"What's cooking?" - Flavored Water

There are so many reasons that you should drink more water throughout the day! 

I have been so guilty of not drinking enough water in the past. I would have my morning cup of coffee and during lunch at work I would only have about one cup of water. I would have a drink at dinner (sometimes water, sometimes soda) and that was about it.

What am I, a camel?

Fatigue has always plagued me.

I had a stroke, for goodness sake!

Suffering from joint pain during my road to recovery (especially walking) has NOT been fun.

Now, I have to do everything in my power to get better and staying hydrated is one of those things! 

One cup of coffee in the morning is fine, I like my coffee! But for me, the rest of the day is water, water, water! Very rarely do I have soda or any other sweetened drink any more.

I have been able to make this simple change because of my new-found fascination with flavored water! 

Not the kind you buy that has sugar or artificial sweetener, but the kind you make!

I realized that half of my problem is that I don't really care for our plain well water. I bought a Brita pitcher, for filtered water, after I got tired of taking empty water bottles to the recycling center. You have to do that, too if you want to get your money back! Here in Connecticut, we pay a bottle deposit charge every time we buy them. I know I didn't have to do that back in Pennsylvania! 

Drinking filtered water ... that still didn't do the trick. Water for me is just "blah"!

So now I flavor my water with fruit, and sometimes, herbs. It's more interesting to me, and I find that I drink a whole 2-quart  pitcher every day!

If you're like me, and find drinking water a forced task, maybe you'll try these combinations and drink more water! Your body needs it!

These are the ones I've tried so far:

Blackberry /sage

Watermelon/ rosemary

Strawberry/ cucumber/ mint

Lemon /cucumber/ mint

Orange/ rosemary

"Detox" water: lemon, cucumber, mint, grapefruit, lime

Here are some tips I've learned:

•Be sure to clean your fruit well so it is free of pesticides! They say that soaking fruit in a solution of vinegar and water usually removes all the bad stuff.

•Sometimes I peel my oranges, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I add herbs, other times I do not. Be creative with your own combinations, or check the internet (or my Pinterest board, "beverages") for suggestions!

•Try to drink all of your water in one day. Citrus fruits, especially, get bitter if left soaking for a long time.

•Dump fruits/ herbs when done with water.  I have found no uses, so far, for soggy fruit!

•Check the Internet for healing properties of certain foods! You'll be amazed!

•Be sure to "muddle" your herbs and fruits for best flavor! (ie. bruising, smashing a little)

There are so many other combinations I want to try- especially the ones that use basil.

Here is a great website to reference:

http://www.52kitchenadventures.com/2012/09/17/fifty-awesome-flavored-water-recipes/

It has not only a fantastic article (and sugar comparison chart of drinks) but also many water flavor suggestions. I love it!

Just thought I'd share! Maybe some of you out there are just like me. 

Cheers!

Healthy eating - More Nutribullet!

My post on the Nutribullet recipes has been the most popular so far! People have emailed that they're going to buy one - they just want more, more, more! I am not a spokesperson for the product - I just happen to love mine! So as I discover new "blasts" that I like, I will continue to share them!

I am still drinking them out throughout the day, so I have chosen three more recipes for you to try. I find recipes on Pinterest and the Nutribullet website. I base it on what I have on hand; what's in the fridge.

For example, two of these drinks feature grapes, because that's what we had. If you are making the smoothies, I urge you to do the same. By doing so, you don't have to make a special trip to buy ingredients for a particular drink (like papaya!) - just use what you have. 

Don't forget to be creative and come up with your own combinations! 

My husband is really good at that. Sometimes he throws Greek yogurt in or uses almond milk instead of water. They are really tasty, but for me, I usually stick to just adding water because I don't want the extra calories.

Here are three drinks that I have been enjoying:

Cantaloupe, spinach and grapes

I found this picture on the Internet, so it shows a few extra ingredients that I don't use (almond  milk and coconut oil). 

• Two handfuls spinach

•1/4-1/2 Cantaloupe, with seeds, but no rind 

• 15-20 Grapes with seeds

•  2 T flax seeds for extra fiber and omega-3's. (Optional)

• Filtered water to the max line (about 1c); add more if too thick 

Notes: The more fruit the better on this one; maybe cut down on the spinach.

Grape seeds and cantaloupe seeds are good for you! Include them!

Banana, grape,  and spinach smoothie with Chia seeds

I adapted this recipe from one that I found on the Internet when I was searching for smoothie recipes that contained grapes (again, because we had them). It had called for two bananas, 1c of orange juice, and honey. I cut it down to just one banana, and a whole orange instead of orange juice.   It also called for honey. I find that I do not need to add honey or Stevia (or any sweeter) to my smoothies.

• 2 handfuls spinach

• 15-20 grapes with seeds

• 1 banana

• 1 orange, peeled 

• 2T Chia seeds

• Filtered water to max line (about 1c) add more if too thick

This one doesn't have a name - it's my own creation- I was trying to use a beet! There were plenty of recipes out there that used beet, I just didn't have all of the other ingredients, so I made my own.

This is what I came up - with isn't it pretty? Okay, so I just named it - Pretty! The important thing is, it tasted as good as it looked!

• 1 Apple, cored  (You can't put apple seeds in the Nutribullet! When cut up they release cyanide! Who knew?)

• 2 carrots, cut into 1 inch chunks (I just used about 10 baby carrots, cut in half)

• 1 medium beet, cut into chunks

• Handful of spinach

• 1 orange, peeled

• Filtered water to the max line (about 1c)  add more if too thick

I usually follow recipes, but every now and again I "wing it". I have had lots of yummy smoothies and a few stinkers! 

