Homemade Electrolyte Solution Recipe

Popular electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade are full of refined sugars, artificial flavorings, food dyes and chemicals- including a flame retardant. Yep! You read that correctly, Brominated Vegetable Oil has been patented in Europe as a flame retardant and is used by Gatorade as an ingredient. The company says it has been considering removing the ingredient and is working to find an alternative. BVO is banned in food and beverages in Europe and Japan but has been widely used for decades in the U.S.

With all those unhealthy additives it is a wonder why commercial brand sports drinks are commonly used as a way to replenish the body. Especially when it is so easy to make your own homemade electrolyte drink. And I mean-E-A-S-Y! It’s the perfect way to hydrate and heal the body with real foods and minerals not just after a workout, but also for anyone who is having trouble staying hydrated by water alone. It is especially helpful for women who are pregnant and nursing or to ensure that your little one is getting enough fluids when sick (Pedialyte alternative!). With common household ingredients you can whip up a batch in no time for just pennies!

Homemade Electrolyte Ingredients:        


• 2 cups of filtered water (can substitute: Green Tea, Coconut Water, Herbal Teas, etc. )
• Juice from 1 lemon, lime or orange
• 2 Tbs of raw honey or pure maple syrup (B Grade)
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp of Celtic sea salt or pink Himalayan salt.
• 100% organic juice (optional)

Add the liquid to a large glass jar (brew tea of using), squeeze citrus juice in, and add the remaining ingredients and stir. If you used honey it may seem that the honey will never fully dissolve. I promise you, it will! Just keep stirring! Another option is to throw everything into a blender and mix everything up that way too. The solution tastes well on its own without juice, but additional juice may be added for flavor, especially for children. The solutions can be served either warm or over ice. You can store the solution in the fridge but it should be consumed in its entirely within 48 hours.

Other ingredients can be included to make other yummy, healthy versions with lots of benefits. Steeping some fresh ginger in water and using as a base is a great way to help kill a stomach bug while offering replenishment to the body. Include a tablespoon of chia for added protein after an intense workout. The different solutions can be served either warm or over ice depending on your taste and the ingredients used.

The most important electrolytes to the body are calcium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, sodium, hydrogen carbonate and hydrogen phosphate. Losing too many electrolytes results in negative effects on the body. Symptoms of electrolyte imbalance differ from person to person but can include muscle spasms, fatigue, weakness, blood pressure changes and irregular heartbeat. This homemade electrolyte solution is so simple and cost effective, with so many different variations! It is definitely ideal in comparison to store bought alternatives. Next time you are in need of a nourishing and energizing drink try this recipe.

Disclaimer:  Please note: I am not a medical professional. Please use your careful discernment and double check with your naturopath or doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements

PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.

Are Vaccines Making Your Kids Sick?

The choice of whether or not to vaccinate is a very important and complex decision in which parents must take the responsibility to try to find enough information to make an educated decision that can affect their children for the rest of their lives. As a parent, this decision can be overwhelming and many people trust their doctors to act in the parent’s best interest to provide guidance in such instances. Unfortunately, there is a major distortion of information out there and many people have the misconception that vaccines result in healthier children. However, research is showing that vaccinated children are more chronically ill than their non-vaccinated counterparts. According to the CDC, the number of vaccines that are given to children has increased more than three times in the last 29 years. In 1983, children were given 10 shots from birth to 6 years of age, compared to 36-38 for the same age group in 2012. 

Vaccine Dangers

Vaccines can carry with them very serious side effects, ranging from mild complications such as fever or rash, to major issues such as seizure and death. Children who are lucky enough to avoid any major difficulties, can carry with them a lifetime of health problems. According to a survey on VaccineInjury.info, vaccinated children have a much higher rate of autism, ear infections, ADHD, asthma and allergies – in some cases even 30 percent higher than children who are not vaccinated. The assessment continues to show that un-vaccinated children are less likely to suffer from hyperactivity, skin disorders, autoimmune disorders, depression, anxiety and many other diseases. In addition to the fact that vaccines are being shown to cause health problems, immunizations being given today have not been tested for long-term safety. Most of the studies only evaluate side effects that occur within 48-72 hours, while the truth is that many serious side effects show up long after that time span.

Vaccines are a combination of many different toxic additives, preservatives and cell types that are initiated during the manufacturing process. The problem is that the shots create a temporary vaccine-induced antibody production rather than letting the body build up its natural immune system, and have little evidence as to their effectiveness.

In fact, Whooping Cough outbreaks are higher in areas that have a higher percentage of children who have been vaccinated against it according to Reuters. In 2010 in San Rafael CA they saw the largest spike of cases the state has seen in 50 years after the CDC recommended that children get the vaccine booster.

