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April 16, 2019

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Southwestern Salad w/ Grilled Chicken

April 16, 2019

The Southwestern Salad with Grilled Chicken has been a recent, but popular addition to my recipe box. I love the variety of healthy ingredients this simple salad offers the consumer. With an arugula base, some might find this salad to be a little too flavorful, but the toppings and the Avocado Cilantro Dressing mesh together perfectly giving you one delicious meal! It makes a wonderful meal option for both Lunch and Dinner. The best part is that you can make this recipe in less than 20 minutes!

You can also remove the chicken for a vegan-friendly meal! I just can’t help but love the simple things in life and this recipe is definitely one of them! If you choose to use the Avocado Cilantro Dressing recipe (as pictured above) found here on Seize the Day Blog you will have a Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Sugar-Free entree for the the whole family!

Bon appétit!

 

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Southwestern Chicken Salad

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SeizeTheDayBlog
April 16, 2019
by SeizeTheDayBlog
Category Recipes
Persons
4

Ingredients

  • 1 8 oz Chicken Breast
  • 1 5 oz Container of Arugula, rinsed
  • 1 14 oz can Black Beans
  • 1 Avocado
  • 1 cup fresh Cilantro, leaves & stems
  • 1 cup Tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
  • 1 Cucumber, chopped
  • 1 Lime, to top each individual salad
  • Garlic Salt, to taste
  • Tortilla Chips, optional topping

Instructions

  1. Begin by prepping the chicken breast. Cover each side with garlic salt or to your preference and grill until fully cooked.
  2. Pour black beans into sauce pan and cover with lid, set aside on stove. The beans do not take very long to cook so wait until the very end of your meal prep to begin cooking.
  3. Rinse arugula and place in a medium sized glass bowl.
  4. Chop the avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, and bell pepper into bite size pieces. Slice cilantro so that you get both the leaves and the upper stem. Add to bowl of arugula.
  5. Return to black beans and cook on medium high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain beans, set aside in bowl.
  6. Slice cooked chicken into bite size pieces. I recommend adding the beans and chicken very last because of their warmer temperature.
  7. Once all ingredients have been prepped, cooked (if necessary), and added to the bowl of arugula thoroughly mix your salad.
  8. Add a squeeze of lime to enhance the flavor of the salad and drizzle with your dressing of choice.

Tags

avocado,
avocado lime dressing,
cilantro,
clean eating,
cucumber,
dairy free,
from my recipe box to yours,
gluten free,
green bell pepper,
grilled chicken,
nutrition,
organic,
raw dairy products,
seize the day blog,
southwestern salad,
tomatoes

Thank you for visiting Seize the Day Blog! You can provide your feedback on this recipe by emailing me (katie@seizethedayblog) or through Twitter and Instagram (@seizethedayblog). Thank you!

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

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Posted by SeizeTheDayBlog
Filed Under: Recipes Tagged: avocado, avocado lime dressing, cilantro, clean eating, cucumber, dairy free, from my recipe box to yours, gluten free, green bell pepper, grilled chicken, nutrition, organic, raw dairy products, seize the day blog, southwestern salad, tomatoes

May 23, 2017

3 Seizure Triggers Every Epileptic Should Be Aware Of: Caffeine, Alcohol, & Processed Sugar

May 23, 2017

 

After posting “6 Common Seizure Triggers That May Be Lurking in Your Kitchen Cabinets,” I have received an abundance of requests for another article on the subject of seizure triggers. Seeing as though the majority of doctors fail to mention the possibility of all-natural food or lifestyle products acting as sources of seizure activity, I thought it would be incredibly appropriate and relatable for epileptics everywhere.

I can still remember when I was first diagnosed with epilepsy and the fear I had of the future while I sat in the doctor’s office. Epilepsy is a serious condition to be diagnosed with, but I think the majority of my fear stemmed from a lack of knowledge on the subject of seizures. My parents and I had so many questions, but it was clear that the only answer my neurologist was willing to give me as he herded patients in and out of his office like cattle was, “Go live your life.”

Hmm…umm yeah that’s what I’m trying to do if you would just tell me how! Anyone with a medical condition knows that this simple statement is easier said than done. If you’re also struggling with epilepsy, it is probably best to know what you’re up against and how to protect yourself if or when these encounters with seizure triggers occur.

In my first article, I discussed herbs and spices such as Rosemary, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cloves, Tarragon, and Sage. With this next article, I would like to bypass the spice rack and address three products that have become increasingly popular in today’s society instead. In all honesty, each of these three products has become much too popular in the everyday diet of the majority of people.

It may come as a bit of a shock, but the products I am referring to are Caffeine, Alcohol, and Processed Sugar. Nowadays, the danger isn’t just lurking in your kitchen cabinets, it exists in every coffee shop you visit, every restaurant you eat at, any bar or club you go to, and in every establishment offering dessert products.

With the popularity of all three of these products in the daily lives of the majority of people, my question for every neurologist is “How can you not inform epileptics of the potential excitotoxic effect these products tend to have on the brain and the dangers that occur when they’re mixed with anti-epileptic medication?” I am yet to receive an answer to this question. Unfortunately, when I first began my journey with epilepsy, I had to find out about seizure triggers through yet another process of trial and error. Personal experience is the best experience and most educational, but at 16 years old, having a seizure in the middle of a crowded restaurant due to an excitotoxin/seizure trigger is traumatic and (even though I’m pretty out of it due to the seizure) embarrassing. My hope for all of my readers also living with epilepsy is that this article saves each of you from unnecessary seizure activity.

Excitotoxins are literally everywhere in our environment…the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the products we use on a daily basis. Dump addictive stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, and processed sugar and do your entire body a huge favor, calm down! To learn more about excitotoxins in everyday products and how to avoid them, check out Part 1 and Part 2 of my mini-series on Petroleum.

It is clear that caffeine, alcohol, and processed sugar aren’t exactly beneficial products for the human body, in general. But, do you know the risks that exist for an epileptic when s/he is exposed to these products??? Regardless of your answer to this question, read on to learn more about the prevalent dirty little secret each of these products possess.

Caffeine: What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word “caffeine”? Probably, coffee, right? This does seem to be the most popular caffeinated product on the market at this point in time, but caffeine is actually found in a large variety of foods and beverages. Coffee, chocolate, green tea, black tea, soda, even juice are just a few of the products that can contain caffeine.

Did you know that caffeine interacts very poorly with the majority of anti-epileptic prescription medications? Most people are unaware of this fact because it is listed at the very end of the “Warnings” list provided by the pharmacy. You know, the very thick packet that comes with your medication, but more often than not ends up in the trash without ever being read. Who knew it was actually informative? This is why neurologists should inform epileptics of these types of issues! Consuming caffeinated products while taking prescription anti-epileptic medications can cause anaphylaxis reactions. It depends on the person and their level of tolerance, but the reaction can be as minor as difficulty swallowing or as extreme as a closed throat.

I actually experienced this effect firsthand when I ate a chocolate cupcake (maybe 3, if I’m being completely honest) and my throat swelled up a bit, making it difficult for me to swallow. After doing some research and talking to a family friend with epilepsy, I learned that this is a common reaction for anyone on anti-seizure meds. It would have been nice if my neurologist had informed me of this apparently common-knowledge fact, but that would mean he’s actually being helpful and I’m pretty sure that is impossible for this neurologist, in particular.

