Chickpea Salad (Mock Tuna Salad)

Enjoy this deliciously light and tasty chickpea salad in lieu of tuna. Better for you. Better for the tuna. Great on your choice of bread or even on top of a green salad. Healthy beans, greens, and whole grains!


What You Need: 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed 2 stalks of celery (or more . . . to your liking) 2 spring onions, white part only 3 small dill pickles (or relish, which you won't need to pulse) 1 tbsp nutritional yeast 3 tbsp vegan mayonnaise 1 tsp onion powder or flakes 1 tbsp horseradish (optional, if you like spicy stuff!) 1/2 tsp celery salt (optional) 2 tsp Bragg's Liquid Aminos (optional) 1 tsp Tumeric (optional) 1 tsp cayenne, or other pepper (optional . . . I like a lot of spice!) What You Do: Pulse the chickpeas in a food mixer until flaky. Transfer to a bowl. Pulse the celery, spring onion and dill pickles until finely minced, add to the bowl and stir in all the other ingredients. Done! Easy schmeasy!! Make a sandwich with your preferred whole grain bread, or pita, or wrap . . . OR, serve with yummy crackers, OR on celery stalks, OR cucumber slices . . . . so many ways to enjoy this! :)


Looking to transition to a Whole Food Plant-Based lifestyle? I offer WFPB Coaching!

Break Away From Unhealthy, Sugar-Laden Sports Drinks!

Learn more and place your order here:  http://bit.ly/LAMineralsAntiox

Americans are deficient in minerals. In fact, way back in 1936, the Department of Agriculture told congress that 99% of the population was deficient. Regrettably, there are many more recent studies confirming varying amounts of mineral deficiencies in our diet, mainly due to their depletion in our soil. 

We need minerals! Vitamins cannot work properly without them and they are absolutely vital to maintain our mental and physical well-being. Since the body cannot manufacture minerals, they must come from our diet. 

Life’s Abundance Minerals & Antioxidants drink mix is a delicious way to supplement your diet. 

This unique mix is made with a variety of freshly harvested sea vegetables and contains approximately 74-plant based, naturally chelated, trace minerals. For an additional nutritional boost, it also contains antioxidants from 11 nutrient-rich super fruits like acai, cranberry, goji, maqui and pomegranate ... making this a high ORAC beverage blend. ORAC stands for oxygen radical absorbance capacity and it's a way of measuring the antioxidant level, which is important because antioxidants are essential to good health. 

Unlike many liquid water enhancers made from chemicals, our formula is made with coconut water and aloe vera and it does not contain any added sugar, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. The organic coconut water replaces electrolytes plus it is alkalizing, which helps to restore a natural pH balance in the body and counters the effects of an acidic diet. 

Instead of giving you a sugar crash like most other “health” drinks, our Minerals & Antioxidants mix gives you sustained energy. 

Give hydration a boost with Life’s Abundance Minerals & Antioxidants. In two delicious flavors, Cherry and Tropical Fruit, pour into a water bottle for a convenient, go-anywhere nutritious drink. Take it to the gym or give a bottle to the kids … it’s delicious, refreshing and nourishing! 


Learn more and place your order here:  http://bit.ly/LAMineralsAntiox


Nutritional Information:

• Non GMO
• Gluten free
• Vegan
• Soy free
• Dairy free
• Naturally flavored
• No added sugar
• No artificial flavors
• No artificial colors
• No artificial preservatives

Aloe Vera

Packed with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins including five B vitamins. It is also rich in minerals including calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium and potassium 

Organic Coconut Water

Natural source of the electrolytes calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and sodium which are important for hydration. Organic, plant-based alternative to sugary sports drinks. 

Red Marine Algae (Lithothamnion sp.)

A plant-based source of marine minerals, unlike other products that are derived from limestone. A marine mineral complex including bioactive calcium, magnesium, selenium and 71 other trace marine minerals. 

Acai

High in the antioxidant vitamin A. A source of fiber and healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. 

Amla

Uniquely rich in antioxidants and a wide array of vitamins and minerals including vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium. Plus, Omega-3 and Omega-6. 

Goji

Nutrient-rich source of antioxidants including beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. 

Pomegranate

Rich in potent antioxidants and an array of vitamins and minerals. 

Acerola

Very high in the antioxidant vitamin C, vitamin A and healthy fats, Omega-3 and Omega-6. 

