Saturday, September 29, 2012

Gratitude...

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

-- Melodie Beattie


Today I am truly uplifted. In a world full of stress and constant motion, it is good to sit for a moment and be grateful. Take more then a moment. Take 15.

Find a notebook and start a gratitude journal. Every day write down 5 things that you are grateful for. 5 things that happened in your day that were good, that made you smile, that made you laugh, or made you think, "hey, my life is pretty great." This little exercise will have an amazing affect. DOn't be surprised if you start waking up just a little happier.

So, what am I grateful for today?

Well, I just returned home from an amazing conference at the Jazz at Lincoln Center for the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, the school where I hold my Holistic Health Counseling credentials. Today I listened to some amazing speakers : Andrea Beaman, JJ Smith, Kathy Swift, and the amazing Dr. Daniel Amen. I am so grateful that I got to be there and be apart of this force who's one goal is to help people find health and happiness.

I am also grateful that I am healthy. I have taken my own body to new levels of health and I am so happy with that. I live firm with the belief that there is always room for improvement but to be happy with all the little accomplishments. This past week I took on a little detox. I found that it wasn't very far off from how I eat already, BUT I did kick one habit, caffeine! No more coffee for this girl unless it's decaf. Proud of this step forward and so I celebrate it. As we all should. It's those little accomplishments that help us reach the big goal.

I am grateful for the ability to acknowledge that I don't have all the answers. No one does. what I do have is knowledge to learn what I don't know and to share what I do. The day one feels they know it all is the day they might as well hang up their hat and move on. Trust your heart, have a thirst for knowledge, admit when you don't, and keep yourself open to new information, because there is always something out there worthy of learning.

That is 3 of mine today. I encourage you now to go find a quiet space, a notebook. Take a deep breath. Now write out your 5 gratitudes for the day.


Saturday, September 22, 2012

Fridge or Dare!

Hey, I have a fun game for you. It's called Fridge or Dare. I dare you to go in your fridge and find me 5 things that will go bad if not eaten in 3-5 days. How'd you do? Hopefully you found more then 5. If you found less then I am here to revamp your fridge.  If you found less because you have less then 5 things in your fridge, well then get your butt over to my house and let's feed you something yummy!

The Revamp

Just like a house or beauty make-over, I am here to make-over your fridge. Except that in doing so I am helping you make-over your body....which in my humble opinion is far more important then the color of your house or nails. You ARE what you eat!!! You are also a role model for your significant other and your kids if you have any.

What should NOT be in lurking in your fridge:

Mayonnaise
Soda and sugary fruit beverages
Alcohol
Processed meat
Processed cheese
Creamy dressings
Ice cream
Frozen junk food- fries, pizzas, hot pockets, etc.
Whole Milk
Creamers

What to fill your fridge with:
(Fresh preferably organic and seasonal)
Bag of apples
Bag of oranges
Lemons
Dates
Bananas- those can go on top of fridge :)
Cherries
Grapefruit
Mangos
Peaches
Pineapple
Papayas
Pears
Watermelon
Kale
Spinach
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Bell peppers

Mixed Green salad

Almond, hemp, rice milk

Frozen 
Strawberries
Blueberries
Mixed berries

Mixed Veggies

Better condiment choices:
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Apple cider Vinegar
Bragg Liquid Amino
Hummus 

Hope you guys have fun cleaning out your fridge. I promise your body will thank you. 

If you want to learn more about how to live a Happy, Healthier, and Balanced life, contact me for a free consultation at lovelightandwellbeing@gmail.com or visit my site @ http://www.ellieeagle.com





Thursday, September 13, 2012

The Power of Pumpkin, a look and taste...

You can just say the word pumpkin and I will drool. I love pumpkin!!! I will consider myself fully immersed in fall when I bake my first pumpkin treat and roast my first batch of pumpkin seeds.

So why else is pumpkin so awesome?? Because its SO good for you! Check out these benefits, then try a recipe or two and thank me later. Youuuuuur welcome. 

Benefits of pumpkin:

  • Very low calories and contains no saturated fats or cholesterol and a rich source of dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins. 

  • Pumpkin is a storehouse of many anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin-A, vitamin-C and vitamin-E.

  • Excellent source of Vitamin A (246% of RDA) which is a powerful natural anti-oxidant and is required by body for maintaining the integrity of skin and mucus membranes. It is also an essential vitamin for vision. Research studies suggest that natural foods rich in vitamin A helps body protect against lung and oral cavity cancers.

  • It is also an excellent source of many natural poly-phenolic flavonoid compounds such as α and ß carotenes, cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. Carotenes convert into vitamin A inside the body.

  • Helps protect from "age related macular disease" 

  • Rich in B-complex group of vitamins like folates, niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin and pantothenic acid.

  • It is also rich source of minerals like copper, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.

  • Pumpkin Seeds are good source of dietary fiber and mono-unsaturated fatty acids which are good for heart health. In addition, they are very good in protein, minerals and many health benefiting vitamins. For example 100 g of pumpkin seeds provide 559 cal, 30 g of protein, 110% RDA of iron, 4987 mg of niacin (31% RDA), selenium (17% of RDA), zinc (71%) etc... but no cholesterol. The seeds are an excellent source of health promoting amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is converted to GABA in the brain.

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Vegan, Gluten free, Dairy free, Sugar free, Yeast free, Corn free
This smoothie is creamy and light. Not only will it add extra fiber to your day, but having pumpkin in the morning will keep you fuller, longer!
Yield: 1 serving, 2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 cup non-dairy milk – I used unsweetened almond
  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1 tbsp raisins or 1/2 tsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ground ginger
  • pinch ground nutmeg
  • pinch ground cloves
  • pinch all spice
Blend until smooth

Every year i speak of this recipe and all my friends ask for the recipe. I don't take credit for it at all but I have become an expert at making it because it's so delicious!!! Enjoy!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Recipe- Cheap Eats Clean

Proof that one doesn't need much to eat yummy, good-for-you, food.

Kale & Black Beans over Quinoa


kale- rinsed, and torn
can of organic black beans- drained, rinsed
garlic- minced
1/2 cup salsa- your heat choice
olive oil
quinoa

make quinoa first like stated on box or bag

heat oil in pan
add garlic
add beans and salsa
(salsa is a quick way to add flavor without having to buy separately onion and chopped tomatoes- do I prefer fresh? yes. but sometimes you go with what's in the fridge. )
add kale
cover for a minute to steam the kale then remove cover. stir often, intermingling the bean mixture with the kale. 8-10 minutes

serve over quinoa

* i sometimes garnish with avocado or a dollop of my favorite hummus
* if you want an extra kick add cayenne to spice things up

Budget breakdown
kale-$2.79
beans- $1.59
quinoa- $1.25 (per 2 servings)
salsa- $0.50 (serving size)

total- $ 6.13 for 2 servings!!!