Gar-Chick-Saus Penne with Pepps and Onions

Sunday again already!  And you KNOW I loves me a hearty meal to end the week right;)  If you can do it in a healthier way, even better!  While this recipe does have pasta in it (a rarity in our lives these days), I chose the healthiest pasta possible and made sure there was a lot of protein included to help break down those carbs.  Also, it's so quick and easy-perfect for whipping up for company, as we did tonight!  Enjoy in moderation.




     Serves 2-4 (I doubled to serve 4 with leftovers)

• 1 box penne pasta (preferably a whole wheat, flax, or veggie variety-look for moderate carbs, more fiber/protein content)
• 1 pack nitrate-free chicken sausage of your choice, sliced (i used garlic flavored)
• 1 jar tomato sauce of your choice (or homemade!)-i used a jarred olive oil/garlic/basil
• 1 1/2c shredded italian cheese of your choice
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 2T chopped garlic
• 2T olive oil
• Sprinkles of parm

1. Heat pan with olive oil to medium and add sausage until heated through
2. Add pepper, onion, and garlic to soften veggies
3. In the meantime, bring water in large pot to a boil and cook pasta approx 10 mins (follow box instructions)
4. Strain pasta and return to pot
5. Pour tomato sauce and add cheese over pasta
6. Add pan contents and stir all
7. Scoop to serve and top with some parm!

Enjoy with a side spinach salad filled with veggies of your liking and perhaps a nice dry red.  Make it your own and please share any moderations! Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)

3 BIG ffffaaatttt NO's!!!

Today I was pondering about my top No-No's (diet-wise)... and while my basis for this blog always supports the organic low-grain, low-carb, and low-sugar lifestyle, I still managed to come up with 3 other big NO's-and for good reason.  I'll post what these are and why below-and as always, it's not to judge, and it's not to say I haven't had these in my lifetime, but I definitely try to avoid them as much as possible.  We should all be very weary of them, especially in daily consumption.

Just Say NO to:

1. Any Artificial Sweeteners, in particular: ASPARTAME (found in equal, diet coke/pepsi, etc...)

• has been called the most dangerous food additive around despite FDA approval
• linked to many everyday symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and migraines
• linked to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, parkinson's, and alzheimer's 
• is known to be most dangerous once ingested and heated over 86 degrees F (doesn't bear well for the avg. human body temp of 98.6)

**And while Starbucks, etc. tend to use Splenda (sucralose), this isn't the best choice either.  Remember, these are manmade chemicals-see healthier alternatives at the bottom of this post.

2. SOY (ANYTHING) Wait-isn't soy healthy??  Aren't edamame and soy milk awesome parts of my diet?  Well, no, not in the least, but it's not our faults for believing so.  The soy campaign was going strong for quite awhile, and looked at as a "health food" we should all turn to, even for infants!  Unfortunately, in recent studies, soy has been shown to majorly mess with hormones (skyrocketing estrogen in particular) and is equivalent to ingesting many birth control pills-not cool at all.  The problem is that most soy is genetically modified (contains GMO's); even organic soy, though, has issues.  It's the fermented, unprocessed soy products that are the only safe choices, such as tempeh and miso, which many of us aren't going near.

3. NITRATES (most cold cuts!!!! and most cured meats-just check the ingredient list) Nitrates are a lot more common than we would imagine, and they are no joke.  A summer hot dog is yummy, as is pepperoni pizza-I get it-but the cancer risk alone is enough for me to stay away from all of the above PLUS any cold cuts.  There are a few exceptions, such as organic nitrate-free meat, hot dogs, and uncured pizzas-again, check the ingredient list.  Nitrates are linked to cancer, tumors, and much much more-especially in children.

While this is a somewhat depressing post, there are ways to avoid the 3 NO's:

• Use a touch of raw honey, organic agave, or organic stevia to sweeten  
• Use organic whole or raw milk in moderation, or try some coconut or almond milk  
• Look for nitrate-free cold cuts, hot dogs, & sausages, grass-fed & free range organic meats, and uncured pepperoni (all of which are becoming very popular at your conventional food store, if not-they're all at the health food store)

***bonus NO:  artificial colors, especially caramel color (found in soda and bottled skinnygirl margs), which have been linked to cancer***

If you consume these on a daily basis is it time to freak out and dwell??  NO!  If that were the case I'd never have moved on and have created this blog!  Life is a learning process, and as I discover more about the TRUTH, the more I will share-do your OWN research, and cut these out if you can.  If not, lowering the intake is the next best thing.  Never dwell, just do the best you can for yourself TODAY-I try-Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)... Oh, and thanks for reading!

Target Steals and Diaper Deals

Ok, Mamas and non-Mamas alike, this quick post is for YOU!  Target was so much fun today-not to just be getting out of the house, not to just be SHOPPING, not just because I was with my baby boy; but I was so pleased with the deals I found in keeping with our health and the uniqueness of their selection always amazes me.  Who hasn't walked into Target for 1 thing and come out with a new sun hat, baby girl sunglasses, yoga DVD, pair of jeans, new makeup... oh wait, just me?!!

Now, I will say that our Target store here in Wilmington, NC did recently expand to a "full" grocery store as well (I use that term loosely because it looks like they just added a few aisles and coolers-nothing like a Super Walmart, of which I rarely have luck finding anything!).  If yours isn't considered a grocery store as well, you may still find some goodies in the dry aisles, and definitely in the baby section!

My son is obsessed with Puffs.  Everyone that hangs with us knows that Puffs are a necessity in Kai-land:)  I'm comfortable with this because we choose the organic kind, they're loaded with fruits and veggie power, aren't messy, dissolve safely in my boo's mouth, are great when we're out on the go and can't refrigerate, and are very very low in sugar/carbs as opposed to a traditional cereal such as Cheerios.  Our absolute favorite are the "Greens" version by Happy Baby-healthy, still sweet, and a larger container than the competing brand.  Problem is, boyfriend goes through half a tub in ONE little snack dish-that can add up!  Unfortunately, at both the food store and health store they're well over $3, but did find them for a good $.50 less at Target!  I always load up on these while I'm there due to the cost difference.  Same goes for the smoothie pouches we enjoy-organic, fruit AND veggies, and considerably less at Target!  Who would've thought??  I believe the Earth's Best are the cheapest brand of the bunch, but we enjoy happy baby as well-Plum and Ella's are both pricier.  Again, great when you're on the go and can't pack your homemade food.

Another awesome Target baby find is their diapers-by far our favorite, and cheap!  "Green" diapers are one thing I haven't gotten on board with as of yet.  The organic ones were too stiff, the Huggies version was a joke (still made with the nasties, as are their wipes-total scam), and cloth diapers-while intriguing-just skeeve me out (maybe someday;)!  We've tried them all, and Target's generic diapers are protective, thin, stretchy, and stay put-yes please!  One thing I can't find there are healthier wipes, such as Earth's Best or Seventh Generation-but more on where I find those later...

Target has a nice selection of more natural baby bath care than traditional super stores and food stores, but be weary of these brands and make sure you use the Skin Deep database to test your choices first!

