Celebrate National Blueberry Month with Simple Recipes!

Did you know July is National Blueberry Month? I've been enjoying this sweet fruit by the handfuls, but in honor of the occasion, I'm sharing some other ways to treat yourself to this healthy and delicious berry.

Speaking of healthy, here's the lowdown on how blueberries can be beneficial for your body as well as your tastebuds:

• Blueberries have more antioxidants than any other fruit
• They are packed with fiber and vitamin C
• Also a source for vitamin K & B6

Looking for some creative ways to enjoy blueberries for the rest of the harvest season? Here are three that you might want to try! 

Blueberry Salsa

 

Salsa is one of my favorite summertime foods and when I found a recipe for blueberry salsa, I knew I had to try it. It's so easy and incorporates lots of healthy ingredients to offset all the chips I will definitely be eating with it.

You can add or omit ingredients too, depending on your preference.

Here's what you need:

2 c. fresh blueberries
1 c. fresh corn (frozen or canned is okay if it's all you can get)
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeño, finely chopped
1/4 c. freshly chopped cilantro
1/4 c. lime juice
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Corn chips, for serving

I chopped up some of the blueberries too, to help the flavors mingle a bit more. Mix it all together and serve. So tasty!

Blueberry Chia Pudding

I don't know about you, but chia pudding is one of those things I sort of forget I like until I see it on Pinterest and think, oh yeah, I should make that. It's so easy to make and can be healthy for you. Apparently, 1/4 cup of chia seeds have about as much protein as an egg. 

Of course, it is important to keep in mind added sugars, etc. 

For this recipe, I simply stirred 1/4 cup chia seeds into a cup of almond milk. I mashed up about a cup of blueberries (or you could use the blender or food processor), and stirred that in as well. Stick it in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. This will give the chia time to expand and take on its more gelatinous consistency. Top with some chopped nuts or a bit of granola, and yum! 

Blueberry Orange Detox Water 

Infused water was a trend for a bit, but I have always loved this option as a way to add a bit of oomph to your already needed summer thirst quencher. 

Because of their antioxidants, blueberries are a great option to add to your water. And their flavor pairs nicely with slices of orange. Add in some mint leaves for a truly refreshing treat. 

If you can't spend your summer at a spa, bring flavors of the spa to you with this awesome infused drink! 

Spring Cleaning: Non-Toxic DIY Products to Make at Home

Spring is here and it's time to sweep off the porch, throw open the windows and enjoy the sunshine. But what if like me, your home got a little dank and dusty through the winter months?

There's no better time than now to begin your spring cleaning. I definitely need to do mine! Don't you just feel more at peace when your home is tidy and clean? Clutter and grime breeds chaos and stifles creativity for sure.

I'm trying to be healthier and I know that goes beyond just what I eat. So many of the products we buy have harsh chemicals that aren't good for our skin and lungs. I've been guilty of mixing the wrong things while cleaning the bathroom and my home smelled like a swimming pool.

This spring, I'm trying my hand at making some all natural cleansers to use on my home. And I thought I'd share them on the blog too.

DIY Cleaners for the Bathroom

The bathroom is one of those areas in my home that I want to be clean, clean, clean. So I've been hesitant to use all natural cleaners because I was afraid they might not do the trick.

After reading about tea tree oil and its disinfecting properties, I'm going to give it a try.

To create a toilet scrub that freshens odors while cleaning, mix a half of a cup of baking soda with approximately 15 drops of tea tree oil. Pour that into the toilet bowl. Then, add 1/4 a cup of white vinegar and get to scrubbing. The vinegar and baking soda creates a fizz and the tea tree disinfects.

You can also mix some vinegar and tea tree oil in a spray bottle to use for routine cleaning of the seat and tank of your toilet.

The spray bottle of vinegar also works for your shower and sink. I keep a little jar of baking soda near my bathroom sink that I use to exfoliate my skin after washing my face but I learned that if a little bit fell into the sink, I could rub it around to clean that as well.

Cute salt & pepper shakers from the Dollar General Store make a great container/dispenser for this!

Got a cast iron bathtub with rust and stains? Did you know you can use half a grapefruit and some salt to clean it? Sprinkle the salt liberally and use the grapefruit half as sort of a scrubber. Get lots of juice in there and add more salt if needed.

DIY Cleaners for the Kitchen

Clean kitchen countertops with your spray bottle of vinegar and a little water. If you have granite, stone, or marble counters, substitute the vinegar with rubbing alcohol. You can also use vodka and I prefer the vanilla flavored version because of the great scent.

Cutting boards can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Use half a lemon to clean both plastic and wooden varieties. If it has stubborn stains, put some iodized salt on first and scrub that with the lemon to really get it good and clean.

If you need to clean cast iron, use olive oil and salt to make a paste. Then scrub well either with your fingers or a stiff bristled brush. You can rinse with warm water before re-seasoning your pans in a warm oven. NEVER use soap on your cast iron as it removes all the good baked in seasoning. Cast iron cookware can get to 400 degrees after just 4 minutes in a medium oven and it's sterile at 212 degrees.

Got an older fridge that needs some TLC? Use about a half a cup of baking soda mixed with warm water to clean it. The warm water will soften dried on food and stains while the baking soda is a mild abrasive to rub them away.

These are just a few of the simple recipes for cleaning products you can create for your home this spring. When you get ready to work around your home, consider your health and wellness. Choose products that contribute to your family's health and safety...not harsh chemicals that could do harm! Think outside the box next time and make your home really shine!

