ZUCCHINI LASAGNA

As I was making this weeks meal plan, I realized I hadn’t put this  ZUCCHINI LASAGNA recipe we had on the  Fitness Vacation last November with all of my other recipes.    This week I am making homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs.  It is VERY good and leaves me with lots of delicious spaghetti sauce, so that’s why I will be making ZUCCHINI LASAGNA as well this week.  YUM!

This is how I make 
ZUCCHINI LASAGNA

layer 
spaghetti sauce – diced zucchini – ricatta cheese – pepperoni
Top with Cheese
Cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  And done.
This is definitely one to add you your menu.  
Super good, easy and quick to make.
Enjoy 🙂
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CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

HOMADE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
The fastest, easiest thing I make… and SO good!
 
theINGREDIENTS
2 boxes of organic, free range chicken broth
red, orange, and/or yellow bell peppers
pkg of egg noodles
3 chicken breasts
baby carrots
celery
onion
1.  Heat broth to a boil and then add chicken.  I use frozen and drop it right in.  I love that I don’t have to touch the uncooked chicken 🙂

2.  Boil chicken about 15 minutes, and then add in diced bell peppers, celery, onion and carrots.  Cook 10 minutes.  Take out the cooked chicken and cut it up.   Add it back to the soup.

3.  Add egg noodles and cook according to the package.  I always add water.  I don’t ever measure… just want to make sure there is enough liquid to cook the noodles.  At this point, make it as soupy as you’d like by adding more water or broth.
And done!
Try this recipe for you, your family, or friends who get sick.  It’s LOADED with goodness!  And also make it when you are short on time and need something cozy for dinner.  For my friends who are sick, here are a few tips that can boost your immune system and help you kick the cold…
* SLEEP – at least 8 hours at night, and take a nap!  (That’s hard for me… HATE naps.)
* Nasal rinse at least 2 times a day.  This helps SO much.  This will help avoid sinus infection and other unwanted sick drama.  I always use purified water.
* Take a probiotic daily – BUY NOW
* Take a high quality multivitamin daily – BUY NOW
* Take omega 3 fatty acids daily – BUY NOW
* Drink Throat Coat Tea and Breathe Easy Tea as needed
* Eat foods that will power your body and will promote recovery – nutrient rich food!
* Keep a healthy hand sanitizer with you and your mini humans at all times!
               BUY NOW from ♥ OF EDEN ♥
HandSoapPOSTER2.jpgor make it yourself!…
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Guest post for HYPERWEAR!

I had the privilege of being a guest blogger for a cool fitness company called
I wrote about 
FINDING HEALTH AS A FAMILY
 
Click HERE to read it!  
See how I engage my family in our health and fitness pursuit and watch a short demo video the kids and I made!  We created a few exercise games using Hyperwear’s awesome SANDBELL!
 
After you check out my post, take a look around Hyperwear!  🙂  
You will get lots of great ideas and encouragement!
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The winners of the Slow-Carb Challenge are…

Suzi Richardson!!!
 Winner of the SLOW-CARB CHALLENGE Biggest Results
and
Casey Milleson!!!
 Winner of the most intense SLOW-CARB moment
CONGRATULATIONS  
WAY TO GO YOU GUYS!!!  

Suzi’s Story


After stumbling upon the Slow-Carb Challenge here on the blog, Suzi was encouraged to pursue a healthier lifestyle. The past few weeks have taught her to prepare food that is healthy and filling.
Wait for it……. so far, 
Suzi has lost 22 pounds!!!!! 
 She says she is not done: 
 “I look forward to the next couple of months…stay tuned.”
AWESOME JOB Suzi!!!

Casey’s Story

WHAT WEEK OF THE DIET WERE YOU IN? 

Week 5
WHERE WERE YOU? 
 Panera Bread
WHAT FOOD WAS THE TEMPTER? 
 French baguette…the amazing crunchy outside with a soft inside….mmmm!
HOW DID YOU DISTRACT YOURSELF? 
 I ended up leaving!
DID OTHERS ENCOURAGE YOU TO RESIST THE NON-SLOW CARB FOOD, OR WAS IT ALL YOU? 
 Just me.
HOW CLOSE WERE YOU TO CHEATING? 
 About one nano second away.