Mangosteen

Flavorful tropical fruit known to possess a potent spectrum of antioxidants called xanthones. It is also rich with vitamins and minerals including thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, manganese and potassium. 

Strawberry

Delicious source of antioxidant phytonutrients and dietary fiber. 

Cranberry

High nutrient and antioxidant power with vitamin C and vitamin E, plus vitamin A. Also, a source of fiber. 

Maqui

A deep purple pigmented fruit with highest known ORAC level of any berry. 

Jabuticaba

This deliciously sweet dark purple berry is a rich source of many antioxidant compounds including the unique jaboticabin. 

Schisandra

This antioxidant-rich red berry possesses unique lignins. 

Grape Seed Extract

An antioxidant powerhouse. 

Red Beet

Good source of folate, potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants.

Learn more and place your order here:  http://bit.ly/LAMineralsAntiox

Pico de Gallo ~ Easy Summertime Recipe

It's too hot to cook, so here's an easy summertime recipe you can make for any gathering . . . . even if it's just a family meal! Don't forget the chips!!  

What You Need:

• 2 large fresh ripe tomatoes, diced (we prefer Roma)

• ½ onion, chopped

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1/2 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped 

• 1 green onion, chopped

• ½ cup cilantro leaves, chopped

• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

• 2 drops YL Lime essential oil

• 1 drop YL Coriander essential oil

• Salt and pepper

What You Do:

Combine tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeno, green onion, cilantro, lemon juice, Lime, and Coriander in a medium size bowl. Mix together and add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for 30 minutes prior to serving to let flavors develop. Serve with your favorite chips, or use as a topping for bean burritos!  Enjoy!!  

Get started on your amazing essential oils journey here:

www.NaturalLivingEssentialOils.com

Mixed Berries with Orange Cashew Cream

Here's a super simple summertime recipe for those of you who appreciate the bounty of the season!


What You Need:

1 cup raw cashews (soaked in water 2-3 hours)
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp Bee Free honey
5 drops Young Living Orange Vitality essential oil*
1/3 cup water

Assorted fresh mixed berries (can also use frozen berries thawed at room temperature)

What You Do:

Drain cashews & blend with vanilla, honey, essential oil and water until smooth.

Serve in parfait cups over fresh berries. Enjoy!  Serves 4-6 depending on serving size.

* Young Living Essential Oils is the only brand I trust for my recipes!

www.NaturalLivingEssentialOils.com

Live Your Passion Essential Oil Blend by Young Living

Live Your Passion is a sweet, joyful blend of nine essential oils:

Orange, Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood, Nutmeg, Lime, Idaho Blue Spruce, Northern Lights Black Spruce, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, and Peppermint.

This proprietary blend was created specifically for the Young Living 2016 International Grand Convention and was named after its theme, Live Your Passion. The convention’s focus was to inspire and support people to pursue their personal goals and dreams and live a life full of meaning, purpose, and passion.

Add a drop or two to your diffuser necklace or over your heart every day and get ready to Live Your Passion . . . . ♥

Contact Me for more information on how to get started on your amazing essential oils journey!

Lavender Lemonade with Bee Free Honee :)

Enjoy a refreshing twist on a classic beverage. This lemonade recipe includes Bee Free Honee and Lavender Vitality™ essential oil for an added touch of sophistication and depth.

Sophisticated, yes. Complicated, no. With just five simple ingredients, this is a warm-weather treat you can whip up in minutes. So throw on a sun hat, grab your favorite book, and find a sunny spot. This Lavender Lemonade is the perfect summer companion. 

What You Need:

• 6 lemons, juiced
• 1 lime, juiced
• ½ cup Bee Free Honee
• 2 drops Lavender Vitality essential oil
• Ice water, about 10 cups
• Lavender sprigs, optional

What You Do:

1. Combine lemon juice, lime juice, Honee, and Lavender Vitality in a large glass pitcher
2. Add water to taste
3. Stir until well mixed
4. Garnish with sprigs of lavender

Yield: About 10 cups

Get started on your amazing Essential Oils journey here:

www.NaturalLivingEssentialOils.com

Essential Oils for Every Home . . . That's Our Mission!

Introduction to Essential Oils

Freshly cultivated and painstakingly distilled without the use of chemicals, the essential oils in the Young Living collection are life-enhancing gifts from the plant kingdom, revered for centuries for their restorative properties to the body, mind, and spirit. Pure essential oils now re-emerge as a key solution to the challenges facing modern lifestyles. 

