A great video to watch. It makes sense...

Check out this wonderful video here.  If you have questions, please ask me for more info.

So many different lifestyles. Which food lifestyle are you?...

I have been checking out so many different ways of eating.  My daughter is a vegetarian and borderline vegan.  It made me stop to think, what do I like?  I don't like a lot of meat in my diet but I am not a vegetarian.  Do you know what you are?  Here are some great blogs and web site for some food choices.

Do you know what PALEO is? 
The Paleo Diet is an effort to eat like we used to eat back in the day…WAY back in the day. If a caveman couldn't eat it, neither can you. This means you can eat anything we could hunt or gather – meats, fish, nuts, leafy greens, regional veggies, and seeds. Sorry, the pasta, cereal, and candy will have to go!

Here is a great Paleo recipe web site.  Check out the Nom Nom Paleo web site.  

Do you know what VEGETARIAN is?
Someone who lives on a diet of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits with, or without, the use of dairy products and eggs. A vegetarian does not eat any meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish* or by-products of slaughter.

Want a great blog and place for recipes?  Go to Naturally Ella.  It is a great place to check out. 

Do you know what VEGAN is?
Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. From 'junk food vegans' to raw food vegans, and everything in between, there's a version of veganism to suit everyone.

A great resource for Vegan cuisine is Oh She Glows.  Check out the blog for some great food options and recipes. 

 
 Do you know what GLUTEN-FREE is?
A gluten-free diet is a diet that excludes the protein gluten. Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye, and a cross between wheat and rye called triticale. A gluten-free diet is primarily used to treat celiac disease. Gluten causes inflammation in the small intestines of people with celiac disease.

For some ideas on gluten-free cooking and to find out more check out Elana's Pantry. 

Do you take enough breaks?...

Do you take enough breaks?  So many people now a days are over worked, stressed out, on pills for something or just don't know how to decompress?  Have a look at this?  50 Ways To Take A Break.  There are some great ideas on here.  All of these will help you de-stress and relax a bit.  Try a different one each day.  See if it helps.

Craving Southwest Salad right now...

This is hands down my absolute favourite salad.  So much healthy goodness.  Lots of protein too!  I might have to go make myself one right now.  Here is a recipe if it interests you too!

Ingredients:

• 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup canned corn kernels, drained
• 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup tortilla strips, for garnish

For the cilantro lime dressing

• 1 cup loosely packed cilantro, stems removed
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic
• Juice of 1 lime
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Directions:

1. To make the cilantro lime dressing, combine cilantro, Greek yogurt, garlic, lime juice and salt in the bowl of a food processor. With the motor running, add olive oil and vinegar in a slow stream until emulsified; set aside.
2. To assemble the salad, place romaine lettuce in a large bowl; top with tomatoes, corn, black beans and cilantro. Pour the dressing on top of the salad and gently toss to combine. Stir in avocado.
3. Serve immediately, garnished with tortillas trips, if desire

Can't wait to start planting...

It is the end of March and the snow is melting and the sun is out.  It is a warm 10 degrees celsuis out.  ;-)  I can not wait to plant my garden.  How about you?  Here are some great charts/pictures to help you plan out your own gardens.  Planting season is soon upon us.  This might help you out.

Check out the Prevention Plus session Wednesday...

I highly recommend attending this session given by Dr. Rick Dubois.  He is going to be presenting some valuable information that will be informative and beneficial for your health.  I will be there.  He isn't selling anything.  He is just giving you some valuable information to think about.  The session is FREE.  You can attend Wednesday, March 22nd in Edmonton or Thursday, March 23rd in Calgary.

One kidney stone down ~ two more to go...

I just got back from my urologist appointment and found out the first kidney stone I had that was causing me so many problems - passed.  I totally attribute it to drinking cranberry juice.  I was drinking it crazily for the last 2 months.  I think the cranberry juice broke down the kidney stone so I passed it without even feeling it.  It was a 6 mm stone.

Thank you Ocean Spray!

For those of you having issues with kidney stones, etc.  Check out the link here for this web site that has some great information on cranberry juice and its benefits.

What are GMO's?...

What is a GMO?
A GMO, or genetically modified organism, is a plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified using recombinant DNA methods (also called gene splicing), gene modification or transgenic technology. This relatively new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods. 

Are GMOs safe?
Most developed nations do not consider GMOs to be safe and have significant restrictions or outright bans on the production and sale of GMOs. The U.S. and Canadian governments, though, have approved GMOs based on studies conducted by the same corporations that created them and profit from their sale. 

Are GMOs labelled?
Sixty-four countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, require genetically modified foods to be labelled. While a 2015 ABC News survey found that 93% of Americans believe genetically modified foods should be labelled, GMOs are not required to be labelled in the U.S. and Canada. In the absence of mandatory labeling, the Non-GMO Project was created to give consumers the informed choice they deserve. 

