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!

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Raw Cream of Greens Soup

I found this recipe by Christie Mae Qualey. It sounds super good and I will try it very soon. 2 lg bunches organic kale, spinach, collard greens or chard (use your favorites 1/2 bunch dill, cilantro, basil, or parsley (or a mix) 1/4 red onion 2 green onions 1 organic avocado 1 organic zucchini, chopped 1 rib celery, chopped 1/2 cup soaked, dried mango (or one date) 1/4 cup water Place all ingredients into high speed blender or food processor and blend until creamy texture is reached. Top with desired ingredients. Avocados, sprouts, and fresh herbs suit my fancy for this recipe. Serve fresh or within 24 hours. It is best served at room temperature. Optional: jalapeno pepper and/or dandelion greens add a nice kick.

Gluten Free Sugar Free Vegan Banana Bread

I found this recipe by Jolene Holmes, a Nutritional Therapist practitioner (NTP). I've adapted it for my sugar free, vegan diet. 3 bananas (about 1 1/2 cups) mashed Egg Replacer equivalent to 3 large eggs (I've found that I need to double the amount of egg replacer when baking, so that would be the equivalent of 6 eggs). 1 TBS pure vanilla extract 1 TBS Xylitol (Stevia keeps the bread from rising) 1/4 cup coconut oil 2 cups blanched almond flour 1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt 1 tsp baking soda Place banana, egg replacer, vanilla, Xylitol and coconut oil in a food processor. Pulse ingredients together. Pulse in almond flour, salt, and baking soda. Scoop batter into a 7.5 by 3.5 loaf pan that has been rubbed with coconut oil. Bake at 350 for 55-65 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Raw Strawberry Banana Smoothie

I love the combination of strawberries and bananas. This is one of my favorite smoothies! This blender makes two full meals. Cut it in half to make just one meal, or in thirds for a snack. I make it for two days and just put it in the fridge for the second day. 3 cups distilled water 1/4 cup golden flax seed (for protein and fiber) 2 scoops of organic soy powder (soy is good protein for those not allergic) 2 cups frozen strawberries 6 bananas (frozen or fresh) To freeze bananas: be sure to peel first and cut off the dark piece at the bottom of the banana. Put into plastic bags onto a flat surface (a cookie sheet works). Put water into VitaMix blender (or other heavy blender) Add flax seed and powdered soy. Turn blender on variable-low and gradually turn up to 10. Then turn blender onto high and blend until flax seeds are finely blended. Add strawberries through hole in top of blender while it is running on high. Add bananas one at a time. If using frozen bananas, there might be a need for a bit more water. Blend until all the colors have blended in. I put this into two thermal containers (or a thermoses) and put one into the fridge and one into my thermal carrier for my dinner.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Crockpot Spanish Rice Plus!

3 cups distilled water 2 cups TVP McKay's non-beef seasoning mix 2 cups basmati rice 4 cups distilled water 1 large can tomato sauce 1 bell pepper, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Put 3 cups distilled water in a medium saucepan and bring to boil. Turn off heat and add enough McKay's to make it look like beef broth. Add TVP and stir. Add more water if too dry, add more TVP if too wet. The mixture should look like cooked hamburger. Let stand. Heat a large fry pan, then add about 3 tablespoons olive oil and chopped onions, bell peppers and celery. Cook until onions are translucent. In the crockpot, place the rice, 4 cups distilled water, TVP mixtgure, tomato sauce, bell peppers, onions, and celery. Cover tightly and turn on low heat for all day cooking or high heat for 6 hour cooking. This dish is so filling it's a one dish meal. Any leftovers can be put into tomato soup for Tomato Soup with Rice. Yummy!

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Cancer Fighting Raw Green Juice

I found this recipe on Kristina's Fully Raw website. It is very tasty, but, more importantly, none of us gets enough greens and here's an easy way to get them. I love the ginger taste! Prevention starts HERE. This green juice is the most alkalizing juice! It's filled with minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and powerful proteins. One a day keeps the doctor away! Ingredients:! Ingredients: ❤2-4 Large Cucumbers ❤Head of Spinach ❤Green Kale ❤Black Dinosaur Kale ❤5-6 Stalks Celery ❤Bunch of Romaine ❤Watercress ❤FEW Dandelion Leaves (Note: if you do not want this to be bitter, leave out the dandelion leaves) ❤Juice of 5-8 Lemons ❤Optional: Thumb of Ginger Use your favorite greens. Do not feel that you need to be exact with amounts on the greens. It's the combination of them that matters. Run all ingredients through a juicer, strain, and savor! Happy, healthy, juicing! Want to keep up with me daily? ❤ Co-op: http://www.rawfullyorganic.com ❤ FullyRaw: http://www.fullyraw.com ❤ FullyRaw You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/fullyrawkristina ❤ FullyRaw Kristina Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/fullyrawkristina ❤ Kristina's Personal Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/kristinacarrillobucaram

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Go Hawks Salad Goes Over Big!

My Seahawks' Salad went over just wonderfully and the Seahawks won! Yea! I'm planning some new recipes this week so keep checking this blog.