Over-vaccinating weakens the immune system, making children more susceptible to infections with less ability to fight them off. The injections also promote viral adaption, which is responsible for creating vaccine resistant super bugs. In 2010, 77 percent of the over 1,000 people who were infected with Mumps had received the MMR vaccine- a statistic which was conveniently left unreported by the mainstream media. So while the number of outbreaks occurs the medical establishment can recommend more vaccines to try to reduce the numbers, causing a vicious cycle fueled by misinformation and deception.

Natural Alternatives to Boost the Immune System
 
Healthier options to inoculations include eating organic food, increasing vitamin D intake and avoiding GMO foods, additives and preservatives. Diet is a very important factor in making sure that our bodies are able to work effectively. Foods high in refined sugars and other additives require our body to use stored vitamins and minerals in order to metabolize, increasing the production of hormones, which suppresses our immune system. Eating fresh whole foods and making sure to get an ample amount of vitamin D is vital in helping to strengthen the body’s defense system. In addition, allowing the body to fight off infection and only using antibiotics when absolutely necessary, will develop natural resistance.

Photo Credit: Header-Moketni

Disclaimer:  Please note: I am not a medical professional. Please use your careful discernment and double check with your naturopath or doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements

PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. 

Collard Green Wraps

This is a family favorite and a healthier spin on a beloved Asian dish. Collard Green wraps are yummy, filling and can be topped with lots of delicious veggies! Typically lettuce wraps are served with butter or bibb lettuce. I prefer to substitute the wrap for something a little more dense to help increase the nutritional value while still providing a great, fresh taste.

• Ground Turkey Meat
• Chopped Garlic
• Chopped yellow onion
•  Julienne carrots
• Chopped cilantro
• Chopped radishes
• Collard Green
• Soy Sauce
• Ground Cumin
• Ground Paprika
• Olive Oil
• Salt & Pepper

Add some olive oil into a pan on medium heat. Sautee up garlic and onions until the onions are soft and translucent. Add turkey meat and brown. Add salt and pepper, cumin and paprika and mix. Cook meat until finished.

Cut off the stem to the collard green leaf, but make sure not to remove the rib. Before meat is done boil some water and boil each leaf for about 30 seconds to soften and remove and dry off.

Add meat to the collard green leaf. Add desired toppings and add a dash of soy or tamari sauce to taste. Wrap up your leaf and you are good to go! These are very large and filling and extremely healthy. You can experiment with different types of meat including chicken, ground beef, bison or shrimp. You can also substitute the collard greens for chard as another healthy alternative.  The leaves are a lot more hearty than the more delicate lettuces which makes them less likely to fall apart while being packed with more nutrients.

Disclaimer:  Please note: I am not a medical professional. Please use your careful discernment and double check with your naturopath or doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements

PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.

What is a Yogi Mami?

Wow! It has been forever since my last post. It's been a crazy past couple of weeks with birthdays, our 5 year anniversary, a vacation and lots of fun activities before my husband heads back to work from Summer break. I didn't completely ditch out on work. I have been cooking and found so many easy, healthy DELICIOUS recipes that I have been taking pictures of, so stay tuned! I have also been working on a lot of behind the scenes stuff for the site, blog (Including my NEW ONE through Natural News!) and some other projects I had put on the back burner. I'm hoping to blog more consistently during Fall when it cools down and the kids go to bed earlier. Their energy level has been through the roof which is a great thing, but exhausting at the same time. As I took these last few weeks to enjoy myself with family and friends I began to reflect on my lifestyle, habits, actions and surroundings and look on how I can improve myself to make sure I am on the right path to meeting my 2013 New Year Intentions. This post is to give a little insight to myself and my goals and what being a Yogi Mami means to me!

 

Yogic tradition is based on the five pillars of yogic balance. Yoga encourages us to acknowledge and understand how these elements are essential for a balanced, healthy lifestyle. When I began my yoga journey I began to learn how important each of these principals are, and began to slowly integrate them into my life. As I have grown up and had children of my own I now make it a top priority to apply these five precepts into my family's lifestyle to help us stay healthy, balanced and happy.

Five pillars of yoga:

- Right Exercise- Regularly practice yoga, as well as other forms of exercise, with good intentions and appropriate to age, health status and the needs of the body.

- Right Breathing- This involves working towards awareness of the breath at all times and re-establishing deep, natural breathing- Similar to young children, which energizes the entire being.

- Right Thinking- The requires clearing the mind of its many scattered thoughts to increase the sense of clarity, calmness and to cultivate a positive attitude.

- Right Nutrition- Being aware of the fuel you put into your body. Eating food slowly and mindfully at the appropriate times and favoring a healthy range of fresh, seasonal, nutritious food in moderation.