Easy Recipes for National Salad Month

Did you know May is National Salad Month? Thank goodness salads have come a long way since the iceberg lettuce and ranch dressing of my childhood. There's no shortage of creative salad ingredients and combinations to try, for every different taste and diet.

I'm sharing three of my favorite salad recipes that are easy to make and oh so delicious.

Turn Your Salad into a Sandwich

Sometimes, a big bowl of greens just doesn't appeal to me. My trick is to turn my salad into a sandwich. It still gives you plenty of healthy ingredients, but gives you the option of bread, which is easier to eat on the run.

There's no reason you can't take your favorite salad ingredients and make a yummy veggie sandwich.

One favorite of mine is green apples (or pears), with cucumbers, sprouts and pumpkin seeds. Add some arugula or kale and you've got a salad-turned-sandwich fit for a king.

Salad on a Stick - Caprese Salad Skewers

Another favorite salad of mine, especially this time of year, is a caprese with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella. There's been an abundance of cherry tomatoes in my local grocery store and I love to create these fun caprese skewers for an easy salad on a stick.

If basil isn't readily available or cost prohibitive, I use baby spinach and it's just as good. I also like to include black or green olives if I have them on hand.

These are the easiest salads to make and always get plenty of oohs and aahs when served at any gathering.

Salad to Eat with Your Hands - Endive Salad Cups

Hosting a baby shower or other fancy-ish party? Serving lots of little finger foods may be what you're going for. Salad isn't so much a finger food, but it can be depending on what you serve. 

Belgian endive (pronounced on-deev) is great for this. I also use hearts of romaine in a pinch when endive isn't available. 

Each little lettuce cup can be filled with whatever you like. Try some tasty in season spring veggies like asparagus, peas and cucumbers. Maybe add a slice of avocado, sprouts, a tomato and half of a boiled egg. 

Drizzle the dressing in the lettuce before filling it so it doesn't spill out. Yum! 

These salad ideas might be a little nontraditional, but they are so delicious! I hope you enjoy. 

Celebrate Blueberries with 3 Simple Recipes

July is National Blueberry Month and what better way to celebrate this adorable fruit than by eating them? Did you know that when it comes to health, blueberries really pack a punch. They are jam packed with antioxidants, which fight free radicals that can run rampant in your body. Plus, they are a great way to get Vitamin C and fiber. They may help lower blood pressure and could improve your short-term memory. What's not to love? 

I'm joining my friends on Knoxville's Fox43 to share some simple recipes that you might want to try as you are eating more blueberries this month and on into August. This is definitely their time of year to shine, so take advantage of the great selection in stores and at your local farmer's markets now! 

1) Artisan Bread w/ Blueberries & Ricotta 

I tried a similar version of this recipe at Marche in East Nashville, except it had peaches in place of the blueberries. It left such a lasting impression on me because it was just so darn beautiful when the server brought it to the table. Plus, it was decadent, but also wholesome...that might seem like a strange combination. But it was! 

To make it, all you need is some good quality artisan bread, blueberries, ricotta cheese and honey. 

Now if you have time, I'd recommend making your own homemade ricotta. Here's a good recipe if you'd like to try your hand. Otherwise, just pick some up at the grocery store. I used Trader Joe's store-brand for this recipe. 

Grill or toast a few thick slices of bread. Spread thickly with ricotta. Apply blueberries and drizzle with honey. It's so simple, and such a great way to eat up all these blueberries this season. 

2) Blueberry Corn Salad

Is this simple summer salad that features blueberries, sweet corn, cucumbers, jalapeño, red onion, drizzled with a sweet honey lime dressing.

Ingredients:

• 3 ears fresh sweet corn, husked 
• 1 cup fresh blueberries 
• 1 cucumber, sliced 
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped 
• 2 tablespoons lime juice 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1 tablespoon honey 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1. Bring water to boil in a medium sized pot. Cook corn for 5-7 minutes. After it is cool enough to handle, remove it from the cob.
2. In a good sized serving bowl, combine corn, blueberries, cucumber, red onion, and jalapeno.

For the dressing, stir together lime juice, oil, honey, cumin, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over salad and stir until combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

3) Blueberry Fizz 

With all the ripe blueberries available now, I knew there had to be a great way to use them in a delicious summer cocktail! You could make this with or without alcohol, depending on your preference. 

You'll need: 

• Vodka (I used vanilla flavored)
• Blueberry Soda (I found a great version at Trader Joe's)
• Lemonade
• Fresh blueberries (for garnish)

Mix 1 part vodka with equal parts blueberry soda and lemonade. Garnish with fresh blueberries. You could even freeze some in ice cubes for something a little more special.

What's your favorite way to enjoy blueberries? They are perfect for smoothies, as a topping for a tossed salad, or just by the handful. Treat yourself to some today! 

HIIT Me with Your Best Shot: My Personal Training Experience on #teamNFC

In January, I was invited to be part of a cool project with a local fitness club in Knoxville, National Fitness Center. As a member of #teamNFC, I have access to all the great National Fitness Center gyms and facilities in East Tennessee. With the wedding behind us, life has finally resumed to a somewhat normal routine (sort-of) and I am always looking for ways to make fitness and health a part of that.

I struggle to find my rhythm with working out....meaning there are lots of peaks and valleys. Sometimes I am all gung ho about it, but other times I feel like it's hard to get motivated. The main thing I've learned about myself in this process is that I like to change things up a lot so I don't get tired of doing the same stuff over and over.

