My other love.

Today's post is the second part of my fall/winter fruit favorites. This is by far one of the most amazing fruits on the planet. If you have yet to try a pomegranate your missing out. A fruit that is a little hard to get to, it is so worth it once you figure out how to get all the gems out and use them in so many ways. I have played with this fruit in sweet and savory dishes and I must say, they work in just about anything! From yogurt to turkey, they rock! A sure fire way to have a conversation stirred at the dinner table when someone bites into a few. They make any dish sparkle. I have so many fall recipes that I add them too and don't worry, you will be reading your share. Let's get down to business, here's the low down about my absolute favorite fall fruit!

Pomegranate Anatomy
Albedo - the white, fleshy pith
Aril - the edible seed inside the juice sac
Calyx - the crown-like structure at the top of the pomegranate
Membrane - the transparent sac surrounding the arils outer peel.

The Fruit: Secondly, the word "pomegranate" refers to the fruit, which is actually a berry.The word "pomegranate" is from the Latin "pomum granatum" which means "apple of many seeds." That gives a pretty good description!Except for the crown-like structure at the top (or is it the bottom??) of the pomegranate, called the calyx, the pomegranate looks similar to an apple on the outside - it's about the same size, or slightly larger, it's relatively round (actually somewhat hexagonal) and its thick leathery skin is reddish (sometimes there's also yellow, pink, orange or green). The outer peel, or skin, of a pomegranate is called the rind.Inside there are many seeds encased in a juicy sac, called arils. These arils are set in membranous compartments (called membrane) and surrounded by white, fleshy pith, called albedo.

Pomegranates are one of the oldest fruits. The pomegranate is native to Persia (now Iran).It was cultivated in Egypt around the time of Moses and existed very early in India.The pomegranate was brought to China around 100 BCE. The Romans called the pomegranate a Punic apple because it arrived in Italy by way of Carthage (Punic). Its Latin name is Punica granatum (Carthage seeds). The Moors brought pomegranates to Spain around 800 CE and the city of Granada was named for the pomegranate.Spanish settlers brought the pomegranate to the U.S. in 1769 according to some sources.It's now widely grown in the U.S., Malaysia, Southern Europe, Egypt, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, India, Burma, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The Tree: "pomegranate" refers to the spiny, deciduous shrub or tree that is cultivated for its fruit (the fruit is probably what you usually think of as a pomegranate).The tree has bright green, glossy, leathery, short-stemmed, oblong leaves that are anywhere from 3 to 7 centimeters long and about 2 centimeters broad. The leaves are opposite, or sub-opposite, or in whorls of 5 or 6.The flowers of the tree are called Balaustines and are bright red or orange with 3-7 petals. The flowers are approximately 3 centimeters in diameter. They grow on the tips of the branches singly or in clusters of up to 5. They have a thick, tubular, red calyx with 5-8 pointed sepals from which the petals emerge. The petals enclose numerous stamen.

Depending on the variety and degree of ripeness, the seeds of the pomegranate can vary in taste from only a little sour (similar to ripe cherries) to fairly sharp (similar to uncooked cranberries). They can be enjoyed straight by simply eating the seeds, in any of a number of pomegranate-derived goods, or as a juice. Those with milder tastes often find the commercially-available juice blends more palatable than straight pomegranate juice, which can be fairly robust.
Pomegranate as a Super fruit
The recent explosion of interest in the pomegranate is due in large part to its recent classification as a “super fruit.” Like the name suggests, super fruits are typically more in demand than garden-variety bananas and apples. By definition, super fruits are exotic fruits with higher than average levels of antioxidants, nutritional content, and success with modern consumers. The pomegranate fulfills each of these categories and has even been featured in a number of scientific studies for its ability to combat the aging process. The pomegranate has become so popular of late that it has even surpassed the blueberry, America’s once-favorite super fruit, in terms of popularity.

Though originally from the Middle East, pomegranates are now commonly grown in California and its mild-to-temperate climactic equivalents. The varieties out of California are typically available in most specialty stores (and even in many chain grocery stores) at their peak of productivity, which is between September and January. Pomegranates grow on bushes that can reach heights of 50 feet, although most commercial varieties are much kinder on their cultivators, reaching an average height closer to between 10 and 20 feet.
Pomegranates are considered by many to be a pretty tough and ancient breed. Not only are the bushes able to grow to considerable heights, but they can live for hundreds of years (even though the best fruits are typically only produced in the first few decades of the pomegranate bush’s long life). Pomegranates are also known for their ability to withstand lengthy droughts; in fact, climates with too much moisture during the ripening season can cause damage to the roots and fruits.

The Myth Behind Pomegranates
Further contributing to their aura of antiquity is the pomegranate’s appearance in a number of historical and mythological tales. Its origin lies in the ancient lands of Afghanistan and the Mediterranean, and it has been enjoyed in cooking and medicine throughout the Middle East for centuries.
In Iran, the juicing of the pomegranate is an enjoyable household chore. In Italy, the act of opening the pomegranate—a task that many consider to be the major barrier in enjoying this delightful fruit—is considered a means of social interaction. It’s no wonder that people have been interested in this fruit long before American consumers got wind of its incredibly delicious and healthful properties.

There is so much info about the Pomegranate and I will be telling you more as the months go by. I got my first pom about a week a go and I was sooooo very happy to have my first taste of the season. Sprinkle these seeds on your yogurt or any dish for that matter and you will thank me later. The best way to get the seeds out is to get a large bowl and fill it with water. Cut both ends off and into quarters. Once you have four large chucks left take each one and dunk it into the water. Massage the seeds and they will drop to the bottom of the bowl while the membrane floats to the top. Scoop the matter that has floated to the top and then drain. What you will have left are the most delicious seeds ever. This method I find works the best. Just keep breaking it apart and massage each seed so that your sure to get them all!

