I've Moved!!!

Yep, I've moved!  Same me...same practical content you've come to expect from me...new address!  Come on over and take a look at the new digs at http://simplehealthsource.com/!  Stop in and say hi, leave a comment, share with others, and subscribe so you can stay in the loop!  Hope to see you soon!

Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

What's cooking in your house tonight?  For us, it's Vegetarian Black Bean Chili, a family favorite!  It's a dark, rainy day here and this was the perfect thing to have simmering all afternoon.  The house smells amazing!  Here's the recipe if you want to give it a try!

Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

1 yellow onion, chopped
2 sliced celery stalks
1 red bell pepper, deseeded and diced
10 oz. mushrooms (canned are ok if no fresh available)
1 can diced tomatoes (or can use fresh tomatoes if desired)
2 oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can corn, (optional)
1 small can tomato paste
3 cups water
3 tsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp sea salt or pink Himalayan salt
3 Tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on low for approximately 5 hours.  If you need it faster, cook on high for 2-3 hours OR cook in a large dutch oven on the stove at lowest setting for 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Enjoy!

Putting First Things First

It's been quite a summer!  I had big plans of all I wanted to accomplish during our few months off from homeschooling.  And big plans of all the fun we were going to have as a family.  What I hadn't planned on, was getting sick.  It started as just a little cough, but it just wouldn't go away.  I didn't have any other symptoms at all, just an annoying, nagging little cough, that gradually grew into an annoying, nagging bigger cough.  I ignored it as long as I could - after all, I don't "get sick"!  I've barely had more than a sniffle the past couple of years!  I finally broke down and went to the doctor but they couldn't figure out the cause.  That just started a long cycle of testing and antibiotics that didn't really do anything.  To make a long story short, it was finally determined that I had pertussis (whooping cough) and I actually ended up in the hospital for 4 days with severe upper abdominal pain, which we later found was caused from my coughing pulling one of my ribs slightly loose!  I was frustrated!  I had summer plans, I have kids and a husband who need me at home, I have work to do...but I had to take a break from pretty much everything!  But during this down time I was able to really stop and reflect on my priorities.  Over the past few months, I'd let things slip here and there and basically, my priorities were all out of whack!  I was suddenly forced to slow down and, now that I look back, it was EXACTLY what I needed.  I NEEDED to slow down and listen to God's 'still small voice'.  I NEEDED to take a good hard look at the needs of my family.  I NEEDED to re-prioritize pretty much my whole life.  This past month has been amazing as I've worked to put first things first again and focus on the important things in life.  So while I hated coughing up a lung for over a month and wasn't too crazy about staying in bed and being hospitalized, I am thankful!  Thankful for the down time to rest and recuperate; thankful for the friends and family who pitched in to help me out during a tough time; and yes, even thankful fore being forced to slow down and refocus my priorities.  God always know just what I need, when I need it.  

In Health,

Me in the hospital with my Shakeology - definitely needed to get in that nutrition then!

Gold Medal Philosophy

All eyes are on London and the 2012 Olympic Games these days!  I've been following the games closely as I've got TWO countries to keep up with, being from the USA but living in the FSM.  Something I was just thinking about this past weekend is one part of the Olympic training process that isn't nearly as much in the spot light as the athletes themselves and that's the Coaches.  The Coaches are just as dedicated to the Games, just as involved, put in just as many hours, and really, without them, the athletes wouldn't get very far.  I know most of us will never be an Olympic athlete; but that doesn't mean we should just wing it on our own through life.  Regardless of our ambitions in life, we should adopt a 'gold medal philosophy' and along with that comes having a coach who will drive us to do our best.  Do you have that person you can depend on to give you the push when you need it?  Someone who will check up on  you to see if you got in your workout today or ate the way you should?  Do you have someone you can call on anytime?  Ask anything?  Someone who's there to push you to your personal best in your own fitness and health?  I do! And I'm so thankful for my coach!  She's someone who's been there through all this before hand, done it herself, faced the ups and downs, and stuck with me no matter how many times I fall.  And she's taught me how to do the same for others!  That's why I coach!  So don't think you have to go it alone.  Don't be afraid to reach out; I'm here to push you to do your personal best!  Make the commitment to focus on your health and train like a gold medalist!

