This blog will help you towards healthier lifestyle choices!

I owned a State Approved K-6 for over 20 years and when it closed, I was devastated. However, I decided to make lemonade out of lemons and so I thought: I went to school for 40 years (one class at a time) and I have a PhD, I'll just look for a better job.



And, I did.....look that is, the "finding" part eluded me. I was 60 years old, never got sick and could outwork almost anyone half my age but, as I was looking for a job, it was NOT looking for me!



In the first two years after my school's closure, I applied for over 450 jobs (everything from Starbucks, to Admin Assistant to jewelry sales) and had no luck.



Finally a friend asked why I was counting the jobs and I realized I was focusing on what was NOT happening instead of what might happen so I quit counting, but not applying.



In order to survive, I sold my house and lived off the proceeds while I continued applying. I lived extremely frugally because I knew that the money would not last forever.



Over the years, I have continued to live frugally and apply for jobs. However, there truly is ageism in America today and I have been unsuccessful in getting a "real" job.



What I have been successful at is cobbling together a life by working at my many part time jobs! Currently, I have 2 jobs each day (subbing in the Auburn School District and tutoring at Sylvan Learning Centers). And I do other jobs occasionally such as Real Estate Broker, Author, and Editor.



Because I am a Health Coach, my passion is helping people be healthier.
Over the years, I've learned much about how to be healthy even if I wasn't wealthy so I decided to share my expertise with you! I will bring you tips, recipes, and many ideas on how to choose a healthy lifestyle, even if you are eating out of the local Food Bank and/or don't have much money to pay for gym memberships!

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Fruity Tasting Veggie Drink

This drink started out as a way to use the spinach that I grew (yes, I grew it all by my self!).  It tastes really yummy and you can't even tell it's got the veggies in it. 

3 cups distilled water
2 scoops soy powder
1 handful of baby carrots
Several stalks of celery
1 handful grape tomatoes
1 large handful of fresh baby spinach
2 oranges, peeled
1 apple, quartered
1-2 cups frozen mangoes
4 frozen bananas
1 dropper full of stevia

Put all ingredients into VitaMix in order listed.  Turn VitaMix on and turn to 10.  Then turn to high and blend until smooth.

Apple, Cinnamon, Ginger Smoothie

Because of the pain from the surgery I am taking Ibuprofen.  However, it really upsets my stomach so I was thinking about how to deal with that.  I came up with this version of a smoothie:

3 cups distilled water
2 scoops of powdered soy
1 Tablespoon flax seed
1 apple, quartered
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 handful of crystallized ginger
1 dropperful of stevia

Put ingredients into VitaMix in order listed.  Turn VitaMix slowly turn to 10, then turn it onto high.  Blend until smooth.  This tasted wonderful.  I made it thinner because of the surgery but you can make it thicker by using less water. 

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Carrot, Mango, Apple and Banana Smoothie

Today's smoothie provides nutrients to the eyes in addition to the other benefits!  I made enough for the whole day since I am on a liquid diet.  Just reduce it if you only want one meal.

3 cups distilled water
2 scoops powdered Soy milk
1 apple, quartered
3 cups frozen mangoes
4 frozen bananas (remember to peel them before freezing)
1 cup slivered raw almonds
1 Tablespoon Vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon Flax seed
1 dropper full of Vanilla stevia

Put ingredients into VitaMix in order listed.  Turn VitaMix on to variable and slowly turn up to 10.  Turn to high and blend until smooth.  I had to add more water when it got too thick but you might like it thick like ice cream!

Variation: If I had pineapples, I would have added them.  Carrots and pineapples taste great together!

Monday, July 29, 2013

Sneaky Greens Smoothie

I was thinking about how to get more greens into my smoothies without having a totally "green" smoothie.  This is my solution:

3 cups distilled water
4 frozen bananas
2 cups blueberries
1 cup spinach
1 dipper full of powdered soy
1 dropper full of Vanilla stevia

Put all ingredients into VitaMix and turn variable slowly to 10.  Then turn to high and blend until smooth.  You will not taste the spinach at all!

Strawberry Carob Smoothie

This smoothie reminded me of chocolate dipped strawberries!

3 cups distilled water
2 cups frozen strawberries
4 frozen bananas
2 heaping tablespoons of powdered carob
1 dropper full of Vanilla Stevia

Put ingredients into VitaMix in order listed.  Turn on variable slowly to 10, then turn on high.  Blend until it's all smooth.

Raw Blueberry and Banana Smoothie

This smoothie was very yummy!

3 cups distilled water
2 cups frozen blueberries
4 frozen bananas
1 dipper of powdered soy
1 dropper of Vanilla stevia

Put ingredients into VitaMix in order listed.  Turn VitaMix on variable and slowly turn to 10.  Then turn on high and blend until it is smooth. 

Variation: Add 1 cup almonds for protein.

Nearly Raw Banana, Apple, Mango, Orange Smoothie

In my quest to make up many smoothies for my month of liquid diets, I am making up smoothies as fast as I can.  Here's today's.

3 cups distilled water
1 cup frozen mangoes
2 cuties (or clementines), peeled
1 small apple, cut in quarters
1 dipper full of powdered soy
1 tablespoon almond extract
1 dropper of Vanilla stevia

Put ingredients into VitaMix in order listed.  Turn on VitaMix on variable and slowly move to #10, then turn on high speed and blend until all ingredients are smooth.  Add more water if needed. 

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Butter Nut Squash Benefits!

Butternut squash is a good source of dietary fiber, phytonutrients, vitamin A, and natural poly-phenolic flavonoid compounds, rich in B-complex vitamins and contains adequate levels of iron, zinc, copper, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Nearly Raw Strawberry Banana Smoothie!

Another recipe for that month I will be "drinking" my meals!

2 cups distilled water
2 scoops Tofu Drink Mix
Alternative: use liquid Almond Milk, Hemp Milk, Rice Milk or Soy Milk
2 cups frozen strawberries
4 bananas
1/2 cup mangos
Stevia to taste

Put into VitaMix in order given.  Turn VitaMix on "variable" and gradually turn to 10. Then, turn to high and blend until it is smooth.  Add more liquid if it gets too thick.

Almost Raw Frappuccino?

I made up this recipe as one of the many I am planning to use during the month that I must eat only liquids (oral surgery precipitated this move).  The coffee, the carob and the Stevia are, I think, not raw but everything else is.

VitaMix blender (this blender will hold up under the frozen bananas!)
2 cups distilled water (distilled is the only kind of water I drink)
4 scoops Tofu Drink Mix (or you can use dry soy milk)
Alternative: use liquid Almond Milk, Rice Milk, Hemp Milk or Soy Milk

4 Frozen organic bananas (be sure to peel them before freezing)
2 instant coffee packets
2 heaping tablespoons of carob
1 dropper of Almond Stevia (or less if you like it less sweet)

Blend and enjoy!  You can leave out the coffee, add more or use decaf, if you like.  You can use other flavors of Stevia for a different take on it. 

Add more liquid if it gets too thick.