Which foods might contain GMOs?
Most packaged foods contain ingredients derived from corn, soy, canola, and sugar beet — and the vast majority of those crops grown in North America are genetically modified. 

How do GMOs affect farmers?
Because GMOs are novel life forms, biotechnology companies have been able to obtain patents with which to restrict their use. As a result, the companies that make GMOs now have the power to sue farmers whose fields are contaminated with GMOs, even when it is the result of inevitable drift from neighboring fields ⁴. GMOs therefore pose a serious threat to farmer sovereignty and to the national food security of any country where they are grown, including the United States and Canada.

What are the impacts of GMOs on the environment?
More than 80% of all GMOs grown worldwide are engineered for herbicide tolerance. As a result, use of toxic herbicides like Roundup has increased 16 times since GMOs were introduced. GM crops are also responsible for the emergence of herbicide resistant “super weeds” and “super bugs,” which can only be killed with more toxic poisons like 2,4-D (a major ingredient in Agent Orange). GMOs are a direct extension of chemical agriculture and are developed and sold by the world’s biggest chemical companies. The long-term impacts of GMOs are unknown, and once released into the environment, these novel organisms cannot be recalled.

This information was taken from the web site NON-GMO PROJECT  You can go to this web site to see a listing of all the high-risk crops that could potentially be GMO's.

To ease your mind, Juice Plus+ does not use any GMO's in their fruits and vegetables.  Once again, Juice Plus+ produce is all while food nutrition.  Our capsules are:

• gluten free
• vegan
• non-GMO
• NSF safe
• Kosher

Do you know where your fruits and vegetables from the grocery store are coming from?  Most of the produce from the grocery store has little to no nutrients left once you purchase it and bring it home.  Most produce loses 30% of nutrients three (3) days after harvest.  Three days!  You don't usually get your produce in three days.  Think of where those fruits and vegetables have to come from (especially out of season).  They then go to the wholesaler/supplier, they could be held up in customs/border crossings, then they reach the grocery store and then finally you the consumer purchases it.  I have purchased so many bagged salads in the last couple years.  You are lucky if you have 2 days until they expire or go bad before the expiry date.  Did you also know that most produce is picked before it is ripe?  All the nutrients in fruits and vegetables is within the last few days while it is ripening.

Juice Plus+ picks ONLY riped fruits and vegetables and immediately puts every bit (excluding pits) into the capsules to give you whole food nutrition.  Many fruits' nutrition is in their peels like oranges.  You get all of that in a capsule.

Ar you getting 7-10 servings of fruit and vegetables as well as grains each day?  Probably not.  Not only is that difficult to do and takes a lot of prep work, it is extremely costly.

I am so grateful for Juice Plus+ each day.  It helps bridge the gap bebetween what I should eat and what I do eat every day. 

 This is the back of one of the Juice Plus+ capsule bottles.

Locally sourced foods...

For those of you that are Sherwood Park or Edmonton locals, there is a course being offered on Thursday, May 4th from 6-9 p.m. at Salisbury Comp. High School. It is called "GET FRESH - LOCAL SOURCED COOKING". The course is described as "do you know the source of what you are eating? Tired of tasteless produce? Time to get fresh and eat local! Learn to create delicious, savoury, healthy meals using locally sourced meat, dairy, produce and other fresh foods. This is a demonstration course with time to interact with the professional chef and taste the cuisine". The chef offering this course is Richard Toll. I have taken courses from him before and he is fabulous. There are spots remaining if you want to take part. Here is the link: http://www.eipscontinuinged.ca/courses/cooking/frlcl

Can't wait for nicer weather....

On Sunday, my sister and I were at Salisbury Greenhouse for most of the day.  Wow!  Do they ever have beautiful, vibrant plants there.  I can't wait to get gardening and planting my own.  Here are just a few of the beauties you can buy.

Also these amazing and very large fairy gardens.

Working Out and Fit Bit...

I have been getting back into the swing of things working out with my sister and occassionally my brother-in-law.  I feel so good once I am done.  An hour or a little over and hour and that's all you need.  I was religiously going to the swimming pool and swimming (some laps but mostly aqua fit) at 5:30 a.m. three days a week for a year and a half until I developed my kidney stones.  I see my specialist next week and then will be going back to the pool.  I sure feel it not swimming.  I felt wonderful swimming each morning.  It really woke me up and made me ready for the day.  When Ronda and I work out we do it at night.  For me that is the best time.  It helps me sleep.  I have always had a hard time decompressing at night so I can fall asleep.  Too much on my plate, the hamster won't get off the wheel kind of thing.  I just never knew how to turn off my brain.  Most nights I would go to bed with the t.v. on so I could think about senseless stuff and just hear the t.v.  That helps but I find working out and maybe yoga will do the trick also.

I have had a Fit Bit for 2 years now and I find it really holds me accountable as well.  As much as I can see my friends progress, I really try to beat my own and meet my goal each day which is 10,000 steps each day.  For me obviouslly summer months is much easier to accomplish that goal. 

