Ditch the Jelly says your Belly.

Now, wasn't that clever. hee hee.
So peanut butter and jelly is such a staple sandwich for kids (and my husband), not to mention cheap! End of the month and we were scrounging around yesterday at lunch. I almost gave in....but found an alternative right in front of my eyes.
Bananas.

YUM! Elvis was right, kids! Toast two pieces of whole grain bread (ours loaded with flax mill), smear on a conservative portion of PB - make sure its natural!!!!! Do not get the regular PB that is loaded with extra sodium, sugar and preservatives! Then slice up that banana and sandwich the sucker in! So good.
Emma and I paired our sandwiches up with a fresh plum on the side and woo-la a great lunch.

So after eating I checked out the label on the jelly jar. Second ingredient high fructose corn syrup, third was yet more corn syrup, and then of course there were artificial ingredients, acid, and last but not least sodium citrate. So glad we went with the banana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thinking about using strawberries next,
Jill

Dried fruit - ??

So in a conversation with my mom, we began talking about dried fruit. It came up because she had brought Emma some cookies for Easter, some with chocolate chips, some with dried cranberries in them.
Long story short we differ in which was better for you (as if a cookie wasn't a treat!) Mom went with dried cranberries, i went with chocolate chips.
What do you think?

Based on the knowledge I have learned in the pass year, dried fruit can be very deceiving just as the can of green beans (thinking just because it is a veggie or fruit it's healthy). When in fact the process of making the cranberries into "dried" cranberries is killing the good nutrients, not to mention adding extra sodium and sweetener/sugar to the fruit. When I was seeing my natural hormone doctor last fall, dried fruit was on the do not eat list - just go for fresh instead! Mom puts the dried fruit in her oatmeal.....my question, why not just go fresh?

As for chocolate chips - get them in dark chocolate. A very small amount of natural dark chocolate is good for women to have. YES! I LOVE the sound of that! ;) wink wink.

Debate and educate. Lets get healthy team.
Jill

Read this for your boobs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dr. Michelle Holmes of Harvard University, who has studied cancer and lifestyle factors, said people might wrongly think their chances of getting cancer depend more on their genes than their lifestyle.

"The genes have been there for thousands of years, but if cancer rates are changing in a lifetime, that doesn't have much to do with genes," she told The Associated Press in a phone interview from Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. In Europe, there were about 421,000 new cases and nearly 90,000 deaths in 2008, the latest available figures. The United States last year saw more than 190,000 new cases and 40,000 deaths.

A woman's lifetime chance of getting breast cancer is about one in eight. Obese women are up to 60 percent more likely to develop any cancer than normal-weight women, according to a 2006 study by British researchers.

Many breast cancers are fueled by estrogen, a hormone produced in fat tissue. So experts suspect that the fatter a woman is, the more estrogen she's likely to produce, which could in turn fuel breast cancer. Even in slim women, experts believe exercise can help reduce the cancer risk by converting more fat into muscle.

Read the full article at : http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100325/ap_on_he_me/eu_med_avoiding_breast_cancer

Please please read and pass on.
Educate ladies. Educate.

WOMEN READ THIS!

I was working in the garage with the radio blaring some good Jesus music when the news came on.

"A new report out has just proven that 1/3 of all breast cancer cases could have been prevented with proper diet and exercise."

ONE THIRD??!?!?!?!! HOLY CRAP!!!!! If that doesn't speak out VOLUMES!!!!!
So it's our job ladies - exercise and eat right - lets do it!!! Bring on the fresh veggies! Our own health care reform starts right now!!!!

Keeping boobs healthy everywhere,
Jill

Good bathroom reader....

"The Doctors Book of Healing Foods" by Selene Yeager and the Editors of Prevention

Its a quick-flip book. Loaded with tons of good info. I will be using it as a reference the next few posts.

Educate. Remember, the more we know the healthier we are. So true.

Did you know if you are borderline or have high blood pressure avoiding foods with high sodium in them can help...such as chocolate flavored instant pudding, ice cream, ketchup and cheese. How easy is it to skip the cheese on the next salad, ditch the ketchup on the next dipping, or skip the ice cream and have a yogurt instead????
Small changes make BIG IMPACTS......educate. Educate and share the small changes. Make them life changes.
Spreading the word,
Jill

Educate.

