Author: HealthyLivingWithAlix

HealthyLivingWithAlix https://healthylivingwithalix.wordpress.com I believe in "eating for your body." Because of my life experiences, and my willpower to better myself and my body, I went to the largest nutrition school. With my degree in Health and Nutrition Sciences complemented with my Health Coach Certification, and an additional certification in AADP (The American Association of Drugless Practitioners). I will help coach you into the lifestyle and health changes you would like to make, with nutritional guidance and support. If you are interested in a free consultation, please feel free to contact me!

Out of hiding with a new topping for my favorite fish!

April 28, 2015HealthyLivingWithAlix Leave a comment

I am sorry for the long hiatus! Ten weeks seems like a very long time not to blog, or at least to this blogger! The reason why I have been away for so long is due to the newest love of my life, Wyatt Hudson- born on February 18, 2015.

But..

It is time to get back to the kitchen trying out new things because I miss my own cooking and with the warmer weather here, it’s time to start whipping up some new summer dishes!

Because I do have a newborn, I do not have as much time to experiment in the kitchen, so I have been adjusting my schedule and coming up with easy to make meals that are done in 20 minutes. When my husband asked me what I wanted for dinner the other night, I wanted fish- Salmon to be exact! It is my favorite fish, and now that I am not pregnant anymore, I have been eating it whenever I crave it.

My husband decided to BBQ his chicken which gave me an idea of how I wanted to marinate my Salmon, BBQ flavored. When I opened my refrigerator, I noticed the pineapple we had, so I decided to spice things up a bit and crush up the pineapple, mix it with the BBQ sauce and brush it onto my fish. Bake on 400 degrees for 20 minutes, and a delicious dish is ready to serve!

I can not believe I have not done this sooner! Every bit was refreshing and delish, I will be making it again, and as the summer is quickly approaching I will have to try making it with seasonal fruits I pick up at the Peekskill Farmer’s Market.

Recipe-

1 1/4 pound Salmon

2 Tablespoons BBQ sauce

2-3 cut cubes fresh pineapple

Preheat over to 400

Crush pineapple.

IMG_7278_2

Add BBQ sauce and mix together.

Spread on fish. Bake in the over for 20 minutes and enjoy!

**Baking time can change depending on size of fish

**Sides can include baked Brussel Sprouts, Asparagus, Broccoli.

Salmon is an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids that can help improve cardiovascular health and fight depression. Salmon is also a great option for those who need to add more Vitamin D to their bodies as well as protect the eyes.

Knowing the benefits of the foods you consume will help your body stay healthier later on. It will also keep you out of the doctor’s office for longer periods of time, and for that your body will thank you!

Non- Chicken Noodle Soup

February 16, 2015HealthyLivingWithAlix Leave a comment

It is officially cold and flu season. I am pretty sure it started a few months ago, but as someone who rarely gets sick, I wasn’t phased by it. I felt badly for those who have been suffering, but considered myself lucky for the past few years for not catching any sort of sickness. Whether it is luck, my diet, or something else, I can not complain. Well, that was until this past Friday, where I found myself bed ridden with a bad sore throat and a stuffy nose.

I am not a complainer, but the fact that I couldn’t take anything for this because of my pregnancy made it even worse. Sore, dry throat in a dry condo is no fun! At all. So it was liquids all day.

Because I was starving, and I could barely swallow, I decided to experiment in the kitchen and make myself some non-chicken noodle soup! It was beyond delicious, and it only took about 45 minutes, start to finish, to make! Winning on a day you feel like dying!

Ingredients

8 cups of water

6 organic chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes (up to 8- depends on how you want it to taste)

5 long carrots- peeled and diced

4 Pieces of celery- diced

1 onion- diced

2 cups No Yolks Egg White Noodles- whole grain

1 table spoon coconut oil or butter

1.5 tablespoons Thyme

1 table spoon black pepper

Over medium-high heat, boil water with bouillon cubes in stock pot or large saucepan. Allow cubes to dissolve. Stir occasionally.

