Happy Boosters

Some days, I feel like I have too much on my plate. I feel overwhelmed. I do a little bit of everything, yet nothing gets completed. Please tell me I am not the only one who feels like this! All the moms who look like they have it all together, you guys are just pretending, right? 

The holiday season tends to make this feeling grow exponentially. Some days, I wake up and I just know the day will be a blur - I go on auto pilot. No idea how I make it through the day. My body just moves and luckily a list of to do items helps me feel a little productive.

I'm still learning what helps me relax, focus and get in gear, but I have a few things that really do help me. I don't know if it'll help anybody else, but it works for moi.

JULIA'S LIST OF HAPPY BOOSTERS:

1) Lay down or sit tall, close your eyes and take 3 deep breaths (10 if I really need it).
I am amazed at how this works so well for me. It helps me relax and regroup.

2) Tell yourself to smile and have a great day. You gotta look in the mirror while doing this. Look at yourself straight in the eye and say, "Have a fabulous day, dah-ling! Smile!". If you know me, you know I have no problem doing this.

3)  Stretch. Oh, I love this one. You don't realize how tense you are until you start stretching your neck, shoulders, arms, back and legs. There's always time for a quick stretch.

4) Go on Pinterest or Youtube and find funny/cute things. If I'm in need of a laugh, I search for funnies and they always work! I always find something that makes me laugh out loud and laughing is an instant happy booster.

5) Take a cat nap. This is a new realization for me. I never took naps before. I didn't like naps. I didn't like having to sleep when it was still bright out. I felt like I was missing out on life. I'm over it now. If all the stars align and I'm tired and Christopher is napping, then I'll take a cat nap. 10-15 minutes helps a ton.

6) Make a list of to do items. If I didn't write things down or make notes in my cell phone, I would be lost. I meet so many moms who look like they never need to do lists. To you supermoms, I raise a glass.

7) Hide my cell phone. I have a love/hate relationship with cell phones. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Youtube, texts, emails, phone calls, Kakaotalk. At times, it is too much. I go through days where I leave my phone on my nightstand in the mornings and ignore the world for a few hours. It helps me focus on the simpler things in life.

8) Workout. I have never met a person who said they regretted a workout. Endorphins, baby!

9) Hugs and Kisses. If I need 'em, I'll get 'em.

10) Rant. Sometimes, you need to tell someone how stressed you are and somehow that act alone magically makes the stress go away.

20 Benefits of Drinking Water with Lemon

I wrote about a this before, but was sent this great list of 20 benefits of drinking lemon water.

Just a reminder that this a cost-effective way of keeping your health. Bottoms up!

20 Unbelievable Reasons To Start Your Day With Water and Lemon

1. Water with lemon provides the body with electrolytes which hydrate your body. As lemons contain good amount of electrolytes such as potassium, calcium and magnesium.
2. Water with lemon is good for the joints, reducing pain in the joints and muscles.
3. Warm water with lemon helps digestion as lemon contains citric acid. It interacts with other enzymes and acids which easily stimulate the secretion of gastric juice and digestion.
4. The liver produces more enzymes from water with lemon than from any other food.
5. Water with lemon cleanses the liver. Lemon juice stimulates the liver to release toxins.
6. Water with Lemon helps fight infections of the respiratory tract, sore throats and inflammation of the tonsils. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of lemon.
7. Warm water with lemon helps regulate natural bowel movement.
8. Water with lemon is indispensable for the normal work of metabolism. Since lemon is a powerful antioxidant, it protects the body from free radicals and strengthens the immune system.
9. Water with lemon aids in proper functioning of the nervous system (as lemon  has a high content of potassium). Depression and anxiety are often the result of low levels of potassium in the blood. The nervous system needs a sufficient amount of potassium to ensure sustainable signals to the heart.
10. Water with lemon cleanses blood, blood vessels and arteries.
11. Water with lemon can help lower blood pressure.  A daily intake of one lemon can reduce high blood pressure by 10%.
12. Water with lemon creates an alkalizing effect in the body. Even if you drink it immediately before a meal,  it can help your body maintain a higher level of pH. The higher the pH, the more your body is able to fight diseases.
13. Water with lemon is good for the skin. Vitamin C in lemon, improves our skin by rejuvenating the body.  Drinking water with lemon regularly (every morning) will improve the condition of your skin.
14. Water with lemon  helps to dilute uric acid, the built up of which leads to pain in the joints and gout.
15. Water with lemon is beneficial for pregnant women. Since lemons are loaded with Vitamin C, it acts as an adaptogen helping the body cope with viruses such as colds.  Furthermore, vitamin C helps the formation of bone tissue of the unborn baby. At the same time, due to the high content of potassium, a mixture of water with lemon helps forming cells of the brain and nervous system of the baby.
16. Water with lemon relieves heartburn. For this, mix a teaspoon of lemon juice in half a glass of water.
17. Water with lemon helps dissolve gallstones,  kidney stones, pancreatic stones, and calcium deposits.
18. Water with lemon helps with weight loss.  Lemons contain pectin fiber, which helps suppress hunger cravings. Studies have proven  people with a better alkaline diet have lost weight faster.
19. Water with lemon helps with tooth pain and gingivitis.
20. Water with lemon prevents cancer. This is due to the fact that lemons are a highly alkaline food. Multiple studies have found that cancer cannot thrive in an alkaline environment.

