The 31 Day Smoothie Challenge Results

It’s the 31st day of August, which means I just finished my 31 Day Smoothie Challenge! Of all of the Healthy Year Challenges I’ve done so far, this has been the most fun. Having a new smoothie every day kept me on my toes and what a great way to eat a wide variety of fresh, vibrant foods. I just loved this challenge!

I’ve felt GREAT this month. I’m not sure how much I can contribute to drinking a smoothie for a meal every day, but it’s the only thing I’ve changed. My energy levels have been high, I’ve felt powerful in my workouts, and overall just feeling well. I know how I feel is directly correlated to what I’m eating, so it’s safe to assume the smoothies were a big part of my fantastic month.

Now I wanted to share some readers’ results! In my newsletter this week, I called out for those that completed the challenge to let me know how it went so I could share it, and these are the replies I got. Thanks to those that took the time to email me and let me know you did the challenge and how it went. It’s great to hear from you and know you’ve join in! I love this community.

Hi Maryea! Thanks for doing these challenges. I have needed to make my health a priority for a long time now, but always put my family’s needs first (not that that’s a terrible thing, but I can’t neglect my health either!) I have tried to do all of the challenges you are putting out there. The smoothie challenge has been good. I am not normally a smoothie person, but I liked almost all of these. I normally eat bagels or cereal (don’t judge!) for breakfast so this was a big change from my routine. The best part is I lost 4 pounds this month! I wasn’t really expecting that. Thanks again. 

-Christy

This was the 1st monthly challenge I committed to and only missed one day of a smoothie meal.  I will say I look forward now to my morning smoothie.  It leaves me satisfied and full, but not heavy  so I am able to get through my morning workout.  It allowed me to “eat” while reading books to my kids while they eat breakfast.  I can see continuing to drink smoothies most weekday mornings and using your recipes over and over again.  My favorite was anything with chocolate and peanut butter :).  I realized I do not like cucumber or parsley in a smoothie.  At one point my kids were cheering me on to finish because I refuse to waste good ingredients.  It was SUPER convenient having the shopping list to go along with your recipes and the variety was awesome!  I also loved how much your recipes made…I’ve made some that fill only 1/2 a glass.  Most of yours left me with leftovers in my Vitamix.  

This was a fun challenge!  Thanks for your effort putting it together.

-Heather

This challenge was easy for me because I usually have a smoothie for breakfast anyway. What I really loved was having new recipes to try! I was kind of stuck in a rut making the same smoothie almost every day, so thanks for pushing me to try new ones.

-Alison

Thank you for sharing your smoothie recipes for the 31 Day Smoothie Challenge! There have been times when I didn’t feel like making a smoothie [I hate to cook and sometimes I’m even too lazy to blend a smoothie. Sad but true.] but I really want to complete the challenge. I haven’t miss a day yet! I started at a different time because we were on vacation and then I forgot about it, but I started 2 weeks ago and it’s going great. I definitely feel better when I eat breakfast instead of skipping like I often do, and I haven’t skipped for 2 weeks now. I’m excited to finish it up. 

-Meredeth

This is what I learned from doing your smoothie challenge:

1. ) A better blender would be such a blessing. I had to add more liquid than your recipes called for because my blender couldn’t handle all the frozen fruits or raw vegetables. 
2. ) I love smoothies! Even when they weren’t totally smooth, they were amazing.
3. ) I need to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis. I am feeling good! 

I have one week to go. Thanks for your recipes and grocery lists!!

-Sharon

Wow! I’m almost done with the 31 Day Smoothie Challenge! I never want to see another smoothie again. JUST KIDDING! I’ve actually really enjoyed this challenge and all the different recipes. You’ve pushed me out of my comfort zone a lot. I NEVER thought I would put swiss chard in a smoothie and like it, but I did. I swear drinking the smoothies for lunch everyday gives me so much energy to power through the afternoon. And while I haven’t lost any weight, I think my shorts fit better. Maybe?! I think so! This was a great choice for a challenge and I’m happy I did it. Thank you!

-Deidre

Thanks again to everyone who shared their results. If you didn’t join in this round, that’s okay, you can start this challenge on your own at any time! Grab a friend if you want and get started! All you need to do to get access to 31 plant-based, high protein (without any protein powder) smoothies, click below and join my email list. It’s totally free and you’ll get instant access to the recipes and grocery lists. You’ll also be on my list to get my weekly newsletters that include stories, inspiration, and healthy living ideas. It’s a win-win!