This means taking different classes (Zumba, Yoga, etc) and trying various equipment I've never used before. And most recently, it meant working with a National Fitness Center personal trainer on some high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

I won't lie....I was really intimidated by the HIIT room and had never felt confident to try it out until now. I think working with a trainer is a great way to get your feet wet if you've never spent much time in a gym. It helps me feel more confident 1) just having someone there to encourage you and 2) because someone who really knows about this stuff is guiding you.

My trainer, Kasey Kurtz was super encouraging and explained the whole HIIT* process to me at our first session. This helped me feel like I knew what I was going to be doing and gave me a chance to ask questions before the timer was set.

We used a variation of the Tabata regimen, which I later read is based on a study by a professor of that name who was trying to find a way to help train Olympic speed skaters. Kasey showed me how to do different high-intensity exercises and then took me through three cycles of them with periods of rest between.

My before pic...there's no after for a reason ;)

It was really hard. Especially after I've been pretty lax about doing any sort of cardio since the wedding & honeymoon. I'm not going to say I rocked it, but she was very positive and gave me constructive criticism when needed. Overall, it was a great experience. I couldn't lift my arms the next day but the soreness quickly subsided and I felt empowered that I accomplished the tough workout.

I used to think that personal trainers were for really fit, super health-nut, gym-crazy people. And maybe they are in some cases. But for regular people like me (a little out of shape, unsure about some of the equipment, intimidated by the tank tops/muscles/grunting stereotypes), it's great to have the option of a trainer when I need some direction. 

And knowing the trainer wants you to succeed is encouraging too. There's also something good about the accountability created by working a trainer. Your time is spent doing things that actually get results. Thanks to Kasey for the great workouts! I'm really honored to be part of #teamNFC and excited to see what the next few months hold for my health! 

*You may see the name changed to PHITT (Personal High Intensity Interval Training) if you visit a National Fitness Center club in East Tennessee. Plus, if you are interested in checking out National Fitness Center, there are options of both personal training AND group training sessions. Check out their list of classes offered here.

What We Believe Shapes Us

Lately I've been saying I'm on a health journey, but in a lot of ways this sounds kind of funny. Life is a journey regardless of our health. But when I say I'm on a health journey, what I mean is that I'm more focused on my health than I might have been in the past. Maybe calling it a journey is fitting because I was at point A. and I'm trying to get to point B.

Also, it sounds better to say I'm on a health journey than I'm on a health kick, on a diet, or 'shedding for the wedding.' And while part of me is really excited to be able to say I'm on this journey, another part of me is just disgusted to be here.

My whole life has had lots of peaks and valleys concerning my health, specifically my weight, starting all the way back in 6th grade when a kid named Scott said I was fat. Who is Scott? Just a random guy I went to school with. He wasn't particularly mean or anything, but as fate would have it, his words helped to guide me down a path that I wish I'd never been on.

It was your average Friday night in 1994 and my friend Nell and I were calling boys. Before cell phones and the Internet (you probably remember it), pre-teen girls used to call boys from landline phones on Friday and Saturday nights. At least we did.

And this particular night, we called Scott.

Nell actually called him up to find out if he had a crush on our friend Jen. And while she had him on the phone, we decided to take stock of his opinions about other people we knew, if certain guys were dweebs, if particular girls were cute, etc. Then I pretended to get off the phone so Nell could ask him what he thought of me.

"Kate's fat," he said, nonchalantly.

I was devastated. This was a completely new revelation to me. Up until that moment, it never occurred to me that I might be fat. "Was I fat?" I wondered. And even if I hadn't been before, was I now that he said it was true?

I'm not sure why we cared so much about his opinions, although I think he just happened to be the guy we had called. And I'm not sure why his saying I was fat was such a big deal to me. But it was. I mean, it's obvious how much of an impact it made if I can still remember the whole experience in great detail.

It's hard to sum up the next twenty years after that night. Let's just say they included a lot of bizarre fad diets, shopping in the plus size department, well-meaning lectures from my dad about the importance of a regular exercise regimen, and cupcakes....oh the cupcakes.

It's not that I blame a 6th grade boy for my body image issues. There were plenty of other contributing factors that created a warped sense of my self-worth. But that's at least the first memory I can go back to where I felt like there was something wrong with my body and how I looked. Before that, I was just innocently oblivious.

What we believe about ourselves shapes us in ways we don't even realize. Growing up, I was made to feel pretty wonderful by my family. They told me I was smart and they told me I was talented. They told me I could do anything I wanted to do in life. And I believed them. Thank goodness I had such positive stuff poured into me from an early age. I like to think that carried me through a lot of other times, when I believed things about myself that were much less positive.

Like how I was surely fat, if a 6th-grade boy said I was. That belief took hold of me and hasn't let go. Which is why I'm on this dang health journey today. And seriously, I'm not blaming him. I was heavier than some of the other kids and I'm sure someone else would have made note of this eventually.

But what makes me the saddest is that this created a belief in me that my value was diminished.

And this is just ridiculous. Our value can't be diminished. Period. End of story. And even as you read those words and somewhere deep down in your heart you know they are true, there's still that small voice that says, "but if I were only [thinner, richer, prettier, more successful, etc] my value would be greater.

Not possible.

Your value couldn't be greater.

It's like infinity.

Nothing you do can add to it and nothing you don't do can take away from it. I wish I had understood this in the 6th grade.

And by the way, when I first sat down to write this post it was going to be about my first time taking a Zumba class. I guess some of this other stuff just wanted to come out. So there you go.

