Strengthen and Nourish

"Strengthen from the outside in, nourish from the inside out." ~David Kirsch (clients include Heidi Klum, Anne Hathaway, Liv Tyler, and Ellen Barkin)

By shaping and toning your body on the outside, your inner core and internal self will become stronger. And by properly enriching your body with whole foods and key supplements, your inner health will appear externally. It's the yin and the yang. Be conscious. Transform your life.


LOVE THIS.

Mango Chicken Tacos

This meal comes in a close second to my favorite of all meals. Mango Chicken tacos, introduced to me by my sister, Julie! And as a bonus...it's SUPER easy to make.

Mango Chicken Tacos

corn tortillas

favorite Mango salsa recipe (i buy mine from Costco-even easier)

2-3 chicken breasts

fresh cilantro (my favorite topping)

sour cream

any other favorite toppings:

I did fresh tomatos and avocado this time

Put Mango salsa and chicken breasts in crockpot, turn on low, cook at least 4 hours. Shred chicken, return to crockpot and stir. Serve warm on warm corn tortillas!

The Challenge

So, the other day I made the most SINFUL dessert ever. WHY? Because I'm starting a 5 week eating-clean challenge and so I thought I'd treat myself to SUGAR before I did so. (You know because I think Sugar is my friend until I date him, and I then realize how much I hate him) This is what I made, but don't click on the link...it's not worth it. Seriously I won't lie, it was delicious. But I did have this thought: Why does my brain think it's so wonderful? When really the only wonderful part is that 5 seconds that my taste buds rejoice....after it's over I'm left with a headache, a sick stomach, and then there's the guilt and regret too. But that goes away in a couple hours and I crave those 5 second bites all over again. So then, here's what gets me. Good, clean food really tastes SOOO good. AND it makes you feel SOOO great. So, why is it harder to eat clean than to eat crappy? Maybe it's just because it's what life is all about. You have to work hard to be able to enjoy. You can't taste the sweet without the bitter. What you put in...you get out. Really think about it. Everything you LOVE in life that's worth it, requires work in some way. That's why I love to eat clean and real, because it's a challenge that makes me feel great. There's only good things that come from eating this way.

Homemade Ranch--The Real Thing

So...I'm reading another book...called The Omnivore's Dilemma...by Michael Pollan, who also wrote In Defense of Food that I read and loved. I'm learning how corn is seriously taking over the world....well at least in the food industry. Most foods found in the grocery store when following their food chain...start out on a corn farm. And guess what I found when looking at the label on my ranch mix.........FIRST INGREDIENT: MALTODEXTRIN (processed corn). Also, I buy Wild Coyote Ranch, and read the label on that...not only did it include Maltodextrin...but a handful of other "ingredients" that I did not recognize...or that I did recognize and was really sad it was listed. Ranch is our family's favorite condiment...so...luckily my sweet friend bought me Pioneer Woman's cookbook...and it had a homemade ranch recipe! SOOO EXCITED!

Not to mention that there are 3 things in life I wished I loved...and I try to so hard to eat them, but I just can't choke them down...they are Shrimp, Sushi, and Bleu Cheese (on a wedge). When I see people eating these...oh...it is sooooo sexy...and I want to be sexy...but my taste buds do NOT allow it. So...not only was the recipe for Homemade Ranch there...but it was actually titled: Homemade Ranch with Iceberg Wedge.....that is sexy. I can now cross Bleu Cheese wedge off my "Keep Trying To Love" list!!!! This is a great replacement. And although Ranch may not be the very healthiest....I'd rather eat it clean and real then filled with fake additives.

HOMEMADE RANCH WITH ICEBERG WEDGE
from Ree Drummond's The Pioneer Woman Cooks Cookbook

1/4 teas kosher salt

1 garlic clove, chopped

1 cup real mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 tp 1/2 cup milk or buttermilk, depending on how thick you want the dressing

1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

1 Tb chopped fresh chives

2 Tb chopped fresh dill

1/2 teas distilled white vinegar

1/2 teas Worcestershire sauce

1/8 teas cayenne pepper

1/4 teas paprika

1/2 teas black pepper

dash of hot sauce (optional-which i did not add because of the cayenne pepper, which was the perfect amount of kick for me and my kiddos)

2 heads of iceberg lettuce
1. sprinkle salt over garlic, mashing with fork to make a paste. The finer...the better

2. add all ingredients in bowl together, stirring gently, and adjust seasonings as needed

3. chill for at least 2 hours

4. wash and dry iceberg lettuce, cut into wedges, and drizzle ranch on top

5. (my fave) Be GENEROUS with the dressing...since it needs to reach all the lettuce in the wedge!

