Category / General Health & Well Being

by tessbrennan

Cream of Anything Soup

I make most of the food in our house from scratch, (1) because I don’t want the traditions of my family to disappear, (2) because I want to KNOW the quality and actual ingredients that are going into my food, and (3) my darling daughter is allergic to corn.  (try shopping at the supermarket with that one!) LOL

I originally came across this recipe on Pinterest and loved the simplicity and how easy it is to use.  I wrote it down on a 3×5 card and taped it into my kitchen cabinet near the stove so I always have the recipe. (Now, I pretty much know it by heart.)  I love that it is simply what my grandmother did for years.

GreaseMonkeyMarketing.com_-_Cream_of_Anything_Soup

So, Here it is!

FeelGoodFast_Recipe_Cream_of_Anything

  1. In a heavy saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
  2. Add flour and stir continuously for 1 minute (60 seconds)
  3. Add your liquid (milk, turkey stock, soy milk, water, whatever you like)
  4. Season to your likings – we just use a dash of fresh sea salt and a good twist or two of our fresh ground black pepper.
  5. Stir over heat until it has thickened and use for your recipe that calls for a cream of something soup.

We sometimes add better than bouillon to it for meat flavoring, I add diced mushrooms, celery salt, etc.  The options are limitless and the ingredients are few and much healthier than all the stuff you can’t pronounce on the back of the can. Smile

Happy eating!

by tessbrennan

Pico de Gallo–Our weekly version

Pico de Gallo
I use this stuff on EVERYTHING! It is important that we increase our raw veggies so we have more fiber in our diet and raw so we haven’t cooked the nutrients out of them!

I like to make a big batch once a week and then eat it on everything from omlettes to burgers, chicken, anything else that could use some relish or some kick!

Pico de Gallo

  • 3 good sized tomatoes (preferably organic – I prefer big uglies) Sliced and diced very small.
  • 1 large onion minced or diced very fine
  • 2-4 jalepeno peppers minced. (this can be adjusted to your liking, we also use our organic, home grown chili peppers for this as well.
  • 1/2 a large bunch of fresh cilantro (leaves only) minced up

Mix it all in a big bowl and let it sit at room temperature for at least an hour for the flavors to meld.  FABULOUS stuff!

Stores well in the refrigerator for a week to a week and half. I eat it on everything!!!

by tessbrennan

Simple Movement can make a BIG difference!

Just give it a try!

Walking_Visual_-_Feel_Good_Fast

Contact me for more information on getting your 180 to better health started today!

by tessbrennan

Movement is Key to Sustained Good Health

When my health was at my worst, my depression its worst, was when I was not moving. I was in a spiral and things just kept getting worse, until I chose to begin moving.

I moved a little at a time and gradually increased my duration and intensity. Today, I am a walker. (I don’t run, Zumba, or cross fit, I just walk and make smart healthy choices.)

Today, I want to offer to you, the choice to begin dancing like no one is watching.  Whether that is on the dance floor all night or just in the comfort of your own living room, or at the beach…

Once the movement begins, the healthier choices begin, the spiral makes a 180 and you discover more energy, fewer aches and pains, and in my case no more pharmaceuticals. (I’m down 55 pounds and off 6 prescription meds for good.)

If you’d like more information on how to Feel Good Fast then subscribe to my blog, or contact me to get your health 180 started.  We can get you facing in the right direction and help you to Feel Good Fast too!

by tessbrennan

I want to Feel Good Fast

A few tips on how to begin to Feel Good Fast.

In today’s society, everyone wants everything FAST! NOW! IMMEDIATELY! LIKE YESTERDAY!

If your goal is to Feel Good Fast there are a few things you can do to begin getting there.  Here are a few tips.

  1. Focus on what is good.  No matter how tiny the detail. Focus on SEEING what is GOOD.  Allow yourself to let the not-so-good pass away.
  2. Think about what you are putting into your mouth before you put it there. 
    • dirty hands – wash them, its cold and flu season
    • junk food – there are better fast food options
    • soda pop – water, herbal teas, even A cup of coffee is better
  3. Think about Moving. Move your body, begin making a conscious decision to take the stairs one floor rather than the elevator.  Park 2 spaces farther from the store. Walk to the mailbox and back TWICE.   Just get moving.  Add a bit more to your daily grind, and make it a pleasant choice – NOT a requirement. 
  4. Invite friends to join you in the journey.
  5. Be patient, you didn’t get to the place you are over night, it takes time to get out of shape and develop degenerative diseases, and time to get that health back.
  6. Ask for help. We are here to support you through:
    • Support Groups
    • Education
    • Personal Consultations
    • Resources

Power of 7

Contact me for additional information on how you, too, can begin to Feel Good Fast

by tessbrennan

Boost that Metabolism!

Wanting to boost that metabolism? 

Need metabolism boost.

Here is an article that I found that has some good tips.

5 Tips to Speed your metabolism

In addition, I would like to add that my sources say:

  • Your first 16 ounces of water should be consumed first thing in the morning, and should be room temperature. 
  • Always pick a protein before/with a carb.  This prevents the blood sugar from spiking and quickly dropping – prevents cravings of more carbs 2 hours later.
  • If you choose to use a Calcium supplement to up your calcium, look for one with a guarantee and that is lead free. (literally)
  • Many Fish Oil supplements have been shown to contain heavy metals. Choose a supplier with a reputable reputation.
  • Soda pop depletes the calcium stores in your body, if you are looking to boost your metabolism by adding calcium, perhaps cutting back on ALL the Soda could help double the impact.

Have a Great Day!  Contact me when you are ready to Feel Good Fast and we will help you get on track.

by tessbrennan

What are Polyphenols?