And that's where I am on my journey.

Where are you?

Peace vs. Chaos: Which Do You Choose?

For the past four or five weeks, I've been taking a yoga class at my gym. Ew, I just threw up in my mouth a little at that sentence...trust me I'm not a health nut or very fit so please don't feel put off. There was a time when I'd have quickly closed the browser window instead of reading much of anything relating to health & fitness...it all just seemed so intimidating and unattainable to me.

In fact, I've been on health & fitness roller coaster the last several years. First I adopted a vegan diet and lost a significant amount of weight. Then I switched to being vegetarian and slowly stopped making as many healthy choices and gained some of the weight back. Now I just want to feel healthier and not worry so much about what the scale says.

So, a few months ago (thanks to the encouragement of my beau), I joined a gym and started working with a trainer. And in addition to the training and use of the facility, my gym also offers lots of different classes, including yoga, which I've been attending.

The yoga class meets for about an hour and honestly, it's become one of my very favorite hours of the entire week.

In the past I would have been one of those people who thought yoga was weird and a waste of time so I'm kind of proud of myself for embracing it. Each class includes some stretching and poses, nothing too hard since the participants are mainly beginners.

My very favorite part of the class (no joke) comes toward the end when we're winding down and usually lying on our backs with eyes closed. The teacher says "Now, give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing." I wait all week for this moment and when it finally arrives, I relish it.

If you have an abundance of free time on your hands, you might not appreciate this the same way I do. But for me, it's one small opportunity to do nothing. And these days, those don't come around very much. We're so ultra-connected all the time. Even when we're supposedly doing nothing, we're always doing something...checking email on our phone, texting, making grocery lists in our heads, or whatever.

Do you ever give yourself permission to do nothing?

I mentioned to my yoga teacher how much I enjoyed this part of class and she made a comment that really stuck with me. She said: Pretty much everything we do in life is either moving us toward peace or toward chaos.

My hour of yoga definitely moves my week in a more peaceful direction. But I'm sure there are plenty of other things I do that move me toward chaos.

Saying yes to things I should politely decline. Beginning a conversation with the intent of showing someone why I'm right and they're wrong. Spending time with certain people. I'm guilty of moving toward chaos for sure.

But I like looking at it as a spectrum we are constantly moving back and forth on, never completely one or the other. Life's never 100 percent peaceful or 100 percent chaotic...instead it's always a big old mix of everything in between. But when I look at each moment as an opportunity to move a little closer to peace, that encourages me.

What are some other ways you can choose to move toward peace in your life? I dare you to try one of them today. Even if it's hard. You won't regret it.

Friday Favorites: Oil Pulling, Junior League, and New Age Wine

Happy Friday to you! I hope you've had a good week. What's on your agenda for the weekend? Saturday morning, I'm headed to a local charity rummage sale put on by the Junior League...my dear friend and I have attended together for several years and found some incredible treasures along the way.

Here are my top three tips for finding great stuff at yard sales and rummage sales (in case you were wondering):

1) Take an empty tote bag or duffel bag with you to haul everything around in.
2) Look for potential in everything you see, but realize you can't bring it all home with you.
3) Be brutally honest with yourself and don't purchase things just because the price is right.

Speaking of Junior League, you might be aware of my affinity for vintage Junior League Cookbooks (at least I'm in good company with the likes of Ms. Julia Reed). I've amassed a pretty great collection over the years, but since I only have limited space, I try to buy them only when they seem like a really special find. I ran across one such book recently and for the low price of $4, it's now mine.

Some Like it South: A Cookbook by the Junior League of Pensacola, Florida is a wonderful addition to my vintage Junior League cookbook collection. When I'm having trouble making a decision, I base my purchase selection on how many congealed salad recipes a cookbook has. In this case, it's 12. Not to mention 17 casseroles! That's the sign of a good southern cookbook and this one has casseroles and congealed salads for days. 

Another reason I liked it was it has a series of sample event menus at the beginning (A Beach Picnic, Easter Dinner, A Hunt Breakfast). I'm such a sucker for these! 

You can find vintage cookbooks at second hand stores, rummage sales and used book stores as well as on sites like ebay and etsy. They are a little slice of history to me and I treasure my collection! Stocking your southern kitchen? Here are my top 5 southern kitchen must have items. 

Oil Pulling - 

Okay, so you might know about this already. I just heard of it. Apparently oil pulling is a thing where you swish oil around in your mouth to remove toxins from your body. And it's also supposed to contribute to better health in a bunch of areas. My southern beau said it sounded like black magic bulls4!t (pardon his crude language). But he's kind of a cynic. So I decided to try it. 

You need unrefined, organic coconut oil. Or sesame oil. But I went with coconut. Then, you just get a teaspoon of it and put it in your mouth. It's really odd because it starts out all waxy and solid, but then it immediately liquifies. You have to keep the oil in your mouth for 20 minutes. I'm not going to lie...it was kind of gross. Not the taste, but more just the idea of swishing something in your mouth for that long. 

However, after my 20 minutes were up, I spat it out and looked in the mirror. My teeth were so much whiter! Seriously, I couldn't believe it. Who knows if this was a fluke since I've only done the oil pulling one time. We'll see. Anybody else doing this? 

Wine Tasting

Saturday night my beau and I are headed to a wine tasting party. Everybody is supposed to bring two bottles of wine so there's enough to share with the group. After being pretty anti-social for awhile (just keeping busy with work), I'm glad to do something like this. 

