Tag Archives: Lifestyle

Plant Based “Milk” Chocolate Macadamia Nut Milk

Do you like your nut milks creamy?

This is a dairy free “milk” chocolate beverage made with macadamia nuts, which are one of my favorites to make nut milk with, because they make a very creamy drink, and you don’t have to strain it. The macadamia nuts are soft and higher in fat, so you get to skip that step.

Plant Based Milk Chocolate Macadamia Milk

This recipe makes a little over two cups, which is the perfect size to use up in a couple days, and it takes just ten minutes hands on to make. Love that about it!

So let’s get you some creamy, chocolate nut milk!

Plant Based “Milk” Chocolate Macadamia Nut Milk

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup of Raw Macadamia Nuts (I like this g/f brand)

2 Tablespoons of Raw Cacao Powder

1 Teaspoon of Real Vanilla Extract

1/4 Teaspoon of Pure Monk Fruit

1/8 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

2 Cups of Filtered Water

Directions: Measure 1/2 Cup of macadamia nuts into a 4 cup measure and cover with water to soak for two hours. Walk away, no work to be done here but wait! 🙂

After the macadamia nuts have soaked, strain them through a colander and rinse with cold water. Then, add the macadamia nuts to a high speed blender with the remaining ingredients. Blend on high speed for three minutes.

Pour straight into a quart jar add the lid and refrigerate.

Easy peasy milk chocolate that is sweet and delicious!

Plant Based Milk Chocolate Macadamia Nut Milk Gluten and Dairy Free

 

Chocolate Covered Banana Pops 3 Ways! Chocolate Raspberry, Toasted Coconut and Pecan!

Banana Pops on a tray and napkinsBanana Pops are a delicious healthy treat that you can make at home! They are beautiful and perfect for cravings! Seriously good!

Chocolate Covered Banana Pops on a stick

Kids love these too. Roll them in their favorite toppings, and if they are picky, make them plain dipped chocolate.

Yummy Yummy Banana Pops

There is a vast amount of toppings that you can roll these in, so go with your favorites. But I have to say, these three varieties are Very, Very delicious.

Chocolate Dipped Banana Pops on a cookie sheet

The raspberry has that tart flavor that contrasts beautifully with the dark chocolate cashew butter coating.

Raspberry Banana Pop

The toasted coconut is crunchy and delightful on the outside. Yum!

Chocolate Banana Pop with Toasted Coconut

If you love nuts on your hot fudge sundaes or in your ice cream, then the pecan version is yours!

I also combined the pecans and raspberries and pecans and coconut in some of the banana pops!

Yummy Yummy Banana Pops

Why not make a variety batch to please everyone?

Banana Pops 5

Super simple, fun and easy to make, you can definitely include the kids in making these!

Chocolate Covered Banana Pops 3 Ways

Ingredients:

5 yellow bananas (not too ripe, yellow with no brown spots)

9 oz. of Dark Chocolate Chips (I used this allergy free kind)

1/3 Cup of Cashew Butter (I used this Maple Sweetened brand)

1/2 Teaspoon of Pure Vanilla Extract

2/3 Cup of Toasted Unsweetened Coconut Flakes (like these)

2/3 Cup of Crushed Freeze Dried Raspberries (I used this organic brand)

2/3 Cup of Chopped Pecans

Popsicle Sticks

Directions:

Slice your bananas into equal thirds, and insert a Popsicle stick halfway into one end. Prepare a parchment lined baking sheet or two.

If you bought pre-toasted coconut flakes, crush them slightly with your hands, and place them onto a salad sized plate. If you would like to toast your own. Place unsweetened coconut flakes onto a cookie sheet, and toast them in a 350° oven for ten minutes, stirring once. Cool then crush.

Blitz your freeze dried raspberries in a mini food processor, or put them in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin.

Chop your pecans. Put all your toppings on individual salad plates in a row.

Melt the Chocolate Chips, Cashew Butter and Vanilla Extract together in a double broiler, stirring to combine.

After the chocolate mixture has melted and is stirred until creamy, set the pan in a row like this: bananas, melted chocolate, toppings, parchment lined cookie sheet.

Dip your bananas 3/4 of the way into the melted chocolate. Let the excess drip off. Then, roll in the topping of your choice. Set the dipped and rolled bananas on the parchment lined cookie sheet.

When all your bananas are dipped, place them into the freezer for one hour. They are ready to eat. Store the bananas in an airtight container in the freezer.

