FREE Health History Consultation

If you are like most people, I imagine there are specific goals you have for your health and your life. Perhaps you want more energy and are tired of always being tired. Maybe you have those nagging sweet cravings that you can’t seem to get under control. Or, perhaps it’s time to finally figure out how to look and feel great in your own body. Does any of this sound familiar?
As a Health Coach, I support my clients to make step-by-step changes to their food and lifestyle, so that they permanently reach their goals. I support them to do so in a way that’s enjoyable and easily integrated into their lives.
If you are ready to make some real changes in your life and learn how to reach YOUR goals, I have a special invitation for you. I’d like to invite you to a free health consultation, where you’ll have the opportunity for undivided attention from someone who wants to support you to look and feel better!
This 45-minute confidential session, available in-person or by phone/Skype, allows you to:

• Identify your health goals and what you’ve always imagined for your life.
• Figure out what you truly want to accomplish long-term for yourself and maybe even your family.  
• Understand how you may be getting in your own way of reaching these goals.  
• Learn how to have my support to permanently reach your goals by participating in my health coaching program. 

This session could very well be a turning point in your life!

Your next step is to schedule your session. Please contact me at TheJuicyMommy@gmail.com to reserve a spot in my schedule for the consultation.

Please let me know when you are available to focus on yourself and your goals. I very much look forward to hearing from you.


Thank you all so much!

Peace & Health
J-

Juicing, Painting & Motherhood

Hi everyone!  Hope everyone is having a fab week!  I just wanted to fill you all in on what is going on my neck of the woods this past week.  Hubs is on vacation and our home is in full facelift mode.  As exciting as the end result will be it has been chaotic.  Between the mess and kids not being able to access all their favorite toys I am ready for next week to be here already when this will all be a distant memory.

On top of that on Monday was my birthday.  I decided I wanted to do another juice fast and though the last one I did was 7 days back in April I found a 2 day juice detox from a peer at Integrative Institute For Nutrition.  It’s not bad at all but I think I should have planned this on a week I had less going on.  I wound up caving in around dinner time and had a hearty portion of my homemade lentil soup and half an avocado.

I haven’t been hungry or tired and I think that my biggest challenge is that I love dinner time.  I love it not only because of the food but of what it entails.  It’s the only time of the day the entire family sits down.  We take our time (for the most part), enjoy our meal and talk about what happened during the day.  Sure I could have sat there with my mason jar of juice but I didn’t.  And I don’t feel guilty either.  I figure I eat really well all the time and this is just a little tune up to my system.

Friday will be my second and last day.  I’ll let you know how it goes On my next post and I will share recipe.  I won’t be posting till next week.  This weekend I am very excited to be a part of IIN’s Conference on Saturday and Sunday.  I’m sure after two days of information from nutrition experts I will have endless posts to share with you all.

Peace & Health
J-

Non-GMO Project App

As if food shopping wasn’t enough of a headache!  as conscious consumers we now have to worry which foods are genetically modified.  Well The The Non-GMO Project has now made it easier for us.  Just download their free App for your IPhone and with just the touch of your finger tips food shopping nightmares will be a thing of the past.

The app has brands that have enrolled and are verified non-GMO.  And if you already didn’t know The Non-GMO Project is a third party verification program in the U.S. So there is no need to worry about misleading information.

The App is very easy to navigate and product searching can be done based on type, brand name, product name and key words.  Plus can find local retailers that carry non-GMO products.  Another feature is that the App contains tips on how to avoid GMOs.  

For me and my family this one is a no brainer.  Quick, free, informative and honest!

Peace & Health

J-

Taking The Weekend Off

Hi friends!  I hope you all had a wonderful week!  I know I did!  Today I spent the day with my two closest girlfriends.  We started with breakfast, a little home shopping and they even came to Feng Shui my bedroom and my kids room.

Today I had a couple of emails asking me for information to possibly collaborate with me.  There are ALOT of exciting things coming our way.  It won’t be for a while but nevertheless still VERY EXCITING!!!

I decided to take the weekend off and focus on my studies so my posting will be very limited.  Any emails I will answer but there will be a bit of a delay.

Thank you all for being dedicated followers.

