Tip of the Week - "Get-Fit Moves With Your Pet"

     It's important to make sure our furry friends get their exercise as much as it is for us.  After all, we want them to enjoy a long healthy life too.  Today I'm adding a workout video from Self magazine called "Get-Fit Moves With Your Pet".  I'm not sure how effective this one would be for all dog owners, but it's neat to see the cute puppy in the video having a fun day.  My dog prefers chasing her squeak toy around the yard and going for walks.  I might still give it a try with my dog and let you know how it works.  If you try it even with a cat, let me know your results, good luck!

Recipe for a Tasty Pico de Gallo

      Since we are almost in the middle of National Nutrition Month I'd like to share with you my easy, healthy recipe for Pico de Gallo.  I make this every week and store it in a container in my refrigerator.  We use it if we have shrimp tacos, or beef tacos.  And if I want a salad at lunch, I've already got a good vegetable mix ready to toss with some lettuce or spinach.  It's very convenient to have it already made if you are hungry and want to add some vegetables and fruit (tomatoes are officially categorized as fruit) to your meal it's easy to do once everything is already cleaned, chopped and prepared.  
     First I wash the tomatoes (3 medium sized), the jalapeno pepper (1 large), the onion (about 1/3 of a small red onion) and the cilantro (to taste).  Then I chop up the tomatoes, the jalapeno pepper (which I seed first) and the red onion.  I toss them together in my container.  Then I add some cilantro leaves.  And finally, I squeeze the juice of half a lime into the mixture.  I mix it thoroughly and refrigerate until I'm ready to use in a recipe.

Tasty Pico de Gallo

This is a good way to get your daily fruit and vegetable servings into your diet.  And if it's already prepared in advance you are more likely to eat them regularly.  There has been a recent study in England that shows eating tomatoes can help protect against sunburn.  An article in “Mail Online” discusses the study and the results (click here to read).  And peppers may help with weight loss.  There is an article in “The Money Times” that reports one study at the UCLA center for human nutrition that is an interesting article (click here to read).  At Eat Right American Dietetic Association the message for National Nutrition Month this year is to "Eat Right With Color". This simple, easy recipe is one way to help do that this month and beyond.   The added bonus is this recipe tastes and smells great!  If you try it out and use any variations, let me know.  I'm always looking for new ideas.

Exercise Video From Self Magazine "6 Moves to Six-Pack Abs"

     Spring is almost here, before you know it summer will be upon us and we'll be wearing shorts and tank tops.  Here is a an exercise video from Self magazine "6 Moves to Six-Pack Abs".  Self Magazine adds new exercise videos focusing on different muscle groups.  I'll add more as they become available to help us all get ready for summer.

     Turn my blog music off or mute before starting the video.  The music player is on the right hand side midway down the page. 

"Do as many reps as you can with good form to ensure that your core is properly engaged. Getting sloppy? Stop and move to another exercise in any order. Aim to knock out 15 to 20 reps, but if you can do only a few to start, that's OK."--Self magazine introduction to video.

Today's Featured Product Yes To Cucumbers Daily Gentle Cleanser

     I've been using Yes to Cucumbers Daily Gentle Cleanser for about 2 weeks now and I really love this product.  It has a clean cucumber scent that reminds you of summer in your garden.  After I clean my face with this cleanser, my skin feels soft and very clean.  It doesn't make my skin break out and since my skin tends to be sensitive, I would know if this one wasn't good for my skin as I would start to break out quickly.  The texture is light and you only need a small amount to clean your entire face.  I wet my face, put about a dime size amount of the cleanser in the palm of my hand and gently rub it around my face in small circles.  It doesn't lather (like some other cleansers which can be drying to your face) and you can feel it cleaning your skin as you are working it around your face.  It rinses off easily and when you are done patting your face dry, the smell is wonderful.  Especially before bedtime it seems to have a calming effect on me. The scent isn't overwhelming but it smells very fresh and clean.   I would recommend this cleanser to anyone who has sensitive skin and wants a natural cleanser.  This one is hypoallergenic and paraben free.  It is listed as 95% natural.  This cleanser contains Vitamin A and C as well as Aloe Vera and Green Tea.  It is sold at Walgreen's and I've seen it on the company website at Yes to Carrots.  I will be buying this one again in the future because it works.

