Author: fullofjoy7

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Healthy drink ideas! Good for adults and children!

Here are some guiltless, delicious drinks for when water just isn’t cutting it!

Dandyblend– This is one of my favorite drinks! Its awesome hot or cold. Depending on how much powder you use, it can be similar to either a tea or an espresso drink! Many people use this as a coffee substitute. There is no caffeine, no acidity, and no bitterness. Although it contains barley and rye, the gluten is eliminated in the extracting process.

  • Some people drink it plain. I add unsweetened almond milk and a few drops of stevia when I make it cold and organic half and half when I make it hot.
  • Ingredients: extracts of roasted barley, rye, chicory root, dandelion root and sugar beet
I buy the 2 pound bag (it is the cheapest per ounce) so I can give little ziplocks of it to people who want to try it!

Zevia– a healthy “soda” with zero calories and nothing artificial. Most are caffeine free. You can find them at most health foods stores or on their website; free shipping if you buy 3 cases!

  • This is a great substitute for high sugar sodas or sugar free sodas that use harmful chemicals like aspartame or splenda to sweeten them.
  • Flavors: cola, cream soda, ginger root beer, grape, dr. zevia, ginger ale, black cherry, lemon lime twist, mountain zevia, grapefruit citrus, strawberry, orange, cherry cola.
  • All the flavors are clear because they have removed the artificial colors from their ingredients…sweet!
  • Ingredients: carbonated water, natural flavors, stevia leaf extract, citric acid

DIY lemonade– kids love this one! (makes appox. 5 cups)

  • 32 oz of water
  • 6 oz of lemon juice
  • 1 heaping teaspoon of green stevia powder

DIY chocolate milk or hot chocolate (makes approx. 2.5 cups)

  • 1.5 cups almond milk (heated up if you want hot chocolate)
  • 1 cup water (heated up if you want hot chocolate)
  • 4 tablespoons cacao powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 20 drops of stevia
  • 1 tablespoon of maple syrup

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Ever heard of oil pulling?!

2 minute read

Did you know that overall immune system health has been directly related to oral health?

Oil pulling is an ancient practice that can kill harmful bacteria, freshen breath and whiten your teeth! Some other recorded benefits are; cavity prevention, improved gum health, treating tooth decay, and reducing inflammation,

I can say from experience that my mouth feels super clean after I oil pull and my teeth start whitening after just 3 times of doing it! Dr. Axe recommends more but you can still reap benefits by doing this 1/week. I do it every Monday morning.

This is such an easy, inexpensive routine that improves your mouth and overall health!

Steps:

  • Oil pull first thing in the morning, before eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth
  • Choose organic, unrefined, cold pressed, virgin coconut oil (sesame or olive oil will work too)
  • Swish 1 tablespoon around your mouth for about 10-20 minutes (be careful not to swallow any)
  • Optional: you can add 3-5 drops of essential oil for added benefits (frankincense-supports immunity, lavender-gum health, tea tree oil, clove or cinnamon- kills off bacteria)
  • Spit it out in a trash can (do NOT spit in a sink as it could clog the pipes if it hardens)
  • Rinse mouth well with water and spit it out
  • Brush teeth
  • Enjoy a healthier mouth and whiter teeth!

If you want to learn more, check out this 5 minute video from Dr. Axe or read his more lengthy article.

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Easily switch to non-toxic products with the EWG app!

3 min read

You’d probably be surprised to know how many harmful toxins you are exposed to in your everyday products and foods.  Our body is designed to detox from small amounts but the toxic buildup caused by days, weeks, and years of consumption can be very detrimental to your health.

Some of the effects of these toxins include; allergies, lower blood cell counts, infertility, birth defects, liver and kidney damage and cancers.  

Pretty serious stuff, huh? Luckily, it is easy and affordable to make wiser decisions when deciding what to put in and on your body.

Step 1: Awareness! Hopefully this post will accomplish this! Check out the infographic below.  

Step 2: Download the EWG healthy living app!  This free app has rated more than 120,000 food and personal care products based on their potential harmful effects.  It’s super easy to use and even has the option to simply scan a product and see it’s score! 

EWG (Environmental Working Group) is a non profit organization whose mission is to use the power of information to protect human health and the environment.  They are doing great work and have tons of helpful information on their site.

Step 3: Next time you need to purchase something, go for a healthy, non toxic option! 

Note: The only thing I put on my skin is organic, unrefined, coconut oil.  It may not work for everyone but I love the easy of it, the smell, the feel, and how it moistures my skin.  Also, I drink loads of clean water so that helps too!   For other natural skin care that you can whip up at home using foods/oils; check out this article from Dr. Axe: 13 Best Ingredients for Your Natural Skin Care Ritual 

 

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Protein- Packed Brownies!

