Sometimes we all need a little help when grocery shopping – esp when trying to eat clean. I stumbled upon this awesome list today on Pinterest and wanted to share it with those who follow this blog.
just print it out and take it to the grocery store with you. Let it be your guide and help you on your journey to clean eating.
I absolutely love my Veggetti Spiral Vegetable Slicer. It really is a dream come true! You can make all sorts of healthy clean eating dishes with this little heaven kitchen utensil. They are $14.99 at Target – totally worth that chuck of change.
This dish is yummy. It is clean, detoxing and gluten free. Score. And, it is so, so simple. You will have this ready in about 5 minutes. Seriously. I made my own lean, clean dressing to go with it – please feel free to put your own stamp of dressing on your noodle salad.
But, this dressing recipe is killer. So – you might want to try it. Take your healthy salad to work. Have it as a quick snack – or side salad at dinner. Or make an extra large helping of it and eat it for your dinner.
You will need (salad): 3 medium zucchinis, 1 pomegranate, 2 handfuls of cilantro, 4 green onions, 1 lemon (for the juice).
You will need (dressing): 1 cup olive oil, 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp. dried basil, 1 tbsp. onion powder, 1 tbsp. mustard, salt and pepper to taste. Wisk together.
First spiral your zucchini noodles. After all 3 are in noodle like form, just dump them in a big bowl.
Chop up your cilantro and green onions. You want these to be in little, tiny pieces. Add them to your green noodles.
Open your pomegranate. If you have not worked with this fruit before, I would recommend watching a video on how to properly get your little ruby, yummy nuggets out of the fruit. Once you do this, dump these into your salad.
Squeeze the juice from one lemon in – and add in your dressing (as much as you like – just don’t overdo it.) Yum – enjoy your healthy, fresh salad.
Hairy. Awkward. Out of place. We can all feel this way at times. The foamy, hard waves of doubt and insecurity can crush the spirit. And, that devastating sea wall can sting leaving us cold, afraid and uncertain. My dear one – never feel uncertain when you are engraved in Christ’s hands.
The impact of the wave and diffidence in this stone cold world is downright dreadful. Simply staggering because our soul was meant to soar! Yet, we can become so downtrodden by the day, circumstances and harsh words that lash us like cattails.
Rejoice in your features. Dance in your distinction. Garner goose bumps after hearing your one-of-a-kind voice. Yes, we are all created different and that is something to celebrate. Red curls top my head and freckles line my face with subtle dimples; whereas others have hair as black as the night and skin like toasted almonds. What visions in the image of Christ!
“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
It breaks my heart to see women and men alike – hold their heads in shame over their beautiful images. I, myself, am guilty of this from time to time. But, the truth is – you were created with a purpose and a master design.
Like a dream house that has intricate blueprints – you were a dream and the vision of your maker. Your smile was formed by his hands and your hair woven together in his goodness. Goofy and overused as the phrase is – you were born an original, don’t die a carbon copy.
It is calming to study all the marvelous creatures that God made by his mighty hands. No species is the same. You have the little bumpy frog that ribbits comfortably on a pond of floating seats and the Scottish highland cow that roams the meadows peacefully covered from head to toe in long orange hair. Each beautiful creations in the Maker’s sight.
However, they were not made in his image – we were! How much more does he care for us. It is unbelievable; we can never fully grasp how much God loves us. He sacrificed his son to save us. That is utmost love.
“If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning… Face it, friend. He is crazy about you! ” Max Lucado
Let us not walk around defeated, feeling inferior. Today consider this post a daily dose of encouragement. You are precious in his sight. You carry God’s light and that, my dear one, is nothing to be ashamed of.
Shine that light brightly. You were made for a purpose – no matter how awkward or out of place you feel. And, God has you in his sight. You will never be alone. That is amazing grace.
Looking for a delicious cauliflower dish? Well, look no further. This dish is finger-licking awesome. With hints of citrus and herbal flavor, you will want to make this again and again. And, serve at holiday gatherings.
Seriously, can’t think of a dish to bring this Christmas to a potluck? This unique fresh twist on cauliflower will impress those at the party. Spread the gift of health this season. This is low calorie, gluten free and on those paleo diet recipes.