Ok, on to the grown-up goodies found... I kept my eyes peeled for anything organic just to check it out, and not only did they have salsa, tomato sauce, peanut butter, milk, lettuce, Greek yogurt, sparkling water that we definitely use on a daily basis, but they were ALL CHEAPER THAN THE FOOD STORE-I was excited to say the least.  Target also does a nice job of having a natural, sometimes organic, generic line they put on shelves which is a huge money-saver as well.  Feeling hormonal and need a sweet treat?  I would NEVER advocate the use of standard cereal buttttttt I found an organic version of Cin Toast Crunch there (by Cascadian Farms) and had to take a peek-only 22g carbs/one cup; that is considerably low compared to most sugary cereals (some skyrocket in the 40's per 2/3 cup!), and even fares better than other organic granola varieties, which really pack on the carbs.  They are made with whole grains, fiber, and protein-all of which helps break it down-just stick with the serving size and remember-just as a treat!  I couldn't resist, but won't be a regular purchase-stick with your eggs, fruit, or smoothies for a nutritious regular breakfast:)

Back to babies, and venturing away from Target... in keeping with the baby care I listed above, and where to find Puffs and wipes at a wonderful price:  diapers.com!  We had heard great things about them, but only used the site once to get a great deal on his convertible car seat.  But, after dropping nearly $4/pack of our Earth-friendly/baby-friendly wipes, I knew I had to find them in bulk.  Sure enough, they had lots of great options at lower prices for us and free 2-day shipping when you hit $49... not too hard when ordering wipes and food you KNOW your child will use eventually!  This month, there's a 20% code for all Happy Baby items!!  Needless to say, I bought Puffs in 3-pack bundles, which already saved money, plus the discount and saved so much... the pouches on sale came out to be about the same as Target's prices already, but I definitely want to look into buying these in bulk too-great for toddlers:)

Just had to share, fellow shoppers! Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)

Fierce Female Fertility

Here we go... one of those topics that is so private, yet such a prevalent issue among women in my age group.  Since it is such a private matter I debated writing about my personal story, as well as giving any advice (especially because hey, I'm no doctor, but sometimes experience makes the best advice;), but I decided that like my other posts, if it helps one person than it's worth it.  You'll get a watered down version of my story with minimum details, and some tips I've heard about or tried in my journey to conceive my current little guy, and hopefully future little ones!

I started out on this journey naively:  If you're at a healthy young(ish) age, go off the pill, and try to have a baby... well, you'll get pregnant really easily and have a baby! (duh) I mean, haven't we all watched "16 and Pregnant"??-look at those fertile girls, and they weren't even trying!  I firsthand saw someone close to me have 2 healthy girls easily in her early 40's!  And we all have those friends who amazingly conceive instantly and say, "Wow, we didn't think it would happen THAT quickly!".

This wasn't the case for me, and the more I spoke with friends and Facebook acquaintances, as well as read stories and posts online, I came to the realization that for the same amount of girls who have no problems conceiving, there are just as many, if not MORE of those who struggle with it in some way.  Of course it's not as readily talked about since again, it's a private issue, and a sense of sadness and shame kind of consumes you during the process-who wants to talk then??

At the time I finally got pregnant with my now 15-month blessing, 9 months of trying for me seemed like a lifetime!!  Looking back, though, I consider myself extremely lucky, especially compared to what some of us have to go through-much longer lengths of time with no results after invasive treatments that I was lucky to avoid.  I discovered I had a hormonal issue happening by chance-we had great insurance while living in PA and I got booked for my annual with a fertility specialist (he's to thank for my Kai!) after trying for about 6 months on our own.  After a few suggested tests, some more uncomfortable than others, they found something they believed needed medical intervention.  I wasn't crazy about trying anything unnatural, especially due to my holistic outlook on health, but I also didn't want to end up in the same boat with no results in a year feeling disheartened.   So, I did end up taking something for one cycle to induce ovulation... and voila-can't say I regret it since I just rocked the result to sleep about 5 hours ago;)  A perfect blessing came at the exact time he should have-we were moved into our new house and settling to a new area-any sooner would've been quite a challenge... someone had a plan for us!

That is why I feel so lucky-a slight intervention worked immediately for us, and oh how sweet it was to see that test-we couldn't believe our eyes!  Please be aware that I have friends that have tried the same thing, and it HASN'T worked for them; at least not right away, so it's not for everyone!  We started trying again for baby #2 earlier than we should have (they say to wait a year to allow your body to heal fully, and I cannot imagine having a newborn right now anyway haha!), but I had a feeling I would have the same issue again.  I was right.  While many women swear their bodies "reset" themselves and no longer have problems, that wasn't the case for me.  I still was doing all the "right" things-tips you read and hear about anywhere-but it just wasn't happening.  So here we go again, trying what worked last time-wish us luck!  Again, I'm not huge on the medical intervention, but I believe it's worth a try for a short while-there are many great holistic approaches as well.

Medical interventions can be blessings, but you should definitely exhaust other approaches first.  Also, get more than one opinion, as all doctors differ so vastly-when I spoke to a regular OB after we moved, they actually had a different outlook on my situation.  I ended up settling with a middle-of-the-road female doc... not too conservative, not too pushy.  

Anyway, my story is just a basis for where I'm coming from on this topic, as I always like to share before spouting off any advice or info.  Below is a list of things I've either tried, or heard about from friends to improve fertility-whether you're struggling or just planning a future family-never hurts to be prepared!  

Be sure to click on this link for tips about the timing of conceiving etc (I'd be WAY too embarrassed to post details of THAT from my perspective, but would be happy to speak to anyone privately about it;).  The basics are: track your ovulation, "try" BEFORE you ovulate, and every other day mid-cycle just to cover your bases.  I have always sworn by both Dollar Tree ovulation and pregnancy tests-$1 each and detects HCG (pregnancy hormone) at 25 IU's-that's a much higher level than a $10 EPT.

Natural Aides:

• Acupuncture-I've tried it once, not while trying to conceive but just on a whim a few years back-wish I could afford it weekly! I've never felt so relaxed and literally saw some worry creases on my face disappear (temporarily-boo!)-but have heard such great things for fertility-may try it again very soon!  **money-saving tip:  look for a community acupuncture clinic... much lower cost
• FertiliTea-An amazing tasting mixture of green tea, mint, and many fertility boosting herbs that are all organic, which I love; it's a looseleaf tea that definitely lasts longer than one cycle like they say-however, it's not recommended while taking any medications for fertility
• Bone Broth-See my previous post on this with a link to the recipe and what to do with the leftovers!!  Jam-packed with nutrients supposedly a great fertility booster as well-have your cup/day!
• Pineapple-Until recently, i'd only heard about this inducing labor, but now i hear that it helps during your implantation time-and yum!! Throw it in a smoothie;)
• De-stressing-Hot bath and yoga anyone?  It's easier said than done to just have fun with conceiving and not to worry-especially as the months go on-so treat yourself to a pedi, have your partner massage you, or find some quiet alone time to meditate or read... 
• Cleaning your Body-Ya know that detoxing I'm always babbling about?? Well pre-conception would be the BEST time to do so!!  Clean blood+clean organs,=perfect environment for life to grow... toxins do nothing in the way of helping anything good occur in the body.  Sure, drug addicts or those who eat fast food everyday can go on to have 10 kids, but it doesn't mean it's the norm OR that it's a healthy option for anyone involved.
• Cutting Caffeine-Caffeine is said to restrict blood vessels which could make implantation more difficult, but most docs say that while trying to conceive AND while pregnant, one cup a day is just fine-moderation!!
• Cutting Alcohol-Alcohol can raise estrogen levels, thus messing with your cycles and ovulation-again, moderation is key; yes, you can have a glass or 2 to unwind (that de-stressing again!), but binge drinking multiple times a week may prevent the very thing you're trying to do.
• Get HIM in Gear, Too!!!-It's not all on us, ladies... make sure your man is taking proper care of his body as well during pre-conception!

Please post any comments or questions, and as always, thanks so much for reading!  Once it does happen for us again, I'll be sure to post about prenatal health... Now if you'll excuse me, my son is yelling for me to remove a pen from his ball-popping toy!

Stay Chic, Stay Healthy-baby dust to everyone... life will never be the same;)  

Six Little Gems I've Recently Found (and am loving...)

Totally flying my freak flag here, folks, but I get super excited when I find new means to health-whatever they may be!  Over the last month or 2, I've stumbled upon a few new products-most found in health or natural stores (or always online)-and I just had to share:)  Hope you can find one or more useful for you or your family!

