Wellness Wednesday!

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Hi Framers!

I hop you all are having a great Wednesday so far.

If you are thinking about making a quick run to Starbucks later…don’t.

Check this article out and find out why!

http://foodbabe.com/2014/08/25/starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte/

But if you’re one of those people (like myself) who just can’t resist a nice cup of whatever.

I have a solution for you-TEA! No artificial flavoring or sweetener added!

For those of you who might be new to the whole tea experience and are not sure of which ones to try, here is a little tip: The darker the tea the higher the caffeine.

Black teas are great if you are having a hard time staying awake. Add a small shortbread biscuit with your Earl/ Lady Grey or English Breakfast and you are all set to watch the exciting Cricket match…or Sherlock/ Downton/ Pride and Prejudice or whatever else you prefer!

Jasmine Green tea is also a wonderful choice for various health reasons, including losing weight. Aside from white tea, it’s the lightest of the teas and has no caffeine.

Warning: It is addicting! I drank two/ three cups of Twining’s Jasmine Green tea in one day. Very addicting. Just FYI.

Teas like Wild Sweet Orange and Passion from Tazo are perfect if you like a little flavoring once in awhile. Or spice things up a bit with Tazo’s Organic Chai tea!

So to put it plainly:

TEA is better than fatty, sugary, whipped-creamy anything and you never feel guilty after having a cup…or two.

So enjoy a nice cup of tea (iced or warm the next you time have the urge for a coffee shop)!

Recommended Teas:

Twining’s of London

– Anything!

Tazo

– Organic Chai

– Wild Sweet Orange (caffeine free)

– Passion (caffeine free)

Choice Organic Teas

– Rooibos Superfruit (caffeine free)

Taylors of Harrogate (Official tea of HRH The Prince of Wales)

– Early Grey

RC Bigelow Inc

– Darjeeling (The “champagne” of black tea)

– Earl Grey

– Green

– English Breakfast

Eat Well Wednesday!

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

55 Healthy Snacks Under 200 Calories

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=1792

Chocolate Nutella Fudge

(Gluten-free and no-bake!) (Plus it has absolutely ZERO added sugar and it can be made in 5 minutes flat!)

1/4 cup coconut butter, melted
1/4 cup choc-hazelnut spread or Healthy Nutella
1-2 tsp cocoa powder or cacao powder
65g very-ripe banana (about 1/4 a large banana)
1/8 tsp salt
sweetener if desired (Some people want it, others don’t.)

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender. (It’s best if the coconut butter is not solid, and if you use a frozen banana be sure to thaw so it doesn’t harden the coconut butter.) After blending, taste to see if you’d like to add any sweetener. Scoop into a container or even a little pie pan, and put in the fridge or freezer so it will firm up. This is freezer fudge, so it needs to be kept cold. It makes a small serving, but feel free to double or triple the recipe!

Puff pastry waffles filled with fruit jam

Ingredients:

1 roll of puff pastry (± 230gr)

3 1/2 tsp fruit jam of your choice

1 egg yolk

icing powder, for decoration

1. Preheat waffle iron

2. Roll out puff pastry and cut out 14 circles, around 6 to 7cm each, (± 2,5inch), by using a glass

3. Two pastry circles per waffle are needed; place 1/2 tsp of fruit jam in the middle of one pastry circle

4. Beat the egg yolk and spread it on the border of the pastry circle with the jam on

5. Close the ‘waffle to be’ with 2nd pastry circle on top and press well on the edge, close the edge by using a fork

6. Place prepared pastry circles in the waffle iron, two at a time, (that is if your waffle iron can make 2 waffles at the same time) and bake them 6 to 8min. or until golden brown.

Once they are baked, let them cool for 5min., sprinkle with icing powder and serve warm.

Eat Well Wednesday

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Frozen Bananas

2 bananas

1/4 to 1/3c chocolate chips

1/4 to 1/3c peanut butter

Unsweetened coconut flakes

Set out a large plate with wax paper on it. Cut up the bananas. Heat the peanut butter and chocolate chips on high for minute. stir until smooth. Dip the banana pieces in the mixture. Lay on the wax paper. Use the remaining mixture to spoon over the tops sprinkle the unsweetened coconut flakes on top. Freeze for about an hour until hardened.