Protein- Packed Brownies!

These brownies are loaded with protein because of the almond butter and whey protein.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 18 brownies

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups raw organic almond butter Smooth and unroasted is our preference! It's actually really easy to make your own!
  • 2 eggs Organic Free Range Eggs
  • 1/2 cup xylitol* OR stevia (amounts vary) I recommend xylitol derived from birch trees, rather than GMO corn. Stevia can also be used, to you preferred level of sweetness. With liquid stevia, start off with 1/2 teaspoons and add from there. If spoonable, start with a 1/8 cup, pure stevia, start with 1/4 teaspoon.
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or pink himalayan salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup organic coconut milk from a can
  • 1 cup Chocolate Baking Chips - Sweetened with Stevia We Use Lily's Dark Chocolate! 🙂

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, blend almond butter with an electric blender until smooth. Blend in eggs, then sweetner and vanilla. Add in the rest of the ingredients. 
  • Line a 9"× 13" glass baking dish with parchment paper and pour batter into dish. You may need to press it into shape because it will be thick. 
  • Bake at 325°F for about 20-25mins or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Notes

*Some people experience abdominal discomfort when consuming too much xylitol.
This is a slightly altered version of a recipe we received from a Maxliving chiropractor we used to go to.
Keyword Recipes

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Take a walk…barefoot!

Earthing in Fiji… on my birthday 🙂

Did you know that there are a bunch of health benefits to being barefoot and physically connecting with our earth?

“Earthing” or “grounding” is when some part of your body (usually the soles of your feet) touches the earth’s surface. The earth’s beneficial negative charge helps to counter the positive charge our body gains as we live our modern lifestyles that typically lack contact with nature.

The electrical force from the earth helps lower inflammation and fight free radicals. It can also help improve your sleep, lower stress hormones, and even help with pain!

So….kick off your shoes whenever you can! Get your toes in the sand, soil, or grass (just make sure it is chemical/pesticide free grass!). Soaking or swimming in any natural body of water works too!

I love earthing! It’s simple, it feels good, and it’s free! 🙂

Here is a 5 min video from Clint Ober that explains earthing in more detail.

Want to learn more? Check out these articles: Earthing: 5 ways it can help you fight disease, Earthing & Grounding, Tips to Benefit from Grounding Indoors and Out

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Blasted Cauliflower

Blasted Cauliflower

Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head of cauliflower or a 32oz bag of florets
  • 1/4 cup of coconut oil or avocado oil or grapeseed oil
  • 1 tsp of garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp of pink himalayan salt or sea salt
  • 1/2 cup of nutritional yeast not to be confused with brewer’s yeast
  • 1/4 tsp Optional- to add spice: black pepper, crushed red pepper, or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp Optional- to add to cauliflower’s cancer fighting properties: try adding tumeric (with black pepper, that helps your body to absorb the curcumin in the turmeric
  • 1/4 tsp Optional- to add to cauliflower’s cancer fighting properties: try adding tumeric (with black pepper, that helps your body to absorb the curcumin in the turmeric

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Wash cauliflower.
  • Cut the cauliflower florets and soft part of stems into small pieces. Put in a large bowl
  • Add in the oil, garlic, salt, and nutritional yeast. (And optional spices if you want)
  • Toss cauliflower pieces in mixture until thoroughly coated.
  • Place cauliflower in a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, stir it all up, then bake for another 30 minutes. You’ll want them to look browned.
  • ENJOY!

Notes

You may be surprised at how delicious, nutritious, and easy this side dish is!
Cauliflower is a member of the cancer-fighting cruciferous family of vegetables. It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich, and may boost both your heart and brain health! Eating cauliflower will provide your body with impressive amounts of vitamin C, vitamin K, beta-carotene, and much more while supporting healthy digestion and detoxification.
For an extensive list of these benefits, check out:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/22/cauliflower-health-benefits.aspx
Nutritional yeast is a high quality non-animal source of protein that is easily digested. It contains 14 minerals, and 17 vitamins (including B vitamins). It also has all 18 amino acids, is low in carbohydrates and fat, high in fiber, and has anti-viral and antibacterial properties. It may be useful for these conditions; candida, chronic acne, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and immune system stimulation.
Nutritional yeast is different than brewers yeast as it is an inactive form of yeast, so it will not cause problems for people with yeast overgrowth.
Best of all, it has a cheese-like flavor that can be used as a cheese substitute! Sprinkling it on popcorn is one of my favorite uses : ) You can find it in bulk at many health food stores including Whole Foods.
If you would like to learn more about nutritional yeast, click here:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03475/Cooking-With-Spices-Nutritional-Yeast.html
And if you would like to know MUCH more, click here:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/04/04/nutritional-yeast.aspx
Keyword Recipes

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My favorite travel apps: AIRBNB and Couchsurfing!