In Health,

Get Fit in July for FREE!!!

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?   Are you tired of trying to figure out how to get fit and healthy on your own?  Have you been on the fence about trying a Beachbody workout program such as P90X or TurboFire?  What if you could change everything in the next 30 days and do it for FREE?  Yep, for this month only, all you pay is $14.95 shipping and handling plus tax!  

What you get:

• Your choice of P90X, TurboFire, or Brazil Butt Lift
• A full bag of Shakeology - your choice of Chocolate, Greenberry, or Tropical Strawberry
• AWESOME support and FUN in our privately coached Facebook group, Power Starters.

Click on the program of your choice for details!

If you do not see results, you can return the package within 30 days and pay nothing (less shipping/handling).   So seriously, what have you got to lose?  Give it a try! 

Dangers of Aspartame

I came across this photo on Facebook recently and wanted to share here.  I'm amazed at how many people still regularly consume products with aspartame, even after all the research and studies that now prove it's dangerous effects.  According to Dr. Mercola of mercola.com, just a few of the common symptoms caused by aspartame are:  headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.  He went on to mention that the following chronic illnesses can be triggered by aspartame:  brain tumors, Multiple Sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.  

Aspartame IS a toxic poison and you will suffer from withdrawal symptoms as you wean yourself off of it.  I strongly recommend you do so though.  The temporary discomfort of withdrawal is a much better choice over a lifetime of rehabilitation from a chronic illness!  

You may be asking now, "what do I use instead?"  Good question!  Unfortunately, many simply turn to other artificial sweeteners such as Splenda.  I do not believe this is a good substitute at all.  I have posted info concerning Splenda in the past, which you may read HERE.  There is much debate over many other sweeteners as well and I'm sure there isn't a single one that everyone will agree on!  For me and my family personally, we use raw honey in small quantities and occasionally pure maple syrup.  We drink WATER!  For those used to a steady diet of sodas and sweetened drinks, this may sound, well, impossible!  But I assure you, make the commitment to go 21 days drinking ONLY water (and lots of it!) and you will be surprised at how your tastes change!  Give it a try!  

In Health,

Black Bean Burgers!

Ok, this recipe may sound weird to you; it sure sounded weird to me!  BUT we all loved it at our house!  I decided to NOT tell my family what it was; I just said we were having burgers.  After dinner (and hearing them go on and on about how these were the best burgers ever!), I let them in on my little secret that there wasn't any meat at all!  They were so surprised!  I found the original recipe on Food Network but I adapted it a little.  So here's my version:

1/2 yellow onion roughly chopped
1 tbsp chopped garlic
2 15 oz cans of black beans, rinsed and drained
Cilantro and parsley to taste
1 egg
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 cup raw oatmeal, ground (I just pulse mine in the blender a few times)
Himalayan salt to taste

In a food processor, combine all ingredients.  My food processor was having "issues" so I mashed it all and combined by hand - messy but kinda fun!  Divide into 4 portions and shape into patties.  Lightly spray griddle with cooking spray and cook each patty through, turning occasionally.  Serve on whole wheat buns with whatever burger toppings you like!  These would go GREAT with homemade Oven Fries or Sweet Potato Fries!!!

Coach Summit Announcements: Chapter 3!!!

Can you imagine working out with FIVE THOUSAND people, all with the same vision of ending the trend of obesity!?!?  Can you imagine working out LIVE with Tony Horton, Shaun-T, Chalene Johnson, Debbie Siebers, and other Beachbody trainers?  You don't have to just imagine, because it became a REALITY at the 2012 Team Beachbody Coach Summit in June!  And yes, it will be a REALITY AGAIN next summer!!!    This awesome live workout is only open to coaches though, so join my coaching team NOW to get in on next summer's Coach Summit and Live workout!  Go on, we'll wait while you sign up!  (Sign up here!)

Ok, you're back?  Signed up and ready to go?  All right then, let's continue on with MORE Summit Announcements!

What to tell you about next?  Hmmm, how about something a little different from the usual awesome workout programs and nutritional products that Beachbody has to offer.  How about something for your skin?  Yep, Team Beachbody is now offering the breakthrough skincare treatment, Derm Exclusive!  "This incredibly powerful system of treatments works to fight the four signs of aging - fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin, dark spots, and diminishing radiance.  In other words, your face will love it!"  Click here to take a look at the Introductory Kit!