For the full article, please visit:

http://complete-health-and-happiness.com/happens-body-drink-warm-honey-lemon-water-morning/

Giving Back This Holiday

Last season, CJ and I were wrapped up with our bundle of joy and settling into our new home (we moved in 4 weeks after Christopher was born!). This year, all is calm and we've been talking about how we want to give back. We threw out several ideas and one of our ideas was to send a care package to a military troop overseas.

Since my brother, Sam, attended Virginia Military Institute, I asked him if he had any friends who would be spending the holiday season overseas. Within half a second, he texted back with two names, Joe and Kenny. Joe and Kenny were classmates of Sam and I met these guys several times throughout Sam's 4 years at VMI. I was happy at the thought of putting together a care package for them and so it began, a care package filled with gifts to give back saying "thank you!"

We filled up Christmas stockings full of snacks and shipped them off. I feel really good about this little project. While we are surrounded by beautifully decorated trees, Christmas lights and holiday music, our troops are overseas, separated from their loved ones and will be spending the holiday season alone. This is our way of showing them we care and are thankful for their service. 

CJ and I have a few other ideas we want to do and hope we get to knock a few more do-good items off our list. 

Grandma Ople's Apple Pie

I am on a roll! Two different pies in one week. Call me the pie master. I originally wanted to bake a pumpkin pie AND apple pie for Thanksgiving, but decided not to be a hero. Since I bought all the goods to bake an apple pie and I didn't want it to go to waste, I baked one this morning.

This recipe had over 6,200 5 star reviews on it! How could you NOT try this, right? Grandma Ople's granddaughter posted this recipe. What warmed my heart was reading her words on how thankful she is for all the positive feedback and that her grandmother lives on through this recipe. Doesn't that give you the fuzzies?

 

Grandma Ople's Apple Pie

Recipe cred Grandma Ople's Apple Pie (Posted by her Granddaughter)

Ingredients:

8 Granny Smith apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
3 Tablespoons of flour
1/2 cup of unsalted butter (1 stick of butter)
1/4 cup of water
Pastry for 9 inch double crust pie

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.

Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.

Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F. Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.

Julia's Notes: Prep the lattice ahead of time, so you can pour the sauce immediately and avoid it hardening. Place pie in the bottom rack to avoid it burning. I think 425 was too hot. There were a few burnt marks on the pie. I think 350 the entire time will suffice. Next time, I'm going to add cinnamon and I will try another apple variety. Granny Smith apples are too tart for my taste. This pie was delish, but I wished the apples were sweeter. I leave you with three words... A LA MODE!

BEST Pumpkin Pie Recipe

I am so sad. I baked pumpkin pie for the first time ever and I forgot to take a picture of it. It was delicious! Everyone said so. I hope they weren't lying. I know it was good because even my brother-in-law, Ryan, loved it and he's not a fan of cheese. Blasphemy, right? Not a lover of cheese? My sister, Eunice, is slowly bringing him to the dark side. First, cheese pizza and now this delicious pumpkin pie, which has cream cheese in it.

When my family asked where I got this recipe from and I said Paula Deen, they all said, "BUTTER!". Yes, Paula Deen uses butter in everything but but but there's not a ton of butter in this one. I promise.
Other pumpkin pie recipes use heavy cream, so really, this one is kinda sorta maybe healthy? Who cares about healthy on Thanksgiving, right? 