Here's two simple but eye catching recipes. It never ever fails me and folks will beg for more! I am tellin you guys, I am going to save your ass for the Holidays AND make you look good while doing so. Just make sure you give a little shout out ;)

The first one is a vegan pie. I have been getting a ton of e-mails asking for more vegan options. This is not only vegan, it is a perfect protein packed pie. OH yes I did.

Creamy Pom Chocolate Pudding Pie

1 cup frozen pomegranate seeds + 1 Tbsp for garnish

1 2/3 cups silken tofu (1 package) + 3 Tbsp soy milk

1/4 cup brown sugar (or 1/2 cup agave)

dash of cinnamon and nutmeg (or pumpkin pie spice)

1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

1 avocado, de-pitted

1 package chocolate pudding mix

pinch salt

1 graham cracker crust

Directions:

1. In a soup pot add the tofu, soy milk, pudding mix, sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Stir and bring to a boil.

2. When mixture begins to thicken, remove from heat and stir in frozen pomegranate seeds.

3. Add mixture to blender - add avocado as well. (listen, have I steered you wring yet? ok, just do it then.)

4. Blend on high until smooth and creamy.

5. Pour smooth mixture into graham cracker pie shell. Top with a few pomegranate seeds. Pour any extra pudding into separate parfait glasses for an extra treat.

6. Chill until ready to serve - usually 2 hours is enough time - overnight is best.

you can also make a pumpkin pie and sprinkle the seeds on top. If you live in Athens and you will be going to a holiday party which I might be attending, save yourself the embarrassment now, I am making it.

The second recipe:

Bulgar, Celery and Pomegranate Salad

2/3 cup (100g) medium or coarse Bulgar (you can also use Quinoa!)

1 pound (400g) celery (a small head), cut in thin slices on a slight bias

seeds of 1/2 large pomegranate

3/4 cup (75g) walnuts, roughly chopped (I toasted my walnuts first)

1 small bunch of flat-leaf parsley

1 scant tablespoon fresh mint, finely chopped

Pomegranate Dressing:

juice of 1/2 large pomegranate

1/2 garlic clove, crushed to a paste with

1/2 teaspoon of salt6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
For the dressing, whisk all the ingredients together, season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.

Directions:
Put the Bulgar in a bowl, add (note: boiling hot) water to just below the surface of the wheat and leave it to stand for 10 minutes (note: 10 - 15 minutes), until just tender but still quite al dente. Add more water as required or drain in a colander if too wet.
Put all the ingredients in a bowl, pour over the dressing and check the seasoning. Serve immediately. Make sure the walnuts are dressed just before serving, as sometimes they can impart a bitter flavour and unpleasant colour to the dressing if left to sit.
Serves 4.

Hell Fire Jelly, is the jam!

Gooooood Morning!

I bet you thought I wasnt coming back eh? No way my dears, I am back and will do my best to keep the posting coming. Internet problems are the worst and when I am not connected I feel as though I am not connected with the world. Anyway, I am connected and I am glad! Incase you didnt already know (which you dont because I never told you ;) I am a private reader of Gwyneth Paltrow. I LOVE her private blog and I must say, it totally puts mine to shame. I am honored that I even get to check it out and when I get a e-mail about a new post I immediately stop what I am doing and click on the link. Time after time, it is packed with recipes, training tips, cool ideas and of course some of Gwyn's favorite products. I love the blog mostly because it is real. There is no sugar coating and it is what it is. She doesn't try to add extra flare or recommend things that I cant afford. It is awesome. Well, one product that she loves caught my eye and I just had to try some of it myself. "Hell Fire Pepper Jell" were the words that caught my eye. Those words paired with "wheat thins" had me drooling and dreaming of my own evening slathering the jelly on countless wheat thins. Yeah, I had it bad....
I decided to contact the actress myself and beg for a sample. So nice, she replied within the same hour and told me that my own jar had already been placed in the mail. How's that for customer service!!! Within 2 days, I was holding one of the years best products I have tried so far! That says a lot my friends, as you know, I have tried a TON of things this year. Without further due:

Hell Fire Pepper Jelly
Actress Hillary Danner, has been making jams and jellies from her paradisaical back garden in Los Angeles for the last three years.
She concocted her most famous and incredibly spicy Hellfire Pepper Jelly from hot peppers in her backyard. There has been no stopping Jenkins Jellies and its been nuts ever since. Jenkins Jellies has since expanded from the back yard to using produce from mainly organic producers. You can find Jenkins Jellies at Hillary’s other project, her store, Studio Route 66.

You can buy the amazing jelly here:

http://www.jenkinsjellies.com/

Gweneth Paltrow wasnt kidding when she said that she like to slather this jelly on almost anything. You should have seen me when I first got this jar....It lasted about 2 days in my house. I LOVED them on wheat thins! Thanks Hilary for sending me the most delicious spicy jelly ever! I'm hooked and screaming from the roof tops about this product. The cute little spoon caught me by surprise and now I use it for all my jellies! If your looking for a conversation starter at a gathering or just want something to knock your socks off.

BUY THIS JELLY, it's the jam. ;) Sorry, I just had to.
Anyway, I hope you all have a great day and enjoy this short but spicy post.
-Heather

Magic, I tell you!

