Homemade Nacho Chips
Homemade Nacho Chip Ingredients
Always be sure corn and animal products (parmesan cheese) are organic. Most all my ingredients are organic and I encourage everyone to strive for the same to reduce your toxic load.
Always be sure corn and animal products (parmesan cheese) are organic. Most all my ingredients are organic and I encourage everyone to strive for the same to reduce your toxic load.
When it comes to a tasty treat that’s not only easy to make but also a healthier option for your sweet tooth, look no further than our Cashew Cookie Bites. With just five simple ingredients and a preparation time of mere minutes, these little delights have become a staple at my events, seamlessly replacing those less-than-healthy desserts.
Not only are they a scrumptious indulgence, but Cashew Cookie Bites are also gluten-free and dairy-free, making them an ideal choice for those with dietary restrictions. And did I mention they are guilt-free too? Instead of dwelling on diets and deprivation, let’s focus on what you can relish.
The moment you take that first bite of these delightful morsels or any other healthier treats, you might discover that your cravings for processed, sugar-laden foods begin to wane. It’s all about embracing the positive impact food can have on how you feel. Do your food choices leave you feeling light, energized, and invigorated? Or do they make you feel heavy, bloated, and lethargic? Your body is trying to communicate with you through these sensations.
If you find yourself in the latter category, it’s a sign that your digestive system might not be functioning optimally. In such cases, digestive health testing can be an invaluable tool to help you get back on track. Alternatively, you can start with something as simple as a digestive enzyme to see if it makes a difference. Remember, staying healthy doesn’t have to be a challenging endeavor.
So, why not start by whipping up a batch of Cashew Cookie Bites, savoring their deliciousness while making a conscious choice to put your well-being first? It’s a small step toward a healthier, happier you! Eating health doesn’t have to be hard or bland.
1 1/3 cup raw cashews
2/3 cup gluten-free, glyphosate-free One Degree organic oats
5 Tbsp. raw unfiltered honey, agave, or organic maple syrup
1 scoop or packet of Perfect Aminos Power Meal (or your favorite nonGMO plant-based protein powder)
1/3 cup dairy-free mini-chocolate chips (Enjoy Life brand is non-dairy)
First, blend cashew and oats in a food processor until flour-like consistency.
Next, stir in Perfect Amino Power Meal and honey or agave. Chocolate chips can be added to the food processor at the end or folded in at the end. Roll into bite-size balls. If it is too dry, add one tablespoon at a time of plant-based milk or water.
Store Cashew Cookie Bites in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Enjoy and let me know what you think of them in the comments. Or more importantly, let me know if you were able to stop at eating just one! I’ve not been able to achieve that yet.
If you are a serious chocolate lover, you can replace the vanilla protein with chocolate. When it comes to animal protein powder, always use a clean nonGMO version.
Note: If you struggle to digest nuts which many people do, try soaking the cashews for a few hours in water or soaking them overnight. Rinse and pat dry before using in the recipe. This makes them much more digestible for those who struggle.
The hardest part for my clients is giving up sugar, sweets, and desserts. So I like to offer alternatives to dessert that contains cleaner ingredients. Most cakes, cookies, or any sweets contain either genetically engineered corn syrup or hydrogenated oils on top of high amounts of sugar. Strawberry energy bites are a wonderful healthy guilt-free treat you can feel good about putting in your body!
Incorporating fruit or other plants is always the best choice with desserts. Strawberries contain a broad array of nutritional benefits. Strawberries are packed with vitamins and minerals such as vitamins C and K, folate, potassium, manganese, and magnesium. They are low-calorie, fiber-rich, and abundant in antioxidants and polyphenols. According to the USDA, one cup of strawberries provides 3 g of fiber and 12 g of carbohydrates.
However, remember to follow the Clean Fifteen-Dirty Dozen as strawberries are typically number one on the Dirty Dozen. This means you would need to purchase organic. If you can’t find fresh organic, you can purchase frozen organic and allow them to thaw in advance.
