Top 5 For Your Health & Wellbeing

There is a world size amount of information out there on whats healthy now. It would be absolutely impossible to do everything that is suggested in a 24 hour period. So I have compiled a list of my Top Five Habits that seem to work for me and the people I know.

Pick some of these to incorporate into you and your families lifestyle, or all of them. As long as it works for you.

TOP FIVE Best Habits:

ONE.  Drink Lemon Water.

Everyone knows that drinking more water is better for our health. If your like me you fight to choke down one bottle a day! (Sad, I know.) But I started looking up the health benefits of drinking water with Lemon in it, and found a great information site here.  Little did I know, you should not just grab the processed lemon flavored squirt bottle and your cured. Nope, there is a serious strategy to pick out the best Lemons to squeeze yourself that give you the proper nutrients and health benefits. Check out the site listed above, but the most important is to buy Organic Lemons that are "heavy"in weight, with a star formation on the rind at the bottom of the lemon. You only need half of the juice of a lemon in a tall glass of water (for 150 lb individual and lower), or a whole lemon for people over 150 lbs. Easy!

Source

The benefits of Lemon Water are as listed:

• It is an antiseptic, or is an agent that prevents sepsis
• will prevent disease and assist in cleansing the system of impurities
• bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently thus controlling constipation and diarrhea
•  stimulant to the liver and is a dissolvent of uric acid and other poisons, liquefies the bile, and is very good in cases of malaria
• Sufferers of chronic rheumatism and gout will benefit by taking lemon juice
• nourish the brain and nerve cells
• calcium builds up the bony structure and makes healthy teeth
• useful in treating asthma, biliousness, colds, coughs, sore throat, diphtheria, la grippe [flu or influenza], heartburn, liver complaint[s], scurvy, fevers and rheumatism
• a natural strengthening agent to the liver enzymes
• indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved
• the following bullets are from quantumbalancing.com

TWO. Eat Clean.

Remove as much processed foods from your diet as possible. Not only are they full of salt, but these foods are also full of preservatives. I have gone without processed foods for the most part for a number of months now, and if I do indulge my body makes sure I remember why I was avoiding it in the first place. I have replaced my morning processed fast foods with a healthy shake (here is my recipe for Green Shakes,.  Think that eating clean means no treats? How about a sweet treat of Chocolate Chip Cookies? Enjoy the AMAZING benefits of nuts, fruit, veggies, legumes, and fatty omegas. Your body will thank you!

THREE. Bee Pollen.

Try adding a teaspoon of Bee Pollen to your diet. **NOTE - be sure you do not have an allergy to this - always follow the directions to test for allergies.** (That being said - I am the Queen - no pun intended - of being allergic to everything, and I have had no issues at all.)
Why Bee Pollen? Here is the list of health benefits:

• Increases resistance to stress & diseases
• Age-retarding and rejuvenate properties
• Energy booster **(lets just say you don't need that cup of Joe or you will be flying!) Again, no pun.
• Appetite Suppressant
• Weight Management
• Helps to relieve "seasonal allergies"
• Lowers blood pressure
• Asthma
• Fatigue
• Pre-menstrual & Menopause
• Skin Conditions
• Feeling of Well Being
• Alertness
• Sexual Desire & Performance
• Athletic Endurance

Bee Pollen

BEE POLLEN is the only known food that contains every essential nutrient needed by mankind for perfect health. Source

Some things to remember about Bee Pollen. Always buy local. The reason for this is because the local bees will be collecting local pollen from the flora and fauna of your area. And buying local will help with allergies to local plants. Best way to take the Bee Pollen? Well as for taste, I am not a promoter. Half a teaspoon in some applesauce washed down with a sip of water is no problem. I have also added it to my shakes, however I usually get full before finishing my shake and I want to be sure I am ingesting the Bee Pollen, so I find the applesauce is the best route for me. You will SLOWLY increase the amounts to the recommended dosage. Always seek help from educated individuals (doctors, natural paths, homeopaths, health food store employees, etc.) before trying something new, and listen to your body.



FOUR. Get your Check Ups.

Think because your not sick you should skip out on your bi-annual check up with your Doc? HECK NO. Many times we do not show any symptoms of serious health risks until it is too late. Go and get your blood work,Colonoscopies, Mammograms, Vision, Hearing, and physical check ups done at least once a year to ensure your health is optimal.

Source

 FIVE. Mental Health Checks & Maintance.