I'm thinking of taking a couple of bottles of New Age, an Argentine wine that is best served on the rocks with a lime slice. I had it for the first time at Christmas and found it refreshing. 

Do you have a favorite vino that's your go-to for special occasions? I'm not a big drinker, but I enjoy a glass of wine from time to time. 

If you made it through this long and random post, congratulations. I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

Community Supported Agriculture in East Tennessee

This morning I'm visiting my friends at Knoxville's WTNZ Fox43 for a segment about one of my favorite things...CSAs! CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and if you're a regular reader of my blog, you might remember me waxing poetic about my CSA boxes of fruits and veggies in the past.

Participating in a CSA is a great way to get healthy while supporting a local farmer. You pay one amount of money at the beginning of the season and this acts as an investment for the farmer to do his planting.

Then when the crops start coming in, you get a share of the bounty. Most CSAs allow you to pick up a box of veggies and/or fruits each week. Some are every other week. There are all vegetable shares, all fruit shares and a mixture of both. There are also cow shares and different types of dairy shares, honey shares, flower shares...really anything the farmer or producer can dream up!

One benefit of participating in a CSA is that it forces you to try new things. Lots of veggies came in my weekly box that I wouldn't have tried otherwise. Things like turnips, bok choy, and kale that I'd never eaten before. Now, I love these different veggies and I'm glad I was forced to try them.

Knoxville folks can attend a CSA fair this Saturday February 24 at Three Rivers Market. Several farmers and other vendors will be on hand to share their information and let you sign up. If you'd like to find CSA options in your area, check out this great resource.

I used to joke that each week felt like Christmas because I'd get all excited wondering what was going to be in the box. Then I experimented with some fun new recipes that incorporated the items.

I hope you'll consider participating in a CSA this year. If you can't find one in your area, at least scout out a farm stand or farmer's market. It's a great feeling knowing you are supporting the livelihood of a farmer and enjoying local foods as well! Sometimes it's an adventure (remember my Kerosene cucumbers?), but for the most part, it's a great experience!

A Heart Commitment to Health

Today's post features an interview with a friend of mine, Ms. Brianna Lamberson. You might remember her name because she's a fabulous stylist who helped me get my closet in order last year.

In addition to being a stylist, Bri is also a health coach with a deep love for people and a passion for helping them make simple lifestyle changes to improve the quality of their health and lives. She is doing a really cool thing for her birthday this year and I wanted to share it with y'all so you could participate.

On Sunday February 17 at 8 p.m. EST, Bri is going to host a conference coaching call where she'll share some of her insight as well as give callers the chance to make a new commitment to their bodies and health. I'm really excited about it because I've been on somewhat of a health journey myself these past couple of years (becoming vegan, losing 50 lbs, etc.) and I think it will be really great to connect with other folks dealing with the same stuff.

I sat down with Bri and asked her a few questions about the call and here's what she shared:

SBS: So why should I make a commitment to my body? How do my readers know if this is an event for them?

Bri: There is so much in the media these about health and fitness, disease prevention, and new health risks. It can be so overwhelming and in all honesty extremely frustrating. After a while you kinda stop trying new things and just stick to what you know, because who’s to say these things will even work for you? The laundry list of things to do and not do, to eat and not eat become a burden not a transformational formula to set you free. Folks might be thinking “Eating healthy is great, but how do I fit it into my life? Is it really for me?”  I’m here to tell you that it is for you. It’s for anyone and everyone because being healthy is not a goal. It’s not unattainable. It’s not a final destination where you ultimately end up or a task that you finally complete. It's about making a heart commitment to your body and that's what brings about results.

SBS: How is a commitment different from a resolution?

Bri: True health is an accumulative effect. It’s like a rain barrel. It rains a little some days...none on others, and then a downpour. Finally, the bucket overflows and that is health. But to start, you have to commit. With a resolution, you resolve to do something, but there's fear that if you don’t get it done, you’ve failed and you’re back where you started. With a commitment you can fail as many times as you need to, until you find that sweet spot of balance. It’s rife with grace. Think of it in terms of a relationship. “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Always ineffectiveness.”

SBS: Why are you so passionate about this stuff?

Bri: I like to call this story "Mess, turning point, success" aka a little snippet about me. When I was in high school, I suffered a major bought of depression and self-loathing. I gained 35 lbs in less than year and I was really on a crash course for disaster. I wanted so badly to be healthy but I just didn't know what “healthy” even was. What I really wanted was to be thin and accepted. It wasn’t until a close friend of mine exposed me to vegetarianism that things started to change for me. It was a heart issue and a moral issue more than anything else. But that was the first commitment I ever made to my health. It radically transformed the way I saw my body and my food. For me, it was about where my food came from and what was in it. I learned there were things I didn't want in my body. So that right there was the first real understanding I had of what it mean to me to honor my body. I actually valued it enough to say, I’m not putting that junk in it.

SBS: I know some folks think I'm weird for becoming vegan and I'm sure people probably feel the same way about vegetarians. I don't want anybody to be dissuaded from joining the call because he or she thinks it's about becoming vegan or giving up meat.

Bri: Well, nothing about my program requires bold changes. Everyone is biologically individual so for some, that means eating meat, and for some it means being vegetarian or vegan. Even after I gave up meat, I still ate fast food and drank a ton of soda, but at least I had started the journey of becoming mindful. And as a side note, between the ages of 15 and 28 I have gone in and out of vegetarianism. I like to experiment and believe that everyone is uniquely different and has bio individuality. What works for you will not work anyone else. Switching it up and trying different approaches is vital to your health.

