Tag Archives: Healthy eating

Kickstart Your New Year with Healthy Habits

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The start of a new year is a perfect time to refresh your routines and embrace healthy habits that set the tone for the months ahead. Whether you’re looking to boost your energy, improve your mindset, or bring more balance into your life, small, intentional changes can make a big difference. Here are a few simple yet powerful habits to kick off your new year on a positive note:

1. Prioritize Daily Movement Movement doesn’t have to mean a rigorous gym session. A brisk walk, stretching routine, or dancing to your favorite songs can invigorate your body and mind. Consistent daily movement helps improve mood, increase energy, and support overall health.

2. Create a Morning Routine You Love How you start your day can set the tone for everything that follows. Incorporate activities that energize and inspire you—whether it’s sipping a warm cup of tea while journaling, meditating, or reading a motivational quote to spark creativity and focus.

3. Hydrate More It’s simple but often overlooked: staying hydrated is vital for your health. Invest in a water bottle you love and make it a habit to drink water throughout the day. Adding a slice of lemon or a splash of fruit can make hydration more enjoyable.

4. Embrace Mindful Moments Practicing mindfulness doesn’t require hours of meditation. Pause for a few deep breaths during stressful moments, savor your meals without distractions, or spend time observing nature to center yourself in the present.

5. Declutter Your Space A fresh start feels even better in a tidy, organized space. Take time to declutter one room or even just one drawer. Creating a peaceful, clean environment can help clear mental space and boost productivity.

6. Celebrate Small Wins Instead of focusing solely on large, long-term goals, take time to acknowledge small victories. Did you complete a challenging task? Stick to your new habit for a week? Pause to celebrate these moments—they are steps toward bigger successes.

Starting the new year with healthy, sustainable habits can help you feel more balanced, focused, and energized. Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress. Choose one or two habits to begin with and enjoy the positive ripple effects they bring into your life!

Hope this inspires you to embrace positive changes in your life. Thanks for stopping by, and here’s to a happy, healthy new year!

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“Love yourself enough to live a healthy lifestyle.” ~Jules Robson

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Thoughtful Thursday The Sweet Beginnings of Pepperidge Farm

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Margaret Rudkin

The story of Pepperidge Farm began in 1937, thanks to a determined woman named Margaret Rudkin. Margaret was a Connecticut homemaker who found herself on a mission to create healthy, wholesome bread for her young son, who had severe allergies and couldn’t eat most store-bought bread. With no formal training in baking, Margaret started experimenting in her kitchen, using simple, natural ingredients. After many trials (and errors), she finally created a loaf that was not only safe for her son but also delicious.

Word spread quickly about Margaret’s bread, and soon, local grocers began asking to sell it in their stores. With increasing demand, Margaret named her bakery after her family’s farm, Pepperidge Farm, and started baking on a larger scale.

As her business grew, Margaret continued to innovate. In 1955, she traveled to Europe and discovered delicious, crisp cookies that were unlike anything available in the U.S. She brought the idea back home, and that’s how the famous Pepperidge Farm cookies, like Milano and Chessmen, were born.

Pepperidge Farm grew from a small home kitchen operation to a beloved brand known for its high-quality baked goods, including bread, cookies, and crackers. Margaret Rudkin’s passion for wholesome food and her entrepreneurial spirit turned a simple loaf of bread into a household name, creating a legacy that still thrives today.

Hope you enjoyed this history post, thanks for stopping by!!

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Margaret Rudkin, Pepperidge Farm

Thoughtful Thursday Maximize Health Benefits: Focus on Organic Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen

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As awareness of health and environmental issues continues to grow, more people are turning to organic produce to reduce their exposure to pesticides and support sustainable farming practices. While buying all organic can be costly, alternatively you can focus on certain fruits and vegetables to maximize the benefits.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes two primary lists every spring, the “Dirty Dozen” which is safest to buy organic and the “Clean Fifteen” which is safest to buy conventionally.

Here are some tips on making shopping for organic produce easier on the wallet:

  1. Shop Seasonally: Organic produce is often cheaper when it’s in season.
  2. Visit Farmers Markets: Local farmers markets can offer fresh, organic produce at competitive prices.
  3. Join a CSA: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs allow you to buy shares of organic produce directly from local farmers.
  4. Grow Your Own: If you have space, growing your own organic fruits and vegetables can be a rewarding and cost-effective option.
  5. Prioritize the Dirty Dozen: Focus your organic purchases on the produce listed in the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Dirty Dozen, which highlights fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residues.

