Thai Green Curry (Paleo-Friendly)

If you don't know, my husband and I spent 18 days in Thailand last October. When we got back, all I wanted was Thai food. The cool part about eating in Thailand, is that other than the rice, most of their meals are paleo friendly. Last time I did Whole30, I made a few Thai dishes, so I knew I had to make one this round. I adapted this Thai green curry from various recipes that I found and I'm obsessed.

Serves: 2

Prep & cook time: 25 minutes

What you need: 

- 2 6-8 oz filets of salmon

- about 2 cups of sliced mushrooms

- 1 red bell pepper, diced

- 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice

- 13.5 oz can Thai Kitchen coconut milk

- 2 tbsp Thai Kitchen green curry paste

- 2 heads of baby boy choy, chopped

- 4 tbsp olive oil

- 1 chopped onion

- sale & pepper

- spices: basil, garlic, ginger (better fresh, but if not, that's okay)

To make: 

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees

2. Place salmon on tinfoil. Rub olive oil evenly on salmon and dash salt & pepper

3. Bake for 12-15 minutes

4. Chop veggies
5. In a pan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil and sauce veggies
(for about 4 minutes, until tender)

6. Add the 2 tbsp of the green curry paste and let cook for another 2 minutes

7. Bring stove top to a low heat, add coconut milk

8. Remove salmon from oven

9. Spoon some sauce onto plate, add salmon, then add more sauce and veggies

That's it! 

You could easily substitute the salmon with eggplant (for a vegetarian/vegan option), or chicken if you're not a salmon fan. 

For more recipes like this, be sure to follow me on Facebook and share with your friends. 

This Matters

How you talk to yourself, how you view yourself, how you feel in YOUR skin matters. Speak affirmations, positivity, and love over yourself. 

Healthy Pineapple Dole Whip

If you're anything like me, you LOVE Disney and a trip to the Magic Kingdom wouldn't be the same without either Mickey's Premium or a Pineapple Dole Whip. What if I told you that you can enjoy that Dole Whip at home without all that bad stuff? 

Check it: 

 Blend until creamy!

When I'm at the parks, Mickey's Premium bars and Dole Whips can be super tempting, right?? But, they're not only pricey, but we adults need all of the energy and fuel we can get for long days in the warm parks, right? What if I told you that you can fulfill that sweet tooth without all of the calories and this treat wouldn't only sustain you but also give you an extra dose of superfood vitamins!? 

I never hit the park without my shaker cup and a packet of Shakeology. 

When my friends want their Dole Whip, I've got my chocolate superfoods. 

Let me know if you want to give it a try; there's a money back guarantee so what's the harm?

Aloha!

 

Ditch Day

It's 17 days into the new year...are you all, "okayyyyy, why don't I look/feel like a new person yet?!" 

Guess what? 

January 17th is known as 'ditch day', the day people start to ditch those goals...and the means in which they need to reach those goals. Why?? Because we, as humans, like immediate results. It's in our nature. I get it. 

What I've found is that REAL change takes time. Studies show that this is the week that the majority slowly quit committing to gyms, slowing start indulging into bad eating patterns, slowly adjust their habits. Quick change might happen with wraps, diets, pills, counting points, or a drink, but I want to see long-lasting, healthy habits created for you. If you're ready to ditch those new year resolutions and are ready for a transformation of the mind + body, (that will take time, but I'll be there every step), let's do it together. It's not too late. You're never too old to make a change, but wouldn't you rather feel incredible sooner? 

Ditch your new year's goals that were specific for that date. Don't ditch those incredible goals you have set for yourself for a reason. Remember WHY you want to lose weight, increase your energy, save money, find confidence...whatever the case might be. Choose the route that will get you down the road that leads to your goals. Ditch the excuses, and I'll see you in February. 

Sugar

We all love cookies, brownies, and cupcakes right? I mean, when I hear 'sugar', sweets are the first thing that come to mind. Obviously, there are great healthy alternatives to our favorite sweets like fruit, dried fruit, juices, smoothies, etc. However, I bet you didn't know that there is sugar in practically everything on the grocery store shelf. Those condiments, that pasta, that peanut butter...heck, even that almond butter, those crackers,  those yogurts, that tea, that coffee drink, that soup, that deli meat. It's everywhere.

Okay, so sugar never killed anyone, right? Well, maybe, maybe not, but over time, it's definitely doing some harm to your body. Trust me when I say, go ahead, head on over to Sugar Bakeshop (located in Charleston)...get the cupcake, but please read further to educate yourself about the harm of sugar in our daily consumption.

