Nutrition

Kombucha, Yay or Nay?

Kombucha, Yay or Nay?

I jumped on the Kombucha bandwagon a while back and am still hanging on. I really like it because 1. it isn't very sweet 2. gives me a little pick me up in the afternoon and 3. it helps curb my sweets craving. It is a tea meets juice meets cider meets vinegar drink. Sounds weird and a little hippy, right? It is kind of weird and hippy since it starts from a mushroom kind of thingy and turns into fizzy yumminess with flavors galore. I drink a few ounces occasionally or use it to make cocktails that are really good and not too sweet. I will share a little more about kombucha and some of my favorites.

What is kombucha?

Kombucha, pronouned kom-BOO-cha, is a fermented drink made from tea, sugar, and a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). The SCOBY looks like a rubbery pancake. The mixture ferments to produce enzymes, acids, microflora, B vitamins and a tiny bit of alcohol. The fermentation process can sometimes cause a sour flavor as well as some carbonation. Most of them don't have sugar added after the fermentation process so are pretty low in sugar content.

What's in your freezer?

What's in your freezer?

Hey friends! Back at you today with the next installment of what's in your (insert food storage unit)? It's all about the freezer staples today. Who doesn't love to keep easy foods in their freezer for a last-minute meal? I am not one that keeps the freezer ridiculously full because I really don't have tons of frozen foods I love to buy. Pizza rolls? Nope. Taquitos? Nope. Toaster strudels? Nope. Ice cream? Maybe.

I love to keep frozen fruit handy for snacks and to use in shakes or smoothies. When my bananas get too ripe, I peel them, cut them in half and keep them frozen in a ziplock to use in smoothies or as banana ice cream (bananas pureed in a food processor). Frozen mango (Best Choice) and pineapple (TJs) are one of my favorite snacks at night if I'm craving something sweet. I really love mango but am terrible at picking out a fresh one so this is a good way to get it.

A few quick, easy dinner options are also usually in my freezer. I keep frozen turkey meatballs (TJs), which are great with spaghetti squash or pasta or with some brown rice and a veggie. I also really like frozen burgers of different types to throw under the broiler or on a grill pan for a super easy and fast lunch or dinner. Right now I have salmon (Costco), black bean (Costco) and chicken burgers (TJs).

Cha, Cha, Cha, Chia!

Cha, Cha, Cha, Chia!

Who remembers the old chia pets that sprouted a plant from their seeds? We received one yearly for Christmas for a while from a Grandpa and they never grew. Worst gift ever! Well chia seeds are back and are so much more than growing a plant on an animal. Ok, so they've been back for a while but I'm going to give you the low-down on these little guys if you have no idea what they are or how and why to eat them.

Chia is a species of flowering plant in the mint family and is native to Mexico and Guatemala. Chia means "strength" in the Mayan language. The Aztecs used to eat chia seeds for energy and endurance.

Chia seeds have many health benefits whether eaten whole, ground or soaked. They provide fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, calcium, copper, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. They are also a rich source of anti-oxidants.

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Homemade Larabars

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Homemade Larabars

Happy Tuesday morning! Did you know that Tuesday is the most productive day of the week. You have to get over your Monday is so rough attitude and then you are ready to totally kill it on Tuesday! I’m bringing you recipes for homemade bars that are great for a post-workout snack or to satisfy your sweet tooth…or to eat anytime, really. Get productive today and make these!

Tuesday is my favorite workout class, my mid-morning Barre Express class. Express means 45 minutes instead of 60 minutes and who doesn’t love to get their workout done in express fashion? I do! It is a fun, muscle focused class without any jumping! That’s what I’m talking about!

I don’t love eating my usual breakfast right before I workout so I usually stick to some fruit and peanut butter or a small bowl of oatmeal about 1-2 hours prior. The one small problem is that on my way home I am pretty hungry. My tummy wants all the quick, easy snacks while my brain says “don’t ruin those 45 minutes”. Post workout I like to incorporate protein and carbs in a small snack or mini meal for energy and tissue repair.