You will need: 1 head of cauliflower, 3 lemons, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, 1 tbsp. dried basil (or fresh), salt and pepper, 2 tbsp. olive oil, and 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning.
Simply chop up your cauliflower florets – into big chunky pieces. Use a big knife for this and place all the lovely clusters into a mixing bowl.
Douse the florets with olive oil and lemon juice. Just mix these mixtures in with your hands. You want to make sure the flowers are covered and seasoned with this dressing.
Sprinkle in your basil and Italian seasoning, and again use your hands to make sure the cauliflower is covered in the spices.
Chop up your whole lemons and add them to the flower mixture. Stir in and treat like the cauliflower pieces.
Add salt and pepper to taste and dump this yummy mixture in an oven pan. Set oven to 350 and bake for about 20 minutes or until your florets are lightly brown.
My family usually dresses casually on Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving is really a holiday built in for family time, food and football. However, being casual on Turkey Day does not mean you have an excuse to look like a slob – you can be comfy and cute.
Put a couple of outfits together to get some turkey inspiration from – one is more casual and one is fancier. Hopefully, these little sets will inspire some fashionistas to forsake the jeans and sweatshirt look and dress it up a bit this holiday season. (Oh, and all outfit pieces are under $50)
Split-hem V-neck Md-long Loose Jumper ($33) is from BlackFive.com – it is the perfect cold weather sweater with a charming v-neck.
Doublju Womens Slim Fit Winter Warm Thick Fleece Lined Leggings Pants ($7.99) are listed on Amazon.com; but sure you can find black thick leggings a lot of places online.
rsvp Paris Women’s Boots ($32) these are faux leather but loaded with style. They have soft synthetic lining and a lightly cushioned footbed.
Vintage 1960’s Brown Macrame shoulder bag purse, Retro Boho ($19) is vintage and listed on Etsy – hurry this gem won’t last long. Major sweet and unique.
Marc by Marc Jacobs Saw Tooth Enamel Disc Studs Earring ($48) these are a bit pricier but they are Marc Jacobs. Hello beautiful earrings.
Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm – Comfort Clear ($13) boasting a uniquely hydrating and nourishing formula, the Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in Comfort Clear works to moisturize the lips whilst providing a subtle hint of color.
Fraas Leopard Infinity Scarf ($33) these are the best scarves – easy to fix around the neck and leopard adds a bit of fun.
Skater Dress with Long Sleeve ($40) perfect for indoor cold weather parties. You won’t have to wear a jacket or shrug to stay warm with this gorgeous dress.
Alice and Olivia by Pretty Polly Semi Sheer Argyle Tights ($48) these are fun and add flair to the fancy outfit. You can find them cheaper at Target, I assure you.
Kenneth Cole Unlisted Once In A File Women’s Dress Zip Boots ($35) this platform ankle boot features a smooth polyurethane upper. Keep it trendy with the almond toe silhouette.
LAUREN by Ralph Lauren Il Pellicano 31mm Etched Metal Clickit Hoop Earrings ($25) Silver or gold-tone hoop earrings. Etched detail.
Charlotte Russe Rubber Boyfriend Watch & Bracelets – 5 Pack ($23) This stylish set has a little bit of everything, with a linked, rubber watch band that teams with a silver and gold face, and sleek golden bracelets.
DivaDesigns Women’s Light Thin Autumn Leaves and Pumpkin Infinity Scarf ($7.99) a great find on Amazon, it is cute to add a festive hint of pop to your outfit.
Bath & Body Works C.O. Bigelow Assorted Mentha Lip Tint Gloss Shimmer ($15) these shimmer sticks will leave your lips feeling great and add shine.
There are so many things we take for granted in this life. It is so easy to overlook the simple, everyday blessings and focus on that glaring storm cloud ahead. But, focusing on that gloomy sky can steal those precious moments of sweet praise.
Aren’t our lives made up of tiny little blessings and moments anyway? It is right to praise God for the centimeters, as well as, the inches of glory he sheds over our lives.
I have been putting off sharing a story that really blessed my life recently – because it was a small daily occurrence that we so often push off. My blessing took place at a drive thru window.