I can not help but share this info:
"Drinking 2 cans of soda (24 oz total) daily is equivalent to swallowing FIVE POUNDS of sugar a month." - Dr. Oz aired 3/22/10

Does that not gross anyone out? Does that not put things in perspective. Maybe you don't drink a 32 oz. from the gas station everyday, but what about every other day? BE REAL WITH YOURSELF.

Remember the new study out that I mentioned yesterday on how this is the first generation of kids expected to die before their parents? Go stand by a school on any given day and watch as the kids enter and leave...see how many are caring soda bottles. So do you think they will die of diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, high cholesterol or heart attack?

Educate. Educate. Put it in perspective. FIVE POUNDS OF SUGAR. Holy cow. No wonder Americans "can't seem to lose weight, even though they exercise." Come on get real people. This is health care reform.

And all of you who comment "well, I drink diet - it doesn't have sugar." Don't kid yourself. It still is sweet, right? Read your ingredient label...what chemicals are they putting in there to replace the sugar? Those are killing you. They do MORE damage than the real sugar. So quit making excuses to cover your addiction. Yes, I said addiction.

I'm fired up gang. Let educate. Educate each other on what is good for our bodies. .....which is definitely NOT 5 pounds of sugar or some other man-made chemical. I want you to live. I want you all to live long an healthy.
Am I alone?
Jill

Healthcare, Healthcare, Healthcare....

STARTS AT HOME!

I just hacked into my husbands Facebook to read some of the "comments" and was a bit disturbed to find a VERY overweight friend of ours say something along the lines of "well, I am without insurance, so if this helps with a reasonably priced insurance than I agree." Not to mention, he is "struggling" to find a full time job in the computer tech world.

Ok. People wake up. get off your dang computers and go exercise. You are responsible for your own health starting at home. Clean out the pantry. Clean out the fridge. Get rid of the sugar, snacks, sweets, and soda - ITS KILLING YOU. Get up, get an extra job - you will stay busier and more active - lose weight and add some jingle in your pocket. EXERCISE.

Anyone hear the recent news about today's kids? This is PROFOUND. "Today's generation of kids are expected to die before their parents - it is the first time ever this has ever been said." HELLO!!!!!! Can we say French fries and Mt. Dew for school lunches....get home and go to the freezer for some pizza bites? Come on America - if you want to save health care and the cost that goes into it...work on SAVING OUR SICK KIDS and yourself! I know Mrs. President is working on it, but seriously, going take more than a pretty face.

Americans need a clue what they are putting IN their mouths vs. what is coming out. Get off your Facebook and go research fresh food - put a carrot in your mouth! Educate. Exercise. Get up and MOVE. Do something good for your body so you don't have to go to the doctor because you are HEALTHY. Drink some water for heaven's sake!
THAT IS HEALTH CARE REFORM.
Deeply passionate - with all the reasons to be,
Jill

PS - just want everyone to know something my new OB told me on my first visit to him during this pregnancy. After discussing all the trouble I had over the years and the early introduction to menopause, I shared with him my recent 40 pound weight loss and switch to natural eating. His comment.... "Good for you, I love hearing that. We will never know for sure, but I am banking 99% of the reason you were all the sudden able to get pregnant naturally was due to the weight loss. Women come in here all the time wanting me to help them get pregnant - they want a "pill"...I tell them over and over, lose some weight, especially the belly fat. Belly fat is very dangerous for women in many ways, but one way is that is contains a large amount of bad estrogen (cancer causing to be exact)....this estrogen preforms as a birth control in women, keeping them from conceiving a lot."
My point.....I agree whole-heatedly. Losing 40 pounds and cleaning out my body not only did great things for me, but friends it brought LIFE into this world. Life. LIFE. We had previously lost two lives prior to this, and for that I am so devastated. Life. A life that I currently feel kicking me and in July I get to let its Daddy, sister and grandparents hug it.

I think I can justifiably say my health care reform is working.....no help from the government. (and as my brother would say - the same government that for over 200 years can't even seem to make the simple postal system run on the positive.)

PLEASE please PLEASE read this!

I see this same report and list over and over.
I am such a believer, not just by the research but because I am a living walking example.
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/whats-fresh-trying-to-save-money-15-foods-you-don-t-need-to-buy-organic-999969/

Good stuff,
Jill

She's so cool.