While bouillon cubes are boiling in water- over medium heat, add coconut oil to pan and sauté carrots. Once tender, add to the broth. Follow with celery and onions. Start with the carrots because those take the longest.

Add into the broth turn heat down and allow to simmer for about 25 minutes.

Add noodles for last 5-10 minutes, or until tender.

Pour some into a bowl and enjoy!

Enjoy this on a cold day, like the ones we have been experiencing lately, or on a day when you are so sick and eating solid foods makes you feel like the world is ending!

I was craving soup, and obviously my body needed it. Two days later, I am feeling so much better. I have been eating this at least one time a day since Friday. Not saying this is what made me feel better, I have also been sipping on hot water with lemon and honey, but the soup definitely is a plus to getting better faster!

When you cook your own foods, it may take longer, but you know exactly what you are eating and putting in your body, and for that you will recover faster and feel better in no time!

Enjoy!

Superbowl Brownie Bites!

February 1, 2015HealthyLivingWithAlix Leave a comment

As everyone knows, I have had a sweet tooth for the last nine months. My best friend sent me a link last weekend of healthy brownie bites, and me being the health crazed person I am read the ingredients, health-ified it even more and made them for myself and husband for this week. OMG- They were delish.

The sweet potato adds a sweetness to it so you do not need as much sugar as you would in normal brownies, and it makes it healthier so you do not have to feel guilty when you eat more than one!

The original recipe can be found here.

My recipe-

1 large sweet potato- I do not recommend microwaving- steam or bake it. It does take a little bit longer, but it is better for you, and will add to the flavor!
1/3 cup hot coffee- Freshly brewed
1/3 cup mini peanut butter chips to give it a chocolate peanut butter taste
2 tablespoons coconut oil- melted
4 tablespoons of applesauce
1/2 cup coconut sugar – Brown sugar can be just as bad as white sugar, and coconut sugar can actually keep blood sugar levels stable rather than spike it up which causes you to crash later on
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup gluten free all purpose flour- Bob’s Red Mill
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350-

Bake Sweet potato until soft. Scoop out one cup of flesh and put to the side

Pour hot coffee over the peanut butter chips and stir until completely melted in a small bowl

Does not show coffee

In a large bowl- combine the sweet potato, coconut oil, applesauce, sugar and vanilla. Stir to combine. Then add the chocolate coffee mixture to the sweet potato mixture and mix well.

In a another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt. Add mixture to the sweet potato mixture and stir just to combine.

Using mini cupcake tin, fill 3/4 and bake for 8 minutes.

I added chocolate chips (Enjoy Life- which are allergy friendly) and peanut butter chips on top before baking to add some flavor!

(I changed the recipe to make it Healthy Living with Alix approved, but the directions have stayed the same from the recipe above)

Enjoy!

This is a perfect dessert for the Super Bowl, or any other winter get together. Or just a yummy, healthy treat to enjoy during the cold winter months!

Oatmeal chocolate chip smoothie

January 17, 2015HealthyLivingWithAlix Leave a comment

Since being pregnant, my body has encountered quite a few changes, including a developing sweet tooth I have never had before! The worst part about it- I do not just want sweets at the end of the day, I want then ALL day! So instead of indulging in candy, ice cream (which happens to be my favorite!), or other not-so-great choices, I made a delicious smoothie that is good as a healthy breakfast, a great pre-workout smoothie, or a sweet snack/dessert. It is loaded with the good-for-you, complex carbs, protein, and fiber, which will help you feel fuller longer and keep you going all day!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Smoothie–

All ingredients are organic

¼ cup rolled oats

1 Frozen banana– or not frozen, just add handful of ice

1 cup Almond Milk

2 Tablespoons dark chocolate chips- I use Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips, which are soy free, dairy free, and nut free

½ teaspoon Cinnamon

1 teaspoon organic vanilla

1 Tablespoon flax seeds

Blend together until smooth.

Pour in a glass, sprinkle some cinnamon on top, and enjoy!

