{More} Healthy Happenings in The McGuire Home

Hello! Thought I'd share some new purchases with my growing group of organic foodie friends and family!

 (I'd just like to say that I get SO happy when I receive: a call, text, FB message, etc. from a friend to tell me that they are "interested in eating clean, want some advice how to start, want to set up a phone call date to pick my brain, or want some good resources, etc."

 I LOVE IT and LOVE to help in any way that I can. Remember, I am still {learning} as well, but I can offer whatever help that I have learned...) 

 I got a very sweet text last Friday night  from a close friend in NYC that made my whole night better. She made me so happy that I was a positive influence on her and her hubby's new healthy lifestyle. :) 

Back to my post...some of our new buys included:

1. Organic Rainbow Chard: I'll use this for my green base in my green smoothies {this week} that I make daily. I read that it's good to mix it up and not always use the same: kale or spinach- for example. Let's be clear...ANY greens are better than none in your diet! But if you love to try new ones and get different kinds of health benefits from each, try something new! Chard is a very healthy for us (and it is pretty! ;) 

Pretty, right?! 

2. Red Lentils!  I am determined to make these a main staple in our diet. I bought the red ones because... well, they are pretty too! Haha. Your food should be visually nice to look at... I'm not joking! Your mind is a {very powerful} part of  your health. When you visually appreciate your nutritious food, it makes a positive difference in your health and well being. 

Benefits of Lentils

1. Lower Cholesterol – Lentils help to reduce blood cholesterol since it contains high levels of soluble fiber. Lowering your cholesterol levels reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke by keeping your arteries clean.

2. Heart Health – Several studies have shown that eating high fiber foods like lentils reduces your risk of heart disease. Lentils are also a great source of folate and magnesium, which are big contributors to heart health. Folate lowers your homocysteine levels, a serious risk factor for heart disease. Magnesium improves blood flow, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Low levels of magnesium have been directly associated with heart disease, so eating lentils will keep your heart happy!

3. Digestive Health – Insoluble dietary fiber found in lentils helps prevent constipation and other digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis. 

4. Stabilized Blood Sugar – Adding to the many benefits of fiber, soluble fiber traps carbohydrates, slowing down digestion and stabilizing blood sugar levels. This can be especially helpful for those with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia.

5. Good Protein – Of all legumes and nuts, lentils contain the third-highest levels of protein. 26 percent of lentil’s calories are attributed to protein, which makes them a wonderful source of protein for vegetarians and vegans.

6. Increases Energy – Lentils increase steady, slow-burning energy due its fiber and complex carbohydrates. Lentils are also a good source of iron, which transports oxygen throughout your body and is key to energy production and metabolism.

7. Weight Loss – Although lentils include all these beneficial nutrients like fiber, protein, minerals and vitamins, they are still low in calories and contain virtually no fat. One cup of cooked lentils only contains about 230 calories, but still leaves you feeling full and satisfied.

(Info above taken from MindBodyGreen.com)

3. Sprouted Grain Bread - I guess you can say that we do not follow what I thought was a super healthy lifestyle in the beginning of all this: the Paleo Diet. Don't get me wrong, it is a lot healthier than a lot of health styles out there... But I now understand that healthy grains and legumes (not ok in the Paleo way of eating) are wonderful sources of necessary nutrients for our bodies.

The one I bought before this one was a sprouted nonGMO white bread. I bought {white} to shock Mark and show him that he can have his childhood foods - as long as they're healthy! :) 

Since this one is organic, you won't find any GMOs in here either. 

Had it with my breakfast this morning: fruit with sprouted grain toast and avocado for some healthy fats.

More info:

[ Sprouted grain breads are a healthy alternative to white flour or whole grain flour breads and are starting to become popular among health conscious people and those with mild sensitivities to wheat or gluten. Although, someone with moderate to severe gluten intolerance, Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and allergies should not consume any type of gluten containing product. Even sprouted grains still naturally contain gluten. 