Think because your body is working well after that check up that everything will be in working order? What about your mental health state? Spiritual well being? While your at that doctors appointment you should be aware of your mental health, and tell your doctor not only about your physical symptoms, but your mental woes as well. Stress, depression, coping with loss, anxiety, drug use, drinking habits, all of these things can attribute to your mental state and should be taken into account when thinking of your overall health. Some simple routines for your mental health to stay in the positive are here:

• Think positive. With each negative thought you need to push forward a positive one! Keep the balance and train your brain to fight for its positive messages to be heard.
• Exercise. Creates a wonderful amount of endorphins that last for hours!
• Meditate. Take the time to relax and be still. A 20 minute "me session" can give you balance and create a healthy relationship with your own self.
• Keep old and create new healthy friendships. Friends are important, especially as we age. Meaningful conversations and someone to share your life with are extremely important.
• Take your vitamins. Think there is no link between your positive moods and your balanced vitamin enriched body? Think again! Vitamin B alone can help your moods stabilize.

Have any ideas to share? Would love to hear them!
Post a message!

~~Finding Feathers~~

Vegan Cookies

Vegan Cookies?


YES PLEASE.


I found a delicious cookie recipe and had no idea that you could substute out eggs and oil - hello newbie!I made a batch (around 20 cookies) and my husband and I devoured them in 2.5 days!
We both loved them.


Here is the cookie journey!


Step ONE - Find your kitchen Buddy.   Check

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W. the kitchen guru (aka floor cleaner)

Step TWO - Get your ingredients list.    Check

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cup sugar
1 cup vegan margarine
1 teaspoon + of vanilla
1/2 cup applesauce
pinch of cinnamon
12 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips (buy organic if possible)

Cook @ 375 for 10-12 minutes



Step THREE - combine like so....

Pre heat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine your 2 cups of flour, salt, and baking soda in a bowl and set it aside.


In a new bowl add the following

not mixed yet

sugar, vegan margarine, and vanilla - mix together.

Mixed

add applesauce & Cinnamon & mix

Slowly add in the dry content, while mixing. Fold in your chocolate chips, dollop onto cookie sheet and bake in oven @ 375 degrees for 10 - 14 minutes depending on your preference.

uncooked in the oven...

After 10-12 minutes time to take them out and let sit on a cooling rack...and ENJOY

yum.

Enjoy these delicious cookies, I know we did, we ate them in 2.5 days! Makes about 20 cookies.
Reciepe found at vegweb (but their site seems to be hacked at the moment??)

~Finding Feathers~~

SUPER FOODS

First of all....WHY did I not know about this before now????
As I push myself to eat a more healthy animal free diet, I am perturbed that I did not know about all the amazing super healthy food options that taste great!

I grew up eating the Canadian staples in a bland food family (sorry mom).
The Regulars:
- Pasta night (spaghetti with ground beef)
- Meat loaf (which I never liked)
- Pot roast (usually overcooked), with potatoes, vegetables and salad
- Chicken & Fish (which I rarely ate)


FYI, my Mother and Father have come leaps and bounds from this meal plan 20 years ago, and their meals are much more delicious. (They are taking notes from my foodie Brother and Sister in law).


So on my health quest I have found some of the most amazing foods that do the most amazing transformations to my body! Here is my new list of great tasting healthy foods:

1. Kale.

Kale *source

Some of you may have seen my Green Shake recipe here .
    But Kale is one of the leafy plants that I am still fairly new to. You can read information about this super green plant, and its health benefits just about anywhere online and in food magazines. The Longo's nutritional magazine it featured Kale as one of its Nutritional Punch vegetables for fighting disease. I found further evidence that this food is super rich in the nutritional department on the site Worlds Healthiest Foods , here it states "...This research focus makes perfect sense. Kale's nutrient richness stands out in three particular areas: (1) antioxidant nutrients, (2) anti-inflammatory nutrients, and (3) anti-cancer nutrients in the form of glucosinolates." Try my shake recipe, add it to your stir fry, or try making Kale Chips! Yum.


2. Quinoa.

Cooked *photo by F.F.

Raw *Photo by F.F

Pronounced Keen-Wah.
    I cooked it for the first time today, and yes it can be bland, however add it to a stir fry or put a favorite sauce on it and its delicious!



Healthy power house facts:
- A complete protein
- Gluten-free
- Contains all eight essential amino acids
- Rich in vitamins E, B2 and B6, folic acid, biotin, calcium, potassium, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese and chloride
- Free of cholesterol and trans fat
- Contains high levels of natural antioxidants, mainly
vitamin E
This list was taken from the site Canada.com Story by Laura Brehaut and has a ton of great information on this neat little grain-fruit. (See my recipe soon to follow in the next few days).