You should never deprive yourself of something your body is telling you it wants. Find healthy alternatives, or eat what you want in moderation. When you satisfy your cravings, even the sweet ones, your body will thank you.

Goodbye 2014!

December 31, 2014HealthyLivingWithAlix Leave a comment

It is almost time to say goodbye to 2014 and start a fresh new year! My favorite part of a new year is that everything is fresh. The things of the past get to remain in the past and we get to start a new clean slate! With that being said, many people make resolutions for the new year, however I am not a believer in that. Why should you promise yourself to do something that most of us know we are going to forget halfway through the year? Instead, I like to make goals for myself and hope to reach them by the end of the year. When you set goals you are envisioning a certain result, therefore it may be easier to reach rather than making a promise to yourself. You can not break a goal, you just would not reach it in the time frame you gave yourself. You can, however, break your new year resolution, which many of us do on a year to year basis.

When you make your goals for 2015, think about some things in your life from 2014 that you want to improve, whether it is eating a little healthier on a weekly basis, running or exercising more often, or cooking more meals for yourself. After you figure it out, set a time frame that you would like to do these things in, and make sure to make them realistic for yourself. If you are a person who likes to eat out most of the week, but would like to start cooking more at home, set a goal of cooking for yourself two times a week and see where you go from there. When setting them in a realistic time frame, you won’t end up disappointing yourself, or feeling as if you can not succeed because you were trying to do it all at once.

Some of my goals for the upcoming new year are~

– Getting back into an exercise routine once Baby B is here

– Trying to cook more of a variety than I do these days

– Once Baby B can eat solids, I want to try to make most of his food, but I will be prepared if I can not always do it and I will be ok with giving him other pre-made foods.

– As I am embarking motherhood, I would like to try to just go with the flow and realize I can not plan everything because those plans will change

– Enjoy everyday, because you never know what can happen.

Whether or not you chose to list goals for the new year, or just go into it the same way you are ending 2014, the choice is yours! Just remember to stay safe and healthy! Wishing all of you a very happy and healthy 2015!!!

Twice Baked Cauliflower

December 9, 2014HealthyLivingWithAlix 1 Comment

I LOVE cauliflower. Roasting it, steaming it, whatever it is, I love it! But I was getting a little bored with the way I make it on a regular basis, so I decided to try something different this week, and it worked to my advantage! With the weather drastically dropping I really wanted something warm and savory and that’s when I decided to make twice-baked cauliflower. We have all heard of twice-baked potatoes, so I thought it would be a good experiment since cauliflower can often replace recipes you use potatoes for…And it worked to my advantage! Easy to make, limited ingredients, and DELISH! This will be made again!

Cauliflower isn’t just a tasty fall vegetable, it is a good source of fiber and vitamin C- which we could all use right now so we don’t get sick. It is a great source of fiber, and great for the heart! Cauliflower has also been known to help the brain boost the memory– which is something I need these days because I sure do have a bad case of baby brain!

Ingredients-

1 head cauliflower cut into pieces

1 chive chopped

1 clove of garlic minced

1/2 cup greek yogurt- plain

1 tablespoon organic Earth Balance buttery spread, or whatever organic butter of your choice

1 cup organic cheddar cheese

Directions-

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Roast cauliflower on baking sheet until tender- about 10 minutes, but check after 7.

Once tender, process in food processor until rice like.

Add yogurt, butter, chive, and garlic and process until smooth. Mix in cheese with a spoon. Scoop out cauliflower mixture into four 6-7 inch ramekins. Place ramekins on a baking sheet (easier to handle) and bake for 15 minutes. Broil for an addition 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Take out and enjoy!

Eating foods that benefit different parts of the body will benefit you in the long run. The more “good foods” we eat now, the healthier our future self will be!

Remember to always eat for your body!!