“Here’s what happened.  I met a friend at Panera for her to show me some logos she created for my new etsy shop.Panera was convenient.I just posted earlier in our Facebook group about how much I wanted bread.  I was supposed to go to a friend’s house immediately after this meeting, so I decided to order a salad to go. Went up and ordered it sans cheese.  Then the lady said, “Would you like chips, bread or an apple with that?”I hesitated for a moment and chose the healthy option… apple.  Then I realized I couldn’t have that and said never mind.So I pay and go wait for my salad sans cheese.  )I’m not bitter about not having cheese or anything!! Haha)My buzzer goes off and I went to grab my salad.  Before the lady gave me the bag, she said, “Do you want a baguette or another side with that?”  At that moment, I ALMOST just gave in.  I really wanted bread.  I’ve done a great job lasting this long.  I deserved bread!  But I quickly declined and left before I could change my mind.  Whew, cheating diverted.”

What Casey did is SO hard… just say “NO” and walk away.  When you’ve been SO good, when you are SO close to the end… why not?  Well, because she set a goal and did not quit short of the finish line!  
A HUGE WIN FOR CASEY!
I know that Casey is a rock star for 2 reasons:

1] The first time I did the Slow-Carb Diet, about 2 years ago, I didn’t make it to the 6 week.  I stopped in the 5th week :/
2] I have eaten at Panera while on the Slow-Carb Diet, and it was NOT GREAT!  I really missed the bread!  This fall (I believe) they actually had 4 salads that were slow-carb and REALLY good!.. still miss the bread.

I hope you guys enjoy your prize package!  May you continue with  momentum as you walk in your new healthy lifestyle.

thePRIZES
I want to give a shout out to ALL of my new friends who took this 6 week journey with me.  You ALL are winners 🙂  I apologize about the big jeans that have to be replaced, the belts that need more hole, and all the clothes that just don’t fit anymore. 🙂 The past 6 weeks has set us on the right path to live out a healthy lifestyle for the rest of our lives!  

“My habits are completely different…I’m adding fruit back into my life (fruit, glorious fruit) and I’m finding it feels more like a treat… I still love chocolate but when I have some it’s only a couple of bites, instead of the whole pan of brownies in just 2 or 3 sittings!…My portions sizes are also much smaller… I fill up much quicker on much lighter food…If I’m still hungry when I’ve finished my meal… I find something that grows in the ground or that is high in protein to satisfy the hunger… I have confidence again!”  Rochelle 

“This has been the easiest way of eating for me.  I DO NOT CRAVE anything.  I DO NOT get up in the morning thinking of where we can go eat today.  I am not obsessed with food anymore.”  Carole

Carole has lost 11 inches and her hubby Chris has lost 14 lbs!  
WooooWhooooo!!! 

“I decided to let my clothes do the measuring for me.  I have a favorite belt I wear.  When I started I had it in the first hole, now I wear it in the 3rd hole.”  Teresa

Teresa lost 10 pounds on the 6 week challenge! 

Read Jamie’s Slow-Carb Results HERE!
Read more SLOW-CARB QUOTES & CONVERSATIONS HERE
For tips on moving from the Slow-Carb Diet to “real life”
read THIS.
STAY HEALTHY FRIENDS!

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WHO WANTS TO COME ON A FITNESS VACATION WITH ME IN THE FALL?

Keep reading to find out how you can get a 
FREE TRIP!

  I have a few people wanting to book a trip so let me know if you are interested!!! 
Email me
and I will send you all the details.

Check THIS out to see what the St. Augustine trip was like in November.  

If you get a group of 10
 – including yourself – 
signed up for a trip,
THEN YOUR TRIP WILL BE FREE!!!
The house we will stay in!  


 The roof top where we will do all sorts of workouts!  
Oh, we will also enjoy the stars at night from up there as well.  Don’t worry, there is plenty of vacation to be had 🙂
  We will practice pilates on the beach.

 You will learn how to feed your body properly with your exercise…
 pre-and post workout nutrition to support your body as it strengthens and repairs.

 I hope to see you in Florida!

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Enter to win this 9 Item GIVEAWAY!

I have joined 8 other blogger for a 
HUGE GIVEAWAY!!!

CHECK THIS OUT:  Each blogger has generously donated something that represents their blog for this giveaway!  I have donated a 
Go visit these other bloggers and 
ENTER TO WIN ALL of these 9 gifts below!

Thank you to my new friend, 
for putting this together!!!
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FITNESS RETREAT… EARN A FREE TRIP!

To book a Fitness Vacation

Email 
and I will send you all the details.
Check THIS out to see what the St. Augustine trip was like in November.
 
If you get a group of 10
 – including yourself – 
signed up for a trip,
THEN YOUR TRIP WILL BE FREE!!!
The house we will stay in!  
 