I make it a priority in my daily routine to avoid coffee, chocolate, caffeinated teas, etc. If you are living with epilepsy, caffeine is a great ingredient to avoid completely.

Alcohol: Whether you think of wine, beer, cocktails, or hard liquor, this product in particular does not mix well with prescription medications of any kind nor does it have the most beneficial effect on your long-term brain health. The main problem alcohol poses for the majority of people is that strange inclination for the product no matter what form it may be in. I can think of a number of people who would say that this particular product makes or breaks a Friday night. But, the fact of the matter is, alcohol is NOT a prerequisite nor is it a primary requirement in order for an evening to be classified as “fun.” Contrary to popular belief, alcohol is more of a recipe for disaster than it is a recipe for fun.

Whatever happened to ordering water, tea, lemonade, or some other non-alcoholic drink? Let me just say what most other people will not these days…it is perfectly acceptable to order a non-alcoholic beverage. Worried about being “un-cool” in the eyes of your peers? Well, if you are epileptic, I would think having a seizure in the middle of a restaurant is much more un-cool than ordering an iced water. And I would know, because it has happened a number of times. If you are truly concerned about your brain health, you need to stop worrying about peer pressure and start considering the long-term effect it could be having on your body.

Alcohol is an excitotoxin; therefore your brain activity is going to be altered whenever you drink an alcoholic beverage. It’s the way alcohol has and always will affect the brain. I guess you could say that seizure activity is inevitable when you consume this product. Not to mention, the main side effect of your anti-seizure meds when mixed with alcohol is increased seizure activity. Basically, alcohol defeats the purpose of your medication altogether. If you want to decrease your seizure activity, skip the alcohol.

Processed Sugar: The ingredient that is found in practically every processed food product on supermarket shelves these days. I specified processed sugar because unrefined organic sugar is actually very beneficial for your body and your brain when consumed in moderation. A good amount of sugar will also help to chelate heavy metals from your cells and body tissue.

Processed sugar, on the other hand, is derived from synthetic sources and also acts as an excitotoxin in children and adults. Processed sugar is found in the majority of snack food and beverage ingredient labels under code-names such as high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, maltodextrin, carrageenan, and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Remember those days as a kid when your parents would limit your daily sugar intake to prevent a sugar rush? Well that sugar rush still poses a valid threat to your brain health. Those bursts of energy created by the sugar-y products in your brain are exactly what we’re trying to avoid on a daily basis if we’re ever going to achieve stable brain activity. In fact, it is these random “bursts” that make processed sugar such a threatening excitotoxin. It is best to completely avoid processed and artificial sugars because, like caffeine and alcohol, this product will also increase seizure activity.

This is why I have found it best to completely avoid all processed food products. If I’m eating something with sugar, you can guarantee it is unrefined and I made the food entirely from scratch in my own kitchen. I figure, why take the risk with processed foods when I can know exactly which ingredients were used in the recipe I prepared myself?

Like I mentioned in the introduction, these are not easily avoided ingredients in the average person’s daily routine. With coffee shops on every corner and full bars in nearly every restaurant it is almost impossible to avoid these products completely. This means you will still be faced with the temptation to choose caffeine, alcohol, and processed sugar. This decision is yours to make, however, just remember that it is what you do with these moments of temptation that determine what kind of brain health you are ultimately striving for. When life hands you lemons (or caffeine, alcohol & sugar) I hope you choose the option that is best for your overall long-term health; in other words I hope you choose lemonade. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

With summer only a few short weeks away, homemade Snickerdoodles have become a very popular snack in my house. You can never go wrong with that perfect mix of cinnamon and sugar. Keep an eye out for my own personal recipe on the blog very soon!

 

Sources:

My own personal experience was used entirely as the source for this particular article. If you have any further questions regarding this subject, feel free to email me at Katie@seizethedayblog.com. Please remember that I am not a medical professional, therefore, my answers should be viewed as my own personal opinion on the matter not actual medicinal advice. Please consult a doctor before making any changes to your daily routine. Thank you for understanding.

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

 

Copyright Info:

All images, excluding those included in the web design, posted on [seizethedayblog.com] are taken by the owner. No images from external sources are used on this blog.

Proper credit should be attributed when republishing any material found on [seizethdayblog.com].

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Posted by SeizeTheDayBlog
Filed Under: Articles, Epilepsy Tagged: alcohol, caffeine, catamenial epilepsy, diet, epilepsy, excitotoxin, from my recipe box to yours, health & wellness, ingredient label, long term health, nutrition, processed sugar, recipe, seize the day, seize the day blog, seizethedayblog, seizure activity, seizure triggers, snickerdoodles

August 18, 2016

6 Common Seizure Triggers That May Be Lurking in Your Kitchen Cabinets

August 18, 2016

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As I discussed in my previous article, the trial and error process has been and continues to be a substantial part of my journey with epilepsy. I learn as I go, stumbling and, every once in a while, falling along the way, but never staying down for long because it isn’t until I get back up that the “success” part of this process can be attained. Especially when it comes to my seizures and going beyond the symptoms to figure out the cause.

There have been so many times when I’ll go through a phase of increased seizure activity, every phase being completely out of the blue. The most frustrating part of this increased activity (apart from the seizures, of course) is always the resonating mystery of what exactly caused this surprising intensification.

In my opinion, most of us epileptics can’t help but always keep that question of “Why” in the back of our minds. If we are truly going to heal our bodies of this condition we constantly deal with on a daily basis, having an answer to this question would certainly be a helpful start! As I have pondered this question strictly for my own symptoms, the biggest revelation I have come to realize is that there are typically multiple answers to this one question. And they vary from person to person, which is also why this is such a difficult question to answer. So, if you were thinking I was just about to reveal the miracle answer, I’m very sorry to disappoint you. But, what I can do is share one of the most common contributing factors that has had quite the influence on many epileptics’ current condition, some (like me and my own first year with epilepsy) without their knowledge. If the title of this article didn’t already give the answer away, the factor I’m referring to is diet/nutrition.

It is truly astonishing the effect foods and eating habits can have on both your brain and total body health. Obviously, synthetic/processed foods and ingredients aren’t the healthiest types of products we can be pumping into our bodies on a daily basis, but what about all-natural foods? By “all-natural,” I mean something like a plant-based food, such as Rosemary (fresh or dried), which only consists of one ingredient as opposed to a processed food product, such as a Pop Tart, which is filled with numerous synthetic ingredients.

Organic or non-organic fruits, vegetables, and spices have always been advertised as perfectly healthy; therefore we never assume there could be any cause for suspicion. But, the unfortunate truth is that many all-natural food products, sans synthetic ingredients, can act as seizure triggers (a.k.a. products containing elements (synthetic, natural, or both) that can prompt seizure activity in certain people). Similar to an excitotoxin (click here to read more about excitotoxins), the seizure trigger contains an element that interacts with your body and brain in a negative manner, ultimately resulting in the occurrence of a seizure. Seizure triggers concerning fruits, veggies, and spices are no longer referring to synthetic ingredients a product might contain but rather the natural effect each tends to have as they are digested and dispersed throughout the body.