Notes: 

•Add frozen fruit to any smoothie if you prefer it cold

•sweetener or almond milk optional.

• Rind on citrus fruits (lemon, limes, oranges, grapefruits, etc.) are often included, but I find too many in one drink makes it bitter.

• Some seeds are good for you, others are bad! Check out this website before making your blast:

http://nutribulletblog.com/sipping-seeds-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

Remember: if you are using a blender to make smoothies, be sure that it can handle tough foods such as carrots and nuts. A food processor might be better!

If you are having trouble eating all the recommended fruits and vegetables, "blast" them!

Have fun!

Healthier Eating....

That is the theme for this new year! As most of you know, I suffered a stroke last November and am still recovering. My stroke was not an occlusion, however, but rather a hemorrhage in the brain stem. Therefore, during my hospitalization and all through recovery I did not have any dietary restrictions. I could eat the way I always did!

That was a problem!

I have always had a hearty appetite and a real sweet tooth. I enjoyed the many chocolates that were given to me during my hospitalization! But, combine that with not being able to lead an active lifestyle, and you get an extra 20 lbs!

That is not a good thing any time, let alone when you are already a good 25 lbs. what you should be. :(

With such a scare last year - and it's not over yet - do I really want to have other health problems on top of what I'm experiencing now, all due to being overweight? It's time I did something about it. I know many of you out there are saying a big hurrah! My husband is too. It's like a switch went off inside me saying "I'm ready to do this".

I am not following any diet plan. I'm not doing Weight Watchers as I've done in the past. I'm just making healthy changes to my diet that I can live with: drinking more water, movement! and eating better - cutting out a LOT of sugar and eating more fruits and vegetables. Eating processed foods was not really an issue for me, as I tend to avoid them already. I love to cook things with fresh ingredients - anything from a can or box is few and far between.

I saw an infomercial one day right before Christmas for the Nutribullet and I impulsively bought it! I hardly ever watch TV, and here I am sucked into the "it works on the cellular level" spiel. Needless to say, I was so frustrated when I saw it at Walmart a week later for $20 cheaper than what I paid! I couldn't return it since I'd already used it by then several times. AAARGH!

I can't say enough good things about this little machine! I have a blender, food processor and a juicer. So far, this is the best! It is stronger than the blender, pulverizing nuts,seeds and harder veggies like celery in just seconds. It uses every part of the fruit compared to our juicer, which spits out all the pulp, seeds and skins. This is so easy to clean, too! Cleaning the juicer is a pain in the you-know-what!

This is beginning to sound like a paid advertisement - but it is not. The bottom line is this: I'm eating more fruits and vegetables than I was before. I can usually drink a "blast (as they are called) for breakfast and lunch, with no cravings in between for extra caffeine (an afternoon coffee, some chocolate). If I have a little rumbling, I try to make better choice -raw veggies with hummus, a sweet potato, etc. Then I just cook normal dinner like I always do, BUT I DON'T HAVE SECONDS because I am still satisfied from my drinks and healthy snacks.

And just like that I've lost 7 lbs. That's not a lot of weight, but heck, if the changes I'm making have that as and end result in addition to being healthier than WOO HOO!

I have to say, one of my biggest obstacles so far during my recovery was joint pain in my left hip and knee. It was hurting so badly that it impeded my ability to take longer strides while walking. I even had a cortisone shot in my hip in the fall and was considering one for my knee real soon. I still have the joint pain in my hip, but the pain in my knee is GONE! I attribute this to the fact that I have been eating the right foods, especially the ones that help to eliminate inflammation. In fact, every day I have been having one "blast" specifically designed to help stave off the factors that trigger inflammation.

Can you tell I'm hooked? Those of you that follow me on Pinterest know that I've been pinning "blast" recipes like crazy. I look for interesting combos so I can incorporate many different foods, or the ones that I have on hand.

Now, I am by no means a health guru - I am not telling you to do what I do. I just thought I'd share because the Nutribullet and Vitamix are becoming more popular these days and many of you might be considering buying one. We are also becoming more educated and aware of how much we effected by what we eat. I'm telling you because, those of you who know me know that I am reluctant to change - in anything! But I love this so much, and I hope you do too. Try one with your blender or food processor - whatever -just make sure it can handle grinding the harder things!

Here are a few of my favorite recipes so far:

Dream Cream (from the Nutribullet book; specifically targets inflammation)
2 handfuls of spinach (we also use Power Greens bought at Costco; a blend of spinach, kale and      collards)
1/2 banana
1/2 avocado (a "good" fat!)
10 walnuts
filtered water up to the max line (about 1 cup - add more if it's too thick)





















Sleepy Pie (from the Nutribullet book; to help you get a good night's sleep)
1/4 c cooked oats
2 dates
12 cashews (raw; not salted)
1 tsp cinnamon
almond milk (unsweetened) to the max line (about 1 cup - add more if it's too thick)


"I need more veggies today!" (from the Nutribullet website; pinned to my Pinterest board

 1 tomato

2 stalks celery (cut in chunks)
1/2 cucumber
1/4 c parsley
filtered water to the max line (about 1 cup - add more if it's too thick)
**A dash of hot sauce and/or salt and pepper is especially yummy on this one!

My first recipe on my blog involved a LOT of cheese!  I try to balance out what I eat throughout the week; focusing on good daily nutrition. I will continue to post yummy concoctions as I experiment.

There. I said it publicly. I'm making healthy changes to my diet.

This accountability thing is a bitch.