Click Here to Subscribe, Join the Challenge, and Get the Smoothie Recipes

 

The post The 31 Day Smoothie Challenge Results appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.

source http://happyhealthymama.com/31-day-smoothie-challenge-results.html

Applesauce Breakfast Cookies

Stop Doing This When My Kid is Crying

When my four-year-old son Luke wants something, he wants it. He wants it and he wants it now. “No” is a hard word for him to hear. Anyone who’s ever witnessed Luke’s response to my answer no when he really wants something understands that he ranks up there with the best of the preschoolers. The boy has a voice and a face; yes, he’s a world-class actor and anyone would be convinced that the world is, indeed, about to end.

We are focused on teaching him to accept no with grace, but, to say the least, it’s a work in progress. Understanding that no means no is a difficult lesson for kids to learn, but as a parent, isn’t that my job?

I want my son to grow into a young man, who, because he wasn’t pacified every time he was disappointed or upset that he didn’t get something he wanted, can accept the answer no in all arenas of his life. It’s a life lesson, people, and one I think a few boys in the news lately may have missed when they were four, five, and six.

This is his adorably pathetic pouty face he tries before he realizes the answer really is no.

So when I do tell my son no and he throws a massive fit, I try to stick to my guns. I don’t give him what he wants because he’s crying, even though there are moments I want to more than anything. Moments when all the moms are looking at me and my face is burning and I feel like crying right along with my boy. Really, it would be so much easier to give him what he wants. That piercing cry, that loud scream:  anything to make it stop!

Instead I am steadfast in my answer. Four year olds are not equipped for logic, so I don’t try to reason with him too much. In a moment of desperation, I might threaten him (No screen time for a week!), but I don’t give in.

I wait for the wave to pass, and, depending on the severity of his response, when possible, I insist we leave. It’s not always possible.

I’m the evil one who insists he wear sunscreen.

I understand this his temper tantrums are uncomfortable for everyone around, not just me. But please, for the love of God, don’t you try to get him to stop. Even though it may seem like I don’t, I’ve got this.

Two times inside of a month seemingly well-intentioned folks have stepped in during his outbursts thinking they could save the day (and perhaps the ears of everyone around). Now, if they would have tried to distract him with jokes or an activity to take his mind off what he wanted, I wouldn’t be writing this.

Instead, they bribed him with treats.

Don’t they see this is undermining my parenting, reinforcing his behavior, and teaching him the exact opposite of what I’m trying to get him to learn? Is peace and quiet more important that bringing up boys who are not rewarded for bad behavior?

The first time was at tennis camp. Luke’s session was first, and then we had an hour to wait while my seven-year-old daughter Meghan had her session. Luke wanted my phone, but I told him no. There were other boys his age also waiting, and they were all playing without devices; there was no reason he couldn’t play along with them. There’s plenty of green space to play where we go to tennis. I’d much rather him run and play with other boys than space out in front of a screen. There’s a time and place for that, but this day wasn’t it.

He cried, and cried, and cried. He even used phrases that sounded cute coming out of his four-year-old mouth: I’m just so disappointed! It took every ounce of willpower I have not to give him my phone to stop the madness.

After a lot of crying, he finally stopped. But as we were walking out, there was something else he wanted Who knows what it was—I can’t remember now. These events tend to blur together after a while. And again, when I said no, he whaled. The tennis coach approached us and said, “Ah, Luke, you’re having a bad day, aren’t you? Here, have a sucker. Take two.” He handed my son two brightly colored Dum-Dum suckers before I could even register what was happening. Yes, he stopped crying. I bit my tongue and forced a smile. I like the tennis coach and didn’t have the courage or energy to make a scene, but really, inside I was fuming. 

The next instance was a few weeks later. Meghan started school and Luke and I were going to have a lunch date at Panera Bread. He loves Panera Bread and it should have been a fun afternoon. But when Luke asked if he could get a chocolate chip cookie and I said no, the fun ended. Crying ensued. It wasn’t his worst fit, for sure, but he wasn’t happy. The man behind the counter took one look at him crying on the floor and he said, “I have some broken chocolate chip cookies I can’t sell, can I give them to him?”

