notjusthealthnuts

A few years ago after giving birth to my son, I had some life altering changes.  I had two kids and not just one.  Back issues. A dramatic gall bladder removal.  Less hair.  Did I mention more kids?   The hair changes started before having my son, but it was crazy hair loss after his arrival. He was worth it.  I could take the high road and tell you hair doesn't matter. That I realized my inner beauty counted most (it does, but lets be realistic).  We could be petty and mourn over the loss.  It's vain and there are a lot more things in my life to be grateful for.   Let's do both.  Take the high road and cry about it.  Now that's done.  It's not going down without a fight.  Two years ago I made changes to my diet and noticed stronger hair.  It even started curling again.  Then I dove into holistic hair solutions- from DIY hair products to supplements to "what am I eating?" that works.  I also ...

If you struggle with health issues or trying to reach a health goal then sleep is EVERYTHING!  Click the link to our facebook page for a quick read.  Potent health in minutes. Our Basic to Healthy Living Namaste and Good Night

   As a foodie with food allergies I feel that any packaged product is potential death waiting to happen.  That might be a bit dramatic.  Seriously, my step son with bakers dozen food allergies and I of a few call certain products boxes of death.  Largely, because it is. Shockingly it gets worse, food allergies are NOT just in the food aisle. They lurk every where.   As a matter of frightening fact, companies can pretty much put any claim or statement on their product with little to no accountability.  There is one major Federal law to "protect" us foodies with food allergies.  Thank you  foodallergy.org  for informing us that only eight allergies have warning labels on a certain number of food products.  If you clean with it,  take a prescription, take an OTC, put it on your skin, has a kosher label, or smoke it (ew) then a company is not obligated to tell you when an allergen may be in their product. Lesson one is...

I miss Italian food.  Watching all these food shoes makes it worse, unless it's the one where the "f" word guy goes back into the kitchen.  It's kinda like finding out what's in spam or hot dogs, wish you had never known.  Being in the GF life has severely limited our gluten free Italian options.  Finding a non crunch lasagna noodle takes a trek across town.  I am a label reading fool.  I have found some GF penne and rotini made with ancient grains- brown rice and quinoa.  Jumping up and down giggling my friends.  If it has corn in the ingredients, it's crunchy pasta. Gross. Lasagna was my go to comfort meal.  Other than the gluten issue, lasagna tends to be high in fat and calories. Not good for your waist line or brain power.  What's  health foodie to do for comfort food? Make a redo.  The difference in my creation from other recipes are the switch outs.  Still easy with the Italian comfort; yet, no meat/more veggies ...

Healthy food and meals can loose their excitement.  Especially when you take away the fats, sugar, and salt.  Wait, I am to entice you to eat healthy. Hang with me.  Decades ago salt was left by the way side as a  primary means to flavor food for me.   We are in deep with spices and herbs.  By this I mean I get way too excited when they go on sale and enjoy picking them out.  I am in deep.  I love the choices, options, and various ways to can make different flavor profiles.  I love that my food doesn't taste bland and doesn't cause me to bloat (salt does! bastard).  Even better, this is a friends with benefits relationship.  Most spices reduce inflammation which benefits your digestive system, joints, muscles, heart, and brain.  Brain and body love.  Certain herbs aid in memory and concentration, are rich in vitamins (some even have iron!), boost immune systems, and fight free radicals with antioxidants.  If you ...

Warning: make sure you have access to a bathroom for the next couple of hours.  Do not drink then get in the car for a grocery pick up for more than thirty minutes. It. Is. Torture. 

AND it's not a salad.  I happen to like salads, but when the temps don't get above freezing for two weeks I want warmth.  I want it fast.  Mid day can be a hurdle to get through which leads to bad food relationship choices.  Suddenly you are abusing your body and brain in desperation of sustenance.  With some effort, like opening packages and dumping them, we have three meal options to beat this.  The last recipe takes a bit more commitment but the reward is bountiful.  Allot thirty minutes (at most) in prep to set a weeks worth of "throw in the microwave" food love. Vegetarian Chili Throw this in a 8 quart stock pot or  8 quart crock pot: 46 fl oz can of tomato juice 28 oz can of diced tomatoes 15.5 oz can of  light kidney beans 15.5 oz of darn kidney beans or black beans 12 oz frozen corn or mixed vegetables 2 packets of choice chili seasoning Throw it in a pot and cook on medium for 30 minutes. If it starts to boil reduce heat...

It's about as Mexican as in you're driving down the road hungry craving "Mexican" and you stop at some taco place. As much as I love cooking, there are times when I want something quick that stops just short of drive through. This is less sketchy and healthier- A "not a drive through, satisfies my spiciness, throw it in a pan" creation. What you need Pre cooked chicken diced * cook it your self (1 lbs) , rotisseries, or packaged. No judgement zone Brown Rice 1 dry cup cooked * get the "it takes 5 minutes kind" Diced Tomatoes   1 14.5 oz can * no salt added, machinery may be involved Corn 1 14.5 oz can, no salt added Onions  1/2 cup diced Cilantro 1 Tbsp Garlic  2 Tbsp or 2 cloves diced Cumin 2 Tbsp Cayenne 2  Tbsp Shredded Cheddar Cheese 4 oz, reduced fat * separate into half - 2 oz and 2 oz Reduced Fat Cream Cheese 8 oz Turn oven on to 350 to preheat Making it Step one- get it prepped and together.  If your chick...

Here me now- I am not claiming total head monkey control.  However, there are ways to quite them and get them mananged.  This has been HUGE for my daughter and I.  We have monkey riots in our heads often and they just needed to settle the hell down. When the head monkeys are out of control they need to be fed. First in a head monkey's diet is sleep.  Lack of sleep makes them louder or controlling them harder. I am not sure which. Either sucks.  Set a iron clad routine.  For adults, around 10 P.M. and up around 6 P.M. following the rhythm of nature. If that time frame not possible, seven to eight hours where you are able.  Uninterrupted.  My kids and I are still in negotiations on that part.  Settle into a non engaging activity thirty minutes before bed time.  I absolutely CANNOT read  before bed.  Book are engaging and insomnia inducing for me. My daughter it's the opposite effect. As a  matter of fact it can put her t...

This would not be categorized as a vegetarian dish because of our bacon entanglement.  Also, I am literally eating my words on this whole "I won't eat brussel sprout thing." This collaboration of previous brussel sprout consumption dare and my ghost child's new professed love of goat cheese with bacon enhancement.  All culminating in a simple and quick delicious recipe.  Anyone has the time and skill for this. Ingredients and Prep Brussel sprouts (steamed, cut in half) Bacon (cooked, diced) Goat cheese crumbles (package opened) Olive oil- one tablespoon Steps to brussel sprouts in bacon, cheese glory 1.  Preheat oven to 425 F 2. Lightly drizzle olive oil on a sheet pan 2. Steam brussel sprouts and cut in half then spread out on pan 3. Cook bacon but barely (light brown and soft) or cheat like me and buy the pre cooked.  D 4. Dice barely cooked bacon and sprinkle over brussel sprouts. 5. Place pan in the oven for ten minutes. 6. A...

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 s...