It was just a typical Saturday morning – and a typical drive through window at Starbucks. My coffee maker coffee was not cutting it. (Sorry Trader Joe’s). Starbucks has that bold taste that will really put some pep in your step. And, I needed that this chilly morning.
So, I ordered my usual – Grande dark roast coffee with cream. Nothing fancy, just the strong stuff. Expecting the normal process to pull out the debit card and pay for my little warm cup of joy, the cashier told me, ‘you’re coffee has been paid for by the car ahead of you.’
My heart stood still. I hear about this on the radio ‘The Drive Thru Difference’ but it has never happened to me. You would have thought that car ahead of me paid for a four course meal at a fancy hotel – this gesture affected me so deeply.
I went about the whole day so thankful for life and humanity. And, to tell you the truth, am still affected by this small gesture. This unique blessing also made me think and mediate on the gravity of what Christ did for us. He paid for us. He took care of the tab with his blood and infinite forgiveness. He said, ‘your life has been paid for in full.’ Chills.
If you think about this week – bless someone, even if it is buying their $2 cup of coffee. It makes a difference, just look at me. I was affected immensely by a Starbucks drive thru blessing.
Water. You love it; yet – you hate it. After a long run, water is like the nectar of the gods; however, just sitting at your desk, you’d rather sip on a refreshing coke, right?
Well, sorry to say to those who don’t like water – we need it. Of course there are ways to spice it up (fresh fruit or yummy cucumber pieces).
But the simple fact is water really is a necessity to the human body. Did you know that our brain is made up of 73% water? Wow.
I decided to stick to a daily water schedule (as outlined in this picture on the blog). It is an ingenuous idea that I cannot take credit for – but can speak with a glowing review.
Not only does sticking to a water schedule decrease your appetite, it makes you more alert, your skin supple and your mind sharp.
Don’t believe me, try it. Just get a cute little nalgene bottle and use a sharpie to mark out the times you are supposed to drink your water by! I am a competitive person by nature – so having little times on my water bottle really drives me to complete this goal that I set for myself.
Aim to drink two 32 ounce cups of water a day. It is not hard, if you space out the time. Trust me. Also, think about cutting out soft drinks – if you want to see a major difference in your body.
Some of the wonderful benefits of drinking more water are: clearer, wrinkle free skin, decreased bags under eyes, bright eyes, strong hair and nails and weight loss.
Absolutely love running in the fall weather. The colors of the leaves – are perfect.
I will be the first to tell you – yes, I am a novice runner – an enthusiastic novice runner, no doubt – but a beginner. Going to run my first real 5k over Thanksgiving with The Veggie Girl {prayers, prayers, prayers – for a full completion with no walking}. Hey, you have to start somewhere on a running journey!
Here are a few tips this novice runner has learned. So, from a beginner’s spirit to yours – take these tips to heart. They just might improve your mood – and make lacing up those kicking tennis shoes easier and more enjoyable.
Run outdoors: there is something totally different about being in nature than on the grind of the treadmill. There is so much to observe outdoors – the crunchy leaves, scurrying squirrels, business people commuting, your neighbors etc. I also like feeling the brisk wind in my lungs. Get over it being cold, just make sure you bundle up (you are sure to warm up getting that body moving).
Get Nike + on your iphone: just download it now – even if you are just thinking about starting running. This free app has helped me out so much. You can create a running playlist and map your run. It tracks calories, measures your heart rate and talks to you. It is like a little coach in your phone. You can also build a community of running friends from the app.
Post your workout to social media: don’t usually brag about my workout routine; but, posting your Nike + running route on Instagram and progress invigorates me and motivates me. Not only do you have awesome runners like your run; but, this support spurs you on to do more. And, you will feel bad when you skip a day posting a workout.
Buy cute, nice running shoes: mine are orange/pink and I love them. They were not the most expensive shoes in town {$69}, but they fit great. I love strapping them up and hitting the pavement in bright, fun shoes. If you don’t know too much about running shoes [read up on what you need here].