Pumpkin Pie

Recipe cred Paula Deen

Ingredients:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg plus 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 cup half-and-half
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional
1 piece pre-made pie dough
Whipped cream, for topping

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place 1 piece of pre-made pie dough down into a (9-inch) pie pan and press down along the bottom and all sides. Pinch and crimp the edges together to make a pretty pattern. Put the pie shell back into the freezer for 1 hour to firm up. Fit a piece of aluminum foil to cover the inside of the shell completely. Fill the shell up to the edges with pie weights or dried beans (about 2 pounds) and place it in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes, remove the foil and pie weights and bake for another 10 minutes or until the crust is dried out and beginning to color.

For the filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. Add the sugar and salt, and beat until combined. Add the eggs mixed with the yolks, half-and-half, and melted butter, and beat until combined. Finally, add the vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, if using, and beat until incorporated.

Pour the filling into the warm prepared pie crust and bake for 50 minutes, or until the center is set. Place the pie on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Cut into slices and top each piece with a generous amount of whipped cream.

Julia's Notes: This recipe really makes 2 pies. I read through the reviews before making this and they all said they had so much batter leftover. Good thing I prepared 2 pie crusts because that part takes the longest. I really appreciated the flakiness of the crust and I attribute it to baking the crust first. I didn't follow the video because it doesn't follow the recipe!

I'm Thankful For...

I AM THANKFUL FOR:

MY HEALTH - can I get an amen?! I don't know if it's because I'm getting older or because people are getting sick more (probably due to processed foods), but I swear, I feel like SO many people I know are affected by illnesses, cancers, diseases, conditions and ailments. I'm truly sad by all this, but at the same time motivated to make healthy choices each day for myself and my family.

MY HUBBY -  CJ is the calm to my storm and the sunshine to my rainy days. I used to think it was so corny when people would say, my husband is my best friend. Guys cannot offer what girls can in friendships. It's true and I still believe that, but I also believe that your spouse is your #1 companion. They are also your confidant, cheerleader, constructive criticizer and caretaker when you are sick.

MY SON - I know moms are supposed to play it cool, but this is my blog and I don't care. I love my son more than anything in this world. More than ANYTHING. I could literally stare at him all day and not be bored. If he let me, I would probably kiss him non-stop. His every move is amazing and clap-worthy for me. From the day he was born, I have prayed every single night thanking God. My prayer starts like this, "Heavenly Father, thank you for another beautiful day with my perfect boy. He is a blessing. Thank you...".

MY FAMILY - My family...we're loud. We play the nose game to get out of doing dishes each time we're together. I'm usually the slowest one, so I despise that game. We have 5 different conversations going on at any given time. I remember one of us yelling whenever dinner was ready. Thanksgiving was our time to throw the best parties whilst our parents were away for the weekend. Four kids times four groups of friends...crazy fun time and a ton of trash. When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of my family and our craziness and I wouldn't change it for the world.

MY EXTENDED FAMILY - This includes my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. I have a special relationship with everyone. I have fond memories with each person. I try my best to call or see them whenever I can. Life gets busy, so you just gotta try a little bit harder.

MY INLAWS - They're a loving bunch, those Changs. Being a part of this family has taught me a lot about patience, love and most importantly, cooking! I've learned some great Korean recipes from my MIL, even kimchi. Never thought I'd ever make my own kimchi, but I've done it three times already. If you can't tell, I'm pretty proud about that!

MY FRIENDS - One day, I need to dedicate one entry specifically for my friends. I genuinely believe that God placed each friend in my life at the time he did for a purpose. Friends are my lifeline. They are the silver lining. They have lifted me up when I was down. My group of girls...we're loud. Really loud. We're the type of friends that will throw each other under the bus because it's fun. We tell it like it is, yet hurt alongside you when one is in pain. Nothing can replace them. Nothing.

Lastly, I am thankful for this blog. I look forward to writing an entry each week and look forward to reading back years from now. Christopher will have a good glimpse into mommy's mind.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Pan con Tomate

CJ and I honeymooned in Barcelona. It was the perfect setting for a pair of lovebirds wanting to explore a beautiful Spanish city. Tapas, sangria, art, architecture, history, culture and friendly people are what I walked away with.

Two things I have brought into our lives back in Maryland are espressos (only me, on occasion) and pan con tomate.

I could eat this every day. Pan con tomate is so simple, yet so flavorful. I can literally eat an entire loaf of french bread this way.