Can you tell I A) Loved it and B) followed #5 like a champ...I was very generous with my dressing!

Protein Cookies

Made these this weekend for a treat....DELICIOUS...and you will DIE when you hear the ingredients, and then you'll DIE again when you make them and try them....THEY ARE GOOD!

Protein Cookies

4 cups old fashioned oats

3 scoops Vanilla protein powder (I use 100% WHEY from Costco)

3/4 cup Organic Peanut Butter (or any kind without sugar--you want the real thing)

1/2 cup honey

splash of milk, muscle milk, or almond milk

your choice of dark chocolate chips, raisins, raw coconut, nuts...etc.

Mix all together and press in 9X13 pan and cook for 15 min at 350^.

My husband also crumbled some up after they were cooked and had it as cereal! He's obsessed!!

You will be too!

Got this recipe from my Trainer's facebook page: HOT TOPIC FITNESS

The Basics and Benefits of Eating Clean

The origin of "eating clean" comes from...well...the beginning of time, really. Because it is so common sense and back-to-basics no one can really take credit for this movement. Let me explain what it means to "eat clean" and the benefits that come from it.

The Basics:

◦Eat a wide-variety of whole, unrefined and unprocessed foods in a form that’s as close as possible to how the foods appear in nature
◦Avoid processed sugars, especially sugary beverages like soda
◦Avoid saturated fat and trans fats, and instead substitute healthy, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats
◦Always combine complex carbohydrates with lean protein and some healthy fats at every meal
◦Spread your food out over 5-6 smaller meals, consumed every 2-3 hours
◦Eat for maximum nutrient density. In other words, avoid “empty” calories found in fast food, soda, snacks, cakes and cookies, and substitute in nutrient-dense snacks.
◦Pay attention to proper portions and practice portion control
◦Drink lots of water (at least 8 cups a day.)

The Benefits:

◦Decreased body fat
◦Increased lean tissue (muscle)
◦Improved energy
◦General improvements in overall health and immunity
◦Decreased risk of certain types of diseases like diabetes, stroke, heart disease and cancers
◦Less consumption of pesticides, artificial food additives and preservatives, sodium and sugar
◦Less impact on the environment, since Eating Clean is also Eating Green; the foods you preference in a Clean Eating diet are minimally processed, and thus use less energy and produce less waste than highly-processed foods
◦Less expensive. Contrary to what you might believe, Clean Eating is actually more cost-effective and less expensive than eating pre-packaged food or fast food. For instance, for the price of a Super-Sized Big Mac Meal Deal, you could prepare an entire pot of healthy soup that would make more than a half dozen meals that are healthier, more satisfying and more nutritionally-dense.
◦Sustainable. Unlike fad diets, Clean Eating is a holistic approach to eating that a person can practice for their entire life. You don’t “go on” a Clean Eating diet — you’re always clean eating.

How more common sense can eating clean get?????

True

My Latest Obsession--The Mango

Let me first start off by telling you how the Mango and I fell in love. During this last pregnancy of mine I sort of had an addiction with....Cadbury Creme Eggs. The big one with the creme center. No...seriously, you do not understand how addicted I was. I do have to say, when I am pregnant I get really sick and food NEVER sounds good...unless of course it were a Cadbury Creme Egg....then it always sounded good. Well, my cute darling husband would bring me one home from work EVERY night. (3-4 nights a week--started at about month 7 or 8 of pregnancy). Sometimes he even brought home 3 or 4, and sadly I ate them all......that same night. Well obviously, I started feeling really guilty about these treats being my only source of nutrition....so one night I told him how much I appreciated this highly-anticipated-date with my creamy chocolate eggs....but I really needed to eat healthy. And since no real food sounded good, I told him to surprise me with something from the produce section. The next night he brought me home.....A Mango. Oh No, I thought. Did he really take me serious? Did you really not bring me home another Cadbury Egg? Seriously? (that's when I started hyperventilating because I really wanted my treat)....(then, that's also when I realized I had a real problem!) I was disgusted. It didn't look good, I'd NEVER had a mango....can you believe it. But, I tried it and it was good. Just good, though. The Cadbury Eggs came again the next night. Fast forward to after the baby was born, reality hits, my taste buds return to normal, and my mind switched to rational mode...and I start freaking out because of all the chocolate creamy weight I had gained...and I start really focusing on getting sugar OUT of my diet. Then one bountiful basket order last summer came a few mangos....and I was OBSESSED with how SWEET, JUICY, and AMAZING they were. The rest is history. We are now an item....I totally broke up with Mr. Cadbury Creme Egg. (we may have a fling since they are "in season"...but not anything like last year!) Moral of this story... Being pregnant really alters your rationality...your taste...your body.....and a whole lot of other things.....and also DONT JUDGE A FRUIT WHEN YOU HAVE A BUN IN THE OVEN.