So let me get this straight. My son just asked for a cookie and I said no. But now he’s crying so I should give him the ones you are offering? Is that your logic? Maybe you didn’t hear him ask, so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. Through clenched teeth I responded, “No, thank you, I just told him he couldn’t have a cookie.” The young guy looked at me like I was the worst mother in the world for denying my son a cookie. I didn’t feel the need to explain that the sugar-filled yogurt he was about to get was already more than enough sugar for the day, plus we have a one-treat-a-day rule and he’d be getting a homemade chocolate treat with his sister after dinner. Not that it was any of his business why I said no to the cookie. Just wait, young buck.  You’ll get it, one day. Just. You. Wait. 

Either way, this has got to stop. If my son is crying, please don’t feel like you or I have to do whatever it takes to make it stop. I get it. No one wants to hear it. Believe me, I don’t want to hear it. I wish there was a way to magically make it stop. But not at the expense of forming my son’s character.

Before you get all judge-y and think I’m some sort of overly strict mom who never says yes to anything, please know that I’m not. I firmly believe in the wise words, “Say yes when you can, no when you must.” My children hear yes more than no; I’m sure of that. But no is a necessary part of childhood and my kids have to learn how to deal with it. All kids need to learn this important life skill. 

Parenting is hard work, but those well-intentioned people are making it harder. Luke is one tough kid and parenting him has challenged me in ways my pre-children self never could have imagined. But I’m trying. I promise you, I’m giving it my all. Please, let me keep doing it in the best way I know how and if his crying is bothering you, get some earplugs. Don’t offer him candy or cookies to shut him up. 

The post Stop Doing This When My Kid is Crying appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.

source http://happyhealthymama.com/2016/08/stop-doing-this-when-my-kid-is-crying.html

A Side-by-Side Blender Review (video)

Check out the blender review video below to see which powerful blender will best help you with your healthy lifestyle goals!If you are trying to live a healthy lifestyle, but don’t have the right tools, it can be frustrating. So many of the best, healthy, real-food recipes out there rely on certain kitchen gadgets, such as a powerful, professional-level blender. If you’ve ever tried to make a green smoothie with a regular blender and it felt like you were chewing a salad, you know what I’m talking about.
A high end blender is a big investment, though, and purchasing one should not be a quick decision. I get these two questions all the time: Is a big, expensive blender worth it? Which one should I get? I made a video showing a side-by-side blender review to help answer the questions you might have before making a purchase.

I looked at three of the most popular high-end, professional-level blenders in this video: the Vitamix, Blendtec, and Ninja Ultima.

Let me tell you a little bit about my video editing skills before you watch this. They are basic. Third grade level. I aged myself at least five years trying to make some simple edits to this video. I’m working on my video skills, though, and I’m hoping in a few months I’ll look back at these old videos and be amazed at how far I’ve come. Bear with me, for now, though, because in the end you’ll get a good idea of which of the three powerful blenders I compared that I recommend the most.

Blender Review Video

 

As you can see, my recommendation stands the same as it’s been for years now. I love my Vitamix and I’m even more convinced now that it’s the best blender that money can buy. While I had my friends’ blenders on loan, I tried several different tests, beyond what you see in the video. While for many tasks they all performed the same or similar, the Blendtec or Ninja did not outperform the Vitamix one time. Not once. Below I’m going to go through the pros and cons of each blender I compared, according to my experience with them.

Happy Healthy Mama’s Top Blender Pick: The Vitamix

Pros of the Vitamix:

• Exceptional blending power–>If you want the smoothest of smooth, this one is for you!
• 7 year warranty
• Manual controls
• Simple to use with one switch and one dial–easy to control the speed
• Better at low speed tasks like chopping
• Comes with a tamper stick, so you never have to stop the blender to keep food moving
• The container has a pour spout
• Always steady on the counter–no jumping around and you don’t have to keep your hand on it ever

Cons of the Vitamix:

• Pricey (but a worthy investment for a healthy lifestyle)
• Not great for small batches (less than 1/2 cup)
• Loud
• Heavier than Blendtec (but also a pro because it makes it steadier)
• Sometimes cleaning under the blades is tricky. (Although overall cleaning is easy–I put soap and water in the blender and turn it on.)

