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Before we get started let’s make sure we have all the essentials to MAKE these delicious smoothies!

What you NEED to make healthy smoothie recipes:

• A blender. I love our magic bullet because it is small but simple and efficient to use.
• Straws. Whether you like colorful fun straws to get your kids more excited to drink healthy smoothies, earth friendly biodegradable straws or metal reusable straws are essential to enjoying your beverage.
• The perfect smoothie cup.

Why do smoothies simplify healthier eating habits?

1. They help you get several servings of fruits and vegetables in a few drinkable cups.
2. They are quick and easy to make.
3. If a protein source such as milk, yogurt, nut butters or protein powders are used they can easily serve as a meal replacement.

Here are some healthy smoothie recipes to get you on a great track to healthier habits SIMPLY!

The Winter Smoothie by Lorie’s Mississippi Kitchen
Cardamom Pear Smoothie by Blissful Basil
Persimmon Banana Breakfast Smoothie by Happy Foods Tube
Cranberry Smoothie by Veggie Inspired
Creamy Clementine Smoothie by Eating Bird Food
Fig and Almond Butter Smoothie by Kitchen Confididante

Superfood Chocolate Mint Smoothie by Delicious Obsessions
Beet Pomegranate Smoothie by Joy Food Sunshine
Ginger Oatmeal Green Smoothie by Snixy Kitchen
Kale Mango Pineapple Smoothie by Savory Tooth
Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie by Two Peas And Their Pod
Apple Cinnamon Protein Smoothie by Zesty Olive

Orange, Ginger & Turmeric Smoothie by Running In A Skirt
Healthy Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe by The Forked Spoon
Easy Acai Smoothie by Detoxinista
Carrot Berry Smoothie by The Petite Cook

Persimmon Vanilla Bean Smoothie by Running To The Kitchen
Cranberry Beet Smoothie by The Organic Dietitian
Healthy Chocolate Smoothie by A Virtual Vegan
5 Ingredient Detox Smoothie by Minimalist Baker

Healthy smoothie recipes have helped me get the vitamins and antioxidants I need not only in my own body but in my picky kids bodies! I hope this list of recipes helps you to make lifestyle changes that help YOU to be the healthiest YOU! Dovidenia. Over and out! XO

Here is one more smoothie you will love:

Health Smoothie

The post 20 Deliciously Healthy Smoothie Recipes Essential for a Healthy Life appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

Who loves to snack or finds the need to snack daily? That question should cover everyone from the person that enjoys nibbling to the person on the go constantly that feels the nudge of hunger for a small bite during their busy day. As a busy mom, entrepreneur and Registered Dietitian I can attest to the immense value in healthy snacking. Today I want to inspire you to snack with your health in mind and try these 11 delicious low carb snacks in your lifestyle.

A low carb diet can be beneficial for many from those with clinical conditions such as Diabetes, to those trying to maintain a healthy weight to those following the Keto diet. Lower carb snacks are great for the whole family because it encourages getting more protein, healthy fats and plant based foods that many people often lack in their diet.

I was excited to partner with Pearls Olives!® for this post because, well, olives is quite frankly one of our favorites in our house. I still love eating them on my fingers like when I was a kid and,of course, my little ones have fun and follow along. You can find your  Pearls Olives to Go!®  on Amazon or you can use the brand’s store locator for other retailers near you!

11 Delicious Low Carb Snacks

1. Mixed nuts and seeds
2. Carrot sticks with 2 Tbsp of hummus
3. Cucumber slices with ranch
4. Pickles
5. Low fat string cheese
6. Lean beef jerky
7. Hard boiled eggs
8. Cottage cheese
9. Natural peanut butter and celery
10. 5-6 tortilla chips and 2 Tbsp gaucamole
11. Olives; We loved our Italian Herb and Sriracha flavored varieties!

Simple snacks that honor your health by being lower in carbs can increase your protein intake, encourage healthy fats from plant sourced proteins such as nuts and will naturally increase your vegetable intake which in turn boosts your antioxidant intake as well. Low carb snacks are a win-win for everyone!

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Is it possible to buy healthy food on a budget? I often open the cupboards to see what I just bought mere days ago and it is gone! Can you relate?! With a growing family it can be a challenge to keep the food in the house, stay within a reasonable budget AND have healthy options! This year I am determined to save more money and my area of focus has been my food budget thus far. I am excited to share one of my secrets to feeding your family healthy food on a budget!