Ingredients:
1 cup organic strawberries
1 cup gluten-free oats (One Degree Organic is glyphosate free)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 serving vanilla plant-protein powder
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1/4 cup freeze-dried organic strawberries (optional)
Directions:
Place the first four ingredients in a food processor with 1 Tbsp of coconut oil. Mix until it forms a ball. If it is too dry, add a second tablespoon of coconut oil.
Place the freeze-dried strawberries and crush into a fine powder
Using 1 heaping Tbsp of the mixture at a time, roll between your hands to form 1-inch balls. Roll the balls in the dried strawberries immediately before serving.
Store in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container.
Note: if you need additional sweetness in your energy bites, add 1-2 Tablespoons of honey or pure maple syrup.
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed the Strawberry Energy Bites and if you made any variations. I’m all about creativity, especially in food. And if you need help with making better eating choices, I’d love to help you. Schedule a free Wellness Strategy session with me today. It’s a 30-minute call that could change your life.
These cookie dough energy bites are addictive plus gluten-free, dairy-free, no added sugar, vegan and delicious! As always use organic ingredients. If you don’t have a plant-based protein powder, I’d be happy to share mine as it contains clean ingredients and it’s high fiber full of 20+ organically grown plants. Check it out here and save $10 off your first order of clean plant-protein.
Ingredients:
Mix the first three ingredients together and when thoroughly blended, add the chocolate chips. Roll into bite-sized balls and store them in the refrigerator. Good luck in making them last. You may need to double the ingredients next time! Stay healthy.
**Another variation I’ve made is to use the chocolate protein powder and substitute one scoop of protein powder with one scoop of organic peanut butter powder.
Colds, flu, and sinus infections are now part of history for our family. For me, it has been over 20 years since I’ve experienced any of these unpleasant symptoms. Some of the benefits of less sick time include more quality time with my family, productive time in my business, hundreds of dollars saved in toxic over-the-counter and prescription medications, and much less misery in general!
Obviously, there are no guarantees but these are things that have worked for me, my clients, and many others who have experienced the same benefits.
I don’t buy into the germ theory as I’m around sick people quite often. And, if this theory were true, then why is it I no longer get sick as I did for the first forty-plus (unhealthy) years of my life? I can tell you it is not because I’m getting a flu vaccine or any other “preventative” vaccine. I’ve learned to put the right (whole, clean) foods in and let my body do the rest! And, I thank God for creating such amazing work in us that this process can and does happen. Can I get an amen?! So here is my top 10:
So, I know many of you may be thinking that this sounds expensive, hard, or just plain not fun. In my opinion, what is hard, expensive, and not fun would be having triple bypass surgery, being diagnosed with cancer, put on a respirator, or leaving a void in my family. You have to value your health and life first and then the rest is easy. Your body truly is a temple so please treat it as one. YOU are worth it. As always, reach out as we can walk you through each step one at a time.
Are there health issues from drinking milk? Cow’s milk specifically. Contrary to the billions of dollars the dairy industry paying actors and models drinking cow’s milk, it doesn’t do a body good. Here are just a few reasons why cow’s milk may not be a good option for our families and why you might want to take a closer look if it’s used by your family.
Hormones such as rBGH and rBST are genetically engineered hormones that are injected into cows to make them produce more milk. This causes problems in the milk and stimulates the production of the AGF-1 hormone. IGF-1 promotes cell division, which can lead to cancer. Consider teenage girls and how quickly they are developing physically today compared to years ago. Growth hormones can also escalate the age at which a girl starts her menstrual cycle. Starting menstrual cycles early is linked to increased rates of breast cancer. Look at this article from BeatCancer.org, where dairy is listed in the top five cancer contributing foods.
Think of all the yogurt people are eating to add good bacteria to the body. Next, think of all the antibiotics that kill good bacteria that they are injecting into cows that are used to create it. According to Green America, 80% of all antibiotics used are used in livestock. What happens to humans that constantly take antibiotics? It typically destroys the gut thus the immune system.