Wait, you're telling me it's in practically everything...then why don't I see it on my ingredient list? Because there are a TON of hidden names for sugar. Here are, well, a few:

Why do I feel so strongly about sugar? After doing research on clean eating and after my first round of Whole 30 (found here), I wanted to learn more, so that I could understand what I was putting in my body and how it was impacting my energy, my sleep, my overall well-being. Not all sugar is created equal, however, all sugars will give you that 'sweet' flavor that will have you coming back for more (which leads to me to #1). 

Here's why I think you should try to avoid those ingredients up there^^^: 

1. Sugar is addictive. Don't believe me? Sugar causes a release of dopamine in the reward section of the brain, like a drug.

2. Bad sugars (like high fructose corn syrup) have no nutrients, and in fact do much more harm than good. Despite the 0 calories often associated with HFCS, it causes obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, and can cause the liver to slow down or even stop the ability to breakdown toxins. Fake sugars contain a ridiculous amount of mercury which can cause damage to the nervous system and brain. 

3. Sugar is harmful to your teeth. 

4. Your liver can be overloaded on sugar. Your liver turns fructose into fat. We don't want a fatty body, just like we don't want a fatty liver -- which creates long-term serious problems. 

5. Sugar can cause insulin resistance....a leading cause of obesity, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, etc. 

6.  Too much sugar can lead to cancer, heart disease, and can raises cholesterol levels. 

Don't be overwhelmed. There are a TON of alternatives to these sugar-ridden foods, you just have to know where to look. 

Check out the 'Sugar Checked' app (found on iTunes). It's a free app that aims to bring awareness to consumers about hidden sugars in the food they purchase everyday. In the grocer, this app allows you to scan a barcode and it will give healthier recommendations. There are loads of no-sugar recipes. 

Still not convinced? Check your labels and let's chat. I'm here to help you break free from sugar! I run a free week-long no sugar group periodically online and you're invited. Just find me on Facebook or email me. 

Leg Day

My Word of the Year: 2017

This year, I am taking a hold of every moment. 

I want to be intentional with:

my time

my energy

 my health

my marriage

 my friendships

my rest

 and my giving. 

2016 was a hard year of growth, but I found by the end of the year, that I made a lot of excuses. This year, I want to live it to the fullest and go to bed every night knowing that I was intentional with my moments. I'm looking forward to seeing what 2017 has in store!

Last year, my word of the year was 'choice'. Ironically, choice and intention go hand in hand. I wrote that "we are faced with choices every, which lead to consequences. I desire for my choices in 2016 to be more thought out, more intentional." I desired to feel more in power (which, ironically was my word of 2015). 2016 started with an unexpected whirlwind which led me to hard places throughout the year. It's my hope that whatever 2017 throws at me, it doesn't take my eyes off track. I will be more intentional with my response!

Have you ever made a dream board? I highly suggest it! It won't only help you stay focused through the year, but you can look back and see all that you accomplished and see where you can grow and what you can work on the next year. Click here to find out why I think they're so helpful and ways to create one! Visualization is a huge motivator for me, so seeing it all drawn out is key! 

Although it was a hard year, we did so much in 2016! 

Friendships and community were formed. 

One of my best friends got married. 

Birthdays were celebrated. 

My business grew. 

I watched my challengers have huge victories. 

I had a lot of 'firsts'. 

More recipes were created (and blogged). 

I went to CA, IL, SC, FL, TN, MD, GA, VA, DC, Thailand, AND China. WOAH.

We went on a missions trip. 

I visited 3 Disney resorts: Anaheim, Orlando, and Shanghai. 

I witnessed my friend adopt/meet her daughter from China. 

I ran in my first RunDisney race. 

I went back to Stars Hollow. 

We swam in the Indian Ocean. 

I saw my hometown unite after June 12th. #OrlandoStrong

We grew in our marriage. 

We both became healthier. 

Our church moved into our new property and have found partnerships in the community. 

We killed our garden (but have big dreams for 2017). 

We've grown in our desire to adopt. 

I read A TON. 

We've seen heartache and pain (but redemption from hope and love). 

I've become less anxious. 

We've tightened our spending habits. 

I've built deeper friendships through coaching. 

I've seen my husband grow in his career as he works hard for his dreams...our dreams. 

It's safe to say the good outweighed the bad!

Have you taken some time to reflect on 2016? Do you set goals for yourself? Do you have a 'word of the year'? I'd love to hear about them! I just love new beginnings. 2017, ready or not, here we come!