Healthy Banana Bread

Photo credit: Its Your Life

My kitchen smells amazingly wonderful of home made healthy banana bread. It is so hot and humid down here I bought a bunch of fresh fruit the other day. I found a bag of over ripened bananas for a buck, whoot me!!!

But, I already knew they were going to be used for a recipe I found recently at 8 Weeks to a Better You Recipes. I had pinned the recipe, but printed it out in case it disappears. The recipes calls for a 1/2 of unsweetened apple sauce, well I love cooking and baking from scratch, and decided to make my own apples sauce, for the first time. I could not believe how easy it was, plus I used the water to make some apple, note add sugar slowly.

I had four red delicious apples, which was a good thing I found out after reading about how to make it over at Pick Your Own.  All I did was use my handy dandy apple wedger from Pampered Chef, then peel the skin off, which took the longest. I had a pot of water, added the apples, and went off to do other things while they cooked. Once they were done I used a strainer over a bowl to save the water. I put 1/2 a cup aside for use in the banana bread, and added cinnamon and sugar to taste to the rest. The boys loved it and I was both surprised and proud that I had made home made apple sauce that was easy, and tasted awesome!!

Photo credit: Tropical Traditions

So, this morning I set out to use the recipe I had found, and was excited to use both my homemade apple sauce, along with the raw organic honey I purchased from Tropical Traditions. This honey is the most amazing honey I have ever tasted, one of the boys also thought so, because half of the jar was already gone. The honey comes from Canada and is not always available, I wish my budget was not blown for the month I just saw they have it on sale for $12.99 instead of $19.99. Click the button on the right and then go to search on their site to find it easier.

Anyway this recipe is amazing in my book, the texture is moist, and the after taste is where you get the pop of flavor. At first it tastes kind of bland, but then the banana with a hint of honey comes through, and oh my goodness, sweet healthiness. What I really love about this recipe which is located under the recipe tab? There is no sugar required, and it calls for wheat flour. It is too bad there is no more honey left, because it would be awesome with some of that honey drizzled on it.

Wordless Wednesday

Some of you already know that I was born and raised in Chicago, not a suburb, but Chicago. In 2005, I remarried, a year after the death of my first husband, a man from West Tennessee and moved there. While my current husband does electronic repair, due to off shoring he can no longer get the parts he needs to repair certain items, so the Lord lead him to be a trucker. He called me one morning from New Orleans, and said listen, I can breath. While he could breath better in other states Louisiana would become our new home as of 2010.

While I grew up in the city, I have become a country girl. However, there are some things about Chicago that I miss.

The libraries, this is the one I used walk to while growing up.

There are so many libraries in Chicago just stacked with books, it looks small, but carries a lot.

There also just as many parks, snow, I miss snow. My children played here.

Learned to swim there, go off the diving board, and my daughter was on the swim team and played water polo.

The Field museum, one of many great museums in Chicago.

This five day event features samplings of food from a large selection of Chicago's restaurants.

If you go in the morning it is not as crowded, you can see it is a big event. It is where I had my first fried cheese stick.

So, those are the things I miss most about Chicago, I think it is easy to see why. Well, time to go need to finish up my homemade apple sauce, for the banana bread I will be making. Oh and there are the bathrooms and laundry which need to be tended to, then exercise and off to Bible study.

Did you move from where you grew up? What do you miss the most?

Eating Healthy

Photo credit: Why Detox dot net

I am on a group on Facebook which supports those who are trying to take off weight. This morning a post motivated me to write this blog about retraining our selves to eat healthy.

I did just that years ago, no it was not easy, it a year for my mouth to stop watering when I crossed paths with certain foods. I refused to give up, knowing I had to make changes about how I saw food, and what it is for. We are all different and what works for one person will not necessarily work for another. I have decided to seek out some tools which may aid in not only taking the weight off, but keeping it off.

The first thing that must be done is to only keep healthy foods in your home, I have two boys, 15 and 13, and they eat what is here. They do not need to be eating unhealthy any more than we do, so do not use children as an excuse to keep unhealthy foods.

While I do not stick to any plans I write down this may be a good route for others to take.

Online Meal Planners

Daily Meal Planner, need to sign up to use, free.

Seven Online Meal & Menu Planning Tools includes some online and some phone apps.

Eating Well Menu Planner free registration required for use.

Planned out Meals

28 Day Meal Plans from Eating Well, there are a variety of choices here great selection. I also agree with the choices they have made for the meals.

 Healthy recipes. 