By prioritizing these key fruits and vegetables, you can significantly reduce your pesticide exposure and enjoy healthier produce. Making informed choices about organic options supports sustainable farming and contributes to a healthier planet.

Would love to hear from you! Share your experiences and tips on buying organic produce in the comments. For example: How do you prioritize your organic purchases? Do you have favorite markets or creative ways to save on organic options? Let’s foster a community of shared knowledge for healthier, sustainable choices✨

Hope you found this post useful, thanks for stopping by!!

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Dangers of Keto Diet

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I’ve talked about this before but it’s really important to remember how truly unique each of us are. From our personalities, to our looks to how our bodies react to foods, especially diets. A little over a year ago, I gave the Keto Diet a try for 15 days. But it didn’t agree with my body. I ended up losing weight but not fat. When I went back to eating my normal diet, which is vegan and I reintroduced the carbs, I put the weight back on and then some.

I came across some people who loved the Keto Diet so much that they stayed on it for a long time. But what most people don’t know, is the Keto Diet was designed to be followed for short periods of time. This is a diet of high fat. Even though some say it’s the good kind of fat, bottom line is fat is still fat. And too much of anything will take a toll on your body.

Long story short, by staying on the Keto for a long period of time, the people I spoke with developed serious health issues and were told to get off of the diet. The adverse affects of prolonged Keto Dieting is dangerous and include:

  • Hepatic Steatosis (fatty liver disease)
  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
  • Kidney Stones
  • Hypoproteinemia (abnormally low protein)
  • Keto Flu (symptoms mimicking a cold flu)
  • Rapidly Increased Cholesterol Levels
  • Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies
  • Dehydration

Also keep in mind if you already have pre-existing health conditions you very well could make these worse or add more complications to your list. So please always consult with a doctor before and during major dietary changes so you can monitor your progress and avoid any serious adverse affects.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

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“Every human being is the author is his own health or disease.” ~Buddha

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Thoughtful Thursday Juicing

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Most of us abuse our bodies for years with bad eating habits before an illness shows up. Once it does we chalk it up to “it’s a part of aging.” But I highly disagree. I’ve seen friends and family make dietary changes and either improve their condition or cure the illness completely. I have also experienced these changes.

Juicing is an easy way to supplement your present diet with lots of vitamins and minerals that you normally wouldn’t eat especially if fruits and veggies aren’t your favorite. I can tell you that the juice recipes today are quite delicious and filling and have come a long way since yesteryear. I replaced 1 meal a day with 2 glasses of fresh juice. Depending on what’s in the recipe, I might use the blender or the juicer. The main difference is the blender uses everything you put in while the juicer extracts the juice and discards the pulp or fiber.

I feel my best when I include fresh juices in my diet. When I first started I noticed a lot of changes. I had lots of energy. The brain fog that I didn’t even know I had was gone. Plus all the aches and pains I felt had disappeared. I felt fantastic!

You don’t need to make radical changes to your diet, but at least modify it somewhat and add in fresh vitamins and minerals with juicing. Taking a vitamin may help improve things but it doesn’t come close to fresh nutrients. There are lots of books on juicing but one of my favorites is “The Healthy Green Drink Diet” by Jason Manheim which is available on amazon.

Hope this inspires you to great health!

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“Health is the greatest blessing of human beings.’ ~Hippocrates

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Thoughtful Thursday Best-ever Beefless Stew

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With the cooler temps finally here in the South, I wanted to try a new vegan soup recipe. But I wanted something really hearty that would be filling and I found it. This is a recipe for “Best-ever Beefless Stew” with portobello mushrooms taking the place of beef. If you’re not a fan of portobellos, I’m sure you could use another type of mushroom that would taste just as good.

I gotta say this was one of the most delicious and satisfying stews I’ve ever had! A few things I would change to the recipe is to add a little salt and pepper to taste and it also calls for fresh parsley as a topping. But I wasn’t too crazy with flavor of the parsley with the stew. I would recommend giving it a try anyways and see for yourself, you may end up liking it.

This recipe was published in the latest Forks Over Knives, “100 Best Plant-Based Recipes,” 2021 and it can also be found on their website “Best-ever Beefless Stew.” It was really easy to make with everyday ingredients.

Forks Over Knives 100 Best Plant-Based Recipes 2021 image 0

If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of this issue, it’s available on the Forks Over Knives Website.

Hope you’ll give this tasty recipe a try 😊

Thanks for stopping by!

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“Health is the first form of Wealth. Invest in yours by eating whole, unprocessed foods.” ~ Dr. Axe