Sprouted grain breads are better not only because they use the whole grain. The process sprouted grains go through breaks down the proteins and carbohydrates in the grain and increases vitamin content.

The sprouted grain process involves soaking the grains in water until they begin to grow a sprout. Enzymes are released during the sprouting process, which break down proteins and carbohydrates. This process helps make sprouted grain food low glycemic and easier to digest. 

Traditional grain breads are harder to digest, and the body loses a good portion of the nutrients because it is unable to digest them. Sprouted grain breads provide the body with grain that has already been broken down due to the enzymes that exist in the living sprouted grain. Nutrients are absorbed immediately into the body, and are not lost in the digestive process.

Sprouted grain breads truly unlock the vital benefits our bodies need from grains. Some of the known benefits include: increased digestibility, increased absorption of minerals, increased antioxidants, and increased vitamin C and vitamin B. ] 

-info from FoodforLife.com

4. Veggies in powder form

I'll be trying these out for a super punch of raw veggies in my daily green smoothies. Ava will be getting this in her juices that I will make her. She will get loads of calcium, protein, fiber, vitamins... the list goes on. And all organic, of course! (no child - or adult-  needs bug & weed poisons in their bodies!) 

You simply pour this little $1.50 packet into your blender along with your other veggies, water, fruits, chia seeds, almond milk, probiotics - whatever you want! Have fun with it... There are some other brands besides this one. (Found across from the probiotics at Whole foods off of Glades Road in Boca Raton- or you can just buy online.)

5. Ok, so I "wised up" and bought a smaller, grinder form for my Himalayan salt. We use this salt now rather than the white salt. (see my 1st Healthy Happenings post for explanation) Basically, this salt actually is 100% natural, works WITH our bodies- not against it- and contains many compounds found in our bodies. 

The rock I bought is still awesome but my grater didn't make it... It bent within a couple weeks. Purchased at Whole foods. 

6. Some gluten free grains. The black rice is new.  Haven't tried it yet but I thought it would look pretty when I mix it in with the red lentils to fill up the 2 huge mushrooms I am making for dinner. 

We have tried this one already - very good :) 

7. A friend recently asked me if there was  such a thing as "organic meat." Yes, there is...

Remember, Publix sells "Greenwise" meats, but that doesn't mean that it is organic. Sure, it is a better option than the alternative with (whatever it says on the package? "No antibiotics, hormones, etc." something like that... 

Certified Organic meats are going to ensure that you are eating animals that were not fed genetically modified corn maze. Most animals are fed this way now because it is cheaper than letting them graze naturally. So that means, the animals are eating nutrient deficient food that is harming them, and then your family would consume that. If you are going to consume meat, make sure you're eating meat that is packed with nutrients from the earth and not GMOs. 

8. Some quick soups.  I really need to start making my own soups... I'm sure it is simple, but I haven't crossed that bridge yet. These are some quick sides that I can warm on the stove top for dinners.   

9. SPROUTED red, white, and black Quinoa! Sprouted gives actual life to your plants and the closer a plant is to when it was growing, the more nutrients it has for your body.  That's some of the thought process behind people who shop at farmer's markets (besides supporting local farmers :) 

The produce has been picked recently  rather than being shipped around the world, held in warehouses, etc. - so you get more nutrients. The longer it has been off the tree, the more nutrients it is losing.  "Sprouted" and "local" (and, of course, grown organically)  is better :)

And here is a recipe that I want to try! For those that don't know, I am obsessed with pumpkin spice everything. I always look forward to the Fall for my pumpkin spice! ....okay, that and FSU football. :)

And last but not least...

My mom bought us this super natural (and amazing) body soap.  It smells so good. It has an almond aroma that consumes your shower. We like it, thanks mom! 

Dr. Bronner's products are great. Certified Fair Trade, never tested on animals, and 100% vegetarian, no synthetic oils, no detergents,

*Made in the USA*

Simple Ingredients: water, organic coconut oil, potassium hydroxide, organic olive oil, organic fair deal hemp oil, organic Jojoba oil, natural almond fragrance, citric acid, tocopherol   

It is a little pricey, but I swear we have had it for like 2 weeks and had only used the tippy top of the bottle. A little goes A LONG WAY.  (I swear, we bathe every day!) :-) 

Well, that's it for now... Send me some ideas of what you're using, eating, and enjoying! 