Skinny Taste

My Healing Kitchen has recipes geared towards specific issues such as menopause, weight loss, insomnia, arthritis, and more.

Hungry Girl

Here are some more online tools you may find useful.

Weight Loss, Health and Exercise Tools

WebMD Food & Fitness Planner

Free Diet & Weight Loss Journal includes apps

My Calorie Calender

FitWatch Weight Loss & Fitness Tools and Calculators Breakdown

All around great health and fitness sites

Fitness Magazine

Self Magazine

Healthifing Recipes

Photo credit: Taste of Home

Before my husband I always had to have a recipe to follow. I still use recipes, but I revamp them either for taste or health.

There are certain ingredients I always change in a recipe to make it healthier, oil, and flour. Since learning what I have learned about cooking oils, I use coconut oil to cook with, but peanut oil to bake with. No, white flour here, only wheat flour, so what is the difference? There are various differences when it comes to the two flours.

While both utilize the wheat berry, white flour only contains one part of the berry, while wheat contains the whole the berry. I switched to wheat years ago not knowing why it was better, only that it was. Through the years I learned that white flour products break down quicker in the body leaving you feeling hungry quicker. While the wheat products break down slower leaving you fuller for a longer period of time.

Now the other ingredients I substitute are certain dairy products. I use a fat free, stay away from lite there is not much difference from the regular. Also any types of creams, I use the fat free as well. So, you can go ahead and continue using recipes, just know that because it looks unhealthy does not mean it has to stay that way. Using fresh ingredients whenever possible is another way to create a healthier dish from a not so healthy dish. While this is a shorter post sometimes less is more.

Revamping the recipe for that pumpkin bread up top.

Do you substitute ingredients?

Are You Sabotaging Your Weight Loss?

Yes, sometimes we are our own worst enemy, and can, and do in many ways sabotage our weight loss goals. Here are just a few ways you may be sabotaging your self.





Exercising and than treating your self to some sweet snacks.

Keeping food in your home you shouldn't eat.

Shopping when you are hungry.

Eating at night.

Eating out.

Buying new clothes because the ones you own are too tight.

Exercising can, and will cause you to be hungry, depending on what time of day we exercise should depend on our caloric intake. We should not reward our selves for getting fit and healthy, the way we will look and feel once we meet our goal is our reward.

If we do not eat a particular food, do not buy it, our whole family should be getting healthy with us. Do the grandchildren like to have a snack when come by? Have mom or dad bring it with, if we want to do something special for them, do a small amount. There is no need for us to have a whole package of cookies sitting in our cupboards waiting for a child's visit.

Shopping when we are hungry is one of the worst things we can do, we always end up buying stuff we know does not need to go into our bodies.

We have no need to eat at night, food is energy which is we do not need at night when we are doing nothing.

Buying clothes because the ones we have are too tight is not the solution, it only allows us to be more comfortable. By wearing those uncomfortable clothes we should be motivated to strive harder to do what we need to do to make them fit, I know it does me.

These are things I have done or do, and realize that all I am doing is sabotaging my self. I can not achieve the health and fitness I want to if I do these things, thought I would share.

Are you sabotaging your self?

Circuit Training, Interval Training, Tabata

The exercise industry moves so fast at times you can hardly keep up. Every time I turn around there is a new term. From what I have seen, there is little difference between circuit training, interval training, and Tabata. Okay so Tabata is based on time, but what are the differences, and how do you know which one to choose.

Photo credit: Curves

Circuit training is easy to explain because this is what Curves uses. If you have not been to a Curves, all the machines are set up in a circle with pads in between each one. The machines, and pads all have timers, which are set for 30 seconds. Once you have completed a machine, you than jog on the pad for 30 seconds, and continue around the circle until you are done. This enter work out at Curves lasts 15 minutes, going again gives you a 30 minute work out, you are done, and out of there.

Interval Training incorporates short bursts of high level activity with a short activity recovery period. For instance let's say you run, you may decide to run full throttle to a predetermined spot, and than jog at a slower pace to another predetermined spot. Alternating back and forth for the time period you have allotted your self.

The Tabata work out is probably the easiest to understand because there are set time rules however, I have seen some works up the time limit. Tabata is made up of high intensity levels of activity and actually is considered interval training. There is a time frame of 4 minutes, which includes either two to four exercises performed for 20 seconds each, than a 10 second cool down period. 