What would a Team Beachbody announcement be without a new workout program?  Umm, well, I don't know; I haven't seen one!  New workout coming soon?  You bet!  "The martial arts are coming to Beachbody via LES MILLS trainers!  Body Combat will be available first for preorder, and we'll let you know official dates as soon as we have them.  Meanwhile, ask anyone who was at the Summit Super Workout how they liked trying Combat!"  I can't wait for this one!!!!  It sounds like MY kind of workout!!!

Check back later for MORE announcements!!!!  Yep, there's MORE! 

In Health,

Add caption

Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July from Simple Health For Life and Team Beachbody!!!!  

Coach Summit Announcements: Chapter 2!!!

My list of Coach Summit announcements is growing and growing fast!!!  What to share next?!?!  Ok, so here goes:  we're going to talk about the NEW Shakeology!!!!  Yep, the latest and greatest in the Shakeology family is Chocolate VEGAN Shakeology!  This new version was announced at Summit and attending coaches were able to sample it.  And so far, I've only hear positive reviews of the taste!  I'm anxious to try it out myself!  You too?  You won't have to wait long!  It's being release to the public this week!  On June 26th, it will be available in the Team Beachbody online store so be sure to check back then to order yours!  Here's a short video from CEO Carl Daikeler himself telling a little more about the new Shakeology:

Another new product released at Summit is the new Shakeology airtight storage container designed to preserve the freshness of the whole-food ingredients!  Looking forward to ordering several for all our Shakeology flavors!  

So check back soon to order the new Shakeology flavor!!!  Meanwhile, here's a recipe to try with the Tropical Strawberry Shakeology flavor:

In Health,

Summit Announcements! Chapter 1 :)

This week is the annual Team Beachbody Coach Summit!  I wish I was there! BUT, being halfway around the world at this time, it just wasn't possible for me to make it this year.  Even though I'm not there, I'm keeping on top of the new announcements from Summit and will be updating my readers here on new products and other news as it's announced at Summit!  SO, keep checking back here as I've got a LOT to share with you already!  Want to be at the next Coach Summit YOURSELF???  Message me for info on how to make that possible!!!  Going to start with one of the newest workout programs, NOW available!  Some of you guys I know have been anxiously awaiting the release of this one, and I'm sure some of you gals have as well!  If building muscle size is what you're after, then this is the program for you!  Already know you want this one?  Click on the image below to order!

Here's what Team Beachbody has to say of The Beast:

How Body Beast™ Will Transform Your Body

If you want to get big—we mean really, really big—Body Beast™ is the program for you. Here's how you can transform your body over the next three months.

Body Beast is the brainchild of former Israeli army vet and bodybuilder Sagi Kalev. Kalev, a bodybuilder since the age of 16, relied upon his years of personal trial and error, as well as his degree in physical education and nutrition to develop the Body Beast program that will help you get results beyond what you've ever imagined possible.

Are you ready to awaken that Beast inside you?

With Dynamic Set Training™

We took the best of old-school bodybuilding and combined it with cutting-edge sports science to develop Dynamic Set Training™ that will fatigue your muscles more than you ever thought possible with Single Sets, Super Set, Giant Sets, Progressive Sets, Drop Sets, Tempo Sets, and more. In return, your muscles reward you by getting huge.

With an Intense Training Schedule

So that you can follow the program that fits your needs, we've carved out two different training schedules. If you only care about getting big, follow the Huge Beast schedule.

If you have fat to lose, follow the Lean Beast schedule. This schedule incorporates more cardio workouts so you can shed the fat covering your growing muscles. Just know that both 12-week schedules are hard, so don't feel like you're taking the easy way out if you go through "Lean Beast" first.

By Eating Like a Beast

If you really want to see results, you need to eat right. Within the Book of Beast, we'll walk you through a nutrition plan that combines healthy meals with key supplements so you can build big, strong muscles.

"The harder your work, the faster your muscles will grow."—Sagi Kalev

Yes, there ARE more announcements coming up soon and yes, they ARE pretty awesome!  So check back often over the next week!  

In Health,

Kabocha Squash!

