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Tag: healthy lifestyle

Top nutrients (and foods!) for a healthy immune system

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| Categories: Food and Nutrition, Nutrition

We’re all getting an education on viruses these days, and I’ve seen a lot of PSA’s about washing hands, not touching your face, and generally secluding yourself from other humans, but in addition to those important tips, let’s talk about how to fight back and support your immunity with nutrition! The fact is, people with a strong immune system are much better equipped to weather any infection.

If your immune system isn’t functioning optimally, you’re more susceptible not only to viruses, but all kinds of disease. While there are many things that factor…

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Aging Healthfully and Purposefully

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

I’ve just celebrated another milestone birthday. As is common for many people hitting a milestone number sooner than ever expected, I’ve spent quite a bit of time reflecting on the insanely rapid passage of time. How did I get here so fast? Seriously, what’s happening? I’m truly stunned! Stunned!

We can’t stop the march of time, but we can make the most of it, by prioritizing our own health. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It all matters.

Prioritizing our health allows us to run hard after our purpose and to serve the…

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Coconut Chia Pudding with Berry Compote

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

Chia pudding. You love it or you hate it. Or you just haven’t tried this recipe yet!! Seriously, if you think you’re not a fan of chia, this might change your mind! It’s not your run of the mill, bland chia pudding, because who would want to eat that?

I personally love chia pudding for a quick, easy, make-ahead breakfast, and of course, the health benefits. And this is my very favorite version, maybe because it tastes like dessert!

It’s very rich, but not overly sweet, due to the full-fat coconut milk and very berry compote, which is bursting with natural…

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Vanilla-Maple Oat Bran with Almonds & Dates

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

If you grew up eating Cream of Wheat (and liked it, like I did!), but don’t do gluten anymore you’re going to love oat bran! It totally reminds me of Cream of Wheat, in both texture and taste and this is my go-to when I want a warm breakfast bowl to nourish my body and kick off my day.

Unlike most grain-based breakfasts which can contribute to inflammation and spike blood sugar, oat bran has a blood sugar stabilizing effect to keep you off the blood sugar roller-coaster ride that can wreak havoc with your energy, moods, hormones and just…

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Grain Free Cereal

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

I grew up on cereal. Who didn’t? But in the interest of my health, I’ve given up on the processed stuff. Luckily, it’s easy to replace with a “cereal” made from protein and nutrient rich nuts and seeds and naturally sweetened with coconut, vanilla and cinnamon. I like to top with fresh berries as well! Enjoy!

 

Grain Free Cereal

Serves 1

Ingredients

2 tablespoons sunflower seeds

2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds

2 tablespoons raw almonds

1 tablespoon ground flax

1 tablespoon hemp seed

2 tablespoons shredded coconut

½ teaspoon vanilla

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup berries (optional)

almond milk (for serving)

Add nuts, seeds, coconut…

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Vitamin D “The Sunshine Vitamin”: Are You Getting Enough of This Important Nutrient?

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| Categories: Food and Nutrition, Natural Living, Nutrition

I don’t need an excuse to get out and absorb the sun. I live for it. Summer is my favorite season and heat is my friend. I cherish my time outside walking my dog, going for a run, sitting outside to do work or eat lunch, or just turning my face to the sun and doing nothing at all! I’m outside as much as possible in the summer, and in the winter as much as I can stand 🙂

So, it came as a surprise to me when I had blood work done recently, that my Vitamin D levels were…

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Sea Salt & Caramel Nice Cream

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| Categories: Healthy Desserts, Recipes, Snacks

I’m a BIG fan of ice cream.

There was a time when I ate it nightly. Yes, practically every night. It was habitual. After I put the kids to bed, the ice cream would come out and I would just serve some right up, cone and all.  (Notice how I did this after the kids went to bed. I really didn’t want to share and also didn’t want them eating all that ice cream! )

That was a long time ago, and fortunately habits can change! But I still love it. And still eat it on special summer trips to our favorite…

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2-Ingredient Soft Serve Nice Cream

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| Categories: Healthy Desserts, Recipes, Snacks

Oh sweet summer 🙂  How I love me some ice cream. But since I eat pretty much dairy and gluten free, I have to improvise, because I don’t believe in deprivation!

But this is no sacrifice and honestly, it doesn’t get much easier than this to make a simple, healthy, dairy free and naturally sweet soft serve! And bonus, no ice cream maker needed! This is super easy to make with either a high-speed blender or a food processor, and obviously the ingredient list is quite manageable. Just keep storing up those frozen bananas, they’re gonna go fast!

Made from just…

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Tips for the Healthiest Holidays

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| Categories: Food and Nutrition, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Take a minute to step aside from the holiday swirl of your life right now.

Read this blog post as a reminder to slow down and carve out some time and space to truly nourish yourself this holiday season. At this time of year more than ever, we tend to abandon our own self care and goals, in the name of getting it all done, perfectionism and even holiday cheer. But we can easily find ourselves losing touch, running out of steam and not supporting ourselves nutritionally or spiritually. There is a certain kind of balance that needs to happen…

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Simple Ingredient Swaps for Cleaner Eating

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| Categories: Food and Nutrition, Nutrition

One of the easiest ways to make every day a little bit healthier is with simple ingredient swaps that don’t sacrifice taste or joy! Below I’ve listed some of my favorite swaps, with a brief description of why.

If you don’t care about the why, just the what, skip to the bottom of this post! I created a PDF list which you can download or print for your reference. Post it in your pantry as a reminder!

Consider replacing some or all of the following foods and step up your clean eating habits!

Artificial Sweeteners: Artificial sweeteners are hugely problematic for many…

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