**Side Note: Seizure triggers can also be found in other types of product groups such as cosmetics, bedding, and cookware. But, ultimately, each of these groups share a common and widespread culprit existing at the heart of the cause…synthetic ingredients. What it really comes down to is the quality of the product.

In this article, I am going to discuss six all-natural products that I have recently been forced to move to the “allergic” list due to their widespread tendency to be seizure triggers for not just me, but other epileptics, as well. These products are Rosemary, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cloves, Tarragon, and Sage. Each of which can be found as dried spices in your typical spice rack, fresh in the produce section at the grocery store, or, if you’re into growing your own plants, in the backyard garden.

Before I dive into the full details on Rosemary, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cloves, Tarragon, and Sage (the six ingredients listed above), I would like to bring to light one very important bit of information I believe everyone needs to be aware of. Each person reacts differently to varying ingredients and/or products. Therefore, if something acts as a seizure trigger for me it may not for you, hence the need for use of a trial and error process when determining your own “allergic” list. I still believe it is a wise idea to consume these types of foods with caution whether or not you have a history of seizures; they are excitotoxins, after all!

Alright lets break it down! 6 common seizure triggers that may be lurking in your kitchen cabinets:

Rosemary, whether it is a whole twig plucked fresh from the plant itself, crushed into tiny flakes in a spice jar, or incorporated in the flavor of a meal, this unprocessed herb is notorious for worsening seizure activity in epileptics. Just to be safe, I avoided Rosemary like the plague after I was diagnosed with Catamenial Epilepsy. As it turns out, this extreme avoidance was actually a complete waste of time because this very common seizure trigger is one of those ingredients, as I described above, that has the opposite affect on me. It happens to be one of those cases where a “seizure trigger” doesn’t necessarily prompt seizures from every epileptic.

For those of you who enjoy eating out, be extra careful when browsing the menu because Rosemary has recently become a very trendy ingredient and can be found in a multitude of dishes across various restaurants. Be especially wary of Rosemary in Italian food and chicken dishes. If you’re attempting a new recipe and find Rosemary to be a key ingredient, don’t skip the dish! Simply substitute it with a similar ingredient, such as thyme or basil.

Nutmeg, Allspice, and Cloves are ingredients commonly found in the same types of foods because of their very similar flavor. In fact, these three ingredients are key in any gingerbread cookie recipe. Last November, I posted a recipe for gingerbread cookies on Seize the Day Blog because I was baking way too many of these delicious holiday treats and absolutely had to share! Interestingly enough, I was also having an increased amount of seizures during the 2015 holiday season. Coincidence? I think not. My entire family can attest to the fact that I probably ate way too many gingerbread cookies between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, which also means I ate plenty of Nutmeg, Allspice, and Cloves. Once I stopped eating the gingerbread cookies, my seizures immediately began to decrease and I was on my way to a stable lifestyle once again.

If you come across my Gingerbread Cookie Recipe and are living with epilepsy, I encourage you to skip the Nutmeg, Allspice, and Cloves and substitute each with Cinnamon instead. I have tried this before and it actually turns out quite yummy! It might sound like too much cinnamon at first, but it actually gives you the perfect flavor for your gingerbread, not too bland and not too strong. This group of ingredients is also frequently found together in many pumpkin pie recipes. It’s best if you make your pie from scratch in the comfort of your own home and, once again, substitute all of the iffy ingredients with Cinnamon. I’m currently on the hunt for a good ketchup recipe because cloves and allspice are usually found in any store bought ketchup product, but Cinnamon won’t work as a substitute in this specific case for any of the recipes I do happen across. So, if you know of any Ketchup recipes free of cloves and allspice please comment below!

Tarragon, though a good source of numerous vitamins and minerals, is very similar to Rosemary in taste, structure, and its status as a seizure trigger. This plant-like herb is used in a variety of food and medicinal products because it is filled with so many beneficial nutrients. For being such a healthy plant, I was astonished to find Tarragon on the seizure trigger list! Well, despite all of the beneficial effects this ingredient can have on people of all ages, it turns out that it also has a bit of a dark side. An unintentional dark side, of course, but a dark side nonetheless.

Consequently, while the potential for healing is a strong point for Tarragon, it would seem as though the ability to provoke seizures is, as well. Tarragon, like the other five seizure triggers I’m discussing in this article, is an excitotoxin and contains elements in its cellular makeup that excite the brain by generating too much activity in the brain’s cortex for the body to handle. Unfortunately, the result of this excitement in the brain is a seizure for everyday people and increased seizure activity for epileptics. Unfortunately, the result of this excitement in the brain is a seizure for both epileptics and non-epileptics.

Due to the negative effects this herb can have on the brain, it is completely understandable if you wish to avoid it completely. Before you can do this successfully, you should probably know that Tarragon is frequently found in salads, Italian food and a variety of sauces. Cooking without this ingredient can easily be done by replacing it with any of the following herbs or spices: dried dill, basil, marjoram, or oregano.

Lastly, we have Sage, an ingredient that tends to pop up in the most random of places. Like Rosemary, it is widely notorious for its ability to trigger seizures in epileptics and non-epileptics alike. The biggest concern for people trying to avoid this ingredient is the unfortunate fact that Sage has become a trendy herb with an ever-expanding popularity amongst gourmet chefs. After browsing recipes and eating at a variety of restaurants, I have found chicken dishes to be most often connected with this particular herb. Sauces, salad dressings, sausage, and Italian cuisine are also good to be wary of when it comes to Sage. The strong flavor of this ingredient is best substituted with marjoram or thyme.

Personally, I have made an extra effort to avoid this particular plant in all of its forms. During my extensive research, Sage has always stood out as the most common seizure trigger worldwide and for people of all ages. It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly makes one excitotoxin more potent than the next, but my guess is that flavor plays a pretty prominent role in this case. Sage has such a strong essence in taste, smell, and, well, everything! Sage is an herb that always wants its presence to be known, even when it is traveling through the body after being digested. What a diva!

Rosemary, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cloves, Tarragon, and Sage…such frequently used ingredients that have managed to fly under the “seizure trigger” radar pretty successfully! Although excitotoxins can create issues for people with or without epilepsy, it seems that most of this information gets lost in translation unless it is desperately needed, such as during a health crisis. Therefore, I encourage anyone reading this article to do a little research of their own on the topic of seizure triggers. I guarantee that the full list of these foods and products is much more extensive than the six ingredients I explored in this article.

If you have questions about any of the seizure triggers I discussed, please share via Twitter and Instagram or email (katie@seizethedayblog.com)!

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

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Posted by SeizeTheDayBlog
Filed Under: Articles, Epilepsy Tagged: article, catamenial epilepsy, diet, epilepsy, excitotoxin, ingredients, nutrition, seize the day, seize the day blog, seizure trigger, seizures

April 1, 2016

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Grapefruit Juice

April 1, 2016

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Magnesium-rich foods…are we actually getting the recommended daily intake of magnesium from those processed foods commonly found in the majority of people’s cupboards??? The answer to this question is real simple…No. If our diet contains mostly processed foods, we are not consuming the recommended daily amount of magnesium because any and all magnesium has already been removed from the source during “processing.” Hence, my emphasis on processed foods.