1. Ok, Winos, it's always nice to discover a new wine-but an organic red that is reasonably priced AND tastes amazing??  Rare find, to say the least.  Pacific Redwood's Organic Red sells for around $10 a bottle, contains no detectable sulfites, and is certified organic-meaning it uses organically grown grapes without pesticides (no toxins-woohoo!).  Since alcohol in itself can be toxic enough, it's best to stick with red in moderation, which has some amazing health benefits if used responsibly:)  Check out the top 3 reasons to drink organic wine!  As for the taste?  Wowie!!  Dry, smooth, and enjoyable with or without a meal to accompany it.
2. More of a coffee junkie??  Since the dangers of artificial sweeteners have been proven time and time again, especially aspartame, and sugar isn't the best for us, I was so excited to find some organic Stevia, made by Wholesome Sweeteners.  One little packet is equal to 2 tsp of sugar, and it has been recommended by top nutritionists and doctors as a great sweetening substitute with health benefits.  While I'd seen Stevia blends in stores before, this one is pure, which I appreciate and trust.
3. Well, if you have that cup of coffee on the go, you HAVE to follow it up with some gum, right??  No one wants to chew on sugar, but most sugarless gums have those scary chemicals mentioned above.  I recently found Spry gum, sweetened with 100% natural xylitol (non-GMO and gluten free!).  It comes in different mint flavors, and I have to say it's so yummy-and will help with dental health while freshening your breath;)
4. Another beverage on this list is Synergy's Cherry Chia.  Some of you will think I'm totally nuts-o on this one, but I was in a total detox-yoga mood and had eaten light all day.  When I saw this bev sitting in the health store cooler, I had to try it!!  I'd recently heard a friend raving about the power of chia seeds so my curiosity was extra-piqued.  The drink looks scary, I'm not gonna lie, it has SEEDS FLOATING IN IT lol, but I was pleasantly surprised at the sweet non-scary taste or texture, and the fact that it only had 8g of carbs/serving.  It's raw and organic, provides probiotics, and more than 8 times the amount of omega-3's than salmon provides!  It has more antioxidants than blueberries, and more fiber than oatmeal-that right there is amazing.  Definitely worth a weekly detox for this.  It's known for its raw energy, and is sometimes referred to as "runner's food"!  Click here for even more chia seed benefits!
5. My last 2 finds were food finds, well kinda.  The first is Stonyfield Organic Oikos Plain Greek Yogurt.  Greek yogurt is trending right now, and I keep hearing about how great it is for us, but finding an organic version is a very exciting thing (organic dairy is especially important to us girlies due to the mass hormones, antibiotics, etc pumped into the conventional milk supply).  While there are a variety of flavors packed with sugar and carbs, much as regular yogurts are, the Plain version is not.  Ew, plain yogurt??  Granted, it's an acquired taste, but you're not stuck eating it by itself if you don't want to!  Throw in some fresh fruit, use it in a smoothie, or sub in  your favorite baking recipe.
6. Finally, I found a family-friendly nutrient boost that is sooooo delish!  Amazing Grass makes SuperFood packets-one for kids (ages 2 and up), one for adults, and comes in many flavors.  I have a chocolate flavor packet here, and it's made with organic wheat grass, supports a strong immune system, has 31 fruits and vegetables you CAN'T get from a multi-vitamin, and each little packet provides the power of 3 servings of fruits and veggies for you or your little one!!!  Not to mention it's yummy-you can mix it with milk, water, or better yet-your already nutritious smoothie:)  The chocolate flavor comes from organic cocoa, and has only 4g of carbs.  You can buy it in a bulk container, or try it first in packets as I did.

Hopefully one or more of my little gems has caught your attention-nothing listed was more than $10 (unless you buy the bulk size drink mix).  I found them all at a couple of local health stores, but again, use the links to find online.  If you do venture to a health store, I highly recommend getting a discount membership most offer-you'll get your money back in one trip.  Happy shopping-Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)

Easy Eggplant for Everyone!

Ah, another week has come and gone and it's once again Sunday!!  Another hearty, healthy, satisfying meal I like to end weekends with is my eggplant.  Not really parm, but it uses many of the same ingredients.  I started this awhile ago, and have tweaked it over and over until it eventually morphed into a yummy casserole of sorts-and is extremely easy to create.

Like everything I post on here, I urge you to make this your own-use it as a guideline if you wish!  Everyone's tastes and nutritional needs differ.  Also, I've used almost all organic ingredients in this dish; again, that is optional, but recommended for cleaner eating.  If you can't locate all of the organic ingredients, I will say that the meat and cheese are the most important in this recipe to buy organic.  Also, if I can't find an organic eggplant, I tend to cut the skin off-skins tend to protect fruits and vegetables from toxins.  The only main carbs in this dish are going to be from the veggies (and a touch from the sauce), but it is indulgent with a lot of cheese-healthy in moderation!

Happy Cooking! (Serves 2-4)

Ingredients:

• 1 eggplant diced
• 1 lb. ground meet (of your choosing: bison, beef, turkey, chicken, or none!)
• 1 package mushrooms sliced
• 1/2 red onion chopped
• 2T chopped garlic
• 2T olive oil
• Sprinkles of any combo Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, etc)
• Pinch salt

• 1 jar tomato sauce (CHECK THAT THERE IS NO SUGAR IN INGREDIENT LIST)
• 1 small container ricotta cheese (assuming that you eat dairy)
• 1 1/2 cups mozz or Italian blend shredded cheese
• Optional sprinkles of parm

1. Heat a large skillet with the olive oil
2. Brown ground meat, cooking through
3. Add diced eggplant, mushrooms, garlic, onion, and seasoning
4. Stir and sauté together until eggplant is softened, slightly brown, and onions translucent 
5. Transfer all from pan into large casserole dish
6. Pour jar tomato sauce over eggplant mixture
7. Cut in the ricotta throughout mixture
8. Top with shredded cheese
9. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes or so (eyeball that the top cheese isn't getting too brown, but you want the rest heated through)
10. Spoon to serve and enjoy!  Top with some parm and more seasoning if you wish.

***(If you feel you MUST include some starch, you can cube some slices of spelt or flax-based bread and sauté with veggies, but it's really not necessary-you'll see!)

Have a fabulous week ahead-Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)

Let's Talk About Skin, Bab-y... and so much more

Beauty products have long been my obsession-just ask my mama-I believe I was about 7ish (???) when I got a serious skin rash in the mall from allowing EVERY perfume and lotion to be put on my arms!  It's been an uphill road since then;)  I have never had perfect skin, I have never had perfect hair (but, like so many of us tend to believe-everyone else does!).  I've tried every beauty fad and product I can think of-some healthy, some not so much.  But it wasn't until my interest in pure health peaked that I realized-it's not just what we're INGESTING, but what we're putting on our skin that matters too.  A lot of people refuse to believe this-and I don't blame skeptics.  True, we're not eating it, and true, our grandparents did just darn fine.  But, much like the reason we feel good about eating organic foods, the chemicals now found in our products and foods weren't in them until around the mid-60's, and it just got worse from there, hence not affecting the older generation (but ours and our parents? yes, indeed).  I now welcome the awareness and rebellion of sorts us women (and men!) are bringing on-we don't have to see chronic diseases continue to spread!  Ok, that was my rant, now let's talk specifics.

When I recently posted something on my Facebook wall regarding a possibly unsafe additive added to a very large and trusted "natural" baby skin care line causing some major outbreaks, I was floored by your responses-not only were many of you interested, but I received posts and PM's asking about my personal skin care choices for my child and myself.  This excited me for many reasons:  people are believing in my passion about this, people are trusting in me, and people are CARING ABOUT HEALTH!  It doesn't feel good, it feels GREAT, and makes this blog all the more worthwhile.  Thank you AGAIN for even bothering to read-whether you agree with me or not!

I have tried many different lines on my child-all claiming to be natural or mostly organic.  Comforting, but not 100% comforting.  Most seem to be able to step it up a bit and lose a lot of the chemicals and preservatives.  Same goes for every product imaginable I've tried!  Now, having said this, am I perfectly growing some fresh avocados in my backyard to throw on my face? Um, no.  But, I am always in the eternal search for purity, and things that are comfortable on my skin (in my hair, under my arms, etc!).  When we visit family, my son, Kai, and I will get non-organic baths and later up with deliciously smelling smooth soaps and lotions.  An indulgence of sorts, because while sold more cheaply, they also have manmade chemicals that seep through the skin and are in fact absorbed through the skin.  Bottom line, they are toxins, and just like the food we eat, it's best to be toxin-free!  Well, how do we go about finding THAT without costing us an arm and a leg?!  Research, research, research-and beware of "natural" products that do cost a bundle-any product at all that contains water has a preservative included of some sort.  The water, though, cuts down on their ingredients needed, AND gives it a nice thin/smooth texture. Interesting, eh?  One natural, yet effective item I HAVEN'T had luck in finding (ever) is a good deodorant!!  I've tried many, out of the aluminum links to breast cancer concerns, but boy they do the opposite of work:(  Sound off if you've found one!  Same goes for natural nail polishes and removers-anyone??

