Thursday, October 17, 2013

Asian chicken lettuce wraps


I've been making these lettuce wraps for months. It sort of happened accidentally. I was making dinner one night, but I was super tired and had no desire to cook. At. All. Can ya feel me??  Every once in a while that happens.  ;) Then, on top of not feeling like cooking, I didn't have some of the ingredients. Who decides to make a new recipe without checking for ingredients first?  Yeah, me.  I was *this close* to just throwing in the towel and ordering pizza, but for some reason I followed through with it anyway and "winged" it, which I actually love to do most nights, so I guess it's all good.

So, the original recipe is here, but I tweaked it quite a bit (and my picture looks wayyy better. You'll see what I mean). I hope you like them as much as we do!

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
(serves 4)

Ingredients:
1 pound ground chicken
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 1/2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
1/2 Tablespoon freshly grated ginger
2 teaspoons sriracha, plus extra for drizzle
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon red curry paste
2 garlic cloves, pressed
3 Tablespoons peanut butter
6 Tablespoons boiling water
Salt and pepper to taste
8-12 large romaine lettuce leaves
1 carrot, shredded
chopped peanuts, optional
chopped cilantro, optional
chopped green onion, optional
diced avocado, optional

Directions:
1.) Brown chicken in large pan until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Stir in chopped red pepper and cook until tender, 5 more minutes.

2.) Add vinegar, ginger, sriracha, sesame oil, worcestershire sauce, red curry paste and garlic, stir well until blended.  Add peanut butter and stir well. Add boiling water a tablespoon at a time until your desired consistency is reached.

3.) Assemble romaine leaves on plate. Place ground chicken mixture on each leaf and garnish with the carrot, more sriracha if you like, and any of the other toppings that sound good/you have on hand.

Enjoy!

Between me and you, sometimes I like to just chop the lettuce and toss it all together like a salad. But, shhhh, don't tell anyone.  ;)

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Be Strawesome!


If you follow my Facebook page, twitter or instagram, you've probably seen me post a few photos with a fancy straw.  If you haven't heard of Strawesome yet, you've been living under a rock. It's only the most amazing glass straw company out there.

Why a glass straw, you ask?  Because plastic sucks.  It's no fun to drink out of a plastic straw, not when you have glass as an option! And, there's no harmful BPAs to think about with glass.  And no worries about breaking...these straws are extremely durable. But, if you do happen to break yours, they have a lifetime guarantee!



Details:


  • Type of glass discovered in the late 1800s
  • Main ingredients: silica and boron oxide
  • Non-porous and hypo-allergenic
  • Super durability - more resistant to breaking than other glass, colors stay brilliant after each use and wash
  • Used for high-quality beverage glassware and kitchenware (like measuring cups, coffee pots)
  • Both microwave and dishwasher safe
  • BPA-Free and toxin free
  • Borosilicate glass is even used on the Space Shuttle!





The company:

"Founded in 2009, Strawesome is a family-owned and operated Michigan-based green company with a commitment to health and the environment. We offer fun, safe, and reusable glass drinking straws to people of all ages - making it easy to go green!  Our straws are all hand-made in our workshop in Michigan and we take pride and care to offer the best products and service possible."



There are tons of designs and sizes for you to choose from. Classic styles, bold colors, artistic...you can't go wrong!  Get several!



So, there you have it!  Don't be boring with your plastic straws. Be awesome with your Strawesome!



Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Food is heroine. And other fun stuff.

This was written about 3 1/2 years ago.  I no longer struggle like this, but it was very real at the time.  It's sad that food has this effect. I would love to know your thoughts in the comments!

Recently I’ve had some time to reflect.  I’ve always liked looking at both sides of an issue, but rarely ever get to actually feel both sides of an issue.
For example, I’ve been on antidepressants before, and knew that at that time I didn’t have a choice.  I felt like it was the only logical next step in a roller coaster situation that I knew nothing about.  Fast forward thirteen years later, and I know more about hashimotos thyroiditis and depression than I ever wanted to know.  I haven’t taken antidepressants in twelve years, and am doing everything in my power to avoid it.  However, since I had been on them, and also felt like I needed to be on them at the time, I can truly feel both sides of that issue.  While I believe you can stay off of antidepressants, and can certainly get off of them if you’re already on them, I do value that they are absolutely life saving in certain specific circumstances.  Had I never been on them, I may not have ever been able to have the sympathy that I do have for those people truly in need of some medically assisted mood lifting. 

Similarly, now that I have sore ankles, and aching knees, and tight muscles – all from not eating right and not exercising – I am seeing a new side to a different issue. I’ve made judgments. I’m not proud of them. I’ve seen overweight people in a motorized shopping cart and thought, “How lazy.”  I never once gave a thought that it may be beyond their own control.

I also have a friend with a sister who has MS. I’ve tried to help in any way that I can by researching for her. We’ve stumbled across a few articles that indicate eliminating artificial sweeteners, and potentially even gluten, can have enormous positive effects on MS symptoms.  She tried giving up her beloved Diet Coke for a weekend, only to surrender to its grip before 24 hours was up.  Her words were essentially, “I’d rather die than give up my diet coke.”
Who wouldn’t cringe a little when hearing those words?  Who in their right mind would ever even say those words?  How could you possibly ever put food above your health?  Or putting diet coke above a life without a mother for your kids?

But, here I am.  Weighing in at a life altering 193, with pains, and critical health issues that could easily lead to my death, or at the very least a less than full life. I have chosen cheetos over my very own life.

I am no different than those people I have judged. I can feel both sides.
If you’re 20 pounds overweight, or 200 pounds overweight, what really is the difference?  Where does that line stop? If I can’t stop eating these foods that are slowly killing me, then who’s to say I won’t be the one riding that motorized cart? I’ll be the one holding up the line at the zoo, because I had to lean on the railing and catch my breath after 3 stairs. 

Where does that change occur, and how the hell do we stop it?  I’m serious. I’ve been working out with a trainer. I have all the skills and recipes it takes to be a healthy eater. I am a great cook. I’ve eaten healthy and organically and maintained a fairly decent weight for most of my life, and yet here I am again. And, there I was today.  Like a crack addict.  I may as well be a heroin addict with a needle dangling from my arm, the way I ransacked my house looking for a hit.  Ooh! A stash of skittles….a mini crackle bar from Halloween…laffy taffy will even do the trick in a pinch. I glanced around corners, making sure my husband wasn’t looking.  I shoved that candy bar entirely into my mouth and instantly felt the drug coursing through my body. 