Indulge this Thanksgiving

November 27, 2014HealthyLivingWithAlix 1 Comment

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! This year I am thankful for my husband, family, friends, and my health! To stay healthy, I believe it has something to do with the foods I consume on a daily basis, and the fact that I do not deprive myself of foods that my body may be craving and foods that I do not eat on a daily, or even monthly basis.

With this being one of the most feast-ly holidays for people, I want to share some of my go-to tips to have a healthy, yet satisfying Thanksgiving this year.

~When cooking or baking, try using some of these substitutes to keep your foods healthier~

– Plain Greek Yogurt for Sour Cream- More protein, not as much fat and same consistency!

– Veganaise for Mayonaise- You will get pretty much the same flavor but because it is not made with eggs, you will be consuming less cholesterol.

– Coconut oil for butter- coconut oil is just overall great for everything! It may even aid in weight loss. Find out more next week when I write about the benefits of Coconut Oil!

– If you still want a buttery taste, or using it for something like an apple crisp, try Earth Balance– which is lactose free, gluten free, and a vegan choice.

– Coconut Sugar instead of regular sugar or brown sugar- You won’t be consuming the same amount glucose and fructose as you do with the white and brown sugars and it is natural. Keep in mind, brown sugar is just as bad as white sugar! (You can also use Agave or Honey)

– Organic Apple Sauce instead of eggs when baking- Three tablespoons of apples sauce for one egg. It will help bind whatever it is you’re baking and you will not have the cholesterol from the eggs and it keeps the recipe moist. Make sure whatever applesauce you are using is organic and you read the ingredients, because many companies sneak things in that you do not want in your body.

– Almond milk in place of regular milk- however, start off with a little less than recipe calls for since Almond Milk can be a little more watery than regular milk.

– Rice Pasta instead of regular pasta- Who needs all that gluten and wheat? Can we say tummy ache and lethargic afterwards?!

These are just some substitutions to start with. Most people can not even taste a different when switching ingredients around, however when doing this, you do need to go in with an open mind because some things do not taste as heavy or thick as you may be use to. And don’t tell people, I promise you will still get a great reaction to whatever it is you make, and people will not even know they are eating something so much healthier!!

Now I know you won’t be cooking everything, so when it comes time to eat, be conscious of what your putting in your body. Start with a salad, and always make sure to have 75% vegetables and 25% of everything else on your plate. And when it comes time for dessert, I am all for it, but be aware of what you are eating. Take small bites. Chew slowly. Savor the flavor. And be done with it. No need to eat three different pieces of of pie, maybe three bites of the three pies you want to taste and call it a day! You do not want to leave with your stomach bulging out of your pants!

When using healthier alternatives and paying attention to what you are eating, your body will notice the difference and thank you for it! So not only will your waist be thankful this Thanksgiving for eating more consciously, so will your insides!

Have a safe, happy, healthy, and warm holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Guilt free and allergy friendly Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

November 15, 2014HealthyLivingWithAlix 1 Comment

I had way too many bananas this week in the house, and before I knew it, they were over-ripe and I was not going to use them. You know the one’s I am talking about. Too mushy to eat, too old to freeze, yet you’re not ready to toss them yet! Perfect thing for bananas that fall into this category? Banana bread! I absolutely love it!

It is a bread that is healthy enough for breakfast- by itself, or toasted with butter/peanut butter, and it is sweet enough for all those dessert loving people, like myself.

It is easy to make, not a lot of ingredients, and takes about an hour to prepare and bake!

You can enjoy this guilt free as it is gluten free, dairy free, egg free and the chocolate chips are allergy friendly being that they are dairy free, soy free and nut free!

