Ask Away Friday, #34!

Where has time gone?  Wow.  It's been many weeks since I've been a part of the Ask Away Friday! Here, you can meet other bloggers and get to know them better. There are now four hosts to this gig, Penny of RHOCC, Amber of BoldFabMom, Tiffany of MrsTeeLiveLoveLaughter, and Stacey of This Mama's Ramblings!

I am thrilled to be back at it this week with another beauty, Ms. April from 100-lb Countdown. She's a wife, mommy and fitness coach! I'm answering her questions below, and I can't wait to head on over to see what she's got to give for my questions! 

Here we go...

I'm a complete television junkie... I even write a blog specifically on the Real Housewives of Atlanta. What's your favorite Housewives franchise? I watch for entertainment, so I can't pick one.  I think they are all the same crazy women, bickering at each other for any good reason. Makes me feel as if my life is sane! Although, I do tire of them before the end of the season. I like the reunions and the fact they think they can lie, when the camera tells the truth! Who's your favorite housewife? My favorite...uhmmm...I'll say my favorite one to dislike is Brandi!  She's sloppy and gross. 

Is there a quote that you live by personally in your marriage or parenting? Not necessarily a quote, but I like to live by "morals, values, honesty and trust", with those you have self respect and respect for others.  If so what is it and why do you think it's important to live by it? I think it's the best way to get through life and relationships of any kind. With friends, relatives and careers.

You have $1000. You can't go to Target, Walmart, K Mart or any other everything store. You must spend it on you alone. Where you going to spend it? A rejuvenating Spa in Arizona. 

Politics and religion drive a wedge between a lot of people. Do you talk about it in your personal life?   I talk politics with the hubster, but no one else.  We make our opinions together and our views on politics are usually the same.  Religion, I have had some conversations with others. Only when I'm preached to.  I can give a good match of Q&A. Why or why not? I don't talk politics with others because it never really comes up.  No one around us is strong on the topic.  Religion, I respect anyone's beliefs but I don't like their beliefs shoved down my throat.  We all have our own.

You've been awarded a new home, money is no object and location is up to you. Describe it to us. An open, airy house with lots of natural light, a chef's kitchen, contemporary. Any place warm, with two seasons, Spring and Summer :) I am so over this cold stuff.  

Do you have a junk drawer? What's in it? I do, all of my own.  No one is aloud in it to shuffle through and mess it up!  (Reminder to the hubster as he reads this.) Haha.  Makes me nuts.  I like it neat and have what I need, when I need it.  It has sunglasses, keys, gum, note paper, pens, scissors (yes, I have to initial them because someone always takes them and never puts them back!), hand cream, garage door opener, sunflower seeds to plant (for 2 years now), phone charge cords, my pills.  The usual.  (Bonus for pictures)

Now that your son is an adult, what's your favorite thing to do with him? Just to spend "TIME" together. Laugh. Confide in each other. Although I see him nearly everyday, and things change and evolve, I do miss us as we used to be when he was younger.

I tried oil pulling a couple of times and didn't see a noticeable difference. Now that you've been doing it a week, have you seen a difference? I can only say that my teeth are a bit whiter.  If that is all I do get out of this, I'll be thrilled.  Teeth are a big thing for me, so I want them nice and white.  Strips and other products make my teeth sensitive.  Bonus for pictures! I haven't done any before/afters.

We are at the end of the first quarter of the year and I'm updating my annual goals list. I read a couple of posts of yours from the beginning of the year, so I wanted to follow up.

What positive changes have you made since the beginning of the year? Oh I started it off terribly! My workouts became next to nothing for too long, stress got to me health wise. The weather stunk! So, I've started Yoga and getting back to routines.  My eating has been great, though! 

You mentioned that your three words for the year are: Organized. Grateful. Happy. Are you being more organized? I am, I think so. Better than I was for sure. Are you making sure that you are grateful for what you have? Yes, definitely. Are you happy? For the most part, I strive to be overly happy to annoy everyone! ha! 

Happy Friday!

Bugging Out!

How many of you have been hit with the nasty-bug this season?  

My hand is up in the air!! I was sick for over 3-weeks with this horrible 'thing'. It was like this evil demon that was driven right into my very soul, taking me down to a weakling. Ugh. It was strange, no fevers, no chills, none of the typical flu symptoms.