First, it’s the frantic search for the drug your body is screaming at you to find. Your brain has convinced you somehow, any way possible, to go looking for it.  
Next, it’s the sneaking. Making noises to drown out the sound of wrappers being opened.  Or, you hide in a room far from everyone else and down the goods before they know you’re missing.  Hiding the wrappers is an art all its own. I’m really good at hiding my traces. It scares me.

Then finally, it’s the glazed over look in the eyes, after the drug has entered the body. You relax. You smile. You feel good. For a moment.

The most hysterical thing?  Right after you’ve eaten something…while the drug is still in your blood stream…you say to yourself “That’s it. I’m never. doing. this. again!!”  

Cut to two hours later when the drug is leaving your system, and you’re digging in the bottom of the fucking garbage can again, for that little bit of chocolate you thought you were done with. 




Monday, September 30, 2013

Cuppow!

I've been wanting to try the Cuppow! products for a while now.  I've heard great things about their accessories, and as much as I use my mason jars, I knew they'd come in handy.  I love the "sippy cup" attachment for when I'm on the road and don't want to risk spilling a beloved jug of juice all over my car.  This was perfect!  I highly recommend you grab a few of these for yourselves.  They make them for wide mouth or regular jars.

They also have a fantastic BNTO cup attachment that goes under the lid and can hold anything you want! It separates the wet foods from the dry ones. It's perfect for salad dressing, if you're making the salad in a jar.  Or you could store some apple slices or carrot and celery sticks in the jar with peanut/almond butter in the cup. Milk and cereal.  Chips and salsa. Hummus and veggie sticks  The possibilities are endless, really.  And mason jars are so great since they're made out of glass and can be reused. No BPAs to worry about, and better for the environment!

All Cuppow products are made in the U.S.A, and are BPA free, and made from recycled/recyclable material.

I'm seriously in love with these attachments!  Very affordable and available at retail stores, like, everywhere!  Go get some!  And let me know what all you use yours for!  Be creative with your health food.  :)



Thursday, September 19, 2013

Low carb/High fat Pumpkin Spice Latte!

So, if you're following my facebook page, by now you know that I am doing yet another crazy diet study on myself. This time it is a very high fat (75%), very low carb (10%) diet.  I will be doing a more detailed blog about this study at a later time (currently in term paper hell and too busy to blog much!)  BUT, this particular blog HAD to be done today!

I am a newly converted Starbucks PSL lover!  I love all things pumpkin, but this is the first year I've really gotten hooked on the Starbucks version of this latte.  So, it's sad that I have to be all health conscious and worry about things like calories and carbs and sugar.  But, luckily I'm also creative!

I present to you, the Low carb/High fat version of the PSL!




Ingredients
1/2 cup organic heavy cream (any milk substitute would be fine, just not as high in fats!)
2-3 T of pumpkin puree (I used 2, but if you're not too worried about carbs, go ahead and add more!)
1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice (or more to taste)
4-5 drops of English Toffee flavored liquid stevia (or sweetener of your choice)
1/2-3/4 cup of super strong coffee/espresso, brewed, depending on how strong you like your latte

In a small pan, add the heavy cream and pumpkin and stir over medium heat until well blended, then add the spices and stevia.  Bring to a low boil.  Add milk mixture to your blender and blend until frothy (20-30 seconds).  Pour milk mixture into a mug and add the hot coffee!  Optional: whip up some homemade whipped cream (whip heavy cream until thick, add a few drops of stevia for sweetness)  Voila!

Enjoy!

Calories: 412
Carbs: 3 g
Fat: 48 g
Protein: 0



Saturday, August 31, 2013

7,000 Facebook fans juice fest giveaway!

Time for another giveaway!  The ol' Facebook page has reached (close enough!) 7,000 followers and I am thrilled!  This giveaway is a fun one, too! Since I did the 7 day juice feast to celebrate the 7,000 fans, I thought it would be fun to do a juice-themed giveaway. I will be doing separate blog reviews on all of these awesome companies, but just know that these are TOP OF THE LINE, amazing products.  Cuppow is blowing my mind with their mason jar line of products. Endless possibilities there. Strawesome's glass straws are superior quality and I love mine so much. It's pretty and very durable and FUN!  The Juice Master book "Lose 7 pound in 7 days" is full of great tips for anyone considering adding juicing to their lives, whether as a fast, or just as a fresh way to start the day.  And, Atom Acres is a Fort Wayne company, so I am proud to include a farm that uses organic, sustainable practices to their produce that is right here in my own home town.

Please take some time to check out each other their pages and support these wonderful companies.







For the Grand Prize winner:
1 Jason Vale Juice Master book "Lose 7 pounds in 7 days"
1 Strawesome Straw (artisti's choice)
2 Cuppow jar attachments
1 Whole to Healthy Juice Plan

For one LOCAL (fort wayne area) winner:
1 bag of Atom Acres fresh produce
2 Cuppow jar attachments
1 Jason Vale Juice Master book "Lose 7 pounds in 7 days"
(NOTE: Local winner will be chosen separately from this drawing)

**There will be 18 additional winners of the Jason Vale book that will be drawn randomly after the first two prizes are drawn.**

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Arnold Schwarzenegger walks into a juice bar...

If you follow my facebook page, you already know that I'm planning to do a 7-day juice fast in honor of reaching 7,000 fans.  There will be a big, juicy giveaway too, which I'm very excited about! I always feel like Oprah when I do giveaways!  YOU GET A JUICER!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!! <bitches be faintin>

But, I digress.  Another, more serious, reason that I want to do this juice fast is because I've had a minor health scare. Or major, depending on how you look at it.  I have an under active thyroid that I've kept in check with Armour Thyroid for about 15 years, but recently my doc said my TSH levels were too high, while the other numbers were in normal range.  He suspects something might be going on in the pituitary gland. The word tumor may have been mentioned.  I just keep pretending I'm Ahnuld and saying, "It's NOT a toomahhh," like the mature adult that I am.  But seriously.  It may just be a blood clot or something, so why freak out? Anyway, he wants to do an MRI. I want a month to fix it "my way", which is what led him to call me a pain in the ass.  He loves me. He really loves me.