Pan con Tomate

Ingredients:

1 garlic clove
half of a medium tomato
2 slices of french bread
olive oil

Instructions:

Toast french bread.
While it's toasting, crush garlic cloves. I do this with the flat side of a knife.
When bread is ready, take the crushed garlic cloves and rub it on the bread.
Drizzle olive oil.
Halve a tomato and rub it onto the toast.

ENJOY!

Julia's Notes: If you have prosciutto, put a slice on top and it will taste delicious! The recipe calls for just 2 slices, but honestly...good luck having just two. I leave all the ingredients on a cutting board and just nibble on it for the next few hours. It's just that good.

Beautiful

Jessica Alba's Meatballs

There are a ton of meatball recipes out there. They all look tasty. I came across this one and decided to try it because there is one step that makes it so delicious. Jessica Alba's last step involves simmering meatballs in chicken broth. Genius.

Baby bonus: Christopher devoured these and I felt so great about feeding him something nutritious. 

 

Jessica Alba's Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds lean ground turkey
• 1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) OR rolled oats
• 1/4 cup finely chopped carrots
• 1/4 cup finely chopped zucchini
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3/4 cup homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken broth 

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix turkey, panko or rolled oats, carrots, zucchini, onion, eggs, Italian seasoning, and salt until well combined; form into 1-inch balls.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook, turning, until browned, about 7 minutes.
3. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth; cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until liquid is almost completely absorbed, about 7 minutes. Add remaining 1/4 cup broth and increase heat to medium; cook, uncovered, until liquid is absorbed. Serve. 
    

Julia's Notes:  The original recipe doesn't call for rolled oats. I didn't have panko and substituted with rolled oats. Healthier and the chicken broth ensure it's cooked all the way. YUM! (Also, that is not my picture of meatballs. I've had a situation with my cell phone photos).

 

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

I think it's safe to say everyone loves Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Lattes. What I don't love is the cost of one of these babies or the calorie count. I found a skinny version of this and I think it tastes so yum. And mind you, I love drinking my coffee black. No sugar, no cream. Black. Something about this latte is soothing to me. I've made it several times and whilst I like my coffee black, I like my lattes sweet. A few extra sprinkles of Stevia made this treat so delectable.

 

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

Recipe cred The Skinny Confidential

 

Ingredients:

 

1/2 cup vanilla almond milk

4 tablespoons pumpkin puree

1 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 drops of liquid stevia

8 ounces of brewed coffee

sprinkle of cinnamon/nutmeg

 

Instructions:

 

In a saucepan, heat up the milk and pumpkin puree on medium heat. Remove from heat and add vanilla, spices and sweetner. Use a blender for 30 seconds. Pour coffee into a mug, then this pumpkin mixture and sprinkle with cinnamon/nutmeg. Enjoy!

 

Julia's Notes: I made this with Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin flavored coffee. So good!

 

 

Natural and Cheap Fruit & Veggie Wash

I'm on a natural kick. I try to find natural, healthy ways to do things instead of using chemicals. I once bought a fruit and veggie spray wash and a small bottle cost me $5-6. It didn't last long because I was using it everyday. It doesn't seem like a lot of money, but it does add up.

I went searching on the internet and found that you can effectively remove 98% of bacteria, pesticides and chemicals from your fruit and veggies from this super easy, cost-effective method.

VINEGAR AND WATER
Soak fruits and veggies in a bowl of:
         3 parts water
         1 part white vinegar
for 10-15 minutes. Then, rinse.

BAKING SODA METHOD
My parents use sprinkle baking soda on fruit and veggies, let it sit for 10-15 minutes and then thoroughly wash it off. I've never tried this method, but heard it works well.  

Just one of them days...

Do you know that song? It's just one of them days, that a girl goes through. I won't lie. I struggled to get through today. I pushed myself through every single movement. It was a very BLAH day. I'm all about being happy, but hey, I'm allowed to growl every once in awhile.

My little booger saved the day. He turned my entire day around when I handed him a piece of construction paper and crayons. He ain't no Picasso (yet), but this mama is keeping her son's first drawing.

 

Now, I feel like:

 

 

   

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

When I was young, my grandmother let me take out all the insides of the pumpkin. It felt cold and mushy, but it was fun. While I got to do the fun part, she was left with the painstaking task of separating the pumpkin stringy part and the seeds. I remember running away to play with my brother, John, and the smell of the roasted pumpkin seeds would bring us back to the kitchen. They were ready to be eaten!