Photo credit: Just Loving Life

All three styles of work outs are great for burning calories, the times can be determined by you, and you determine the intensity level. If you are new to these types of work outs, you may want to do one of two things. One purchase or find some beginner work outs for free, or two just go ahead and wing it, and have fun burning unwanted calories. I have included some links of sites where I go for a free work out, or to get ideas, and put together my own. The great thing is they can all be customized by you!!!


iBodyFit offers a nice selection of sample exercises along with variations.

Fitness Magazine does not include total work outs, but it is great for body parts to do on your own.

You Tube is my total go to at the moment for a total work out, I subscribe to two I use on a regular basis. Bex Life offers a series of Tabata workouts in a series called You Have 4 Minutes. BeFit is the other one I use, I love this one because you can do a whole work out with Jillian Michaels or Denise Austin, and more.

ShareitFtiness is a brand new site, I am actually a beta tester for the site, and love it. As a guest you will be limited, but there are a ton of workout videos there. Too bad due to Charter I can not access the site at this time. Oh and if you are able to utilize the challenges, check it out intense.

Cleaning Naturally

After viewing a video, which I could not find again, I decided that I needed to change my cleaning products. I am, or was, the type of person that if I did not smell bleach, it was not clean. Here I am taking care of what I am putting into my body with no concern about what my body is absorbing. How many of you are doing this as well? While I could not find the original video I watched, take a look at the one posted.




The video opened my eyes, and I decided to purchase an all purpose cleaning product from Tropical Traditions. I waited for it anxiously to see what my views would be, I mean I love their coconut oil, and everything I have read on their site is very informative. Well, yesterday it came, hallelujah, I had two bathrooms to clean, and this would be the testing ground. Seriously what better place to test a cleaning product. On the bottle it lists all the things you can clean with it, and what it would do.

Photo credit: Tropical Traditions

Okay, so hard to teach an old dog new tricks, what do I do? I grab the toilet bowl cleaner I always use, I can use this new product I just bought, along with the Clorox wipes. This was not easy for me, okay time to clean the mirror, and sink, big test, will it leave smudges, and strikes on the mirror? Yes, it will if you do not use a wet paper towel or rag to wipe it off with, and/or use to much. It does create a lather, so use only a little on mirrors. The other big test was the floor, I wondered if it would leave a sticky substance behind, I sprayed some on the floor, not too much, and used a wet mop to wash. Yeah!!! No sticky floor, for the first time I was able to use one product to clean the whole bathroom. It took me less time, and I did not even have to turn on the fan for ventilation. The room did not smell like bleach, but had a pleasant clean, refreshing smell. I asked my husband to smell, and he said I don't smell anything, sniff again, no chemical smell, he said.

Okay so, I know you can make your own cleaning products which would be cheaper, but I do like this product, and will purchase it again. I will also be trying some homemade products as well, once I do I'll let you know how it goes. However, this was a big step for me, and at least I am trying.

Meanwhile you can watch the video below to learn about cleaning your house naturally. I will also post this under videos for an easy find in the future.

Tae Bo For Home Work Outs

Photo credit: LAs the Place dot com

As much as I love Cathe' I love Billy Blanks from Tae Bo, a tad more. I earned my brown belt in Tae Kwon Do, I had to quit with only a year to my black, but that story is not what this blog is about. This blog is why I love Tae Bo so much, and why you should check into it if your physically fit to do Tae Bo. That did not come out the way I meant it, some people just are not able to do Tae Bo for health reasons, this may or may not be you.

Okay so I found that through Tae Kwon Do I had eliminated all the fat on my legs, which is not much to begin with. You see all my weight gathers in my lower abs, my first husband said it was because my legs were long and the food has a fear of heights. Anyway, I used to do Tae Kwon Do twice a week, than tone at home for three days. I noticed my body was toning all over, well not so much the abs, but my obliges did.

Photo credit; Kung Fu magazine

Above is a picture of an excellent side kick, when toning however, height is not needed. The side kick is one of the best moves you can do for over all body toning. Notice how tight her body is from under her arm through to her outer and inner thigh including her buttocks. When performing the side kick all those body muscles are working, just remember to suck in those abs, and breath.

Photo credit: Physical arts dot com

The image above is a reverse punch, notice how their is a twist in the hips? This movement when done correctly will work your arms, upper back, and your obliques, your sides. One error I notice in this image is in step two, see how the arm is extended all the way out? You do not want to do this, it locks the joint which can, and will cause damages, never ever lock your joints.