3. Nutritional Yeast.

Nutritional Yeast *photo by F.F.

It actually tastes amazing sprinkled on popcorn!
"It is a great source of 18 amino acids, protein, folic acid, biotin and other vitamins. It is also rich in 15 minerals including iron, magnesium, phorphorus, zinc, and chromium, and selenium." Justgoodenergy.com

I have started to add it to many dishes and the more I read about this great yeast (not to be confused with cooking yeast) the more ways I am able to use it. Add it to your favorite dishes to reap the benefits! I buy mine from the Bulk Food Store, however I have read that it should be kept out of light.

I hope this short list of super foods has given you some ideas on how to incorporate healthy eating choices into your home. I will be posting some new recipes soon.

Stay tuned!

~~ Finding Feathers~~

Food - Homemade Soup

Its not too late to want that warm bowl of soup, even though the weather has turned super warm in the GTA....in March?!
Going for that health kick of mine that I have talked about is becoming enjoyable the more I cook.
  


My mother and father are part of a Soup Group. At first I thought that this was a strange group of people, getting together for soup? But then I started to see the plus side....leftovers! Yum!

So I thought I would try my own version of the homemade soup, sans group. (Unless you count Wendel - my kitchen helper....)

Wendel - Super Pug.  (Not his best Shot)

I wanted to make a vegetarian soup, as I am still eliminating animal products (slowly) from my diet. So I opted for a  Simple Squash Apple Soup.

(I cut up the squash before getting a picture....Sorry)
Now most recipes call for a Granny Smith Apple, well I used what I had, two small royal gala apples that were on the turn.
Here is my recipe for the soup.

Simple Squash Apple Soup

Prep Time: 15 Minutes (depending on your skills to peel and chop...I am apparently slow)
Cook Time: 35 Minutes

Ingredients:

1 medium Yellow Onion, chopped
1 - 3 ribs of Celery, chopped
1-2 Carrots, peeled & chopped
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Butternut Squash, peeled, seeds & hair removed, and chopped into small cubes
1-2 Apples (suggested Granny Smith, but I used Royal Gala)
*note the ratio is 3:1 for squash to apple
3 Cups of vegetable broth
1 Cup water
*Spices to taste: Cinnamon, nutmeg, Cayenne, salt, pepper
(I only added a pinch of cinnamon, the broth carries enough salt so no need to add more)

Steps to Soup:
In a 3 inch deep x 9-10 inch circumference frying pan, (anything that can hold all the ingredients and liquid without spilling over at a boil) add the butter & onion, carrot, and celery. Saute on low-med heat, without browning for 5 minutes.
This is a good time to start peeling your squash and apples and chop them up. I used a peeler as I found it much easier/safer than a knife for my inexperience with peeling "difficult" fruits and vegetables.
Next, add the chopped up Squash, apple, broth and water to the pan with the other ingredients.
Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer for 30 minutes.

Add spices, or salt if using and put into blender and Puree.  This machine came with our house purchase... an oldie but a goodie. Works great!

Let cool in containers, taste test......

Settle down for a whole bowl....

Enjoy!

~~  Finding Feathers ~~

Green Shakes?

Morning or Snack Time  - This Shake Works!                                                                                            

As I have said (many times before), I wanted to start eating healthy....again.

So after filling myself full of nutritional information, checking out some of my favoriate food blogs, and scaring my own pants off with a few good Documentaries - I started my quest!

 So I have been having a shake in the morning, its nutritional, but I knew I could up the ante on it.
So here is my GREEN shake reciepe. (I am sure there are more or similar ones out there, but this is what I could stomach and actually ENJOY)

Green Shake #1

Ingredients:

• Handful of Kale
• One whole Banana
• Vanilla Yogurt - three heaping tablespoons *or until desired thickness
• Top off with Fruit / Orange Juice *I used a orange, strawberry, banana juice.
• ice cubes (put in after mixing)

Green Shake #1

Put your handful of Kale and a bit of water into the Magic Bullet. Kale is a bitter leafey lettuce, it is super healthy but I find it difficult to eat due to the bitter taste, however just adjust your "handful size" according to your taste and you should be fine. Pulse the Kale a few times to break up. Add juice, and yogurt. Mix (I love my magic bullet for this - perfect portions every time.). I would not suggest adding any fiber into this shake. I usually add some Fibre Sure product into my shakes but it really is not necessary here. Drop in a few ice cubes just before drinking. Drink immediatly after making.

I want your feedback on this one....honest, I usually only like really sweet drinks and I really like this one! Write your feedback and tell me your thoughts!

~~ Finding Feathers ~~