Essential oils have also been used for thousands of years for natural healing and cosmetic purposes, as well as for their spiritually and emotionally uplifting properties. Young Living has always been at the forefront of bringing this ancient tradition to modern users, introducing millions to a total mind / body / spirit wellness they may never have dreamed possible. Primarily extracted through careful steam distillation but also through cold pressing, the purest essential oils are far more powerful than the botanicals from which they were extracted. Any time you hold a bottle of our powerful essential oils, you are holding nature's pure essence.


Complex & Unique

Synthetic compounds may be copies of the chemical formulas of compounds found in essential oils, but they are lacking the subtle energies contained in natural substances. Those who apply essential oils for healing soon learn that only pure, natural, complete, and unadulterated oils bring about healing, while synthetic oils, or oils adulterated by synthetic compounds, do not. 

For example, in the case of the oil of wintergreen, the natural oil is harmless, with many healing properties, while the synthetic version does not heal and is, in fact, toxic. Both smell and taste like wintergreen, but they are not the same therapeutically. Furthermore, research has shown that the homeopathic properties of a substance, though chemically identical, are not the same energetically for synthetic compounds as they are for natural ones.

Essential oils are not simple. They consist of hundreds of compounds, the numbers and formulas for which are not completely known even for one species of oil.


Wholesale Membership with Any Premium Starter Kit

Ensure you will always have the benefits of Young Living's 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils on hand with our new Premium Starter Kit featuring Everyday Oils, as well as select oils from our Vitality Collection! These oils are a great way to get started and will help you provide ongoing support for your home and for the health of you and your family, including your pets. 

Of course, if you simply prefer to become a Retail Customer, that is perfectly alright!

Earn Extra Income

Young Living offers a wonderful way to earn extra income just for sharing YLEOs with your family, friends, co-workers . . . . anyone who wants to transition to natural healing remedies and replace the toxic products in their homes. 

For more information on how to earn 'thank you' checks, message me directly or visit www.NaturalLivingEssentialOils.com

Peanut Butter's Surprising Health Benefits

 

Plus, 4 easy ways to add it to your diet!


Spread the Good News ~ Peanut butter is not just for kids. Adults, too, can reap health benefits from adding it to their diet. Granted, it’s not exactly low in calories, but we’re only talking about a few tablespoonfuls in exchange for a pile of nutrients: protein, heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, fiber, bone-building magnesium, and potassium, a mineral important for blood pressure and heart function. For the healthiest choice, pick peanut butter without added sugar, salt or hydrogenated oil.


Control Your Cravings ~ Eating 3 tablespoons of peanut butter (or 1½ ounces of peanuts) at breakfast helped overweight women feel fuller and have fewer hunger cravings, a 2013 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed. Not only did the women report feeling satiated eight to 12 hours after breakfast, but the peanut butter helped keep their blood sugar levels steady in the afternoon.


Protect Your Heart ~ Numerous studies have shown that people who regularly include nuts or peanut butter in their diets are less likely to develop heart disease or type 2 diabetes compared to those who rarely eat nuts, says Walter Willett, professor of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. PB also is a good source of potassium ~ a mineral crucial to heart function.

Good for Your Glucose ~ Two ounces of nuts (or peanut butter) a day improved both glucose levels and blood fats in those with type 2 diabetes, researchers at the University of Toronto found. Aim for natural peanut butter, which has less sugar. Some PB spreads, including reduced-fat versions, have high amounts of added sugar.


Build Your Muscles ~ We lose muscle mass as we age, which is why older adults need to be sure they get enough muscle-building protein in their diets. In 2015, researchers found that those who ate the most plant protein ~ like that found in peanut butter and nuts ~ had the strongest thigh muscles, which are important for balance.


Help You Live Longer ~ Eating more peanuts or peanut butter ~ roughly 2 tablespoons of either daily ~ is linked with 20 percent fewer early deaths from all causes, according to a 2015 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine that looked at the diets of more than 200,000 people in the U.S. and China. Researchers think it may be because peanuts are rich in heart-healthy nutrients.


Here’s How to Add It to Your Diet

~ Swirl a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter into your morning oatmeal.
~ Make a peanut butter smoothie with PB, bananas, non-dairy plant milk or yogurt, a little Bee Free Honee and ice. Blend until smooth.
~ Pack a midmorning snack of apple slices and peanut butter.
~ Enjoy a slice of whole-grain bread (toasted if you like!) slathered with peanut butter.

