02.02.07
Posted in Food, Fun Stuff, General, Healthy Ideas, Recipes at 1:33 pm by Debra
I created this dish a while ago, but I made it again last night and realized that I had to post it here for you all to enjoy. It is a favorite in our house, even Owen loves it!
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced
1 large zucchini, thinly sliced
1 red pepper, julienned
1 lb. crabmeat
fresh parsley
1 lb. penne (I use brown rice pasta)
1/3 c. lemon juice (maybe a little more?)
1/3 c. extra virgin olive oil (maybe a little more?)
1 tsp. Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute (or Mrs. Dash or any no-salt seasoning blend) or to taste
Saute first 4 ingredients in a deep skillet. Leave a good long time for this (maybe 1/2 hr?), as doing it slowly over low heat (med-low) until browned will slightly caramelize the veggies.
Meanwhile, cook pasta and prepare dressing.
When veggies are done, add crabmeat and parsley and heat through. Remove from heat and add dressing. Toss and serve.
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01.15.07
Posted in General, Healthy Ideas, Musings, Skin Care Tips at 8:44 pm by Debra
Since I use all natural products on my skin, in my house, on my kid, it seemed counterintuitive to head down to CVS to grab the latest color of blush, packed full of chemicals and preservatives that are potentially toxic.
I searched long and hard and found a mineral foundation that is the most natural I could find, and also one of the most affordable. Aromaleigh cosmetics are just wonderful! I use the Voile powder foundation and the Pure Blush in Rosewood, the perfect healthy glow.
They have lots of information to help you understand what is different about mineral makeup and also to help you make good color choices. And when in doubt, order the sample sizes and try them out. I did, and it was worth it, and the samples do last quite a while, too.
Just a word of caution, though, that left me VERY disappointed . . . their beautiful lipstick colors contain parabens. When a classy, woman-owned company successfully makes amazing, all-natural mineral makeup, I don’t understand how parabens, a preservative the FDA will tell you is safe, but has many health hazards, including being a possible carcinogen, can end up in one of the other products. There are a lot of companies that have natural lipstick, so I don’t know why Aromaleigh feels they cannot. Honeybee Gardens, Beauty Wise and Real Purity are just a few that make gorgeous, affordable, all-natural lipsticks.
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01.11.07
Posted in Food, General, Healthy Ideas, Recipes at 3:19 pm by Debra
Quinoa is one of my favorite grains — it is wheat free, chock full of protein and has a unique flavor all its own. It is so versatile it can be prepared as a breakfast porridge or made into a yummy side dish, like I did last night.
All hail to Trader Joe’s for their bountiful selection of organic frozen produce. I keep a variety in my freezer at all times, and it sure came in handy last night!
1.5 c. dry quinoa
1 bag frozen organic spinach
1 bag frozen organic peas
1 large onion, chopped
1 large handful of fresh basil, sage, or parsley or a combination of them all, chopped
dressing
- 1/3 c. lemon juice
- 1/4 c. olive oil
Whisk together.
Prepare quinoa by cooking in 3 c. water; boil, cover and simmer until water is soaked up.
Meanwhile, saute onion in a little olive oil, and when translucent, add peas and spinach. When everything is heated through, add cooked quinoa, herbs and dressing. Serve hot, room temperature or chill before serving.
How good would this be with any number of additions — green beans, artichoke hearts, zucchini . . .
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01.09.07
Posted in General, Healthy Ideas at 1:15 pm by Debra
I recently read a tip (which I would credit but I can’t remember where!) that you should always apply your moisturizer to wet skin. Not only does the moisturizer help lock in the hydration, but you also end up using less product.
This is something I have been doing — and advocating — for years. I strongly recommend the use of a hydrosol with your Custom Face Oil (often rose, but some skin types like lavender or neroli / orange blossom).
I also suggest smoothing on Body Oil after a shower, when you are still wet and hydrated.
And I love using Body Butter on wet hands, especially before bed, when I can put on cotton gloves and wake up with the most heavenly smooth skin imaginable.
