All about that ACV

If you're like me, you feel pretty bleh when you first wake up in the morning, right? 

I used to go straight to the coffee pot and while I still do that and while I'm all about that coffee life, I've found other ways to give myself natural energy with loads of benefits for a lower caffeine intake. 

Have you tried using apple cider vinegar?

There are a tons of ways to use it and even more benefits. 

How I've found use for it in the morning: 

Combine: 

1 tbsp organic apple cider vinegar

1 tsp cinnamon

6 oz water

squeeze half of a lemon for juice

drink up

You can also: 

1. Use it as an all-purpose cleaner: Mix 1 part water, 1 part ACV, 2-3 drops of essential oil, mix in bottle and spray. 

2. Add to cords to prevent animals from chewing

3. Replace your balsamic vinegar in a salad dressing

4. add to a smoothie

5. Run a detoxifying bath: add 1/2 cup ACV, lavender essential oil, epsom salt to your bath water. 

6. Take a shot to stop unbearable hiccups. 

7. Use for a fruit fly trap: mix with dish soap on flat surface. 

8. Get rid of bad breath: gargle with 1/2 tbs + a cup of water

9. Throat ache: gargle with 1/4 cup + 1/4 cup warm water every hour

Sometimes I'll drink the ACV like a shot or I'll add it to tea, either way, just get it in. 

I will say, it will take time to get used to the sharpness of the flavor, but it'll be worth it when you realize how much this simple thing works to benefit you and your health. 

1. Heal an upset stomach

2. Alkalize body's pH level

3. Cure sore throat

4. Get rid of hiccups

5. Reduce your cholesterol levels

6. Decrease sugar cravings

7. Clear your congested nose

8. Detox organs

9. Lose weight + increase metabolism

10. Eliminate acne + kill bacteria

11. Prevent night leg cramps

12. Prevent bad breath

13. Teeth whitener

14. Improve blood sugar

15. Improve skin and bone health

Go get some and don't be scared to try new ways to use it!

That donut life...

It's all about balance, y'all.

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies

Going gluten-free isn't the easiest thing I've done but it's one of the most proud things I've done because it takes incredible discipline but the 

Makes: 22 cookies

Prep & cook time: 25 minutes

What you need: 

- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 6 tbs softened butter
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 3 tsp raw honey
- 2 tbs water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup coconut palm sugar
- 2 2/3 cup almond flour

To make: 
1. Mix the almond flour (2 2/3 cup), coconut sugar (1/2 cup), ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

2. Next, beat the egg in another bowl.
3. Add the butter, water, and honey and beat together.
4. Combine the bowls together and mix gently.

5. For about 40 minutes, cover bowl and freeze dough until it is easy to mold.
6. Preheat your oven to 350 F.
7. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper
8. Roll out the chilled dough and create 1 1/2 tbsp balls.
9. Place balls about 2 inches apart.
10. Before baking, flatten each cookie with your palm.

11. Bake for about 10 minutes until light brown around the edges.

Enjoy!

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.