Going to share here one of my family's favorite recipes from the Ultimate Reset.  LOVE this recipe and we've used it several times since finishing the Reset.  We had it earlier this week and I'm still enjoying the leftovers for lunch.  We've actually got two recipes here as one is for the main dish itself and the other is a recipe using the leftovers for lunch the next day.  

Kabocha Squash with Garlic-Tahini Filling

1 kabocha squash, seeds removed
8 Tbsp. sesame tahini
4 tsp miso paste
1 tsp finely chopped garlic
4 tsp extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degress.  Place squash on baking sheet lined with foil.  Mix together tahini, miso, garlic, and oil and pour over squash; bake for 30 minutes or until squash is fork tender.  Serves 4.

(* Note:  I found the first time I prepared this that the squash took longer than 30 minutes to cook and as a result, the filling got a little burned.  The next time I fixed it, I cooked the squash till slightly soft first, then added the filling and cooked the rest of the way.  It was perfect that time!)

A recipe with the leftovers!

Kabocha Squash Coconut Soup

Mix 1 serving Kabocha Squash with 1/2 cup coconut milk; puree in the blender till smooth.  Heat through.  Serves 2.

I had this soup for lunch today!  Delicious!

Enjoy!  In Health,

It's Time To Celebrate!!!

Yep, I'm celebrating!!!!!  Yesterday I successfully completed the 21 days of the Ultimate Reset!!!!!  Three weeks of following the program...three weeks of 100% clean eating without the slightest bit of cheating...three weeks of NO coffee, chocolate, sweets, and a whole lot of other things...three weeks of focusing on my health...three weeks of reflection on my life, my blessings, my circumstances and what needs to change that I have the ability to change...three weeks of resetting a whole lot more than just my health.  It was an amazing journey, often a very difficult one, but one that I do not regret for one second!  I am so glad I made the decision to do this.  What have I learned these three weeks?  Couldn't even begin to tell it all!!!  A few things I plan to continue...

1. While I will not stay 100% vegan, I am adopting a more plant-based lifestyle.  We'll aim at eating vegan around 4 days out of the week at our house.
2. I've learned how much easier life is when the menu is all planned out in advance!!!  That's definitely something that's going to continue in our home!  And yes, we'll be repeating quite a few of the Reset meals.  They were delicious for the most part!
3. Introducing my family to foods we've never tried before!  We all found it to be fun throughout the Reset and want to continue learning about new foods and trying them out.  And yes, as we try new things, I'll blog here about it so you can give it a try too!
4. Staying off the caffeine addiction!  I have actually gone 4 weeks now without coffee and feel really good.  I did have my first cup this morning after my lab work was done, because, yeah, I've missed the taste.  But it will only be a treat a couple times a week rather than several times a day from now on!!!  And if I start to feel myself getting hooked again, I'll go a week or two without it completely - the addiction is just not worth it!

These are just a few things I wanted to share!  But here's the exciting part for me!!!  My results!!!!  Ok, I wasn't exactly overweight before the Reset, but over the last year through all the stress of having a child with special medical needs, the weight had gradually crept back.  I spent a lot of time in hospitals with my daughter and that often meant eating vending machine food and not exercising.  I mean, when you're baby is in PICU, you can't exactly ask for time off to go do P90X! :)  So I was hoping these three weeks would reset my metabolism and jump start my weight loss again.  And it did!!!!  In just three weeks I lost 10 pounds and 12.25 inches overall!!!!!  I was beyond pleased with the final results!  And now that I'm free to go back to my workout routine, I hope to see that number change even more!  Ok, now for my lab results.  I was surprised Pre-Reset to find my Triglycerides were high!  And my fasting blood sugar was slightly high as well.  Everything else was in the normal range so these were my main focus.  Today though, my Triglycerides had dropped from 162 to 64 (the normal range is 30-150)!!!!  My fasting blood sugar dropped from 115 to 106, so now in the normal range as well.  Even though my cholesterol was in the normal range before, it still dropped from 208 to 155!  

So, there you have it!  My results!!!  I'm VERY happy with this!  So how about YOU?  Do you feel tired and run down?  Do you need to lose some weight, change your metabolism, lower your cholesterol, or just flat out get in better health?  Why don't you try the Ultimate Reset and see what kind of results you get???  I'm here to support you through this!  So don't be afraid to give it a try!

