Here are a few tips on getting healthy and staying healthy!

1. When you get home from the grocery store or farmer's market, wash those vegetables immediately!  Get all the greens washed and prepped for salads and smoothies.  Clean greens are WAY more appealing when you are hungry!

2. Prepare the fruits and veggies for your morning smoothies and place all the ingredients for your smoothies in individual containers.  Make enough for 3-4 days of smoothies.  That way you can wake up, hydrate, do your morning routine and then empty your one container of goodness into your blender, add water and whirl! (You can do the same for salads if you like.  Pre-make the salads.  Mix them up and have them in containers ready to eat.  I often make one GINORMOUS salad and place it in a lidded glass bowl for the family to eat on for 2-3 days.)

3.  Have a good dressing.  Have two or three!  Make your own!  If you do not have a great dressing recipe, try this on for size; it is awesome!

1/3 cup raw tahini
1/4 cup flaxseed oil (coldpressed)
1/4 cup olive oil (coldpressed)
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup Tamari or Bragg's Liquid Aminos
1 garlic clove (optional)

Blend it all up and add it to salad or dip veggies into it. YUM!

4.  Do not stock junkfood in the house.  If you buy it for your kids, stop!  If you buy it for your spouse, stop!  It does no one any good!  If your spouse absolutely HAS to have the stuff, tell them how important it is to you that you not have the temptation of junkfoods and processed foods around while you are implememting new habits that serve your highest goals.  Ask if they can buy that type of food for themself and keep it at work or elsewhere.  If they STILL must have it at home. Designate a shelf in the cupboard for that person and place those processed items there.  If it is your children that say they have to have it, remember you are the parent.  Here are some guidelines that help children learn good eating habits.

5.  Take plenty of healthy snacks when you leave your house.  Make sure your have choice.  I find if I take one snack with me, say something mroe salty, I will end up wanting something sweet.  So, take raw niuts and dried fruits (dates and pecans are a great instant sweet-tooth fix!); veggie slices and maybe a dressing to dip them in, bring a green smoothie or fresh fruit.  It may seem like alot, but packing a small sack with plenty of choices will save you money and keep you smiling all around.

There are so many ways to help yourself when it comes to staying on track.  The most important thing to remember?  If you get off track, do not beat yourself up about it!  it is ok.  Just try to make a better choice for your next meal or snack!

In Peace,
Kirsten