Hey there! I am so glad to be back!
The last few weeks I have set out to find companies that I have not reviewed and products that I have yet to try. I of course was successful! I decided that I would contact a few eco friendly website for mom's. No, I am not pregnant but I do have readers that are or have children of their own. Little did I know that one of my favorite products of all time would come from a website devoted to healthy mom's. Well, it did and I couldn't be happier to tell you about this. First let me tell you about the company!

This is straight from ecomom.com: Founded to address the connection between the health of our environment and the health of our children, EcoMom is committed to making eco-conscious living easy, affordable, and rewarding. By helping women begin to take better care of themselves and their families - with education, support, tools and products - we empower them to take the all important first steps toward a healthier, more balanced, and sustainable lifestyle.
EcoMom.com is about bridging the gap between making healthy choices and making easy choices. We created EcoMom because we care and are concerned for babies and their moms, our families and our communities. We want every mom to be an EcoMom because being an EcoMom means making choices that are good for all of us, and the planet which we all share.
Originally launched by a passionate and concerned mother, EcoMom.com has become a team of moms, dads, aunts, uncles, e-commerce veterans, business and finance professionals committed to making healthy decisions for our children and planet as easy, practical and affordable as possible.

By partnering with charities like Healthy Child Healthy World and EcoMom Alliance, and joining forces with EcoMom Experts (professionals in pertinent fields such as health, nutrition, fitness and mindful living), we provide vetted products, up to the minute information, and non-stop inspiration.

With comprehensive forums, eco-conscious connecting, e-commerce and social shopping, EcoMom.com is "Mommerce" at its best - where it is fun and easy to make mindful decisions about the products to put on, in and around children and families.
We thank everyone for showing interest in our growing company. We built EcoMom.com for you and it certainly won’t succeed without your support. Our commitment is to authenticity, integrity and the health of our children and environment, and we are grateful to you for your shared commitment to doing the right thing.

Love your Family. Love the Planet.

EcoMom's standards ensure everything that they introduce to you has the safety of your family and the health of our planet in mind. Their promise to you is the general philosophy that guides all of their decision's made at EcoMom. These promises make their brand one you can inherently trust, and because it's such a large task, they enlist the help of Healthy Child Healthy World by using the requirements set forth by them as their model.
This is their grandest responsibility, and they may not be able to offer products in every category. Good-enough will not do. However, it is also essential to remember how far they have come in this movement and how far they still have to go to guarantee that all the products to which they have access to be safe for your children and the environment. Some of the names of the chemicals they want to avoid are long and unfamiliar, so they want to offer assistance in understanding what they actually mean when they appear in a product, or why it's best to stay away.

Products must:
Not be chronically toxic - including not carcinogenic, not reproductive toxic, not endocrine disrupting, not neurotoxic, and not teratogenic
Not contain toxic dyes
Not contain health compromising chemicals - including alkylphenols, polyurethane, petroleum distillates, phosphates, chlorine, chlorinated or brominated solvents, petroleum-derived or petrochemical fragrances, parabens, sulfur oxides, organohalides, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (Perc), dioxins and furans, hexavalent chromium, organophosphate pesticides, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), 2,4, dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4, D), or triclosan.
Not contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, propylene glycol, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances, synthetic preservatives, petroleum-based ingredients, formaldehyde donors
Not contain PVC
Not contain bisphenol-A (BPA), PFCs, PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers)
Not contain heavy metals - including lead, mercury, cobalt, chromium, nickel, beryllium, arsenic, and cadmium
Not tested on animals
Not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

"Most people want to consider the health and environmental effects of the products they buy, but lack the time to research high-quality, non-toxic options." Healthy Child Healthy World.
This site has everything to offer a mom. From organic food to eco chic clothing. I am telling you, if your a parent or not, this is the site to go to. The great folks at EcoMom sent me a skin cream that rocked my world! Little did I know that I would be shouting from the roof tops about this site and this product. Ok enough already, I will tell you what it is!

Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Skin Cream "The People's Choice" is new to your market. It is a phenomenal healing balm with legendary powers due to its unique mixture of all natural ingredients derived only from living plants and organisms. Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Skin Cream "The People's Choice" has been on the market since August 1991 with a solid track record, a loyal word of mouth following, and twice the healing power for half the price of conventional skin creams.

We call Egyptian Magic "The People’s Choice" for a simple reason: It is!

Egyptian Magic Ingredients:
olive oil
bees wax
honey
bee pollen
royal jelly
bee propolis
Divine love

Well, you have a loyal customer for life! It has made the skin on my face and hands feel amazingly soft and has even healed those nasty little red veins that were starting to show up on my cheeks!! I use it every day to remove my make-up, I use it on my eyes as a night-time eye balm (yes, those little crows feet are less noticeable) and I even used it on a mosquito bite to stop the itching! The next morning, no mosquito bite...no redness and no itching! It's amazing! I am telling everyone about it.This is truly the best skin cream I have ever had. It goes with me everywhere, and stays beside my bed when at home. Thank you for such an amazing product. I feel the love!

If you are looking for a cream that will do pretty much everything, this is the product for you. Every single time that I use this cream I am amazed. I can not rave about this product more!
Please visit www.ecomom.com and see for yourself, you will thank me later!

See you soon!
-Heather

It's been a while...

Wow, I know, right? It's been a while since I have blogged. I had some computer issues and well, have been busier than a bee. I wanted to take a week off to just enjoy this weather and welcome the season change. I am happy to say, I have a ton to talk about. Of course, I will spread it out over many posts ;)

I have been fortunelate to try some pretty amazing products lately. One of which is a company by the name of Kardea. They make some pretty great food bars. This company has a ton of information on thier site and I found it so interesting that a bar could be packed full of so many benifits. I tell you what, I will tell you about Kardea and their mission! Read on...

