Wonderful-living

1 lb fresh organic okra

1 tablespoon organic canola or olive oil

1 medium organic onion, thinly sliced 

1 medium organic tomato

1 tablespoon ground coriander

2 teaspoons fennel crushed fennel seeds

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

3/4 teaspoon natural sea salt

1/2 teaspoon tumeric, ground

1/2 teaspoon organic cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (natural)

Directions: Wash and dry fresh okra, remove stems and tips, cut crosswise in halves. Wash tomato, half and cut into wedges.

In a large stainless steel skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and toast until brown. add onion, tomato and okra to skillet. Next, sprinkle with coriander, fennel, tumeric, salt and cayenne pepper. Stir all ingredients together, reduce heat and cook covered until okra is tender. Stir in lemon juice before serving .  

Think organic is only in the  fruits and vegetables we eat? It is also (thanks to sober thinking individuals), in the baking ingredients that can be used in making baked goods .

Have you visited your local grocery store recently? Well, it’s worth a visit. There you will find a variety of organic products, ranging from the non-hydrogenated organic margarine to cream cheese and also sour cream, just to name a few.

This is good news especially being able to buy grocery without genetically modified ingredients. Thanks to our Organic Farmers who are contributing to a healthier lifestyle, ensuring that what goes into the body and the planet earth is not laden with pesticides and harmful chemicals.

With that said there is plenty of organic flour which is the most basic ingredient in baking, a choice of  all-purpose or wholewheat.

The organic butter helps to make baked good light and fluffy. To spice your baking up and make it a little sweet there is organic honey and also, organic maple syrup; but do not forget the organic sugar which is not as sweet as the ordinary sugar.

So when you think of baking for the family, make sure  to  have the basic  organic essentials on hand, give the family the best organic pastries and also, a good and healthy lifestyle.

What is exercise? This can be referred to as the regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ. It is also bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness.

There are numerous benefits that can be obtained from doing exercise and through which great wealth can be attained. It brings more oxygen to the brain, it strengthen bones, and improves cholesterol level. There is strength training which is very important because muscles will be lost and are replaced by fat. So to start building wealth this is necessary. Wait! Weight bearing or lifting. What about this? It increases strength and flexibilty causing hormonal training to strengthen the bones of the body.

Rest is important in relation to taking exercise, meaning that with proper exercise, quality and adequate rest will be the end result. By exercising in the right way there will be no need for the alarm clock which only interferes with rest and one can wake up feeling tired which is not good and will cause the loss of the great wealth that could be yours.

The recommended period to exercise is 30 to 45 minutes on an average, 5 days each week. To have health is wealth and without adequate exercise all this wealth can be lost.

In addition to  strength training and weight bearing, there is walking, running, climbing, swimming and gardening. Doing these (not all at once), in addition to eating right, life can be more fun especially if these moments are spent around people of good habits.

So why not take charge today and exercise, making activities fun as you go along.

Why is this ? It is all about the colors of the food you eat which helps you to keep healthy and age slowly.

Eat Yellow—What do we mean? Simply, eating foods yellow in color. This is like eating sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin,mango,corn, also papaya, just to name a few. These foods have carotenoids which reduce the risk of developing cancer and other diseases.

Eat Green—Foods in this category include spinach, broccoli, collards, callaloo, green beans. These are high in lutein which help to keep the vision sharp and clear.

Blue/Purple–what? Yes Blue and purple. This group include blueberries, grapes, blackberries, and  purple cabbage. They are full of anthocyanins which prevents tumors from forming and also prevent their growth. In addition the purple cabbage is good for the stomach and the grape is heart healthy.

Red–Is this for danger? No. The foods in this category have Vitamin C and lycopene which protect against cancer and also heart disease. Think tomatoes, watermelon, bell peppers  just to mention a few.

White–This for purity, so eating white is very important. Count on cauliflower which is a good source of Vitamin C and just add onions and garlic with their sulfur compounds that may keep off stomach and colon cancers. Let us not forget Tofu, which comes from the famous soybeans which is an all important protein.

These colors can be mixed and matched at each meal for a healthy, age-defying eating plan. Research has shown that antioxidants working together as a team can boost the effect of each other.

Can it not be said that good health  has colors? Then, eat healthy.

Fiber is not only important, it is also very essential for our bodies. Fiber intake discourages overeating and is not only good for adults but also good for our children. If a child is introduced to a good supply of fiber at an early age that child should not become obese and there would not be the urge for junk food. If a child is introduced to a diet with fiber later in life it should be done slowly by just offering the child plenty of foods that are good sources of fiber, and the child would be getting the fiber needed. Also, you will be setting the tone  for a lifetime of happy healthy living. 

To determine how much fiber your child should be consuming  each day, just add 5 to your child’s age in years. For example, a child can get one medium apple including the skin because it contains quercetin which helps the brain cells to function. that equals 3.3 grams 1 whole wheat English muffin at least 1/4 cup oat bran cereal. After age 15 the child should be getting the same amount as an adult which is 20 to 25 grams per day.

