I did it.  I hopped on the bulletproof coffee craze.  I blended a bit of grassfed butter into my cup of coffee and I enjoyed a frothy, rich cup of joe that was actually quite satisfying.

I used to be scared of fat (I’m still recovering).  I thought fat was what made me ‘fat’ but it turns out sugar and carbs are the culprit.  So while I was ‘being healthy’ with my low fat / non-fat yogurts and salad dressings I was actually eating more sugar (since they add more sugar to make those products tasty and edible).  I was never really satisfied.

Everyone has their own opinion of what is healthy and what isn’t.  Trends come and go and people will be baffled by the thought of blending butter and coffee together (ha!).  But the good news is only YOU get to decide if it works for your body.

So be sure to start your day in a beautiful way with a nourishing breakfast that makes your body feel good.   I am currently enjoying whole milk with muesli and fresh strawberries…  Call me crazy.  Or call me a mom who is breast feeding – either one works.

More on bulletproof coffee.

Salads can become boring, uninspiring, healthy ought to’s – rather than scrumptious, exciting, delicious want to’s.  Here are some ways you can add to it’s nutritional content and really design beauty for your belly on a plate.

• Choose Dark Greens : Swap the ice-berg and the romaine for dark leafy greens: kale, arugla, spinach, mixed greens, watercress, dandelion greens etc.  The darker the green the more nutrient dense it is.  So it will fill you up and leave you full of energy.  
• Add Your Seeds:  Chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, etc – sprinkle them on.  They are a great source of fiber, protein, and omega 3 fatty acids – not to mention they are filled with energy (think of the chia pet or sunflower seed that eventually grows from that tiny little seed) that will leave you powered for the rest of the day.

• Sproutify:  Take it the next step by adding sprouts to your salad.  You can even grow them yourself.  They are easy for your body to digest, filled with vitamins and minerals, and add a nice texture for your taste buds to enjoy.  For more on the glory of sprouts, click here.

• Homemade Salad Dressing:  As convenient as bottled salad dressings are, you end up paying for a bottle of ingredients that are less than desirable to be putting into your body.  Keep it simple and make your own, or if you are out just ask for olive oil and vinegar, and sprinkle some S&P if you’d like.

• Top Till Your Hearts Content:  To make it a meal, add a grain, some veggies, beans, or fruit – layer whatever you need to feel nourished and full.  * A little cheese can go a long way :)

kale + blueberries + walnuts + parmesan + honey vinegarette

If that isn’t enough to get you excited about a bowl of leafy greens, check out this endless guide of salad recipes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds.

And if you need a quick and easy go to salad dressing try:

1/2 cup – balsamic vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

1 cup – olive oil

1 clove of garlic minced

1 scoop of mustard

1 scoop of honey

Salt and pepper to taste

Make a batch and keep on hand in an airtight container for up to two weeks.  And if you are using kale as your base, don’t forget to massage the dressing into those curly, curly ends.  Makes it much more tastier.

So here is to an inspirational and nutritionally dense salad that will leave you feeling full and energized.  I would love to hear your favorite salad, or ways that you superfy your leafy greens… the options are endless.  Leave a comment below!

Self LOVE! I know, I know, I know.. Really?

YES!

It is so powerful to nourish yourself, by finding ways to fill yourself up so you can then give fully and completely to others.  So useful.  I am discovering & exploring different practices that feed my body, mind, and soul and I am now coming into a deep appreciation for everything I am – belly and all.

It is such an art to love our entire being.  It is a practice.  Some days are of course better than others.  Everyone has something they wish they didn’t have: flabby arms, short temper, sticky past, wrinkles – I mean let’s be honest… this list can go on and on.  But when we spend this time and energy resenting these things about ourselves, we clench, hold, tighten, and become more of what we aren’t loving.  What we resist persists.  Embrace it all.

So…what can we do to honor all parts of ourselves?  How can we ’embrace it all?’  Doing small things.  Small acts of love.  You will soon realize how taking small steps lead can lead to a big change.

Join me this week as I share some of things I do to love my whole kit and caboodle.  They are quick and easy.  Most take less than 5 minutes and have a lasting impact.