Kardea Mission Natural Cholesterol Management:
Kardea enables and empowers people to manage their cholesterol naturally and nutritiously.
We celebrate living life well and living life naturally. We create and market the delicious natural foods, quality supplements and educational materials that allow each of us to better manage our cholesterol levels and improve our overall cardiovascular health. We’re committed to a deep and honest understanding of the evolving science supporting natural cholesterol management. To that end, we will actively partner with and support research that furthers the understanding of the power of nutrition to actively improve cardiovascular health.

About The Founder:
Rob Leighton founded Kardea as part of a personal mission to lower his own cholesterol.
At 47, Rob found himself moving from “border line” high cholesterol to outright high cholesterol. Rob notes that “it was not simply a matter of what I ate. It was a matter of genetics. Without medication, my mom’s cholesterol had exceeded 400mg/dl, and she found herself in early clinical tests for one of today’s leading cholesterol lowering medication.” “I was not ready to start down a pharmacological road.” Rob recalls. Bringing a love of culinary creations and a belief in the science of natural cholesterol management, Rob founded Kardea to create great tasting, natural foods that enable daily compliance to heart healthy therapeutic nutrition. Kardea. The coming together of taste and science for natural cholesterol management. Natural nutrition plays a powerful role in improving cholesterol levels and long-term cardiovascular health. Success with natural cholesterol management goes beyond a single vitamin or a single food. Success goes beyond restricting the intake of heart harmful cholesterol and saturated and trans fats. Success requires positive nutrients that alter cholesterol absorption and metabolism. These positive nutrients include plant sterols, viscous soluble fiber, monounsaturated fats, Omega-3s and niacin as nicotinic acid. Equally important, success requires taking these nutrients consistently and at effective levels.

Leading medical organizations --- including the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health and the American College of Cardiology– have issued a range of recommendations endorsing the principles of natural cholesterol management.
The challenge: it is difficult to enjoy enough heart healthy foods, each and every day, to have meaningful impact. Kardea was created to enable you to meet this challenge. We offer a varied selection of delicious natural foods that provide meaningful levels of positive nutrients.
Each of our great tasting snack bars delivers 50% more heart healthy soluble fiber than found in oatmeal, and each provides 1 gram of cholesterol lowering plant sterols. Our delicious extra virgin olive oil, rich monounsaturated fats, is great for dressing salads and sautéing vegetables. Each serving is fortified with ½ gram of the cholesterol lowering plant sterols.

We strive to create new foods that better enable you to integrate heart healthy nutrition into your lifestyle. In addition, our heart healthy nutritional supplements offer an easy and convenient way to get other key nutrients.
"Join us on our journey and live heart healthy."
said by founder Robert Leighton


These are the four bars that I got to try out and boy were they good.

Chai Spice Nutrition Bar
Ingredients: Brown Rice Syrup, Almonds, Rolled Oats, Agave, Soy Protein Isolate, Chicory Root Fiber, Psyllium Husk, Plant Sterol Ester, Acacia, Brown Rice Protein, Canola Oil, Tapioca Starch, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavors, Salt, Rice Bran, Black Tea, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Clove.
Nutrition Facts: 140 Calories 5g Fat (2.5 Monounsaturated; 2.0 Polyunsaturated; 0.5 Saturated; No Trans Fat; Cholesterol: 0; Sodium: 75mg; Potassium: 115mg; Total Carbs: 20g; Total Fiber: 7g; Soluble Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 8g; Protein: 7g; Plant Sterol: 1g from 1.7g plant sterol esters. Vitamin A: 0; Vitamin C: 4%; Calcium 6%; Magnesium: 6%

Banana Nut Nutrition
Ingredients: Brown rice syrup, almonds,agave, soy protein isolate, chicory root fiber, rolled oats, banana, psyllium husk, plant sterol ester, acacia fiber, brown rice protein concentrate, walnuts, molasses, canola oil, natural flavors, tapioca starch, soy lecithin, rice four, rice bran, salt, nutmeg.
Nutrition Facts: 140 Calories 5g Fat (2.5 Monounsaturated; 2.0 Polyunsaturated; 0.5 Saturated; No Trans Fat; Cholesterol: 0; Sodium: 75mg; Potassium: 115mg; Total Carbs: 20g; Total Fiber: 7g; Soluble Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 10g; Protein: 7g; Plant Sterol: 1g from 1.7g plant sterol esters. Vitamin A: 0; Vitamin

Lemon Ginger Nutrition Bar
Ingredients: Brown rice syrup, almonds, rolled oats, soy protein isolate, agave, chicory root fiber, psyllium husk, plant sterol ester, acacia fiber, brown rice protein concentrate, canola oil, lemon, tapioca starch, soy lecithin, natural flavors, rice flour salt, ginger.
Nutrition Facts: 140 Calories 5g Fat(2.5 Monounsaturated; 2.0 Polyunsaturated; 0.5 Saturated; No Trans Fat; Cholesterol: 0; Sodium: 75mg; Potassium: 115mg; Total Carbs: 20g; Total Fiber: 7g; Soluble Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 8g; Protein: 7g; Plant Sterol: 1g from 1.7g plant sterol esters. Vitamin A: 0; Vitamin C: 4%; Calcium 6%; Magnesium: 6%

Cranberry Almond Nutrition Bar
Ingredients: Almonds, Brown Rice Syrup, Rolled Oats, Agave, Soy Protein Isolate, Apple Juice Sweetened Cranberries, Chicory Root Fiber, Psyllium Husk, Plant Sterol Ester, Acacia, Brown Rice Protein,Canola Oil, Tapioca Starch, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavors, Salt.
Nutrition Facts: 140 Calories; 5g Fat (2.5 Monusaturated; 2.0 Polyunsaturated; 0.5 Saturated; No Trans Fat; Cholesterol: 0; Sodium: 65mg; Potassium: 105mg; Total Carbs: 20g; Total Fiber: 7g; Soluble Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 10g; Protein: 7g; Plant Sterol: 1g from 1.7g plant sterol esters. Vitamin A: 0; Vitamin C: 0; Calcium 4%; Iron 8% Magnesium 6%.

