A Practical Guide To Healthy Living

So since I posted in November, I’ve done a 180 on you all. Me, champion of moderation. Me, the “no food is bad” girl. Me, variety is the spice of life, personified. I have given up gluten. Yup. And I have felt terrific. So terrific that I have passed up at least 1/2 dozen opportunities to snarf baguette. I am a baguette-lovah from way back. And remember those resort croissants that I have trouble with too? I just spent a whole week looking at them and they didn’t even call my name. That’s how good I feel.

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So I’m back to posting some recipes here, thanks to EasyRecipe – and you may have noticed the “Save” button in the upper right-hand corner of each recipe. What’s that? That, my friends, is your link to cooking organization and freedom! Click on that button and it’ll take you to Ziplist, a free site that’ll help you save your favorite recipes from around the web (even from PINTEREST, people!) into your own “recipe box,” generate shopping lists based on the recipes you choose to make, and gives you access to money-saving coupons and grocery deals in your area. Wowza. You can even create your grocery list online and then take it with you using their free iPhone & Android mobile apps. And share it, too – so you can send your loved ones to do your grocery-store bidding.

Read all about Ziplist here!

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Well well well. It’s been a while, no? I have enjoyed my break from blogging, but I’ve also missed you guys in a way too. Striking a balance with blogging is hard – it’s the proverbial goldfish, or mushroom . . . will grow to fill whatever space you give it in your life. And if you happen to be a type-A overachiever who hates a half-way job like someone we know, well, then, you’re just sunk.

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Hello friends. It’s been a while. I’ve been sad, and so, so busy. Six weeks ago, I lost my father. My “suck it up and deal” mentor. A man who’d lived with multiple sclerosis for over 40 years, he showed me better than anyone else ever could how to acknowledge your plight, but not be defined by it. How to keep getting something out of life, although life might be limited. To be scrappy and clever and smart so as to outwit the limiters and keep joy in the face of decline and disappointment. His entire adult life, like my life now, was colored by illness, and yet . . . he always chose to rally, to find a reason to keep going. He truly has been an inspiration for me as I live with cancer. Sure, lots of things have been messed up, but I still squeeze joy out of every day here . . . and a lot of that scrap and wit and vigor comes from my quiet, iron-willed, and brilliant father. [Read more →]

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You know you’re supposed to be eating more fruits and veggies, but there’s all that wash, chop and prep to contend with. Weeknights are crazy at your house. Why not pick up a bag (or box or tray) of pre-cut veg at the market this week? Companies like Dole and Mann’s have lots of options, as do supermarkets like Whole Foods – check the produce section or buy some veg from the salad bar. Another option? Frozen. Try unseasoned, unsauced frozen blends like Asian or Mediterranean: Open a bag, dump ‘em into your skillet, add low-sodium soy sauce, a dash of sesame oil for flavor and cook. Add a protein (pre-baked, seasoned tofu in Terriyaki flavor would be perfect here) and dinner.is.done.

Do you have any veggie secrets to share?

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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To build muscle, you have to use enough, but not too much weight. Here’s a way to gauge: if you can do at least 8, but no more than 12 reps, you’re using the right weight. Up to 13 reps? Time to amp up and use a heavier weight – congratulations!

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Unsweetened frozen fruit plus unflavored, unsweetened dairy, non-dairy milk or kefir equals a nearly instant cold, healthy smoothie. Homemade smoothies offer much higher nutrition than store-bought, and YOU control your ingredients. Go easy on the sugar/sweeteners, and of course, feel free to add greens – my favorite!

What’re your favorite smoothie add-ins?

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Trying to cut the junk? You know what they say, “Variety is the spice of life.” Studies show that people who have greater variety in their diets eat more. So don’t stock your kitchen with 4 different types of cookies, ice cream, pastries, and cakes. Stick with with one or two junk-food choices (if you have to have ‘em in the house at all) – preferably ones that’ll please your co-habitants but which aren’t your personal favorites.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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