Southwest Black Bean Salad

15.5 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained

9 oz cooked corn, fresh or frozen (thawed if frozen)

1 medium tomato, chopped

1/3 cup red onion, chopped

1 scallion, chopped

1 1/2 – 2 limes, juice of

salt and fresh pepper

1 medium avocado, diced

Combine items in a large bowl. Squeeze fresh lime juice to taste. Marinate in the refrigerator 30 minutes.

Eat Well Wednesday: Why Hire a Nutrition Coach?

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Let’s be real, we are bombarded with nutrition information ALL.THE. TIME! Eat this, don’t eat that, avoid this, buy this, try this new super food and the list goes on and on. Not only are we confused, but our bodies are as well. It seems like the more we try to balance our diets the more out of balance we become. That’s why a Nutrition Coach can help set you on a path of health and success!

As a Certified Nutrition Coach, they will customize a plan for you tailored to your goals. They will meet with you weekly to share with you applicable nutrition knowledge and help you overcome any obstacles you may be facing along the way. Your goals will become your reality and will teach you the tools you need to maintain your success for the rest of your life.

You will learn the foundations of nutrition, become knowledgeable of how to shop the grocery store, develop healthy and easy meals to prepare for you and your family and gain valuable information about nutrition, health, balance and maintaining your success for years to come.

And I promise they won’t have you eating salads every meal or chugging green smoothies. Life is about balance and getting healthier is about making different choices for what you put in your body. In the amount that you spend on fast food a month, you can have a nutrition coach for 6-12 weeks with meal plans, grocery lists, weekly meetings, support, guidance and knowledge.

Top 5 Reasons You Should Hire a Nutrition Coach

1. You are tired, stressed, overwhelmed and can’t find the energy to get back on track.

2. Your money is being spent on fast food, soda’s and restaurant outings, all of which are putting a dent in your wallet and expanding your waist line.

3. You don’t know where to start. You have tried every diet on the book shelf and you still can’t find a way to eat and enjoy life.

4. You want to make a change. You are willing to see things differently, try something new and open your mind to the possibility that you can be healthy.

5. You deserve to be healthy! You can look good, feel good, and live your best life.

Come check out the many options they have to help you get back on track and live your best life.

Be Well! 🙂

Jill Tarpey is leading us Wednesday by Wednesday into making better food choices and being more healthful. Tune in every Wednesday to get some great recipes and advice from someone who really knows health. In an effort to fuel her passion to serve as well has enhance the lives of others through their nutritional choices, she started Eat Well SA(San Antonio). Her vision is to educate you on how to incorporate a healthy array of foods into your life. Eat Well is not a diet, nor does it embrace any one specific dietary agenda. She also offers customized programs that are educational and teach you the tools you need to maintain healthy, well balanced eating for your busy lives.

Eat Well Wednesday: German Chocolate Bites

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

I have been on a “bite sized” recipe kick for a couple of weeks now for a couple of reasons…

1. Bite sized treats are perfect portion control. You pull out one or two bite sized treats for a perfect snack or dessert. So much better than always reaching for the big slice of cake.

2. They are no bake and simple to make. Bite size recipes are the perfect, quick alternative to baking. You don’t even have to turn on the oven, which is a big bonus here in the Texas summer!

3. They have simple ingredients. Not only do bite sized treats and snacks require very little prep time, they also have pure, simple ingredients. Your body loves simple, REALL FOOD.

German Chocolate Bites

Here is what you need:

3/4 cup pitted dates (I like Sunmaid, because they are softer.) (120g)
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/16 tsp salt
2 tbsp cocoa powder (or raw cacao powder)
2 tbsp shredded coconut
1/3 to 1/2 cup raw pecans
optional: feel free to add some chocolate chips

Here is what you do:

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor.
Place the mixture in a ziploc bag and squish the dough together. This will make it easier to form the dough into bite sized balls.
Form the dough into balls and place in an airtight container and store in the fridge.
Each German Chocolate Bite has approx. 50 calories.
Makes 12 bite sized balls

And that’s that! Also readers and don’t forget to check out my new meal service, now offering (2) person, Individual person meals, as well as our awesome Family meals that feed 4-5. All meals include and entree, side or salad, and dessert.