My reasons for not wanting to do the MRI right away are:
a) the MRI will cost me about $450 (my insurance is just pretending to be insurance)
2) I am not convinced the labs were accurate, because I feel fine
D) if they found a tumor, I'd still want to do a juice fast to hopefully cure myself anyway
iii) I'm a pain in the ass

The plan: Do a 7 day juice fast with the hopes of actually making it much longer.  Preferably 15 days or more. Eat mostly raw after. Focus on other detox methods (dry brushing, lymph massage, etc) and then appease the doc with the MRI and probably a new TSH blood draw. Cross fingers.

So, while a juice fast isn't for everyone, and I have a seriously horrible track record with juice fasting, this is the best option that I feel I have right now. I know many of you will write to me and disagree or have other options, but I've been instinctively drawn to juice fasting for a long time now.  This is the right time. And to make sure that I don't completely bail on this like I did last time, I have a genius plan.  And I mean, GENIUS.

This time I will plan ahead.  I know! Genius.
This time I will enlist a buddy!  Genius, right?!?!?!
This time...wait for it.....I am spending the first 3 days of  the fast at an amazing, peaceful, relaxing, gorgeous lake cottage! No one to cook for!  No food except produce to juice!
G-E-N-I-U-S.

I can't guarantee more than 7 days, but I can guarantee that I will at least make it past the dreaded first 3 days!  From what I hear, if you can make it past 3 days, it's smooth sailin'. And, this time I have the ok from my doc *and* a juice expert on standby to help walk me through any bumps.  I wasn't fooling around when I said my plan was genius.

Juice fast starts August 20th. Everyone is welcome to join.  I am still figuring out recipes and menu, but keep watching the facebook page for details. I'll be working closely with a local farm, too, which I am very excited about!  Nothing like juicing fresh from the garden, organic goodies!

And the giveaway is going to be B-A-N-A-N-A-S! <jumps up and down> Take THAT, Oprah!


*PLEASE NOTE: I am in NO way suggesting anyone attempt to cure their cancer/tumors/anything that ails ya with a juice fast. This is just my gut instinct. Consult your own doctor. Consult your own gut.  Make the right choice for YOU.  Be well. <3

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Review: Emmy's Organics

I am a small business owner, so any story that involves a small business that makes it big always excites me.  And Emmy's Organics is no exception!  Started by Samantha and Ian (out of Ian's mom Emmy's kitchen), this little business idea began with coconut macaroons and expanded to include trail mix, granola, sprouted foods and even chocolate sauce!  All of their products are not only super delish, but also vegan, raw and gluten free!  You just can't get better than that.

When I opened the box from Emmy's, I was first immediately impressed by their packaging. I am a packaging snob and a former advertising designer, so I always look for great logos, color combinations and overall brand feel.  They had very clean and crisp labeling, with vibrant, but natural, colors and I always love the matching packaging designs, with just a little color variance. I received 4 flavors of macaroons and one small sample of chocolate sauce.

I should probably say that I had *just* come off of a modified juice fast when this box arrived and all of the flavors just popped like crazy mad on my poor, neglected taste buds! ;)  But, I saved some of each and tried them again yesterday and they all still tasted amazing. So, no juice fasting required!

Ok, down to business...

Coconut Vanilla - If you like coconut, but don't like too many other crazy flavors, this one is for you!  I was obsessed with the subtle vanilla flavor these had. Very coconutty, but that's sort of the point with macaroons, huh!?  These are perfectly sweetened with seriously the most amazing vanilla flavor, and ingredients you can live with.

Dark Cacao -The chocolate flavor of these was intense and perfect.  Again, a little coconutty, but duh. Seriously. Amazeballs. Rich, decadent, to die for, and still a healthy treat!

Lemon Ginger - I am kind of a lemon freak. Lemon is one of my favorite flavors in anything, and these were perfectly flavored. Not too sour, but you could definitely taste the lemon, with a slight hint of ginger. I really liked these.

Mint Chip - So, I'm not going to lie. These were MY FAVE. I nearly ate all three at once because they were that good. But, instead I just ate half of them. Such. Restraint!  The chocolate and mint didn't seem like they'd be a good combo with the coconut, but they were perfect. Still very coconutty, so if you DO NOT LIKE COCONUT, then these are not for you, but seriously. Why ya buying coconut macaroons if you don't like coconut anyway, amiright?   If you like anything chocolate/mint, then you MUST order these pronto.  The mint was a combo of spearmint and peppermint, which is what made these the chicken dinner winner.  Unless you're vegan, which means these were the "chicken" dinner winner.  But either way, winning.

Chocolate Sauce - This was just evil. Here I am on a juice fast and there's this little pot of chocolatey, drippy goodness for me to try.  How is it possible this is still healthy??  It's like magic, or something.  I wish you could taste this for yourself....oh wait!  You can.  Hop on over to their shop and get yourself some of this!  It would go perfectly on some homemade almond flour brownies, fresh fruit, or coconut ice cream.  Or a spoon....not saying I did that, but it could be an option for you!  

Overall, I am very pleased with this product.  So, if you're looking for a sweet treat that won't send you into sugar coma or make your jeans shrink, then you definitely need to give Emmy's a try!  And check out their facebook page while you're out here on the interwebz.  Tell them Whole to Healthy sent you!!  xoxo

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Some berries.


I have something that I need to get off my chest.  I've only been in nutrition school for 3 years now, but I've been a dieting fool for as long as I can remember.  Not only have I dieted, lost weight, fallen off "the wagon", got back on, lost the weight *again*...repeat, repeat, repeat, but I've seen countless friends and family members do the same thing.  I've also worked in the weight loss and wellness field and heard similar stories from all of them, not to mention from my current clients. There’s something seriously wrong with this picture.

There’s no secret that the obesity rate in our country has reached epic proportions, but the bigger problem, in my mind (and most likely a culprit of it), is the dieting epidemic.  All too often we start a diet, only to abruptly end it when we feel like we've failed. We couldn't sustain this way of eating long enough to reach our weight goals, let alone for a lifetime. Then, where do we go? Some sort of "diet wonderland" that rests magically in the middle of perfect and horrible?  Nope, we end up going right back to where we were eating before: Crapville.

Recently, I've read two blog posts by a local physician who leans heavily towards a paleo way of eating, and the wording he used bothered me. He suggested that the vast majority of people should be eating "grass-fed meats, wild caught fish, nuts, and seeds, with carbohydrate sources only from vegetables and some berries". Honestly, I don't care what any one particular person eats. If they are healthy and successful at keeping up that way of eating without feeling deprived or without having to restart week after week, then more power to them. Had these blogs been directed to a paleo community I wouldn’t have thought twice, but these blogs were directed to the general public. A public that is already overwhelmingly confused with what is “right” and “wrong”.

