I'm a night time snacker, and every time i try to find something to munch on after classes, I'm always faced with so many unhealthy option. Here are a few friendly choices:

Salty

Popcorn:  If you are popping your own, pop it in a little oil and then add a sprinkle of salt or popcorn flavoring. If microwaving it, choose a light butter or a low fat butter option. Plus, don't get carried away, watch your portions.  

Nuts and seeds: Choose only a handful to get rid of your craving or to help fill you up.  

Cheese: You can have a small amount of low-fat cheese. This includes string cheese, cheese slices, and even cottage cheese.  

Pickles: It may sound like an unusual snack, but it is salty, tasty, and low in calories.

Pretzels: a low fat healthy crunchy salty option.

Veggies with dip: Most dips are horrible for you, and full of fat. However, you can make a great dip from low fat sour cream or better yet plain yogurt. Add seasonings and herbs of your choice (light on the salt). This is a low fat option that will taste fantastic and you can then dip your carrots, cucumbers, and celery in it!  

Sweet

Fruit: - There are a lot of good options including bananas, melons, and berries

Cereal: Having a small bowl of cereal can make you feel full and fulfill your sweet tooth. Pick one that is low in calories and fat, with just a bit of sweet to it.  

Toast with honey or jam: - Make toast and skip the butter. Add a bit of jam or honey for a healthy and delicious twist.  

Sweet flavored rice cakes: crunchy and satisfying. Finish it with a small glass of milk or juice and you should be feeling pretty good

Yogurt: Have a small bowl or dish of flavored yogurt. There are tons of options to choose from and even the varieties that are regular have very little fat and only a few calories.

Low fat graham crackers: Sweet and tasty in a few different flavors. Be careful how many you eat though.  

Drinks

Milk: aim for less fat and choose a lower fat or no fat option (skim, 1%, 2%). Have six ounces. It is just under a cup and should help fill you up.  

Juice: Make sure you are drinking real juice (100%) and not a small portion type of juice with lots of added sugars

Tea: - Whether you like it hot or cold a good cup of tea can help make for a good night. Choose something herbal or decaffeinated so it doesn't keep you up. If you like it sweetened add a tablespoon of honey rather then sugar.

feeding your face

Here are a few mixtures that you can apply to your skin. Just grab your blender, 

 head to the salad bar  

and instant spa day

6 carrots                                                     1/2 green bell pepper handful kale 1/2 handful turnip green	4 apricots 1 bunch red or green grapes 1 pear
4 carrots 6 oz canteloupe (1/8th)	watercress (for acne - mineral needed is silicon)
8 strawberries 4 oz green or purple grapes	watercress + 3 times a non-green juice for excema
5 carrots 1 apple	carrot juice for sunburn
1/2 inch knob ginger root 6 carrots 1/2 green bell pepper

Sum Good old fruits & veggies

I came up with this chart to give an idea of what kind of veggies to start buying more of.This will help when my children take over shopping for themselves   

Raw foods	Nutritional value	Raw Foods	Nutritional value
Apples	Remove toxins from the intenstines; stimulate peristalsis and bowels; flush kidneys; natural acids for digestion.	Citrus	vitamins C and A
Apricots	Potassium and magnesium for energy and stamina; iron for blood building; silicon for hair and skin. High in beta carotene = anti cancer	Cucumbers	silicon
Bananas	potassium	Dandelion greens	magnesium
Bell pepper	silicon	Gingerroot	zinc
Celery	potassium, sodium	Kale	silenium, calcium
Cherries	iron, magnesium, potassium, silicon, vitamin A	Parsley	calcium
Strawberries	ellagic acid: anti-cancer

$3 a serving

With 7 teenagers, the need to teach shopping on a budget is a must. I'm always looking for quick and recipes to show my kids, so they can start make their own meals.
 If you don't like root beer you could try a cola instead  




Root Beer-Can Chicken



Ingredients:
1 1/2 teaspoons Hungarian sweet paprika
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
2 (12-ounce) cans root beer, divided
2 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 (3 1/2-pound) whole chicken, skinned
Preparation:
1. Prepare grill for indirect grilling, heating one side to medium.
2. Combine first 7 ingredients and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl.
3. Open both root beer cans; pour 18 ounces into a small saucepan. Set remaining root beer aside (in the can). Bring 18 ounces root beer to a boil. Cook until reduced to 1/3 cup (about 20 minutes). Remove from heat. Add remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, butter, and vinegar, stirring until smooth.
4. Rub paprika mixture evenly over chicken. Holding chicken upright with the cavity facing down, insert reserved opened root beer can into cavity. Place chicken on unheated side of grill. Spread legs out to form a tripod to support the chicken. Cover and grill for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into meaty portion of thigh registers 160°, basting chicken every 20 minutes with sauce.
5. Lift chicken slightly using tongs; place spatula under can. Carefully remove chicken and can from grill; place on a cutting board. Let stand 10 minutes. Gently lift chicken using tongs or insulated rubber gloves; carefully twist can and remove from cavity. Discard can. Carve chicken




.

Thats it

 When adding new things into your life you will soon start to find that you are in for more of an fight  than you first thought.

 I wanted to go into this blog thing by covering health issue and how to relate foods and their medical benefits. This was difficult due to my knowledge the many medical issues surrounding my family. I  wasn't able to target one diet,for one medical condition.My approach was kind of odd. I started by using up all the processed foods it the house, we gave a lot of food away to food banks,and friends that were in need.(not trying to harm them, but this change is for my household)

 All our favorite foods and the ones we have had a hard time avoiding will remained in the pantry.

 We are big fans of bacon, potatoes, and red meat.

I think that our family health is good, so now with grocery shopping coming up we will get to purchase more of the fresh food items they we found that we like.

The last time tried to introduce a new style of eating to the family i was booed .

This time they are able to express their likes and dislikes, and help with the actual shopping.

How did I get on this rabbit trail,

 I wanted to talk about eating, living, and just being healthier.

i see that there is a need to do these things, but there is always a but.

I'm starting to think that the buts in my life are getting in my way 

Hey But,

 I'm starting to think you're related to procrastination.

the time i spent using my buts in life equal to a lot of empty time.

i think i should re-visit some of the rabbit trails to get some of the stuff i dropped

Ouch!!

Why?

This is a question asked by someone after being asked to do something.
Is this from a lack of trust?
or do you just seek clarification?

I sometimes wonder if were to ask myself the question would I reply with the word why. 

Do i trust my-self to lead in the right direction.

Can the blind lead the blind into a ditch? 

the new year is here out with the old,

 jumping over the boundaries the would normally trip me up.

thinking ill try the NIKE way Just Do It.

and if I fail at it, at least i didnt Fall in.