XO

Christina 

Perfect Parfait Porridge-Homemade Almond Milk- Green Juice

Here we go! Today's delicious breakfast and recipes... 

Ok, so I will start by saying...my mom made homemade almond milk yesterday and also prepared a "perfect parfait porridge" for me. :) I loved both SO much that I just had to share!

The recipie for the parfait porridge is found on Food Babe's website (follow her on Facebook - she is amazing.) 

FYI: my mom used rolled oats (you'll see the suggestions on the recipe) 

Link: http://foodbabe.com/2011/08/21/the-perfect-parfait-porridge/

The way to make homemade almond milk is in here too: super super easyyyy!!! 

The parfait is prepared the day before and sets overnight. Who doesn't love a cute mason jar?!

Just my daily green juice: this morning it was made like this...

I think the hardest part about healthy  recipes like the parfait, for example, is that they call for ingredients that many of us are not accustomed to buying/or even heard of. One thing I am learning (and love) is that it is so much fun to go out of your comfort zone and learn to make something with better ingredients. You'll never regret making a healthier dish...so you have nothing to lose. 

And trust me on the recipe above, it was delicious. It says you can eat it cold or heat it. I heated mine and it was the best, comfort food tasting breakfast I've had in a long time. This is wonderful for working parents on the go... Or anyone for that matter!! You prepare the day before, let it sit overnight and heat it up at work. Simple & healthy. All nonGMO and organic.

Hope you like it as much as I did! Thanks, mom! I'll make the next batches.  

Play date!

Today, Ava and I ventured out to Weston for a play date with Carter & Kelsey. 

It was nice getting to catch up with Kristine(their mama) and fellow mom friend of mine who also went to high school with me. (Her husband did too.) 

Now that they are sitting up by themselves it was nice to see them playing with the musical toys, chewing on each other's toys... You get it :) 

Kristine and Mike were living in Plantation when we first met up, so I got to see their new home in Weston. It was very nice and had a lot of space to play for the kiddos. 

Ava is only about 2 weeks older but about 5lbs heavier than Kelsey. Don't let Kelsey's petite frame fool you though... She is already standing up and crawling! I was so impressed!!! 

Carter is getting so big! He is almost 2 years old :) He loves being close and showing us all his toys. He was getting a kick out of my phone and snapped about 50 pictures. Haha. 

We didn't get too many photos because of course I remember to take some RIGHT before nap time. No one was in a photo shoot kind of mood..haha. These are the best ones I got. :)

 Showing Carter how we can see our reflection in the phone screen. 

It is always nice getting to hang out with a fellow mom- especially one that I have already known for years. She is also a "like-minded" mama so she gets me and is very into organic, natural living when possible. 

Thank you, Kristine for having us over to your beautiful, new home. Ava and I had a great time! 

Mommy & Me Yoga

Today seemed like a good day to try our first class as a mother-daughter duo. Why has it taken me this long!? Well for one, this class fit perfectly into our eating/napping schedule. The class was given at Boca Raton Children's Museum from 10-10:30AM. It was perfect. The moms were extremely friendly and all the kids (and little yoga mats!) were adorable. It wasn't a large class but I have a feeling that it will get bigger. Ava fit right in... They encourage children as young as 4 months to as old as 4 years old. 

Ava was so vocal during yoga. She wanted to talk to all the babies and kids! It is nice to be around adults that understand that babies will be babies and make noise - and that it is OKAY :) 

Ava was the only one wearing a bow so she figured she would just eat it. 

Amy is a great instructor! So patient and kind. She makes the class feel very casual and warm. 

The little girl being held by her mom all the way to the right was Ava's buddy. She would walk to me and A from time to time and smile, wave hi, or sit on my mat with us. 

