‘Tis the season for Blueberries!

July 31, 2014HealthyLivingWithAlix Leave a comment

Blueberries are in season, and when they are in season they are GOOD! I am not the biggest blueberry fan. In fact, up until a few years ago, I pretty much hated them. They were the fruit I threw in the garden when my grandma wasn’t looking because she put them in her fruit salad and I disliked the taste that much!

So, when my friend suggested blueberry picking a few years ago, I was skeptical because I knew how much I really did not like them. However, because of her son, I went. After picking the first one, I was happy we decided to go and was hooked on farm fresh, organic blueberries, however not a fan of the store bought ones.

I realized the difference between the two- one being from the supermarket and one being from a farm- the pesticides on the blueberries from the store must have made them taste differently to me. Blueberries have 52 known pesticides on them including Carcinogens, Hormone disruptors, and others. If there are 52 known pesticides, I am sure there are many more that are unknown.

When buying organic and local, not only am I helping out the farm that I am purchasing them from, but I am also helping my body by eating organic foods without all the pesticides that will kill my body, and taste buds.

Now that I do like blueberries, we went blueberry picking again this past Monday and we picked only 7 pounds of blueberries! Yes- 7 pounds! I did have to put a bunch in my freezer so they would not all go bad!

Not only do they taste good, they are very beneficial to the body-

– Packed with vitamin C, E, B2, Niacin, and Folate

– Phytonutrient Quercetin can reduce severity of allergies when eaten continuously day to day

– Contains minerals such as Iron, Magnesium, and Potassium

– Contains Salicylic Acid- which helps with thinning of the blood and reduces pain making it a natural form of aspirin.

– Rich in Proanthocyanidins which can help decrease wrinkling and disease associated with aging.

– Because of Catechins that are found in blueberries, which activate fat burning cells, they can aid in weight loss, especially belly fat surrounding the abdominals.

Blueberries are good for the body, for the skin, and most of all your taste buds! Do yourself a favor and pick up some organic blueberries today from your local farm or farmer’s market- I promise, you will not be sorry!

Eat them from your hands, with some yogurt, in a smoothie, or even add them to your favorite salad!

When you know what you are eating, your body will thank you!

Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

July 23, 2014HealthyLivingWithAlix Leave a comment

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I had a lot of Zucchini from out CSA this past week, and after shredding it earlier this week to make quesadillas with it, I decided to use the rest for zucchini muffins. I wanted something that was sweet enough to eat for dessert, because that is something I do tend to eat every night, yet healthy enough to have for breakfast- or my mid morning snack. These are what I came up with!

Ingredients-

1 cup whole wheat flour- or flour of choice if trying to keep gluten free

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

dash of salt

1/2 cup unsweetened 100% raw cocoa powder

2 eggs

1/2 cup honey, although I used a little less due to the chocolate

1.5 cups shredded zucchini

1/2 cup coconut oil in liquid form

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup chocolate chips- I used Enjoy Life Mini Chips which are non dairy, non nuts, non soy

Directions-

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter muffin tin, or use muffin wrappers.

In large bowl mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Add chocolate chips and mix until everything is combined.

In another large bow whisk eggs, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla until all mixed. Add zucchini and continue mixing until all zucchini is covered.

Add the powder mixture and stir until all powder is covered in liquid mixture. Do not over mix.

Fill up muffin tins- 1/4-1/2 depending on the size you want. Put in oven and bake for 18 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out smooth.

**These are pretty chocolate-ly- if you do not want too much chocolate, I would skip out on the extra chocolate chips.

When you take the time to make your own foods, you know exactly what is being put into your body- and for that, your body will thank you! Remember to always eat for your body!

~Enjoy

Seasonal Eater

July 17, 2014HealthyLivingWithAlix 2 Comments

I am a seasonal eater- meaning I eat what is in season when it comes to fruits and vegetables. I buy local produce, and if I can not find it too local, I try not to go further than a 100 mile radius for my foods. Eating locally has many benefits to your body and to your taste buds. When you are eating locally with the seasons, you are eating foods that are in your environment, as well as getting a wide variety of foods for each season that will help provide you with natural vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, and more. Why would you want to eat something that is from California when you live in New York? Because of the traveling, foods are rotting, losing their natural flavors, and more chemicals than you should ever want to consume are being added into your “good for you foods”. Strawberries are typically in season in the late spring to early summer, that is the peak time to eat them and stock up on them. Buying them in December is not benefiting you or your body, it is benefiting the manufacturer that added chemicals in it to make them look fuller and brighter after delivering them from out-of-state.