Peace & Health,
J-


I almost forgot!  In case you didn’t see my facebook post last night tomorrow is the last night you can watch Genetic Roulette  for free!

Broccoli Sprouts

I am huge fan of pea sprouts.  I have them everyday in my green juice but I am very excited to share that while studying I have found two other types of AMAZING sprouts.  Yesterday, I was at Whole Foods and finally got a chance to look for these magical little greens.

I had eaten them in the past in wraps and salads but I had never gone out of my way to buy them.  What I learned was that broccoli sprouts are 50 times more powerful in fighting cancer than the standard broccoli we find just about anywhere.  In 2011, The University of Illinois found that when combining broccoli and broccoli sprouts you nearly double the anti-cancer effects.  The  inside lid of the container states the following, “While studying broccoli and broccoli sprouts at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, scientists identified a natural compound, sulforaphane GS( SGS), which supports long-lasting antioxidant and essential cellular function.  A fat-free food, broccoli sprouts are a good source of Vitamin C.  Diets low in fat and rich in vegetables (like broccoli sprouts) and fruit may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, a disease of many factors.”

I know the holistic and more natural approach is still very new and often with newness there is doubt (rightfully so.  After all it is our lives) But to have one of the countries top medical universities such as John Hopkins conduct a study and make such a statement to me is groundbreaking.  Plus for me it is absolutely delicious!  And very easy to incorporate.  I just added it to my daily green juice but it is just as delicious in a sandwich or wrap.  Just keep in mind to keep it alive!  No cooking these little green guys.  You want them a alive as possible to gain the most benefits.

As mentioned I found mine at Whole Foods.  If you have a green thumb you can easily grow them out of a mason jar or purchase a kit to grow your own.  It only takes about 6 days for them to be ready.  I lack the green thumb and I am very fortunate to have a husband that truly enjoys gardening in the summer (that is how we have such an extensive variety of produce).  So for the mean time I’ll be purchasing until I get the courage to sprout my own.  Find your local BroccoSprouts retailer at http://broccosprouts.com/

With everything that I write about I just want to emphasize to look into further research and make sure you are comfortable with what you are eating and doing.  My goal is to perk your ears and share as much valuable information that comes along my way.  Always remember to be your own active advocate in your life.

Peace & Health
J-

Back to School Immune Support

We are still adjusting to our new schedule but the beautiful autumn weather has started to peak through.  Leaves are falling, the air is crisp and humid days are a thing of the past.  With the kids being back to school and the cooler days nearing us it is just a matter of time when the colds come along as well.  Last year was not a good one for us.  Mainly Amanda who had started kindergarden.  In the 5 years of her life she had never had an ear infection.  Somehow she wound up with 2 along with a couple of colds.

As usual I did a bit of research over the summer to see what it is I can do to minimize the risks and hopefully avoid them all together.  As far as nutrition well I try to be as healthy as possible with myself but when it comes to my kids I am even more health conscious.  And thankfully since we have been a junk free family Amanda (now 6) makes her own choices that I am extremely proud of.  For example I know for a fact (from hearing the reports of other moms at school or parties) Amanda will have a couple of bites of birthday cake but then will go off and feast on a bowl of fruit. (Insert huge grin on my face!)  So the next step naturally was to look into supplements.  

Our doctor had prescribed to both kids a vitamin cocktail that contained Fluoride.  It has been over 6 months that I stopped giving it to them.  Yes, I know that Fluoride can be found in some water but I have decided to not actively have my kids ingest it.  Aside from my research at home I went into Whole Foods to go on my quest for the right vitamins.  I know I’m always saying how much I love it in there but I REALLY love the employees even more.  They are so knowledgeable and willing to help out.  I knew I wanted a multivitamin and Cod Liver Oil.  I wanted Nordic Natural’s Children’s DHA (I’ll explain later) but the multi is where I was unsure.  There were just so many!

After a 20 minute lesson on different multivitamins we agreed upon Child Life Essentials Multi Vitamin & Mineral.  Child Life Essentials was developed and formulated by homeopathic pediatric specialist Dr. Murray Clarke.  Child Life is made from the highest quality ingredients.  There are no artificial flavorings, sweeteners or coloring.  Their Multi Vitamin & Mineral formula contains all the essentials for developing children. 

