Helpful site

Just got this from prevention:
http://online.prevention.com/bestpackagedfoods/index.html?cm_mmc=Spotlight-_-02262010-_-Nutrition%20and%20Recipes-_-Packaged%20Foods%20We%20Love%20-%20Natural%20Foods

It talks about packaged food at the grocery - the best according to high nutrients and low processing/chemicals. Also gives quick tips on how to use them.

Started walking again....SHEW! So I can't even pull off a mile without huffin' and puffin'! I had to stop after just a sissy 15 minutes and had only went 3/4 of a mile (on an incline though) :)
Where did that 11 minute running mile go to?!?!?!!? We'll get back there, promise.

hey, go drink some water,
Jill

Saving Money and Time on yesterday's tip....

Ok, so now that you have the vow to get rid of the cans, here is some money and time saving tips to pass along.

Bags of frozen veggies can be more expensive than cans....but be sure to remember the oz. Many times bags have more in them. Kroger, Marsh, and Meijers are very good about putting them on sale every once in a while 10 for $10 - GO CRAZY and utilize your freezer on this deal!

Freeze freeze freeze. Plant a tomato plant in in your back yard this spring....by fall you will be surprised what one plant can bring you. Slice them and freeze them - they come in SO handy during the winter to pop out of the freezer and use in soups rather than canned tomatoes.

Don't throw away ANYTHING. No secret we are Dave Ramsey law abiding citizens. :) My wallet actually has envelopes attached inside it. So things sometimes get creative around here!
For example - broccoli. Buy it fresh (and don't waste your money on organic when it comes to broccoli - farmers do not spray it!). Once you get home, quickly rinse and cut off top florets to use in salads, snacks etc. Then DO NOT throw away the stalk! Cut it up, or save time by putting it in a blender/food processor/chopper gadget/whatever. Sprinkle out on a dish towel and let it dry out some. Then freeze it! Use this in soups, casseroles, and stir fry! Great nutrients in little time/effort.

Saving money is important, and it IS possible to eat healthy and do just that.
Jill

Baby Steps.

As mentioned before, I am very excited to be able to share how to help make our lives healthier for not only us, but our families as well. I know all you ladies are busy busy, so hopefully I can help with small tidbits. Lets just take baby steps...remember the smallest of changes you make today can impact your life GREATLY in 20 years!

This week, simply do one thing. Make a vow that when grocery shopping to always buy fresh or frozen fruit and veggies. No more cans in the pantry! Fresh peaches taste 10 times better than canned anyhow! :) This is a very small and easy change to make.....it WILL impact the way your body runs and feels....plus drop pounds. I promise.
And what better way to say I love you to your family?

come look in my pantry ladies....no cans. No preservatives. (Except for that can of chicken noodle soup for those emergency cold/flu days) :)
Small change, big results,
Jill

Fit Mommies

Well well well weinbach girls......baby talk is in the air!
So our CA Carrie is on bedrest - many prayers to you! Take good rest and care of yourself that little precious lady inside.
And our dear Sarah is being blessed with a bundle of joy in August right after Baby Phipps comes!
Annnndddddd there just might be another rumor stirring????

I love our friendships.....and I am pretty darn sure God does too. :)

Keep up the good exercising mommies to be....I just had a wonderful first visit with my new IN doc and he stressed how important it is - I believe it!
Glowing, Jill

Recipe - Hopefully the first of many!

OK - So with my recent "life happenings", I'm not so up on the exercising as I should be. However, I am concentrating some good efforts into the food we put in our bodies. As you all know last June I was told by a very prestigious doctor (Dilly Sextuplets of IN ring a bell, yep that's my doc) that I had entered menopause with FSH levels so high, he had only seen 6 case of that in women my age. Then as the months passed last summer, I chose to not participate in his recommended protocol, but instead live a drug free life. I also began exercising and eating right. The 21 detox I did last fall REALLY opened my eyes as to the effects of what we eat. 21 days of no preservatives, additives, added hormones or chemicals changed my life completely......as you know we are currently 4 1/2 months pregnant and I haven't had a hot flash in months! :)

So with that being said, I am on a quest to take out favorite family recipes and transform them into amazing dishes with only the best nutrients. How could anyone argue with that! So here goes my first: Crockpot Southwestern Chicken.....a family favorite from my sister in law, Jen.

NORMAL Crockpot Southwestern Chicken:
2 cans corn
1 can black beans - drained and rinsed
1 jar chunky salsa
6 skinless chicken breast - halved
1 cup shredded cheese

Mix corn, beans and 1/2 of salsa in bottom of crockpot. Layer on chicken then top with rest of salsa. Cook in crockpot 3-4 hours on high or 7-8 on low. Then top with cheese. Serve on rice or tortilla chips and garnish with sour cream.

MAKE ME LIVE LONGER Crockpot Southwestern Chicken:
26-32 oz. of frozen corn or fresh out of the garden/farmer's market*
15 oz. natural black beans already soaked and prepared**
16 oz. homemade salsa***
6 Organic skinless chicken breast - halved (or all natural, the point....NO HORMONES ADDED!)
1 cup Organic shredded cheese - or we just leave it off!

Follow the same steps as above to prepare. Serve on REAL whole grain rice - NOT instant! Or if you are chip family and just can't resist, make sure to have whole grain tortilla chips.

*always go for frozen veggies over canned to cut out preservatives. If you have/know of a gardener, get theirs fresh this summer and freeze yourself to save $$$.
**Again, preparing your own beans as opposed to canned will cut out preservatives. it does take a long time....like soaking them over night?!?! Make large batches at once, divide in 15 oz (can size), bag and freeze. The unthaw perfect to use and only takes seconds at that moment saving you time.
***We now make all our own salsa. I plant a few tomato plants of my own and also use my father in laws produce from his garden. Canning is easy, you do not need a caner! I will post this easy and good recipe later as this is getting "wordy". But homemade = all fresh and no chemicals!

WOW!!!! THIS RECIPE IS SOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!! It also makes a TON. Our family can eat off it for a couple meals and it never gets old! Some times we take left overs and make tortilla wraps with shredded lettuce inside - great lunch to go. This is also a great recipe if you have company coming over...everyone will love it!

ENJOY!

Back home again in Indiana...

...HOW 'BOUT THEM COLTS??!!!!!!! :)

Life is busy, but life is good. Lots of empty boxes! Even though all my energy these days has went to unpacking and putting away, I am so anxious to begin walking again. How is everyone else doing?

I am also excited to say we have made it to the point were dishes are out and the kitchen is in order making preparing food much easier! Lately I have been really focusing in on taking our 'ol favorite standby recipes and converting them to chemical free/all natural recipes. I hope to begin posting some soon.

Take care everyone! ....I have a game of "Candyland" waiting on me...got to love the irony there.
The red gingerbread man, Jill