Favorite snack

This is my FAVORITE snack. Start with a cup of organic strawberries (remember, they are on the "dirty dozen" list - heavily chemically treated - buy organic), top with Greek yogurt (can use plain with a couple drops of stevia for sweetener or I usually use honey) and a handful of raw walnuts. It's super tasty...and makes for a perfect, sweet snack.

Ooops, I missed a day!

I fell asleep! I knew I had to post yesterday, but I just fell asleep. It was one of those nights that I was laying in bed and thought "oh, I forgot to post...I'll get up in a minute and go downstairs and write something real quick." Then I fell asleep.

Sometimes life gets in the way of simple goals. Sometimes it's life-altering. Sometimes it goes unnoticed.

How we handle life's changes is what makes or breaks us. How do you handle changes in life? Are they looked at as learning experiences? Are they viewed as negative trials? Do you internalize feelings, do you share with friends/family?

We, obviously, all go through trials in life. And how we handle these situations define who we are RIGHT NOW. Be the best "you" you can be...and I will be the best "me".

What will make you the "best you" today?

What's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Eggs, eggs, and eggs!

Eggs are HIGH on the consumption list in our house! Eggs have become our main source of protein. There are many benefits of eggs...here's some of them...

1) Eggs are a GREAT source of protein. Eggs are a complete protein, offering the body all that it needs. It is an easy protein for the body to digest and use.

2) Eggs contain all 9 essential amino acids. Eggs are great for your eyes and help to regulate your brain, nervous system, and cardiovascular system. The list of health benefits could go on and on...feel free to 'google' health benefits of eggs for more on this.

3) Eggs are affordable. Considering the cost of all other main protein forms, eggs is by far the cheapest option for the amount of protein (6 grams per egg).

4) Eggs can be cooked (or not) in a number of ways. So, even though eggs are for all 3 meals of the day...you can enjoy them in many different ways.

Here is my (main) daily menu with eggs:

Breakfast - (3) raw eggs
Morning snack - (2) hard-boiled egg whites
Lunch - (2) hard-boiled egg white and (1) hard-boiled yolk
Dinner - (3) egg omelette

Now, each of these meals contain fruits or veggies (fruit only at the morning snack and veggies the other meals). The egg is a great filler, on top of providing maximum protein/nutrition.

Crack one open today...never has there a more honest tag line than "the INCREDIBLE, edible egg"!

Garbanzo Bean ILO Tuna Fish???

That's right. When I was growing up my step-mom made THE BEST tuna melts EVER!! She'd make them open-faced, with tuna salad, pineapple and cheese on top. Broil them for a few minutes and you have yourself one tasty treat! And I could never stop at just one.

Now, on the Primal Blueprint diet, you can still consume these, using coconut bread (a post with recipe to follow...I have to make a batch up!) instead of wheat bread, and homemade mayo.

Now, a Primal Vegetarian would, obviously, not be able to gobble up these delish melts. Here is how one could...

Use Garbanzo Beans ILO Tuna Fish!!! I am not kidding when I tell you that you can get the same taste/effect with the garbanzo beans that you can the tuna fish. It is a substitute that is hardly noticeable as a "faux" version.

You will drain the can of garbanzo beans and put in a food processor (you can mash by hand but it takes awhile...be prepared for that) and mix. I use a little motorized food chopper. Place the beans in a bowl and add your fixings as you would the tuna (I like green onions, a LITTLE mayo and relish or pickles).

Place a generous amount on the bread, top with a slice of pineapple (or tomato) and a slice of cheese. Broil just until the cheese is bubbling, turning brown on the edges.

Now, beans are not high on the "Primal approval" list...so save these for a special occasion. And let me know what you think!!!

Bulk meat purchases

I love a website called Bargain Believers. I've heard of some great deals in the short few weeks that I've known about this site. One of those deals is from Zaycon Foods.

Zaycon Foods sells bulk meat options to families. For instance, the current promotion (ending June 8, 2011) is 40 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The chicken is separated into (4) 10-pound packages, which would make easy separation if you choose to split with one or more families.

The meat they sell is natural, hormone-free and fresh.

If interested in purchasing from this company, they are only in select states, but expanding according to the website.

This meat fits right into the Primal Blueprint diet. Give it a shot and let me know what you think!

Aaaaah, summertime is here!

Today the high was 108* in Arizona! It is safe to say that summer has DEFINITELY arrived. We spent the day at the pool, which prompts this post.

SUN IS GOOD!!!!!!!! I think this point is getting more accepted as information is being spread. Our bodies need the vitamin D that the sun gives us. You can supplement with a vitamin, but the effects are not as good as those from the sun itself. Vitamin D from the sun has been helpful for diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, as well as breast, prostate, and colon cancers.

Of course, it's important to not burn! That is too much sun. You need to find the line between too much and not enough, which varies depending on skin tone.

I use sunscreen on my kids...a natural brand and only for the first few weeks of summer. After that, unless we are in the sun for literally 8 hours (which is rare), they will not burn. The sunscreen blocks not only the sun's rays, but also the vitamin D and benefit.

I'm not recommending you to not use sunscreen, nor would you take me up on it if I was. But, keep in mind how beneficial the sun is...and try to fit 15 minutes or so in the sun...let your skin breathe in the benefits.

Grain Free Zucchini Muffins

I ran across this recipe and think it's a "must try". I will be "must try"ing it soon! A review to follow!!