Drink a cup of coffee/tea before your run: this just gets me revved up. Not only does it warm my body and brace it for the cold outdoors; but the caffeine is a motivator. It will get you through those longer runs [which for me is about 3 miles right now].
Bonus Tip: browse through Pinterest key word ‘running motivation.’ If that does not get you up off the couch, not sure what will!
Hope these little tips help you on your brave, awesome, beneficial journey to become a kicking runner! As Olivia Pope would say – go forth Gladiators. Will let y’all know how race day goes – gobble, gobble.
Not only do I feel like I am a natural harvester when I chow down on this guilt-free salad, I feel like my internal organs are getting a good scrub down by the awesome, detoxing ingredients in this caveman meal.
Everything in this little mixture of greens is so good for you. It has crunch, tang and a little bit of savory flavor. Can it really get better than this? You will not – and I repeat – will not miss the meat in this little meal. The Brussels sprouts fill up that tummy and provide that fleshy goodness.
You will need: 1 green onion, 1 pinch of cilantro leaves, 2 handfuls of organic salad mix, 8 Brussels sprouts (cooked and sautéed with onions), 1 handful of almonds (chopped), ½ avocado and homemade Italian dressing.
Literally all you have to do is mix these all together and enjoy. You will want to chop the green onion and the cilantro (in order to make bite size pieces). Simply, add them to the salad mixture.
Sauté the Brussels sprouts in olive oil with chopped yellow onions. I typically let these sit the fridge for a couple days, after they are cooked, in order to soak in that onion flavor. Dump your plump Brussels sprouts into your green salad mixture.
In a food processor, place in a handful of almonds. And pulse – so you get little nuggets of almond pieces. Pour these crumbles over the greens.
Add your chopped avocado half – and then douse with dressing. Click on this link to find out how to make the best salad dressing that I have ever tasted – here.
Enjoy your detox salad.
Get your surf board out. Let’s get ready to ride the wave! Last night, Republicans took the Senate in a wave of crimson red. Though commentators such as Juan Williams did not want to describe it as a wave, it sure was. It was a riptide that washed over the nation. The whole map of the United States was dotted red by the end of the night.
Televisions all over the country donned bright new faces in the Senate such as Joni Ernst in Iowa, David Perdue in Georgia and Thom Tillis in North Carolina. These faces had one common message – let’s get bloated government out of the way and fight for the rights we are given freely under the Constitution.
They valiantly stood up and said, let’s turn this country around. And Americans responded favorably to these cries for freedom. After all, every free citizen should respond well to a charge of liberty!
Surprisingly, Virginia, a race that was thought to be called in minutes, hung on all night and still may go to recount. And even Louisiana spoke up – sending their candidates to a run-off, even though one of those candidates is a 3 term incumbent.
One of the biggest developments (not predicted) of the night was the amount of Republican governors who swept over the country. In fact, Obama’s home state of Illinois was claimed for the GOP. Amazingly in Maryland, typically a blue state, Larry Hogan, the Republican, was donned the winner of the night.
This signifies not just the discontentment of the American people in President Obama’s policies and outright blatant disregard for their needs and wants; but, truly displays the desire for a change.
Too many people have lost their jobs under Obama’s watch. Too many people have lost their healthcare under his ‘free’ government plan. Too many doctors have been driven out of their practices due to this monstrosity that is truthfully costing the taxpayer billions.
Government has run amok under President Obama’s watch. Scandals after scandals have lined the front door of the White House. The lack of leadership has riddled this country with fear and uncertainty. What Reagan once described as the ‘shining city on the hill’ has been convoluted with disease, anger, overrun borders, unemployment and ambiguity.
America has been crimpled due to policies the administration is enforcing executively. And, I, for one am so happy that her people showed up in mass numbers and voted to help themselves reclaim the nation that was built on liberty and justice for all – not handouts, dependency and the cycle of oppression.
This nation, last night, decided to pick up that discarded stripped flag of red, white and blue, wipe the dust off and wave it proudly for all to see. America is still the land of opportunities and prosperity –despite what others may try to mold it in to. Its strength is not in an iron fist; but its brawn lies in the faces and hands of free individuals that thirst and hunger for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Check out all the election results on FoxNews.com.
Trading Paper Crowns 