The second I was very excited and nervous to introduce (Fish oil).  I like to consider myself a non-picky eater.  I was raised to try it all and give everything a chance.  I have (in my opinion) successfully instilled the same thought process on my kids but we have a challenge when it comes to fish.  I’m not a fan.  Again, I will eat it but I don’t enjoy it and when you don’t enjoy something you tend to not cook it either.  Plus though we are omnivores our meat, poultry and seafood is very minimal so the source of our iron, protein and omega 3 hardly comes from those sources.  

You might have heard of all the health benefits of incorporating omega 3 in your diet but just as a refresher here are some key points for you to consider.  Omega 3 is the trio of EPA, DHA & ALA found in marine life such as fish and sea vegetables.  Omega 3 supports all organs, immune system, endocrine system, bones and cardiovascular system.  It is also a source for a healthy nervous system and essential for brain development.  Plus it has been proven to reduce the risk of disease.  

There are factors you have to consider when choosing the right Omega 3 for your children and yourself.  You must make sure that the company is GMP (Good Manufactured Practice) certified and Third Party Certified (quality control was checked by a group that is not affiliated with brand.) It is also imperative that you know whether or not and how much mercury is in the Omega 3 you are ingesting.  Nordic Naturals was my obvious choice.  

Nordic Naturals is the winner of many awards based on taste, purity and quality.  There are several versions depending on age.  We went with Children’s DHA.  

I thought I was set with all the supplements I needed to promote a healthy and strong immune system when I was told to consider an extra boost of Vitamin C.  Of course!  How could I forget a basic known vitamin?  

I hadn’t really looked into what brand Vitamin C to buy so I went with the suggestion of the Whole Foods employee.  She suggested Rainbow Light Nutritional Systems Gummy Vitamin C Slices.  The gummy slices are 100% natural, gluten-free and lactose-free.  They have no artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, preservatives or additives.

I can buy all the supplements in the world but the true test takers would be Amanda and Charlie.  The two are used to taking vitamins except during our 6 month hiatus.  I explained to Amanda that I wanted to make her as healthy as possible and that I didn’t want her to get those icky ear infections she dealt with last year.  I started with the fish oil followed by the multi and then gummy slices.  I was nervous mostly with the fish oil.  Both kids were troopers and took their vitamins.  Amanda said the fish oil is her least favorite and the gummy slices her most favorite (they are lightly coated with organic cane sugar but I don’t mind especially since both kids are not resistant to fish oil.)

Both kids have been taking this combination for 2 months and I just went back to Whole Foods yesterday to stock up.  I should mention that the gummy slices are recommended for children 4 and over because they are chewy.  Charlie will be 3 in December but I cut them in half and have him sit in front of me until he is done chewing.  I am looking forward for the kids to be warding off all icky colds and viruses this year.  And though this post is specifically talking about kids I hope this also reminds you to take some supplements.  No one wants to deal with colds and viruses and if you are a parent you most certainly don’t have time to get sick.

Peace & Health

J-

Broccoli with Garlic & Olive Oil Pasta

I incorporate cruciferous vegetables every day.  Aside from adding them to my green juice I try my best to throw them in as often as possible.  Whether it be in an omelette for breakfast or salad for lunch.  I love cruciferous for many reasons. They are very high in phytochemicals (carotenoids, chlorophyll, fiber, flavonoids, etc ), vitamins and minerals.  They are also known to help prevent cancers.  In 1996 The Journal of the American Dietetic Association found over 70% of studies indicated a direct link between cruciferous vegetables and cancer prevention.  Plus the possibilities are endless.  My personal favorite is broccoli. Whether that is the standard floret, rabe or broccolini.  But in case you didn’t know the follow veggies are categorized as cruciferous...  broccoli, spinach, brussels sprouts (another fave!), cauliflower, collard greens, mustard greens, turnips, horseradish, cabbage, kale, radishes, watercress, daikon, arugula, bok choy, chard, rutabaga, wasabi and many more!

Last week as many of you saw I made a broccoli with garlic and olive oil pasta.  It’s been a bit hectic with Amanda going to first grade, Charlie starting preschool and of course me too!  But as I promised you all last week here is my version of this vitamin packed meal.

