flavors of a traditional tortilla soup, just minus the tortillas and plus extra veggies! This is a very simple soup to make, as you just throw everything in the slow cooker. It’s also perfect if you’re craving healthy comfort food and something the whole family would enjoy.

As with most of my recipes, the veggies are the stars in this soup. This…

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Why do we quit on our goals?

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| Categories: Faith, Faith and Purpose, Inspiration, Purpose

What are your hopes for this brand spanking new 2017? The clean slate of a New Year gives us permission to go all crazy setting new goals and chasing big dreams right? We get all excited and start off with the best of intentions, but back off the plan when we don’t see the results quick enough. The truth is many of us won’t see our resolutions through again this year. We will have setbacks. We will get frustrated. We will quit.

Setbacks are not failure. They are only setbacks. Don’t let them derail you and keep you from your vision.

Something I’ve learned to…

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What the winter solstice means for our bodies and our health

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| Categories: Food and Nutrition, Uncategorized

Happy First Day of Winter! It’s hard to believe, considering the below zero temps lately, but today is our “official” transition from fall to winter, the winter solstice!

By any chance have you noticed a shift in your body/mood/energy levels lately? I’m not going to lie, winter is my least favorite season. I’m just a warm weather kind of girl. Plus, I hate sweaters. And layers. And coats. Also, boots and gloves. And dry skin.

We don’t tend to pay much attention to the winter solstice when it’s already dipped into the negative temps and our focus is on the holidays, the celebrations, the shopping,…

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5 Healthy Holiday Smoothies

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| Categories: Food and Nutrition, Recipes, Smoothies, Uncategorized

It’s no secret I love smoothies. Making smoothies is one of the easiest ways to be creative in the kitchen with few skills and little time, not to mention a whole lot of nutrition for this small effort! Smoothies are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants. Plus, they’re easy to digest, which means your body easily absorbs all of that good stuff. When foods are easy on your digestion, it also means more energy for you!

My smoothies roll with the seasons, and it’s the holiday season! So I’m here to help you get into the holiday spirit with smoothie recipes…

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Kale and White Bean Soup with Lemon

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| Categories: Food and Nutrition, Nutrition, Recipes, Soups

I made this soup for the first time in a while the other night and was immediately reminded why I love it. My body was craving a quick healthy boost, and it was craving this soup. Soups are one of the easiest (and delicious) ways to get a lot of fresh, nutrient dense vegetables into your diet, quickly, easily and all in one bowl! This one is absolutely bursting with health (thanks, kale!). It is such a gift to your body. Tell me you don’t feel healthier just looking at the picture (and it’s not even a great picture, but you get the…

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