The begining was a good 12 hours of barfing (sorry), the only symptom.  We were celebrating the hubsters 55th that Saturday, away! Okay, this was back in January, but I stumbled upon it in my drafts. Don't be a hater :)

I surprised him with a hotel stay, a massage, a comedy show, and The Bacon Brothers!  Yup, Kevin Bacon. I was so excited to see them! Oh we saw them...at a glimpse. As we walked right past the Bro's, to the lobby where I showered the lovely "hotel opening day", with part of my 'internal demon that my body was rejecting'. Yes, I did that, for what seemed like eternity!! It was all a blur.  The hubster definitely did me a solid, taking care of me.  Wow, was I sick! 

It was a fun day, up until that.

Although I thought by Monday morning I'd be fine with a 24-hour bug or something, I wasn't. I was so exhausted I wanted to stay in bed and sleep for a week.  Prior commitments forced me to get up and move around.  My beautiful little niece and beautiful sister were coming to visit for two whole weeks! I was so excited and I needed to get my act together, quick.

By Thursday the cold symptoms knocked me right back down! Getting on the mend was my only thought!  I had to do something.  So I googled...and found...then I made this concoction of a decongestant.  It works people! 

This really helped me. A lot. Use it throughout the day, if you are congested.

 Not remembering where I got this, I was a basket case, I did save these directions. 

Directions

Pour ¼ cup of lemon juice and ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar in pot and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of raw organic honey and ¼-½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and powdered ginger each (the latter amount makes it quite strong.) Store in a jar in a cool, dark, place indefinitely. Adults take 1-2 tablespoons daily as needed. Shake well before using, as the powder doesn’t dissolve in the most pristine way.

As my sister said, 'the baby will make you feel better'.  She sure did! I was so happy to have her all to myself everyday as everyone went to work. (I'm just happy she didn't get my illness.) I'm sooo lucky.

Sad to say, my little beauties had to go home.

Questions:

Has anyone ever tried Olive Leaf Extract? Does it work for you?
Does anyone use garlic as a preventative?
Any other suggestions for a daily preventative, or seasonal?

Hoping y'all are healthy & warm during this crazy season!  Think Spring, even though we aren't experiencing much of it yet!

Hugs and stuff,

  

Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

This is a great dish.
I like to say hearty at times, and my hubster makes fun of me.

As I read the blurb in the Detox Book, Kim says it's a hearty dish.  I am vindicated!
Although the hubster didn't enjoy this dish, I most certainly did.
Maybe I need to put chocolate in his dish next time :)

It looks like a lot of work, but it is very simple.  You are mainly chopping everything up and adding the spices, top it off with sweet potatoes and there you have it.  A pie.

Here are the ingredients:

Coconut oil, for greasing the pan

3 large sweet potatoes, chopped into thirds (you can peel if you'd like)

1/2 cup almond milk

Sea salt, to taste

Ground black pepper, to taste

2 tbs + 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth, divided

1 cup onions

1 clove garlic, minced

1 cup celery

1 1/4 cups peeled and diced carrots

1 cup fresh or frozen peas

Kernels from 2 ears of corn (I used frozen)

1 1/4 tsp fresh thyme leaves

2 tsp minced fresh rosemary

1 tbs arrowroot starch

1/4 cup Ener-G egg replacer, mixed with very hot water

Nutmeg, optional 

Directions:

Lightly grease 2-qt glass casserole dish with coconut oil. 

In large saucepan, boil your sweet potatoes. I actually use the individual sweet potatoes to toss in the microwave. Call me a cheater. If you've boiled them, drain and place in a large mixing bowl; mash lightly. I left the skin on, yummy! Add the almond milk and blend with hand mixer on medium, until smooth and fluffy.  Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Heat 2 tbs of vegetable broth in large skillet over medium heat. I found I needed more as I went along cooking the onions first until translucent. Then add garlic and cook another minute. Add celery, peas, carrots, corn thyme and rosemary. Increase heat to med-high. In a small bowl whisk together the the remaining veggie broth and arrowroot until smooth, and add to the skillet. When the mixture gets close to boiling, immediately reduce heat. Add sea salt and black pepper to season to taste. Remove from heat, stir in the egg replacer mixture. 

Pour veggie mixture into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish, spread evenly across bottom. Spoon sweet potato mix over the vegies, spreading to cover all the way to the edges.  Sprinkle the top with nutmeg, if desired.  

Bake in preheated oven at 375, until the top is slightly brown, about 40 minutes.  Allow to rest 20 minutes before serving.

I really enjoyed this dish.  I used to make it with my faux meat, but this is so much better.  The popping of the corn kernels and peas, with the sweet potatoes is a fulfilling dish! 