We have definitely found something that is a great "fit" for us. I look forward to continuing Bikram yoga (aka: hot yoga) as a personal activity for "me time" as well as being able to do these kinds of yoga classes {with} Ava. 

This is not a yoga pose... Just me and A having fun after class and a nice mom capturing the moment. :) We do this a lot at home. It is her superwoman pose and she LOVES it! 

Came home and made my daily green juice! This one was spinach, ginger, lemon, mango, and sprouts


How was your morning? Hope everyone has a nice rest of their Monday!

XO

Christina 

Healthy Happenings in The McGuire Home

 Hello! 

Recently I was asked by a few friends if I can give them an example of my grocery list and some ideas for recipes... To be honest, we cook pretty simple/basic dinners. We try to always eat whole and healthy foods. Whole meaning, not processed but in the original state it was grown. 

A usual night consists of a fish/chicken/red meat (always organic so that it was not fed GMO corn - this is what our animals are fed now most of the time if it does not say Organic - and a veggie/salad/soup/and or legumes with it. 

We are still pretty much doing an Organic, Paleo diet in our home. We cut out dairy a while back when I started to learn and had an "Aha" moment about how cow's milk is not supposed to be consumed unless you are a calf! 

An article I read if you're interested in this : Dr. Mark Hyman on 6 Reasons to Be Dairy Free

And another one: 

NY Times - Got Milk ? You Don't Need It

I understand that some people may believe otherwise, and that's ok! Everyone has to do what is best for THEIR family. For mine, we understand and have researched that dairy is not something that was always consumed by humans (it is actually very recent in human history.) When I read that humans are the only species on Earth that drink another animal's milk...a light bulb went off. Why do we think it is SO important to drink milk? Because our grandparents did? Because the food pyramid contains it? Because the dairy industry tells us so? 

Do your own thinking, research, and do what feels right to you. It isn't that you cannot take in dairy. For many, they digest it just fine - like me. I have never had a problem with dairy - that I know of. Many in this country are lactose intolerant. This is increasing. I wondered why. Many things are different with the milk today than what went in for our parents and grandparents. For one, tons of things are added to the milk. Secondly, cows (inorganic) are fed corn now ( GMO corn!) rather than what they are biologically supposed to eat - grass. They eat the GMO corn, we eat or drink from the cow = we get GMO in our system. See how that sneaks in?  All because it is faster and cheaper for the industry. I feel badly for farmers in this country. They get into trouble if they do not use these methods. That's a whole other post. So I'll continue with this one now...

Let me be clear here: I do not post this stuff to influence you and your family. I write this to record OUR journey on a healthy lifestyle. I also do it to share with friends who have showed interest (and asked me to share) in learning what we do in our home. All I encourage is for you to open your eyes, do YOUR RESEARCH, and look at what & why you eat the things you do. It is a short enough life as it is, might as well make it the best life you can  - right? 

Okay... back to our finds:

Our new Himalayan salt rock! No more table salt in our home! :) 

I wanted salt that was all natural and in the original state that it was made. No added chemicals, bleaching, etc. 

Salt is needed for us to live.... but you should have the RIGHT kind of salt in your body. Real salt. After my readings, I learned about this salt. It is pretty much the best you can get. The best chefs in the world use this. 

Himalayan salt is mined by hand still today - not dynamite.  

(below: found on Dr. Mercola's website...)

 Containing all of the 84 elements found in your body, the benefits of natural Himalayan Crystal Salt include:

1. Regulating the water content throughout your body.
2. Promoting a healthy pH balance in your cells, particularly your brain cells. <---A healthy pH level in our bodies is KEY!
3. Promoting blood sugar health and helping to reduce the signs of aging.
4. Assisting in the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in your body.
5. Absorption of food particles through your intestinal tract.
6. Supporting respiratory health.
7. Promoting sinus health.
8. Prevention of muscle cramps.
9. Promoting bone strength.
10. Regulating your sleep -- it naturally promotes sleep.
11. Supporting your libido.
12. Promoting vascular health.
13. In conjunction with water it is actually essential for the regulation of your blood pressure."