SBS: Would you say that people can start your program from right where they are?

Bri: OF COURSE!!! That’s why I decided to create this Commitment Ceremony call. I want people to set aside the time and make a decision once and for all that they can start today, no matter what has happened up to this point. I want people to finally get a sense of how important their body is.

SBS: Okay, so what is a coaching call? How do I participate?

Bri: This coaching call is like any other call you would normally have. It’s like a conference call where, once you register, you receive a confirmation email with the call in number and access pin. As you said above, it's taking place on February 17th. When 8 p.m. EST rolls around you just pick up the phone, dial the number, and then enter the pin. You’ll be connected to me and all the other people on the line who will be joining you in making a commitment to your body, health, and future. It is completely anonymous so you can be as transparent as you want to be. There are only 150 seats so please sign up as soon as possible. And if you know someone who needs this, invite them to sign up as well.

I know how hard making goals and plans can be so I wanted this event to be as easy as possible. No fear, no judgment, just a safe space to acknowledge your body and begin your journey. You cannot do it alone, I can’t do it alone. And sometimes the pressure can be so great that we feel we have nowhere else to turn. That’s why I also wanted to give people the chance to work with me one on one. If you sign up for the call you’ll also be eligible to receive a paid in full scholarship for my 3-Day Emergency Tool Kit program.

SBS: What is the Emergency Tool Kit Program?

Bri: Reaching out for help (especially when you feel like it’s not an emergency) can be nearly impossible. If you feel like you’re alone, tapped out, overworked, emotionally burdened, rolling in self-doubt, and giving into unhealthy eating then this program is for you. It’s like a big pause button or the chance for a fresh start. That’s what the 3-Day Emergency Tool Kit is. But I’ll be giving away 5 paid in full scholarships. I normally charge $595 for the program but decided to make it way more accessible, because everyone needs a reset at some point.

SBS: So how can folks get in the running for one of the scholarships?

Bri:
1. Register for the call and attend. Register here.
2. Email me before Feb.17th with “Scholarship” in the subject line and tell me why you need this scholarship. Email me at brianna.lamberson@gmail.com.

Once, you’ve done both, I will announce the recipients of the scholarships are on the call.

SBS: Wow! Lots of great info and the chance to have a really amazing opportunity here. Thank you so much Brianna for sharing this with me and my readers! I hope folks will consider joining the call if they are even the least bit interested. It sounds like they won't be disappointed!

Happy Tuesday y'all!

Memorizing Poetry

A former colleague of mine shared this article from the New Yorker on why it's important to memorize poetry and it caused me to try and recall the last time I memorized something. It's been a long time. In thinking about it, I realized a few things: I don't know many peoples' addresses...I have spreadsheets for that. And as for phone numbers, they are stored safely in my phone's contact list. I am notified of my friends' birthdays by Facebook so I don't have to remember those and my wide assortment of Internet passwords and logins are jotted down in a secure location.

It used to be that we'd have to remember when our favorite television shows aired so we could rush home to watch them...now I watch shows on Hulu whenever I feel like it. With all the technology we currently have at our fingertips, there is little need to memorize anything....except maybe where you put your phone or computer.

While reading the article about poetry memorization, I was reminded of all the poems I memorized as a child. I had an audio recording of Shel Silverstein's A Light in the Attic that I'd listen to as I fell asleep each night. I can still recite many of those poems even though I haven't seen the book in years. It's not that I ever get a chance to recite them, but somehow knowing that I still can gives me a sense of accomplishment.

This is how I ended up awake at nearly 1 o'clock in the morning on Sunday, reading a book of poetry. And this is why I've decided to start memorizing poems again. There are 48 weeks left in 2013...I'm sure I can memorize at least a poem every few weeks or so. Even if I just learned one a month, that would be 12 poems memorized over the course of a year...which is 12 less than I've memorized in the last 12 years. It might seem like a silly goal, but I'm pretty excited.

{If this post doesn't alert you to the fact that I'm sort of a nerd, I don't know what would.}

I'd love for you to join me in this, if you're so inclined. There is no test...no prize. Just the feeling of satisfaction and awe at our brains for being able to hold such a vast amount of knowledge. So wish me luck! I'll keep you posted on my progress.

How to Give Compliments

Tomorrow (January 24) has been designated as National Give a Compliment Day. I've already written about the importance of learning how to accept a compliment, but today I want to talk about giving them. How often have you been the recipient of a compliment that felt like a thinly veiled insult? This has happened to me more than I'd like to remember. Since I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, let's pretend they didn't mean it to come across that way.

I'm sure I've probably been guilty of doing this myself, sometimes without meaning to (and maybe on purpose from time to time). Our words have such power. I'm not one to make resolutions with the coming year, but one thing I do want to be more conscious of is how I speak to people. Since our words can have such an impact, I want mine to bring encouragement and peace....not doubt and self-loathing. This applies to what I say to others as well as my own inner dialogue with myself.

I bet that if we really took the time to look with our hearts at the people we encounter, we wouldn't soon run out of compliments to pay them. And doesn't it feel so good when someone takes the time to positively acknowledge a small thing about your behavior or appearance? Let's do the same for others.

Last year had its fair share of challenges for all of us, I'm sure. One of mine was a work situation. In it, I learned that folks are often unable to pay others compliments because their own self-worth is lacking. I am learning that the best way to feel better about yourself is to make someone else feel good about himself. It's like a big ol' contagious warm fuzzy love fest whose impact can spread beyond our wildest dreams.