My 4 yr old daughter.
For lunch, several left overs with this and that. What did she want? Melon, oranges and peppers....with an ice water. wow. She's awesome.

Me....potatoes, carrots and cottage cheese! *#*$&!?!!!?! :)

Heard that baby's heartbeat again yesterday...sweet sweet poetry, I say. 22 weeks down 4 months to go - can't wait for all to see h................ha, think you got me, huh?! ;)
j

Anyone else....

....tired?
Mentally, physically, just drained.
Tuning back in to a more positive post hopefully soon.
J

On the go lunches...

Trying to aviod those hormone filled chicken nuggets and irresistable McDonalds fries, the Phipps' family is on a quest to find new "on the go healthier picks". So far we have found these to be our new favorites.....

Chipolte - Mexican fast food, set up similar to a "Subway pick and choose your own toppings." Chipolte uses all natural meat with no added hormones and even their sour cream is from organic dairy (you can read this on the back of their cups!) Plus you can get fresh salsa, tomatoes, peppers and all sorts of yummy things. Price is definitely good because serving are so big. Emma and I split a Vegetarian Bowl with peppers and onion stir fry...all the good fixin's on top like black beans, tomatoes, lettuce, salsa, and guacamole. Ask for an extra bowl to split and two ice waters - we spend less than if we ordered McDonalds.

Panara Bread - Voted "healthiest on the go" restaurant. All meat is again from natural sources so no MSGs added. They have GREAT veggie soup and even the kids meals come with organic yogurt. Again, large portions...Emma and I are splitters her sometimes too. This is a Phipps' family favorite for after church! Everyone is happy and full when leaving! A little more on the pricey side, but again order water and split some things - you will be happy to be grease free.

Subway - A quickie favorite. Steer clear of processed deli meats though - full of preservatives and sodium! Emma and I love to order a foot long Veggie and fill it up to the max...on whole wheat bread. She can usually devour more than me of it!

Panda Express - If you are filling a little sinful, you can at least be comforted by knowing their chicken is MSG free as well. Now I can't comment on the sweet, sugary sauces, but man it is GOOD! Order that ice water! :) Again HUGE portions, so split with your kiddo to save that $$.

Always searching for others - PLEASE SHARE/COMMENT if you have more favorite healthy stops for those on the go days!
Jill

Granny's Great Meatloaf gets transformed.

Everyone has a staple meatloaf. Here is our family favorite - which I made last night, BUT revised a bit to a more natural and healthy meal! I'll give both versions.

Granny's Great Meatloaf
1 lb ground beef
1/2 pkg. dry stuffing mix
2 eggs
1 can onion soup
Topping:
1 cup catsup
1/4 cup vinegar
3/4 cup brown sugar

Mix ground beef, stuffing mix, eggs and onion soup. Put in pan. Bake 350 degrees for 1 -1 1/2 hours, checking to see doneness. Combine catsup, vinegar, and brown sugar. Pour over top of meatloaf.
Now...........

Live Longer than Granny and her Great Meat Loaf!
1 lb. free range ground beef
2 organic eggs (or 3 egg whites if watching cholesterol)

to replace the prepackaged stuffing use:
2 cups baking oats
desired fresh herbs

to replace can of onion soup:
1 onion chopped fine
1/2 cup broccoli chopped fine (good time to use those frozen stalks!)
1/2 cup red pepper chopped fine (I grabbed a ziplock baggie of this from the freezer left from last summer's garden!)
*if mixture seems too dry when added to meat, add a little MSG free chicken broth, or an extra egg -whatever is handy

Topping:
1 cup catsup
1/2 cup organic apple vinegar
3/4 cups dark brown sugar

Mix all meat loaf ingredients together and topping ingredients together in separate bowls. Form 4 mini loaves. Pour half of topping over loaves and bake in microwave safe dish for 14-18 minutes! Whoa - la!

Still working on a more health friendly topping...this one is soooo good though. ;) Any ideas would be greatly taken!
Also to note: We have the Tupperware Oval Microwave Cooker which is PERFECT for this meal - It has a drain in the bottom so the meat's grease can run to the bottom of the container while your loaf sits above on a rack...I LOVE this feature, not to mention 15 minutes in the microwave beats the crap out of almost 2 hours in the oven.