Most cows are grain-fed. What happens when cows eat grain and corn? It makes them fat. What happens when we eat cows that eat grain? You get the picture. Most importantly, cows are herbivores. That means they should be eating GREENS. Greens provide the meat/milk with good bacterial and vital nutrients such as Vitamin A, D, and K2. Grass-fed cows will not produce the toxic and dangerous mad cow’s disease. Also, the grain that the cows consume is genetically modified.
Clean, raw milk provides beneficial bacteria. Pasteurization destroys good bacteria. It also denatures the structure of the milk proteins and fat into something that is less than healthy.
Most people lack the enzyme lactase that supports the body in breaking down milk sugar. The second highest good cause of allergies in the body behind peanuts is cow’s milk. Milk protein can contain up to 25 various allergens causing moderate to severe symptoms.
Organic milk of obviously better than conventional. However, even though the milking cows may be antibiotic or growth hormone-free, they are still typically not grass-fed or free-range. The quality of the milking cow’s life and the variety of grasses it’s able to graze is key in the nutritional value (or lack thereof) of the product.
Also, many organic milk brands are simply “farmer pledged” as organic as opposed to being tested and certified organic so read your labels and know your brands.
Dairy is also a highly inflammatory food that can create pain, inflammation, and mucous. Being an acidic food, it can disrupt the pH in the body which impacts homeostasis and digestion.
We also see a dramatic reduction in ear infections when a parent removes dairy from a child’s diet.
Plant foods have as much if not more calcium as you get in milk. Plus, plant foods contain the proper ratios of magnesium and calcium. Cow’s milk does not contain the magnesium and calcium ratio necessary for optimal absorption. One example, chia seeds contain 600 mg of calcium in 2 ounces. Milk contains 300 mg in one cup.
Safer options for cow’s milk are organic sources of plant-based milk such as almond, rice, non-GMO soy, hemp, or coconut milk. Finding sources of clean, raw cow’s milk is a better option than pasteurized but raw goat’s milk is actually better due to the digestibility. Goat’s milk has been suggested as the best alternative to breast milk in cases where breastfeeding is not an option.
My challenge to you is to remove conventional dairy products from your diet for one week then share with me the difference in how you feel. I experienced a dramatic reduction in allergies, congestion, reduced pain, and much-improved digestion (less gas, bloating).
What are the signs of adrenal fatigue and what can you do? Take the quiz and find out. Learn if you are just tired or if you truly may have adrenal fatigue.
I was in Phase 3 adrenal fatigue a few years ago and it was debilitating. I ignored most of the symptoms because it creeps in overtime to the point where you don’t even recognize how bad you really feel. Phase 3 is an advanced phase and can be dangerous if ignored. I would break down and cry for no reason, leaving work daily by 2 pm as I could no longer function mentally or physically. The thought of making the bed or taking a shower could feel overwhelming and exhausting.
Conventional medicine uses the term adrenal insufficiency and WebMD explains it here. Holistic medicine uses the term adrenal fatigue. Whatever label you use, it can be serious and you need to seek professional help. When the body isn’t producing sufficient amounts of cortisol and aldosterone, that creates the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency or adrenal fatigue. The condition is usually put in one of three categories under different names. To simplify, the labels (one, two, or three) are referring to mild, moderate, and/or severe conditions. I was in a severe category.
With any chronic health issue, you should always seek the help of a professional to test your cortisol, hormones, and neurotransmitters. Adrenal fatigue must be approached from an emotional perspective first as habits need to change. Adrenal fatigue seems to be predominant with more driven, control junkies or people pleasers. It is very common in caretakers which could be a special-needs child or an elderly parent.
Care options
Conventional medicine only uses steroids to treat adrenal insufficiency. The holistic community uses whole clean foods, detox, stress management, and supplementation. I’ve outlined the program that worked for me as steroids were not an option for me. However, each of us is unique so seek the help of a qualified professional. It is highly beneficial to seek the help of someone who has experienced it.
Take the Quiz
Answer the following questions and see if you have symptoms associated with adrenal stress.