In the Home Stretch!

Good morning!!!!  It's a beautiful morning here on my little island...I'm enjoying a beautiful sunrise over the Pacific ocean with an absolutely amazing breeze this morning!  So thankful for the gift of this morning!  AND, I'm in the homestretch of the Ultimate Reset!  Today is Day 19 and after today, only two days left!!!!  Woohoo!  Can you tell I'm excited?  This has been an amazing journey...full of ups and downs...feelings of awesomeness and feelings, of, well, not so awesome.  I'm glad it's coming to an end, but am so grateful for the chance I had to do this and for the lessons I've learned along the way.  I've become much more disciplined in the area of meal planning (didn't really have a choice for three weeks!); I've learned to focus more on eating fruits and veggies; I've learned (still learning, really) how to relax and breathe when trouble attacks my life and to just let go!  I picked this time in my life to do the Reset because I thought it would the perfect time, without a lot of stress or extra things going on in my life.  Ha!!!  These three weeks have turned out to be some of the most stressful and difficult weeks my husband and I have ever experienced in our work here on Pohnpei!  But yet I've had a calm and control I've not experienced before during tough times!  

Thank you for following my journey.  I would love to hear how maybe it's had just a bit of an impact on you.  Please feel free to comment!  And check back later this week as I'll be posting my post-Reset results and lab work.  I can't wait to see the official changes!

Day 16 Thoughts and My New Discovery: Caramel Chai!

Day 16 on the Ultimate Reset!!!!  Only FIVE days left!!!!  I've finally started to allow myself to think about "life after Reset"!! :)  Obviously, I don't want to throw my efforts away and start eating junk again!  No way!  I will continue eating similar foods but starting to add in some lean protein as well.  And yes, I probably will have an occasional cup of coffee.  Meanwhile, I am surviving without coffee!  I learned that while on the Reset, you are allowed herbal tea and that was a life-saver for me!  I only had a little tea left and living where things are limited in the stores, I searched online for a good tea that would ship here.  And this is what I found:  Caramel Chai Red Tea!  It's caffeine free, Vegan, organic, fair trade, and gluten free.  I kind of expected it to be taste-free too, but it was REALLY good!  I've found a new favorite!  This particular brand had lots of wonderful sounding teas like Chocolate Chai and Hazelnut Chai.  Can't wait to try them all!  

My Newest Favorite Black Bean Recipe

Day 14 on the Ultimate Reset!!!  I've got a recipe for you to try!  Last night's dinner menu included Edamame and Roasted Corn Succotash.  Well, on our little island in the middle of nowhere, we can't get edamame SO I had to improvise.  I made the same recipe but substituted black beans!  It was delicious!  And for those of you who have followed my blog for any time at all know I LOVE any recipe with black beans!  So here's my version of the Succotash:

Black Bean and Roasted Corn Succotash

3/4 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
1/2 cup frozen corn, cooked and drained
1/2 shallot, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 red onion, diced
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro (I had to use dried as I can't get fresh cilantro here)
Himalayan salt and herbal seasoning (to taste)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and arrange corn in single layer on baking sheet.  Roast for 10 minutes, or until caramelized and beginning to brown but not harden.  Remove and let cool.  Saute onion, shallot, and bell pepper in oil for 10 minutes or until soft.

Add corn and black beans to onion mixture; cook on medium for 5 minutes.  Add vinegar and removed from heat.  Stir in lime juice, cilantro, salt, and seasoning.  Serves 1.  (I quadrupled the recipe for my family).  

Enjoy!

Detox!!!