After many years of living without a pumpkin, I decided to jump start this tradition with my family. CJ, Christopher and I went pumpkin picking this morning. We let Christopher choose the baby pumpkins. CJ gutted and carved a large pumpkin. It was my turn to enjoy the painstaking task of picking out the seeds.

These roasted pumpkin seeds bring back so many great memories. I look forward to making this a yearly activity. 

PS - I looked up the nutrition facts of pumpkin seeds and they are quite good for you and super tasty!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients:

Pumpkin seeds
Olive oil
Salt

Instructions:

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.
After gutting a pumpkin, separate the pumpkin stringy part and the seeds. Keep the seeds and throw away the stringy stuff. Good luck!
Dry the seeds with papertowel.
In a baking pan, drizzle olive oil.
Pour in the pumpkin seeds and sprinkle salt.
Mix it around a bit so the seeds are coated in olive oil.
Bake for 15-20 minutes.

ENJOY!

Life is Too Short

Toothbrush Workout Series- Abs

This toothbrush workout is easy for anyone to do. I do it at random times; while driving, cooking, and even now as I write this blog.

Flex your abs and keep them engaged the entire time you're brushing your teeth.

Easy, right? It's easy to forget and relax though, so keep that in mind.

Music is for the Soul

Motherhood is a blessing and I thank God for providing me with this miracle of a son, Christopher. I am surprised and amazed daily by the things he can do.

Current amazement: dancing! Christopher is about 14 months now and he only recently started dancing. Let me tell you, he can't stop!

Dancing babies has always amazed me. No one teaches a baby how to dance. They just move to music that makes them feel good. Turn on slow music and they move slow. Turn on a fast track, and they're shaking their little booty.

This one song has me and Christopher moving because we're all about that bass ;)

Toothbrush Workout Series - Calf Raises

Here's another toothbrush workout I love -  calf raises.

1) Stand tall with feet shoulder width apart. Slowly stand on your tippy toes, then lower your heel back to starting position. I do about 20-30 of these.

2) Stand on one leg and do the same thing. Alternate. I do these about 10-15 times each leg.

Happy brushing!

Red Lipstick

AMEN!

Toothbrush Workout Series - Squats!

I've really been trying hard the past few weeks to workout on a consistent basis. I've done well, but this week, I'm really struggling. This morning, I did one of my toothbrush workouts. They're really simple to do.

You're supposed to brush your teeth for 2 minutes, right? So for those 2 minutes, instead of just standing there, do squats!

I don't have a picture of me doing this, but I will have CJ take a picture soon, so I can upload one.

Happy brushing (and squatting)!!

Cauliflower Buffalo Bites

I'm learning you can do a whole lot of creative cooking with cauliflower. I'm in the midst of trying several recipes before posting, but this one was delicious and I knew I had to share immediately!

When I think of buffalo wings, I think of football or a sports bar or my hubby, CJ. CJ loves him some buffalo wings. Breaded, naked, spicy, mild. You name it, he'll eat it. I am always down to try a veggie dish, so I can make sure the hubs gets in some veggies. If your husband is anything like mine, he won't voluntarily sit there and munch on vegetables. I have to make it taste good. He enjoyed these bites and said they were really tasty though it was more of a teaser. He wanted the real deal. Maybe tomorrow, babe.

Cauliflower Buffalo Bites

Recipe cred theleancleaneatingmachine.com

Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower; chopped into bite-sized pieces

1/2 brown rice flour

1/2 cup water

pinch of kosher salt

pinch of granulated garlic powder

non-stick spray

Sauce: Frank's Red Hot sauce or your favorite buffalo sauce

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• In a small bowl, combine the flour, water, salt and garlic powder. Mix well with a whisk.
• Dip cauliflower into batter until coated evenly. Place on a lightly greased baking pan.
• Bake 10 minutes or until batter hardens. Turn and bake another 5 minutes. 
• In a saucepan, heat up 1/2 cup of Frank's Hot sauce. Turn off heat.
• When cauliflower is done, throw them into the sauce pan and cover cauliflowers in the hot sauce.
• Let it sit in room temperature for 20 minutes and enjoy!

Julia's Notes: I followed the original recipe closely with a few exceptions. I didn't use butter. I didn't have brown rice flour, but I did have barley flour. I also didn't brush on the hot sauce or let the cauliflower bake for the final 10 minutes. I love roasted cauliflower and buffalo hot sauce is yummy, so even though I didn't follow the recipe exactly, I knew this would turn out delicious. And delicious it was!