Each day, I want to look for opportunities to give compliments. I hope you'll do the same. I'm just one person and so are you. But our words have power and we can make an impact for good if we just look for small ways to do so.

Source: tweakiz.com via Lacey on Pinterest

Letting Go of a Lifetime of Stuff

I was born into a family of collectors. This is a wonderful thing and it's enriched my life, as well as come in very handy. Not many people could volunteer to decorate for a "construction-themed" luncheon and round up 35 vintage metal dump trucks to use as centerpieces (borrowed from my generous grandpa's collection).

Even now, I collect English ironstone dishes as well as vintage post cards and little knick knacks I've picked up throughout my travels. I love my collections. They bring me lots of joy...from the hunt to find new pieces to choosing the exact right place to display them.

But somewhere along the way, I ended up collecting a lot of extra stuff that didn't fit into any collection. I collected stuff like my life depended on it. I went to yard sales. I shopped from clearance racks. I bought things because they were cheap or because I wanted one in every color. I bought things that I thought somebody might be able to use...never mind that I wasn't that somebody or I had no idea when the need for those things would arise (if ever).

From my childhood bedrooms (we moved a few times) to my college dorm room to my post-college condominium, I've never had a massive amount of space to call my own. But the space I did/do have has always felt like less because of my stuff. Stuff filled my closets, spilled out of my jam-packed drawers and lined the walls.

I thought my stuff belonged to me. I'm finally figuring out that the truth is, I belong to it. What I never realized is that my stuff has been suffocating me. Have you ever felt this way?

It's kind of embarrassing to even talk about. I mean, there are people in the world who have nothing. Literally nothing. And I'm complaining because I have too much. [crickets chirping].

But I'm not beating myself up....just looking at it from that perspective.

Anyway, 2013 has ushered in a new era for me. I'm not sure how it happened, but I'm letting go of stuff. I mean really letting go of stuff. Cleaning it out, bagging it up and hauling it away. And it feels amazing. Like I-can't-wait-to-wake-up-in-the-morning-and-donate-it-all-to-Goodwill amazing.

Maybe I'm the only recovering wanna-be hoarder out there who has experienced this. But I wanted to share because if there's just one more like me, I want you to be encouraged. You don't need all that stuff. Seriously. There's a lot of freedom in letting go.

A Trip to Trader Joe’s: Southern Belle Simple Favorites

Knoxville’s new Trader Joe’s store opened recently and after shopping there in Nashville and Atlanta, I have been so excited to have a TJ’s in my own neck of the woods.

The southern beau and I popped in on Sunday and I thought I’d share some of my favorite Trader Joe’s products (and hopefully you’ll share some of yours too!)

Trader Joe’s Lemon Curd – This stuff is heavenly…it’s wonderful over pound cake or biscuits. I’ve also been known to eat it straight from the jar. If you like lemons, you’ll love it!

Trader Joe’s Valencia Peanut Butter – This crunchy, savory spread has roasted flaxseeds for an extra bit of flavor. I consider myself a peanut butter connoisseur and I think this might be the best I’ve ever tasted.

Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Mint Creams – Think Junior Mints, but way better. I keep these in the fridge and attempt to eat only one when I need a little bite of something sweet.

Trader Joe’s GIANT White Beans – If I had to choose one TJ product that was my all-time favorite, it would have to be these beans. They are huge lima beans in some kind of Greek tomato sauce and they are sheer perfection. I first heard about them from my pal BethEats when she shared a recipe on her blog combining them with pesto and goat cheese. De-lish! Before Trader Joe’s opened in town, I would buy several jars of these every time I went to Atlanta and then try to ration them out until the next trip.

Trader Joe’s Margarita Mixer – This is my favorite margarita mixer and when I served it to my family, they loved it too. It’s not syrupy like some of them and it has no artificial flavors.

The store was kind of a circus, but I guess that’s to be expected for awhile since folks are just so excited to try it out. Do you have a Trader Joe’s near where you live? If so, I’d love to hear about your favorite Trader Joe’s products. I probably won’t do all my grocery shopping there, but I’m sure I’ll be stopping by occasionally for my favorite things.

Happy Monday! Hope your week is terrific!

Anti-Recipe: Oven Roasted Potatoes with Pesto

Potatoes are one of my all-time favorite foods and when my local farmers’ market had a great looking supply this week, I snatched up a couple pounds of them (fingerling and new red varieties). This recipe is so easy I make it often, but this is the first time I added the pesto. It was a smash for dinner last night!

Ingredients:

• 1-2 lbs potatoes (any kind you wish)
• Olive oil
• Your favorite herbs & spices
• Pesto

Roughly chop your potatoes and toss them in a large bowl with olive oil. Sprinkle herbs & spices liberally (I used dill, rosemary & Tex Blair’s Everything seasoning) and stir until the potato chunks are evenly coated.

Arrange on a baking sheet or roasting pan and roast at 350 degrees for 45 min to an hour. After the spuds are crispy, take them out of the oven and toss with a few tablespoons of pesto. I used some of my homemade (vegan) arugula pesto but cilantro pesto would probably be good or just your favorite store-bought brand.

This anti-recipe is the best kind… a cinch to make yet it tastes like a lot of effort went into it. Let me know if you try it! Happy Tuesday friends.

Anti-Recipe: Vegan No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Chocolate oatmeal cookies (aka cow patties…ew) might not be pretty, but what they lack in looks, they completely make up for in taste. I’ve always liked them, but haven’t made them in years.