Consuming polyphenols is a great way to pay attention to prevention and begin to Feel Good Fast.

Power Up With Polyphenols

Arthritis: The #1 Cause of Disability
Can you believe how amazing plants are? They contain their very own medicine cabinet full of naturally occurring substances that help defend against oxidative stress, disease, and other environmental threats. Over the past few decades, scientists have begun to discover that plant-based polyphenols can also help defend human health.

Initially, polyphenolic research focused on the antioxidant potential of these plant compounds, and how this could help protect us against heart disease and various types of cancers. Today, scientists have expanded their research and are finding that polyphenols may help defend our health in other ways. Here are a few highlights of this research:

  • Polyphenols have been found to increase the number of mitochondria—energy producing “power plants” found in all of our cells. Mitochondria are known to decline with age.
  • In a recently published study, a unique combination of polyphenols (resveratrol plus muscadine grape,extract) was found to protect against the potentially damaging effects of a high–fat, high-carb meal by blunting inflammation and oxidative stress. This study was novel in that it was one of the first human studies to show that this combination of powerful plant compounds activated a key genetic regulator called Nrf2. Some scientists believe Nrf2 may be the master genetic regulator of cellular stress resistance and strongly impact the aging process.
  • Some, but not all, polyphenols have been shown to inhibit the formation of AGE proteins in laboratory studies. AGE proteins occur with normal aging. They may be acerbated by unhealthy eating habits, and damage our cells through a process called cross-linking. Researchers at the University of Georgia found that a blend of polyphenols, including muscadine grapes, inhibited age protein formation better than resveratrol alone.

So, like those amazing plants, power up your defenses with more polyphenols. Watch your intake of high-fat, high-carb foods that promote inflammation, boost your intake of antioxidant nutrients like vitamins C and E, and selenium. And look to power up your polyphenol intake with a healthy plant–based diet and supplements containing a broad spectrum of well researched polyphenols.

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Source:  http://member.myshaklee.com/us/en/article/HealthScience1112P02-feb8351c374d224d003c6e189b710ada?campaign_id=hs:nov:article%202

by tessbrennan

Not all foods are created equal–Sour Cream

Sour cream is sour cream, right? WRONG!

With my darling daughter’s allergy to corn we HAVE to read labels.  This week I learned we need to read ALL labels.  (Daddy caught this one after mommy fed it to her.)  Sad smile

Turns out that not all sour creams are created equally.  “Do a dollop of Daisy” is made of … Grade A Cultured Cream.  (Pure and natural is their claim)

Publix brand sour cream, right next to the Daisy… some cream and a bunch of other stuff, INCLUDING corn starch. (bad for darling daughter)

I will read more labels!

Read all your labels. You will be surprised what you find in some of the foods you eat every day.

For more information on ways to eat and live healthier and to Feel Good Fast, contact me.

by tessbrennan

Banana-Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie!

On the weekends, I make old fashioned breakfast with eggs and meat, sometimes with toast, just like my great grandparents did, its part of our family tradition.

So for lunch I have my Fast Food – maintenance smoothie.

Today it’s Banana-Peanut Butter Cup:

20121103_143306[1]

* 8-10 Oz of Soy milk
* 1 TBSP Natural Peanut Butter
* 1/2 Banana
* 2 Scoops of Chocolate Soy Protein mix with Leucine.

 

Blend in the bullet until mixed and smooth & enjoy.

I don’t even wait to pour it into another cup, I just inhale it, so to speak.  Bask in the deliciousness of a healthy meal!

ahhhhhhhh

(Trying to drink it mindfully, but it’s just so good and goes down so smmmoooooootttthhhh.)

Make it a GREAT DAY!

For more information on feeling good fast, or other tasty fast food recipes, feel free to contact me.

by tessbrennan

Want to get healthy, not sure where to start.

When I started trying to get healthier, I wasn’t sure where to start. I tried diets of all types and yo-yo’d for years, but without a road map of where I was going, it was a futile attempt.  Lose weight, pack it back on plus some more.

Today, I want to share some resources that could help.

1. Decide WHY you want to get healthier, why EXACTLY and WRITE
IT DOWN!

2. Journal what you eat and drink, EVERYTHING, for a week.

a. Keep a written journal of everything you put in your mouth.

b. Use an app like http://myfitnesspal.com I really like this one to use on my phone AND my laptop… whichever I choose. (I also use the Shaklee 180 app that comes with my maintenance program.)

c. The average American over-consumes 300 calories a day. It isn’t
until we begin to pay very close attention to what we consume that
we realize where our challenges lie. (Many times this is from Drinks) This does NOT mean to substitute with “sugar free” options. Artificial sweeteners add a whole new set of problems.

3. Begin to move – the options here are limitless.

a.  I did it with walking, lots of walking. Park and walk the whole
outdoor mall, walk around the block, walk a 5K event, walk if
you haven’t “moved” with purpose in ages, simply begin small
walk to the mailbox and back, do it twice if you can.

b.  Join a gym, a lot of my friends have done this, I prefer to spend
my dollars elsewhere.

c.  Hire a personal trainer.  Get specific advice that works for YOU.

d.  Pick a cause & work toward an event. (I have done 60 mile walks)

4. Choose healthier options that taste GREAT!

a.  Knock out all artificial sweeteners, colors, & flavors.

b.  Look for new recipes, or do what I do, make healthier substitutions
for some of the ingredients.

c. Pick 1 thing and do it till you’ve got it down, then pick something
else to master.

IMG-20111030-00286
Starting line for day 3 of the 2011 Tampa 3-day, 60-mile walk for Breast Cancer.

For more suggestions or a personal consultation to get you started on your own, personal map for improved health, contact me.