Daily Cleanser that works and smells great.

Recipe Idea for National Nutrition Month

Here is a recipe for Lovely Lentil Loaf from the channel Veria.  Since it is National Nutrition Month it's good to try out some new healthy recipes.  Enjoy!

• Here's a tomato sauce-topped loaf of mixed legumes and grains that is the ultimate in cold-weather comfort food.
• 
  
• 
• From Ann Gentry

  Host of Naturally Delicious

• Level:
  Easy
• Servings:
  6
• Cook Time:
  30 min.
• Ready in:
  1 hr. 10 min.

Ingredients

• For lentil loaf:
  3 tablespoons canola oil, divided
  1 shallot, minced
  3/4 cup celery, finely chopped
  1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
  1/2 cup carrot, grated
  3 garlic cloves, minced
  1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  2 cups cooked red lentils
  3/4 cup cooked green split peas
  1/4 cup cooked black lentils
  1 cup cooked brown rice
  1 cup rolled oats
  2 tablespoons tahini
  3 tablespoons red miso (soy paste; available in health food and Asian grocery stores)
  1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
  
  For sauce:
  1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
  2 teaspoons umeboshi vinegar (plum vinegar; available in health food and Asian grocery stores and online)
  1 teaspoon soy sauce
  1 teaspoon dark agave nectar (available in specialty and Mexican grocery stores and online)

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drizzle a tablespoon of canola oil on a baking pan and set aside.
  Heat remaining two tablespoons of oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots, celery and red pepper, and sauté for 3 minutes. Add carrots, garlic and thyme and sauté for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in all remaining ingredients until well combined. Shape into a loaf and place on baking pan.
  Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until heated through.
  Meanwhile heat all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  Serve lentil loaf hot with warm tomato sauce.

Derma e Free Sampler Package

     Derma e Natural Body Care is a company that makes skin care products from natural ingredients with the goal of also having them be powerful and effective.  Right now they are offering a sample package of 10 of their most popular items (enough for one use each).  All you need to do is pay for shipping and handling.  You can see the sample items here:  Derma e.  If you have used any of their products or if you use these samples, let me know what you think.

In Honor of National Nutrition Month

Silk Coconut and Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milks.

     In honor of National Nutrition Month during the month of March instead of grabbing a candy bar or bag of potato chips try making a smoothie for your mid morning or late afternoon snack.   I make my smoothies with frozen fruit that usually contains a mixture of pineapple, strawberries and peaches.  Sometimes I’ll add orange juice or apple juice to make a sweet tasting smoothie.  If you want a tropical tasting smoothie, try using coconut milk and add half of a banana.  If you want a chocolate smoothie try using chocolate soy milk or dark chocolate almond milk with some plain white yogurt to mix with the frozen fruit. 

Insulated purses to carry food to work.

If you are focusing on heart health, use vanilla almond milk with the plain white yogurt.  Sometimes I’ll add some fresh blueberries or raspberries to give the smoothies a different taste.  The good thing about blending them yourself is you can make your smoothies any way you like and you won’t have to worry about any sugars, salts or preservatives being added.          If you are at work, you can take a small blender to plug in by your desk (there are some single size blenders that you can use as cups after blending by personal fitness trainer Chris Freytag that can be purchased on QVC.com) and take frozen fruits , juice, yogurts and milks to put in your company refrigerator.  There are also some stylish, insulated purses that fit cold or hot food items (can also be purchased on QVC.com) if you want to take your own small portion size to keep inside a desk drawer.  It can be a much healthier choice than grabbing extra change and running to the nearest vending machine.  If you start this month, maybe it will become a habit you can continue throughout the year. 

Today's Featured Product JASON Pure and Natural Hand and Body Lotion

Aloe Vera JASON Lotion

     I've been using a hand lotion from the company JASON Pure, Natural and Organic called Pure and Natural Hand & Body Lotion.  I started out using it on my hands but now use it on my body as well.  It contains 84% concentrated natural Aloe Vera.  It's a calming moisture relief lotion for sensitive, irritated skin.  There are no parabens or phthalates in the ingredients.  This lotion is non-greasy so when I use it, it doesn't leave my hands feeling sticky.  It has a mild scent so it is not overwhelming when I apply it to my hands/body.  It's been great to use during the cold winter months because my hands, arms and legs get dry and flaky if I don’t apply creams.  This has left my hands and body feeling soft.  I haven't used it much in the summer months but it does contain Aloe Vera and on the bottle it is recommend for sun damaged skin.  In some of my research I've also found that Aloe Vera contains some natural sun screen protection so it would probably be good to use during the summer months as well.  I like this lotion and have been pleased with the texture, scent and effectiveness of each application.  For me this product has worked well. 