Ingredients-

3-4 over ripe bananas
**1/3 Cup Organic Coconut Oil- melted
**3/4 Cup Organic Coconut Sugar
3 Tablespoons Organic Applesauce- make sure to always read ingredients when choosing an applesauce because many brands add ingredients you do not want to put in your body!
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Organic Vanilla
1.5 cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
*.5-1 Cup Enjoy Life allergy friendly chocolate chips
*.5 Cup walnuts

*Optional

**If you can not use

-coconut oil replace it with Applesauce or Earth Balance Vegan friendly buttery spread

– coconut sugar, you can use organic Agave, Local Honey, or other sweetener of your choice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix oil into mashed bananas with a wooden spoon. Add in sugar, applesauce, vanilla. Mix until blended. Add baking soda and continue mixing. Slowly, add flour. Mix until everything is blended together. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts if using. Pour into 4×8 loaf pan and bake for 30-45 minutes- Stick tooth pick in at around 30 minutes to see if baked through. If not, continue baking for additional 10-15 minutes- or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool and enjoy!

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

Stay warm and healthy!

Pumpkin-Chai Cupcakes for Halloween!

October 29, 2014HealthyLivingWithAlix 2 Comments

With Halloween right here and Thanksgiving not too far after, it is most definitely that pumpkin time if year now. I love pumpkin everything, especially pumpkin donuts and cupcakes. However, more often than not, the pumpkin we are purchasing and consuming is not made up of real pumpkin. So this past weekend my friend and I decided to bake our own pumpkin cupcakes and whip up some chai frosting~ a healthy version, of course! Healthy treats right in time for Halloween!

Pumpkin is good for the body in more ways than one. Pumpkin benefits our eye sight because of the carotenoids, which gives pumpkins their very orange appearance. The carotenoid can also keep the skin wrinkle free, which is always a plus! It helps in weight loss due to the fiber found in them. In one cup, there is 3 grams of fiber, which will help us feeling full longer. And with 564 milligrams of potassium, it is a perfect after work out snack to help restore electrolytes. So with all these benefits pumpkin’s contain, when eating it I want to know I am eating the real thing to help my body, and skin, shine!

Pumpkin- Chai Cupcakes (Gluten and Dairy Free)

Cupcakes-

1 3/4 Cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour

1.5 Teaspoons Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Baking Powder

1.5 Teaspoons Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg

1/4 Teaspoon Cloves

1/2 Cup (or a little less) Organic Coconut Palm Sugar

4 Egg Whites

1 Cup Organic Pumpkin Puree

1/3 Cup Almond Milk

1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

Their are two choices for what to add next-

1/4 Cup Organic Coconut Oil

1/4 Cup Organic Apple Sauce ( Be sure to always read ingredients with Apple Sauce-

You can be surprised with what you read!)

OR 2

1/2 Cup Apple Sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin tin with coconut oil or line them.

In a large bowl mix the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

In a medium bowl, beat together sugar and egg whites. Add pumpkin puree, apple sauce and coconut oil (or just apple sauce depending on recipe)

Pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture and stir together.

Pour into muffin tin- 3/4 full and bake for 15 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out dry.

Applesauce Coconut oil and Applesauce

Let cool and add Chai Frosting

Chai Frosting-

1/8 Cup Almond Milk

.5 Cup Organic Earth Balance Butter Spread

2 Teaspoons Chai Powder- your choice

1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

1.5 Cup Organic Coconut Palm Sugar

1 Cup Bob’s Red Mill Arrowroot Powder

Blend together coconut palm sugar and arrowroot (or use grinder) until powdery like confectioners sugar.

Mix Butter with the sugar mix slowly. Add spices. Last- Slowly add milk. Keep mixing until fluffy and smooth.

Add to cupcakes and Enjoy!

When we make our own foods, we know exactly what we are putting into our bodies! Enjoy and have a safe, HEALTHY, and Happy Halloween!!!

CKO Health and Wellness Fair

October 18, 2014HealthyLivingWithAlix Leave a comment

Come join me and other health and wellness professionals share tips and encouragement today from 11AM-4PM at CKO in Peekskill for their Health and Wellness fair. You can also try out a kickboxing class for those who haven’t yet~ they will provide you with gloves! They are great classes and a killer workout! Stop by my table afterwards and try a Pina~Kale~ada smoothie!

Have a great Saturday ad weekend, and remember to always eat for your body!

Healthy Living With Alix

Eating For Your Body

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