- Right Relaxation- This means taking time out to balance the activity in your life with adequate rest to maintain a sense of physical, mental, emotional and energetic relaxation as a way to restore and revitalize your entire being.

Now while I try to keep these 5 pillars a priority in my life, I am in no way perfect! And it's not about perfection, but about balance. I don't beat up on myself if I am not always eating the most nutritious meal. I feel that going out to eat with my family and having a nice time once in awhile is more important than stressing out and trying to make everything homemade and allows me to take a break from cooking to unwind once in awhile. I eat meat, I drink wine, I'm not gluten-free or raw, but I do try to eat as healthy as I can, when I can and listen to my body and what it is telling me. I try not to obsess on my imperfections and choose to focus on the positive things I am doing to make my life better everyday.

As we close in on the last few months of the year I am working towards doing what I can to meet the New Year intentions I set after the first of the year. I plan on focusing on my blog more and sharing even more healthy recipes, tips and advice.

Please let me know if there are any topics of interest that you would like me to discuss in future
posts!


Disclaimer:  Please note: I am not a medical professional. Please use your careful discernment and double check with your naturopath or doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements

PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.

Quinoa Fried "Rice"

It was a typical summer day, it was hot, the kids were full of energy and it was time to figure out what to make for dinner. I hadn't gone to the store in about a week and what I had on hand to make full meals was slim pickings. I had some leftover pork I needed to use, but no buns so I couldn't do my typical pulled pork sandwich routine I often did to use up the rest of the meat. I was in the mood to get creative and figure something out without having to ask the hubby to pick up something from the store or rely on take out.

I began to search the internet for ideas when I came across a recipe for fried rice. The only problem was, I had no rice in the house. What was a mom to do? Then I remembered that I had seen an idea somewhere for making fried rice with Quinoa! Or did I just make that up? I searched Google and lo and behold! I found many recipes which I quickly scanned for inspiration. Awesome! I began to come up with how I can make my own version using the ingredients I had on hand. I was a little worried about what my husband would say about the meal, but figured it was worth a try. Let me tell you, IT WAS! It came out so good! Like amazingly good. In fact, my husband told me I could sell it (apparently by opening my own restaurant? Because he thinks I need more people to cook for?!) I have been dreaming about this meal for weeks now. I can't wait to try it again with different ingredients. The possibilities are endless and can be made with many different variations. This post will share with you my recipe for yummy, healthy, quick quinoa friend "rice". My version was pork fried rice, but it can easily be made with any meat or as a vegetarian meal.

• Quinoa
• Pork
• Egg
• Garlic
• Vegetables
• Sesame oil
• Broth or water
• Salt and Pepper
• Tamari or Soy Sauce

 I had leftover pork tenderloin that I used for mine, it was already seasoned and cooked. I soaked the Quinoa and cooked accordingly. Once that was done I put some oil in a pan and sauteed up some chopped garlic and onions until translucent. I then added the chopped veggies. Anything you have will be good. I added carrots and celery, peas and purple cabbage but it would also
be great with bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, edamame, etc. Sautee for a few minutes until soft. Remove from pan and add scrambled egg. Cook the egg, breaking it up, add the veggies back to the pan, and add the meat. Cook for a few minutes for the meat to warm. Then add the quinoa and stir well to combine. Let it cook a few more minutes and add a little more oil if necessary, season with salt and pepper and add soy sauce or tamari.

Make sure you eat this meal warm. It was delicious. I can't wait to try it with shrimp, or chicken or beef, and other veggies too. I can't wait to make this again, in fact, I think we will be having it in a couple of days because it was just too good!

Have you tried making Quinoa fried "rice"? We would love for you to share your version!

Disclaimer:  Please note: I am not a medical professional. Please use your careful discernment and double check with your naturopath or doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements

PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.

Summertime Fig Recipes

I had some figs that I picked over at my sister-in-laws house. I absolutely LOVE figs. I usually eat them as is, but started thinking of all the fun creative ways I could use them up. The new recipes were a big hit, so of course I had to share! This post includes two fun ways to eat figs. 

The first recipe I made was a balsalmic fig sauce. We ate it drizzled over lamb chops and then leftovers drizzled over baked chicken. The hubby loved it. It took a bit of time to cook, but was well worth it.

Filling of 2 large figs
1 cup chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium)
3 Tbs balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 Tbs. Raw local honey
chopped fresh herbs (oregano, thyme) 
2 Tbs. Butter
Salt & Pepper

Pour broth and vinegar into a pan on medium high. If you will be pouring over meat that was pan seared or cooked-add the liquid to the pan after you remove the meat to incorporate the brown bits into the sauce and add flavor. Stir until sauce is reduced to 1/2 a cup. Stir in fig filling, honey and herbs and let sauce reduce by another 1-2 Tbs. Add butter and swirl till melted. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over meat and enjoy! It was so yummy. I will definitely be making this again once I get my hands on some more figs!