I had one of these bars for breakfast four days in a row and they were great! I really liked the favors (especially the lemon ginger) and they held me over for a few hours. Check out thier site and see for yourself what a great company this is!

www.kardeanutrition.com

I hope you all have a wonderful week and look forward to sharing more with you. Gotta run now but I will be back soon.

See ya!

-Heather

Hail Merry!

Hail Merry products are all RAW VEGAN & GLUTEN-FREE. They believe in the healing power of plant-based oils in their whole food raw state. Raw nuts and organic cold pressed coconut oil contain these healthy fats and are proven to improve cholesterol numbers, increase metabolism and provide an excellent source of fuel for the body.

They don’t use heated/processed oils, synthetic vitamins, soy fillers or stimulants, which flood the so- called nutritional performance snacks found on the market today. Hail Merry foods are 100% pure ingredients.

Hail Merry was created by a raw food chef who is passionate about bringing awareness to the prevalent use of vegetable oils used in baked snacks such as canola, soybean or sunflower which easily turn rancid or oxidize when they are exposed to heat and light. These rancid fats cause free radical damage to our cells, which ages the body and causes disease.

Raw & gluten-free food should taste great and not just be functional. We make snacks that truly are cravable - cravable because our bodies need the nourishment and because they taste amazing!

Hail Merry uses cold pressed organic coconut oil which:
Increases metabolism by stimulating the thyroid.

Is comprised of medium chain fats (as opposed to long chains found in animal fat), which provide quick burning fuel for the body and are not stored as body fat. Coconut oil is plant based and has zero cholesterol. Coconut oil actually reduces bad cholesterol. Coconut oil contains large amounts of Lauric acid, which is anti-viral and anti-bacterial, aiding our immune systems. Lauric acid is also prevalent in human breast milk, which is baby’s first line of defense. That is why coconut oil is used in baby formulas.


Hail Merry Uses Organic Maple Syrup and Raw Blue Agave’ to sweeten our foods:
Organic Maple Syrup is superior in flavor and is a rich source of: manganese, zinc and potassium - nature’s way of restoring balance to the body after exercise. We also use Raw Blue Agave’ in our Lemon products – known to be low glycemic.

Hail Merry Grawnola is suitable for Diabetics:
Hail Merry likes to substitute sweet with spices like cinnamon to add flavor.Cinnamon also slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. Oat based granolas are VERY high in carbs. In some cases as high as 33 grams per serving. Hail Merry Grawnola is nut based rather than grain based so the carbs are much lower at 17 grams/serving. HM Grawnola only has 9 grams of sugar per serving. HM Grawnola has half the sugar and carbs of a Larabar and is also loaded with healthy omega fats from the nuts.


Hail Merry is Gluten Free:
Hail Merry uses gluten free buckwheat groats rather than oats in her Grawnola. Buckwheat groats are an easily digestible fruit seeds loaded with amino acids. At Hail Merry we are conscious of all the new gluten free products on the market, which are no better for you than their wheat counterparts. These new gluten free snacks may contain gluten free flours like rice or potato but they are still laden with processed oils, processed sugars and then baked to further oxidize the oils. “Just because a snack is gluten free doesn’t make it healthy”

Hail Merry products were designed by a Raw Food chef whose core philosophy is to bring awareness to the powerful benefits of healthy oils, which we must obtain from our diets. These plant based fats like Omega 3 & Oleic Acid can actually improve our cholesterol profile, reduce inflammation, and make our hair & skin more radiant. Just look at this woman!!! I want to look like this! The saying "you are what you eat" is so true. I was sent three lovely items in the mail and I was sooooo happy to of gotten the chance to taste some of the products I have herd such great things about! First up:

Grawnola 369 Orange Cranberry
We designed this nutrient dense, nut blend to be very low in sugar with lots of cinnamon to aid in lowering blood glucose levels. Suitable for diabetics and gluten-free!Ingredients: Hand made with almonds, pure maple syrup, organic buckwheat groats, fresh squeezed orange juice, organic apples, pecans, organic cranberries, sunflower seeds, walnuts, organic Mexican vanilla, organic flax seeds, cinnamon, organic rice bran solubles and sea salt. OMG....this was amazing sprinkled on top of my greek yogurt, I want a never ending supply!!!!

Next up: A sweet treat!

Blonde and Chocolate Macaroons
We worked hard to make these the most luxurious, best tasting raw macaroons you will ever try. Dehydrated at low temps and made with organic expeller pressed coconut oil. If you eat these at room temp they will literally melt in your mouth!Ingredients: Made with organic shredded coconut, almond flour, organic expeller pressed coconut oil, pure maple syrup, organic Mexican vanilla and sea salt. 8 pieces. Whoa...these were amazing! I really had to use some strength to only eat one at a time. Get these now! They also have a chocolate flavor as well. I got to try both and BOTH were amazing! Either of these would satisfy your sweet tooth and make you feel as though you just did yourself a favor. Love em!