When it comes to eating seasonally, I get my produce either through my winter and summer CSA co-ops, or at the local farmers market.

I am a big supporter of the Peekskill Farmer’s Market in my area, and this year they have added many new vendors!

Buying foods through local CSA co-ops and farmers’ markets are not only beneficial to your body, but your wallet will thank you too! Most farms and CSA’s are less than half the cost of what you would spend on produce in the supermarket and the foods are much more fresh!

This past weekend I had to stock up on fruits for my weekday smoothies. In season now are-

Cherries

Blueberries

Raspberries

Plums

Peaches

Apricots

When you eat with the seasons, you are eating local and you are helping your body, taste buds, and your environment! Stop by your local farmer’s market or farm today and stock up on the produce that is in season now!

Taco Seasoning

July 12, 2014HealthyLivingWithAlix 3 Comments

Who doesn’t love Mexican night in their house?!? It happens to be my favorite- Taco Tuesday’s! Taco seasoning, however, contains a lot of added sugars, salt, and extras that you should not want to out in your body- that causes the extra bloat and gas. A few years ago a friend of mine sent me a homemade taco seasoning recipe that I have been using ever since! It tastes so much better than the already made seasoning, and it is 100 times better for you and your body!

So easy, so delicious, so tasty! Try it out for your next taco night!

I use it so much, I taped the recipe on the door to my spice cabinet!

Recipe-

1 Tablespoon Chili Powder

1/4 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

1/4 Teaspoon Onion Powder

1/4 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

1/4 Teaspoon Dried Oregano

1/2 Teaspoon Paprika

1 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cumin- I sometimes add a bit more for extra spice

Optional-

1 Teaspoon salt- which I do not typically use

1 Teaspoon Black Pepper- which I do use, but it will add an extra spice to the flavor, so I recommend adding only if you like spicier foods.

Using one package of lean Turkey meat (or Beef if that’s what you prefer)- Brown and separate meat over medium-low heat. Drain once cooked. Place meat back in pan, add 2/3 cup water and add seasoning. mix together covering all meat with seasoning. Turn heat on medium-high. once boiling, return heat to low and let simmer until water is dissolved. Place in bowl and serve with hard or soft taco shells and toppings of your choice!

When you make your own foods, you know exactly what is going in your body, and for that your body will thank you!

~Eat for you body and stay healthy~

Turkey Burger Twist On The Grill!

July 11, 2014HealthyLivingWithAlix Leave a comment

There is a local restaurant that I have been going to for years. They are known for some different dishes including a turkey burger made with spinach and topped with artichokes. As much as I love going out, I do know it is not always the healthiest choice. The grease foods are cooked in at restaurants are not good for your digestion system or your stomach.
Last night was a hot night and perfect to grill, so I decided to try making my own version of the turkey burger with spinach in it, and OHMYGOODNESS they were delicious!! Maybe even better than going out- and a lot cheaper! Best of all, they were prepared, with only 6-7 ingredients, and ready to eat in less than a half hour!

Ingredients-

2 Garlic scapes- I get my scapes through the CSA we belong to. If you can not find them, you can use one or two fresh garlic cloves, minced.
1/2 yellow onion- quartered
2 handfuls spinach
1 package of lean organic ground Turkey meat (I do not recommend the extra lean meats because they will not hold the same with out a filler such as eggs or bread crumbs.)
dash of pepper
Artichoke hearts- Drained
Provolone cheese- OPTIONAL
English Muffin

Turn BBQ grill on- medium heat.
Place garlic scapes, onion, and spinach in food processor and pulse until ingredients are finely chopped.

Mix with turkey meat in bowl and add pepper. Mix together using hands.

Start making patties. I made four- however if making sliders, you can make the patties smaller and get more burgers.

Once grill is hot enough you can place burgers on grill. 5-6 minutes on each side.

While waiting, turn on stove and heat artichokes on low heat. Take off stove last four minutes of grilling time and add to burgers outside.

If using cheese, now is the time to add that as well. If you want the english muffin heated, you can add to top layer of grill during this time as well.

After 12 minutes, burgers are done, and you are ready to indulge!

When you take the time to make your own foods, you know exactly what you body is getting, and that is the best way to nourish yourself!
When you eat for your body, your body will thank you!

Enjoy~

Healthy Living With Alix

Eating For Your Body

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Month: July 2014