Thursday, September 9, 2010

To My Siblings: Thank You!

Does anyone else ever get the feeling that they are cheating on their bed with the rest of life?  My bed misses me.  It told me so when I crawled out of it this morning around 5:30am.  My warm, soft sheets and fluffy pillows...  Getting up this morning was difficult.  I have never enjoyed being up before the sun.  This morning I thought back to when I was in college and how I would always sign up for 7am or 8am classes and either switch the class or miss half of them.  Most of the time I was lucky if I had done more than pull my hair back in a pony tail before running out the door, in flop flops, coat half way on. 

Why do I share this?  Because I am extremely grateful to be single and child-less.  Don't get me wrong; I love kids.  I was Baby-sitter Extraordinaire growing up, sometimes baby-sitting for two or three different families a week.  I loved it!  But kids are not for me...  I am also very grateful for my siblings providing my parents with a ridiculous amount of grand kids so I don't have to.  Between my five older siblings, they have 13 kids...  and I have NO idea how they do it.  So, thanks guys!  I will continue to play proud Auntie and spoil your kids rotten, then give them back.  :)  Love you all!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Dessert!

Today, I'm turning the tables.  What I'm looking for is dessert!  I want to actually make these recipes, so here's the catch:  they have to be healthy!  I'm talking sugar free, whole grains, healthy.  :)
Link up!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Sick of Being Sick?

I was on Facebook recently and saw a post from a friend of mine.  Her kids are sick and her little girl is running a fever.  She said she picked up the bottle of Motrin and actually read the label for the first time and was shocked when she saw what it said.  She asked what alternatives there are.  My heart broke for her because I know she is a good mom and only wants the best for her family.  Her post is similar to many other posts I've seen:  People are sick and don't know what to do!  It's been a while since I've done a rant post, so here it is.  I honestly cannot keep my mouth shut a second longer because EVERYBODY needs this information.

Here's the deal:
1.) Pharmaceuticals are not your friend!  The chemicals in medications and over the counter drugs are keeping you sick and perpetuating the cycle!  Think about it:  if people were not getting sick, there would be no need for doctors (except for emergencies).  So, if the doctors and Pharmaceutical companies can keep us sick, they stay in business.  The side effects of common medications are often vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, migraines, heart attacks, stroke, heart disease, cancer, death...  None of those side effects are necessary and they all stem from the chemicals used to make the drugs. 
2.)  The FDA is not your friend, either!  Did you know most of the pre-packaged food products out there contain corn or genetically modified soybeans?  They are government subsidized and extremely cheap to grow and use for manufacturers.  Same with processed sugar.  The average kid in America consumes 26 teaspoons of sugar every day, and that does not include candy, cookies, ice cream, etc.  That's in their cereal, sandwiches, mac and cheese, etc.  No wonder we have behavior problems!  High fructose corn syrup hits the same spot in your brain that heroin does.  Kids are even more susceptible to the effects.  Every time your kids eat something with high fructose corn syrup, they are getting the same high they would from heroin.  That's why you crave more - if you stay hooked, then the Pharmaceutical companies have you for life.  Yes, I did just connect the FDA and the Pharmaceutical companies.  They are virtually one in the same, sadly.
3.)  You do not have to get sick.  I personally know people that have not been sick in years!  When you stop eating processed sugars and foods, stop taking medications, and give your body what it needs and wants, your body takes care of itself.  I have not been sick since I made these changes and I cannot express how much better I feel!  I wake up feeling good every single day, even when I'm running on little sleep.  I am vibrant and alive, with all the energy I need.  I am far more productive than I ever was before.  My body actually heals while I sleep!  Life does not have to be miserable, day to day, sickness to sickness, paycheck to paycheck. 

I know these are very bold statements, but trust me when I tell you I have done the research to back all this up. If you want to know more, email me at cheffiejo@gmail.com.

Friday, August 27, 2010

My Guilty Pleasure

I'm sure you all have figured out that I love food.  And I simply refuse to give up my favorites, even though I sometimes have to get really creative to make them healthy.  :)  Last night I had one of my all-time most favorite foods ever:  'mato sammich.  For those of you that don't like tomatoes: You are missing out on one of my guilty pleasures.  I did take pictures, (but didn't remember til I was almost half way through the sandwich), and I have a recipe for you, too.  So, here ya go!  Happy Foodie Linky Party!

'Mato Sammich
2 slices whole wheat bread (I use Nature's Own Whole Wheat Bread)
1 roma tomato (firm, red, and hearty)
1 tablespoon mayonnaise (I use Kraft's Olive Oil Mayo)

Directions:
1. Toast the bread.  Slice tomato.
2. Spread mayo on both slices of bread.
3. Put tomato slices on bread.
I used to put cheese on the sammich.  Cheddar is pretty delish!

I know... super difficult.  :)  But, I thoroughly enjoyed every single bite of my 'mato sammich!




Don't forget to link up!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The Serenity Prayer - Revised

"God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me."

I heard this tonight on a training call, and it fell right in line with everything I've been working on for myself.

This week I:
Slept in
Made and ate delicious food
Repainted my nails
Went shopping
Watched movies
Had great conversations with old friends
Met new friends

   Don't forget to share how you're taking care of yourself!
Happy Selfish Respect Tuesday!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Blog Friends :)

I LOVE my blog friends!  Y'all are the BEST!  Thanks for hanging out with me every week!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Salsa with a Twist!

When I was in Culinary school, I had a restaurant class.  We had a teaching kitchen and the restaurant was open for lunch every Tuesday and Wednesday.  Each week we had different food from somewhere in the world.  One week for our start, the class decided to make fresh chips and salsa, and it was SO GOOD!  I don't remember everything we put in it, but I make fresh salsa all the time, so now it's time to share!

Fresh Salsa
Mango
Bell Peppers (any color)
Onion
Garlic
Tomatoes
Cilantro
Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
Black Pepper and Salt

Use as much or as little of each ingredient as you want. Dice the ingredients, gently stir together.
It's better if you let it sit in the refrigerator overnight so all the flavors come together. 

No pictures today.  Bummer when I write the post and can't find the picture...  Guess that means I need to make more this afternoon!