Most people do not realize that unless their diet contains fruits and vegetables from Organic and non-GMO sources, they’re consuming nutrient-deficient foods. Yet another reason as to why most people in the U.S.A. are just as nutrient-deficient (if not more so) than the pitiful soil non-Organic farmers these days are using abundantly.

Surprise, surprise, I happen to be magnesium-deficient so whenever I come across what seems to be a potentially successful tactic for healing this deficiency, I tend to pursue it!

Diet and nutrition both fall into this category of “successful tactics for healing.” Magnesium-rich foods are a fantastic way to get magnesium directly back into your body, which means you want to eat lots of greens (like spinach, Swiss chard & avocado), meats (like salmon & chicken), fruits (like bananas, mango & grapefruit), and nuts/seeds (like almonds, walnuts & pumpkin seeds).

In this article, I would like to focus on a specific magnesium-rich food…Grapefruit juice. In most store-bought juices, the pulp is pretty much non-existent. Since the pulp and rind are where most of the nutrients lie, it is key to keep these contents in your juice rather than discarding them. Which is also why it is helpful to avoid using a juicer because these machines tend to discard all of the pulp during the blending process.

Instead of shelling out a few hundred bucks on an expensive juicer, just dust off that blender you probably already have tucked up in a kitchen cupboard.

Here are a few tips on how to use your blender to make pulp-filled juice with a smooth texture:

  1. If your blender gives you a “Liquefy” option, choose that instead of the “Smoothie” or “Blend” option.
  2. You might need to blend your mixture for a few extra minutes so that all of your pulp reaches a finer consistency.
  3. Finally, it will be helpful to add an extra 1/2 cup of water (possibly more, to taste) to the grapefruit juice mixture to reduce the thickness of your juice. The amount of extra water you choose to add depends on your preference in flavor, as well, because it will water down the tart flavor of the grapefruit in addition to the texture.

***Side Note:

I’d just like to add a quick warning for those using prescription medication(s)….Grapefruits are notorious for interacting poorly with the majority of prescription drugs! The effect this fruit will have differs from medication to medication so I can’t give you one specific example, but please be aware of this interaction before trying this recipe.

Grapefruit Juice

 

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Grapefruit Juice

Print this recipe
SeizeTheDayBlog
April 1, 2016
by SeizeTheDayBlog
Category Recipes
Persons
2
Prep Time
10 minutes
Total Time
10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Large Grapefruit
  • 1/2 cup Water, plus an extra 1/2 cup to taste
  • 1/4 cup Orange Juice or Cranberry Juice, optional (this will add a lot of flavor to the grapefruit juice, especially if you're like me and accidentally add too much water to the whole pitcher of juice)

Instructions

  1. Peel both the grapefruit and try to keep as much of the rind as you can on the meat of the fruit while you peel.
  2. Add the first 1/2 cup of water and the first grapefruit to the blender. Blend for about 2 minutes before adding the second grapefruit.
  3. I recommend blending your mixture for another 2-3 minutes in order to thin out the amount of pulp and to help reach your desired "juice" texture.
  4. Once you're finished blending, pour your juice into a pitcher and carefully add the second 1/2 cup of water to taste. If you accidentally add too much water, don't worry! It will still have amazing flavor after adding 1/4 - 1/2 cup of Orange Juice or Cranberry Juice.
  5. Stir it all together with a large spoon, add some ice, and serve. Juice will keep for 2-3 days in refrigerator.

Tags

clean eating,
diet,
juicing,
magnesium deficiency,
magnesium-rich foods,
nutrition,
recipes

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged: clean eating, diet, juicing, magnesium deficiency, magnesium-rich foods, nutrition, recipes

February 10, 2016

From my Recipe Box to Yours: Strawberry & Banana Smoothie Bowl (drizzled with Nut Butter)

February 10, 2016

 

From my Recipe Box to Yours: Strawberry & Banana Smoothie Bowl (drizzled with Peanut Butter)

Print this recipe
SeizeTheDayBlog
February 10, 2016
by SeizeTheDayBlog
Category Recipes
Persons
1
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes
Total Time
15 minutes

Notes

Cook Time: Applies to the time it takes to blend all ingredients

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1/3 cup fresh strawberries (reserve some for topping)
  • 1 fresh banana (1/2 used for topping)
  • 1/2 cup nut butter (almond, pistachio, & pumpkin seed are my favorites)
  • 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Shaved coconut for topping (sprinkle to taste)
  • Handful ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Slice the fresh strawberries and banana into bite size pieces. Place half of each type of fruit into the blender. Set aside the other half until you're ready for the toppings.
  2. Add the frozen strawberries, nut butter, protein powder, honey, vanilla, and ice cubes to the blender. Blend until smooth. Add the heavy whipping cream at the very end and blend again for about 30 seconds.
  3. When all of your ingredients are thoroughly mixed, pour into a bowl and top with the remaining sliced fruit, shaved coconut, and nut butter.

Tags

clean eating,
diet,
from recipe box to yours,
nutrition,
recipe,
seize the day blog,
smoothie bowl

***I know it will look almost too pretty to eat, but trust me on this, you’re going to want to devour this yummy treat!  

Bon Appétit!!!

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

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Posted by SeizeTheDayBlog
Filed Under: Recipes Tagged: clean eating, diet, from recipe box to yours, nutrition, recipe, seize the day blog, smoothie bowl

January 30, 2016

Ingredients & Ingredient Labels: Be Sure to Read the Fine Print!

January 30, 2016

What is your typical routine when you make a trip to the grocery store? Do you try to only purchase foods that work with your new diet? Or do you shop based on what sounds good to you while you’re browsing the store aisle by aisle? I’m only asking because I really want you to stop and consider exactly how big of a role the ingredient label on foods plays in your daily life.

Seven years ago, if someone asked me about the ingredient label I would have laughed and said, “What ingredient label???” I never stopped to consider the possibility that maybe not everything listed on the ingredient label of a food is necessarily “good” for me. Instead, I ate whatever I wanted whenever I wanted to, and never stopped to consider the consequences. That is until my health took a turn for the worst…I was having seizures for unknown reasons, my hormones were severely imbalanced, and no neurologist seemed to have any solution for my problem outside the sphere of medication.

So, I tried the alternative route, I kept taking my medication, but I began looking at solutions outside of modern medicine. This led me to discover the very important role nutrition plays in every person’s overall state of health.

Which, also eventually lead to a drastic diet change for me. My grocery store routine went from grabbing anything that sounded good to reading every ingredient label before purchasing a product. It sounds time-consuming, but it is completely worth it! By eliminating ingredients like MSG, soy, and basically anything synthetic, my mental health greatly improved. I saw a decrease in the number of seizures I was having each month, something that seemed impossible at one time. In addition to avoiding poor quality ingredients, I also made the switch to organic foods.

I have found that specialty health-oriented grocery stores such as Trader Joe’s, Sprout’s Market, and Whole Foods Market (for those of you in the Southern California area) are always the better option for finding good quality, organic groceries free of synthetic ingredients.