Our country does not have a fruit eating problem.  I don't even think we have a grain eating problem, technically.  And no one that I know has a protein deficiency, that's for sure. What we do have is a country that doesn't eat ENOUGH fruits, vegetables, and healthy whole grains.   But, most people that I know, past and current clients included, DO have a vegetable and fruit eating deficiency.  So, when a doctor recommends "some berries", like that's the only choice of fruits, it really bothers me. And here's why:

I don't know the exact percentage, but I'm just going to go out on a limb and say that well over half of this country is eating Standard American Diet (SAD). If you don't know what this is, it's basically all packaged, heavily processed foods with an emphasis on fast foods, soda pop, white breads, white rice, white pasta and lots of transfats and sugar.  Telling someone who is currently eating SAD to only get carbs from "vegetables and some berries" makes we want to scream that this is what's already wrong with the world!!  This is no different than when I tried to just eat grapefruit to lose weight, or when I tried the atkins diet, regrettably.  If it's too strict for me to do long term, then it certainly isn't something to START OUT with.  If my client is on a SAD, I would gradually get them to eat more and more veggies and eliminate some of the obvious bad habits, like fast food and pop on a daily basis. As they feel healthier and stronger from this change in foods, their taste buds will change and they'll start to desire even more healthy choices.  As eating more veggies becomes easier for them, then, and only then, would I recommend tweaking other areas of their food plan.  I want to empower my clients and make sure they feel in control along the way.  I don't want them caving in after 3 days and giving up completely, only to return to their daily junk food.  When you tell people in general to follow a diet, such as the paleo diet, or any restrictive diet for that matter, you are telling them (especially when a doctor or nutritionist is saying this!) that they can only be healthy if they follow this exact course.   I am here to tell you that isn't the case.  If you are already eating as clean and healthy as you possibly can, and you are STILL experiencing health concerns, and you've met with your physician to address underlying metabolic issues, then it is possible that you can start getting more restrictive with your food.  As you clean up your diet, these choices will not seem as overwhelming, and will therefore be more attainable. Most people can reach their desired health without getting that restrictive, however, so why start with the hardest possible answer?  

I have seen COUNTLESS clients get OFF medications while still eating...wait for it....GRAINS.  Gasp!  I know!  The horror!  I am not a doctor, but if my client can get off the diabetic medication that he's been taking for YEARS, while still eating a diet that he can sustain long term, even if it contains the dreaded grains, then I'm more than ok with that.  Don't shame him into thinking that he's not good enough because he ate more than just berries, or god forbid, had a paleo-ized dessert, or some brown rice.  

Moral of the story:  Treat the person where they are, not at the finish line.  Be responsible with your "health" recommendations and know that not everyone reading your blogs is as strong as you are, or in the right mind set.  They will get there, but on their own time. So, eat those berries, but don't hate yourself if you end up eating a few oranges....a kiwi....or even a watermelon or two.   And if you need a Paleo cupcake, made of coconut, eggs, raw honey and grass-fed butter, just to keep yourself from completely falling head first into a box of Krispy Kremes, then get with me. I can hook you up with a good whole-foods baker. 

Lose the wagon. Walking is better for you anyway. 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Grilled salad is my boo!

Top left: romaine, bok choy, red cabbage, fennel
If you follow my facebook page you already know that I'm flat out addicted to grilled salad. What I love the most about this salad is that the combinations are really endless!

Here are some of my favorite veggies to grill right now:
Bok Choy
Asparagus
Portobello Mushrooms
Fennel (fronds removed)
Avocado (this sounds crazy, but OH.MY.GAWD, it's not)
Red onion
Cabbage/Brussels Sprouts
Romaine, of course

Really, any sturdy veggie would be great!

So, here's how to do it:

Slice a head of romaine in half.  Rinse super well, without tearing the leaves away from the stalk. You want that in tact so they will stay together on the grill.  This can be tricky!  I buy organic romaine, so there's always little bugs tucked away down in the nooks and crannies, but you can do this by pulling the leaves back and rinsing them as good as possible, then placing your romaine half, cut side down, onto a towel to drip dry while you prep the rest of your veggies. You don't want soggy lettuce, so make sure it gets fairly dry, but don't go too crazy worrying about it. 

Next, slice whatever other veggies you have into 1/4" slices. I like to brush them all with olive oil, salt and pepper, but I think any spice/seasoning will work well.

Finally, grill the veggies!  Now, wasn't that easy?  We like to put the romaine on the top rack because it will burn a little easier, so keep an eye on it.

Now, if you ask me, the best part of this whole meal is this simple sauce:

Smoky Tahini Sauce
Fennel, asparagus, avocado, romaine
(modified from this one)

1/2 cup tahini (this is ground sesame seeds. I've seen it at Meijer, and can usually be found in ethnic sections or health food shops)
1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (or more)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (to make this vegan use this recipe!)
3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
salt, to taste
5-6 Tablespoons of water, depending on your desired consistency

Place all ingredients in a food processor, except water.  Gradually add water, 1 T at a time until you reach the consistency you want. Blend until smooth.

If this is too sour, add more tahini. If this is not spicy enough, add more smoked paprika or some sriracha.  You can really tweak it until you find your preferred taste. 

Romaine, avocado, asparagus, red onion, fennel
This dressing goes SO WELL with the grilled salad. The smoky flavors of the dressing really enhance the smoky flavors from the grill.  Oh, it's so yummy, I think I want it again tonight!  

I guess if you're going to be addicted to something, it might as well be veggies, right??

Peace, love and veggies!!  <3






Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Should you be juicing?

I've been making my own fresh veggie and fruit juices for about a year now. It has been a very interesting journey.  If you remember my paleo and raw/vegan studies, you might know that that was my first time experimenting with home juicing.  The Raw Diet Detox that I did for school is what got me started with the whole diet study idea in the first place. It mentioned something called a green lemonade that was integral to the whole program. So, after first borrowing a juicer from a friend, I hesitantly added the kale, entire head of romaine, lemon, ginger and apple to be pulverized into juice. It was green. I was scared.  I took a tiny sip fully expecting to yarf, but I was pleasantly surprised. For something SO green, it didn't taste green at all.  If you would have been standing in my kitchen that day, you probably would have seen the light bulb go off above my head!  I was so excited about this and jazzed that something so healthy and GREEN could taste so delicious!  And so it began...