Although kids and adults alike hate the fact of eating right they may be eating fiber everyday and do not realize it. Opt to start the day with whole wheat or other whole grain cereal. Make sure to start the day this way.Make whole grain pancakes. Kids like waffles give them whole  grain instead of white bread. Remember we are putting fiber in the diet to keep our kids healthy. Instead of white rolls or buns use whole grain. Serve our kids  sweet potatoes baked with the skin and add beans. 

It cannot be emphasized enough the need for fiber in our child’s diet and also ours. Also, our children need to be given less juices and more water. Without  putting fiber in the diet we will be exposed to a clogged colon and degenerative diseases.

Have you ever wondered how many good foods you neglect from your diet? Most people do not realize that in their diet 7 great foods are neglected. Let’s look at these 7 foods and what they offer.

Avocado—- This is high in good fat, is heart-healthy and more than all, tastes great.By eating avocado you can get protein that so often many think can only be obtained from eating flesh food. It is also a good source of Vitamins A and E, has some Vitamin B and lots of potassium and copper.

Sweet Potato— This is a tuber and has a super dose of Vitamin A and some Vitamin C. A significant amount of important minerals,including calcium, phosphorous, potassium, iron and magnesium can also be found in sweet potato.

Soybeans—Soybeans can make health claims because it is high in protein and has a generous amount of fiber, calcium, potassium and magnesium. It also has some amount of fat but has very little saturated fat.

Lentils—Lentils is known to have the highest source of protein and fiber. It is also high in potassium, calcium and iron. It is also a good source of B vitamins, phosphorous and copper. The fat content is zero. Eating this is healthy.

Barley— Another good food for all is barley. This is not welcomed by most but is a very good source of fiber, potassium, protein, and iron. It can be eaten as a side dish and can also be fixed as a base for stir-fry dishes. It is a very powerful grain.

Kale—-This is a dark leafy vegetable found in the produce section of most stores. Kale is low in calories and very high in  Vitamin A. It also is a source for Vitamin C and calcium. It does not have much B Vitamins. This can also be used as a juice.

These 7 foods should not be exempt from our diet and they make eating healthy on a budget an easier way of life.

2 one-inch rings pineapple (slices)

2 peeled oranges

Juice all of the above and add crushed ice. Garnish with half pineapple ring. (Serving for one)

Most of us have all the food we want to eat and all the beverages we can consume, because modern technologies are providing more food choices than ever before.

Our bodies however, need a good and healthy supply of liquid, preferably water to be healthy. This is the best beverage our bodies can enjoy.

Some people say they do not enjoy water and would prefer to live on a diet of coffee, soda pop and other sweet unhealthy drinks. These are not the best and are also not good for the body.

Avoid beverages that act as a short term stimulant and a diuretic because it robs the body of water instead of providing it. Instead of high sugar content beverages, introduce yourself to homemade fruit juices. These are full of nutrients, low in calories and are virtually free of substances that contribute to many diseases.

You can start immediately with herbal teas in small quantities, and a refreshing glass of fruit juice instead. These are easyily  digested and absorbed, and as an added bonus they taste delicious!

You will find that within a few weeks you are enjoying your new diet of healthier beverages than you thought you would. More importantly, you will benefit with an award-winning health and natural beauty.

Green Bean Salad

1 lb green beans cleaned and washed

1/4 cup non-hydrogenated margarine (soy or smart balance )

3 stalks green onions

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon McKays Chicken style seasoning (non GMO)

1 tablespoon almond

Saute margarine and green onions in skillet. Add beans stirring constantly.

Add chicken-style seasoning and garlic powder, stir and place in dish.

Garnish with almonds and serve warm.

We all know that it is more expensive to eat healthy and also to do this on a budget. You want to be healthy and happy as you go through life. So making the effort to do this will be worth it in the end. You just have to pursue this in a creative way and think outside the grocery basket.

Think of the junk food that contributes in the end  to avoidable diseases and an unhappy life. Then look at the healthier choices that gives longevity and happiness. Don’t let your budget crunch put a lid on healthy eating goals.

Let’s look at some friendly tips for ‘Healthy Eating’.

1. Start this habit as early as conception if at all posssible.

2. Plan ahead and have your family make their contribution as to what the menus will be, then write the grocery list.

3. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables and other needed produce, (preferably certified organic). Leaves must not be wilted and fruits should not be spongy when examined, they should be firm and nicely colored in appearance.

4. Look for deals, these are also available on organic fruits,  vegetables and other organic produce.

5. Keep away from ready made veggies. It is better for you to clean, wash and cut them at home the way you like best.

6. Make your meals from the healthy menus planned . Making meals from scratch are healthier,  they have less salt(sodium), and less fat than prepared foods. 

7. Educate yourself and your family about healthy living. Collect recipes that are easy to make.

8. Do a little vegetable gardening at home. Plant different vegetables in flower pots for a start. 

There is nothing more rewarding than to prepare  meals from scratch and feed your family day after day knowing what you are eating. This will not just save money and lead to a healthy, happy lifestyle; but it will be a way of having better relationships as well with family members.