What do I primarily look for in a food product? Simple and real ingredients. As long as the ingredient label contains only natural ingredients (sugar, salt, butter, flour, etc.) and is free of chemical and/or synthetic ingredients (Xanthan Gum, Soy Lecithin, Guar Gum, etc.), I know the product is okay!

To give you an example of what a good ingredient label and a bad ingredient label look like, I’m going to breakdown the ingredient label of a snack product commonly found in the pantry of many people’s kitchens…Ritz Crackers. I don’t know about you, but this is a product that most people I know consider to be a snacking favorite. If you look on the side of the box, you will find an ingredient label containing the following information…

Ingredients: Unbleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate {Vitamin B1}, Riboflavin {Vitamin B2}, Folic Acid, Vegetable Oil (Soybean Oil and/or Canola and/or Palm and/or Partially Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil), Sugar, Salt, Leavening (Baking Soda and/or Calcium Phosphate), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soy Lecithin, Malted Barley Flour, Natural Flavor.

Let’s just dive right in, shall we?

Unbleached Enriched Flour—“flour in which most of the natural vitamins and minerals have been extracted. This is done in order to give the bread a finer texture and increase shelf life. When the bran and germ (the parts of wheat that contain fiber and nutrients) are removed, your body absorbs wheat differently” (ahealthiermichigan.org). So, instead of acting as an energy source for your body, which is what flour should do, this ingredient causes your body to store it as fat (ahealthiermichigan.org)! This is exactly the reason why many people find that cutting bread from their diet can greatly facilitate weight loss! However, in order to lose weight, you don’t necessarily have to cut bread out of your diet completely. You simply need to find the right kind of bread that is made with ingredients meant to help energize you, rather than fatten you up like a Thanksgiving turkey! To learn more about Unbleached Enriched Flour and the role it plays in the food industry, What’s in Your Food? Enriched Flour Tops List of Unhealthy Ingredients by Jodi Davis, is a must-read.

Thiamine Mononitrate {Vitamin B1}—“Thiamine Mononitrate is the synthetic form of Vitamin B1” (livestrong.com). So, an ingredient that gives the illusion of being healthy by pretending to be the true, blue natural version of Vitamin B1 is actually toxic to the human body! We see the term “Vitamin” and assume it must be healthy, but in actuality, it is furthest from the impression it gives and actually can cause a lot of negative side effects for our health. Not to mention, it is also very difficult for the body to digest due to its synthetic and chemical form. Read more about Thiamine Mononitrate, here: The Side Effects of Thiamine Mononitrate by Elizabeth Thatcher.

Riboflavin {Vitamin B2}—This synthetic ingredient acts in the same stealthy way as Thiamine Mononitrate! It sits there in the Ritz Crackers ingredient label pretending to be healthy and posing as a natural vitamin that will be beneficial to our health, but riddle me this…what is healthy about a chemical created to be a synthetic form of the real, whole-food version of an ingredient or, in this case, a vitamin??? Absolutely nothing! It’s fake! This means that just like the Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Mononitrate) also found in Ritz Crackers, it too is hard for the body to digest. Let’s think about this from the long-term perspective for a moment…if you consistently fill your stomach with lots of synthetic ingredients (a.k.a. hard-to-digest foods) you’re going to start experiencing problems with your digestive system. And guess what? Most processed foods are filled with these synthetic ingredients! An all-time low for the food industry, if you ask me.

Seeing as how synthetic Riboflavin {Vitamin B2} is a completely unnatural ingredient, it only makes sense for there to be more than one health issue! This brings us to problem #2 with this specific type of Riboflavin {Vitamin B2}…this ingredient required only by our bodies in small doses (in its real, whole food form), is found in the majority of our popular processed foods in its synthetic form. Please note that only the whole food form of Riboflavin is recommended as a healthy supplement for the human body. The synthetic form of Riboflavin should be avoided at ALL costs!

To make matters worse, thanks to synthetic Riboflavin, you might want to rethink the vitamin supplement you’re currently taking. Excessive amounts of Riboflavin can be found in commonly used dietary supplements. That’s right, not even the vitamin aisle is safe anymore! Gummy vitamins might be a fun concept (who doesn’t love for their vitamin to be in the shape of a tiny bear?), but I’m sorry to say that nothing is healthy about vitamins such as these.

Our bodies should only be getting about 2 milligrams (mg) of Riboflavin a day from dietary sources. If you’re taking a dietary vitamin supplement of some sort, check the ingredient label before taking it again because you just might be getting “10s or 100s of milligrams” (smart-publications.com) without even knowing it!

If we add both of these problems together, we get one gigantic health concern as a result: excessive Riboflavin. Because this ingredient is so prevalent in most of today’s staple food and dietary supplement products we basically get a double whammy when it comes to our Riboflavin intake. The result? An incredibly toxic combination. When the excessive Riboflavin spreads to our body tissue it mixes with our sunlight exposure and begins causing problems for our eyes, as well as our liver health. To read more about the toxic side effects of excessive Riboflavin, click here: Excessive Vitamin B2 – Riboflavin Can Be Toxic!

Folic Acid—“Oxidized synthetic compound used in dietary supplements and food fortification” (chriskresser.com). Here’s the biggest issue I have with Folic Acid: it’s an oxidized synthetic compound. Once again, Ritz has chosen to include a synthetic compound rather than using the whole food, nutrient-rich version of the ingredient. In this case, the well-known food company has chosen Folic Acid rather than Folate, which is “the general term for a group of water-soluble b-vitamins, and is also known as B9…” furthermore, as opposed to Folic Acid, Folate “…refers to the various tetrahydrofolate derivatives naturally found in food” (chriskresser.com).

If you examine Ritz’s ingredient choice from a logical standpoint, their decisions so far seem completely irrational. I mean, after examining only 4 ingredients, we have discovered that Ritz Crackers are only composed of synthetic ingredients. Hmm…not exactly something I want to be giving to my body in large doses. Read more about Folate and Folic Acid, here: The Little Known Difference Between Folate and Folic Acid by Chris Kresser. (Click here to read a brief, but thorough overview of the entire Ritz Cracker Ingredient Label)

So why do they do it? When an ingredient like “Folate” exists, why does the Ritz Company knowingly choose synthetic over naturally occurring? Because it’s cheaper and synthetic additives give the product an unnaturally long shelf life (Yuck!).

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the processed foods industry in a nutshell. When it comes to their choice of ingredients, the deciding factor for Big Wig food companies (like Ritz Crackers) clearly no longer includes the state of our health.

