It never ceases to amaze me, the amount of information available on the internet. I have quite a few blogs that I "follow" and I am always stumbling across posts that are helpful in my everyday life. My husband suffers from heartburn quite frequently and I suffer from acid reflux - something that started when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter and just never went away. For me, it had gotten to the point that even OTC medications were not helping. So when I came across this post from Sidetracked Sarah, about treating heartburn with papaya enzyme, I knew this was something worth trying. I am always seeking out natural treatments, so I was ecstatic to read this post. I am happy to … [Read more...]

Yes, these are the same seeds found on the Chia Pets. But, please don't eat your Chia Pets! :P I love these little chia seeds. I know, that sounds pretty weird. But when you add them to overnight oats or to smoothies, they take on this kind of chewy consistency. Anyway, ever since I posted about quinoa awhile back, I've been wanting to do a post about these awesome little seeds. If you haven't tried them, you should. Here's why... Facts and Nutritional Benefits of Chia Seeds High in soluble fiber High in Omega-3 fatty acids (ounce per ounce, more than salmon!) Great source of protein More antioxidants than blueberries and more calcium than milk Chia seeds contain more … [Read more...]

Yes, you heard me correctly - I said cucumber water. To some, it may sound a little strange. But I'm telling you, if you like cucumbers (my mom doesn't...and I never have understood why. Crazy lady! ;)), you should try this. … [Read more...]

For those of you who have never tried quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah), I thought I would highlight this super little seed for you. I am no expert, but I do know a thing or two... ;) Most people think of quinoa as a grain, but it's actually a seed. Quinoa has the highest protein content of any other grain and is a "complete protein", meaning that it contains all eight essential amino acids. It is also a great source of fiber, iron, magnesium, calcium and vitamins A and E. Quinoa is also gluten-free...so if you have gluten allergies or sensitivities, you can still enjoy this super food. Quinoa is also believed to help with migraine headaches,  boost cardiovascular health and … [Read more...]

This time of year it seems like there's always someone nearby that has a cold or other illness. I wanted to share this excellent article from The Riordan Clinic, on boosting your immune system: http://www.riordanclinic.org/2011/seasonal-defense-boosting-your-immune-system/ Being healthy doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. This article outlines a few simple things that anyone can do to boost their immune system. And trust me when I say that I am in no way a Saint when it comes to eating healthy. But I do the best I can to educate myself and my family. It's simple things, like the ones outlined in this article, that keep me motivated and on track. Living and eating well … [Read more...]

We go through a lot of honey at our house. It's so versatile that we use it on almost everything. You can sweeten your coffee or tea with it, enjoy peanut butter and honey sandwiches, put it on pancakes, cook with it, use it in smoothies...the possibilities are endless. But what I really love about pure honey is that it's...well, it's just honey. For us, this is a wonderful substitution for refined sugar.  Now, don't get me wrong, we do use refined sugar sometimes - mostly in recipes. However, as an every day sweetener, we prefer honey. We recently began buying pure local honey (and by "local", I mean that this stuff is produced about 4 miles from our home :)) to help with my son's … [Read more...]

A few little healthy tidbits...     Did you know? A cup of strawberries has more vitamin C than an orange. Did you know? To burn off one plain M&M candy, you need to walk the full length of a football field.  Did you know? Apples are more effective than caffeine in keeping people awake in the mornings! Did you know?  Avocados have more protein than any other fruit. Did you know? Bananas contain a natural chemical which can make a person happy. This same chemical is also found in Prozac. Did you know? Each pound above your ideal weight lowers your life expectancy by 34 days.  Did you know? During a typical human life span, the human heart … [Read more...]