We served this with some baked sweet potato chips and tossed leafy green salad - perfect!
(For sw. pot. chips: Clean and peal potatoes. Slice in 1/4" or smaller slices. Spread out on baking sheet. Lightly brush with olive oil, sprinkle with desired cracked peppercorn. Bake 20-30 minutes at 35o degrees)

Enjoy this hearty meal and feel good afterwards that your family ate hidden broccoli and peppers!
Tricky tricky, Jill

Stir Fry for the Healthy Guy.

Had this for supper a couple night ago - BIG hit with the fam!

1 sliced onion
1 sliced yellow pepper
Toss in a dab of olive oil (I don't really measure - maybe 2 TBS?)
Put in large skillet over med high heat, stirring regularly until onion is transparent or peppers are desired "crunchiness or lack thereof"

Add chopped purple cabbage (again didn't measure - maybe a cup?)
Continue to stir and let cabbage wilt some.

Add organic/MSG free chicken breast (skinless breast, cooked and chopped in bite size pieces)
Add freshly cut pineapple
Add a pinch of ground peppercorn
Add favorite herb if any (I had some fresh parsley in freezer that I got on sale awhile ago)

Turn heat down and let the natural flavors of the food do their magic! Simmer until pineapple is at desired state.
Serve over natural whole grain rice.

YUM! And for desert - sliced oranges go perfect!!!!!!!!!!! A crowd pleaser AND all the colors make it a BEAUTIFUL dish to look at too!!

Having leftovers for lunch in a wrap today,
Jill

Low Fat and Fat Free...not so free my friends.

So here is what I have found out and would like to share in today's tidbit on low fat and fat free food. Nothing good can come from it. period.

When I went to the hormone therapist in OH, before prescribing any medicine he talked about diet and nutrition first and foremost along with exercise and chemicals in your home.
In the diet and nutrition the obvious we have already talked about in veggies and fruit came up. It was then later discussed to avoid all low fat and fat free products. Since then, I like to research and confirm things, so I investigated this theory. It tends to hold true with several elite professionals and sources. (Not to mention I'm walking proof)

Apparently it all comes down to the natural state of food that God intended it to be in without man altering it. When a food says low fat or fat free, it means the manufacture has taken out the sugar or any other fat (high calorie) causing agents. However, you notice these foods still taste similar? That is because what is taken out is chemically being replaced with some other additive. Splenda for example is used a lot along with other things. Read you ingredient labels....there are chemicals added that can't even be pronounced! These chemicals do funky things to your body.
They can mess with your hormones and thyroid - which in turn play a gigantic role on weight loss and over all health. They also tend to make you MORE HUNGRY!!!! Ya, go figure! They can send hunger cravings to your brain! We read this A LOT about diet sodas.

So what to do?
#1 - avoid as much as possible. Instead of that low fat apple sauce for you and the kiddos - just have a real apple. And definitely ditch the diet sodas!!!!!!!
#2 - can't avoid it? (Like sour cream on your Mexican crockpot meal) :) Then make sure it is regular in its most natural form and not low fat/fat free. Then just be careful of your serving size. Truely amazing how I quit purchasing anything with these low fat lables and starting losing weight!
#3 - tell all your friends and family. Please.

Making little moves like this will make BIG changes in your health - PROMISE!
Fat free on my thighs, not my food,
Jill

Sometimes you just need powdered doughnuts.

Oh yes. It's true.
After spending almost two hours pushing around a red #05 race car cart in Kroger yesterday, I let temptation get the best of me. I had used over $17 in coupons on whole grains, organic milk and frozen fruit and veggies.....shew, I was tired and the blond bombshell in the drivers seat of the race car was preciously asleep at the wheel. As we rounded the the last turn away, there they were. Sitting on the clearance table with a big orange "manager's special" sticker on them.....
Powdered Doughnuts, only 99 cents.

What to do, what to do.....

BUY THEM!

Man, they were good.

Love eating healthy, but also love a sinful treat every once in awhile too. However, be it known that after eating some my belly did not handle them so well - what have I done to myself?!?! :)
Good to be eating a salad today for lunch,
Jill....with a little white dusting on my mouth.