This might be the time to officially announce that since January I’ve been eating a mostly vegan diet. It’s for a whole bunch of reasons, but mainly health. I’ve been hesitant to share it because I wasn’t sure how it fit with what SBS is, but I decided since it is something I’m trying and Southern Belle Simple is about me, it would be strange if I completely omitted this part of my life from the blog. So there’s that.

Anyway, back to what matters most….easy chocolate cookies. I followed the fabulous Ezra Pound Cake’s recipe for these, but substituted coconut milk (plain) for the milk and Earth Balance vegan buttery sticks for the butter. I also used brown sugar instead of white.

Let’s just say there are none left. And I only made them a day ago. Stretchy pants for everyone. I couldn’t tell the difference from my version and the ones I’ve had in the past with all the dairy. I’ll definitely be making these again.

No matter which version you prefer, these would surely make a wonderful little cheap & easy Valentine’s treat if you were in need of such a thing. Hope your week is off to a good start!

A Treat for Santa from Southern Belle Simple

When Santa comes to my house this year, he won’t be getting milk and cookies…but it’s not because he’s been naughty. I recently stumbled upon the most delish concoction and I think Ol’ Saint Nick will love it. Plus it’s something the rest of us can enjoy in the meantime.

I’m not much of a milk drinker, but I love almond milk and will occasionally drink soymilk. This time of year, Silk (the almond- & soymilk company) brings out a couple of its seasonal flavors and one of them is pumpkin spice. I grabbed a carton of it at the store this week and had a glass last night. With a generous shaking of pumpkin pie spices on top, it was truly decadent.

Have any of you tried the seasonal Silk flavors? There’s also mint chocolate chip and an eggnog flavor (which I’ve never had). I only tasted soymilk for the first time a few years ago, and I really prefer almond milk. What about y’all? Any other pumpkin lovers out there who’ve had this treat or might give it a try? I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Were vs Are

I saw this book at Borders over the weekend and skimmed through it while waiting on my sister. I didn’t buy it, but I think I will end up ordering it because it had some great stuff inside. I try to keep SBS fun and since diets are not typically fun, they aren’t really a topic I discuss on here.

This post isn’t exactly about diets though…it’s more about the idea of who we are now vs. who we were as teenagers. The fittest I’ve ever been in my life was in high school when I was playing soccer, but even then I had a distorted sense of my body (i.e. I thought I was huge). Only now am I beginning to learn about what it means for my body to be healthy and what it takes to achieve that health.

While flipping through this book, I kept wishing I could give it to my teenage self. It’s not a fad diet, just basic smart ideas about healthy eating and being active. Even though I can’t change my teenage self, I’m hoping my 29-year old self will make her proud!

Is there something you keep wishing you could share with your previous self? I think I’ve decided it’s never too late. Happy Monday friends! 

Anti-Recipe: Turkey Meatloaf

I’m on somewhat of a turkey kick right now, but I don’t mean in a Thanksgiving sort of way. To be perfectly honest, I usually skip Thanksgiving turkey in favor of ham. Thanksgiving turkey can be so dry and boring. I know turkey is healthy (especially as alternative to red meat) and I have cooked with it from time to time, but don’t always think to buy it. Then I recently tried one of Hardee’s new turkey burgers and it was delish.

I decided to make a turkey meatloaf over the weekend, since I had a pound of ground turkey and meatloaf is such an easy dish. The image is not my turkey meatloaf, but it looks pretty similar.

Turkey Meatloaf

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 cups assorted broken crackers/bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• salt & pepper
• minced garlic (your preference on amount)
• 1 cup chopped onion (I use frozen because it’s easier…already chopped)

Mix ingredients well. (Optional: Cover mixture and refrigerate for about an hour…this helps the crackers soften up and absorb the flavors.) Transfer mixture to a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and spread sauce (recipe below) on top. Put back in oven and bake for another 25 minutes.

Sauce

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 T Sriracha Chili sauce
• 2 T honey

When I made turkey chili awhile back, the southern beau didn’t even realize it wasn’t ground beef. It’s a good way to sneak in something a bit healthier without a drastic change. I’m not advocating lying, but if you have picky eaters it might work. For a quicker recipe, form the turkey into meatballs and bake them in a muffin tin.  Just make sure the internal temp of the meat reaches 160 degrees.

{image: via Gourmet.com}

Hope you’re having a lovely day!

Anti-recipe: Roasted Purple Potatoes

Ever since Beth (a fellow foodie & Tennessee blogger) posted this yummy looking recipe, I’ve been wanting to try a purple potato. Before seeing her post, I’d never even heard of such a thing and feared that I might not get a chance to try them since I don’t have a Whole Foods nearby. Imagine my surprise when I saw a little sack of purple potatoes nestled in the produce shelves at my favorite grocer’s. I immediately snatched them up and brought them home with me.

After giving the potatoes a good scrubbing, I quartered them and spread them out in a single layer on my baking stone (or any baking dish you prefer). Then I coated the potatoes with olive oil and tossed them in salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.

Roast at 400 degrees for 30-45 minutes and you are left with crusty, crispy taters that are oh so delish!

I will admit that for the first several bites, I couldn’t quite get past the idea of eating purple potatoes. I think I said something like “I can taste the purple,” but mainly it was just the idea of it. They are a bit more earthy than your average spuds, but tasty and very healthy. Chocked full of antioxidants, purple potatoes are cancer-fighters as well as immune system boosters. Have you ever seen them or even cooked with them? I’m interested to hear about your experience!