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11.17.04
Posted in General, Healthy Ideas at 10:20 am by Debra
This article gives great tips about how to choose the healthiest meals when you are eating out in a restaurant. They are good tips to apply to cooking at home, too. From thinking wisely about cooking methods (frying vs. steaming) to skipping the bread, you’ll find that it is very easy to eat a healthy meal, no matter which restaurant you choose. I don’t eat wheat or dairy and I can pretty much find something to eat no matter where we go. people think it must be so hard, because wheat and dairy are in everything, but you’d be surprised at the yummy dishes I have gotten to experience without cheating.
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Posted in General, Healthy Ideas at 9:56 am by Debra
You can well imagine how much I agree with the sentiments of this article. I love my dog like crazy; he is my hiking companion, my cuddle bug (yes, he is an 80-lb. lap dog!), my protector (especially frorm that very scary mailman!) and my most loyal friend. When I hike, I feel sorry for the people I pass who are hiking alone — everyone should have a dog!
I also cannot say enough about adopting a dog. We got Guinness 7 years ago from Buddy Dog in Sudbury. Yes, he was a crazy, 5-month old puppy who didn’t understand lots of things about love and kindness at first, but with love and patience, we are very proud of the dog we have raised and we know that we saved his life and he has added more than we can express to ours.
So I guess my message today is get a dog — for your health, state of mind and to completely enrich your life in every way.
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09.15.04
Posted in Healthy Ideas at 6:37 pm by Debra
Some of you may be familiar with these, or you may have read about them on the Body Health Center site. This is a great article on the web that helps explain all about flower essences.
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07.02.04
Posted in Food, Healthy Ideas, Recipes at 9:40 am by Debra
I’ve been enjoying this simple salad dressing on my lunchtime salads. It is so easy to whip up your own salad dressing with no additives or bad vinegars and oils. And this is a very easy dressing to vary, too. Oh, and some healthy facts — cider vinegar is the only one that will help your body become more alkaline, it is a very healthy vinegar and some people even drink it daily for their digestion. I use the EV olive b/c I like the taste and it is a good oil, flax would be good too and impart a slightly nutty flavor.
~ equal parts cider vinegar and extra virgin olive oil
~ dijon mustard to taste
Whisk and serve!
Some variations you can do are:
~ add onion powder and ground cayenne to give it a kick and make it liver-cleansing.
~ add fresh chopped herbs like basil, thyme or sage.
~ chopped fresh cilantro will help detoxify the body of heavy metals.
~ chives, shallots, scallions give a subtle onion taste.
~ pureed raspberries makes a yummy, fruity dressing.
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06.21.04
Posted in Healthy Ideas, Om at 4:49 pm by Debra
You want something good for your spirit? All you need is a 15-minute walk in this gorgeous sunshine to brighten up your day, literally and figuratively. Firstly, you’ll get a good dose of vitamin D that way, a vitamin your body needs and cannot produce itself. Just like light therapy will chase away winter blues, a daily dose of sunshine will lift your spirits and energize you. Finally, walk mindfully, meaning your full awareness is on your surroundings. You are sure to discover pleasure in the little things in life and see something you’ve never noticed before.
For more information on vitamin D and sunshine, check out this article.
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Posted in Healthy Ideas at 4:35 pm by Debra
Do you have trouble digesting raw nuts and seeds? Lots of people do, but you don’t have to cook the nutrition out of them to make the more digestable. Soak them overnight, rinse them well and enjoy! They will not only be easier to digest, but b/c you have pre-sprouted them, they are now living and the nutrition is more available to you.
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06.07.04
Posted in Healthy Ideas at 7:23 pm by Debra
I have been trying to get some variety in my snacking, since I have overloaded on fruit during my first trimester. Here are some ideas I have been trying and enjoying this week:
- baby carrots with hummus
- celery sticks with raw almond butter and dried currants (I guess my version of ants on a log)
- raw hazelnuts — I needed some variety in my nuts and both Guinness and I have been enjoying these!
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