A huge warning about a product is if you see any parabens included in the ingredient list.  This is one of many chemicals that are harmful, but is getting increasing awareness and bad press-highly linked to cancer among other things as of late.  Check out LIVESTRONG.com's article on the topic.  Also, watch for the popular belief that natural oils are the culprits for breakouts or other skin rashes; more likely than not, while I'm aware that skin allergies do exist, it's the chemicals in many products that are causing outbreaks of any sort.

One of you asked today:  Why on Earth would companies sell things that could potentially harm us or our children?!!!  Sadly, there's a one-word answer for this:  MONEY.  Large companies have little cause for care over our health, and the FDA along with other agencies who approve of food additives and chemicals in products aren't to be trusted in my opinion either.  It's up to US-we have the power!

Thanks to a friend, and my favorite social network (hear that, Mark Z?!), I discovered an amazing website that breaks down the safety of most products out there-not only does it rate the safety level, but it tells you WHY it got that rating-no more guesswork!  If a product has 25 ingredients, most of which you can't pronounce, but still has some essential oil (funny how that's the bold ingredient advertised)-that's a huge red flag that it's bad news.  Click here to check out EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database-see how your current products rate, AND use it to pick out your future products-I sure as heck am the next time around-for myself and my baby boy.

I've decided not to use this post for specific recommendations or product names as of yet... I just wanted to introduce my standpoint on the topic at hand and let you think about the info.  More to come on this, well LOTS more, including some exciting news-hopefully sooner than later!  In the meantime, Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;) ... and Happy Shopping!

Baby Breakfast and Lunch of Champions (for Mommies too!!!)

Ooooo did we have a cook-fest today!  Granted, we were lucky enough to join some mommy-baby friends for a little riverfront lunch and had some AMAZING bisque and ahi (well I did, anyway;), but for our pre and post meals, we did a lot of sharing-2 really yummy, simple and healthy recipes below!  Remember-make them your own!!

Baby-fied Smoothie:

• a cup or so of fresh organic berries of your choice (we chose blackberries, raspberries, & blueberries today)
• 1 container PLAIN organic Greek yogurt (the plain has tons less sugar and carbs than flavored)
• a banana or 2
• touch of baby oatmeal for him, none for me

1. steam all berries (10 mins or so)
2. add bananas 
3. puree until smooth
4. stir in amount of yogurt and cereal to your liking
5. share and enjoy! powerful antioxidants, light energizing breakfast, and delish:)

Broccoli? Heck yes! (click here for health benefits and fresh ideas)

• a cup or so of fresh organic broccoli and the rest is optional:
• sprinkle of cheese of your choice
• sliver of butter
• spoonful of coconut oil (or olive)

1. steam broccoli (10 mins or so)
2. add cheese/oil/butter to your liking
3. puree all together OR cut and stir for a self-eater 
4. let cool or chill/reheat and enjoy!

***if pureeing either of these, please use the cooking liquids in the mix-tons of nutrients lost in those!

If that wasn't easy peasy, I don't know what is!  Happy mommies, happy babies, delish fresh foods-Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)

What's For Dinner: Cilantro Chicken Burgers!

After a weekend of celebrating my husband's birthday, and a few recent nights of VERY little sleep and hormonal days (fun times!!), it was finally time to get down to business and clean up today-bone broth, a small smoothie of fruits and veggies, and a fabulous dinner!  Did I mention a few cups of this amazing Lemon EveryDay Detox Tea? To top it off, my son is feeling fever-less now for 24+ hours and I am ready for a new day tomorrow!  So, rather than stay up past midnight, and regret it tomorrow, I am FORCING myself to hit the hay shortly after my cup of Sleepytime Tea!

But, before I do, I wanted to quickly share our dinner recipe tonight, loosely based on the Paleo version they use with turkey.  It's just too easy, scrumptious, and healthy not to share!  Here's what I use:

• 1lb ground organic chicken
• 2 generous handfuls of washed organic fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/2 red onion
• 1T chopped garlic
• pinch of salt

Combine all, form mini patties, and grill or broil!  (We broiled on low for about 6 minutes on each side).

I chose to serve over spinach leaves and add a little Italian mix of shredded cheese with a touch of Parmesan Ranch... Bon Appetit-never too late in the week for a fresh start!  Tackling exercise again tomorrow-hopefully with my little man!  Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)

Bone Broth take 2: What to do with all the Goodness! (baby food & pulled chicken tacos to start;)

In last night's Healing post, I encouraged those looking for natural remedies to try Gluten Free Jersey Girl's bone broth aka chicken soup (hold the noodles!).  Used for centuries of healing, it's also great for daily nutrients you wouldn't get otherwise, which ultimately will prevent illnesses in the first place (also said to be good for fertility-more on that later!).

Ok, so you've taken the time and made your broth-now you are loaded with goodies!  A large pot of broth, a casserole dish filled with veggies, and a heaping plate piled with the extremely tender meat of a whole chicken that was simmering for 24 hours!  Since there's only 2 1/2 of us in this household, I needed to find other ways to use these now nutrient-packed items-and that I did!

I use the broth daily for health-as a warmer on a chilly day, sometimes adding a sliver of organic butter for extra flavor (and comfort), or on days where I want to detox and eat light-it's a great filler!  On days where I eat it as a meal, I'll fix myself a true crock of chicken soup, adding a generous portion of the amazing meat and veggies-you'll be surprised at how full you can be with a noodle-less soup!

As for the veggies, I got the great idea from GFJG's recipe page to give them to my baby-why not?? Very tender veggies that are soaked with nutrients from the bones that he otherwise wouldn't get-yes please!  These can be pureed with the broth for smaller babes, or cut into small pieces as finger foods for toddlers-either way-yum!  If you have a picky eater, feel free to alternate with a side of applesauce, or add some butter or cheese to the veggies:)

As my son got a little older, I thought, well why not throw in the chicken as well???  Yes, he can eat the tender pieces if cut small, but I went a step further to create a complete meal.  I first steamed fresh organic apples in my Beaba Babycook for about 10 minutes.  Once ready, I transferred them from the steam basket to the bladed section of the cooker, added a handful of the chicken, added a large portion of the veggies, and topped it off with some of the broth itself.  I then pureed this mixture until it reached a chunky consistency and voila:  a complete meal with a touch of sweetness from the apples that's sure to please any baby!  Depending on age, he can be fed this, or spoon-feed himself.  I felt GREAT about giving him this meal often during his recent fever-it's the best feeling in the world to watch your child eat so much health!

On to a great meal for US grown-ups now;)  The first day the bone broth is complete, I go right in for that meat!  It's so tender that it pulls apart as if it's been in the crock pot for days-take advantage of it!

Here's my simple Pulled Chicken Taco recipe-YUM:

1. Heat a little coconut oil (or oil of your liking) in a ceramic pan
2. Throw in a generous portion of the meat-enough for however many you're feeding
3. Add that power trio I LOVE:  sprinkles of cinnamon, chili powder, and cumin (and a pinch of salt if you desire) for a sweet & savory punch 
4. Sauté for just a few minutes until heated through

IN THE MEANTIME:

1. Heat a few low-carb wraps on another skillet or in the microwave for 30 seconds
2. Prepare toppings of your choice!  Toppings we love include:  shredded purple cabbage (and WOW hello health!), shredded cheddar cheese, cilantro, and sometimes a little salsa, sour cream, or drizzle of ranch & BBQ.