Fast forward to now, and I've posted countless photos of my juicing experiments on my facebook page, and here, and even created some Valentine recipes especially for Omega Juicers!  Some were flops, most were tasty. But, I've learned so much about juicing since (I've even been interviewed about juicing by Shape and Essence magazines!) and I want to break it all down here for you to help clear up a few things, as well as just give some overall tips for getting started, and fine-tuning the process so you don't feel so overwhelmed. 

Probably the biggest question I get on my page, is "Why Juice?" There are so many reasons to juice, and it is a personal decision for the individual, but here are just a few that I think are most important:

Benefits of Juicing
  • Juicing removes all of the fiber from the produce, which allows for the nutrients to go immediately to work, providing quick delivery to the blood stream. This is why most people feel very energetic right away after that morning juice! (But what about the benefits of fiber?  Keep reading...)
  • The digestive system gets a huge break, now that the fiber is removed.  This is an important aspect, especially for people with digestive issues or concerns.  Eating the amount of vegetables that you just juiced would have taken HOURS of work by the body to digest it all, so this is a key factor in the benefits of juicing. Less work on the digestive system, means more energy can be spent healing your body, and unfortunately in today's world, we are all in need of major healing, whether we feel like it or not.
  • This also means that you consume so much MORE beneficial nutrients, since you don't have to actually chew the food. Most people don't eat enough vegetables in a day, and juicing is great for people who just can't seem to fit them in otherwise, or for those who HATE every single vegetable, this could be a lifesaver.  One juice can have more veggies and fruit in it than what most people eat in a week, sadly.
  • Another thing that I find beneficial with juicing, is that even if you love eating veggies, you almost always have a few that you don't really like. By juicing, you can get the unique nutrients from those foods, without really having to taste them!  Take beets, for example. I absolutely detested beets. Gag reflex. every.single.time.  But, I know how unbelievably healthy they are for you, so I added just a tiny bit into a juice. I couldn't even taste it!  So, the next time, I added a bit more, and a bit more, and now, wouldn't you believe it?  I like beets.  I roast them!  I slice them in my salads!  It's crazy, I know.  But, if juicing can help you enjoy eating more veggies, than that has to be the best benefit of all!   
The next biggest question I get is, "What's better?  Juicing or Smoothies?"

Juicing versus smoothies
I get asked a lot about the difference between smoothies and juicing. I also have many people tell me not to juice because I'm missing all the benefits of the fiber in the produce.  Here's the thing, just because you juice, it doesn't mean you don't get fiber throughout the day from your other foods.  I can have a few juices a day and still reach my daily fiber requirements, no problem!  The fiber in the smoothies actually slows them down in your digestive system and requires more work from your body.  While fiber is majorly beneficial for proper bodily function, choosing to juice a few meals can be extremely healing for your gut. Now, obviously if you do a juice FAST, you would go many days without any fiber. I do not feel qualified enough to talk about fasts, but these are very specific for healing, and should be walked through with a physician or qualified care provider. I am personally sold on their healing abilities, but again, these are special circumstances.

Both juices and smoothies are easily digested compared to eating foods normally, and smoothies certainly have a lot of beneficial fiber, so if you need to choose one, go with what you're more interested in, or whatever fits into your lifestyle and budget. If you have digestion issues, perhaps juicing is where to start. If you don't feel that is an area of concern for you, smoothies make great travel meals and can really pack a nutritional punch!  I love to add hemp and chia to my smoothies, as well as nuts, coconut oil, bee pollen, maca, spirulina, wheat grass powder....you can really go crazy with your nutrient add-ins.  So, smoothies...juices...chew...I don't care!  Just get those veggies in that BELLEH!!



Types of Juicers
From the research that I have done, it is best to get a slow, masticating juicer. There are single and double auger juicers that slowly extract the juice away from the fiber of the food. This enables all of the enzymes to remain intact, and also gets much more juice out of your produce, which saves you money in the long run. The centrifugal juicers tend to heat up the produce and spin very quickly...this is where some of the nutrients get lost. These juicers also tend to be extremely loud. A huge downfall, in my eyes, er, ears. :)

Some juicing advocates say that you should just get the cheapest juicer and start because that's better than not starting at all due to high juicer costs. But, I have to disagree.  The money you will save from these slower juicers, and the health benefits you'll get from the live enzymes, will far outweigh the few bucks you might save from a cheaper one.  Most juicers have good return policies and warrantys, so be sure to check those out, and if you don't feel the juicer was a good buy, you can always return it.  

Got my juicer, now what?
Once you have your juicer, the first thing I would recommend is to start with a simple green lemonade recipe.  My very favorite, which is a slightly tweaked version of that original found in the diet detox book is:
1 head of romaine, washed, leaves separarated
3-4 leaves of dinosaur kale, rinsed well
1 lemon, some rind left on, quartered
2 apples (I prefer 1 gala and 1 fuji), quartered or more, depending on your juicer opening
Handful of fresh, flat-leaf parsley (I started with a few sprigs and worked up to about a cup!)
1 chunk of ginger (if you're new to juicing, start small!  You can always add more. Ginger can be very spicy if you add too much and you don't want to ruin your first batch of juice.)

**Always use ORGANIC produce. Always.

From here, just get creative. Pretty much any produce you want to use up can be juiced.  Foods like banana, avocado don't juice, so skip those. You want to also focus mostly on VEGGIES.  Fruit juices are very yummy, but can mess with your blood sugars, so don't overdo those.  I like to add an apple here and there, but focus on about 80% veggie to fruit ratio.

Tips and Tricks
When juicing without a recipe, keep in mind that there are certain foods that will change the flavor, some quite dramatically.