This is comfort food with residual health benefits and never too sweet tasting! The perfect afternoon mood lift or special treat for eating all those veggies! Dehydrated at low temps and made with organic expeller pressed coconut oil. Ingredients: Hand made with organic shredded coconut, dark cocoa, organic expeller pressed coconut oil, pure maple syrup, organic Mexican vanilla and sea salt.

Another product that Hail Merry sells are a variety of flavored pecans.

Orange Rosemary Pecans-3.5oz.
Hail Merry first soaks her nuts to activate the living enzymes, which aid in proper digestion. We then dehydrate at very low temperatures to protect these enzymes as well as the delicate essential fatty acids. Research suggests that eating about a handful of pecans each day can help lower cholesterol levels. Merry’s Orange Rosemary blend tastes of fresh pine, tangy orange and a touch of sea salt. Enjoy Hail Merry snacks and know that you are Feeding Your Body Royally. We celebrate our ingredients: Pecans, organic palm sugar, organic rosemary, organic orange flavor, sea salt. You all know how I feel about nuts.

I didnt get a chance to try these but they look amazing!

www.hailmerry.com

THE TRUTH ABOUT TRANS FATS:
Trans fats were created by modern technology to give processed foods a longer shelf life. Polyunsaturated fats oxidize quickly, so in order to make them perform more like a saturated fat, hydrogen is added through a process called “hydrogenation”. This chemically altered toxic trans fat is foreign to our bodies and has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and other degenerative diseases. Consuming as little as 3 grams (4 grams/donut) per day can be harmful.
Eating a diet free from hydrogenated oils is not as hard as you might think. Be smart, read your labels and know that Hail Merry snacks are trans fat free.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS:
Omega 3 & Omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids are considered essential because we must obtain them from our diet. Did you know that Omega 3 is a highly effective anti-inflammatory good for preventing heart disease, arthritis and many other degenerative diseases? While we need Omega 3 & 6 to be healthy, we must strive for a ratio of 1:1 to 4:1 (Omega 6 to Omega 3). Typical American diets are 11 – 30 times more Omega 6 than Omega 3, which leads to cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis and autoimmune diseases. We also should consume these EFA’s in their raw, unheated whole food state in order to maximize their health benefits.
One of nature’s richest sources of essential fatty acids is found in raw nuts and seeds. Hail Merry granola is loaded with Omega 3 raw flax seeds & raw walnuts and is also properly balanced with Omega 6 raw sunflower seeds to keep your engine humming and your skin glowing.

POLYUNSATURATED FATS:
Polyunsaturated fats are just that highly “un-saturated”. Sounds good right? Polyunsaturated oils become toxic when they are exposed to oxygen, heat, or light through oxidation (unlike saturated fats which are more stable). This causes the oil to become rancid and laden with free radicals. Free radicals deplete our antioxidant reserves leading to tissue damage and disease.
We need polyunsaturated fats (omegas 3 & 6) in our diet to maximize health but oxidized versions contained in processed/heated oils can be very harmful. Hail Merry dehydrates her Grawnola 369 & Macaroons at 115 degrees in order to protect the healing polyunsaturated essential fatty acids.

MONOUNSATURATED FATS:
Monounsaturated fats (Omega 9) such as those found in raw macadamia nuts, raw almonds, cold pressed olive oil and avocados are very healing to the body. These Omega 9 fats are high in Oleic Acid. Oleic Acid is known to decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol. Hail Merry Macadamia Dip, Macaroons, Miracle Tart and Granola Royale are a rich source of these healthy monounsaturated fats.

CHOLESTEROL AND SATURATED FATS:
Cholesterol is only present in animals and humans. Human bodies actually manufacture cholesterol for proper hormone functioning. However excess cholesterol consumption can be very dangerous. Plant based fats like that of olive oil or coconut oil do NOT contain cholesterol. All Hail Merry Snacks contain zero cholesterol.
Coconut oil was wrongfully tainted as an artery clogging fat back in the 70’s. It actually is comprised mainly of Medium Chain Fatty Acids (MCT’s). These MCT’s are liquid at 76 degrees and remain liquid in our bodies. They also quickly convert to energy and are most likely NOT going to be stored as body fat like long chain animal fats. Coconut oil is also very stable therefore does not oxidize easily to create free radical damage. Athletes consume 1-2 tablespoons of MCT’s before competitions for added energy! Coconut oil also contains Lauric Acid, known to be anti-bacterial/viral. How’s that for cleaning your engine! Coconut oil is what makes Hail Merry Macaroons and Miracle Tart so rich tasting. Hail Merry believes that plant based fats can heal your body if consumed in their raw whole food state. Food as medicine when consumed in reasonable quantities can and will heal the body!

I have been consuming coconut oil now for over two years and I LOVE it. I think that the benefits are amazing and if I had to choose between a oil, it would be coconut oil. When I read that Hail Merry uses coconut oil, I was sold! This company has it going on! I recommend the site and products highly!

Hope you enjoyed the review and come back for more news and reviews!

-Heather

Nature's Answer to Diet Soda.

Hello blob friends! I have to share with you something....My mom things that my blog is called a blob. HAHAHAHAHA!~ You would have to know my mom to really think that this is funny. I cant stop giggling about this. I was on the phone with her last night and she goes "Hey, how's the blob coming along." I paused for a moment and just went on to tell her how great it is and how much I love writing it. I have tried to correct her now for over a year and it is just not sticking. I decided to just let it be.