If you REALLY want to step this up for company (or just yourselves), be sure to create a fabulous guacamole, use the cabbage for a slaw, and caramelize or BBQ-sauce some onions-you'll thank me later.  Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)

The Healer

When we got Kai's blessing on the beach around his 6-month birthday last April, the minister we had chosen looked at Kai and said to me, "Oh, I think we have an old healer in our midst".  I don't know if she was noticing the serenity he brought to me or something more, but in one or more senses, she was correct.  While Kai has healed me within in many ways, and that is crucial to healing physical illnesses as well, there are many other healthful healing tricks I've picked up along my journey, and hope to find many many more.

Since we are smack in the middle of sick season, germs are flying about everywhere! A lot of things I do nutrition-wise are meant to prevent illnesses, and following a healthy lifestyle while loading yourself with antioxidants through healthy foods will help to do just that!  But, as you know, nothing's foolproof.  We are bound to be hit with a bug here and there, especially when around school children or busy workplaces where hands go unwashed more than we'd like to imagine-yuck!  Many "remedies" below are also preventative measures-beat the illness before it gets you!  Luckily, they also help enormously, if you are trying to heal.  Be sure to click any highlighted words for fabulous articles taking you in depth of the topic at hand.

I've compiled a mental list over the years of things that I like to do when illnesses do rear their ugly heads... besides hug my Kai, of course!  It's all too soon that our society rushes out to get on that antibiotic doctors are way too willing to give away.  In the long run, this may give you peace of mind, but most illnesses are viral, and won't be touched by these meds that will ultimately destroy your immune system and build an immunity towards the antibiotics, which won't work properly if the time comes when you actually need them.  They also destroy all the "good" bacteria within you, which is why doctors recommend some sugar-packed yogurt to get some probiotics in your system when on antiobiotics, in hopes to preserve your immune system (this also ties into the the great vaccine debate-a topic I MAY tackle in the future-it's a biggie!-not to mention extremely controversial).  There are better ways to get your healthy bacteria (probiotic pills & powders, raw dairy, etc), but some yogurts in moderation are just fine-especially Kefir or a little Greek!

#1:  First and foremost, I am a huge believer in Vitamin D (preferably sunshine, not supplement form).  People would like to think that tanning beds or popping pills gets you the same effect, but it DOES NOT, and neither is the safest way.  Hold on, safe sun?? Isn't that an oxymoron?? Well, no, it's not.  While I'm not advocating basking in the sun day in and day out without protection, and I do very much recognize the risk of skin cancer (especially with fair skin), there is a standard recommendation of the amount of sunlight we SHOULD be getting daily.  I've read approximately 20 minutes or so (again, will differ depending on the amount your skin can handle) of unprotected sun daily is an adequate amount-after that, lathering up with sunscreen (more on safest sunscreens to come-most have dangerous chemicals that can be easily absorbed through the skin), wearing your favorite sun hat, or plopping under a large umbrella will work!  Kids, especially, need the sunshine, and not just in the summers!  Vitamin D has so so so many benefits, even known by some as a cancer preventer and fighter.  

#2:  Another huge healer is getting rid of the stress!!!  Yes, really.  Stress can wreak havoc on your physical health-just another reason I wanted to really make it a priority this year.  You can get rid of stress in many ways-doing things you enjoy, meditating, cleaning your closet of unhealthy people in your life, or making yourself a quiet hot bath.  Another way is exercise!  Any cardio helps to "clear the mind" and raise the mood (boosts Seratonin levels), but you are also sweating out toxins-which is a plus when you're feeling under the weather.  Of course, if you're sick enough, you need to take it easy and will enjoy suggestion #3:)  Yoga is another great way to workout and de-stress simultaneously.  Less stress promotes healing-you can get physically drained from stress in your life (trust me;)!

#3:  This may be the opposite of exercise, but you can squeeze both in:  REST!!!  Your body most likely will need extra time to recuperate, meaning working extra hours or pushing yourself to party aren't gonna fly.  It's best to take advantage of any spare time with resting-rest time is when our body heals!  That is why good nights of sleep are important for us all the time-not only when sick.

#4:  Herbal and natural supplements can be lifesavers.  If you'd like to try the holistic approach before going on any strong meds, there are a variety of natural remedies-some of which have been around for centuries.  I'd again like to advocate organic herbal teas to address your issues with herbs-I just enjoy this more than the pill form, but to each his (or her!) own.  They also take the guess-work out of it by calling the tea exactly what it's addressing, for example:  Sore Throat Tea or Respiratory Tea-can't go wrong with that!!  But, if pregnant or nursing, I would not recommend any of these.  While not an herb, Zinc, is a great mineral known for reducing the severity and length of colds-it's found in many over-the-counter supplements. 

#5:  Finally-EAT THOSE NUTRIENTS!!  Antioxidants may be great for preventing illnesses, but they are also superb in getting you healthy after the fact-think lots of raw fruits and veggies-fresh juice made at home or in a health store, and one of my favorite healers:  classic chicken soup (hold the noodles) aka bone broth!  Check out the recipe I use from one of my favorite blogs, Gluten Free Jersey Girl-it's delicious, packed with nutrients our bodies need to fight illnesses, and I have some really fabulous recipes I use with all the goodies you get from it-coming soon!

Thanks so much for reading and be well!  Post any natural remedies you live by below-Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;) AND WASH THOSE HANDS!!

Oh Baby, Baby

"All Babies Begin Life 100% Pure...Feed Them Accordingly"~Earth's Best Organic Cereal box:)

Wow, if there were ever a powerful quote to inspire a blog post, it's this one!  I've been so looking forward to writing about the little ones, and I figure I'll start with baby nutrition... I don't enjoy posting about controversial topics, or ever make anyone feel as if they're doing something wrong; the point of this blog is to inspire and better us (myself included).  I hope that I can inspire those planning future babies, those expecting, or those of us that already have little ones!  There's no question that we want THE BEST for our children; but sometimes what's best is foggy-and a lot of it differs from child to child and family to family.  But there are definite basics and helpful hints I've learned from my now 15-month-old boy, other mommies, my own mommy, and nutritionists I follow.

Kai Mason, my now 15-month-old, hasn't had a fever-EVER-until today that is!  Good timing, eh?  (No, I'm not Canadian, I just enjoying ending rhetorical questions with "eh" sometimes).  We have felt SO blessed thus far, and I've attributed the lack of sickness to breast milk, getting loads of Vitamin D while pregnant, getting us BOTH loads of Vitamin D after birth (safely), and eating lots of nutritious foods packed with antioxidants-not to mention our daily intake of DHA (for brain development), probiotics (for gut flora, immune health, and digestion aides), and multi-vitamin supplements (for whatever he's NOT getting from his foods).  Now do I think that my doing this is the SOLE reason for his (and my) lack of sickness so far?  Do I think that those who don't do one or more of these things will have automatically sick children?? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!  But, I do feel that this boosts the chances of a healthy immune system-that's all-basic science, nothing more.  Of course, exposure to other children, daycare, etc influences a lot as well.  I'm not here to judge.  I think you could do all of this and more, and still wind up with a child prone to chronic illnesses-I count my lucky stars.  We had our hardships with dealing with a premature birth at 33 weeks, the NICU-complete with feeding tubes and an IV in my little guy's head, and once home and relieved-2 hernias found that needed to be surgically repaired at 9-weeks-old!  Yes, we all have our moments, and our hardships, as mommies... but what a powerful thing we can do by LESSENING the likelihood of certain illnesses, and just as importantly, teaching our children how to be healthy from day one.