Also Outstanding Options:

The Blendtec

Pros of the Blendtec:

• Exceptional blending power
• A lot of programmed settings
• Most lightweight of the three I tested
• 8 year warranty
• Cleaning under the blades is easier than the Vitamix

Cons of the Bendtec:

• No tamper stick, so  there are times when foods needed to be scraped down a few times during blend. (Lots of starting and stopping the blender.)
• Can’t completely control blending speed, so difficult to blend at low speeds
• At times the blender jumped around on the counter (because of its light weight)
• Seemed to need more liquid than the Vitamix to make a smoothie
• Pricey (but a worthy investment for a healthy lifestyle)
• The settings didn’t always work–more time was needed than the preprogrammed amount
• Loud

The Ninja Ultima

Pros of the Ninja:

• Most affordable of the three blenders
• Competitive performance for the price

Cons of the Ninja:

• No tamper stick, so  there are times when foods needed to be scraped down a few times during blend. (Lots of starting and stopping the blender.)
• Loudest of the three blenders
• Smoothies were the least smooth and it had the most trouble with a variety of tasks
• Needed more liquid to make a smoothie than the Vitamix
• Only a 1-2 year warranty (depending on the model you get)
• Very heavy and bulky, making it difficult to move around the counter (There were also suction cups on the feet, which I found annoying)
• The awkward design of the lid made it difficult to use

Overall, I feel any of these three blenders are a great purchase. In the end, it will come down to personal preference when you choose. If price is a big consideration, the Ninja may be what you’re looking for. It performs well even if it wasn’t quite at the level of the Blendtec and Vitamix. The Blendtec and Vitamix are both great blenders, so look at the pros and cons and decide what features are important to you. Good luck in making your purchase!

Links to products in this post are affiliate links. At absolutely no extra cost to you, if you purchase using my links I will receive a percentage of the sale. That helps keep coffee in my cup during my late-night blogging sessions, so thank you for supporting Happy Healthy Mama and my mission to help others life a healthy lifestyle.  

The post A Side-by-Side Blender Review (video) appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.

source http://happyhealthymama.com/2016/08/blender-review-video.html

2 Weeks of Healthy School Lunch Ideas

When it comes to school lunches, my biggest concern is that my kids have nourishing food to eat while they are at school. I want them to have healthy school lunches, but I don’t care if they are cute or packed in a clever way, and you better believe I’m not going to spend time turning their food into art. My hat is tipped to the moms who do that, but for me it falls under the category of “ain’t nobody got time for that.” My goal is to keep their school lunches as simple as possible while keeping them as nutrient-dense as I can.

I have two kids to pack lunches for this year. Meghan is in 2nd grade and brings her lunch to school everyday, and while Luke is in preschool, he’ll be attending full day Monday through Wednesday. Meghan would be happy with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day, but Luke wouldn’t eat one if I sent it. They are very different eaters and I’m sure your kids are, too. These healthy school lunch ideas are designed for variety. Even though Meghan wants a PB&J everyday doesn’t mean I should send that everyday. Even though I do send favorites often, I try to mix it up so they are getting different food combinations each day.

The last two years I have perfected the art of sending the right amount of food. At Meghan’s school, they are given 15 minutes to eat. This includes the time it takes to walk into the cafeteria and sit down and chatting with friends. Whenever food would come home uneaten, I heard, “I didn’t have time.” Older kids may need more food, but the amounts shown are what I’ve found to be perfect for her. I will find out this year if Luke needs a different amount as he’ll have more time to eat.

Two Weeks of Healthy School Lunch Ideas

Day 1

• High Protein Energy Bites
• Baby carrot sticks
• Strawberries
• Hard boiled egg

The High Protein Energy Bites are made with chickpeas, almonds, peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips. Although they seem like a treat, they are packed with nutrients. I’m so glad both my kids like hard boiled eggs, as they are also packed with nutrients and a good protein option. Every lunch I try to include a vegetable and fruit, and usually the vegetables are raw as that is my kids’ preference.

Day 2

• 2-ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes with almond butter
• Grapes
• Trail mix
• Broccoli

My kids are fine with eating these 2-ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes cold. They are perfect with a smear of nut butter! These can be made ahead of time, making packing this lunch super easy.

Day 3

• 5-ingredient blender muffins
• mango
• cucumbers
• baby carrots

The blender muffins are made with nut butter, eggs, and banana, but are customizable to be nut-free and vegan. There are so many flavor combinations you can make of these and we never get tired of them. They make an easy lunch box option and some fruits and veggies round out the lunch.