A lot of people I have talked to who did not have a background in martial arts tell me they hurt them selves while doing Tae Bo. Another thing to notice is the foot position, see how in image number two he is pivoting on his back foot, this is proper form. Improper form in any exercise being performed can lead to injury. I wish this site had more like this, because it also had an animated version. At any rate if you are not sure you are performing a move the right way pause the DVD, and look closer at the foot, and/or are position. Billy has tips on YouTube for various martial arts movements, this will be a great resource.

So, I have been thinking about which DVD is my favorite, and have decided that I do not have one, they are all awesome!! The clip below is from Billy's BootCamp, Ultimate BootCamp, here he uses resistance bands which really amps things up. Great if you are looking for a challenge, I love Tae Bo, not only because it is a great work out, but it is also great for stress relief. Just punch and kick all that negative energy away.

If you already do Tae Bo, please share with me what is your favorite?

Changing Your Cooking Oil

Photo credit: It's Your life in Destin FL

 I am back from a much needed vacation, we spent a week in Destin Florida in a rental house. It was an amazing house with a private pool, and minutes from the beach. My husband's son and family shared the house with us, and it was great to his their two young blessings. When we returned home, my daughter and her boy friend were waiting for us. They came to stay about a week from West Tennessee, I could not stop hugging her. Then it was time to prepare the boys for camp, I have been with out them for five days, and will be picking them up this afternoon. With that said on to the blog.

Photo credit: Organic Facts dot net

When I first started cooking and eating coconut oil the one thing that stuck in my mind was, saturated fat. Saturate fats are connected to a variety of health issues most Americans deal with such as, high cholesterol, and heart disease. So, how is it than that coconut oil reaps so many benefits along with aiding in the prevention of the above mentioned?

Well, this called for some research, one of my favorite things to do. It is important to know that when I conduct research I do not just go to one site, and believe what they say, no, I read a variety of web sites looking for consistency in what is being said. I also seek out accredited sites, I do not use sites like Wikipedia, About, or the like. I look for sites where health professionals are present, especially those which are holistic.

There are a lot of accredited sites, or what some individuals would deem accredited, that still state saturated fats are bad for you.However, there are others out there who guide us back through time, and compare the health issues once faced with those which we face today. Also a look at other societies whose diets consist of saturated fats, but do not deal with heart disease or high cholesterol, hmm how is this? After all the government and medical field have said saturated fats are bad. However, they know the truth, but.... "Most doctors have not heard about these findings because medical organizations, notably the American Heart Association, government agencies, and the pharmaceutical industry have ignored them. After all, prescribing statin drugs to lower cholesterol is a $25 billion/year industry."

Many of the articles I have read blame the high rate of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and more on two things. The first being synthetic oils such as vegetable, and canola, and also on diets consisting of high carbohydrates. These two changes made by the government and medical professional are the recipe for everything mentioned above. Carbohydrates turn into sugar, and while they are great for supplying us with energy too many carbs are not good.

With that said let's take a look at what cooking and baking oils are healthy for us, and are saturated fats. Surprisingly they are all the saturated fats we were told to stay away from, butter, lard, ghee oil, coconut oil, peanut oil and more. Unfortunately I started my research earlier, and can not find the site I was looking for which listed all the oils, sorry. However, you have a good start here, it is important to note that these oils have a long shelf life and do not go rancid like other oils previously mentioned do, which become toxic. Interesting to learn the truth about something, than we wonder why so many people are sick.

I have been cooking with coconut oil, and must say that easy over eggs and coconut are not so yummy, but pair with some turkey bacon or sausage and yummy. When I use it to cook seafood the seasonings I use cover up the taste of the coconut, so in this aspect it is not an issue. However, you could use the expeller pressed coconut oil, which by the way Tropical Traditions has on sale right now. A different process is used for this which makes it have less of a smell or taste, hmm think I will order some, to use in baking. Right now I have been using peanut oil, but because coconut oil has so many health benefits an order maybe in order. 


This does not mean you should consumer mass quantities, make smart choices.


Oh and one more thing, when I was 17 and revamped my diet the first two things to go where salt and carbs. My diet consists of mainly meat, fish, chicken, and turkey. I can do without beef, except I love a good steak now and then, and pork is totally weakness, but it is eaten in moderation. Hmmm maybe the Lord gave me a revelation I just realized.

 



Enjoy Saturated Fats, They're Good for You this is the same as the video, so you can read or watch, and/or listen.

Benefits of Saturated Fats

Many Benefits of Saturated Fats

The Benefits of Saturated Fats

This is Cooking Oil  is a Powerful Virus Destroyer and Antibiotic