 
 The roof top where we will do all sorts of workouts!  
Oh, we will also enjoy the stars at night from up there as well.  Don’t worry, there is plenty of vacation to be had 🙂
   Pilates on the beach.
 You will learn how to feed your body properly with your exercise…
 pre-and post workout nutrition to support your body as it strengthens and repairs.

Jumpstart your health with a week of inspiration,motivation, teaching and fun workouts!

 

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ZIG-ZAG WORKOUT

Here is a quick workout you can do ANYWHERE!
This is a ZIG-ZAG routine which means you will do one strength exercise followed by a higher intensity exercise using the same muscle group.
 
 
Workout Options
  1. Get through exercises 1-8 with little to no rest in between.
  2. Perform exercises 1-8, rest 2 minutes, and repeat 1-8.
  3. Set your clock for 30 minutes and begin.  Rest at the end of exercise 8 and then start back at 1.  Write down how many sets you did of each, and try to beat your record next time you do the Zig-Zag workout!
Hey, don’t forget to be safe.
WARM-UP PROPERLY!
&
USE GOOD FORM!
Happy Lifting 🙂
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Eden Salve Give Away

Let me tell you about something I am NEVER without.  

EDEN SALVE
I keep my Eden Salve on hand and have used it for many different problems.
It’s called NATURE’S HEALING TOUCH.  

WHY IT WORKS… We formulated this salve using an effective blend of herbs and natural ingredients to numb pain, as well as heal and soothe.  It acts as a astringent to draw out infection and poisonous bites.  It is an antiseptic and fights bacteria.  

  HOW TO USE IT… Apply salve generously to cleaned wounds, rashes, insect bites, boils, and chapped, cracked, or dry skin.  Use externally as often as needed for adults, children and infants.

 INGREDIENTS…  Echinacea root, comfrey leaf, propolis, plantain leaf, echinacea purpurea, yarrow flower, rosemary leaf, beeswax, pure olive oil and grapefruit seed extract.  

  

My family and I have used it for mosquito bites, ant bites, spider bites, bee stings, rashes from grass, dry skin, diaper rash, and to sooth and clean cuts and scrapes.  We have used Eden Salve for about 5 years and can testify to its effectiveness! 
This is what my current salve looks like.  LOL  
Time for me to order more! 

I have this NEW Eden Salve – pictured below – for  the winner of the “RESULTS” for the Slow-Carb Diet Contest!  I can’t think of a better product to take into the Spring season.  

Be sure to stop by the BULK HERB STORE and look around.  They have everything from heirloom seeds to herbal teas for specific purposes.  They will also teach you the benifits of these wonderful gems God has put in the earth.  

I learned from my Shoshanna how to make my own 
PLANTAIN TINCTURE from my yard.
“The BEST itch cream EVER!”
 See how I did it and how I use it HERE.
Also check out the ZingAnything Water Bottles and DipDaDip Notebooks that will be in the SlowCarb prize package!!!

Choose Health Friends!

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TOMATO BASIL SOUP

My favorite soup EVER is the Tomato Basil Soup from La Madeleine Cafe.  It is SO delicious.  Have you had it?  Well, when we moved away from Houston, Tx, we moved away from my favorite soup. 🙁  So I found a recipe inspired by La Madeleine’s soup and tried it out.  My first attempt took me hours and I ended up with hot tomato soup all over me, my walls, and my ceiling.  That’s right.  RED SOUP ON THE CELING.   After I cleaned myself up, I told myself I will NEVER make this again!  Ever. Then we ate it.  It was THE BEST!  At this point I realized I had to find a cleaner, more time friendly way to do this.  After a few batches of experimenting, I came up with this recipe… and BTW, it is JUST AS GOOD as the first attempt 🙂  So this is what I do now…
 
SHOPPING LIST
4 cups of crushed tomatoes
(28 oz & 14 oz can)
4 cups of tomato juice
Fresh basil leaves
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup butter
salt & pepper to taste
a dash of lemon juice
Simmer crushed tomatoes and tomato juice over medium heat for 30 minutes.
Puree the soup, adding in 14 basil leaves.
* to keep from getting soup on your ceiling :/ blend in small batches at a time, make sure the lid of the blender is on good, and hold it down with a towel under your hand while you blend. 
 
Add heavy cream, butter, salt, pepper and lemon.
Heat, but don’t boil!
I toasted up some Ezekiel bread from Food For Life to go with the soup.  So Good 🙂
Absolutely a keeper!
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