The Road to Eating Vegetables is Paved With Good Intentions!

A couple of days back I found myself massaging collard greens (per recipe instructions), and began to reflect back on how I got to this point.

If someone had told me a year and half ago, much less 6 months ago, that I would be "relaxing" collard green leaves to make them edible raw, I would of laughed out loud.  Fast forward to today and here I was talking to my greens letting them know how tasty I was going to make them.  I know, I would also lock myself up.

The road I traveled to get to today was actually quite simple, but fraught with many no's and don't think so's. It all began with a visit to the doctor, desperate to figure out why I could not lose weight, among a host of other issues.  The prognosis was "hormone imbalance", which brought about the response of "duh" from my husband.

I am eternally grateful to my doctor who chose to  treat my symptoms without medicine and instead prescribed a diet which included a boat load of vegetables.  I am eternally angry at said doctor who chose to go practice in a small town in Kansas that had no doctors and do good.  The nerve!! :)

As my symptoms diminished and in the process lost weight, my wonderful doctor once again intervened.  He reminded me that I knew what to do and how to do it.  This is what I was certified to do, but you know the old saying, " A cobblers kids has no shoes"?  I began to practice what I knew and preached. I lost 30 lbs and my hormones were back in balance and here I stood massaging my greens.

Don't think you can do this on your own? Check out my 30 day program at http://renewwholehealth.com/events/2012/01/making-healthy-the-new-normal-30-day-program

I LOVE my veggies and I am very particular about where they come from and how they are grown.  This way of thinking led me to become a member of a local CSA.  CSA stands for Community Support Agriculture.  One commits to buying a "share" each week or month and in turn the farm is guaranteed a set number of customers. There are several in the area, but my favorite by far is Johnson's Backyard Garden.

JBG is a local farm in East Austin which grows all there veggies organically.  They are a family run farm and they are the real deal when you think of farms and harvest, etc.  You can also buy their produce at many of the area farmers markets in and around Austin.

I chose to go this route buying my vegetables so I would be challenged to try new ones. I couldn't eat salad greens and broccoli forever, and every week I am confronted with trying something I would of otherwise never picked up.

With Fall/Winter veggies coming in, one vegetable that has made an appearance is Kholrabi.  Ever heard of it? I hadn't. Believe me, when I opened the box my first reaction was "no way", but it is now a favorite around here.  Even my 9 yr. old will eat it.

Of course, this time of year brings my favorite of all time.....beets!  I LOVE these and could eat them everyday, every meal.  I especially love them roasted, YUM!

So to make a long story a bit longer, I found myself with a box of collard greens, kholrabi, beets, and green onions and decided to challenge myself and make a lunch with all ingredients having come from my CSA box.

I worked off the recipe from the link below, added my touches and the result was fabulous. http://www.urbanorganicgardener.com/2011/02/marinated-collard-green-salad/

I am continually reminded of Hippocrates quote, "“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” .  I am a huge believer of this and a walking example of it's truth.

Are you ready to make healthy the new normal?  Feel good and lose weight in the process?  Well you can and you will!

Don't think you can do it on your own?  I am here to help.  I am starting a 30 day jump start program(Jan. 9th) to get one of their way to making healthy the new normal. Whether you want to get, lose weight or both, check it out at http://renewwholehealth.com/events/2012/01/making-healthy-the-new-normal-30-day-program

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah ,

Sandra

New Year - New You - What do you have to lose?

“Making Healthy the New Normal”

30 Day Program!

Are you ready to start the New Year off with a fresh new outlook regarding your lifestyle and health?

Are you ready to make your focus be about you and getting healthy?

Why not make 2012 the year you….

·       Boost your energy

·       Recognize and eliminate cravings

·       Sleep better

·       Have more patience

·       Recapture glowing skin

·       LOSE WEIGHT

This group program will begin on Monday, January 9^th and run for 30 days.

The 30 days will consist of:

·       Body detox – your body will thank you after the holidays!

·       Kicking your sugar habit to the curb

·       Learning what foods are harming your body and keeping you from losing weight

·       Choosing, preparing and eating healthy whole foods

·       Learning the power behind a green smoothie shake

·       Working on “lifestyle” elements that may be holding you back

·       Learning what supplements you may be lacking in and need

·       Discovering food allergies – if applicable

This is not a diet, it is a lifestyle change. No calorie counting or deprivation involved.

Did you know that when the word “diet” was first introduced; it was created to mean overall lifestyle and way of eating?

Today’s meaning has taken on a whole different connotation and when one hears the word “diet” they immediately go into protective mode.

As you change your eating habits and lifestyle, the changes you will see in your life will be dramatic.  Experience a trickledown effect within your own family as nutritious, nourishing meals become the norm.

Are you on board? Bonus offer below if you sign up before Dec. 30^th.

What will you receive with this 30 day program?

·       Personal support via email and 2 individual private calls

·       A Facebook group page to encourage support, suggestions, comments and questions.

·       One weekly group conference call

·       Tips and recipes for healthy eating

·       One bonus call covering mood swings, depression and anxiety and one covering stress management.

Give yourself a gift of a lifetime, literally!

Commit yourself to a healthier way of life.  Not just by diet but in everyday decisions.

Remember, the following is yours for the taking in 2012:

·       Weight loss

·       More energy

·       Improved outlook

·       Empowering knowledge

This is the perfect gift just for you or a loved one.  Better yet, plant a seed with your spouse letting him know what exactly you would like and need as your gift this year.

Sign up today and be on your way to feeling and looking alive, sexy and invigorated!

Bonus offer – sign up before Dec. 30^th and receive $150 off the program cost of $300.  That is ½ off – an awesome deal!