Be sure your choice of peanut butter is a healthy one! Look for less than 3 grams of sugar per serving. In general, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter should contain about 200 calories, 15 grams of fat, 8 grams of carbohydrate (1 to 2 grams of sugar), and 7 grams of protein.

Get the Scoop on Adulterated Oils

The purity of essential oils is vital to not only their effectiveness but their safety as well. Essential oils are rich in molecules that help carry oxygen, nutrients, and other substances through the cell membranes. Combine essential oils with impure or toxic substances, and they will take those poisons right into every cell of your body.

Not only that but unsuspecting consumers may apply oils only to find that the supposedly pure essential oil irritates because it contains added chemicals and components that are irritating to the skin.

Instead of experiencing the benefits of wholesome essential oils from Young Living, consumers may instead be poisoning themselves unknowingly, or decide that essential oils don't work because they tried using inferior essential oils.

RED FLAGS THAT YOUR ESSENTIAL OILS MAY BE TAINTED

• Bargain prices - $9.00 for 1/2 oz. of "pure, organic" lavender oil, $25.00 for "pure" frankincense.
• Warning labels that say the product is "for external use only," "not for internal use," or recommend that you always dilute the essential oil before applying topically.
• You get your essential oils at a health food store or a website that sells soap-making and candle-making supplies.
• It's not from Young Living Essential Oils.

Safety Notice:  Never purchase essential oils from online websites like Amazon or Ebay ~ these oils could be adulterated and could be dangerous to your health!

WHY YOUNG LIVING

Please understand that many oil companies purchase their oils from 3rd party oil distilleries. These 3rd party distilleries focus on quantity over quality, which means the oils they produce are commonly distilled more than once or in ways to hurry the process ~ thereby depleting the oil's therapeutic value.

Oils from companies who purchase 3rd party distilled oils are therefore technically ‘pure’ and ‘organic’ but degraded through distilling short-cuts. A good example of this is using a tea bag multiple times to brew tea.

Young Living does not purchase their oils from 3rd party distilleries, and their Seed to Seal production ensures that their oils are authentic, therapeutic-grade and the purest oils you can find in the world. How pure? Many of their oils contain supplement labels on them. Young Living's quality standard is much more robust than simply being organic.

This is why thousands of people all over the world choose Young Living Essential Oils.

BUY FROM THE SOURCE! 

You can get huge member discounts with no obligations 

by becoming a member of Young Living.

www.NaturalLivingEssentialOils.com

            

Citrus Oils & Your Teeth ~ Are They Safe?!

With the ongoing debate about the effects of citrus oils on tooth enamel, we decided to find answers for ourselves! Led by Dr. Michael Buch, former section president of the American Association of Dental Research and Young Living Vice President of Research and Development and Product Management, along with his team, performed a laboratory analysis to determine if Young Living’s pure citrus essential oils affected tooth enamel similarly to citrus juices.





Now that you’ve got the facts, which of our delicious citrus Vitality essential oils will you be adding to your next recipe?

Get started on your amazing essential oils journey here:

www.NaturalLivingEssentialOils.com

A Practical Approach to a Lifestyle of Wellness in 2016

As we get further into 2016, how are your resolutions holding up?! A lot of us make resolutions on New Year's Day in an effort to live better, however, as we get further into the new year, many of those resolutions tend to go by the wayside. If your resolutions include eating better, exercising, and adopting other healthy habits, here are a few tips to help in your quest for wellness:

1. Improve Your Intake

• H2O! ~ Simply increasing your water intake will help detoxify your body and motivate you to be more conscientious of what else you’re ingesting. Try adding tasty essential oils to your water make it more interesting. Lemon, Lime, and Tangerine are all favorites, but don’t forget Grapefruit, Lavender, and Peppermint! In fact, try making your own Grapefruit-Mint Spritzer to enjoy a great blend of flavors that may make sweets and sugary drinks a little less appealing.

• Super Snacks ~ Replace your favorite unhealthy treats with wholesome alternatives to help you stay on track. These Nuts About Wolfberries Energy Bars and Wolfberry Crisp Bars can be made ahead of time for a delicious and satisfying snack anytime you’re tempted.

• Supplements ~ If NingXia Red^® and Wellness Supplements^™ aren’t already part of your daily regimen, try adding them in the coming year to add an infusion of nutrients and essential oils to your day.

