About Me

My photo
I'm on a mission: Discover the best foods to fuel the *mind* *body* and *soul* I'm also here to have fun. I am currently a student at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition on my way to becoming a Health Coach and Holistic Nutritionist. Day to day, I live my life according to what I'm going to eat next. When having breakfast I think about what I'm going to eat for lunch; when I'm having lunch I think about what I'm going to eat for dinner. I find that what I eat is a determining factor in how I feel. And what I do is fueled by what I eat. I am a fitness fanatic and a yoga lover. So fuel is vital and is needed for energy maintenance.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

It's Getting Chili Out There


Jeff's Turkey Chili Recipe

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves of garlic

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 tbsp of cumin powder

1 1/2 tbsp - 2 tbsp of red chili powder

1 tbsp of Sriracha sauce

1lb of ground turkey breast

1 can of kidney beans, drained

1 can of black beans, drained

Salt and pepper to taste

1. In a pan, use a little spray or a little oil and fry up the chopped onion and garlic. Once browned, remove onion and put it in a bowl to the side.

2. Re-spray the pan and add the turkey meat. While browning meat, add the cumin powder, the red chili powder and salt and ground pepper.

3. Once the meat is browned, add the can of tomatoes, the beans, chopped onions, garlic and the Sriracha sauce.

4. Set at low heat and cover. Let it simmer for 30-60 minutes. The longer you simmer, the more the flavors come out.

5. Add more salt and pepper to taste.

Option to serve with shredded cheese, cilantro, sour cream, or fresh avocado slices.


ENJOY!

Smells so good I could eat it…

Our Own Candle Company

“Smell my Nuts” 3 layers of flavor: Banana Nut Bread, Coconut, and Hazelnut

-Grapefruit

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub







-Coconut

Skin Trip Coconut Lotion

-Green Tea

C.O. Bigelow Green Tea Glossy Lip Balm



Friday, August 27, 2010

Health Coaches Of Chicago

Check out what we do! Click below.

Visit HealthCoachesofChicago.com

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Simple Steps To Better Health

“Those who think they have no time for healthy eating, will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” – Edward Stanley
It is amazing how many "Aha!" moments I have experienced during my unique nutrition program.
Try to incorporate 1 of these simple but life changing rules each day
1. Drink more water
2. Practice cooking
3. Increase whole grains
4. Increase sweet vegetables
5. Increase leafy green vegetables
6. Experiment with protein
7. Eat less meat, sugar, and processed foods; consume less coffee, alcohol and tobacco
8. Develop self-care habits
9. Have healthy relationships
10. Find physical activity
11. Find work you love or a way to love the work you have
12. Develop a spiritual practice

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

An Odd Couple




Since I am intolerant to cow's milk, I am always trying to find alternatives. My absolute favorite is Goat Cheese. Ever since I found out I can tolerate goat's milk, I've been absolutely LOVING it. Check out my favorite thing to pair goat cheese with...

Figs

Fig and Goat Cheese Pizza

Fig and Goat Cheese Pizza
8 dried figs
4 ounces goat cheese
3 tbsp chopped basil
1 tbsp pine nuts
drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette to glaze
pizza crust of choice or whole wheat pitas

Goat's Milk Ice Cream: Black Mission Fig
Laloo's ice cream is made with 100% goat's milk and has a custard-creamy texture. It is always in my basket at Whole Foods and the flavors are unique and delicious. Their signature flavor and my personal favorite is "Black Mission Fig." I get my dessert fix at 150 calories and also a fiber boost from the pureed figs.
Check out their other flavors: http://www.laloos.com/flavors.php


Sunday, August 8, 2010

Top Picks


Alex's Fav: WEBSITES
I am an avid reader, not only on my kindle but I check out these websites religiously. Visit my all time favorites.

Vitamin G: Health and Fitness http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/blogs/vitamin-g

FitSugar http://www.fitsugar.com/

Corepower Yoga http://www.corepoweryoga.com/

Huffington Post: Living http://www.huffingtonpost.com/living/

Daily Candy http://www.dailycandy.com/chicago/

CHEW Chicago: Complete Health Education and Wellness http://www.chewchicago.com/

Livestrong: Health, Fitness, Lifestyle http://www.livestrong.com/

Daily OM: Nurturing Mind Body and Spirit http://www.dailyom.com/

Omega-3s

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS

Add walnuts, you need your omega-3s today.

Sprinkle some flaxseed on your cereal, it’ll give it a kick of omega-3s.

Pick the salmon, it's loaded with omega-3s.

Okay fine sounds great but what are omega-3s?!?

Omega-3 fatty acids…

-essential fatty acids that our body can’t make so we have to get them through food

-found in fish such as salmon, tuna, halibut, nut oils, flaxseeds, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, canola oil, avocado, arugula, tofu, edamame, brussel sprouts, kale, and spinach

-protect against heart disease, fight inflammation, helps with breathing, battles depression, lower blood pressure, reduce clotting, and may help fight diabetes

Cucumber Goat Cheese Salad kicked up with Omega-3s

2 cucumbers
 and 1 pint cherry tomatoes

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil


1 cup crumbled goat cheese

*1 avocado


*1 tablespoon flaxseed oil

*1/4 cup of crushed walnuts

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar


salt and pepper