Day 4

• Spinach leaves
• Hummus
• Carrots
• Red peppers
• Apple slices
• Almonds
• Horizon Organic Snack Crackers

This is the closest I can come to get my kids to eat salad. For whatever reason, they prefer everything separated and to eat it plain. They dislike any salad dressings, but hummus is okay. If your kids like salad dressing, include that instead. I prevent the apple from getting brown by adding lemon juice. Both of my kids love, love, love crackers. I guess that’s most kids, right? My kids consider crackers a special treat, and I let them have some with their lunch about once a week. I always opt for organic when buying store-bought crackers. These ones from Horizon are a favorite and it’s a bonus that they have a decent amount of calcium and protein.

Day 5

• Carrot Cake Oatmeal Muffin
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Blueberries
• Cucumbers

Whole grain muffins do not have to be just for breakfast! They can make a nutritious lunch addition, as well. Shown is my Oatmeal Carrot Cake Muffins, but there are so many different healthy muffin choices for a healthy school lunch, you’re sure to find a favorite for your kids. I love having muffins in the freezer so I always have them for a lunch option if needed.

Day 6

• Corn tortillas
• Red bell peppers
• Horizon Organic Shredded Mexican Cheese
• Black Beans
• Raisins

Just like my kids eat their salads deconstructed, they also prefer their tacos that way. They don’t mind room-temperature black beans, so these are straight from the can (drained and rinsed) with a little salt added. When it comes to animal products, organic is very important to me. Horizon Organic cheese is a great, reasonably priced brand that I feel good buying knowing their cows are treated humanely and given a diet of grass and organic hay and feed that is not contaminated with pesticides.

Day 7

• Banana
• Horizon Organic cheese stick
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Broccoli
• Hummus
• Chocolate Chips

This is a “little of this, little of that” lunch that works well. Once in a while I add a special treat of chocolate chips into their lunch and it’s always met with huge appreciation.

Day 8

• Chickpeas
• Whole grain naan bread
• Blueberries
• Red peppers

These chickpeas are pan fried in a little bit of oil with salt. They are so delicious like this! My kids prefer these warm, so I send them in a insulated thermos. Whole grain naan bread is another favorite. You should be able to find whole grain naan bread at most well-stocked grocery stores.

Day 9

• Hard boiled eggs
• Strawberries
• Horizon Organic Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
• Pumpkin seeds
• Cucumbers

Hard-boiled eggs make another appearance. If you aren’t convinced of their nutritional status, check out this post. Lots of nutrients in eggs! The crunchy treat in this lunch is the Horizon Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers. My kids beg me for these. When they see I buy them, squeals in the kitchen. It’s kind of crazy how much my kids like crackers. Of course, there’s fresh fruits and vegetables to round out the lunch and a few pumpkin seeds, which are a great source of zinc.

Day 10

• Horizon Organic macaroni and cheese
• broccoli
• grapes

Good ol’ mac-n-cheese. If I’m being honest, I have to tell you I love it as much as my kids. I often make homemade macaroni and cheese, but for a quick lunch option, I love a boxed version. I look for it to be totally organic (both the wheat and the cheese, not just the wheat) and Meghan loves the shells and white cheddar. I send it in an insulated thermos to keep it warm. Grapes and raw broccoli round out the lunch.

In order to make lunch packing as quick and easy as possible, I typically cut fruits and vegetables ahead of time. Then I have different varieties ready in the fridge to mix and match to create a healthy school lunch for my kids. I use an easy formula of protein source+fruit+vegetable+another add-in if needed to make lunch packing simple.

School lunches are important because the nutrients our kids get from lunch are fueling their learning for the rest of the day and also helping build their immune system to keep them healthy and in school! I hope these healthy school lunch ideas inspire you to create lunches that are nutritious and your kids love!

Horizon Organics definitely help me create lunches that make my kids happy. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter , or Pinterest for more organic meal and snack ideas for kids! You can also sign up for their newsletter here.

If you like these ideas and think your friends could use them, please share on Facebook or Pinterest! Thanks so much, friends.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon Organic. The opinions and text are all mine.