Results and Next Steps
If you checked more than eight of the fifteen, it’s a good idea to seek help and testing with an integrative doctor or Naturopath. If you would like to learn more, request our free guide called Top 3 Tips to Overcome Adrenal Stress to begin your path to balance your body and regain your energy. Or if you are looking for the best diet, foods, and supplements for adrenal fatigue, check out our Best Foods & Supplements for Adrenal Fatigue Guide. I wrote these guides from my personal experience and recovery. I understand what you are going through and it’s not easy.
If you have any questions, please reach out anytime as we are here to listen and help. You can connect with those who have been where you are. Please comment below and let me know how you scored on your quiz.
These jewels are dairy-free, gluten-free and there is no added sugar. I love these for a sweet craving with adding sugar to my diet. The Sync Chocolate powder contains no added sugars, is gluten-free and vegan. As always, use organic ingredients! You are worth it.
Process all ingredients in a Vitamix or food processor. If your dates are a bit hard, you can soak them in hot water for 5 minutes and drain the water before using. If the mix is a bit dry, add a splash of plant-based milk. Press into a pan, freeze, and enjoy! Top with almonds, pecans, or walnuts. I store them in the refrigerator but they won’t last long. Stay healthy.
As I was cleaning out cabinets, I decided to glance over the ingredient list of some hair care products that I used to use. To be honest, it scared me. I used to put these on my body and didn’t think about the impact to my skin, lungs or other vital organs!
Think about the personal care products that you and your family use on a daily basis…lotions, shampoo, conditioner, soap, sanitizer, nail polish, baby soaps, make up, perfumes/colognes, deodorant, toothpaste, laundry detergent. EWG.org (Environmental Working Group) concluded in a study that on average people use 9 personal care products daily and applied an average of 126 unique ingredients on their skin daily. That’s a lot of chemicals!
Do you feel safe knowing that the government does not require long term safety studies or pre-market testing for most ingredients in personal care products? According to the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, “a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from the FDA.” The cosmetic industry is authorized to police it’s own ingredient safety and many of these ingredients have the potential to harm humans and animals. The FDA panel has only banned 11 ingredients while the European Union has taken action on hundreds of toxic chemicals in cosmetics.
Your skin is your largest organ and is porous, so whatever you put on it will be absorbed within moments of application. And what about your lungs? You are inhaling the chemicals as well, even if you aren’t applying them to your skin. If the products you use contain harmful ingredients such as harsh, toxic chemicals, colors, and fragrances, those ingredients make their way into your body, your blood and lymphatic system. The majority of mainstream personal care products contain carcinogenic chemicals, allergens, endocrine disruptors or xenoestrogens, irritants and can cause harm to your reproductive system. It is easy to see why it is so important to be diligent to watch what is in the products that you are using.
So what ingredients should you avoid? There are countless toxic ingredients in the products that we use on a daily basis and so it is important to do your research and always look at the ingredient list in everything that you buy. A few ingredients to avoid are fragrance, perfume, substances that generate formaldehyde (nearly 1 in 5 cosmetic products contains a substance that generates cancer causing formaldehyde–see list below), mineral oil and petroleum, parabens, ethanolmines (DEA, MEA, TEA), benzones, triclosan, heavy metals such as cadmium, aluminum, mercury, lead, and arsenic, phthalates, and styrene. This list unfortunately is not all-inclusive. Plus these chemicals are xenoestrogens which can disrupt our hormone balance and health.
You can easily switch over to safe products by accessing easy to use Apps and websites like ThinkDirty, EWG’s Skin Deep, and the Good Guide which will rate your personal care products for safety and toxicity. Always read the ingredient label and do not be fooled by labels such as natural and even partial organic products can contain harmful ingredients. I especially avoid parfum or fragrances as I will have an immediate reaction to these. Use products with the MADE SAFE® seal. Also, support hair and nail salons that offer safer and more natural products. I ask lots of questions before making an appointment and conduct my own research on their product lines. Knowing which companies test on animals is a top priority as well. Check out the company’s testing practices on sites such a PETA.org to find which do and do not test.
Avoid these ingredients/chemicals as they contains a formaldehyde-releasing chemical:
For your safety, schedule time to review and clean out the harmful products that you are using and replace them with safe nontoxic options! I’d love to chat more about healthier options, set up your call here!