I bought it here (below) for about $20 (the salt grinder was $6 when purchased together) 

I love this store. It is in Mizer Park in Boca Raton, FL. 

A friend of mine was nice enough to post her Himalayan salt that she purchased at Whole Foods. This may be a more convenient choice for those who don't want a salt rock like mine---"Fred Flinstone style" as my mom put it. Ha! So if you are looking for a new, healthy option for amazing salt: try this! (below)

Himalayan vs Normal table salt

Normal table salt: 

For every gram of sodium chloride that your body cannot get rid of, your body uses 23 times the amount of cell water to neutralize the salt. Eating common table salt causes excess fluid in your body tissue, which can contribute to:

• Unsightly cellulite
• Rheumatism, arthritis and gout
• Kidney and gall bladder stones 

"What remains after typical salt is "chemically cleaned" is sodium chloride -- an unnatural chemical form of salt that your body recognizes as something completely foreign. This form of salt is in almost every preserved product that you eat. Therefore, when you add more salt to your already salted food, your body receives more salt than it can dispose of.

Typical table salt crystals are totally isolated from each other. In order for your body to try to metabolize table salt crystals, it must sacrifice tremendous amounts of energy.This is important as over 90% of the money that people spend on food is for processed food.

Inorganic sodium chloride can keep you from an ideal fluid balance and can overburden your elimination systems.

When your body tries to isolate the excess salt you typically expose it to, water molecules must surround the sodium chloride to break them up into sodium and chloride ions in order to help your body neutralize them. To accomplish this, water is taken from your cells in order to neutralize the unnatural sodium chloride.

This results in a less-than-ideal fluid balance in the cells."

Vegenaise!!! This stuff is great when you need Mayo. I had heard about this stuff several times and figured I would try it. Personally, I have never been big into Mayo. I wanted something that would be a healthier option for a main staple in our refrigerator. On the back it even has the Non-GMO Project label (which also means organic - vice versa)

 :) Mark likes it and we both can't taste a difference. Sold! 

 Real honey! Did you know that most of the inorganic honey you buy in the store isn't all natural honey at all?! Many have added preservatives, flavors or using genetically modified bees makes honey both unnatural and non-organic in most cases.

 Buy some real honey. I healthy and natural sweetener made from our Earth's best buddies and our food's pollinators - the bees! 

Just a new tea I like :) 

A new ice cream! I buy this brand (N0n-GMO Project seal) for my coconut milk coffee creamer. I mostly drink tea when I want something warm (or hot water with lemon) but when I crave coffee, I do SoDelicious creamer. Dairy free and they have flavors like hazelnut and french vanilla. My friend MaryAnn told me that they bought this ice cream in ice-cream sandwiches and they were awesome so we hope I like it for our sweet tooth moments. 

We did our last grocery shop at Publix which means our organic choices were very limited (but I will say, Publix is getting better because of consumer demand! Did you see that organic ice cream commercial with the little girls on the porch that they are advertising?) Anyways, I needed a new butter. A real butter. I didn't want something margarine or canola based. That has GMO corn written all over it. 

So even though we barely do dairy, a butter is kind of a staple in the refrigerator. You never know. So although it doesn't say organic, I went with the real Irish butter. I am sure Whole Foods carries more of these. My mom had given me some a while back and it tasted great! Grass-fed cows - no GMO corn fed cows here and no added ingredients. 

See? Simple ingredients.


And here we have Ginger.
 I use ginger in pretty much all my green juices I make. It adds a very crisp and FRESH taste to them.

My Kale-icious smoothie:
Some: Kale, spinach, apple, lemon, small piece of peeled ginger (about half your finger), banana, water. blend. 

Mark thought I should show you some of our salad dressings so he took this picture for me: Delish. 

I use a lot of frozen fruit for my daily smoothies. I would juice but I don't have a juicer so blending will do for now. The fresher the fruit the better for you, but frozen is a lot more affordable and easier to have on hand for longer periods of time. 