However, do not be discouraged by the extremely poor quality of ingredients found in Ritz Crackers because other companies (you know, the ones that are actually concerned about whether we live or die after eating their product) do exist and they have created products free of synthetics! Take, for example, the Late July Organic Classic Rich Crackers or as I like to call them the healthy version of Ritz. We picked apart the Ritz Cracker ingredient label, now let’s do the same to Late July’s ingredient label and see if we find any minor and/or major differences. For starters, let me just say that they print on the front of their packaging these important details (something the Ritz packaging and product appears to be lacking): Produced without Synthetic Pesticides, Non-GMO, No Artificial Flavors, Colors, or Preservatives. Although I would rather it said “Produced without any Pesticides,” the fact that they’re both acknowledging the presence of these characteristics in typical processed foods and choosing to exclude them is HUGE! All in all, I would say they’re off to a pretty good start. Now for the ingredient label…

Late July Organic Classic Rich Crackers Ingredients: Organic Wheat Flour, Organic Evaporated Cane Sugar, Organic Expeller Pressed Sunflower Oil and/or Organic Expeller Pressed Safflower Oil, Organic Palm Oil, Sea Salt, Leavening (Baking Soda, Ammonium Bicarbonate, Cream of Tartar).

Organic Wheat Flour—Nutritional value alone is enough to give Red July a round of applause for choosing this flour ingredient over white flour. Although I do use white flour when baking, I never realized the great difference between the two types of flours. “White flour is made from heavily refined and processed wheat grains, while whole-wheat flour is made from grains that have not undergone heavy processing. Whole-wheat and white flour differ in their nutritional value” (healthyeating.sfgate.com). If you examine both flour’s fiber and vitamin contents, you will discover the drastic difference between each flour’s nutritional value. Read more about this difference here: Healthy Facts About Whole-Wheat Flour Vs. White by Sylvie Tremblay. Also, check out a variety of healthy flours here: 5 Healthy Flour Substitutes Vegans Need to Know About

Organic Evaporated Cane Sugar—Okay, so this type of sugar may not contain as many vitamins, minerals, or nutrients as the organic sugar cane in its natural form, but it’s most definitely a much better quality form of sugar compared to the typical “Sugar” ingredient found in many processed foods. For starters, it’s Organic and still contains a multitude of nutrients that haven’t been tainted by pesticides. Furthermore, it does not go through the same process as refined sugar, which means it will be easier to digest and healthy for your body to absorb. “Raw natural sugar has a balance of sucrose, glucose, and fructose, whereas refined sugars are almost exclusively sucrose (the fructose and glucose have been washed out). The more sucrose, the more it raises your blood sugar” (processedfreeamerica.org). It is very refreshing, for me, to see a company choose the healthier ingredient over the cheaper ingredient. As I continue to examine Red July’s ingredient label, you too will soon discover that not every processed food product falls under the stereotype of being “bad” for you.

Organic Expeller Pressed Sunflower and/or Safflower Oil —First, let me just point out that this ingredient (like the previous three) is Organic. So, right away you’re getting (or at least you should be getting) zero pesticides from the oil used in this product! Now, although Sunflower and Safflower aren’t typically known as “healthier” oils, I need to put a special emphasis on 2 extra details that set this oil apart from your everyday vegetable oils: Organic and Expeller Pressed. Expeller pressed is an old-fashioned process that uses a screw press to mechanically extract oil from the seed, nut, or grain. It is less common because it costs more and produces less oil than other known processes, but it is known to produce the best quality oil (foodbabe.com). This is mostly due to the fact that, unlike other processes, the oil is not extracted using methods involving toxic chemicals (such as Hexane) or unnecessary refinement. By the time companies have their finished product, it is so synthetic it honestly should not be considered edible nor should it be consumed! In essence, the extra money and time required for this process are most definitely worth it!

***Side Note: Where cooking oils are concerned ignorance is NOT bliss! It is best to be extra careful because every oil is different, therefore each is going to have its own unique characteristics. For example, did you know that olive oil can actually become unhealthy for you if it is cooked at too high of a temperature? It is best to arm yourself with knowledge about the ingredients you use whenever you cook. Because Olive Oil is such a popular cooking oil (I know it’s one of my favorites!), here is a fantastic article from Kitchen Ambition where the author, David Lewis, answers a simple, yet necessary question…“Does Olive Oil Go Bad?” Take it from me on this one when I say the information he provides is more than just food for thought!

Palm Oil (a.k.a. Palm Fruit Palm or Palm Kernel Oil)—Actually one of the few healthy oils used in foods. Although I prefer to use coconut oil whenever it comes to cooking, Palm oil is definitely my 2nd choice! It isn’t hydrogenated (a process involving turning a liquid unsaturated fat into a solid fat by adding hydrogen (healthline.com)), which is excellent for avoiding trans fats and poor heart health in the future. “Fortunately, there is a healthy fat that can be used in processed foods in place of those nasty polyunsaturated vegetable oils that meet the profit demands of food company shareholders and also satisfies the ever-growing consumer clamor for a healthy, traditional fat. That fat is palm oil” (thehealthyhomeeconomist.com). Once again, we see Red July choosing the healthier ingredient over the cheap ingredient. An action not many inorganic processed food companies are making just yet.

Sea Salt—It’s all-natural, the flavor is 10x better than iodized salt, and it has a much more beneficial mineral/nutrient content. Common table salt is typically stripped of most of its nutrients while it goes through the commercial process that takes it from its place of origin to your kitchen table. “Sea salt is obtained directly through the evaporation of seawater. It is usually not processed, or undergoes minimal processing, and therefore retains trace levels of minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, and other nutrients. Table salt, on the other hand, is mined from salt deposits and then processed to give it a fine texture so it’s easier to mix and use in recipes. Processing strips table salt of any minerals it may have contained, and additives are also usually added to prevent clumping or caking” (sodiumbreakup.heart.org). Many people and health experts constantly say that there “are no real health advantages of most sea salts” (sodiumbreakup.heart.org).

HA! (<– This is Me scoffing at that statement!) How can there be no health advantages when sea salt is an unprocessed, mineral-filled product as opposed to table salt, which is intensely processed and altered by synthetic additives? Let me answer this question with a question…which salt would you rather feed to your family?

The last and final ingredient found in Late July Crackers is Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Bicarbonate, and Cream of Tartar)—When it comes to the leavening agent typically used in most processed food products, it is composed of Baking Soda and Sodium Phosphate. In other words (a.k.a. the truth), the leavening agent is probably 30% baking soda and 70% chemical phosphates. The recurring problem with too large amounts of synthetic ingredients does NOT strike again with these Red July Crackers! On the all too rare occasion, we find that instead of phosphates these crackers have Sodium Bicarbonate, which is “…commonly called baking soda, is a natural substance used in the human body within the bloodstream to regulate pH as a counterbalance to acid build-up, which is critical to life. It affects the pH of cells and tissues, balances cell voltage, and increases CO2 which helps with oxygenation” (drsircus.com). Let’s emphasize the HUGE difference between these two components: one is natural (Sodium Bicarbonate) and one is chemical (Sodium Phosphate). Although these two ingredients begin with the same word in their name, they are about as different as night and day! Lastly, we have Cream of Tartar; a better alternative to the chemical leavening agent as far as the stabilizing job is concerned. It is a naturally occurring substance produced during the process of fermenting wine. It is then sent through a purification process and Voilà! You get the white powdery substance commonly used in numerous baked goods (thekitchn.com).

At face value, the only difference between these two products seems to be the brand name printed quite distinctly on each of the cracker’s packaging. Amazing, isn’t it, the striking difference that actually exists, causing these products to be, in reality, polar opposites? Now that you’ve seen firsthand the types of ingredients commonly used in the majority of processed foods, are you motivated to investigate that ingredient label a little more closely the next time you’re in the grocery store? I certainly hope so!