 

 

Two Ingredient Pancakes

That's right...two ingredient pancakes. I didn't believe it myself until I read the recipe. This is THE EASIEST PANCAKE RECIPE...E-V-E-R. If you can't make this, Lord have mercy on you. It's so delicious and Christopher devours it. Baby bonus!

Without further ado...

Two Ingredient Pancakes

Recipe cred rabbitfoodformybunnyteeth.com

Ingredients:

1 ripe banana
2 eggs

Instructions:

In a bowl, mash the banana with a fork. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and then add the mashed bananas. Mix it all together. Heat a pan on medium heat and grease it with coconut oil. Add a silver dollar-sized amount in the pan. It cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it. I wait until the edges are brown, about 30 seconds to a minute, and then I flip. Eat it alone or sprinkle fruit. The bananas make it sweet, so I didn't use syrup. Whatever your fancy, it is delicious!

No Bake Power Protein Bars

One of my besties sent me this easy, delicious and healthy protein bar recipe. It's so easy that I don't think I'll ever buy granola bars ever again. Plus, I know exactly what's going in it. I recently read the ingredients on several granola bar boxes and let me tell you, they are not healthy! Shame on you food industry for wrongly claiming your granola bars are healthy when they are not. Tsk tsk.

No Bake Power Protein Bars

Recipe Cred Dailyhiit.com

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup unsweetened thick cut coconut
1/3 cup raw honey, real maple syrup or blackstrap molasses
1/2 cup nut butter
1/2 cup ground flax meal
1/2 cup dark/bittersweet chocolate chips
1 tsp unrefined coconut oil
1 tsp pure vanilla

Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Pour into a baking dish and press down firmly. Let sit for 30 minutes. Cut into bar shape and enjoy!
  
Julia's Notes: I used peanut butter and ground my own flaxseed. I am excited to try this again with a different nut butter and maybe throw in almonds.

Oil Pulling

I'm a girl who loves to try anything once. There's no exception when it comes to healthy living. Earlier this year, I learned about oil pulling. It sounded so odd and weird, but noticed several celebrities who swore by it. I had coconut oil in the pantry and gave it a go.

What is oil pulling?

It's an ancient Indian practice that consists of swishing oil (vegetable-based like coconut, sesame and olive) around your mouth for 20 minutes. The swishing helps pull the bad bacteria and traps it in the oil. Timing is important as 20 minutes is long enough to pull the toxins, yet short enough that the toxins don't go back into your body. Then, you spit it out in the trash and rinse your mouth with warm water (do not spit it out in the sink as it can clog your pipes).

Benefits

• Whiter teeth
• Reduce plaque/gingivitis
• Get rid of bad breath
• Strengthen teeth and gums
• Helps with allergies, asthma, eczema

Final verdict? 
I tried it for 3 months and re-started it recently.  Whiter teeth, shinier teeth, fresh breath and helped with digestion. I don't know if bacteria really is being pulled into the oil, but it's not harmful. I may not do this every day, but I'll definitely be continuing this.


Resources:
http://www.oilpulling.com/

http://wellnessmama.com/7866/oil-pulling-for-oral-health/

Love Thy Freckles

Apple Pie Oatmeal

Fall is here! I love the changing of the leaves and smell of cinnamon in the air. Warm, comforting foods are all I want. Last night, I had a strong craving for McDonald's apple pie. They are so so good, but so so bad. I found an easy recipe and had most of the ingredients. Success! My apple pie craving was satisfied. I will most definitely be making this again.

Apple Pie Oatmeal

Recipe cred Familyfeedbag.com

Ingredients:

1 apple cored and chopped (skin on)
1 cup water
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions:

Bring water to a boil, then add all the ingredients. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour into a bowl, sprinkle brown sugar or your choice of sweetner. Pour a little bit of milk. Enjoy!

Lemon Water Benefits

I've been reading a lot about food and health lately. The foods we eat directly affect our health. Most foods we eat are acidic and an acidic environment is where viruses and illnesses thrive. Ideally, we want our bodies to be in an alkaline state.  Healthy foods don't cure illnesses. They simply nourish our bodies and strengthen our immune system to do what it does best: attack the bad stuff.

Believe it or not, lemons help keep our bodies alkaline. Counterintuitive, right? Lemons themselves are acidic, but once ingested, they become alkaline. The easiest way for me to get in my daily dose of lemons: LEMON WATER!

We're supposed to drink 6-8 glasses of water, so why not hit two birds with one stone. Hydrate and get our bodies alkaline! They say room temperature water is the best and cold water isn't good for you, but in my opinion, too many rules deter people from living a healthy lifestyle. Do what works for you!

There are so many other benefits: improved digestion, good for the skin, boosts immune system...CHEERS!

Fitness Motivation

This is what I tell myself on the days I need a little push. Legs sore and feel like jello from this morning's workout. Tired, but I feel great. Happy Friday!

30 Day Plank Challenge

This 30 Day Plank Challenge was a no-brainer for me to try. I won't lie though. It gets tough once you get to 2 minutes and up to 4 minutes. I had to take micro breaks and went straight back into plank position. I'm going to try this again soon...hopefully with less/no breaks!

Audrey Hepburn on Happiness

Audrey Hepburn...the epitome of timeless elegance. Oh, Audrey, how I love thee and this quote!

Stir-fried Dried Anchovies (Myul Chi Bokkeum)

I love myul chi bokkeum. I can eat it by itself or with a bowl of rice, seaweed paper and kimchi. Easy meal, done. In fact, I had it today for breakfast instead of my usual cottage cheese with flaxseed oil sprinkled with granola, which I've been eating every morning for the past month.

I've tried several different recipes from family members and from recipes I've found online. Truthfully, they all taste good and it's pretty versatile. If I'm in the mood for more of a sweet taste, I'll add in more sugar or honey. If I want something more salty, I'll add in some soy sauce. Generally speaking, I do prefer simple ingredients and I definitely try to cook in a way so food isn't salty.

The basis of this recipe is from Maangchi. I added the almonds and walnuts to give it extra nutritional value and bulk it up.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup small dried anchovies
• half a handful almonds and and half a handful of walnuts roughly chopped
• 1 clove of garlic minced
• 1 Tablespoon of water
• 1/4 teaspoon of Stevia or 1 Tablespoon of sugar or 1 Tablespoon of honey
• olive oil

Instructions:

Mix garlic, water, sugar in a bowl
Set aside.

In a heated pan on medium high heat, fry the anchovies for 1-2 minutes.

Push anchovies to the side of the pan and throw in the chopped almonds and walnuts. Toast for 1-2 minutes. Be sure to keep the anchovies side of the pan off the heat.

Drizzle olive oil into the pan. I do 2 swirls around the pan. Stir for 1 minute more.

Add the sauce previously mixed in a bowl.

Mix everything in the pan and turn off the heat immediately. Remove the anchovies from the pan immediately and serve!


Julia's Notes: I think anchovies are salty enough as is, so I prefer not to use soy sauce. You can add in chili peppers for a kick, sesame seeds and sesame oil. You can also add in 1 Tablespoon of hot pepper paste for a spicier version. They all taste great to me!

Auntie Fee Makes Me Laugh

This woman makes me cry laughing. Happy Friday! Sit back and enjoy the show.

30-Minute, No-Gym Bodyweight Workout

There are times when I do NOT want to drive to the gym and workout. The mere thought of grabbing the keys, getting into my car and driving seems so difficult. Some days, I will make every excuse under the sun not to workout. I am tired. It's raining. I will eat less today. I don't feel like it.

On days like these, I tell myself to do something really easy like 10 jumping jacks or 10 leg lifts. Once I do that, I push myself to go ahead and workout a few minutes at home. This is when I look up at-home workouts online. God bless the internet.

This is one workout I do quite often. It gets the heart pumping and I sweat. A bonus is that Christopher likes to sit and watch me jump up and down. He thinks it's hilarious. Sure, kid. If you're gonna stay somewhat still while I work up a sweat, I ain't complaining.


Get health and fitness tips at Greatist.com.

Attitude

Last weekend, we were at a Honda dealership. I recently purchased a white Honda Pilot with black trim. I've named my car Panda. Oh, yes I did. Panda was getting a roof rack, all-weather mats and running boards with LED lights. She's all pimped out now or as my father-in-law said...she looks like a real car now. Anyways, I was bored in the waiting room thumbing through magazines and walking around in circles. I passed by someone's desk and in plain sight for all to see was this thought-provoking quote about attitude.  The person sitting behind the desk smiled at me, reached for the frame and gave me a copy of the quote. How unexpectedly nice! Apparently, so many people stop to read it, he made several copies of it to pass out to people. How thoughtful! This is his little contribution to make the world a better place. World Peace!