The post 2 Weeks of Healthy School Lunch Ideas appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.

source http://happyhealthymama.com/2016/08/2-weeks-of-healthy-school-lunch-ideas.html

Homemade (Healthier) Mounds Bar Recipe

This Blogging Life: Blogging Seasons

Even though the calendar says there’s another month of summer, my second grader Meghan starts school this week, and it feels like summer is ending. Just like the seasons of the year, there are blogging seasons. Like the changes in weather, our motivation, time, and love of blogging ebbs and flows naturally, even if our readers don’t always see what’s going on behind the scenes.

This year started on a high note with my January traffic higher than it had ever been and my motivation soaring. I set goals, made plans, and was ready to conquer the blogging world. It was the season of focused determination. Those seasons can be intense.

As the school year ended I was still riding the high. I had a list of tasks I wanted to accomplish and was ready to keep checking off those t0-dos. I knew summertime wasn’t easy for a blogger who is also a mom of school-aged kids who are now with you all day and demanding your attention. I considered hiring a nanny so I could keep a work schedule. I didn’t want to stop the train I was on.

Then, a realization settled in my mind and I shifted gears entirely. These two little people aren’t going to be little forever. This time is fleeting. Instead of buckling down and working harder on my blog, I took a step back. I remembered the promise I made to my husband to never put this blog ahead of our family. I remembered how quickly my baby girl turned into a growing young lady and how it seemed like just yesterday Luke was learning to crawl. You blink and it’s gone.

It wasn’t easy, but I enjoyed spending less time on this blog this summer. Yes, at times it was stressful because even if you aren’t doing the work, it’s still there, calling you.I knew I was getting behind and not moving forward. But on the flip side, I spent time with my kids that I’ll never get back. I can’t regret that.

I still worked, but much less than I did the first half of the year. I forced myself to be in a different blogging season, and I’m glad I did, even if I was reluctant at first.

Those ideas in my head? They’ll still be there when these two are back in school and I have an empty house and hours to fill. That blogging to-do list? It’ll get done. My pace, my terms, but it will get done.

We didn’t do any big family vacations together this summer. But we still made memories at home, just being together. More memories than ever could have happened if I’d decided to hire a nanny and work away the days. I’m forever grateful for my little family and their understanding and support of this crazy passion of mine that is blogging. They get it when I have to make just one more batch of muffins to get the recipe just right. They know that I’m glued to my computer sometimes because I’m doing something I love.

I don’t know that I would have been able to stick with this blogging life as long as I have (6 years!) if I didn’t embrace the different seasons of blogging. Soon, this season of stepping back and doing less is going to end and I’ll be able to focus again with a renewed energy and passion. Thank YOU, readers, for always being there through my blogging seasons. Much love.

The post This Blogging Life: Blogging Seasons appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.

source http://happyhealthymama.com/2016/08/blogging-life-blogging-seasons.html

Why Drink Limu?

A popular question that gets asked is “should I drink Limu?” The answer is really simple in that it depends on what you’re looking for. The following are some of the reasons that people drink Limu. You just might find that one or several of these reasons work for you too!

Limu Original – Health and Flavor

You may have seen pictures of this bottle all over the place. It is probably the most popular product sold by The Limu Company. Limu Original is usually mixed in with water and taken periodically by people who are interested in preserving their health or even enhancing it. It is rich in something called “fucoidan” which has been speculated to have many amazing benefits. Without getting into too much technical stuff, fucoidan is something you get from seaweed and it is sought out by people all around the world because of the supposed health benefits that it might have.

In addition to health, Limu Original has a really great taste! You’ll probably notice the organic papaya or even the mango taste. It’s really amazing! It’s made with natural flavors and it’s vegan, kosher and gluten free too. These are just some of the great benefits of Limu original. You can check out the products page for more info!

Limu Lean – Lose Weight

As the name implies, Limu Lean is a product that people from all over are taking to lose weight. At the time that this is being written, it is the only weight loss and meal replacement system that also has fucoidan. It’s endorsed by Olympic gold medalist, Rowdy Gaines too!

Unfortunately there isn’t a huge variety of flavors available for Limu Lean at this time. But if you’re interested in losing weight, this might be a good product for you to try out. The entire package is extremely convenient in that you can also have Limu Burn which is sort of like a “shake on the go”. It’s packaged and ready for you to consume right away in case you happen to be in a rush.

So if you’re overweight and asking yourself “should I drink limu?” the answer is might just be yes. Just make sure to take a look at the product for yourself and make that decision on your own.