Trust me when I say that the truth about some ingredients can be a tad frightening to discover. It is shocking what the FDA has approved as “suitable” sources for ingredients. Let’s just say, this administration no longer gives me comfort about the quality of foods being sold in grocery stores or restaurants. But, please do NOT let this stop you from getting the better of those food companies! You deserve the right to know exactly what you’re feeding your body! So, Seize the Day for your knowledge because ignorance is not bliss when it comes to nutrition. Take advantage of technology and the vast amount of knowledge available through the Internet! You’d be amazed at what you will find!

 

Sources:

  1. https://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/2011/07/26/whats-in-your-food-enriched-flour-tops-list-of-unhealthy-ingredients/
  2. www.livestrong.com/article/313249-the-side-effects-of-thiamine-mononitrate/
  3. www.smart-publications.com/articles/excess-vitamin-B2-riboflavin-can-be-toxic
  4. www.chriskresser.com/folate-vs-folic-acid/
  5. www.healthyeating.sfgate.com/healthy-wholewheat-flour-vs-white-3305.html
  6. www.processedfreeamerica.org/resources/health-news/405-the-truth-about-evaporated-cane-juice/
  7. www.foodbabe.com/2015/02/04/cooking-oils/
  8. http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/ways-to-avoid-hydrogenated-oil
  9. http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-many-shades-of-palm-oil/
  10. sodiumbreakup.heart.org/sodium-411/sea-salt-vs-table-salt/
  11. http://www.thekitchn.com/food-science-what-is-cream-of-72125
  12. drsircus.com/medicine/sodium-bicarbonate-baking-soda/

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website.

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Posted by SeizeTheDayBlog
Filed Under: Articles Tagged: chemical additives, clean eating, diet, food additives, healthy, ingredient label, ingredients, Late July Ingredient Label Overview, nutrition, organic, Ritz Crackers Ingredient Label Overview, seize the day, seize the day blog, synthetic, unbleached enriched flour, whole food

January 8, 2016

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Strawberry/Banana/Blueberry Smoothie Recipe

January 8, 2016

 

I know January 7th is a bit late to be saying this, but Happy New Year anyway!!! Can you believe it’s 2016 already?? I mean, weren’t we just celebrating the arrival of 2015?

So, how are those New Year’s resolutions working out so far? Is 2016 going to be the New Year for a new you?

I’m all for setting goals in the New Year and sticking to them, soooo…..if you’re still proudly committed to your resolution and you’d like to share your progress, comment below with details about your 2016 resolution!

To be honest, I came into 2016 without a resolution, but thanks to a fantastic article I stumbled upon this morning via Twitter, I now have one! The article titled, “How Giving Up Refined Sugar Changed My Brain,” by Michael Grothaus, has now inspired me to give up refined sugar (in case you didn’t already guess that, the title is pretty self explanatory).

I strongly encourage everybody reading this post to click the link above and visit Grothaus’ article, it has a lot of must-read information! You get a very thorough understanding of refined sugar, the consequences of consuming this synthetic form of sugar, and the benefits of cutting it completely from your diet!!!

***Warning!! Do not make the mistake of cutting ALL forms of sugar from your diet!! This can lead to serious deficiencies in your body because, despite what society wants us to believe, natural forms of sugar (such as the naturally occurring sugar found in fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries) are actually incredibly healthy for you!

Consuming this natural type of sugar in place of refined sugars will transform your diet, as well as satisfy the occasional craving your sweet tooth may get from time to time. The best form in which you should consume these natural sugars? Smoothies or smoothie bowls! This allows you to consume a decent amount of fruit all at once while also putting that blender of yours to good use!

You paid good money for that blender, so instead of leaving it to collect dust on your kitchen counter put that sucker to use! Below you will find the recipe for a superb smoothie recipe I made for lunch today! If you would like to replace a meal with a smoothie, make sure it packs a punch and fills you up! Therefore, make sure you don’t forget to add one or two scoops of this homemade Protein Powder.

Strawberry/Banana/Blueberry Smoothie Recipe

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Strawberry/Banana/Blueberry Smoothie Recipe

Print this recipe
SeizeTheDayBlog
January 8, 2016
by SeizeTheDayBlog
Category Recipes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes
Total Time
10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 fresh banana, sliced
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1 T honey
  • 1/2 cup milk substitute (1/4 cup water // 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, Organic)
  • 1 cup ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in blender and blend for about 2 minutes (longer, if necessary)

Tags

brain health,
diet,
epilepsy,
from my recipe box to yours,
fruit,
natural forms of sugar,
nutrition,
refined sugar,
seize the day,
seize the day blog,
smoothie recipe

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged: brain health, diet, epilepsy, from my recipe box to yours, fruit, natural forms of sugar, nutrition, refined sugar, seize the day, seize the day blog, smoothie recipe

December 31, 2015

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Sweet & Savory Waffle Sandwich

December 31, 2015

Sweet & Savory Waffle Sandwich Recipe

waffle 3

I love making these sandwiches after I’ve already made waffles for breakfast. It makes for a much simpler assembly process and all of the leftover waffles you spent hours making don’t go to waste! Efficiency at it’s best, ladies and gentlemen! The combination of sweet and savory flavors in this sandwich are a little interesting, but please give it a chance! They actually work really well together and result in a very tasty final product. Happy cooking!

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Sweet & Savory Waffle Sandwich

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SeizeTheDayBlog
December 31, 2015
by SeizeTheDayBlog
Category Recipes
Persons
1
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Belgian Waffles
  • Bacon, to taste
  • 1 handful fresh Spinach Leaves
  • 1 Avocado
  • Mozzarella Cheese
  • Raspberry Jelly
  • Unsalted Butter (or Ghee)

Instructions

  1. Place your bacon into the oven or frying pan (whatever you prefer) to begin cooking according to package directions. While is your bacon is cooking, put your waffles (in a glass pan with a lid) into the oven to reheat them. If you keep the oven temperature at 350F you can take the waffles out after 15 minutes (max).
  2. Spread a light layer of unsalted butter across both sides of each waffle. Set aside two waffles for each sandwich you need to make. Follow the butter with a layer of raspberry jam only on the inner sides of each waffle pair.
  3. Next, grab a handful of fresh spinach leaves and remove their stems. Sprinkle the entire handful of spinach leaves across one side of the waffle sandwich.
  4. Slice your avocado into thin, even slices and place the avocado slices on top of the spinach leaves.
  5. On the other side of your sandwich (your second waffle), place two thin slices of mozzarella cheese on top of existing layer of raspberry jam. You can add more or less cheese depending on your "savory" flavor preference.
  6. Finish your sandwich assembly by adding 2-3 slices of bacon, split in half, on top of the spinach, avocado, and raspberry jam. Top the bacon with the second waffle and "Voila"! You've got yourself a Sweet & Savory Waffle Sandwich!

Tags

belgian waffles,
clean eating,
diet,
from my recipe box to yours,
healthy eating,
nutrition,
organic,
seize the day,
seize the day blog,
sweet & savory waffle sandwich

Bon Appétit! 