Today is Day 13 of the Ultimate Reset for me!!!  I really can't believe I made it this far!  And I haven't cheated once...at all!!!!  This is HUGE for me (those of you who know me well are probably in shock that I've actually gone 13 days without chocolate or coffee!)!  I have to admit, at this point, I am SO ready for this to be done.  Week 2 for me has been much more difficult than the first week.  The first week I had lots of energy and felt really motivated to get things done.  This week, well, let's just say I need a major pep talk to just move from one room to another.  I have no appetite whatsoever, which is very unusual for me, but really probably a good thing.  I have to remember my body is detoxing and it take's a toll on your system.  There's a good reason why I feel so blah this week!  On the up side, I've lost 5 lbs, have ZERO cravings, never feel hungry anymore, and am learning to like some foods I never thought I'd like (and my kids have too!).  This week is the "Release" phase which means adding in the Detox supplement.  The first day was SO hard to get it down.  It looked like I was drinking a glass of mud.  And actually, kind of tasted like it too!  But by about day 3 of using the detox, I didn't notice the taste at all and just chugged it right on down.  Doesn't bother me at all now, though I will be glad to be finished with it tomorrow! ;)  

Ok, so maybe some of you who have followed my Ultimate Adventure of Detoxing are wondering, why on earth would anyone WANT to do this!?  Here's the thing:  we're often bombarding our systems with junk food, stress, overworking, toxins, you name it.  Think this has no affect on our bodies?  Think again!  What the Ultimate Reset is according to Beachbody CEO Carl Daikeler: "It's a 21 day program that retrains your body how to heal itself and teaches you how to eat clean.  Over the course of this 21 days you won't exercise, but you will gain more energy, lose weight, dump toxins that are stored in and inhibiting the release of excess fat, and refresh all your natural energy systems."  Sounds good to me!  I knew this is exactly what my body needed right now, and even though it's tough, I WILL stick it out!  Want to join me?  Contact me or visit www.MyUltimate Reset.com/sueannk to take a look at the program!

You Don't Have To Go It Alone! (Why I Am a Coach!)

I've had lots of people ask why I became a coach, and I'm sure I've probably given quite a variety of answers. There really are a lot of reasons why I do what I do and this is something I've been reflecting on quite a bit lately.  Why do I coach?  I coach because I have a passion for health and fitness.  I coach because I love helping others. I coach because it keeps me motivated long after I normally would have given up.  I coach because of the joy I get when a client hits their goal weight or reaches a longed-for milestone.  I coach because of the thrill that comes with belonging to such an awesome community of like-minded people.  I coach because it breaks my heart to see people age before their time because of poor health choices and see the suffering it brings to their loved ones.  I coach because of the relief I can see in clients as they realize they don't have to do this alone.  And while this reason may sound like a strange one to some of you, I coach because I know this is what God wants me to do.  This isn't a 'job' to me.  This is a huge part of my calling in life!  And I wouldn't want it any other way!

In Health,

For free Coaching in Health and Fitness, contact me and I can help you get started on a path to better health.  I can also get you started in one of my 90 Day Challenge Groups!!  Message me!  Don't put it off another day!

Day 6 of My Ultimate Adventure!

I've made it through six days!!!!!  It's hard to believe it's been six days already!  And what a six days it's been! Life happens and things have come up that have put a lot of stress on our family this past week, but I'm happy to say, I have stuck to the Ultimate Reset plan 100%!  

I really felt great the first 5 days.  Today I was a little tired feeling though, but after a busy weekend, that's not really surprising.  I just felt a little off today, but other than that, I'm very happy with the results so far.  I've lost 3 lbs. so far, my clothes are fitting better, my rings are even looser, I seem to be able to think more clearly which has resulted in getting more accomplished, and really just feel better overall.

I've gotten acquainted with some foods I had never tried before and I found I really like them!  I've found I love quinoa, raw cashews, and Himalayan salt.  I've found I'm not too crazy about the Alkalinize green drink (but I have chugged it down all six days and it DOES get easier each time) or steamed kangkong (what we're having to substitute for spinach and kale since those aren't available on our island).  I've found I obviously had an addiction to evening snacking, which has been difficult to give up, as well as coffee, and I've found that I really can go to bed at night without my cell phone by my bed (yes, that actually is part of the cleanse - no cell phones or other electronics in the room where you sleep!).  My kids have learned to try new foods and my husband lost 10 lbs and he's technically not even doing the cleanse! (Yes, I'm a little jealous on that one!).  So overall, so far it's been a great experience for our whole family.  

Tonight's meal included something that sounded so strange to me:  Zucchini-Cashew Soup!  But believe me, it is SO good!  So I'm sharing the recipe for you to give it a try.  Enjoy!