So yeah, I have a blob, not a blog. I love my blob and all my blob friends. Sorry mom but you crack me up! I would like to tell you about a company and product that I just LOVE. I introduce to you:

ZEVIA INFORMATION
ZEVIA is the first all natural zero calorie soda. With only pure ingredients, ZEVIA contains none of the chemically processed artificial sugar substitutes, artificial flavors or artificial colors found in other diet sodas. ZEVIA is all-natural, has zero calories, zero net carbs, zero fat, and little or no sodium (depending on flavor).
All seven delicious ZEVIA varieties - ZEVIA Natural Cola, ZEVIA Natural Orange, ZEVIA Natural Twist, ZEVIA Natural Root Beer, ZEVIA Natural Black Cherry, and ZEVIA Natural Ginger Ale - are healthier and taste better than any other diet soda.

Q&A's about Zevia:

What is Zevia?
Zevia with stevia is the first all natural zero calorie soda. It contains no artificial sugar substitutes - no aspartame (Nutrasweet), no sucralose (Splenda), and no saccharin (Sweet 'N Low). Zevia contains only natural ingredients and comes in seven all natural flavors: Zevia Natural Cola, Zevia Natural Ginger Root Beer, Zevia Natural Orange, Zevia Natural Twist (lemon-lime), Zevia Natual Black Cherry, and Zevia Natural Ginger Ale.

What makes Zevia the world's first all natural zero calorie soda?
The ingredients. Zevia contains none of the chemically processed artificial sugar substitutes found in diet sodas because it is sweetened with natural stevia. Diet sodas also contain artificial flavors and colors. Zevia does not. With great effort, expense, and painstaking care, Zevia LLC found the healthiest, all natural ingredients available. Many "natural" sodas contain sugar which means calories. Diet sodas are usually sweetened with processed artificial sweeteners which means chemicals. Zevia with stevia is the only truly all natural diet soda.

What is Stevia?
Stevia is an herb native to South and Central America, and grown now in Asia. For centuries, native Americans of Paraguay and Brazil called it "sweet leaf" and used it to sweeten foods. Stevia helps with dental hygiene, recent studies found it has antioxidant properties and other health benefits, and it contains no calories. Click here to learn more about stevia.

What is erythritol?
Erythritol is a natural sweetener found in many fruits and vegetables. It is extracted from those sources by a natural fermentation process. The erythritol in Zevia exists in the same form - unchanged - as it does in plants and vegetables. Although erythritol is classified as a sugar alcohol, erythritol does not cause the gastrointestinal issues associated with other polyols like xylitotl, malitol, and sorbitol.

Why is Zevia packaged in aluminum cans instead of glass bottles?
Aluminum cans are better on the environment than glass bottles. For example, making cans from recycled aluminum cuts related air pollution by 95%, whereas making glass from recycled materials reduces air pollution by only 20%. Aluminum is much lighter than glass to ship and consequently reduces stress on the environment, such as gas required to fuel trucks, materials necessary to handle the load of glass, and extra emissions from freight vehicles due to weight. The aluminum can is the most valuable beverage container to recycle. Vist Earth 911 for more information.

Is there caffeine in the Zevia Natural Cola?
Zevia Natural Cola is naturally caffeinated with 45 mgs of natural caffeine derived from coffee. Compare this to 45.6 mgs. in Diet Coke, and 36 mgs. in Diet Pepsi®. Zevia Natural Root Beer, Zevia Natural Orange and Zevia Natural Twist, Zevia® Natural Black Cherry, and Zevia Natural Ginger Ale are caffeine-free.

What effect does Zevia have on blood sugar levels?
None. Zevia contains no sugar, and has no effect on blood sugar levels. Zevia contains erythritol, a natural sugar alcohol found in fruits and vegetables. Neither erythritol nor stevia affect blood sugar levels.

Does Zevia contain any sugar or artificial sweeteners?
No. Zevia is sweetened instead with stevia. That's why Zevia® is the only truly all natural diet soda.

Does Zevia have calories, carbohydrates, or fat?
No. Zevia has no calories, no net carbohydrates, and no fat. Zevia® is Nature's Answer To Diet Soda.

Why do the Zevia Nutrition Facts Panels show carbohydrates?
Erythritol theoretically has carbohydrates. However, the body does not process them, which is why Zevia still has zero calories. Erythritiol is excreted through the urine unchanged from its original form. Of course, we disclose the carbohydrates, but we say Zevia has zero "net carbs" because the carbohydrates have no effect on blood sugar, do not assist in weight gain, and do not provide any energy like other carbs which also have calories.

What does all "natural" mean?
It means Zevia contains nothing artificial. Zevia has only pure ingredients. The United States Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are considering particular definitions of "natural." Zevia meets or exceeds all these proposed standards. Beware of products that claim to be natural, but really are not. Zevia is truly all natural.

Does Zevia cause tooth decay?
No. Most tooth decay is caused by the fermentation of sugar in the presence of bacteria. Zevia is sugar free. Neither erythritol nor stevia - two of the primary ingredients in Zevia - are fermentable. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of the phrase "Erythritol Does Not Promote Tooth Decay" as a health claim on food packaging.

How does Zevia rank on the glycemic index (GI)?
Zevia has a glycemic index (GI) of zero.