For $150 and a commitment of 30 days, you will be making healthy the new normal in your life.

Don’t delay, after Dec. 30^th the price goes back up to $300.

Sign up to the right by clicking on the Paypal button.

Are you not a groupie? 

This program can be done on an individual basis, one on one for $400.  In addition to all the above, if you live locally you will receive one home visit to clean out pantry and fridge and learn some cooking techniques. Plus a bonus trip to the grocery store to learn how to shop and navigate the aisles.

Have questions?  Contact me at sdbrougher@gmail.com or give me a call at 512-736-9351.

Falling off my bandwagon!

I LOVE this time time of year, don't you?  There is so much to this season, that would be a blog all on its own.

Besides the love, celebration and goodwill that occurs, I have to admit what I enjoy the most is all the get togethers that go on.

This past weekend was no exception.  A weekend full of activities and parties and once again, I had to remind myself to "practice what I preach".  It should thrill everyone to know that I fall off my "health" bandwagon  often during the holiday season, but I dust myself off and keep enjoying.

With that said, I am sharing with you my personal tips that I use to keep a jingle and not a jiggle in my step.

1. Water, water, water - did I mention water?  The most IMPORTANT thing you can do for yourself is keeping yourself hydrated.  You should aim for 100 oz. a day.  If that sounds like a lot, then gradually work your way up by adding 8 oz. every day.

If you are like me and enjoy your wine or eggnog at parties, then water will be your best friend.  Alcohol is  a HUGE de-hydrator.  It is your body reacting to dehydration that causes the hangover blues.  Start the evening off with a big glass of water and aim to drink a big glass between each alcoholic beverage.  Before you head to bed, drink at least 8-16 oz. of water.

2. Clean eating - Easier said than done, believe me, I know.  The party I attented this past  Saturday night had the most incredible spread of food.  The hostess truly outdid herself.

How did I tackle the table?  I first did a walk around, checking out all the wonderful offerings. I then loaded up my plate with the "raw" food offerings.  This would be the veggies and in this case, berries. I then added some protein, the cured sliced meats and mushrooms stuffed with meat.

My plate was pretty full.  In fact, one guest made the comment of why don't I put down my plate and just grab the veggie plate instead.  Dramatic, but you get my drift.

Filling myself up in this manner made the sweets less desirable when I made my second sweep.  At this point I was full and just a couple of brownie bites with some more raspberries did the trick.

3.  Eat before you go out - If you know where you are headed will be all about tempting foods, then eat something healthy before you head out.  I  like to make  myself  my "Recharge Green Smoothie" to fill me up.  This shake is full of nutrients and dense leafy greens, that before I step out the door I am already ahead of the game.  *Don't knock it until you have tried it*

4. Exercise - No, obviously not in preparation of going out, but during the week. You should be doing this year round anyway, but it is especially important right now when the stress of getting everything and everyone marked off your list can get overwhelming.

You don't have to devote yourself to an hour long session on the treadmill. Find yourself a class or DVD that is short but high intensity and builds muscles with weights and prefarrbly your body as the main weight.

I personally do Crossfit at our local Georgetown Crossfit.  I love it, makes me feel great, works out the stress and makes me stronger with each workout I do.

5. Take time for yourself - I know I say this all the time, but it is so important that you do not forget about YOU.  Without you, everybody else flounders.  Oh, come on admit it.  You know they do. 

Take a walk, shop, get a mani/pedi, a massage or best yet carve out a little quiet time to meditate.  Meditate to music, the word of God or just to the glorious silence around you.  Believe me, your mind and body will thank you.

Well, that is it in a nutshell.  Not to hard to follow just sometimes hard to remember.  Don't beat yourself up and don't fret over the slips.  I live by 80/20 rule.  80% of the time I eat 100% healthy and the other 20% I allow myself indulgences.

Now, go be healthy!

Sandra

2nd try - computer glitches - My Giveaway Begins.......

Today is the day, and I am so excited to begin my "12 Days of Christmas Giveaway".


What's this you say?  A giveaway?  Yes, a giveaway to all my fans.  To get your name in the pot, all you have to do is like my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter or subscribe to this blog/newsletter.


Your name gets entered for each individual spot, not just once.  And yes, you can win more than once.


I will be drawing a name soon and contacting the winner, but I will also post on Facebook and Twitter who the daily winner is.


The following is my list of prezzies. They represent my fav's in my everyday quest to live a healthy lifestyle and I wish to share my enjoyment of them with you.  Check them out and see which one you hope to win.
* Disclaimer - there may be a couple of items that lend themselves to my "indulgences" in life, but hey, don't we all have some of those?*

• Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Products
• Allegro tea and Anthropolgie mug
• Sterling silver heart key chain
• Zum body soap and lip gloss
• My go to bottle of wine
• Pearl necklace
• Wildtree grape seed oils
• Lady Walton's bite size wafers with chocolate and peppermint ( a true indulgence) :)
• Michael Pollan's "Food Rules"
• Quartz earrings
•  Beautiful scarf
• The grand finale - a gift card to your choice of Whole Foods, Lululemon or Sprouts.

Don't delay and sign up.  Follow the links below.

Like my Facebook page - http://tinyurl.com/6qeaavf

Follow me on Twitter -  http://twitter.com/wholehealthgirl

Sign up to  the left for my newsletter/blog if you haven't already done so.


Forward me on to a friend and ask them to reference you when they sign up.

Good luck and can't wait to see who all my winners are.

Happy Holidays,

Sandra


P.S. - Get a free copy of "Healthy Holiday Guide" from Institute of Integrative Nurtition. http://tinyurl.com/86f9cjb