  • To sweeten a juice that seems too sour or "green", add an apple.  Carrots can sweeten it up, too.
  • To add a bit of saltiness, I find that celery does the trick.  Especially for tomato juices.
  • To add more liquid, without adding flavor, romaine can be a great choice!  A whole head of romaine will add lots of volume but won't add much in the way of flavor.
  • Citrus can really cut the sweetness of a fruit juice, so if you "wing it" and it's too sweet, add a lemon or lime, and it will really make those flavors POP.
  • Ginger is spicy, so if you want more kick to a juice, add a little more ginger.
  • Berries make a great juice for flavor, but don't have a lot of volume, so be prepared to use a lot!
  • Alternate your greens.  Don't juice the same greens every day, because they have oxalates that can bother some people. Switch up your kale/spinach/collard greens/swiss chard...variety is good anyway! 
  • Add herbs to your juices!  I love adding fresh mint, parsley and cilantro to mine. Not only do they add a little fancy flavor, but they are CHOCK FULL of amazing nutrients that you just don't want to miss out on.
  • Don't throw out your pulp! Many people have said they don't juice because of the "waste", but if you do it right, there won't be any! Here are a few suggestions for using up that leftover pulp: Here, here and here.
  • Keep juicing ingredients on hand!  Every week before I go grocery shopping, I double check my stash. Kale? Lemons? Romaine? Ginger? Apples? Parsley   Get em on the list and you won't ever have an excuse not to make it!  


What about store-bought juices?
Since juicing has become much more mainstream over the years, so have the conveniently packaged juice options.  At first, this may seem like a great alternative to buying a juicer and making a mess of your kitchen, but truthfully these juices, even the so-called organic, "healthy" juices aren't worth it.  Once a vegetable has been cut, it immediately begins to lose its nutrients.  Same goes for the juices. Once you have juiced your produce, that juice is best consumed with 10-15 minutes. Now, that may not be practical for everyone, and some juicers do produce a juice that will hold most of its nutrients for up to 72 hours, but the juices in the stores have either been pasteurized, thus killing all the beneficial nutrients, or they have sat on the shelves for WEEKS, and this doesn't even take into account when they were juiced in the first place, and travel time to get to your store. So, your "fresh" store-bought juice could literally be months old before you consume it, rendering it completely nutrient free.  While a much better choice than soda...not as good as a juice pressed fresh at home.  Sad, I know.  But, here are some tips to save you time at home:

TIME SAVERS

  • Get a masticating juicer that allows for fresh juice up to 72 hours, that's a great start!
  • Prep all veggies the night before, by either washing them, or even cutting/tearing them into pieces to make the process quicker in the morning.
  • Make a huge batch of juice the night before, or that morning, and store it in mason jars with tight lids until you're ready to drink.  Again, this won't have quite as much nutrients as the freshly pressed juice, but if it saves you time and gets you to drink it, then it's better than that month old store stuff!  ;)
  • Finally, I have not tried this myself, but I've heard you can freeze fresh juice right away, and this will preserve the nutrients until you're ready to thaw out the next juice!



Above all else, starting your day with a big cup of beautifully green juice can really get you off on the right nutritional foot for the day! There's nothing like feeling fresh and energetic from that very first meal of the day! And it will make you want to keep that feeling up, by consuming mostly raw veggies and fruits throughout the day, along with your chosen meals.  So, don't just sit there...juice up!  <3


Cheers!


Monday, April 22, 2013

4,000 FIERCE FANS Giveaway!!


Happy 4,000th LIKE to us!!  We absolutely love all of our fans sooo much, that we're offering this seriously awesome Fierce Forward bracelet as a prize! 

Ashley at Fierce Forward is the coolest chick around, and has a very inspirational story. She has so much to offer and is really making a mark on the world!  Watch out for her, because I predict she will be a huge name someday.  

She's also the real deal. The beads she uses for her bracelets are fair trade and the little bag that each one comes with is made of 100% recycled burlap. How fitting, for this Earth Day!  <3

And, if all of that wasn't enough, she's from my own state of Indiana!  We're practically sisters now!  Ha!

So, for real, enter to win this awesome dealio, and if you don't win get your butt over to her page and buy yourself one.  I adore mine!  I have three!  A black lava bead bracelet with a "Strength" charm, the "Less Sugar" and the "Eat More Greens" bracelets.  Each of those have a tiny little Fierce Forward logo dangling from them.  I love to mix and match my bracelets. I wear one at a time, or in a stack like this:


The rafflecopter is pretty self explanatory, but ask me any questions if you're not sure!  The more options you choose, the more chances you have of winning, so share/tweet and LIKE away!

Good luck!!  And, keep in mind that this is for U.S. addresses only.  Sorry to the international peeps, but shipping is pricey, yo!

I probably won't do another giveaway for awhile.  Maybe for 10,000!  Oh, what fun that will be! I love planning these giveaways and trying to find the most amazing things for you guys to try.  So, hopefully 10,000 comes soon!

Now, go WIN this!  xoxo








a Rafflecopter giveaway





Monday, February 18, 2013

What's in Christy's Kitchen giveaway/Anniversary/3000 Fans!


Well, well, well!  Here we are!  I've been talking about this giveaway for a few months now, and it's finally here! I am super excited about this one, too.  Not only is it called "What's in Christy's Kitchen" and represents typical foods found in my kitchen, but it has some of my very, very favorite companies in it.

To start with, I will be drawing not one, but TWO lucky winners!  What do you win?  Well let me tell ya!

Grand prize winner will receive:
1 Omega Juicer (Model number BMJ390B)
1 sample size bag Simply Hemp Milk
1 bag Rockin' Wellness
3 sample packs of Foods Alive raw flax crackers
Sample packs of new Super Food butters from Artisana foods
8 oz bag of Hemp seeds from Nutiva
1 package Sea Tangle kelp noodles
A few recipes from me!

Runner up winner will recieve:
1 bag Rockin' Wellness
3 sample packs of Foods Alive raw flax crackers
Sample packs of new Super Food butters from Artisana foods
8 oz bag of Hemp seeds from Nutiva
A few recipes from me!


This is so great!  I feel just like OPRAH!  Well, maybe not quite, but VERY CLOSE!!  :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Heart health juices for LOVE week: Raspberry Surprise

Well, sadly, it's the 5th and final day of our celebration of love and heart healthy juices. It's been lovely working with the fabulous Omega Juicers on this little project. I adore my juicer and all the healthy, tasty juices that have come out of it. Some of the fun of owning a juicer is just throwing things in to see what they taste like combined!  For example, this crazy concoction!  Who knew you could get such a decadent treat out of a juice?!  I admit, the dark chocolate is taking the juicing thing to a different, slightly unorthodox level, but it's good for cardiovascular health!  Who am I to argue!  : D

Knowing that raspberries and dark chocolate are both heart healthy, of COURSE I had to combine the two in a juice. But, the raspberries by themselves don't add a ton of juice.  What little juice they do add though, is full of flavor, so you really don't need much anyway.  By adding the greens (spinach and romaine), not only did it increase the heart healthy factor of this juice, but it increased the volume without adding much flavor. So, you'll be surprised at how much this drink tastes like raspberry, even though it's green!  And the chocolate adds just a touch of sweetness and compliments the other flavors nicely.



Raspberry Surprise
6 ounce container of red raspberries
2 cups spinach
1 head romaine lettuce
Good quality, dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage

Juice the berries, spinach and romaine, then shave a little of the dark chocolate on top. Enjoy!


Makes 10 ounces

Recipe is my original creation.  Feel free to share, but please link back to this original post.  Thank you! 

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Heart healthy juices for LOVE week: Sweet & Spicy


Day 4 of the heart healthy juice party with Omega Juicers is here!

With this juice I wanted to capture the essence of carrot cake in a juice. Since cinnamon is so good for cardiovascular health, I knew I wanted to include it. And, since sweet potatoes have been named one of the 40 most powerful foods for heart health, I had to get them in there too. And of course the beets, lemon and carrots are amazing for heart health.  And y'all already know that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, so this juice is CLEARLY a super duper healthy one.

While this juice may not have ended up tasting *exactly* like carrot cake, you won't mind, because it's still so refreshingly yummy, and the cinnamon really does give it a nice kick. If you don't like how sweet it is, you can always either add more lemon, or leave out a carrot or the apple.  Play around with the combo until it's just right for your tastebuds! 

Sweet & Spicy
4 large carrots, washed, but it's not necessary to peel
1 gala apple, quartered and cored
½ red beet
½ inch slice of sweet potato
1 head romaine lettuce
1 lemon, peeled
Dash cinnamon, to taste

Use organic produce, if possible. Juice all but the cinnamon. Sprinkle cinnamon on top and stir well.  


Makes 16 ounces

Tomorrow's juice: Raspberry Surprise!


Recipe is my original creation.  Feel free to share, but please link back to this original post.  Thank you! 

Friday, February 15, 2013

Heart healthy juices for LOVE week: Veggie Lovers

It's day three of our celebration of LOVE and heart-healthy juices with OMEGA Juicers!

I did a juice "feast" in the fall and intended to last at least 7 days. I only lasted 2 days. While I certainly didn't break any fasting records, I did create a lovely juice that I still enjoy from time to time. It's almost all vegetables and is very similar in taste to a V-8, but much healthier for you!

The ingredients are so good for your heart, which of course is the whole point of this 5 day juice party!  

Most people know that tomatoes are good for you, but peppers, especially hot, capsaicin filled ones like jalapeno, are very good for cardiovascular health too!  Besides that, the cilantro and parsley are full of heart healthy compounds and prevent inflammation!

Don't have these exact ingredients?  That's ok!  Just throw ANY veggie into your juicer and it will be great.  Celery adds a bit of a salty taste, carrots sweeten juices up, and lemon brings a nice, fresh tangyness. Other than that, most veggies don't change the flavor all that much. Experiment and see what you can create!

Veggie Lovers
2 cups of grape tomatoes (or 2 large tomatoes, chopped)
5 large carrots
½ red pepper
3 stalks of celery
½ cup cilantro, loosely packed
½ cup parsley, loosely packed
1 lemon, peeled
Jalapeno, to taste (about 1 tablespoon or just about ½ inch slice)

This juice is so full of veggie goodness!  You can really tweak it to your own preference.  Add fresh garlic, onions or kale.  Leave out the jalapeno if you don’t want it spicy.  A very versatile and tasty way to start the day!

Makes 16 ounces

Tomorrow's juice: Sweet & Spicy

Recipe is my original creation.  Feel free to share, but please link back to this original post.  Thank you! 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Heart healthy juices for LOVE week: Heart Beets

This is day two of my Omega Juicer heart-healthy celebration of Valentine's Day! What a lovely holiday this is, don't you agree?  Any day that celebrates love is the best day ever! Which is exactly why this is my favorite holiday.  Without love, life means nothing. And you don't need a "special person" in your life to celebrate love!  Love can mean anything you want it to.  I love my dog and cat. I love the smell of fresh air and the sound of birds! I love my friends and family. I love my passion for nutrition!  You have to feel LOVE about the things in your life, or what's it all for?  Love is all you need, or so a wise man once said.


So this juice is amazing, if I do say so myself. Beets, oranges, ginger, turmeric....so many heart-healthy ingredients it's hard to keep track!

Beets are known to reduce blood pressure, and prevent heart disease, and turmeric has properties that can even prevent heart attacks!  Citrus fruits like oranges and limes can reduce cholesterol, keep arteries healthy and prevent heart attacks, while the mint reduces the bad cholesterol and improves the good cholesterol.  And ginger is amazing!  Ginger has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol, reduce platelet activity and improve circulation, reducing your risk for heart disease and stroke!  Take care of your heart and juice away!

So, without further ado, this particular juice is just the thing you need to celebrate this HEARTy day.


Heart Beets
½ inch slice of red beet
3-4 navel oranges, peeled
1 lime, peeled
Fresh ginger, to taste
20-30 fresh mint leaves
½ t. ground turmeric

Juice all ingredients except the turmeric.  Add turmeric and stir well.

This juice is very refreshing and invigorating!  

Makes 16 ounces

Tomorrow's Juice: Veggie Lovers


Recipe is my original creation.  Feel free to share, but please link back to this original post.  Thank you! 

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Heart healthy juices for LOVE week: Lemonberry

In celebration of my very favorite holiday, VALENTINE'S DAY, Omega Juicers has asked me to develop five new heart-healthy juice recipes over the next five days.  Every single one of these recipes is SO FULL of heart healthy ingredients that you just may add 25 years to your life after drinking these!  Or, maybe, you'll just have a bigger smile on your face.  Either way, these are delicious and chock full of unbelievable nutrients and energy-producing goodness!  Let me know what you think! 

This particular recipe was my favorite.  It is not a cheap recipe, especially this time of year, but when berries are in season I plan to drink this every single day!  My husband did not like this one.  But he's a big wimp!  It's a little on the tart side of things, but you can most definitely add less lemon if you're also a wimp.  :)

The berries in this are loaded with heart-healthy antioxidants, and of course apples are known to keep the doctor away, and no wonder! They're brimming with antioxidants, phytochemicals and pectin!  Ginger is also an amazing spice for the heart!  It's full of anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol!  WIN-WIN!

