Saturday, February 16, 2013

Time to detox

My All-Time Favorite Water Detox




I have been doing water detoxing for a long time and I'm pretty sure I've tried all of them out there floating around;). This one is my all time favorite, I always go back to it, simply because #1 it tastes good and #2 it actually works for me. After one day of this I feel super duper! It really helps with digestion and the bloating issues I continue to have!  This detox is not a fasting detox, therefore, eat your regular clean meals (I eat 5-6 smaller meals protein focused and low carb), just add this water in place of all other beverages. I will drink almost a gallon and a half daily of this. Sounds like a lot, but if you carry a shaker cup around full of it everywhere you go it's pretty easy to get a gallon in! This is safe to do daily, and I try to always have some ready!

Here's how to do it:

2 L of water
Add 10-15 mint leaves, half of a cucumber and a whole lemon and approx. 2 knuckles of peeled and sliced ginger. 
Let steep in fridge overnight. 
I refill my pitcher one more time before replacing mint, cucumber and lemon.

Give it a try!

Mediterranean Pasta



Mediterranean Pasta
One of our family favorites! Makes 4 servings. 

Get It
2 tbls. olive oil
2 zucchini sliced
10 small sweet bell pepers sliced
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tbls. italian herbs
1 tsp. salt
1 15 oz artichoke hearts in water, drained and halved
1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 cup whole wheat penne pasta
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/3 cup black olives halved

Make it!

~Heat olive oil in large skillet on med-high heat.
~Add onions, garlic, zucchini, peppers and cherry tomatoes, saute until tender.
~While vegetables cook, bring pot of water to boil and cook pasta.
~Drain pasta, reserve a little pasta water and set aside.
~Add Italian herbs to vegetables, add artichoke hearts, black olives and sun dried tomatoes.
~Mix well, add balsamic vinegar.
~Allow balsamic vinegar to reduce a little. Mix to coat vegetables well.
~Add the drained pasta, mix well. Add a bit of hot pasta water if needed.
~Top with feta cheese.

Tips: I sometimes add cooked chicken breast for the extra protein benefits.  Add more balsamic vinegar if needed, making sure to reduce it creating a sweet and sticky coating.  I add extra sun dried tomatoes, since we love the texture and taste.  To make it lower in calories I add more veggies and less pasta. It's also great without pasta as a veggie meal.  This makes a perfect weekend lunch. 


Calories: approx. 289, fat 10.7g, sat fat 2.5g, trans fat 0.0g, cholest. 8mg, sodium 760mg, carbs 39.7g, dietary fiber 7.7g, sugars 7.5g, protein 9.2g.



Sunday, February 3, 2013

OH NO! THE FLU!!!!




Yuck! The Flu Has Struck!

The last week we have been fighting the FLU...blah! That sneaky little bug wormed its way into my son then took up residence in the rest of us. When it first hit my oldest guy I decided then and there, it was time for a detox bath. (he loves to soak in a bath when he is feeling under the weather.) Below are  a few of my favorite concoctions for you to create. The bath salts are really easy to make and put in a pretty mason jar and give as gifts;).  I hope you try one of them. Detox baths really do work. I  encourage you to try it, sick or not! 


"Sugar Mamma's Detox Bath Salts"

1 Cup Epsom Salts
1/2 Cup Fresh Ground Ginger Root
1/3 Cup Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Lavender Essential Oil

Grab a full glass of cool water with lemon and head for the bathroom. Fill the tub with hot water, as hot as you can take! Add salts and swish around. Sink in and relax for at LEAST 20 mins! Sip your water throughout. Take care getting out of the tub as you may feel a bit light headed;). Continue to hydrate throughout the day. 

FYI: Epsom salts remove toxins from the body. Ginger intensifies the sweat and the baking soda helps neutralize the chlorine in the the water.



"Cold and Flu Remedy"

Add 3 pints HYDROGEN PEROXIDE 3% to a hot bath.
Add 2 ounces of GROUND GINGER

Soak for about 30 minutes. Drink lots of water while soaking.
After about 5 mins of soaking I literally started to sweat! I recommend doing this bath before heading to bed, but not before chugging a few more glasses of water;)!

FYI: The hydrogen peroxide helps purge toxins from the body. It is also antibacterial and antiviral, a bonus! The ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory, it will increase blood circulation and help eliminate toxins through sweat.