Eat Well. Live Well. Be Well.

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Jill Wentworth is leading us Wednesday by Wednesday into making better food choices and being more healthful. Tune in every Wednesday to get some great recipes and advice from someone who really knows health. In an effort to fuel her passion to serve as well has enhance the lives of others through their nutritional choices, she started Eat Well SA(San Antonio). Her vision is to educate you on how to incorporate a healthy array of foods into your life. Eat Well is not a diet, nor does it embrace any one specific dietary agenda. She also offers customized programs that are educational and teach you the tools you need to maintain healthy, well balanced eating for your busy lives.

Eat Well Wednesday: Cauliflower “Mashed Potatoes”

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

I have a confession…I LOVE VEGGIES!

They really hold the bulk of my diet because not only do they contain some the best nutrients that our bodies need to thrive, but I just love, love, love, them. The taste, the texture, and the many different ways you can prepare them. My favorite way to cook up a batch of veggies is by roasting them, but I as I experiment in the kitchen I discovered a great way to enjoy cauliflower and the best part, it is like eating a big bowl of mashed potatoes, YUM!!

I present to you Mashed Cauliflower Puree.

Here is what to do…

1. Cut the leave off of cauliflower and wash thoroughly.

2. Cute the stem off and break the cauliflower apart into pieces

3. Steam the cauliflower in a microwave safe bowl with a little bit of water or use a vegetable steam basket.

4. Once the veggie is done, place in a blender, food processor, or Vita Mix.

5. Add about 1/4 cup of milk, throw some salt, pepper and garlic powder in there too and give it a whirl.

6. Blend until smooth. If it is too think you can always add a splash more milk.

And that’s it!!

This dish really does taste like mashed potatoes, as the cauliflower is a starchy vegetable. Feel free to add some kick to it by slicing up a jalapeno to make a spicy puree or add some cheddar cheese in there for cheesy cauliflower. I served this up with some delicious pork tenderloin and broccoli and it was just plain YUM!!!

Jill Tarpey is leading us Wednesday by Wednesday into making better food choices and being more healthful. Tune in every Wednesday to get some great recipes and advice from someone who really knows health. In an effort to fuel her passion to serve as well has enhance the lives of others through their nutritional choices, she started Eat Well SA (San Antonio). Her vision is to educate you on how to incorporate a healthy array of foods into your life. Eat Well is not a diet, nor does it embrace any one specific dietary agenda. She also offers customized programs that are educational and teach you the tools you need to maintain healthy, well balanced eating for your busy lives.

Eat Well Wednesday: Salsa!

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Tomato season is upon us!

Did you know that tomatoes contain 2 grams of fiber each, loads of Vitamin C helping you stay healthy, and beta-carotene to help make your skin glow?

I will take any chance I can to get some of those benefits into my body and if that means eating salsa, well that is fine with me.

Salsa is by far our all time favorite dip! We consume large quantities of salsa in our house, for the perfect topping to our eggs, to a great dip for our chips. We LOVE salsa!! After sharing with you our Coconut Granola Clusters as an easy and yummy way to save money on your grocery bill, I was inspired to share with you our family favorite, HOMEMADE SALSA.

This recipe makes about 8 cups of salsa and for about $4.00. That is a steal, considering that a 2 cup jar of salsa at the store will cost anywhere form $3-$4!! Talk about cost savings.

Not only is this recipe budget friendly, it is very, very tasty and so fresh. You can whip up a batch in about 1 minute and immediately serve it to your friends and family or store it it jars in the fridge for the perfect dip to your chip or topping for your morning eggs.

