National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month, if you haven’t started gearing up for bikini season, this is the month to help you get a little more motivation. I can’t believe March is almost over and still feels like winter where I am. We’re actually forecasted for snow again tonight. Beach season doesn’t feel like it will ever get here! So in honor of nutrition and the upcoming sun, sand and surf season. Here’s a few points on how you can embrace your health and give yourself some love this month.

I had a client call me this morning and tell me she’s been eating clean 80% of the time, dropped the soda completely, been eating breakfast every morning and she can’t believe how much energy she has and how great she actually feels now! I love those stories. I wanted to give her the biggest hug and big sloppy kiss. She totally made my day! I knew she could do it, it’s just getting past that big hump in the beginning that’s the hardest. Those little success stories are what keep me going as a Holistic Health Coach and Healthy Living Advocate. “A little ripple effect” that will hopefully start a change in the world.

So here is 10 things to do for yourself this month (well what’s left of it) ;) But you can continue on and reap all the benefits!

1. Try something new! Never eaten brussel sprouts, artichokes, or monk fruit? Try it out once, you may surprise yourself.


2. Try to incorporate different greens into your diet. If you’re not too crazy about one, try another. You can always hide them in smoothies too!


3. Learn to read a label. You’ll be surprised what you’re really eating!!!


4. Start a garden. Grow your own food, eat the things you really like. Visit a farmers market.


5. Add an extra glass of water to your diet each day.


6. Eat off a smaller plate. You’ll learn portion control and you won’t consume so much food. If you’re still hungry after, then go for seconds.


7. Replace processed sugars with natural…honey and 100% maple syrup are great ones to use.


8. Choose healthy snacks like nuts, fruit, veggies with hummus, plain yogurt and add your own berries, The possibilities are endless!


9. Chose wild caught fish, skip the farm raised. And choose organic or humanely raised pork, beef, and poultry.


10. Get in the kitchen, stay out of the drive-thrus. Anything coming through the window is not food!

Hope these little pointers help! Here is a healthy snacks guide you can check out and grab some great, new healthy recipes!

via Kelly Roberts http://ift.tt/1eJZE93 http://ift.tt/16mICIc

An Irish Celebration

It’s St. Patty’s Day! My favorite holiday! Today we woke up to 5 plus inches of snow on the ground again!!! Ughhh, kids out of school once again and so much for the spring like weekend we just had! But instead of wallowing in my winter grumpiness, I decided to have a cooking fest in the kitchen to celebrate my heritage.

My great grandmother Winnie came over “on the boat” from Donegal, Ireland in 1900 at the age of 15. She came into Ellis Island alone after spending weeks upon weeks at the bottom a rat infested ship sending immigrants over to the States. So to celebrate my Irish nationality and celebrate my brave great gram and also my inspiring 93 year old grandmother that continues to fills my head with lots of family stories, tales, and lessons from the motherland… I decided to get my little ones involved on the food side of our heritage and hope that they fall in love with the dreams and hopes their great and great-great grandmother also shared with me. We still have family living in Donegal so I hope one day soon we can all take a trip to truly experience the food, culture, ideals, and traditions of Ireland.

So, with my little ones completely excited and totally under my feet in the kitchen, we made Potato Leek Soup, Watercress and Blood Orange Salad with Homemade Lemon Caper Dressing, Oven Roasted Tomatoes, and Baked Salmon in fresh herbs and leeks with sauteed broccoli. Then we had an Irish breakfast this morning! Scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, cornichons, roasted tomatoes, hash browns, and of course a little Irish soda bread. That’s a lot of cooking so I’m going to pass along a couple recipes we made and save some of the others for later. Hope you enjoy them! Happy St. Patty’s Day! Wishing you all the luck of the Irish!!

Watercress and Blood Oranges with Lemon Caper Vinaigrette:

• 1 bunch watercress-roughly chopped


• 2 blood oranges


• 1/4 shallot-sliced thin


• 2 Tablespoons olive oil


• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice


• 5-8 capers- chopped


• Pinch sea salt


• Fresh ground pepper

In a bowl add watercress, oranges, and onions. Toss well. In an old mason jar or unused bottle add olive oil, lemon juice, capers, salt, and pepper. Shake well. Pour on top of salad. Mix well and serve

Oven-Roasted Tomatoes:

• 2-3 Medium to Large Organic Tomatoes


• 2 teaspoons olive oil


• pinch sea salt


• fresh ground pepper

In a baking dish, add olive oil. Slice tomatoes in half and place in baking dish. Top with salt and pepper. Roast at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes.

Baked Salmon with Fresh Herbs and Leeks:

• 16 oz Wild-Caught Salmon- Fresh


• 1 small leek-sliced


• handful fresh dill-diced


• handful fresh sage-diced


• 2 Tablespoons olive oil


• Sea Salt


• Fresh ground pepper

Preheat oven 350 degrees F. In a baking pan, add olive oil, place salmon on top. Tops with a dash of olive oil, fresh herbs, sliced leeks, salt and pepper. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remember fish cooks fast so keep and eye on it so it doesn’t over cook! Place everything on a plate and devour! Add a Guinness for extra taste and of course celebrating! CHEERS!!

via Kelly Roberts http://ift.tt/1fRltEy http://ift.tt/16mICIc