My personal journey and mission is to simplify life so that what really matters can be enjoyed MORE!

I am really passionate about helping you find more freedom, time and ability to do the same.I have finally come to a place where I feel truly ready to make tangible changes in life that will benefit my family financially. Have you ever sat down and calculated how much money you spend a month on food or are you already on a budget? I say this with embarrassment, that for the longest time I did not want to know how much I was really spending on food … although I had an idea and it was not good. I haven’t shared yet, as I am keeping a spending journal for this month, but I will be sharing my journey to successfully tightening up my family’s food budget at the end of the month.

Today I want to share one quick secret that is an absolute game changer to your financial health when it comes to your food budget and healthy eating. 

Here’s my secret to feeding your family healthy on a budget:

1. Shop at a discount grocery store. Have you ever heard of Grocery Outlet or visited one?! This store alone will help you nearly cut your grocery expenses in half! They are a family owned grocery store that offers awesome varieties of food at 40-70% off the prices you would find in other stores.
2. Shop in the healthy food section of the store. Like most stores when you shop the perimeter of the store you generally will find the more wholesome food options and produce.
3. Shop in the NOSH section! Holy heck! What is this? This my friends is the natural, alternative, organic, specialty foods and healthy section of the store AS WELL! I found items that were double and in some times triple OFF the cost found in other stores. Now you can get the organic and specialty foods you would want to get but otherwise might not be able to afford! I shopped almost solely in the NOSH section and got ALL the food pictured below for nearly $80 while saving about $80 off what would have been regular price! I was giddy to say the least when I left the store!

There is something that FEELS SO GOOD about saving money for the family AND feeding them wholesome healthy options as a mother! Every time I leave Grocery Outlet I am reminded why it is SO important to shop with them first. The reason I say first is because their food options change regularly due to the nature of how they are able to offer their great discounts. So, shop at this discount grocery store first then what you can’t find get at another store.

Grocery Outlet offers high value in foods at an amazing price where there is something for EVERYONE in your family!

I whipped up a few things in minutes for my kids from my findings.

This first recipe is a Dairy-Free Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Banana Smoothie using 1/2 a banana, 1/3 cup almond milk ice cream from the NOSH section, a tablespoon of natural peanut butter and almond milk. I really didn’t measure much just added ingredients to taste. If you want it thicker add less almond milk add more chocolate almond ice cream. If you want it more sweet add more banana or even drizzle in some raw honey.

The other recipe I threw together is this Organic Broccoli Mac and Cheese. My organic box of mac and cheese and broccoli was all from the NOSH section. The whole meal that would feed 4 cost less than $4 for the entire batch! All I did was cook the mac and cheese per the box directions. When the noodles were half way done I then added a handful of the organic broccoli to the boiling water. Once the noodles and broccoli are cooked through, strain the water then add them back to the cooking pan. Add 1/3 cup of almond milk and the cheese packet, stir and mix. Then add a handful of shredded cheddar cheese and mix in until melted. Top it with a sprinkle of pepper and Parmesan cheese and it is ready to serve! We love this for a quick meal.

I had so much fun shopping and saving at Grocery Outlet and I hope this little secret will help YOU feed your family healthy meals on less! Dovidenia. XO

The post How to Feed Your Family Healthy Food on a Budget appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.

Let me start by saying… wait, what was I going to say?

Does anyone else feel they have “mom brain”? You know, the fog that makes you forget where your keys are and what you entered a room for momentarily. Do you have an interest in prevention of what I often joke is “early onset dementia”? All kidding aside, there are 5 habits that promote long term health and can keep your brain functioning at its best, especially for the best Brain Health for YOU. I want to share as a mom and a Registered Dietitian what you can do to promote the best life possible, now, and in the future! 

Often in our youth we feel invincible. We feel as though nothing will affect us, THEN thirty knocks on your door!

Hello! The phrase, “Beauty Sleep” starts making sense as you become sleep deprived through motherhood and notice fine lines. I can say for the first time in my life I can sense that this body of mine isn’t going to stay AMAZING and healthy if I don’t do things to keep it that way TODAY!

A few organs that are essential to your well-being, your heart and MIND need some tender lovin’ care. Without health in these we are “up a creek without a paddle”. The great news is the 5 habits to promote long term health I have to share will help you maintain health in both.  These habits include Life’s Simple 7, full of health habits and measurements to monitor and improve your life. Science has shown that people who don’t take care of themselves in their 20’s and 30’s, actually see changes in their brain in their 40’s! For more on heart health also presented with the American Heart Association click here.