Gather up these ingredients:

(2) 28 oz Cans of Whole Tomatoes
(1) Bunch of Cilantro
(1) Bunch of Green Onions
(2) Tablespoons of Jalapeno’s (Jar)
(3) Tablespoons of Cumin
(2) Tablespoons of Sugar
(1) Tablespoon of Salt
(1) Teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
Juice of (1) Lemon
Juice of (1) Lime

Here is what you do:

Cut off root ends of green onions and chop onion into 3 inch pieces.
Add green onion, cilantro, jalapeno’s and tomatoes into blender and process until well blended.
Add the seasonings and juice the lemon and lime. Blend for a few more seconds.

And that’s it! Time to break out the chips and enjoy your fantastic dip.

I know that your friends and family are going to love this salsa.

So, what is your favorite dip? Salsa or queso? Leave a comment below and let me know.

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Jill Wentworth is leading us Wednesday by Wednesday into making better food choices and being more healthful. Tune in every Wednesday to get some great recipes and advice from someone who really knows health. In an effort to fuel her passion to serve as well has enhance the lives of others through their nutritional choices, she started Eat Well SA(San Antonio). Her vision is to educate you on how to incorporate a healthy array of foods into your life. Eat Well is not a diet, nor does it embrace any one specific dietary agenda. She also offers customized programs that are educational and teach you the tools you need to maintain healthy, well balanced eating for your busy lives.

Eat Well Wednesday: Fridge Dump

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

A healthy body is built by healthy, whole, unprocessed foods. If you want to eat well you need to have good, nutritious foods readily available.

Since your pantry and fridge are the base for your healthy meals, that is where we will start.

Here is a picture of our fridge, prepped and ready to go for the week and stuffed with vibrant colors and fresh, whole foods.

We eat most of our meals at home, in fact, we rarely eat out. So yes, we really do eat ALL of this food. By the end of the week, this fridge will be almost empty.

Remove these foods from your fridge

Conventional milk/dairy/butter
Processed Cheese
Artificial flavored and sweetened yogurt (Yoplait)
Juice
Soda
Packaged deli meats
Conventional eggs
Frozen dinners

Fill Your Fridge

Vegetables (the more color the better!)
Fruits
Organic, hormone free, vegetarian fed chicken
Organic, Omega 3 enhanced eggs
Organic, grass fed beef
Almond milk/Hemp milk
Organic milk
Organic cheese
Greek yogurt (Plain 0% or 2%)
Low sodium deli meats
Frozen veggies
Frozen fruits

Look for these brands of foods at the store, they are usually well balanced and provide healthier options.

Chobani
Nature’s Gate
Kashi
Earth Balance
Almond Breeze/Blue Diamond
Applegate

How can you change the foods in your fridge to support a more healthy and balanced lifestyle?

Leave a comment below and let us know. Be Well.

Eat Well Wednesday: What is Chronic Inflammation?

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Hello Frame Production Readers!

Let’s right down to business…Inflammation. You might have an idea of what Inflammation is, perhaps it is the swelling that occurs when you twist your ankle or cut your finger. While this is true, your bodies responses to injury is inflammation, it helps heal the body as white blood cells work hard to repair the tissue. Without inflammation our bodies would not heal. So in those circumstances it is OK. However, lets talk about inflammation in a different sense.

Chronic Inflammation

Chronic Inflammation is the type of inflammation that reeks havoc on our bodies and over time lead to cancer, asthma, allergies, osteoporosis, irritable bowl syndrome, autoimmune diseases and so much more.

For many people suffering from these diseases, they take pills to keep their symptoms at bay. In a sense it is a giant bandaid to a larger, more serious problem. Chronic Inflammation.

So, what causes Chronic Inflammation?

The foods we eat (too many processed foods, sodas and other sugary drinks, saturated fats, poor quality protein sources)
Stress
Exhaustion/lack of sleep
Food Allergies
Bacteria (gut issues)

How can we prevent/cure Chronic Inflammation?

Incorporate more plants into your diet. Eat your greens and a variety of colorful vegetables and fruits. The vitamins, minerals and alkalizing properties of greens will help your body balance out your bodies PH and keep you in a more balanced state.