And always remember, sharing is caring, even with your puppy dog!!!!!….

Bentley-Chrome

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged: belgian waffles, clean eating, diet, from my recipe box to yours, healthy eating, nutrition, organic, seize the day, seize the day blog, sweet & savory waffle sandwich

November 22, 2015

From My Recipe Box To Yours: Gingerbread Men Cookies & Icing

November 22, 2015

 

“It’s the holiday season…may the calendar keep bringing Happy Holidays to you…”

~ Andy Williams, Happy Holiday

Can you believe it’s that time of year again? Thanksgiving is exactly 5 days away, Christmas is almost 5 weeks away, and there’s only a little over a month until the New Year! Is it just me, or does it feel like someone took the “remote control” of Life and pressed fast forward on the first 11 months of the 2015-year?

Regardless, I will still welcome December with a wink and a smile along with a very out of tune rendition of Andy Williams’ holiday classic “Happy Holiday.” This, along with some holiday baking, is the only proper way to make the transition into the Christmas season a smooth one.

 

To get yourself in the holiday spirit, I recommend trying this very easy and very fun recipe for gingerbread cookies courtesy of RealSimple.com. You could cut them into whatever shape you prefer, but I will be showing you the how-to’s of this recipe using gingerbread men cookie cutters. The recipe for vanilla royal icing is also included courtesy of FoodNetwork.com. Happy Cooking!

 

GINGERBREAD COOKIES RECIPE

 

 

From My Recipe Box To Yours: Gingerbread Men Cookies & Icing

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SeizeTheDayBlog
November 22, 2015
by SeizeTheDayBlog
Category Recipes
Persons
30
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for the work surface
  • 1 1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
  • 1 1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Molasses
  • 1 Large Egg

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
  2. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the molasses and egg and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  3. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Shape into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.
  4. On a floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4 inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut into shapes; place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
  5. Bake until firm, 10 - 12 minutes. Cool slightly on baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  6. Decorate cookies as desired and let set, icing recipe below.
  7. Store in airtight container at room temperature and enjoy for up to 1 week.

Tags

catamenial epilepsy,
clean eating,
diet,
epilepsy,
from my recipe box to yours,
gingerbread cookies,
gingerbread men,
healthy eating,
healthy living,
holiday baking,
holiday season,
nutrition,
royal icing,
seize the day,
seize the day blog

 

 ROYAL ICING RECIPE

 

 

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Royal Icing

Print this recipe
Persons
3
Prep Time
3 minutes
Cook Time
7 minutes
Total Time
10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 Egg Whites
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 3 cups Confectioner's Sugar

Instructions

  1. In large bowl of stand mixer combine the egg whites and vanilla. Beat until frothy.
  2. Add confectioner's sugar gradually and mix on low speed until sugar is incorporated. Mixture should have a shiny appearance at this point.
  3. Turn speed up to high and beat until mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks. This will take approximately 5-7 minutes. Add food coloring, if desired.
  4. For immediate use, transfer icing to pastry bag or heavy-duty storage bag and pipe as desired. If using storage bag, clip corner.
  5. Store in airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.

 

 

 

Sources:

  1. http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/gingerbread-cookies
  2. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/royal-icing-recipe1.html

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Posted by SeizeTheDayBlog
Filed Under: Recipes Tagged: catamenial epilepsy, clean eating, diet, epilepsy, from my recipe box to yours, gingerbread cookies, gingerbread men, healthy eating, healthy living, holiday baking, holiday season, nutrition, royal icing, seize the day, seize the day blog

November 16, 2015

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Sweet Potato Fries

November 16, 2015

“As if being one of the top vegetable sources of beta-carotene weren’t enough, sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamins C and E. These are potent antioxidant vitamins that play an important role in disease prevention and longevity.”

– Danna Norek, naturalnews.com

 

Sweet potatoes are one of those foods that many people eat exclusively around the holidays, when they really should be eating them much more often! Incorporating sweet potatoes into your regular diet might be a bit of a challenge because most of us only know one way to prepare this delicious and incredibly healthy vegetable….covered in marshmallows. I don’t know about you, but I usually only feel like eating this dish around Thanksgiving or Christmas.

While eating at a foodie restaurant in Los Angeles, I discovered a genius and conventional way to prepare sweet potatoes…in fry form! Top these babies with a little bit of sea salt and rosemary and you’ll get your new favorite side dish! I also recommend coating the sliced sweet potatoes in Coconut Oil before sticking them in the oven for the full 30 minutes.

Just remember to pull the fries out at the 15 minute mark and flip them with a spatula so that one side does not get well done while the opposite side is only slightly done. You can cook the fries on a baking sheet or in a glass pan, just be sure to spread them out evenly over multiple pans. The fries won’t cook right if they’re all crammed together in one pan.

 

Fries blackened on one side (Oops!)…Good thing I like them crispy!

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Sweet Potato Fries

Print this recipe
SeizeTheDayBlog
November 16, 2015
by SeizeTheDayBlog
Category Recipes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Total Time
40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6-8 Sweet Potatoes, medium
  • 4 T Coconut Oil
  • 1-2 T Sea Salt
  • 2-3 T Dried Rosemary

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450F. Wash potatoes, slice into your desired shape and set aside in a large bowl.
  2. Drizzle coconut oil over sweet potato fries and toss to coat. Spread evenly over multiple glass pans or baking sheets.
  3. Once your fries are evenly dispersed, sprinkle half of the sea salt and rosemary to season.
  4. Place in pre-heated oven for 15 minutes.
  5. After 15 minutes, take all pans out of the oven (fries should be about halfway done at this point) and use a spatula to flip the fries. Once all the fries have been flipped, place pans back into the oven for another 15 minutes.
  6. Your sweet potato fries should cook for a total of 30 minutes. They should be soft with slightly crispy edges. Add the other half of sea salt and rosemary. You may need to add more to taste.
  7. Serve with ketchup, ranch or blue cheese dressings, or BBQ sauce.

Tags

antioxidant,
beta-carotene,
catamenial epilepsy blog,
clean eating,
coconut oil,
diet,
epilepsy,
from my recipe box to yours,
healthy eating,
nutrients,
nutrition,
sweet potato fries,
Vitamin C,
Vitamin E

 

The final product!

Sources:

www.naturalnews.com/035739_sweet_potatoes_beta-carotene_nutrients.html

 

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Posted by SeizeTheDayBlog
Filed Under: Recipes Tagged: antioxidant, beta-carotene, catamenial epilepsy blog, clean eating, coconut oil, diet, epilepsy, from my recipe box to yours, healthy eating, nutrients, nutrition, sweet potato fries, Vitamin C, Vitamin E

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About Me

Hi, I'm Katie! I was diagnosed with Catamenial Epilepsy when I was 16 years old. What started out to be an impossible struggle has now become a journey toward healing thanks to natural/Holistic methods.
For the last 6 years, I have continuously gone through a trial and error period where I have been discovering for myself the true quality of various foods, products, and lifestyles.
I am going to share everything I have learned with the hope that it will help you to begin your healthy lifestyle that much faster. Read More…

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