It all starts at birth... I absolutely believe in the power of breast milk, but that doesn't mean I don't understand that it doesn't work for everyone.  I know the best mommies in the world that couldn't provide this gift for whatever reason, and it all works out.  Having said this, if we CAN provide breast milk (ideally 100% for a year-don't laugh, mommies!), it can truly do amazing things for both ourselves and our little ones-our main concern!  (Click here for a link that will show you a few amazing benefits  for both mommies AND babies, some that you'll see now-from allergies to cancer prevention-and in the future development in your children).  I know this is NOT an easy task-I look at it as part of my mommy job and try my best, but as you'll see from my story, it's not always possible, and that's OK!!  As for the "year" thing... I wish I could have done it!  But I won't tell you I did.  I won't even tell you that my Kai got 100% breast milk in his 10-months I nursed/pumped.  We did have a difficult situation with him being in the NICU, and me not being able to stay overnight with him, but thanks to wonderful nurses' encouragement, and a generous mom of my own, I pumped using that double electric faithfully every 3 hours!!!  When I did spend my 12-hour days with him, we practiced and practiced, but he had a lot of trouble latching (a nipple shield saved the day eventually-definitely worth a try!).  But, my supply wasn't always what it should be, my 4-lb preemie was catching up on his weight and feeding every 1-2 hours for THREE MONTHS, and pumping was doubly exhausting.  Sometimes, he'd get all of his ounces from me, sometimes half from a sensitive formula (after finding my dairy consumption upset him).  Still, despite the obstacles, I was happy that I could provide WHAT I WAS ABLE TO during those 10 months.  Luckily, he transferred over easily to an organic formula at that time (I found him to be too aggressive nursing after 6 months and taking time to pump with a crawler to look after was for the birds), and took well to whole milk after a year.  I've set my goal a little higher for the next babe-fingers crossed for a full-term sweetie!  The important thing to remember is that while 6-months of exclusive breastfeeding is the current recommendation, any little bit helps-this couldn't be emphasized enough in the preemie ward watching less fortunate babies struggle for their lives-it really put things in perspective.

Ok, enough about THAT!  It's after the milk that matters just as much-and this we are TRULY in control of... I think I'm so passionate about what we feed our babies because they honestly don't know any better yet-if they're eating crap, it IS actually our faults at this young age.  I don't think I'm turning my son into this crazy kid who will turn down all foods bad for him his whole life:)  School and friends and influences will surely change things, BUT if he doesn't even know what sweets, breads, juice, chips etc etc are yet-why would I give them to him??  Because they are the American "norm" and cute to watch him eat?  This thought process boggles me... Now, don't get me wrong, there are occasions for everything-he had a (homemade) pumpkin cupcake on his 1st birthday, a muffin once or twice, and even a bite of pie on Thanksgiving!  Primarily, though, he thrives off of smoothies, pureed fruits/veggies/meats, milk, soft finger foods, and his snack of organic "greens" puffs.  He drinks whole milk mixed with a little water, gets a probiotic, DHA, and multi-vitamin supplement.  He loves every single bit of these foods, and it makes me proud to watch him daily!  He doesn't crave what he doesn't know exists, and fruit to him is as good as candy!  The longer we can hold off the inevitable, the better, and even more important-we're influencing HIS norm of what he thinks eating should be.  If he gets used to dessert every night, that's most likely what he'll continue to crave the rest of his life.  I like to look at dessert as a special treat (not yet, but I know it'll come!).  He loves eggs, meat, greens (as long as there's some fruit around!), and his milk-I'm lucky, and I think sometimes that him being a BOY has a lot to do with his love of food;)  Get creative-mix recipes, buy new foods, make foods if you can, etc... I'm also aware that major deprivation can cause a binge (for us) or pure rebellion (for him); that's why I think it's important to educate our kids on WHY we eat healthfully, and how to eat treats in moderation!  Luckily, there are many healthful ways to make sweet treats ourselves-something I'd love to post about down the road.

I can't tell you how much I love, love, love our Beaba Babycook... the most amazing tool around.  Some other models look great too, but we've been really happy with this one.  When my mom first asked me about making my own baby food, I'll admit, I kinda looked at her like "no thanks, hippie Grammies", however, OF COURSE I want to make my child food-fresh organic foods!  I hadn't even considered it!  It's more fun that it sounds, I swear... the Beaba steams then purees anything you want.  Like I said as long as there's a little fruit thrown in any recipe, we're good to go on taste.  I sometimes will mix in a whole grain cereal (rice cereal for you GF mamas) just for the iron and calories, but that's about all he gets grain-wise.  You can add cinnamon, butter, olive oil-the sky's the limit, and it gets really fun!  There are great books out there to guide you as well.  I hope to post recipes in the near future...

I haven't posted on why organic foods are so important to our family yet, but I especially urge you to give organic foods and drinks to your children as much as possible.  If they seem too pricey, just invest the money in your children's food, if not for the whole family.  Our little ones are growing rapidly-brain development taking place daily.  The last thing we want in our children is toxic chemicals and pesticides that interfere with this.  I enjoyed this article by Dr. Greene-check it out!

I think that's enough for this blog post-was definitely planning on posting recipes and more details, but I always find myself starting broad with major topics we haven't conquered-and I like it that way!  I'm glad you can see the basis of where I'm coming from BEFORE I go preaching things to do... thanks for reading... I'm still in the learning process as well-here's to the health of our amazing children! Stay Chic, Stay Healthy, Mamas;)

It's a Chili Sunday...

Brrrrrrr... it's cold out there!  Football is on (well, in most houses, I presume), weekend hunger is lingering, and Sunday Funday is in full effect!  What  a perfect day to fulfill that need for warmth and a full belly-in a healthy way... oh, and a delicious one too.

With chili, the sky is the limit in what you can include.  I'm going to post my go-to recipe, and list some alternatives, but as always, I want you to use this blog as a basis and inspiration-make it your own!

Becca Jean's Chili: (serves 2-4, double ingredients for a larger crowd!)

• 1 lb ground meat-preferably bison or grass-fed organic beef; ground chicken and turkey are great alternatives too; for you vegetarians-go meatless!
• 1 large green pepper, diced
• 2-4 large stalks of celery, diced
• 1 jar salsa-mild, medium, or HOT!, depending on taste preference
• 1 large tomato or a jar of diced tomatoes (canned tomatoes have traces of BPA in them due to the acid eating away at the can)
• 1/2 can-1 can of chili, kidney, or black beans (optional-while packed with fiber and protein, they're also loaded with carbs; refrain from beans if you'd like a lighter, less-filling chili)
• 1/2 red onion diced
• Canola, Olive, or Coconut oil (1-2 tbsp)
• generous sprinkles of: chili powder, cinnamon, cumin
• pinch of salt
• optional toppings of sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese!

1. Start by heating the oil of your choice over medium heat (I prefer coconut oil-amazingly healthful properties, some of which are even found in breast milk!) in a large pan or pot-ceramic non-toxic cookware is always best!
2. Brown the meat of your choice, stirring often, and generously sprinkling with the chili powder, cinnamon, and cumin (what an amazingly tasty, healthful punch!)
3. Once browned, add the pepper, celery, and onion; sauté until onions are translucent and greens are softened (5-10 mins)
4. If in a pan, transfer to a pot or crockpot 
5. Add the salsa, tomatoes, pinch of salt, and optional beans at this time
6. Simmer covered for at least an hour
7. Ladle into crocks or bowls and top with optional goodies
8. Enjoy a healthful meal!!!

There you have it... enjoy and please share if you have other ideas that have made your chili super!  If you're staying away from alcohol, a healthier and equally complimentary cold beverage is a tall glass of Perrier (or any sparkling water) with a squirt of lemon juice... very refreshing-Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)

Detoxing Divas

Detox sounds like a scary word to some, and when taken to extremes, can be just that!  But there are many healthful and reasonable ways to detoxify your body of unwanted chemicals, sugars, cravings-whatever you want.  Detoxing technically means to clean the blood, thus cleaning your organs of unwanted toxins-sounds pretty good to me.  I believe most of us, like myself, think of it as cleansing your body of anything unwanted based on bad habits.  After the recent holidays, I felt physically and mentally sick from what I had been putting in my body daily-I wanted to feel clean and energized again!

