Delicious Paleo Fudge

Healthy Living is so much easier when we don't feel deprived. That's why I'm alway so exited when I find delicious recipes with reasonably healthy ingredient lists. 

Thank you Paleo Mom for this A-MAZING Fudge recipe with only 4 ingredients! 

I made a half batch tonight and after the kids snuck into the kitchen there was hardly anything left for me!

Next time I think I might add some essential oils (mint anyone?), different nuts, or using it as a base layer for a homemade granola bar. 

Enjoy!

Loving my new Planner

I had the great pleasure of meeting with Beth Malecki of Positively Balanced the other day. She has created the most beautiful AND functional planner I have ever seen. All in a fairly small packaged! 

Features include:

• Vision Board
• Life Goals
• Important Dates
• Personal Health Info
• Monthly Body, Mind, and Spirit Goals
• Monthly At-A-Glance Calendar 
• Monthly Financial Budget 
• Weekly Goals and Shopping Lists
• Daily To-Do, Events, Fitness, Meal Planning, and Gratitude 
• Pockets, Stickers, and much more!

Here's what Beth has to say about her Planner:

The mission of Positively Balance is to inspire women to live life with a positive attitude and create balance within it. Our cornerstone product, the Positively Balanced Life and Fitness planner supports that mission. One of the core values and goals I wanted to achieve with the planner was to encourage  women to make their health and fitness and priority. The planner provides a place for women to track all important pieces of information including goal setting, budget tracking, meal planning and, most importantly, a daily workout box with motivating reward stickers to help women schedule daily exercise. Each day ends with a gratitude box for daily reflection on the positives in life. 

I've been using my Planner for a couple weeks now and I wish I had it years ago! You can get your own copy at Postivitely Balanced. Or by signing up as a coaching client with me at Second Nature Health Coaching!

Pesticide in Produce

People always ask me which produce items I buy organic. The truth is, I shop the organic section first and buy anything we eat a lot of like apples and carrots, regardless of the price. Then I will get any items I need that are considered highly toxic (see list below). Lastly, I will add in a few additional items that I know we will eat and are good deals. Anything I need that isn't available organically, I will purchase in the regular produce department. 

The following list is based on information and studies by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Consumer Reports, and the Environmental Working Group. (Copied from about.com)

1. Nectarines – 97.3% of nectarines sampled were found to contain pesticides.
2. Celery – 94.5% of celery sampled were found to contain pesticides.
3. Pears – 94.4% of pears sampled were found to contain pesticides.
4. Peaches – 93.7% of peaches sampled were found to contain pesticides.
5. Apples – 91% of apples sampled were found to contain pesticides.
6. Cherries – 91% of cherries sampled were found to contain pesticides.
7. Strawberries – 90% of strawberries sampled were found to contain pesticides.
8. Imported Grapes – 86% of imported grapes (i.e. Chile) sampled were found to contain pesticides.
9. Spinach – 83.4% of spinach sampled were found to contain pesticides.
10. Potatoes – 79.3% of potatoes sampled were found to contain pesticides.
11. Bell Peppers – 68% of bell peppers sampled were found to contain pesticides.
12. Red Raspberries – 59% of red raspberries sampled were found to contain pesticides.

Here is a list of fruits and vegetables found to contain the least amount of pesticides. Notice that many of these have thick, inedible skins which protect the fruit.

• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Corn (However, almost all corn is genetically modified)
• Kiwi
• Mangoes
• Onions
• Papaya
• Pineapples
• Sweet Peas