Please go to their site and see for yourself!

www.zevia.com

This is my favorite flavor! I LOOOOOOOVE Dr.Zevia! The cola, orange and ginger ale all rock too! I have made mixed drinks with them and just straight up. If you just have to fill that craving of a fizzy soda, this should be your pick. If you live in my area you can get Zevia at EarthFare and even at Kroger (bottom self where the juices and teas are in the health food section.) Oprah's magazine is O is raving about it, I saw it on the Tyra Banks show and now my blog! HA! I actually raved about this soda many times before and will continue. Treat yourself with a six pack of Zevia, you deserve it!

In fact, I will treat one lucky reader with a mixed 6 pack. You can do one of three. If you choose to do more than one you will be entered an additional time for each.

1: Link my blog and post to your blog.

2: Link my blog to your facebook page.

3: Leave me a comment telling me which flavor you would like to try most!

I will announce the winner on Monday! Thanks so much for dropping by and I will see you tomorrow, FRIDAY!!!! YES, we made it!

-Heather

Why Water Retention Can Mess Up Your Diet

Good mornin! I hope that this photo makes you laugh. When I found it, I cracked up for about 10 minutes. I mean....we have all been there and we all know what this feels like. Today's post is a good one. It is about water retention.

When people get serious about their diets, they tend to start monitoring their weight and how they look in the mirror just as seriously. Each morning begins with getting on the scale, looking down between your feet and watching to see how the numbers have changed. Some people even track their body fat percentages on scales that measure that by passing a pulse through your body, telling you your body composition. But such meticulous monitoring can lead to despair if, despite following your diet and exercise regimen religiously, you don't get the results you want. Are you failing to lose weight, or is something else at fault?

First off, lets be honest. Its very possible that you simply have your diet set wrong. If you are putting in more calories than you are burning, then you will not lose weight. You need to be sure that you are on a caloric deficit so as to lose weight; if after a month or two you are simply not doing so, then perhaps you have to go back to basics and examine your equations, make sure that you are indeed running at a deficit.

However, lets assume that you've got your diet down right. You're running a deficit, you're exercising a bunch, and still you aren't losing weight. Or youre losing only a little. Whats going on? The culprit can be water retention. Some people have no problem with this, and will lose weight gradually and predictably without any problem. Others, however, will retain water of varying amounts, so that even though they are losing fat, they are not losing weight.

This will vary amongst people. Some people will retain water like mad, especially if they are trying an extreme diet with an extreme workout program. Additionally, women have to deal with the shift in water in their systems due to their monthly menstrual cycle; some women may retain little to no water, while others may retain an extra 5-10lbs. Given that women lose fat slower than men, this can make a woman feel a sense of hopelessness when trying to lose weight she could be doing everything right, and still retain water, and it might take a month or more for her to notice the effects of her correct diet.

What often happens is that people who retain water will notice no change for an extended period of time, and then suddenly lose like 5lbs overnight, and look noticeably different the next morning. This can happen regularly, or once every couple of months; it makes it impossibly hard to tell if you are losing weight properly and just retaining water, or if your diet is simply not working.

The solution to this dilemma is to find a better metric to measure that simple weight. Body fat percentage can be tricky too if you're using those hydrostatic scales, since they gauge your percentage by water, and thus can be thrown off by water retention. One of the best ways to tell is to watch your performance in the gym, to make sure your strength isn't is decreasing, to monitor your energy levels and to measure. Those are a much better gauge of your success. Just be aware that water retention can skew your results, and adjust accordingly! I would like to give a big shout out to the ones that have lost inches this month! I am sooooo proud of you and I have to say, I was so surprised to see some of the numbers. You ladies rock my world and really show me how it's done! Keep it up! Below is a list of foods that will help you shed that water weight that is making you feel fat, when your not.

Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients and provide the body with hydration. Mayo Clinic nutritionist, Katherine Zeratsky, suggests a diet rich in fruits and vegetables as a helpful tool toward reducing water retention, because they can provide a natural diuretic effect. Fruits and vegetables can increase the body's fluid-flushing capabilities and increase urination. Fruits and vegetables highest in water content, such as fresh watermelon, onion, celery, tomatoes, lemons and cucumbers, generally prove most helpful in reducing water retention. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables might provide similar effects, though fresh varieties are ideal.


Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Omega-6 fatty acids are fats that body requires but cannot produce on its own. They must be acquired through food. Omega-6 fats support brain function, hair growth, skin health and promote a person's overall physical growth and development. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, omgea-6 fats might also help reduce bodily swelling and bloating associated with PMS. Valuable sources of omega-6 fats include safflower oil, soybean oil, turkey, peanut oil, pork, margarine and shortening. But because margarine and shortening also contain trans fats, which can increase the risk of high cholesterol and heart disease, plant-based oils and turkey are recommended.

Potassium-Rich Foods
Potassium is an important mineral and electrolyte, or salt that produces an electrical charge. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, potassium deficiency can cause bloating. Dehydration, excessive exercise, vomiting, diarrhea and metabolic disorders can cause potassium deficiency. To promote potassium levels and prevent resultant bloating, foods rich in potassium are recommended. These include baked potatoes, prune juice, lima beans plums, bananas, raisins, acorn squash, tomato juice, raisin bran and almonds.

Low-Sodium Soups
Low-salt soups, such as broth-based vegetable, chicken or whole grain-noodle soups, provide the body with hydration. Though it might seem counter-intuitive, increasing fluid intake is a helpful step toward reducing water retention. Because canned soups tend to contain high amounts of sodium, homemade soups or canned, broth-based soups specifically labeled "low sodium" or "reduced sodium" are recommended for best results.

I hope that you found this interesting and just know, we all go through this period and we all have our days where we feel fat and bloated. Dont fret! You can get even water retention under control.

-Heather