One extremely simple way to detox your body (and lose a few while you're at it) is to eat nothing but fresh and organically grown foods-primarily fruits and vegetables-and cut out any processed foods, saturated fats, sugars, alcohol, caffeine, dairy, etc.  You can cut out some or all of those listed-it depends on what you want from the cleanse. This can be accomplished a bit more easily with specific detox recipes, juices (from a juicer-mainly veggies!), and smoothies-all of these allow clean, and sometimes healthy foods you don't necessarily love, to be slipped in with minimal unwanted taste.  This, however, takes a lot of dedication.  I'd recommend doing this for at least 3 days for a good start, 1 week for more of a cleanse, and a permanent lifestyle change if it agrees with you-you'll find yourself craving less of the bad stuff the longer you're on it.  Don't forget to drink tons of water to aide in the elimination of the toxins and to keep you hydrated, and if you ever feel faint, or as though you're not getting enough calories, have a handful of nuts or small piece of fruit to ensure your blood sugar is stable.

Another popular trend is using herbal detoxing supplements.  Since I'm in the pregnancy/nursing/trying-for-baby phase of my life between last year (and the next few upcoming years hopefully!), I like to do my research and be very careful about herbs.  In fact, if I was active in any of the phases mentioned, I probably wouldn't touch anything herbal, but when I'm in the clear, I do dabble with things that are deemed safe and productive.  I've used a handful of herbs listed on this list, but I personally always feel more comfortable using an organic detoxifying hot tea as directed rather than taking a supplement in a pill form.

Bethenny's Skinnygirl Cleanse is a nice alternative to figuring things out on your own, as it is a daily packet you place in water with ingredients such as fiber, aloe, and dandelion, and many other nutrients to aide in digestion, keep the toxins flowing OUT, and leave the guessing out of it.  I have not used this, but may in the future.  I appreciate that she hasn't created a meal replacement or an extreme diet, but rather something healthy to add to your daily routine and encourage healthy eating with Skinnygirl recipes included.  Again, I haven't tried this, and I'd like to read the fine print first, but for 30 days it sounds intriguing.  Sound off if you've tried it!

I don't enjoy going for the fads such as the Master Cleanse or other extreme diets.  Who wants to feel sick or be running to the bathroom constantly?!  I believe these can lead to dangerous consequences, and your body will truly cleanse itself if you eat healthfully and cleanly.  Again, healthy veggie juices, smoothies, and fresh clean foods will do the same thing-so why torture yourself??  You may feel sluggish at first as your body adjusts to less sugar and works hard to rid yourself of the toxins, but that should go away after the first 3 days!

Don't underestimate the power of exercise. When you sweat, you are sweating out toxins.  Any cardio and yoga are great for this.  Yoga has specific detoxifying moves, such as twists, to "wring out the organs", which I find fascinating!  While you're at it, treat yourself to a deep tissue massage.  This improves the circulation of the blood, hence speeding the detox process-nice excuse for a rub down!

Again, drink lots and lots of filtered water.  When you urinate, you are peeing out toxins-that is why it is crucial to exercise and drink as much water as you can.  Try some lemon in hot or sparkling water for an extra boost!  Eliminating store-bought juices, most caffeine, and alcohol will also help keep you hydrated and clean-these are all dehydrating, which defeats the purpose of removing harmful things from your body.  As annoying as it is, urinating frequently can be a healthy thing.  And on THAT note, be safe, be well-Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)

Cavemen Know What's Up-Let's Paleo, Shall We?

We've all been there-hit a road block and become just plain bored with the same old recipes.  When you have the freedom of throwing lots of decadent things into a casserole, it may be a little easier, but when you're dedicated to your health, you need to get creative!  At first, I wasn't sure where to go beyond basic meats and veggies, and thought, "Is this all there is??", and got quite bored with limited options.  I've always thrived on structure (or else I flounder about and risk getting off track), even if I'm the one implementing the structure.  That's why discovering the Paleo Plan was very exciting for me!

Within the last year, I stumbled upon their site.  I'm not 100% dedicated to their plan, nor do I follow all of their "rules", but I do utilize it often and make it fit my family and myself.  I took a liking to this plan due to the fact that they look back at our ancestors' way of eating... pre-diabetes, pre-heart disease, pre-cancer.  In fact, it was only within the last 200 years that processed and artificial foods were introduced and the epidemic of obesity exploded, along with the other diseases that followed.  You really can't argue with history or that logic.

The premise is to eat how the cavemen ate:  clean & simply.  The plan emphasizes meat, poultry, nuts, fish, eggs, vegetables (besides potatoes), and fruits.  Basically, it's what I've been emphasizing as well, but this plan takes it to a whole new level.  They ideally want you to cut out all foods and bevs unavailable during the Stone Age, including all processed foods, dairy, coffee, alcohol, sugar, salt, grains, and legumes.  This is where my tweaking of the plan comes in:)  If you are truly able to cut these things out, you are probably better off, however I see it as nearly impossible for myself, and possibly a recipe for disaster-again, extremes rarely work for us, but for some, they do!  I'm not a huge fan of dairy, especially for women, but I believe organic dairy in moderate amounts is a good source of food, I allow myself one cup o' joe per day, I enjoy wine from time to time, and the other "no-no's" mentioned in moderation.  However, I really enjoy their recipes-they are PERFECT for my lifestyle plan, and I can add dairy or a dash of sea salt where I see fit.  

Bottom line, they are great for family meals, easily accessible on the Paleo Plan website, and free!  Click here for their plethora of recipes! I'd love to hear which ones you like best-Stay Chic, Stay Healthy;)

Bev-talk and the Smoothie Savior

get sassy!

Something I haven't mentioned thus far are beverages... probably because they rarely cross my mind anymore-I don't find myself debating a soda or Baybreeze or even glass of juice!  All mentioned have astronomical amounts of sugar, carbs, and spike your blood sugar very quickly-you may as well eat a candy bar.  I rely on loads of hot tea, sparkling water with a squirt of lemon juice, and filtered water.  (Oh, and do allow myself ONE cup of coffee each morning, and what a fine cup it is, sweetened with organic Stevia, cinnamon, and some milk).  If you want a detoxifying tasty water, try Sassy Water-it's amazing-I haven't tried it with the ginger yet, but I imagine it only enhances the taste and digestion properties.

As for sugarfree drinks-sodas, juices, etc-don't even get me started-well, I will post about these and their dangers in the future, but please please stay away from anything claiming to be sugarfree-the chemicals in these choices are downright scary, and to be honest, I'd probably choose the sugary option over them-bad, bad news folks.

Loves me a drink drink, but in addition to holiday food overload ending, so has the amount of cocktail nights-save them for weekends, special occasions, or social outings-it's more fun that way, and you won't need much-go for a dry wine, red or white, a light beer, or a clear spirit with club soda-and stick with one or 2... sipping helps;)  You also won't hold your liquor like you used to if you lose a little weight and lay off the carbs-that is a bonus in my book-save the dough and cals!

One sweet beverage that is a wonderful (and acceptable!) "treat" is a good ol' smoothie!!!  Smoothies are so fab because you can truly adjust them to your taste buds, have them as a meal, post-workout snack, or sweet treat when leaning towards that cookie jar!  And talk about a refresher on a hot summer day... I'm going to give you the smoothie recipe I tend to use, but like I said, the sky's the limit, and I'll give some substitute ideas as well:

Standard Becca Jean Smoothie: combine all & blend!

• 1/2c frozen blueberries 
• 5 large ripe strawberries
• 1T ground flax seed
• 1/4c unsweetened coconut
• 1 banana
• 1c milk of your choice
• few sprinkles of cinnamon

We buy and use all organic ingredients which I highly recommend, which I'll get into in future posts, but of course that is a personal preference!  To break it down, I use the:

• blueberries for their amazing antioxidant properties, resveratrol (anti-aging & heart health), and being a very low-sugar fruit  
• strawberries for the low-cals and antioxidants
• flax for digestion and getting daily fiber easily into your system
• coconut for taste and well, it's not called the "tree of life" for nothing!!
• banana for the protein and carbs you need in a meal (and yum:)
• milk for calcium and protein-i prefer almond or whole milk, i stay away from soy-I'll discuss in future posts
• cinnamon to sweeten naturally AND lower blood sugar!

