Category Archives: Healthy Inspirations

General Health

My 3rd WIAW!

01 Tuesday May 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on May 1, 2012

Hi everyone! Happy WIAW! I cannot believe this will be my third WIAW already. This week is crazy busy for me with finals next week. Right now, I am trying for healthy and simple. Thank you to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting.

 

This is what I ate:

Pre-Breakfast (6:30 am)

Coffee with hazelnut milk and stevia in my new “special mug.” I swear everything in this mug tastes better. 🙂 I am a huge anglophile, ever since I spent a semester in England years ago.

Breakfast (7:30 am)

Uncle Sam Cereal with slivered almonds, agave nectar, and hazelnut milk. I love this cereal, it reminds me of my grandmother. It was a special treat at her house.

Mid-Morning Snack (9:00 am)

Red grapes with raw cashews.

 Lunch (1:00 pm)

Spinach and mushroom enchiladas with refried beans and rice. Sorry this picture is so dark, we were in a very dark corner. I had lunch with my parents after my mother’s eye surgery.

Mid-Afternoon Snack (3:00 pm)

Decaf ice blended vanilla with soy milk from Coffee Bean.

My afternoon pick me up!

 

Dinner (5:30 pm)

Semi-homemade whole-wheat pizza with roasted zucchini, roasted mushrooms, and Daiya mozzarella topped with a green salad. I used Trader Joe’s pizza dough; I think it is pretty good for a quick meal.

Thank you for joining me this WIAW! I hope your day is full of healthy meals. 🙂

 ♥ ♥

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Getting Kids Involved in the Kitchen

30 Monday Apr 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the RD) on April 30, 2012

When I was little, I can remember being mesmerized by what was going on in the kitchen. My sister and I used to sit at the kitchen counter just waiting for our turn to be able to stir, pour, or help out in any way we could. It was exciting for us to think that we were actually able to help out and gave us a sense of pride because we felt like we actually helped create what we were eating.  The food always seemed to taste just a little better on those days when we were actually able to help out mom.  As you can see in the picture above, my friend Isabelle had the greatest time cooking with me this past Saturday.   I truly believe that getting children involved with cooking is an easy way to introduce new foods, healthy cooking methods, etc.  Believe me, most children are so excited to be involved in the whole process, they won’t care if you do something like substitute applesauce for oil in a cake recipe or substitute some tofu for ricotta cheese in the lasagna.  Perhaps we can start posting a few kid friendly recipes in the near future.  Happy cooking!  🙂

 ♥ ♥

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My 2nd WIAW!

24 Tuesday Apr 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on April 24, 2012

Hello everyone! Last week, I had so much fun participating in my first What I Ate Wednesday (WIAW), I could hardly wait to do it again. Since then I have been paying more attention to what I am eating. I loved looking at everyone’s posts. I was inspired by many of them! This month theme is “serve up an extra cup of veggies” and I think this week I did not do as well as last week. Thanks again to Jenn at Peas and Crayons for hosting!

This is what I ate:

 

Breakfast: Banana, Blueberry, Peach Smoothie with Spirulina (the spirulina gives it that odd color but it tastes very good), Decaf Coffee with Hazelnut Milk and Stevia

Mid-Morning Snack: Creamed Potatoes and Peas (this is a vegan version. and I will post the recipe soon Click Here for recipe)

Lunch: Vegan Reuben from Native Foods (this is a treat, so yummy)

Mid-Afternoon Snack: ½ of a Chai Muffin from the Gypsy Den (my husband had the other half)

Dinner: Polynesian Tofu and Veggies on a Bed of Brown Rice with Avocado (This dish is super quick to make and I will post this recipe soon)

Dessert: ¼ Honeydew

Hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday!

♥ ♥

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Sneaking in Exercise

23 Monday Apr 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student)  on April 23, 2012

 

Some days are just to busy for a traditional hour-long workout. Doing something is better than nothing at all. Here are a few was to add some extra activity to your day.

  •  Wake up 30 minutes early and go for a run or walk.
  • Replace your desk chair with an exercise ball.
  • Walk the dog.
  • Walk or bike to work or running errands.
  • Do house work and yard work.
  • Count your steps with a pedometer (aim for 10,000 a day)
  • While watching TV do strength training exercises or walk on a treadmill.
  • When meeting friends go for a walk, window shop, go dancing.

Try to make activity part of your life and make it fun.