Copied from Real Life Make-Over site....

Eating right on a budget can be a challenge, but it's certainly not impossible. Consider this your cheat sheet to the 5 inexpensive foods you should eat everyday for optimum health.

#1 Leafy greens
Medical experts call them one of nature's miracle foods. Leafy greens like Swiss chard and kale are high in nutrients like folate and vitamins A and C that can lower your risk of cancer. Just one cup of dark, leafy greens a day could also prevent diabetes and high blood pressure.
#2 Nuts
Many nutritionists recommend nuts like almonds, cashews and walnuts because they're high in natural fiber. Fiber slows your digestive process, keeping hunger and unhealthy mid-afternoon snacks at bay. Goodbye vending machine runs!
#3 Onions
Studies show that consuming onions on a regular basis may reduce symptoms of asthma and the risk of developing stomach cancer. Add them to soups and stir-fry, and just remember -- the stronger the onion, the greater the health benefit.
#4 Whole grains
Refined grains, like white rice and pasta, have lost 90% of their nutritional value through the refining process. As if that weren't reason enough to choose whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and whole oats, a recent study showed that a diet rich in whole grains actually flattens your belly by reducing fat storage in your lower abdominal region.
#5 Yogurt
Making yogurt part of your daily eating routine can improve your digestion -- if you're buying the right stuff. Check that the label lists "active cultures" to make sure you're getting healthy probiotics, and pick a yogurt rich in vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis.

Purple Cabbage

I have been reading the wonderful effects that purple cabbage has. Decided to try it out in a stir fry.....who knew it was so sweet. (and would turn everything purple - which Emma that was great).

The best.....one head goes on FOREVER. I have used it twice and still have 1/4 left. It also last forever in the fridge and doesn't spoil near as fast as other veggies.

Taking my left over and chopping it up for my Veggie Frozen Container - it will be great in soup when it gets full!

Going purple,
Jill

Its like free meals.

Ok, so to continue on our healthy adventure with veggies with soup.....practically FREE soup! :)
This may sound a bit disturbing at first for those of you who don't let the food on your plate touch each other, but I promise it taste fabulous in the end!

Every serve a veggie stir fry and have just one spoonful left at the end of the meal that no one can eat? What about that last spoonful of corn, green beans? What about the fresh veggie tray from last weekend's get together that no one wants anymore, but it starting to spoil? Well here is the cost effective, healthy and yummy answer!

Dump ALL these scraps in a plastic container measuring four cups. Keep it going in your freezer until it is full. When full, get it out and dump in a stock pot or your crock pot and add:
2 chopped onions, chopped and sauteed in olive oil
4 cups of broth (we like chicken - no MSGs added though!)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp FRESH rosemary
28 oz (3-4 cups) tomatoes in juice
Bring to a boil and turn down heat, or let simmer all day in crockpot. YUM!

Here are some tips:
*If using fresh oregano or thyme use 3 tsp. Many times I will pass the fresh herb section in the grocery just to see if any are on clearance because of purchase by date. I shop them up when I get home and put in freezer to use in soups like this. I really like the taste of fresh herbs.
*Use those chopped up broccoli steams we talked about last week!
*Sometimes I have dumped in left over rice into my veggie frozen tub.
*Making Kale Chips? Don't throw the steams out - chop them up and throw them in your veggie frozen tub!
*Don't pitch ANY left over veggies!!!!!
*Concerning the tomatoes in juice - try to buy in jars, not cans....I have read in several places the can mixed with the acid in tomatoes can create toxic chemicals. Best yet.....use some of those frozen tomatoes from the past summer's farmer market or from the plant you had in your back yard!
*Chicken broth - again, making your own is free and easy. I will post it another day, but for you busy moms just get the boxed broth with no MSGs added....good as gold.
*If you don't have the herbs/spices to make this, no fear...just go ahead and make with only the tomatoes in juice and broth. With all the "flavors" mixed together from the leftovers it will still taste scrumptious.

My mom use to make this ALL the time growing up as kids. Mainly for cost effectiveness. But now I see that not only is it saving money, it is really vital to have these good nutrients in our bodies as much as we can. Plus KIDS LOVE IT.....throw in a couple whole grain Ritz crackers, of course. :)
Enjoy!