All of this fruit does have sugar, yes, but it also has fiber to break down that sugar.  That is why juice is so terrible and unnecessary-you're better off with water and vitamins if you're solely looking for minerals and vitamins in juice-after refraining for awhile, you won't believe how ridiculously sweet it tastes!  If you want juice, invest in a juicer-throw in fresh fruits and veggies-I'll discuss how amazing the juice of veggies are for your health in the future.

Like I said, a smoothie can have anything you wish-sub any fruit, add a healthy protein powder, sub water for milk, add a touch of yogurt (I'm weary of yogurt because of the sugar content, but a little bit or a Greek or Kefir yogurt is doable), or even dash of honey for sweetness.  I added a packet of organic wheat grass powder to mine the other day-sounds gross, I know-but didn't notice one difference in the taste, shared it with my son, and got my greens in for the morning!  Please post any questions that arise and happy drinking!!! Stay chic, stay healthy;)

Easy Come, Easy Go-3 Simple Rules to Lose the Lbs

As I move forward, I cannot wait to get into more detailed recipes, workout regimens, lifestyle choices, etc!!  But for now, I'd love to share some basic tips and tools and outline some things that I do that have worked without leaving me hungry or deprived-I've been asked to share some tips lately, so here they are!

If you're like me, the holidays were ATROCIOUSLY rich, decadent, and sinfully delightful.  Our holidays started back in September and increasingly got more ridic throughout the months, peaking in December!! To top it off, since we live so far from our families these days, we stayed at our parents' homes during most of these holidays-which was amazing-BUT what an excuse to let our Mamas feed us huge meals, visit friends for food & drinks, bake some cookies and cupcakes with our sisters, and pop that champagne for the new year!  We did all of the above, and we did it well.  Now, I'd like to think this was a "deserved reward" after being so dedicated to a healthful lifestyle, cooking almost daily, and working out a good amount; but, after a few months of this nonsense, my body was not happy!!  Not to mention the guilt.  Even in pics, I saw the weight gain in my face and belly-when you're short, a little bit is noticeable quickly-esp to yourself:) I learned that for next time, take it in moderation-indulge, yes, but still stick to some sort of plan in the back of your mind!!  I had gained 10 pounds in 3 months-so unnatural!

Luckily, once back in our own home, in a warmer climate, with fresh yoga DVD's, sneakers, and sports bras, I was immediately excited to get to that food store and buy all of our clean foods again-and that I did.  Not cheap, but beyond worth it, and makes cooking super fun.  My body responded immediately-I'm talkin' a pound a day for the first 5 days as if it was saying, "this layer was NOT meant to be on you!".  It wasn't hard, my energy was up, and I was proud of myself.  Rule #1 is stocking your fridge and cabinets with fresh, healthy, living (or once living!) foods-don't buy snacks that are tempting "for an occasion" unless an occasion actually arises-if you're like me, they won't last a day.

I also dedicated nearly every day to yoga and the elliptical (2 exercises that are great for my neck pain), even while the house remained in disarray as soon as the baby went down for his first nap.  I knew if I didn't do it first thing, and make it my top priority, it wouldn't happen between baby time, house work, my part-time job, errands, and appointments.  So, rule #2 is make that workout a PRIORITY, have a plan and a goal, or it most likely won't happen-even if it's a daily walk (my pregnancy fave last year:).  I already feel stronger from my yoga, and my practice has gotten better in a week!  The same is true for any exercise you begin.

As for diet, I mentioned in my previous post, that it's important to lay off the carbs-no not some freaky Atkins Diet where you should run out and buy a Big Mac-hold the bun!  Slowly take away white (or any) bread, potatoes, pasta from your dinners-up the healthy fats (some cheese, olive oil, etc), protein, and veggies you enjoy-yes use a little butter if it helps!  This small change alone will start to change your body, and the way you look at meals.  When out to eat, decline the bread basket, don't eat the croutons on the salads, no crackers for your soup!  The meals themselves already have more carbs and sugar than you might guess, and our body simply was not designed for this crap.  For lunches, go for salads over sandwiches or wraps-the protein will fill you without making you feel too full.  For breakfasts, I have my 2 eggs every morning with a side of fruit-the fruit is your carb-no starches needed.  For those of you that are marathon runners and need more than what I'm suggesting, go for whole grains or starches made with flax or are high in fiber!  Treat yourself to something SMALL on the weekends-something to look forward to throughout the week!!  Deprivation will not work-if your body is struggling with these changes, ease yourself into it-the last thing you want is to be starving and then go and binge.  Been there, done that.  The temporary relief ends in major guilt, and you don't want to give up on yourself!  Also, after about 72 hours of detoxing yourself from sugar, your body adjusts and physically doesn't crave them anymore (much like caffeine and alcohol). Rule #3 is carbs are sugar-bottom line-if you want a healthy blood sugar level, boosted energy, excess weight off, and your body to age much less quickly, you will keep your carbs down.  For you numbers people, try under 20g for snacks, under 50g for meals, and no more than 100g per day.  This has proven to be much more effective than counting calories.  Research, doctors/nutritionists I follow, and recipes to come! Stay chic, stay healthy;)

My Story and Beginning of Health

Funny how a story takes on a life of its own... I'll get to a basic routine, recipes, etc etc in future posts, but below is the beginnings of what inspired ME to take control of my health.  As previously noted, I was having trouble losing some excess weight, weight that besides during my college years trying dangerous weight-loss fads, was always there...

I mentioned earlier that my husband was on board with health as well-this wasn't an amazing awakening out of nowhere-this was from a health scare of his own years ago with his heart, so ultimately we both decided to just feel good-I had only been interested in "diets" for weight loss in the past, but as I got older, I had much bigger concerns in mind.

We started small-extremes usually fail.  We cut unnecessary carbs from our dinners, and usually from our other meals as well.  We filled up on proteins, veggies, and a reasonable amount of fats-cheese and oils allowed!!  No, this wasn't a "no-carb" diet, because we got plenty in fruits/veg/dairy/some whole grains throughout the day... you'd be surprised at how many you get WITHOUT bread and pasta.  Bread, pastas, and potatoes were gone, with the exception of a thin crust pie we split Friday nights and maybe dabbled on a Saturday dinner out.  It was satisfying, yummy, and soon didn't crave them at all.  And, if I did end up eating the "good" stuff on special occasions, my body bounced back extremely easily once back on track, as if it was sighing a breath of relief-thank you for feeding me what I actually need again!!!

Within the next year, though, I became pregnant.  First tri nausea and protein/veg didn't quite mix for me:) Also, I had seen one too many adorable preggo friends stuffing their little faces and bumps as if it were the best thing in the world-so, I'd walk to Starbucks with a bud during a lunch break and indulge a bit-not in caffeine, but in the other goodies they devilishly hold, and enjoy myself!  It helped temporarily subside the nausea, and sure enough in tri #2 I was craving salads again-I am SO GLAD my body wanted this, and that I stayed pretty dedicated to my health after a few weeks.  Mid-preg, I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, a topic I'll get into more in future blogs, so I had to really be sure that my carbs and sugar were super-low.  This was a blessing in disguise, as I controlled my blood sugar with food and exercise alone, and only gained the "healthy 25".  And, once the baby came (early!!), between the stress of the NICU and nursing-actually weight less than my pre-preg weight within weeks. The reason I'm sharing this part of the story is that 5 months down the road, I had a scary low blood sugar episode, and was told I still was having issues-with nursing I had been eating more carbs than I would've liked but I was hungry!!!  I quickly changed my diet back to the lower carbs and lots of small meals throughout the day, and got my blood sugar under control once again.  I had some doctors telling me it was GD lingering, but an endocrinologist telling me it was genetic and that I cannot gain any weight without ensuring Diabetes Type 2 way too young.  This in itself scares me enough to stay healthy, and my body responds.  So, while it's not fun worrying every time I taste a sweet, it's possibly the best thing for me.  And while I slipped a bit the past few months, it wasn't a permanent slip, for many reasons-external and internal wishes for my body.  Basic lifestyle rules of thumb to come-the pounds will melt away...