Zucchini-Cashew Soup

Ingredients
1 large or 2 small zucchini, cut into chunks and steamed
¼ cup raw cashews
Himalayan salt or Bragg® Liquid Aminos (to taste)
Herbal seasoning or fresh herbs, like basil or dill (optional; to taste)
Steamed vegetables (optional; for chunky soup)

Directions
Soak cashews in enough water to cover for 1 hour; drain. Combine cashews, zucchini, salt or aminos, and seasonings in blender and mix until smooth, adding water as needed for desired consistency. Pour into saucepan and reheat gently, but do not boil. For chunky soup, add steamed chopped vegetables of your choice. Can also be served cold. Serves 1.

Nutrition

250 calories
17 g fat
3.5 g saturated fat
0 mg cholesterol
30 mg sodium
21 g carbohydrate
4 g fiber
9 g protein
1,036 mg potassium

My Ultimate Adventure!

And the Adventure begins!!!  I started Day 1 of the Ultimate Reset yesterday and so far, everything's going great!  The Ultimate Reset is a 21 day complete reset for your body.  I've been looking forward to this adventure and will posting about my journey here, so you can get an idea of what it's like too!  If you want to join me, let me know!  I would love company on this journey!  

Day 1

A lot of people I know that have been doing the  Ultimate Reset have complained of severe headaches the first few days.  Surprisingly, I haven't had any!  I have felt great, actually.  I was a little tired and draggy in the afternoon but took a bit of a nap and felt back to normal.  I think part of the reason for not having headaches (or maybe all) is the fact that I weaned myself from coffee last week rather than waiting and quitting cold-turkey  in one day.  Huge difference!  The food has been amazing!  Breakfast was 2 scrambled eggs, 2 slices whole wheat toast, and steamed kangkong (the meal plan calls for steamed spinach or kale, both of which we can't get here on our island, so I substituted with kangkong which is very similar to spinach).  Lunch was a beautiful salad with a homemade vinaigrette dressing.  Dinner was stir fry veggies with quinoa and cucumber and tomato salad.  Delicious!!!  And I actually can't even finish all the food!  The only down side to the cleanse so far has been the Alkalinize drink - nasty tasting stuff!

Here's a short video of my description of Day 1:

Day 2

Today has been the second day and I still feel great.  Breakfast was 1 cup cooked oatmeal, a mango (scheduled for blueberries but again, cannot get those here!), and 1/2 cup plain yogurt with a drizzle of maple syrup.  Again, delicious AND filling!  Lunch was Quinoa Salad, raw veggie plate, and hummus, again, very filling.   Looking forward to dinner tonight!  

Day 2 Lunch!

Have a great day!  And check back later for more updates on my Adventure!

Blueprints!

This morning in my daily Bible reading time, something that really stuck out to me was Proverbs 4:26 & 27: "Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.  Turn not to the right hand nor to the left..."  This caught my attention particularly since 'planning' has been on my mind a lot lately.  It's easy to get lost in the day-to-day ups and downs of motherhood and just life in general.  It's easy to lose sight of who we are and what we're supposed to do when the "have-to's" far outweigh the "want-to's".  It's easy to find ourselves trying to "just get through one more day" in the midst of diapers, laundry, meal preparation, house work, and more.  It's easy to start to feel like we're losing our "identity" after endless nights of walking the floors with a fussy baby.  Believe me, I've been there!  Ummm, ok, I'm STILL there!   So these verses gave me hope! It's all about having a blueprint for your life!   "Ponder the path of my feet" - think about what I need to do; "let all my ways be established" - plan it out, write it out!; "Turn not to the right hand nor to the left" - stick with it without veering off track!  The rewards are endless!  They're not always immediate; they're not always what we think they should be!  But when the day is done and your child exclaims, "this was the best day ever!", it's all worth it!  When you kiss that precious toddler good night and she finally says for the first time "I wuv you mommy!", it's all worth it!  When your husband compliments you on the delicious and nutritious meal you spent time preparing, it's all worth it!  When that customer you've invested your time in says, "thanks for helping me get my health back on track!", it's all worth it!  I could go on and on with the "rewards" I've experienced just this week, but you probably don't have that kind of time to sit here and read! :)  So yeah, I know we've all heard this but it's SO true:  "Plan your work and then work your plan!"  What's YOUR blueprint for your day, your week, your year, your LIFE?  

In Health,