Fig & Brie Grilled Cheese

• Figs
• Brie
• Bread
• Butter 

Very simple, two slices of bread- Lay sliced brie on one piece and then scoop some fig filling on top of the cheese and top with the second slice of bread. Butter each side and grill up in a pan. Easy peasy! The taste was devine! I can't wait to try this again, I think it would even be good with a slice or two of ham. Monte Cristo style minus the egg batter. Although, I wonder how it would taste battered and maybe with a bit of maple syrup. Mmmmmmm..............

Do you have any interesting recipes using figs? We would love for you to share! 


Disclaimer:  Please note: I am not a medical professional. Please use your careful discernment and double check with your naturopath or doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements

PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.

Top 5 Healthiest Oils to Use

There seems to be quite a bit of confusion as to which oils are actually the healthiest for consuming. With so many different options out there I decided to share this post to discuss the best oils to have in your house and some information on the best ways to use each.

First off, ditch the canola oil and vegetable oil!  These oils are GMO, processed, hydrogenated, refined and just plain yucky. These nasty oils come in the form of margarine, shortenings and low trans-fat spreads. It is hard to go out to eat to a restaurant that doesn't use the cheap oils to accommodate the mass cooking at very low cost.  Both Canola and Vegetable oil are trans-rich toxins that, perhaps more than any other components of the modern American diet, has contributed to increases in cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, ED, stroke, dementia, and many other common diseases. For years healthy saturated fats have been demonized as being unhealthy, when actually they are the healthiest and best processed by the body and support immune health. This propaganda is starting to come to a head as many people are waking up to the truth as to which oils are the best to use.

So maybe you can't always control how restaurants cook your food, but while at home you have the option to cook with healthy, beneficial oils without breaking the bank!  Try to use only organic, unrefined, unprocessed, virgin oils when possible. It will make all the difference. The least processed option is naturally, always the best. Here is a list of the best oils to use:

Coconut Oil is a great way to increase the amount of healthy fats in your diet. It is one of the most nutritious oils and offers many health benefits. It has antiviral, antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits. It is also a powerful antioxidant and helps in the absorption of other minerals. The oil is high in Lauric Acid which converts to Monolaurin in the body which has been shown to fight disease and viruses and boost immunity. You can use this oil to cook, as skin lotion, in smoothies, and even hair conditioner. It helps to reduce scars, stretchmarks and age spots. It can be a substitute for butter or any oil when cooking and can even be used as an all natural shaving cream or eye makeup remover.


Olive Oil is another wonderful oil that can be used for cooking, personal care, natural remedies and more. The oil has high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids which promote good cholesterol and help to lower bad cholesterol. It is very gentle on the digestive system and contains vital vitamins and minerals. Olive oil also contains antioxidants which neutralize free radicals. It can be used as a moisturizer, a hair de-tangler, furniture polish, to fix squeaky doors or even to cure an earache.

Hemp Oil should not be cooked hot, but can be used in salad dressings, added to pasta or rice or used for cosmetic or medicinal reasons. It is an excellent moisturizer that helps to energize the skin and increasing skin elasticity. It balances hormones, contains the right balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids and helps to treat high cholesterol and diabetes.

Sunflower Oil is not a popular oil to cook with, but has tremendous health benefits. It has a neutral taste so it is ideal for cooking and frying. Sunflower oil provides more Vitamin E than any other oil and assists the body in maintaining water in the cells making it great for beauty products. It contains high amounts of Vitamin E, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Calcium and many other nutrients that are essential to the body. Including it in your diet reduces the risk of heart disease, lowers cholesterol and promotes the creation of new cells in the body. It has shown to reduce asthma, colon cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.


Sesame Oil is high in nutritional content and has shown to have capabilities in fighting, reversing and preventing many diseases and illnesses. They are very high in calcium, magnesium, copper and manganese. It promotes beautiful skin, oral health, reducing stress, and protecting against radiation-induced DNA damage. It's high in protein so it is a great inclusion in a vegetarian diet. It can be used in homemade cosmetic products and medicines as well as in cooking.

Replacing dangerous, unhealthy oils with healthy alternatives doesn't have to cost a fortune. When you buy in bulk you can typically get the oil for cheaper and trust me, you will use it. From cooking to easy natural health and beauty products, chemical free cleaning products and first aid - and with so many benefits.

What oils do you have in your house and how do you use them?

Disclaimer:  Please note: I am not a medical professional. Please use your careful discernment and double check with your naturopath or doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements

PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog.