Spaghetti Squash and a word or two

Hey all!  Sorry for the delay - without any further ado...!

Spaghetti squash is fairly easy to make.  You can look up instructions.  The other night I used a particularly big SS so my cooking time was longer.  For a medium sized one, you will want to preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Using a pairing knife, prick the squash all over.  Then place in a baking dish and bake for 60 or so minutes - until soft.  I like to put a little water in the bottom of the pan personally.  I don't remember where I picked that up but I do it.  When it's done cooking, take out and cut in half, long way.  Scoop out and toss the seeds and junk, then, using a fork, scrape the inside of the squash - top of each half to the bottom.  You'll see that what comes out, via the fork, is spaghetti looking!!  Just keep doing it, you'll get lots of spaghetti!

While the squash is baking, grab yourself two organic zucchinis (zucchini season is wrapping up so use it while you can!).  In a frying pan, over medium heat, add a tablespoon of coconut oil and a tablespoon of butter to the pan - let it heat.  Cut the ends off the zucchinis, then cut long way.  Then cut long way again.  Then dice.  You're essentially cubing the zucchinis.  Add to pan along with a teaspoon or tablespoon of organic minced garlic.  Saute till soft and lightly browned (maybe 15ish minutes).

When you have the spaghetti squash carved out, add the zucchinis, some salt and pepper, and a few fun dashes of parmigiano reggiano.  Enjoy! For the meatless meatballs, follow directions on bag, cooking them in vegetable pasta sauce, serving them on the side of the spaghetti. 

FUN FACTS-
Coconut oil: supports metabolism and helps burn stored fat.  It's main component, lauric acid, is a powerful anti-microbial fat that kills bacteria, viruses and yeast.
Zucchini: calms nervous function, has anti-aging vitamins C and A, and has nutrients B6 and folate which is good for healthy hair.
Spaghetti squash: low cal, filling fiber, and vitamin A (cell renewal and protective to computer strained eyes) and potassium (supports healthy muscle and nerve function, balances electrolytes, and helps maintain PH balance in the body)

HAPPY EATING! 



So wellness is certainly about eating for nutrition and exercising for mental and physical health, but its also about having a spiritual type of path.  This can be found through things like yoga and meditation, for me, it's reaching a calmness... but its also about a self awareness: my role in the world, but also my role in the events that take place around me.  I have long since functioned from a place of needed perfection and so any criticism at all was crippling.  But now I've reached a place in my development in which I can identify my role in situations, hear the words of those around me, and alter my reactions and/or what I bring into similar situations.  It's a relief to learn to not take life personally.  Life and people don't have to dictate my mood and my happiness.  That's MY job.  I choose to feel serene over stress.  What's YOUR choice?

Love you and Happy Friday!! XOXOXOX

Beauty Elixer (that green juice)

Hey guys!!

Okay here are the recipes from yesterday.  So given my Italian nature, I don't typically measure things, its more of a SOUL feeling.  Funny, when I used to cook with my mommom, I was always like "Mommom, but how MUCH am I putting in?!"  Her answer was always, like, a dash, or a pinch.

Now I get it.

So first up, that green juice.  This was actually something I found in a magazine, long ago.  It is allegedly Kerry Washington's Beauty Elixer.  And, well, she's gorgeous, so I was game.

BEAUTY ELIXER:

In a blender or a NutriBullet...

-1/4 cupish of purified water
-few leaves of organic romaine (protects computer stressed eyes)
-few stalks of organic celery (good for skin hydration and elasticity)
-healthy handful of organic spinach (cell turnover, regulates sleep, mood, appetite and calms nervous function among many other things!)
-healthy handful of organic parsley (flushes excess water retention)

Mix together then add...

-organic banana (regulates sleep, mood and appetite and important for electrolyte balance)
-organic apple (see below)
-organic pear (great fiber and anti-inflammatory)
-half organic lemon (helps maintain a flat belly and natural detoxifier)

Congratulations!!  You now have a beauty elixer!! :)

*Apples really do keep the doctor away.  They reduce allergies, they detox the body, they are loaded with antioxidants and they areanti-inflammatory.  They balance bacteria in the large intestine which aids digestion and is good for the skin.  They are anti-cancerous, and they help fight wrinkles!

Spaghetti squash meal recipe shall follow!!! Happy nutrition! :)

It's time for a wellness revolution

Hey all.

My goodness, I can't believe it was 3 years ago that I started this blog.  It was such a great tool, then, but it wasn't enough.  You see, I was going through some serious shit, as I have for the past 4 years.  And the blog as a tool was great, but what I didn't know then, was that my toolbox needed to be overflowing.  I have been blessed with a lot of great characteristics, but coping skills is historically not one of those.  And through several years of pain, lessons, and shifts, I now begin (or pick back up) what I like to refer to as THE WELLNESS MOVEMENT.

What I never realized is that everybody has their shit.  I always assumed I was the only one born without directions; the world was happening to ME.  *shakes head*  Well, that is definitely not the case.  The world is happening alright, but it's not to me.  I am but a factor.  I can choose to be a great factor, or I can choose to live as a victim.  For my own serenety, peace and happiness, I whole-heartedly choose to be a factor - a brick in the wall of greatness and strength - a tide in a beautiful, blue ocean - a beam in the warming sunshine (you get the idea).

And what does it take to play such a role in today's world?  A firm foundation in wellness and health.  You see, to me, wellness isn't nutrition or eating vegetarian.  It's an approach to relationships, to fitness, to nutrition, to spirituality, and to love and happiness.  It embodies so many things that are at our fingertips if we choose to explore and learn.

So what's this new blog about?  It's going to be my take on all the aforementioned branches of wellness, coupled with the new information I will be soaking up through my education via IIN.  And what does this mean to you?  FREE ADVICE!!

LOL.

So read the blogs or not.  Heed the suggestions or not.  Identify and laugh or not.  It's totally up to you.  I have no desire to change anyone but myself.  Though if my experiences can help any of you, then that will satisfy my soul.  Ultimately, I want to make a difference in this world.  So, I'll start with myself.  Happy blogging.  I love you guys.  (And soon, hopefully a video blog!!)

Stay tuned for yesterday's recipes....  XOXO