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!!!