I've read it a few times already. It is a reminder to always keep a good attitude about everything in life, even when I don't want to and even when it's so so so hard to do so. This is a must-share.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

 - Charles R. Swindoll

Peanut-Sesame Slaw with Soba Noodles

For the past two weeks, CJ and I have been eating healthy. I'm talking about cottage cheese, flaxseeds, ginger tea, salads, veggie patties, fish, chicken, quinoa, walnuts, brazilian nuts...doesn't sound too appetizing, right? I can see you scrunching your face saying "ewww". Get it out of your system. Done? Great. Read on.

CJ is a meats and potatoes type of guy. I know this is a huge transition for him (I love you for riding along with minimal complaints). Healthy eating can be quite tasty with some research and creativity. We are both learning that once your body gets used to eating healthy, your body craves it and your tummy aches when you eat crap food.

Though we're buying a lot of organic foods, we're actually saving money because I'm not buying chips, soda, bacon, hot dogs, and red meat. I've been more focused on veggies, tuna, salmon, brown rice, fruit, and the list goes on. 

A few nights ago, I needed to whip up a quick dinner. Where else would I go, but Pinterest for inspiration and ideas! Gawd, I love Pinterest.

I came across a tasty looking photo and clicked on it and discovered this recipe. If you're not a peanut butter fan, move on and just know you're no longer my friend. i...love...PEANUT...BUTTERRRRR!! I really want to go on and on about it, but really, I should just stop yapping and post the recipe already. Crunch, crunch, chomp, chomp...enjoy!

PEANUT-SESAME SLAW WITH SOBA NOODLES

Recipe cred goes to Cookie+Kate

Ingredients

Slaw

• 4 ounces soba noodles (omit if you want it to be gluten-free, unless it's gluten-free soba...duh)
• 1 small purple or green cabbage, sliced into quarters and core removed
• ½ pound (about 12) Brussels sprouts, optional
• 4 carrots, peeled
• 1 bunch green onions, trimmed and sliced into thin rounds

Peanut-sesame dressing

• ½ cup peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar or rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari or other soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
• 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced

Garnish

• Sprinkle of coarsely chopped peanuts
• Handful of cilantro, coarsely torn
• 1 lime, sliced into wedges

Instructions

1. Cook the soba noodles: bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water before returning to pot.
2. Prepare the vegetables: This is easier in a food processor than by hand. If using a food processor, shred the cabbage and sprouts with the slicing disk, then grate the carrots using the grating disk. Or use a chef's knife to chop the cabbage and sprouts into thin strips, then coarsely grate the carrots.
3. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until smooth.
4. In a large serving bowl, combine the cooked soba noodles, shredded cabbage and sprouts, grated carrots, and chopped green onions. Pour dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat (you may or may not need all of the dressing). For best flavor, let the slaw marinate for 20 minutes before serving.
5. Serve slaw with a sprinkling of chopped peanuts, torn cilantro and a lime wedge.

Julia's Notes: I didn't use brussel sprouts, green onions or chopped peanuts because I didn't have them on hand.  Tasted just fine, but I bet it'll be tastier with them. The photo above doesn't have soba noodles, but I did add it later...yummo. If you want a lighter fare, omit the soba noodles.

Let's do this! Healthy Lifestyle Makeover.

My dad practices what he preaches. He is the most healthiest person I know. He exercises 5-6 days a week for 2 hours each session. He tries not to eat too much red meat, stays away from white rice and avoids salty foods like the plague. At age 64, the man has a six pack, dresses GQ and looks young! I am a proud daughter.

Needless to say, my father has influenced me heavily when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. I must admit, I haven't exhibited the same amount of discipline as he has. I'll read about some detox program in a magazine or a new fad diet and I'll be super motivated to hit the ground running. The excitement and high will last for maybe a week or two and then...bam! One cheat meal is all it takes for me to go spiraling back to my old ways, albeit healthier than most people.

Recently, I have been reminded that life without health is nothing. My grandfather is 92 years old and tells me this every single time I see him without fail. Money, fame, power...it's all meaningless without health.

Instead of a diet to lose weight, I am embarking on a journey to live healthier - with food, my body and my soul.

This blog is my personal diary to preserve family recipes, test out new recipes, share workouts and anything else that my little heart desires.