2. Sneak In Some Exercise

• Take the Scenic Route ~ We keep hearing it because it keeps working! Walk the long way to the bathroom, park further away in the parking lot, or take the “bumblebee” approach to your grocery list. A few more steps each day go a long way in the end.
• Flex ~ In line at the store, on the couch watching TV, during your shower, or any other time you are otherwise sedentary, flex your abs for 10 seconds at a time and repeat at least 10 times to tone and strengthen your core.
• Ditch Your Desk ~ Forget the phone or email and walk to your co-workers’ desks to talk, have walking meetings, pace while you are on the phone, stretch regularly at your desk, and take a short walk for your breaks. It’s easy to get your 30 minutes of exercise each day when you break it into 10-minute increments.

3. Review and Revise

• Meditate ~ Take time each day for quiet reflection and meditation on your goals, as well as your peace of mind. Just a few minutes to nurture your soul each day will help give you a greater sense of purpose and well-being.
• Track It ~  The simple act of observing something creates observable changes. So keep track of your food and water intake, your exercise, your meditation, and any other goals you have ~ you are bound to improve on them!
• ALL Results Motivate Change ~ Even if the scale goes up or you miss your workout, recognizing mistakes and their consequences will help keep you motivated to improve. Likewise, your positive results will help you keep up the great work.

Small changes can make a big difference in physical, mental, and emotional health. What are some changes you have already made for a better you in 2016?

Have Questions?! Contact Me HERE!

Get started on YOUR amazing essential oils journey here:

www.NaturalLivingEssentialOils.com

How To Rest In Eco-Friendly Peace

According to a recent article in Sierra Magazine, there are fewer than 350 traditional, full body burial sites left in North America, which does not bode well for those wishing to be buried the traditional way. Of course, if you decide on cremation, you'll need a biodegradable container and a burial location. Fortunately, most conventional cemeteries have space for this option. Some even provide special sections for green burials ~ meaning those that forego embalming, specialty caskets, or urns. There are also some cemeteries that are adjacent to sprawling natural areas, such as protected state parks and forests, and are considered particularly desirable.

The really great news is that for those of us who are tree huggers and want to remain eco-friendly even after we croak, there are lots of groovy options for us to consider in the afterlife. Some of those choices include turning yourself into a "memorial diamond" through a company called LifeGem, a company that compresses your ashes into an authentic diamond or other cremation jewelry. Or, why not speak to your loved ones from beyond the grave by having your ashes pressed into a vinyl record complete with a pre-recorded message from you courtesy of a company called And Vinyly. Another cool option for nature lovers comes from a company called Eternal Reefs, who will mix your ashes with cement and turn you into an underwater memorial that will help to restore some of our most fragile ecosystems off our coasts. How can you not love a creative solution that provides an environment to support coral and micro-organisms?! And, you even get a military-style ceremony for your burial at sea! 

As amazing as some of these options are, my absolute favorite is the one that allows you to become a tree! Natural burial is the ultimate 'back to the land' movement that buries your ashes in biodegradable containers, without formaldehyde-based embalming fluid or synthetic ingredients, and returns you to the earth to compost into soil nutrients and a forest of trees! Of all the companies I've researched for this particular choice, the one that I would likely choose is Bios Urn. The Bios Urn is a fully biodegradable urn designed to convert you into a tree after life. Mainly composed of two parts, the urn contains a seed which will grow to in the name of your loved one. Bios Urn turns death into a transformation and a return to life through nature. It is made using 100% biodegradable materials, and is respectful to the environment in all the ways possible. Built with a special capsule that meets the needs of any type of tree, it’s the perfect medium to allow for the proper growth of a tree or plant when planted with the remains of yourself or your loved one.

So, do you want to spend eternity as worm food, or would you prefer sheltering birds and squirrels and other tiny creatures? I would certainly opt for the latter! 

Why not merge the ashes with the seed of your favorite type of tree, so that combined they form together a new life. You will carry on as another beautiful living being in the form of a tree . . . . something your loved ones can visit and care for! The tree will survive throughout generations and will also have its own descendants . . . . new young trees. That’s quite a reincarnation, a spiritual symbol of the circle of life. Even the most twisted tree is a unique and alive work of art. 

Can you picture yourself in your favorite spot in the forest, in the park, or in the garden? It's unlikely one could imagine the same depth of tranquility in the cemetery.

After spending our lives acquiring objects, it might seem fitting to become something much more useful after death.

If traditional burial isn’t your thing, one of these awesome alternatives is sure to please you for all of eternity!