Blu Frog Energy Drink

Are you already drinking energy drinks? Monster and Red Bull are terrible for you! Even the stuff from Starbucks is pretty bad. However Blu Frog is an energy drink that is made with some Limu Original. In my opinion it’s way better than anything else you can get on the market. It always leaves me feeling great after I drink it and I don’t crash after having one.

I would have to say that Blu Frog is probably my favorite limu product. It’s also gluten free and vegan! Check out the Blu Frog page for more info on the benefits, reviews and ingredients.

So, Why Drink Limu?

In the end you’re just going to have to come up with your own conclusion based on the facts, reviews and information that you’ve acquired through our site and the many websites out there. I drink limu because it makes me feel great, it’s clean, it tastes awesome, and it seems to be so much better than any other products available.

If you’re still not sure about limu and you need more information, you can find out what limu is here. This is an article written to help people who are unfamiliar with limu get a basic understanding.

Thanks for checking in to our blog and be sure to share!

The post Why Drink Limu? appeared first on Limu Juice.

Source: http://www.limujuice.net/why-drink-limu/

source https://limujuice.wordpress.com/2016/08/13/why-drink-limu/

Carrot Cake Oatmeal Muffins (Vegan and Gluten-free)

31 Smoothie Challenge Update (and a New Look!)

Hey, hey! Do things look differently around here? If they don’t, you might have to refresh your page or clear your browser’s cache. I’ve been planning this little site refresh for a long time, and I’m so happy it’s finally ready. I’d love to hear what you think.

Just for fun, I thought we should look at how Happy Healthy Mama has looked through the years. The funny thing is, it’s been around for six years, yet this is only my third design change. I’m not sure what that says about me. I don’t like change? Probably more like I am slow to make changes because changes take time and money. Ha!

Here’s what my design looked like from September 2010-May 2012

I designed this header myself. (You mean you can tell it’s not professional?!) I took a picture of orange slices on a green napkin and added the font that came with the free WordPress theme I was using at the time. (I don’t remember what it was called.)

Although I tweaked this one a few times, this is what my site looked like from May 2012-this weekend. This is the Foodie Pro theme running on the Genesis framework. The header and buttons were done by Designs by Tracy and I really liked the design. Until I felt like my site kind of outgrew the look and I wanted something fresher and more modern looking.

For the design you see now, I used Julie at The Blogger Boutique. I love her work! I chose Julie for the new design because she has a lot of experience customizing the Foodie Pro theme. As much as I would have loved a completely custom design, that just wasn’t in the budget. Maybe someday? It’ll probably be another 4-5 years before any more changes happen around here, so don’t hold your breath!

Now for a Smoothie Challenge Update. Some of these challenges are easier to give updates than others. (Hint—>if you want to look back at some of the other challenges, look under the Healthy Year Challenge category.)

For this update, I wanted to give you some information on the ingredients from last week’s smoothies. When I developed these recipes, I put a lot of thought into choosing a variety of ingredients that would fuel our bodies well. I wanted the smoothies to be all vegan, so I relied a lot on seeds like hulled hemp seeds and chia seeds to provide protein. While these seeds can be a little pricey, they are just as expensive (and healthier) as protein powders. I much prefer getting my protein from a whole food source than a processed protein powder. Let’s look at some of the ingredients from the smoothies and why I chose them:

Bananas:  Bananas naturally sweeten smoothies and even with their sugar content have a low glycemic index rating. They act as a prebiotic and aid digestion, are rich in vitamins and minerals. Their high potassium content and low salt content makes them a food that helps lower blood pressure and protect against heart disease and stroke.

Apples: Rich in antioxidants and high in fiber.

Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk: Low in calories with no added sugar and the vanilla adds flavor and a touch of extra sweetness.

Cinnamon: High in antioxidants and it helps keep blood sugar levels even. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Dates: A natural way to add sweetness to a smoothie while adding fiber, iron, magnesium, and potassium.

Cucumber: Keeps you hydrated, flushes out toxins, rich in B vitamins, and adds fiber.

Mango: Rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, and iron.

Spinach and Kale: Greens are the most nutrient-rich vegetables out there. Each week, I introduce new greens to add to your smoothies.