This juice was also a little bit thicker than most juices.  Berries are tricky to juice, and I had to "help" it go through my Omega strainer a bit, which is why it ended up a tad thick. But honestly, I really liked this texture. I swear it was like drinking a blackberry pie!  Deeeelish!  

Lemonberry
6 oz blackberries
2 cups blueberries
1 lemon, some peel left on
1 gala apple, quartered and cored
Fresh ginger, to taste

Use organic produce.


Makes 16 ounces

Tomorrow's Juice: Heart Beets! <3


Recipe is my original creation.  Feel free to share, but please link back to this original post.  Thank you! 

Monday, February 4, 2013

Sweet Potato Hashbrowns

I love hashbrowns. I love sweet potatoes. So, why not combine the two into one big happy recipe.

It's a pretty simple recipe, but there are a few key steps that I think help make them nice and crispy.

Ingredients:
Sweet potato (a little goes a long way, I usually only do about half for myself)
Butter
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper

Peel the sweet potato and shred the amount you plan to use.  A half of a nice sized sweet potato seems plenty for one person, so just adjust if you're making for more than yourself.

After the potato is shredded, I rinse it in cold water to remove the starch. Rinse in a mesh strainer until water runs clear. Then, dry the potato either on a paper towel or other clean towel, being sure to remove as much moisture as you can.  Then, sprinkle generously with pepper.

I like to use both butter and olive oil for these, but you can certainly just use olive oil, or any other oil of your preference. For me, I like the taste of the butter, but butter alone can burn easily, so by adding the olive oil it seems to eliminate the burning, and also adds another layer of flavor.

I melt these until bubbly and then put the shredded potato in the pan, being sure to get just a thin layer. You don't want too much potato in the pan, or you will end up with mushy hashbrowns.  Use the biggest pan you have, or do smaller batches.  Once the bottom is starting to get brown and crispy, I flip them over, adding a bit more oil or butter as you go to ensure even browning.  After these are nice and crispy, sprinkle with salt and place on paper towel again to remove excess oils.  Serve with a side of sauteed veggies and eggs, or for a sweet treat, sprinkle with cinnamon and a few chopped nuts.  Enjoy!

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Honey Boo Boo hates kale.

No, this isn't a post about that tv show. I've never even seen an episode. But, you'd have to be hiding under a rock - or not have a facebook account - to have missed what this craziness is all about.  It's a tv show sensationalizing a young girl and her family, practically making fun of them to their face. The little girl has such poor enunciation that they have to subtitle it.  That's entertainment, folks!

What this blog is about, other than helping me sort out my feelings and get this all out of my head so I can focus on important things, is the state of our world and how we're viewing life, but also how we treat each other.

Recently a few things have popped into my facebook newsfeed.  Here's one.  And here's the other.

The first one is a blog post by a very inspiring, motivational blogger/pilates instructor/all around peppy, sweet person named Cassey Ho.  If you follow her at all, you know her motives are always positive and stem from love. But her recent rant, if you want to call it that, about the show Honey Boo Boo has gotten her some flack.  Some people feel like she's being disrespectful of fat people. Perhaps she could have used more sensitive words in her post, but seriously? She was acting out of her passion for health and eating right. For her to have to apologize for that just seems backwards.  We should all care more about others health and take responsibility for our own more often. If we were as passionate about what we eat, how we feel, and where our food comes from as much as we are about proving someone wrong on the internet, this world would be a much better place.

Which brings me to the second link.  A few new commercials by Healthy Choice are going around. They are essentially putting vegetables in a category of "bad" and their packaged, highly processed foods in a "good" category.  Of course they are.  They have to make money somehow. But wow.  Bashing kale and juicing in order to promote your highly preserved, full of chemicals products just makes my head spin.  If loving kale is a cult, then hook me up with my sandals and voodoo music, cuz I'm in!  Clearly Healthy Choice feels threatened by the green veggies.  As they should be.

What all of this leads to is something else that has been really bothering me lately.  I'm on facebook a lot. I have my personal page, but I also have two business pages and a few groups that I'm in, so I check in quite frequently and can't help but notice a very dark and negative tone taking over.  Every page, every post, every topic big or small, you will find, without fail, an evil slew of comments aimed directly at hurting. Most of it is politically based, even if the original post had NOTHING to do with politics, but lately there's a lot of body bashing, hate-filled comments and just an underlying need to hurt someone all for the sake of feeling "right".  Whatever that is.

We've produced a culture of hate and bias and negativity that I frankly just don't want to be part of.  I do my best every single day to see the light. After all, it is a choice. It's a choice to be sad, it's a choice to be mad, it's a choice to be filled with hate. And it's a choice to see good and ignore evil.  I choose to eat my veggies and avoid processed food as much as possible, but I also choose not to scream at others about their poor food choices.  I could very easily point at people in the grocery store and laugh at them for piling their carts so full of crap that they have to hang their precious soda bottles over the edge of their cart.  Their chips, hamburger helper, boxed dinners and lean cuisines overflow, while nary a vegetable is to be found.  I could be so mean to them and make them feel horrible about their choices, but there's no point.  We don't learn by being made fun of, or by being told we are wrong. We learn by experience, by example, and by positive reinforcement.  So, I choose to fill my cart with tons of organic veggies, and minimally processed foods in hopes to inspire, or at least ignite a spark in, someone who may otherwise not be aware of the negative effect their cart full of food will bring. No need for hateful words.  No need to point and laugh. No need to prove myself right. Living by example is more effective. I wish more people on the internet, and in the real world, would practice that.

In a nutshell, Honey Boo Boo and her family *are* headed for disaster, but worrying about them and wanting them to eat healthier is not the crime.  Putting them on a pedestal for all to point and laugh at, while sensationalizing their poor food choices...that's the crime.

Eating kale and juicing are not the crime.  Making them seem vile in order for you to sell a factory-made product...that's the crime.

Engaging in social issues on Facebook is not the crime.  Spewing hate and resentment in order to feel better about yourself...that's the crime.

Having an opinion that is different than someone else's is not the crime. Being negative and derogatory in order to feel good about your position....that's the crime.

I'm sick of the negativity! Join me on my quest to follow a healthy, happy, judgement-free zone (that was for you, wonkafonka) promoting love and compassion, and of course, KALE! What's the crime in that?