Planning is the key to success when the goal is improving your health. Slow-cooking is an easy way to plan your week with healthy meals. Plan ahead by making one crockpot meal and one stovetop meal on the weekend to ensure you have good options throughout the week. This reduces the temptation to stop and grab fast food.
Add:
Serve with 3 cups cooked brown rice.
Layer carrots and onions in slow cooker. Top with chicken.
Drain pineapple, reserving the juice. Place pineapple over chicken.
Next, mix pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, salt, ginger and garlic. Pour over the top.
Cook on low 6-7 hours.
Combine arrowroot powder and water then stir into the slow cooker. Cook an additional 30 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Serve over cooked brown rice. Garnish with a bit of dried cilantro.
So often, we get caught up in loving everyone else—our kids, our spouse, our family and friends—that we forget to love ourself.
Take a moment and visualize how that would look—if you loved yourself. How would your outside look? How would your inside look?
What if I told you two simple things you could do to love yourself and change your overall appearance from the inside out? Would you do it?
The two simple changes you will need to make involve eliminating genetically modified foods and increasing your intake of whole, clean foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
Stop eating genetically modified foods because these foods are linked to weight gain, cancer and other health related illnesses. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are plants or animals that have been altered from the original state of the plant or animal and processed into our food. GMOs are found in everything from canned soups to baby formula! In fact, Brian Stoffel wrote an article that details “10 Foods You’ll Have to Give Up to Avoid Eating GMOs.” This article is alarming to say the least.
According to nongmoproject.org, “In the U.S., GMOs are in as much as 80% of conventional processed food. In the U.S., the government has approved GMOs based on studies conducted by the same corporations that created them and profit from their sale. ” This is a scary statistic and practice by our own government, not to mention a deceptive practice given the fact that companies are not mandated to include GMO’s on product ingredient labels. Furthermore, it is embarrassing that more than 60 other developed countries have either put a complete ban on GMOs or strong restrictions. Personally, I am not feeling the love of my country when it comes to GMOs!
To be sure your food and products are free of GMO’s, look for the verified label.
Eat more whole, clean foods and experience the freedom and physical and mental transformation of powerful nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fiber and beneficial fats. Your body was created for whole, clean food, so why not give your body what it needs to thrive! The best way to reduce your risk of disease is to eat healthy, and fruits and vegetables are two key food groups known to contribute to better health. Be mindful, though, of fruits and vegetables that may contain harmful pesticides. According to the environmental working group (EWG), there are vegetables and fruits that you should consider buying only organic.
The Clean 15 (the lowest in pesticides): Avocados, Sweet Corn, Pineapples, Cabbage, Sweet Peas (frozen), Onions, Asparagus, Mangos, Papayas, Kiwis, Eggplant, Grapefruit, Cantaloupe, Cauliflower, and Sweet Potatoes
The Dirty Dozen (Buy these Organic): Apples, Peaches, Nectarines, Strawberries, Grapes, Celery, Spinach, Sweet Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, Cherry Tomatoes, Snap Peas (imported), Potatoes. PLUS Hot Peppers, Kale, and Collard Greens
In closing, I pray you will choose to love yourself by giving up foods containing GMOs. Experience the freedom of health and wellness that whole, clean foods will provide you.
8 Favorite Healthy Valentine’s Day Gifts to Give your loved ones gifts that keep on giving
Since Valentine’s Day is known for the chocolate and/or sugar, we felt it was an appropriate time to share healthier ideas for gift-giving. Sugar is the culprit in creating inflammation in the body, along with suppressing the immune system and disrupting gut flora. The following gifts can benefit every aspect of a person’s life and continue giving long after February 14. These are all products I use on a daily basis and attribute them to my natural solution to slow the aging process and increased vitality.
Our entire focus is on education, empowerment, and prevention. Our wish for you this Valentine’s and every day is to live life with vitality and reduced stress in all areas, including physical, emotional, and nutritional (excesses and deficiencies). Take time to educate yourself because an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure today.