Stop And Smell the Flowers! :)

Good morning everyone! It's a gorgeous sunrise today. The sky looks like a painting. The only problem is the saying "Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in morning, sailor's warning" comes to mind. Hmmm, hope it's not too bad and hope it's a false warning! :)

First, I wanted to make sure that you all are reading my blog as a guideline or as inspiration. A source of information that I read and share with you. I like to think of myself as a guinea pig of sorts and try certain things and then share the results with you. Or if I come across an article or information that I find particularly interesting, I share it. And to share what has worked for me so you can take from it what you feel applies to your own life and that you find helpful. 

But I am not currently certified and want to be sure that is clear. I do plan to be.  But please keep in mind that you should always make the best judgement of information given and you should know best if it is good for you. Most of it is harmless like the foods I eat and exercises I do, the fact I'm experimenting with cleaning with honey, etc. However me promoting eggs, they ARE now considered a food that is good for you. However they do raise cholesterol a tad (not to the levels they once thought and they do raise good cholesterol as well) but if you already have very high cholesterol then you should eat the whites only. That sort of thing. 

So I just wanted to make sure that was clear and I hope you all know your own health and bodies well enough to take what you can from the information I share and know whether or not you can safely apply it to your own life. My goal with this blog and future website and hopefully future coaching business is to help this country (and other parts of the world) become healthier through being smarter and making better choices and balance. And to not feel deprived doing it. 

I wanted to talk about simple things you can do to be healthier. I know it's so hard to change overnight and I certainly don't recommend that. It will only burn you out in the end. 

I promote real, true, whole foods and limiting packaged, processed foods as much as possible. However, if frozen or pre-packaged meals are an easier way for you to start and and give you an idea of portions and is something to begin with, I don't want you to feel awful eating them. They are convenient and time-saving and we certainly live in a busy, fast-paced world. And if you are going from an unhealthy lifestyle, it can be very difficult to immediately know what to do in regards to food. I would definitely recommend reading labels. There are some quickie meals that are healthier. 

The ingredients you should avoid if at all possible upon reading a label are: High-Fructose corn syrup, trans fats (shortening, partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated anything), artificial flavors, MSG, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners and preservatives. 

When you see the word "artificial", I don't know about you but I get nervous ingesting these things. And I used to. I used to drink diet soda, use Splenda, etc. But I have cut them out now. And I feel a lot better. Maybe it's cutting them out. Maybe it's because I drink much more water or green tea in place of them and those are helping. 

I really love the Amy's, Cedarlane and Kashi products for a quick meal. They can be a bit expensive so I don't buy them very often but they are good and at the end of the day less expensive than eating out all the time. If you read a label and can understand all the ingredients then that is a good sign! If you like tomato soup, the Amy's Chunky Tomato Bisque is so good! I have seen it at Target where you might be able to get it a bit less than at the regular grocery store. And they do have a lighter in sodium version. All in all her soups, frozen meals, snacks are good. As well as the Kashi products. 

When I read a label and there are just a few simple ingredients that are all things I know, then I feel safe. The only thing with packaged foods is they are often higher in sodium since you can't control it yourself. If they have a lighter in sodium version, that rocks! :) 

The Kashi site also has some great recipes! This Chicken Tortilla soup looks so good! Cooked in a crock pot! http://www.kashi.com/recipes/344 or if you're ready for more Spring recipes, try the Asparagus-Mushroom Risotto. http://www.kashi.com/recipes/346. Or if you love the crunch on chicken nuggets but don't want to fry and don't want to use wheat-based panko, then check out the Cornmeal-Crusted Chicken Nuggets with Blackberry Mustard. Umm yeahh! http://www.kashi.com/recipes/346. Amy's also has some great recipes using some of her frozen products(meatless burgers) as a base. Convenience man!! :) It's a good thing! Ohh, I just sounded like Martha Stewart there! Hehe! (Though HER website has amazing recipes too if you are wanting to indulge!!!) 

Time to skedaddle and get us all ready and out the door in an hour! Can I do it? Of course!! :) You all have a great Tuesday and treat your bodies well. It deserves to be nourished and respected with good stuff. And just enjoy it. Why bother being miserable or wallowing. Insist on enjoying life. I know it's easier said than done some days and with everything we all have going on. But it is your choice to make at the end of the day. How you choose to live. 

My son made me a little picture at the gym daycare yesterday. A purple Hyacynth. He was so proud saying "I know you love poople, mommy!" I do love blue and purple. :) Smell a Hyacinth and then have a bad day. Come on! My grandpa grows them and the scent fills the air around his house. I need to do that one day once I have a yard! They are just gorgeous. 

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile you could miss it" - Ferris Bueller. (He's so wise! lol!)

God Bless,
Tami