5 Habits to Promote Long-term Health

1. Eat healthier and make it a lifestyle. “Healthier” is key. Often we feel we have to revamp our diet overnight resulting in unfortunate failure. Making “better” choices is a great start. Often picking small goals over time achieves the best results because you create habits that become the healthy living and lifestyle you are trying to live long term. Starting your day with a healthy antioxidant rich smoothie is a great way to start your day. 

A diet rich in antioxidants is wonderful for fighting free radicals and reducing oxidative stress which is a common factor in disease prevention. Omega 3 rich foods such as salmon, avocado and walnuts are wonderful for the heart and brain.  

2. Increase your activity. It doesn’t matter if it’s running bleachers or chasing your wild children. Getting regular activity has shown to not only prevent diseases and promote heart health, but it also helps prevent mental decline! Friends, your neurons in your brain actually benefit from exercise! Thirty minutes of activity most days is all that is needed to promote health.

3. Avoid tobacco. If you don’t use this product don’t do it! Tobacco acts as a vasoconstrictor. This means when you smoke it restricts blood flow and oxygen to your organs. Chronic use of tobacco is linked to the risk of heart attack and stroke. If you need help quitting reach out to your doctor.

4. Maintain a healthy weight for you. Even a 10% weight loss that you maintain can reduce your risks for disease immensely. If your BMI is greater than 25, 90 minutes most days of activity is needed to lose weight. ( Consult with your Doctor and receive a release before you start a new exercise program. ) If you feel you need one-on-one customized coaching I am an Adult Weight Management Certified Dietitian that can help. Contact me here for more details and help.

5. Keep your levels in check. Monitor and control your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. As a Dietitian, I can say that healthy eating, exercise and getting adequate sleep will make a strong impact on these factors. For an introduction to nutrition follow my video series here. 

We only have one life and one brain! Did you know that what you do NOW can make a difference for your health in the future? For instance, research has shown that by making simple lifestyle changes now your stroke risk alone can be decreased by 80%.

Life is short and so sweet full of loved ones to cherish and memories to be made. Are you willing to make the lifestyle changes NOW that will promote long-term health?

Let’s live in the moment with choices that help us to live for a tomorrow full of quality living for years to come! Dovidenia. Xo 

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Who would like to achieve the healthiest version of YOU…..for good? As a registered dietitian I strive to help people do just that! I want to offer down to earth, honest & simplified tools that offer insight into the field of nutrition. I will equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve your goals! So often while working with clients I see time & time again the struggle of consistent weight management. So today lets take a minute and start problem solving this common predicament.

Weight management challenges are BEHAVORIAL challenges. Oh my….I said it! The healthiest version of you comes down to consistency in your daily habits and choices NOT finding the perfect diet. I have a secret to share….I’m a dietitian who HATES DIETING! (Smiling) A “diet” is often a temporary change of behaviors that once the weight loss goal has been achieved fades back into the very habits that brought you into the dieting phase in the first place. A diet without genuine knowledge of nutrition and permanent behavioral change sets you up for failure. I have seen the discouragement & frustration from this type of failure. What I care about even more than helping you achieve a healthy weight is obtaining  healthy self esteem & body image with confidence in your ability to achieve and maintain health….for good!

Some basic tips to help you make  healthy lifestyle choices that stick:
1.Make lifestyle changes you can live with! We can honor our food preferences while making healthy alterations. An enjoyable satisfying eating regimen will last.
2. All foods fit. There is no one food that causes weight gain. The amount of what we eat and the proportions of those foods is the deal breaker when it comes to weight management.
3. Stop judging food as “good” & “bad”. The way we judge food gives it a power it does not hold. Often this judgment can affect our eating behaviors negatively.
4. Set realistic goals. Goal setting can either empower and encourage you or discourage you….its all in how you go about the process.
5. Identify your barriers to change. By reflecting on the factors that halt healthy changes in your life you can problem solve more efficiently.
6.Be accountable to yourself. Journaling, sharing your goals with a  friend or seeking a health expert aids in the journey towards positive change.
7.Numbers aren’t everything! Don’t let a number define you or your health. Set a precedent,  how you feel & think comes first!

I am excited to revisit each of these with you as I expound on them and offer more in depth tools to aid in your SUCCESSFUL journey toward health!

The post Get Healthy for Good! appeared first on Simple Acres Blog.