The Old Pomegranate House I stayed at while in Mirsini, Greece

Both of these apps offer unique lodging options and use reviews (from hosts and travelers) to keep things honest and safe. You usually get to meet the host and learn some local knowledge of the area with the best (and often not-so-touristy) places to see, visit, dine, etc. Some hosts offer bikes, boats, breakfast, or whatever else they may want to share!

Airbnb

How it works:
People rent out whatever extra space they have…. rooms, cabins, campgrounds, RVs, tree-houses, mansions, igloos, and everything in between!  This is a great option for groups. Instead of a few hotel rooms, you can rent out a whole house!

I like to find places that have a kitchen so I can cook healthy meals and cut down on spending by not having to eat out so often.  I always look for places with great outdoor spaces so I can relax outside in my own private area 🙂

How’s this for outdoor space? 😉 Traveled around the coast of Portugal in Bianca, the campervan! What an experience! We were invited to a delicious home cooked dinner by the couple who rented us the van when we picked it up- one of the many benefits of using Airbnb.

Sign up is free and even if you aren’t planning a trip, its fun perusing the site and checking out all the different places listed.

And…if you sign up using my link, you’ll get $60 off (sometimes they change the amount) your first trip and I’ll get a referral bonus!  So… if you used my link… Thank you so much!!  🙂
I love referral bonuses! Good for everyone…you, me, and Airbnb! (I’m a poet and I didn’t even know it! 😉

Couchsurfing!


This app is similar to Airbnb but the places are free! The couchsurfing community is made up of people who want to travel on the cheap and those who want to help others travel on the cheap.  Most people fall into both categories over time 🙂
People list thier extra rooms or couches on the site. This app also has a review system in place and, as a women traveling alone, I only stay with people that have a bunch of great references.

My first CS experience was about 10 years ago. My bf (at the time) and I decided to head to Costa Rica and rent a place for a few months. We didn’t know exactly where we wanted to be so we started off by requesting a two nights’ couchsurf at a sweet lady’s home in Cocoa beach. These two nights turned into a two week stay a new friend 🙂 She kept offering for us to stay longer so we did!  We bought groceries, helped with things around the house and doggiesat for a few days while she went to San Jose to visit friends.

Recently CS added a hangout tab to connect with people locally without staying with them. Post what you want to do; coffee, explore, hike, catch a show, etc. and other people can join if they want. So great for when you are in a new city and just want to meet some cool peeps and hang out. Locals and travelers both use the hangouts so you never know who will pop up!

I love connecting with people from all of the world…we learn so much from each other!

Enjoying Venice beach with some people I met on the hangout tab on the couchsurfing app…. instant friends all over the world!
Thanks couchsurfing.org!
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Body Brushing!

Body brushing is quick, easy, and feels so good! Among other things, it exfoliates your skin, helps your body detox and stimulates your lymphatic system. Below is an info-graphic from Dr. Axe to help you get started : )

This is the body brush I’ve been using for years and it’s under $10!

This is a great info-graphic with tips on how and why to body brush regularly! For a more in depth look at this, check out the article I grabbed it from. Dr. Axe from www.draxe.com wrote up a great article; going in detail about the benefits of body brushing. Be sure to check it out!
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Healthy brownies!

My sister came down to visit and made some awesome brownies so I wanted to share them with you!

  • 2 cups of raw organic almond butter, smooth and unroasted (its really simple to make your own!)
  • 2 organic free range eggs
  • 1/2 cup of xylitol* (I recommend getting a brand that is derived from birch trees, not GMO corn) or stevia to taste (liquid- start with 2 teaspoons and add from there. spoonable-start with 1/4 cup and add from there)
  • 1 Tablespoon vanialla extract
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 scoop chocolate grass fed whey protein powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or pink himalayan salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup organic coconut milk from a can (hopefully one with a bpa free lining)
  • 1 cup stevia sweetened baking chips (we use Lily’s dark chocolate) 

In a large bowl, blend almond butter with an electric blender until smooth. Blend in eggs, then sweetner and vanilla. Add in the rest of the ingredients. 

Line a 9″× 13″ glass baking dish with parchment paper and pour batter into dish. You may need to press it into shape because it will be thick. 

Bake at 325°F for about 20-25mins or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Image used from this user from Pixabay

ENJOY!

*Some people experience abdominal discomfort when consuming too much xylitol.