Enjoy!

Pulling For Me!

I'm pulling for me! Day 3.

Do you know what "Oil Pulling" is?  It's when you take a teaspoon or two of oil, I prefer coconut oil, and swish it around your mouth for up to 20 minutes a day. Crazy, right?

The benefits you ask? It's said bacteria is literally pulled into the oil. So spit that stuff out when your done. Makes sense, right? All the bacteria and toxins start in the mouth. Oh, and it is claimed to whiten teeth!  I like that, and I'm game to try.

I've read so much hype on this oil pulling to be a healthy thing, I'm interested.  Who doesn't want to be healthy? I'm always looking to better myself and my health. 

I've stumbled on this over many places of the internet and magazines.
However, it all started here:

One of my favorite blogs that I stumbled upon when I first started blogging. Cutie-pie Erin over there, has her act together.  She has the answers to the most FAQ's and shares her own one-month experience with Oil Pulling. (Do check out more on her blog than just the oil pulling.) 

So I decided on coconut oil, because I love the smell and the flavor.  I warm it up to melt a little before putting it into my mouth.  Maybe I'll try Sesame or Walnut oil tomorrow.  Change it up. 

I've read the following, here. Food Matters, also has info on the different oils and their benefits.

First, the oils mix with the saliva, turning it into a thin, white liquid. Lipids in the oils begin to pull out toxins from the saliva. As the oil is swished around the mouth, teeth, gums and tongue, the oil continues to absorb toxins, and usually ends up turning thick and viscous and white. Once the oil has reached this consistency, it is spit out before the toxins are reabsorbed.

Other possible benefits of oil pulling for oral health include:

• Overall strengthening of the teeth and gums and jaws
• Prevention of diseases of the gums and mouth, such as cavities and gingivitis
• Prevention for bad breath
• Potential holistic remedy for bleeding gums
• Prevention of dryness of the lips, mouth and throat
• Possible holistic treatment for TMJ and general soreness in the jaw area

Other possible benefits of oil pulling for overall health include:

• Migraine headache relief
• Correcting hormone imbalances
• Reducing inflammation of arthritis
• May help with gastro-enteritis
• Aids in the reduction of eczema
• May reduce symptoms of bronchitis
• Helps support normal kidney function
• May help reduce sinus congestion
• Some people report improved vision
• Helps reduce insomnia
• Reduced hangover after alcohol consumption
• Aids in reducing pain
• Reduces the symptoms of allergies
• Helps detoxify the body of harmful metals and organisms

I also stumbled upon The Wellness Mama! Lots of healthy food and healthy information on this blog. So happy I stumble on it, and have been stalking it for two days.

A simple 'how to':

- 1 - 2 tsp of organic oil, your preference
- Swish around for 20 minutes, first thing in the morning, prior to any drinking or food
- Spit into paper cup, tin, trash can. Don't test your septic for this stuff!
- Rinse your mouth well with warm water, brush if desired
- Brush to remove any remaining bacteria, or oil

So check it out for yourself, if your interested.  Google it, read it, do it!  For your health. 

Notes: DON'T SWALLOW! Be sure to spit that stuff out! You don't want to swallow the bacteria. Spit into the garbage, you don't want to clog the drain either.  

I'll be checking back next week with any changes I may see in my oil pulling experience.  
It's all the rage! 

(Side note to Kristi, I'll be back.)

Pulling for you,

Beet Leaf Smoothie

I've been in the experimenting mood trying some new greens, and a new one is beet tops.  The taste really isn't overpowering, I'm not really tasting anything distinguishing as they mix together with all my ingredients.  This one is a nice sweet tasting treat!

When I make my smoothies, I really don't measure much but the chia, hemp and flax.
Here is a guesstimate of my Beet Leaf Smoothie!

2 cups coconut water
1 cup filtered water
6-10 leaves from raw organic beets
2 c fresh spinach leaves
3 stalks celery, flower tops included
1/2 small lemon, peeled
1 small green apple
2 c frozen blueberries
1 c frozen pineapple
2 tbsp hemp seed
1 tbsp chia seed

I always load my liquids first, then greens and heavy pieces on top to help weigh it all down for a nice smooth blending. Using my vitamin, I turn the dial to smoothie and let it run it's automated course. Otherwise, start at 1 and slowly increase to 10 speed. Turn on high for 40-minutes.  If you have a regular blender, blend greens with liquids first, then add lemon and apple with dry ingredients, then add frozen.  Seems to blend easier that way, from my experience.

Enjoy!