notjusthealthnuts

Honest conversation?  As much as I love my healthy lifestyle, I LOVE "splurge" food. I find myself rolling my eyes at the holiday weight loss proclamations. I am a health foodie. I love yoga and nutritious food.  I love food. Oh, I love my family too.  And food.  I don't want to see these "weight loss" things as much as you do.  However, every first of the year the collective we makes the same commitment to loose the extra pounds for about thirty days.  So those people are right. Annoying.   How does one keep a balance of a healthy lifestyle during the holidays without relying on a slim fast commercial diet come January 1st?   Dispel the myths.   I freaking love this quote.  If you have or are starting a healthy lifestyle or diet change then holidays are a special challenge.  There is a good chance you will blow it. Just being honest.  You are supposed to have a splurge day so plan that around special events to keep it a minimal.  And no you do not

I am not a committed vegetarian.   It started as a fling that I just can't quit.  I will be upfront, bison burgers are a comfort treat for me that I will never willingly give up.  Famous last words. I have got to stop saying I won't do these things.  That's how I ended up eating brussel sprouts.  My sister was all too willing to tip that scale.  As my relationship with veggies deepen,  I have hit the irony in reducing my meat intake.  I need more iron. Apparently, desperately.  Meat sources are seemingly the easiest way to eat up my iron intake.  However, I want my veggies and be smart with it. Move past the greens but pick up a couple along the way.  Greens are not the only meatless iron rich sources.  Seeds are fantastic and these are the best: pumpkin, pepita, chia, hemp, and sunflower.  I take these and grind them into flours to bake with or add into salads.  There are a few of fruit and nuts: almond, figs, bananas, and dried apricots.  As far as grains go, think an

As our homeschooling continues, the expected ebb and flow of learning has cycled through a few times.  For any child learning it is normal to do a roller coaster of sorts. For Ghost Child- the highs are euphoric and then you plummet with a few plateaus somewhere in there.  Today we have hit all stages from raging tears to victory shouts. It's draining on the both of us.  Especially fighting Red Reign of Terror's fascination with the sink and lust for pouring glue.  I was torn between stopping a flood, teaching, counseling, and preventing sticky situations.  Some sanity points were lost along the way today.  How do we survive this daily?  This: Do what works best for your family.   Balance is key- do what ever works to accomplish what you need to with time to relax- consistently. Get involved and pace yourself.  I read constantly and now joining webinars on my daughter's disorder with a few reputable organizations.  It can suck you in deep.  Small bites.  Cover the bas

Cooler weather should be the interlude of busyness- a reminder to be still.  This health foodie is ready to root into warmth and a major cuisine shift.  I immerse myself blankets (largely so my children can't find me) while I am on the hunt for one pot, crock pot, and soup inspirations.    I am not one for following a recipe exactly or even remotely close.  I like jumping off points that I hope to land like a cat and not on my face.  The recent flurry of pinning sessions has produced a couple of simple, nourishing recipes that I love. As far as soups go, I am either a vegetarian purist or a shameless meatarian.  No in between.  This recipe has ingredient options/switch outs for either preference for you or in my case which mood I am in.  Some prep is required, but it is mostly dumping into the crock pot. Chicken Stew /Veggie Stew Ingredients 4-5 skinless chicken thighs (cooked) or opt out for vegetarian preference Beef broth or Vegetable broth 14.5 oz Crushed tomatoes 28

For the past few weeks I have not physically been myself.  I hit a wall of consistent muscle cramps and impacting fatigue.  It goes far beyond the "mom" exhaustion.  Normally I could run with the kids or circle around them.  Now, after just a couple of errands, today my kids vegged out while I crashed.  Not me in the least. Frustration would cover the description on how I feel.  I looked at everything, from stress to sleep habits to food to activity to any change.  Nope. Nothing.  I had nothing. I dragged myself to the doctor.  Panels of blood test were ordered then came the wait game.  I know it is a process with any diagnosis, but the waiting is a killer.  This morning when I got the results it was what the doctor and I suspected.  My iron is low; while I am not anemic, it is something like it and has the same symptoms. I am grateful it is as simple as quadrupling my iron intake.  However, what I have felt has been anything but simple or easy.  Life doesn't stop when