1 lb. of Whole Wheat Organic Pasta
1 quart of Vegetable Stock
4 cups of Organic broccoli (can substitute for rabe too!)
4 Garlic Cloves (crushed)
1/2 cup of Organic Olive Oil
Salt, Black Pepper & Crushed Red Pepper to Taste

Here is my little trick when cooking pasta.  When available I like to cook the pasta in vegetable stock.  It gives it that little extra bit of flavor that it sometimes needs. Follow Directions on packaging as per minutes to cook.

In a small pan add oil and crushed garlic.  Set it on low to medium heat simmer and infuse the flavor of the garlic into the oil for about 5-8 minutes (depending on stove).  Just keep an eye that you do not burn your garlic.  Otherwise the taste will penetrate to the oil.  I like to leave the garlic but some people don’t like to and rather just have the benefits of the taste.  If you are a person who doesn’t want to bite into it skim the garlic out with a metal mesh skimmer.  Add Broccoli.  When Adding the Broccoli I give a VERY light sautee.  I like to keep my vegetables as raw and crisp as possible.  Give them a quick toss for about 5 minutes.  Just enough time to get the broccoli coated with the infused olive oil.

For those non-vegans you may go ahead and add some grated parmesan.  For the omnivores who would like a little extra protein some turkey sausage slices work well too!  And don’t forget to add a bit of crushed red pepper flakes for an extra punch.

Sleep Rituals For The Little Ones

Some kids have already started school and other’s like my daughter will begin this week.  As a parent and health advocate I cannot stress enough how important it is to put your kids not only to bed early but to have a sleep ritual for them as well.

As my earlier post explained, not only does your body “recharge” its energy but it also detoxes.  Let me break it down to you.  Since we are talking about children in school I will include nursery school too.  A child 1-3 years old requires 12-14 hours per day, 3-6 years old 10-12 hours, 7-12 years old 10-11 hours, 12-18 years old 8- 9 hours of sleep a night. 

Sleep is vital for growth, brain development and their overall mood and well-being.  We have a country where autism rates instead of slowing down are increasing at exponential rates and though there are cases that are valid and true as parents we MUST ensure our children are getting the proper nutrition through their diet and sleep.

It wasn’t long ago that I was a student taking classes in a teach hospital where I would go grab coffee (literally like black tar) with the med students and interns.  Between that and the lack of sleep between school and working fulltime.  You can only guess what kind of personality and mood I would be in.  It was like playing spin the wheel on the mood disorder.  You never knew what you were going to get! 

So if as an adult that I would like to think I have more control than a school aged child would get irritated and moody fairly easily than what is to expect of a child that is learning when not to blow up?

Tonight is the night before my daughter goes back to school.  I had no issues what so ever putting her to bed at 7pm.  Now I’m not saying every kid should go to bed at 7pm.  Amanda gets picked up at 6:45am and is up no later than 6am.  She requires that much sleep.  I tried having her go to bed at 8pm but she would struggle and it would cause tension in the morning.  Why put her and I through that if I know what the solution is? 

Just as an example here is our schedule (which I started weaning back into it about 3.5-4 weeks ago)

Dinner: 4:30pm

Baths:  5:15-5:45pm

Free Playtime / Movie:  5:45-6:30pm

Bedtime: 6:30pm (really goes to sleep at 7pm but by the time she’s done saying goodnight, brush teeth, glass of water and prayers, lights aren’t out until 7pm)

Story time varies.  Sometimes it’s right before bedtime must most of the time it is sandwiched somewhere during the day.

She is a child so once in a while I get a protest but for the most part because not much changes both Amanda as well as Charlie know what to expect because it has become their sleep ritual. 

See what works for your child but the most important part is to stick to the age appropriate hours of sleep for your child.  And don’t forget to make memories too!  You’ll be surprised when your child turns around to complain like mine did just recently.  I told Amanda I had to finish laundry and to do her prayers.  She said, “hey! You have to listen to them too!”

After all this is such a short period of time why are we rushing it?  Wishing you all a good night sleep for yourself and your little ones.

Peace & Health

J-