Makes 15 Banana Pops

Chocolate Covered Banana Pops 3 Ways! A healthy frozen treat with melted dark chocolate and cashew butter. These are dipped and rolled in toppings. Dairy and Gluten Free!

*This post has affiliate links in it. I receive a very small commission if you purchase through my links. The small commission helps cover the cost of maintaining this blog. Thanks! 🙂

 

 

Benefits of Oranges and Get Some Egg On Your Face! Healthy Food Tips and Natural Skin Care!

orange benefits

Did you know the smell of orange can reduce stress by up to 70%? You know that smell when you first start peeling an orange and you get that burst of citrus? Oooo, that smells oh so good!!! 😃
There are many benefits to eating oranges. We all know about the Vitamin C. But, oranges are also rich in fiber (17% of your daily allowance is in one large orange), and they can also improve heart health. Studies have also shown that the flavonoids may preserve brain health. Oranges enhance immunity, digestion, and skin health! They are full of other micronutrients too, like folate, potassium, and thiamine, and it’s no secret that the antioxidants in oranges in skin care has pretty impressive results like anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, UV protection, and decreasing age spots! Ask me which Posh products have loads of orange in them! 

citrus 2
Oranges are low in calories, but you won’t get the same benefits by drinking orange juice. The fiber in the whole orange slows down absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, so make sure you go for the whole orange. 🍊

Sandy wit Orange Pillow

I’m really enjoying how this new Egg On Your Face with Korean skin care technology cleanser is making my skin look and feel!!! Awesome!!!! 👍🌺🌈
It is a very nourishing cleanser that is great for sensitive skin and formulated for all skin types.
This is a Wonderful Winter cleanser that gently washes away toxins, makeup, dirt, and excess oil while it adds Poshbiotics to your face! What is that???? 🤔 Well, Poshbiotics is a proprietary blend by Perfectly Posh of pre and probiotics, milk and eggs that soothes, smoothes, and balances pH. I’ve noticed more even skin tone and a softer smoother complexion. It comes in a nice 4 oz. tube and smells very lovely!!! It’s a top notch way to pamper your face! 🧚‍♀️🧚‍♀️🧚‍♀️

egg on your face

If you are ready to reap the benefits of orange and eggs in your skin care, head on over to Perfectly Posh where I am a consultant. I appreciate your business so much, and I am here to help you find your perfect products! They are a natural based skin care company who specializes in pampering without toxic ingredients. Have a wonderful day!!!

Orange Based Posh Skin Care

Embracing and Feeling Good In Your Body

Package You Come In

The number one most important thing about your body is how you feel in your body! Having energy, feeling alive and excited when you wake up, being healthy, and being able to do what you would like, because you feel good inside and out. Take care of your package so it can take care of you. Your body loves you and wants you to feel good, so treat it well!

Some things I’ve learned about my body is:

1 – The perfect body is all in they eye of the beholder

2 – You can be skinny and unhealthy and also the opposite.

3 – Feeling good inside your body has a lot to do with what you eat as well as your mindset.

4. How your clothes fit does matter and affect how you feel about your body.

5. What you eat you crave. Processed junk food or healthy whole food. Your palate will change for the worse or the better.

6. Whole, real food gives you energy and supports a healthy body.

7. We are all unique individuals, and all healthy foods may not be right for you, so you need to listen to your body and eat the ones that agree with you. This doesn’t include junk food however.

Enjoy your day!

Sandra Shields, Health Coach

 

Perfectionism – a Joy Sapper

Perfectionism - Health Coach Tips! Sandra Shields, Certified Health Coach

If you are trying to be perfect in an area in your life, please stop right now and take a deep breath!
Perfectionism is a joy sapper.  A lot of times we are perfectionists because we are trying to live up to unrealistic expectations of someone else or ourselves, because we think we can’t be loved if we aren’t perfect, or don’t feel approved of, or good enough…….Perfect body, perfect hair, perfect student, perfect, career, perfect house, perfect cook, perfect wife, perfect mother, perfect child, perfect in your job, perfect speaker, perfect shoe shiner, fill in the blank. It is good to do things well, but if nothing is ever perfect enough to you, it is time to say it is good enough, and just be happy where you are at this moment. We are all perfectly created individuals with our own uniqueness to offer the world, and what society, your past, or anyone else tells you is perfect, and will make you happy, may not be true for you. Be kind to yourself, relax, enjoy the ride of life. Oh, and yes, take care of your inner self! You need a little bit of peace and me time every day, or it slowly whittles away at your core. 

Sandra

 

Healthy is Not a Size….It’s a Lifestyle

healthy isn't a size

One of the things that is fabulous about being a woman is we are supposed to have curves, and we come in all different shapes and sizes!!! The most important part of being healthy is lifestyle not our size! There are many components to a healthy lifestyle, and it is a large subject! But I will hit on some of them just to give you food for thought!

We are a work in progress, and these areas are not stagnant and will change. Sometimes we have to make changes to bring them back in balance. The goal is to infuse your life with joy, satisfaction and health by having these components in balance: Creativity, Finances, Career, Education, Health, Physical Activity, Home Cooking, Home Environment, Relationships, Social Life, Joy, and Spirituality. We are all constantly a work in progress.

Embrace the now, dream and plan the future, reevaluate often, and don’t be afraid to make changes! ❤️❤️❤️

Sandra

Winter Health Tips to Fight the Blues!

You Are Beautiful

Welcome February! What are you looking forward to this month? This is the time of year people can become starved for color and suffer from SAD. Try adding a splash of color to your wardrobe each day to boost feel good vibes. A positive thought before your feet even hit the floor in the morning can make a big difference in how your day goes, and it is cumulative! So, the more you put this into practice, the bigger the benefits, because you are literally rewiring your brain.

Deep breathing for a few minutes when you are feeling stressed, by breathing in four, holding for four and exhaling for 8 lowers stress. Try doing ten rounds of this with your eyes closed. It only takes a couple minutes, and finally getting outdoors into the fresh air, especially on sunny days, even for 15 minutes, promotes sleep, raises vitamin D levels, and boosts well being. Feeling happy and relaxed makes you radiate beauty!

Sandra Shields, Certified Health Coach

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Move Forward and Keep Striving for Excellence!

If you are human, you have made mistakes. You simply cannot be living and get everything perfect all the time.

When you start out as a baby, one of the ways you learn how to crawl, walk and run is by trial and error. There will inevitably be bumps and bruises, some more than others. The learning and mistakes go on throughout life.

Move Forward and Keep Striving for Excellence

As we get older and have more freedom and choices, the mistakes get bigger than stumbling and bumping your head as a toddler.

I have found mistakes have helped me grow, and some of my most meaningful moments and times have been when I was afraid to do something, and I did it anyway. Sometimes stepping out has brought much heartache and a longer recovery period for my heart than I could have ever foreseen. But it has always, always made me more than I was yesterday.

I want you all to know dear ones, that you are more than your mistakes. You should never feel defeated by them for long. You are more than you were yesterday, and you will be even more than that tomorrow. Let yourself be open to love, abundance, forgiveness and hope for the future. Keep going.

XOXO

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Celebrating and Still Staying Healthy During the Holidays

22799678 - christmas tree with vegetables

The holiday season is in full swing and so is cold and flu season. We all want to stay healthy and enjoy this festive time of the year. Indulging in too many sugary treats and processed food when temptation is all around us can derail our best intentions and set us up for unwanted weight gain, sluggishness, bloating, fatigue, lower immunity and brain fog.

We all want to enjoy the gatherings, parties and festivities. You don’t have to be perfect with your eating, but a little extra care and attention can make a very big difference on how you feel going into the New Year without having to sign up for a new gym membership or crash dieting.

A good way to stay energetic, positive and healthy through the holidays is to get in the kitchen and make some healthy meals and your own healthier treats and snacks to take to holiday gatherings.

Here’s a few ideas from the recipe index to get you started.

Butternut Squash Soup with Chicken and Vegetables

Beef Paprikash with Spaghetti Squash Noodles

Cocktail Meatballs with Honey Orange BBQ Sauce

Zucchini Tomato Quiche

Oven Roasted Carrots with Cumin, Lime and Pumpkin Seeds

Lacinato Kale with Garlic and Almonds

No Bake Peppermint Ice Caps

Roasted Red Pepper Tapanade

Very Vanilla Truffles

Vanilla Pear Bread

Sweet and Salty Spiced Nuts

Grain Free Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake

Enjoy your holidays, and remember, there are many other ways to be festive, and food is just one part. We all love to eat, but other activities can be just as rewarding, if not more so in the long run, such as playing board games, going ice skating or other outdoor activities, playing good music, enjoying all the lights and decorations, taking in a movie (I’m thinking the new Star Wars), meeting someone for a coffee date, finding a new favorite read, watching movie classics, or even starting a new traditional food favorite that is good for you that people look forward to every year including yourself!

Happy and Healthy!

Sam

 

 

 

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