Let me know what you do to stay active. 🙂

♥ ♥

 

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April 22nd – Exercise Log

22 Sunday Apr 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on April 22, 2012
 

Source: stamp48.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Last week, I was able to stick to most of my plan for the week. I am thinking that the next 3 weeks I should plan a light schedule because it is crunch time at school and that really needs to be my priority right now.

4/22/12            Off √

4/23/12            Yoga 1-hr class, Weight Training 30 min √

4/24/12            Piyo 1-hr class, Walk/Hike 3 miles √

4/25/12            Off √

4/26/12            Yoga 1-hr class, Weight Training 30 min X

4/27/12            Walk/Hike 3 miles √

4/28/12            Tennis 1 ½ hr class √

♥ ♥ 

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Community Supported Agriculture

21 Saturday Apr 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the RD) on April 21, 2012

Like most people, I am very concerned with the quality of food I put into my mouth.  This is why I decided to look into community supported agriculture.  For a little over $60 per month, I enjoy a box of home delivered organic fruits and veggies twice every month.  Not only am I getting high quality, organic produce, but I am also producing a local farm.  Not all community supported agriculture is 100% organic, but this is what I prefer.  One of the exciting things about the deliveries is opening the box to see what you get…it’s Christmas twice a month!  The produce will definitely inspire you to prepare produce that is outside of your comfort zone.  I thought only Hannibal Lecter ate fava beans!  I had to do some YouTube research before I prepared those suckers!  🙂

I order from:  www.farmfreshtoyou.com

 ♥ ♥

 

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My First WIAW

18 Wednesday Apr 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on April 18, 2012

 Happy Wednesday! I am very excited to participate in my first What I Ate Wednesday. I used to keep a food journal and I forgot how helpful it is to record your meals. This month’s theme is “serve up an extra cup of veggies”; I am always trying to work more vegetables in to my diet. Thanks to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons for hosting.

Here goes my first try!

 

Breakfast: Banana Scramble (click here for the recipe), Decaf Coffee with Hazelnut Milk & Stevia

 

Mid-Morning Snack: 2 Kiwis, ½ banana

 

Lunch: 2-Tofu Tacos from Wahoos, Grande Iced 2 Pump Chai Latte with Soy Milk from Starbucks

Mid-Afternoon Snack: Steamed Artichoke with Trader Joe’s White Bean Hummus

Dinner: Leftover Tofu/Veggie Stir-Fry with Quinoa. Recipe will be posted tomorrow! Click Here for recipe!

I hope you had a wonderful day full of healthy meals!

♥ ♥

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Great Idea For Getting Inspired To Cook At Home

16 Monday Apr 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the RD) on April 16, 2012

I was talking to our recipe contest winner Sheila and she was telling me what inspired her to start cooking at home more often.  It wasn’t about calculating cost differences between eating out and at home like you would think.  She told me that what inspired her most was purchasing something new for her kitchen.  She recently bought new cookware and has been cooking up a storm ever since.  This has been true in my case also.  My fellow blogger Jennifer bought this cool deep silicone spoon from Princess House (GREAT products by the way).  I liked it so much I bought one also and was on a soup making venture for a month!  So, it doesn’t have to be anything elaborate or expensive.  Just one new item can make spending time in the kitchen more fun.   I recently received something for my ktichen as a gift (pictured above), and I can’t wait to use it!

♥ ♥ 

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Sleep Tight

13 Friday Apr 2012

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Posted by Jennifer (the student) on April 13, 2012

 

Source: thelovelycompass.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

When we do not get enough sleep, we know that the next day we will pay the price for it. But habitually sleeping 6 or less hours can raise the risk of many health problems such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Weight Gain

Benefits of a Good Nights Sleep

  • Better Energy Levels
  • Improved Mood
  • Improved Concentration
  • Better Skin
  • Stronger Immune System
  • Fewer Colds and Flu
  • Less Aches and Pains
  • Increased Muscle Growth and Repair

What Can Disturb Sleep

  • Caffeine
  • Alcohol
  • Nicotine
  • Loud Noises
  • Temperature: too Hot or too Cold

What Promotes Sleep

  • Regular bedtime
  • Reading before bed
  • Yoga promotes relaxation
  • Regular aerobic exercise
  • Cut down on beverages late in the day
  • Don’t eat a big meal before bedtime and don’t go to bed hungry
  • For some a light snack before bedtime may be helpful like a banana, yogurt or a small bowl of whole-wheat cereal that is low in sugar

Getting enough sleep effects you’re over all health. Develop regular bedtime habits to help yourself get the best sleep you can. Sleep tight!

♥ ♥

 

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