Let me tell you all about this wonderful fruit called the MANGO:

-They are a REAL comfort food. Beyond vitamins, mineral, and anti-oxidants, mangos contain an enzyme with stomach soothing properties. These enzymes act as a digestive aid, and truly do give you a feeling of contentment during and after you've eaten the mango.

-Mangos are a great tenderizing agent. Because of those above stated enzymes, they make the mango an ideal marinade.

-Great Source of Fiber. Eat a mango a day....and you will stay regular! An averaged size mango can contain up to 40% of your daily fiber.

-Mangos are a great source of potassium....perfect snack for after a workout!


I found this WONDERFUL website: http://www.mango.org/. It's the National Mango Board...cool hu? They have recipes, ways to cut and eat mangos, info and games/activites for kids! But...mostly...I can't wait to try these recipes using mangos:

Mango Caprese Salad



Mango Coconut Chicken



Mango Almond Crepes



Honey Grilled Fruit with a Lime-Mint Vinaigrette



Baja Fish Tacos with Fresh Mango Salsa



Mango Avocado Chopped Salad



Tropical Mango Sorbet


I seriously wish I had the time and energy right now to go and make every single one of those recipes, because they all sound deliciously incredible. And last of all doesn't everything about the Mango get you so excited for summer!!!!!!!



PS. I get my mangos from Bountiful Baskets, and Costco. (and quite possibly my farmers market....can't wait!)

What You Should Know about FOOD DYES

GUARANTEED you have something in your house with artificial food dye in it. And it's probably Red #40. Go google it, and you'll read articles about how it is linked with hyperactivity and ADHD symptoms in children. I have listed food color additives below, and I dare you to look them up and educate yourself. It's pretty scary. Another reason to eat "clean and real".

The US FDA divides food colorants into two categories: Certifiable Food Additives and Exempt Food Additives.

Certifiable Color Additives are derived from petroleum distillates or coal tars and are essentially synthetic chemicals created in laboratories. These are often referred to as "artificial" colors.

Exempt Color Additives are derived from plant, animal or mineral sources which have been processed in some way. The layman might call these "natural" colors because of their origins, though it's likely they've come out of a factory or chemical plant just like certifiable colors.

Let's really quick talk about one of the "exempt" colors. Carmine. Insects people. The color is extracted from the shells of certain insects (Dactylopius coccus costa) that live on cacti in South and Central America. It's harvested from the female near egg laying time when their shells turn a deep red color. They are then dried and dissolved into a solvent.

Umm...no thank you I would not like my food served with dried insect shells. Disgusting.

Let's compare the idea of artificially coloring "food" to make it more appealing to the wonderful idea of eating actual real food. Naturally, ripe delicious food doesn't need any convincing...and it just so happens that Mother Nature turns her sweet offerings a wonderfully deep and beautifully vibrant color... to let us know Her food is ready.....and there's nothing aritficial about it!! There really is beauty in eating clean and real!

Also, check out this article on Food Dyes: Food Dyes Linked to Allergies, ADHD and Cancer: Group Calls on US to Outlaw Their Use
By the way, In Britain certain food dyes are not used anymore. If you bought a Strawberry sundae from McDonalds here in the US, it would contain Red #40, but if you bought the same thing at McDonalds in Britain, it WOULD NOT contain synthetic dyes.

Post Vacation Blues

What is it about a good 'ol Vacation that throws you right off the bus.......all of a sudden Sugar becomes "the friend" instead of "the enemy". No I will NOT post my food journal for today.
Give me a couple more days.
Also, I really do feel like crap when I eat crap. So why isn't it easier to eat great--all the time?

Just keepin it Real!!!!!!!