Monthly Archives: June 2016

The Things I Don’t Tell You

Hey there! Thanks for reading!

So, as you probably know, I talk a lot about food. I give you recipes, info on healthy eating, some mind shift tips and meal planning advice. Maybe you’ve read about my DIY beauty products and natural deodorant. It’s all great stuff.  And, it really only makes up a small portion of what I talk about as a health coach.

The other day I was at a book launch party, and I spent about an hour with one person. I know I know, you’re supposed to network at networking events! But when you find someone that gets you, it happens! We spoke about fecal transplants, fertility, infertility, hormones, poop (maybe that’s a given with fecal transplants… did you know you can do them at home?), yeast infections, anal and vaginal fissures and so much more. It was the first time we met. She sent me a follow up note letting me know what a treat is was to be able to speak about those things with someone else.

There is nothing that I won’t talk about and almost nothing is too weird for me (nothing has been too weird for me yet, but hey, you never know!). I’m telling you this because I want you to know that you can talk to me. I’ve gone through my own health struggles, and as a coach I’ve worked with many people with all types of symptoms, from diabetes to chronic headaches, trouble with digestion (SIBO, IBS, food allergies/sensitivities) to anxiety. Many of them started off with multiple symptoms that didn’t connect. And, for many, together we’ve been able to identify the root causes of their symptoms and address them. For others, we find ways for them to work with what they’re dealing with in a way that minimizes their discomfort and stress.

It can be hard to ask questions about what’s going on with your body. In general, it hasn’t been very accepted. Women are told to be hush hush about their periods (and anything related to our vaginas), men are taught to be hush hush about everything (or to make jokes about anything uncomfortable), no one is supposed to talk about poop (did you know there’s something called a Bristol scale? Here’s a link… it’s like the shit list posters from college that made fun of different kinds of poop, except this is a medical scale and it’s really informative). But the things that are deemed “gross” or “too personal” are really important health indicators. It’s all connected and important.

You know, the first time I wrote an article about dealing with endometriosis (I was diagnosed in 2014), all these people I knew wrote me telling me they had it, or their partners had it. So many people suffer alone or in small circles, but we really all have so much in common. So, talk to someone. Your friends, family, doctors, health coach, therapist, whatever. Because together, we have so much more information and knowledge to share. Our collective experience points to patterns and solutions, and creates comfort and camaraderie. So, let me know. What’s going on with you? What are you too embarrassed to ask?

bliss bites

Recipe: No Bake Nutty Bliss Bites

Looking for a healthy snack you can whip up in no time? You’re in the right place. These bites are easy to make, require no special equipment besides a bowl and your hands, and you can make substitutions easily with whatever you have on hand. My only suggestion is to keep the flax for fiber, and use unsweetened fruit and nut butters. Enjoy!

No Bake Nutty Bliss Bites

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup peanut butter (you can also use sunflower butter, almond butter or any other nut butter base)
¼ cup coconut flakes
1/8 cup raisins (or currants, cranberries or dried cherries)
¼ cup walnuts (or almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds)
¼ cup flaxmeal
¼ tsp vanilla extract
½ tablespoon maple syrup
Dash of salt
¼ cup gluten free oat bran or rolled oats

DIRECTIONS

Add all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to mix everything together and roll into balls.

Makes 10 balls.

Rich in fiber and protein! A great snack for before a workout.

crispy chickpeas

Recipe: Crispy Baked Chickpeas

Bored of your go-to meals? This one easy dish takes hardly any active time and it can add a ton of pizazz to any meal or snack! I love to eat them on their own or use them as a topping with some of my favorite meals.

Crispy chickpeas are actually one of the first foods I ever learned to cook. I was 12 years old and oh so proud. Just slip these bad-boys in the oven for 20-40 minutes and you’ve got an instant hit.

Chickpeas are also a major superfood. They are loaded with fiber – 12.5 grams in a cup – and pack quite a protein punch. Fiber and protein also work together to help stabilize blood sugar  (i.e. no sugar highs of crashes throughout the day) and leave you feeling full and satisfied.

Crispy Baked Chickpeas (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)

Serving size: 1/2 cup Servings per recipe: 3

INGREDIENTS

1.5 cups canned or cooked chickpeas
1 tbs olive oil
3/4 tsp cumin
½ tsp coriander
1/8 tsp cayenne
1/8 tsp chili powder
¼ tsp sumac (optional, don’t worry if you can’t find it)
1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2. Mix chickpeas, oil and spices in a large bowl so the chickpeas are all well coated.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.
  4. Place on lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes.
  5. Some people like their chickpeas very crunchy and dry, while others prefer them softer. Adjust baking time depending on your preference.

And in case you need some fresh ideas, here are 6 ways to use these crispy chickpeas to boost the nutritional value and flavor of any meal or snack.

  1. Eat them instead of popcorn or chips! These crispy guys provide the salt, the crunch, and unlike popcorn or chips, a ton of protein.
  2. Mix them with yellow raisins for a sweet and salty treat. This is actually a traditional way of eating them in countries like Greece and Morocco. These are great for the 2pm slump as you’ll get a quick energy boost from the sugar in the raisins, and some longer-lasting energy from the chickpeas.
  3. Add them on top of salads instead of croutons. They’re naturally gluten-free and don’t pack empty calories like croutons.
  4. Make your own buddha bowl! Add chickpeas to a bowl with brown rice and steamed greens and you have a complete meal. Top with your favorite dressing.
  5. Try them on top of oatmeal for a savory breakfast or add them on top of scrambled eggs for a heartier breakfast with some crunch.
  6. Love avocado toast? Add some crispy chickpeas for a fun new topping. The contrasting colors are also great for photos and making your guests drool!