Popcorn. Mark eats popcorn (or pickles) as a snack in the evenings. I make sure to go organic here since corn is mainly GMO in the USA unless labeled organic. Again, this means it is genetically modified to grow its own insect poison as it grows  and to withstand large amounts of pesticide (RoundUp) sprayed by its creators:  a company called Monsanto. Monsanto invented RoundUp pesticide and the are the creators of GMO corn, soy, etc. - do you really want the same people who make your food to be the same ones whose specialty is bug poison? Not this girl. 

That little NON GMO Project seal makes me so happy. If something is non-GMO than that means it is organic. vice versa.
Since the US has not banned GMOs in this country or even made it mandatory to have them labeled (like every other developed country) so that consumers are informed - this "NON GMO PROJECT" is a 3rd party that comes in and verifies food products that wish to be reviewed and officially declared free of these harmful ingredients.
When will we catch up to all of the other developed countries?!!?!?

Just a day time snack for me sometimes. 

Look for that 9 at the beginning of the bar code on your produce. That means Organic. 

An organic option for our pantry staple. 

365 is the generic Whole Foods brand. Less expensive than the others with a NON GMO seal and USDA organic. 
We eat Quinoa a lot. Very good for you! 

***Remember, just because Publix makes "Greenwise" brand stuff - that does NOT mean it is organic. The USDA label and NON GMO PROJECT label are the things you need to look for to know if you are really getting an organic product. Some Greenwise brand foods are organic and some are not. Non of their meats are organic but are the better option. (I'm guessing it is because they are fed GMO cornmeal for example and not grass-fed)***

Unfortunately, (long story) Ava was only breast-fed for her 1st month. This is what she drinks now and transitioned wonderfully. On the back, it states that they do not use Genetically engineered ingredients unlike many inorganic formulas. I was devastated when I found out her previous formula did use GMOs. Shame on this country for allowing that. 

I wish I would have known about these sooner! I started giving Ava these probiotics about 3 months ago. If we decide to have another baby, this will be given from day 1. These are live healthy bacteria to keep our gut flora healthy. Our gut is our second brain. I read VERY interesting articles that made to realize what I had been looking for in answers to the higher rates of Autism, ADHD, cancers, etc.
 Article Found here: Click On This
 I encourage parents and future parents to read and make your decisions after your own additional research on how beneficial it is to keep you and your children's gut flora healthy (especially being exposed to all that is in our environment (food and surroundings) now compared to decades ago.  This bottle goes a long way. I use 1/4 tsp in her bottle every day. It is about $12 at Whole Foods. Keep refrigerated. 



PYREX
I like to use our glass Pyrex food storage containers when I can so that our food isn't touching plastic while it is being saved. (As well as glass jars for Ava's "solid" foods and glass bottles - bottle brand is BornFree found at Buy Buy Baby)

 

A grocery cart usual. 

CHIA SEEDS! Wonderful for you! I put these in my smoothies. They can be added to oatmeal, for example, as well. 

Another grocery cart usual. I ALWAYS have KALE! The benefits go on and on. Look it up and see if you'd like to try :) A main ingredient in my daily smoothies. 


For corn chips and corn taco shell options: we use BLUE corn. Organic blue corn tastes the same and has the same price as yellow corn but has more antioxidants. Why not have more bang for your buck! The nice lady at Whole Foods taught me that.
 

Okay, that's it for now. I need to go to bed. For the couple of you that have recently asked me: I will work on a "sample grocery list" and recipes of what a typical dinner of ours looks like for ideas :) 

Oh, I almost forgot: we only cook our food with either olive oil or coconut oil. That's it.

 No canola/vegetable oils - those are full of bad things including GMO corn... Yes, coconut oil is a little more expensive but a little goes a long way. I think I bought this jar a month ago at Whole Foods (buy one get 1 free!) and I've used a quarter of it. 
 

Now go out and make a healthier choice for yourself! ;) 

We have fun learning ways for our family to do so and we hope you do too. 

XO

Christina