Hemp Seeds: Hemp Seeds are a perfect and natural blend of easily digested proteins, essential fats (Omega 3 & 6), antioxidants, amino acids, and fiber. They also provide iron, zinc, carotene, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin D, vitamin E, chlorophyll, calcium,magnesium, and more.

Chia Seeds: These have a similar nutritional profile to hemp seeds, but with less protein.

Week #2 introduces a new variety of plant foods. Did you get the recipes? If you haven’t signed up for my newsletter yet, you need to do that to get the recipes. Click on the button below to sign up for my weekly newsletter and you’ll get instant access to Week #1 and Week #2 shopping lists and recipes.
Click Here to Subscribe, Join the Challenge, and Get the Smoothie Recipes

Did you notice some smoothies made a large smoothie and others made smaller smoothies? That’s because I really paid attention to the calories of the smoothies. The smaller smoothies were made with more calorie-dense ingredients. A cucumber, for example, will really bulk up a smoothie but adds less than 50 calories. So in case you were wondering about the amount of smoothie the recipes makes, that is why.

Replacing a meal with a smoothie has been great to help me become more aware of how much I eat versus how much I need to eat. Overeating is so easy to do!

I have also loved having my breakfasts planned for me already and it’s great knowing I’m getting a variety of different fruits and vegetables in my first meal of the day. (One day I felt like oatmeal, so I had my smoothie for lunch, but most days I’m having the smoothie for breakfast.) I’m finding it is a great springboard for the rest of the day and helps me want to continue to eat well and make good food choices. Believe it or not, I make bad food choices just like everybody else. This Smoothie Challenge is helping me think about those choices more.

I hope you’re enjoying the Smoothie Challenge, too. Feel free to let me know how it’s going in the comments!

 

The post 31 Smoothie Challenge Update (and a New Look!) appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.

source http://happyhealthymama.com/2016/08/31-smoothie-challenge-update-new-look.html

Feta Basil Greek Yogurt Dip

The 31 Day Smoothie Challenge

It’s time for a 31 Day Smoothie Challenge! We are in the 8th challenge of the Happy Healthy Mama Healthy Year Challenge, and I think this one is going to be the most fun. We are going to replace one meal a day with a delicious, nutrient-dense smoothie. What do you think?!

Why a Smoothie Challenge?

There are a number of reasons you might want to take part in a smoothie challenge. Remember, we are talking about replacing one meal a day, most likely breakfast or lunch, with a smoothie. Here are some great reasons do take part in a smoothie challenge:

• Smoothies are an excellent way to add a wide variety of nutrients to your diet. You can use a lot of different plants in a smoothie including fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and whole grains. Plant power!
• If you have trouble eating the recommended amount of fresh fruits and vegetables in a day, smoothies can help.
• Smoothies make healthy eating easier. No cooking involved, just some quick blending and you have a complete, nutritious, balanced meal.
• Smoothies provide built-in portion control. If you have a problem with overeating, replacing a meal with a smoothie can help!
• The right smoothies (not the kind loaded with sugar!) can fight inflammation and help you feel great.

I want to make participating in the smoothie challenge as easy as possible, so I’ve created 31 different smoothie recipes for you! Each week of this challenge, I will email you 7 new, nutritious smoothie recipes along with a grocery list. This is, of course, totally free to you. You’ll be armed with everything you need to start the challenge right away. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you should have already received this information and the recipes. If not, you can join right now by clicking the image below!

The smoothies that I created for you are designed to be complete meals.

Each 31 Day Smoothie Challenge Smoothie:

• Is between 350-450 calories
• Has 4+ servings of fruits and vegetables
• Has no added sugars
• Is totally plant-based (vegan)
• Has at least, often more than, 10 grams of protein
• Is made with only whole food ingredients–NO protein powders

You can expect to eat around 20 different plant foods in a week just by taking place in the challenge! Variety is an important key to building a strong immune system and keeping your body healthy. If you’ve struggled with keeping your healthy eating on track, this 31 Day Smoothie Challenge is a great jumping point to help you! 

Today is August 1, but it doesn’t matter if you start this challenge on August 2nd, August 9th, or even sometime in October if you happen to be reading this later down the road. Start when it works for you, just make sure you start! Click below to get started—->

Click Here to Subscribe, Join the Challenge, and Getthe Smoothie Recipes

 

The post The 31 Day Smoothie Challenge appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.

source http://happyhealthymama.com/2016/08/31-day-smoothie-challenge.html