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Recipes!

Here are a few of my favorite recipes that give me what I want, but still keep me on track. When cooking I try to stick to gluten free products and I usually use coconut oil instead of olive or canola. Coconut oil has a higher heat tolerance and adds a great flavor to foods.


ENJOY!!

Gluten Free Banana Bread:
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2007/11/banana-chocolate-chip-bread.html
I sub agave instead of the brown sugar and I use egg instead of arrow root. Arrow root is a dairy free thickener for those that can’t or don’t eat dairy.


I Am Bliss (chocolate cream pie)
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=36698
This is a raw dessert but you would never know! It uses irish moss which gives it the creamy pudding texture. You’ll need a food processor and a vitamix for this recipe.


Chicken Tacos:
http://www.lowfatlifestyle.com/entrees/entreerecipes/chickentacos.html
I use olive oil and sprouted corn tortillas for this.


Pad Thai:
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/pad_thai.html
again...use agave in place of sugar.


Quinoa Salad:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Quinoa-and-Black-Bean-Salad-12245
So yummy! and protein packed


Spicy Grilled Peach and Chicken Kabobs:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/2702
made these the other night. Fantastically taste bud pleasing.

Healthy Products

There is such an abundance of products out there today claiming to be pretty much amazing. One gets rid of all your wrinkles, the other takes care of that extra 10lbs, and the the other hides all flaws, stays on all day and never creases! I've been expriementing with products for a long time, I've spent well over $10,000 on skincare, makeup and haircare....I've put together a list of my favorite products that actually work and for the most part will not break the bank. Hope you enjoy!

Makeup:
http://www.mineralfusioncosmetics.com/ hands down the best mineral makeup I've ever used. 10 times better then bare essentials. ahhhh-mazing.
http://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/lips-lip-shimmer-gloss/ Burts bees has great red lipsticks...they stay on, give a nice stain, last a long time and smell nice and minty.
http://www.eccobella.com/cosmetics/cosmetics All around good pigment and quality products...not so keen on the foundations though...the eye shadows work well
http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/templates/landing/makeup/index.tmpl?cm_mmc=Google-_-TM-BRAND-EXACT-_-Sitelinks-_-Sitelinks-Makeup Smart woman, amazing products, end of story.

Skin Care:
http://www.drhauschka.com/ Hands down my favorite skin care products. A little more pricey but worth it. Love love love the rose day cream.
http://www.origins.com/ I love Origins, everything smells really fresh and clean. I love the Modern Friction. Great exfoliator
http://www.veganbeautyreview.com/2008/02/make-mychelle-yourchelle.html MMMM I love the pumpkin peel...and the travel set is a lifesaver.

Hair Care:
Coconut oil!! as long as its cold pressed and extra virgin. I put it on at night for deep conditioning. Works like magic. I use it on my body too!
http://www.johnmasters.com/  The hair reconstructor is amazing. I have really fried blonde hair :/ so this stuff works miracles on me.
http://www.desertessence.com/hair-care these products smell amazing...my hair always smells sooo good after using these....and they actually work. love it.

Tips and Tricks for Moms to be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmoarjLZTiY&feature=channel

My good friend Heather who is a personal trainer and a model....great advice for moms to be!

Music Motivation!

Ok when going to the gym....you need motivation. Getting there is hard enough, once you're there you need something to help you kick ass on the treadmill or power though those lunges. Soooo what I like to do in order to "pump" myself up is make an insane....yes...insane... playlist. Not only will you be entertained but you can make a playlist for the amount of time you want to be at the gym! I've posted my gym playlist for you to see...Download all the tracks on itunes.

1. Only Man- Audio Bullys
2. Daydreaming- Kid Sister (feat. Cee-Lo)
3. Get Shaky- The Ian Carey Project
4. Seven- New Roman
5. Play Your Part (Part. 1)- Girl Talk
6. Remedy- Little Boots
7. Wrong Prayer- Jaydiohead
8. Needy Girl (Bloc Party Remix)- Chromeo
9. LA Girl (Crookers Remix)- Sean Brown
10. Ghosts 'N' Stuff- Deadmau5 (Feat. Rob Swire)
11. Lady Don't Tek No- Latryx
12. Keep it goin' louder- Major Lazer (feat. Nina Sky & Ricky Blaze)
13. Shimmy Shimmy Ya- Wu-Tang Clan
14. Sleepyhead- Passion Pit
15. It Was All a Dream- Jay Z (Feat. Notorious B.I.G.)
16. Know Your Enemy- Rage Against The Machine
17. Holiday- Madonna
18. Heads Will Roll- Yeah Yeah Yeahs
19. Song 2- Blur
20. Gimme All Your Lovin- ZZ Top
21. Everybody Got Their Something- Nikki Costa
22. The Messenger- A Gondola Ride In Paris
23. Love Today- Mika

There you have it. My current workout playlist. ENJOY!! Stay motivated :)  

Navigating the Grocery Store

The grocery store can be a very intimidating place when starting a new "diet" or way of life (how I like to refer to it). There are so many products and brands today at your local health food store. So I was thinking it might be helpful if I made a list of the main products and brands that I like to stick to. I've thoroughly researched and tested these products (on myself....not my dog) and they are my favorites.


Supplements
My favorite brand is NEW CHAPTER, but they can get pretty pricey. If you have the money I would recommend buying all your vitamins and supplements from them...There are many brands that are great and wont break the bank.

NEW CHAPTER my favorite products http://www.newchapter.com/
NOW is a great brand for enzymes, vitamin D3 and so on http://www.nowfoods.com
OREGON'S WILD HARVEST is a great brand all organic and biodynamic. http://www.oregonswildharvest.com/
JUNGLE PRODUCTS best coconut oil I've come across. Coconut oil is a good fat with a high heat tolerance. It aids in weight loss, supports the immune system and so much more. I use it on my skin and hair as well. http://www.junglepi.com/products/coconut_oil.html
UDO'S is hands down the best omega fatty acids I've used http://www.florahealth.com/Flora/Home/canada/Products/R7980.asp
DR. OHHIRA'S probiotics are the best! I love these. I don't by any other brand. http://drohhiraprobiotics.com/index.html
BRAGG apple cider vinegar and amino acids are great products. http://www.bragg.com/

So that covers my favorite brands for supplements! I hope that helps.
A few things I like to do at the grocery store

*Stick to the perimeter of the grocery store. all the fresh veggies, fruits and meats are there.
*Stay away from anything packaged or with a long ingredient list. The goal is to eat fresh, unprocessed foods and anything bagged or boxed is usually processed.
*Don't go when you're hungry!
*Make a list and stick to it.
*Don't go with friends that will stray you from you focus and goals with your eating.
*Buy as much organic as you can.

Website

Get Fit With Summer website check it out...tell me what you think :)