Get rest. Don’t skimp on sleep. When we are sleeping our bodies are working hard to repair and replenish, so rest is just as important as activity and movement.

Identify food allergies. The foods we eat effect our bodies. If you are lactose intolerant yet always consume dairy products, you are not honoring your body. You can be causing serious damage to your gut, causing inflammation and irritation. Both of which are no good. Same things goes for gluten. If you find that your body is bloated, gassy, and uncomfortable after having a bowl of pasta, pay attention to what your body is telling you. You might have a gluten sensitivity and I would suggest you try adding gluten free products to your diet.

Cut back on stress. Stress causing the release of cortisol, an inflammation producing hormone. When we learn to keep stress at bay our bodies have an opportunity to stay in a more neutral, balanced state. Try a Yoga class, practicing deep breathing, find an activity that brings you peace and practice it ever day.

All in all, avoid the processed food.

Eat Greens. Veggies. Fruits. Nuts. Seeds. REAL FOOD.

Your body will thank you!!

Eat Well. Live Well. Be Well.

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Eat Well Wednesday: Cake Balls

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

With yet another holiday right around the corner, I thought it would be appropriate to add a little sweet fun into the recipe mix. I made this for our church small group and they were such a hit!

I am warning you, they are not “healthy”. They most definitely fall under the 20% rule. Eat healthy 80% of the time and leave room for the 20% to be the occasional treat. This mindful approach to eating, allows you to ditch the dieting, eat with pleasure, and without guilt.

So here is what you need for these tasty treats:

1 Package of Chocolate Oreos
6 oz of Cream cheese
8 oz of Bittersweet chocolate
Seasonal sprinkles (Optional)

Here is what you do:

In a food processor, combine the chocolate Oreos and cream cheese. Process until smooth. You might need to scrap down the sides a couple of times, you want it to be a pretty smooth cookie paste.
Form into small balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
Place in the freeze for 30 minutes.
Melt chocolate in the microwave or use a double broiler.
Remove cookie balls from the freeze and drop into melted chocolate. Coat well.
Roll into sprinkles. Place back onto cookie sheet.
Freeze for another hour or until firm.
Store in an air tight container for up to two weeks.

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A Thought-Leader In Family & Children’s Dance Classes | Houston, TX

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Tagged: Recipes

Wellness Wednesday!

Hi Framers!

Eat Well Wednesday!

55 Healthy Snacks Under 200 Calories

Chocolate Nutella Fudge

Puff pastry waffles filled with fruit jam

Eat Well Wednesday

Frozen Bananas

Southwest Black Bean Salad

Eat Well Wednesday: Why Hire a Nutrition Coach?

Top 5 Reasons You Should Hire a Nutrition Coach

1. You are tired, stressed, overwhelmed and can’t find the energy to get back on track.

2. Your money is being spent on fast food, soda’s and restaurant outings, all of which are putting a dent in your wallet and expanding your waist line.

3. You don’t know where to start. You have tried every diet on the book shelf and you still can’t find a way to eat and enjoy life.

4. You want to make a change. You are willing to see things differently, try something new and open your mind to the possibility that you can be healthy.

5. You deserve to be healthy! You can look good, feel good, and live your best life.

Eat Well Wednesday: German Chocolate Bites

I have been on a “bite sized” recipe kick for a couple of weeks now for a couple of reasons…

German Chocolate Bites

Eat Well Wednesday: Cauliflower “Mashed Potatoes”

I have a confession…I LOVE VEGGIES!

I present to you Mashed Cauliflower Puree.

Here is what to do…

Eat Well Wednesday: Salsa!

Tomato season is upon us!

Gather up these ingredients:

Here is what you do:

Eat Well Wednesday: Fridge Dump

Eat Well Wednesday: What is Chronic Inflammation?

Hello Frame Production Readers!

Chronic Inflammation

All in all, avoid the processed food.

Eat Well Wednesday: Cake Balls

With yet another holiday right around the corner, I thought it would be appropriate to add a little sweet fun into the recipe mix. I made this for our church small group and they were such a hit!