     This company has been making natural products since 1959.  They have been one of the first companies to offer natural products without harsh chemicals.  This is the same company that makes the natural deodorants my family uses.  I buy the hand lotion in the same section that the natural deodorants are located in at my local grocery store, but I've also seen these products at Target and Walmart.  And of course you can also order their products online through their website.

     This is a product I would recommend to anyone who has dry skin, or who wants a hand/body lotion that doesn't have an overpowering scent.  It’s one you can feel good about trying if you are looking for a good, natural alternative hand/body lotion.

The lotion is not sticky and goes on smoothly.

 

Tip of the Week - National Nutrition Month Videos

National Nutrition Month March 2011

Read nutritional labels for sodium content.

Last month I wrote about a product called True Lemon and True Lime that can be used as a substitute for salt and sugar (Tip of the week February 13, 2011).  Since March 2011 is National Nutrition Month, I thought I’d add a short video from Marisa Moore a Registered Dietitian with the American Dietetic Association.  She discusses cutting back on salt in our diets and also shows how to watch the amount of sodium by reading nutritional labels correctly.  She discusses serving size and how much is too much sodium for our daily percentage allowance.   The American Dietetic Association’s website will have other videos and articles this month that will focus on National Nutrition Month.

To have beautiful skin, hair and nails you want to begin by consuming healthy foods for your body.  By reading nutritional labels, you can become more empowered and better informed of what products you and your family are eating.  And by adding as many fruits and vegetables with different colors to your daily diet you can stay healthy, look healthy and best of all feel healthy!

You can turn off or mute my blog music half way down the right side of the page before starting the videos.




I'm also attaching a link for the Spanish version of this video presented by Malena Perdomo also a Registered Dietitian.

Click here to view video in Spanish:  Watch Video

Today's Featured Product Tarte Lipsurgence Natural Matte Lip Stain

    I've been using the Lipsurgence natural matte lip stain by Tarte cosmetics for about a month now and I love this product.  Not only does it make my lips feel smooth, but the colors are long lasting.  They stay on your lips throughout the day.  I do reapply after eating but the color stays on your lips a little more than a regular lipstick after meals.  My Mom tried this same product and she also likes the moisturizing effect on the lips.  They have about 6 shades to choose from, but I think they need more since this is such a wonderful product.  I started out with the color Lucky which is a light pink but since I like a darker color I also used the color Envy which is a dark mauve color.  I found for myself that if I mix the two colors, the result is a pretty, perfect shade of mauve.  My Mom tried the color Exposed which is a lighter nude color and a bit light for her so she thinks a darker color would be good or maybe mixing colors like I did would work best.  I have a picture below with the mixture of Lucky with Envy.

I first apply Envy then add Lucky.

Envy is on the left and Lucky is on the right.

I like this company because they are trying to use natural ingredients that do not contain some of the harmful ingredients other cosmetic companies use. This lip stain does not contain parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum, phthalates, sodium laurly sulfate or any synthetic fragrance. The box that the lip stain comes in states you will receive a 6000% increase in moisture content in your lips after 28 days. I’m not sure if my lips increased moisture by 6000% but it did make them feel much softer especially during these cold winter months. And my Mom agreed that her lips felt more moisturized too. These lip stains are almost like a crayon application that glides on your lips. They don’t have the consistency of other lipsticks and they don’t have the bad taste that some lipsticks do either. They actually have a bit of a minty taste to them which is nice.  

The CEO Maureen Kelly started this company because she too wanted to use cosmetics that were natural and did not contain the bad chemicals that many cosmetics on the market use. The company also uses recycled materials and the materials can often be reused to reduce environmental waste. Their motto is “be green, be smart, be tarte!”

My hope is that they will expand the color choices for this lip stain product. I purchased mine at my local Ulta store and you can also order them on the Tarte website. I’ve also seen them on Amazon.com.