Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Spring Break Travels

So this week I've been road tripping for spring break and  I can tell you it isn't easy eating healthy and travelling.  There are soooo many temptations.  And frankly, finding healthy foods on the road is challenging.  I will admit I have a few cheats here and there - I am on vacation after all!  But I also get some good stuff in as well.  Here are some of the things that work for me:

  • I pack my own food - gluten free crackers, hummus, veggies and fruits
  • I bring all my supplements and make sure to take them every morning
  • I drink lots of water!  Sorry to the rest of the people in the car - we make a lot of stops for me :)
  • When I get to my destination I get more fruit - bananas, oranges - things that don't really need refrigeration
  • I make lighter choices when eating out 

I also pack my gym shoes and get out a walk a bit.  It's easy to lay around on vacation, but for some reason, that just makes me more tired!  Ironic, huh?

Am I perfect?  HECK NO!  Being healthy is about what you 80% of the time and I want to enjoy my vacation after all.

I hope all of you are getting a taste of spring and enjoying your spring travels.

And . . . don't forget about the Food2Live4 21-Day Cleanse Balance Thrive program coming up next week!  If you want to jump start your spring weight loss/detox - this program might be for you.  We start on Tuesday April 22.  Visit our website at http://www.food2live4.com/events/cleanse-balance-thrive/ to get more details and feel free to email me directly if I can can answer any questions.  The best investment you can ever make is in yourself and your own health.





Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Spring Cleaning!

I always welcome the warmer spring weather.  It's a chance to open the doors, air the house out and it makes me feel like doing some spring cleaning - home AND body.  This year my spring cleaning is a bit different. While I always go through and purge my house, this year it's a 14 year purge.  I'm getting ready to sell my house and downsize.  It's bittersweet.  I LOVE my neighborhood and have made some amazing lifelong friends here.  I also love my home - it's super cute and cozy.  But - it's time in my life to make a fresh start.  My husband passed in 2009, so it's just me and my daughter and this house is too much for us.  Also, my daughter is starting high school and I'm ready to move on from the Chicago Public School system.  

Are you in a similar spot?  Purging and/or moving??  I have found it helpful to make "piles."  
Pile 1 - Things to keep.  These are the things I can't live without. Pictures, furniture and items I cherish and will definitely pack and bring with me.
Pile 2 - Donate.  These are things that still have some value, but probably aren't saleable.  Things like old clothes, old glasses, magazines etc.
Pile 3 - Sell.  These are things I can sell quickly.  I'm using a combination of a local "garage sale" on Facebook, Craigslist and eBay for the more valuable things.  

Now - for the body cleanse.  If I am going to be packing and moving, I need to get my body in shape!  Even though I eat relatively healthy, the reality is when it's cold out I want warm cozy food.  Now that the weather is getting nicer, I am craving more fresh, raw fruits and vegetables.  So, to spring clean my body, I am going to give it a break from the rich foods I've been eating.  I know it will give me more energy and help with my concentration and digestion.  

I can't help you with your home cleaning, but I CAN help you if you are interested in cleansing your body. Starting April 22, Food2Live4 is doing another round of Cleanse, Balance, Thrive!  

The Food2Live4 21 Day Cleanse, Balance, THRIVE plan is three weeks of menu plans, shopping lists, and simple recipes that show you what to eat, every day. The program begins with a gentle easing into healthy eating and ends with a week of raw & living foods and a juice fast. But you won’t be left on your own to stick to the plan! Twice weekly conference calls with my partner and I will answer your questions, provide support, and coach you through any rough patches. Calls are recorded so you must miss a session, you can dial in later and listen. You will also have a private Facebook page available only to 21 Day Cleansers with additional tips and support.  I hope you will choose to join us for this spring cleanse.  Click here for more info:  Food2Live4 or email me at pamela@food2live4.com.  

Happy Spring Cleaning!  

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Coconut Bacon? YES! Absolutely!

Ok - so for those of you who don't know - I am a partner in a company, Food2Live4.  It was started by one of my besties, Jennifer and her sister Heidi.  We started this as a raw food business to basically teach raw food classes.  However, now that we have all gone through the ups and downs of dietary theories and through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition Program, our business model has changed.  While we still continue to teach classes here and there, we work more now doing individual and group coaching.  Why this long-winded story you ask?  My recipe today comes from my talented partner Jennifer!  She was trying to come up with a recipe for coconut bacon and found most of the raw recipes contained liquid smoke - which doesn't sound too tasty.  So, she came up with her own genius recipe for coconut bacon.  It's damn good if I do say so myself!  Oh - and it's super duper easy.  Try it yourself and post your comments below!  I would love your feedback.  


3 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
3 tablespoons wheat free tamari, Bragg’s liquid aminos, or Nama Shoyu
1 tablespoon maple syrup, agave, or coconut palm nectar
1 tsp. Hungarian or smoked paprika
½ tsp. smoked sea salt (optional)

Whisk tamari, maple syrup, and spices in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add coconut flakes and toss to coat evenly. Spread on a large baking sheet brushed with coconut oil. Bake at 300 degrees 20-25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on the coconut because it will go from perfect to burned very quickly! Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet. The coconut will continue to “crisp”. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for several weeks.

How to enjoy this yummy, chewy “bacon”?  It is delicious sprinkled on salads, over sautéed greens, as a pizza topping, and on sandwiches!
 

Avocado and Coconut Bacon Salad with
Lime Vinaigrette

Dressing
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake to combine.
Salad
  • 1 large head romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
  • ½ cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup fresh raspberries
  • ¼ cup coconut bacon
  • 1 avocado, pitted and sliced
Divide lettuce between 4 plates, top with tomato, raspberry, avocado, and coconut bacon. Drizzle with Lime Vinaigrette.  Serves 4.

Also - if you have a chance, check us out at www.food2live4.com.