What I would like to hear from you, is what you do.  Do you work out, swim?  Are you a morning or night time work out person?  Do you use a Fit Bit?  If you do, what do you primarily track?

I highly recommend this session...

This coming week Dr. Richard Dubois is coming to Edmonton on Wednesday and Calgary on Thursday. I really recommend going to this session. You will leave feeling informed and motivated. I will be at the Edmonton session. Let me know if you can attend.

Kidney Stones...

As many of you know I have been struggling with kidney stone issues for 2 months. I found out January 13th I had a kidney stone when I wound up in excruciating pain. I went to the hospital and was told immediately that it was a stone. After tests I found out it was a 6 mm stone. I've been to the urologist and am going back again next week. After seeing my GP today and being told from the notes she received I have 2 more that haven't dropped yet. A 5 mm on my left side and a 3 mm on my right side. For those of you that have never experienced a kidney stone before, all I can say is it is the most excruciating pain I have ever felt. It's worse than child birth. Imagine back labor but for 3-4 days. That was this stone.

I highly recommend doing everything in your power to avoid your body having them.

• Stay hydrated. I can't say that enough. Drink lots of water. I've been drinking cranberry juice and lemonade like it's going out of style. 
• Avoid sugary drinks like pop
• Avoid sweets as much as possible
• Avoid caffeine 
• Avoid salt 

Those are just some of the things you can do.  Staying hydrated is the #1 thing you can do. 

Tired of wrinkles, age spots, a bad complexion?...

Watch this video created by Dr. Mitra Ray.  She is amazing!  She explains how to create a better complexion, feel great and reguvenate your body.

Dr. Mitra Ray's Video

What is Juice Plus+?...

Here is a bit about Juice Plus+.  I still get people asking me what it is.  Is it a juicing system?  No, it isn't a juicing system.  Have a look at this video What's Juice Plus+? 
It explains it for you.  I will be posting my own videos soon hopefully.

What is Tower Garden?...

Here is a video to explain the Tower Garden to you.  I sell these and they are amazing.  Here is my web site if you want to have a look at Renee's Tower Garden Web Site but I highly recommend watching this video.  They explain it well.

Tower Garden Video

Can't wait to plant the garden...

Seeds are bought, my design is planned out, information written down on companion planting and now I wait for the snow to melt so we can get the show on the road.

I am planting...

• 2 different kinds of Dill
• Walla Walla Onion
• White Sweet Spanish Onion
• Bush Beefsteak Tomatoes
• Crimson Cushion Beefsteak Tomatoes
• Sweetie Tomatoes
• Romaine Lettuce
• Iceberg Lettuce
• Detroit Dark Red Beets
• Early Sunglow
• Double Sweet Corn
• Boston Pickling Cucumbers
• Straight Eight Cucumbers
• National Pickling Cucumbers
• Garden Leader Monster Watermelon
• Tall Utah Celery
• Green Sprouting Calabrese Broccoli
• Bush Zucchini
• Snowball Early Cauliflower
• Monster Pumpkin
• Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin

I will be documenting the start up, planting, maintenance and harvesting of my garden this year.

Weekend of learning...

I had a very full weekend of training and informative info I wanted to share with all of you.  I attended a session today.  It was "WEEDS FOR FOOD & MEDICINE".  I learned a lot at this one.  Many weeds we see here in Alberta are very beneficial in aiding pain relief.  Here are a few...

PLANTAIN a.k.a. WHITE MAN'S FOOT

 

You can harvest the leaves and stem from this plant.  It is good for bug bites.  Put the leaves in hot water to make a tea if you have a build up of mucus, have bronchitis or other lung issues.  Also using the leaves to make a tea helps in stopping smoking.

SHEPHERD'S PURSE

Harvest the leaves and seeds from this plant.  The seeds look like a heart.  This plant is high in vitamin K.  Shepherd's Purse works for clotting blood, good for high blood pressure, good for circulation, decreases menstrual flow.  The leaves taste like spinach and the heart shape pods taste like pepper.

STINGING NETTLE

 Make sure you wear gloves and have long sleeves on when harvesting Stinging Nettle.  Harvest the leaves, roots and seeds.  Plantain (the plant we described above) usually grows very close to Stinging Nettle.  Stinging Nettle is good for respiratory and urinary systems.  It is a great antihistamine and great for allergies.  Take the leaves to use to make a lotion to use for eczema.  Stinging Nettle cleanses the blood.  It is good for urinary function, menstrual function and great for your kidneys.  Make a tea out of the leaves.  It is high in vitamin A, C and D as well as calcium.  Great for vegetarians.

WILD ROSE

Alberta's plant!  Harvest the roots, leaves and rose hips ,  Great to make a tea.  Petals are good for using as a band aid if you're outside and cut yourself.  It is a very healing.  Rose hips are great for your capillaries and for varicose veins.  Leaves are high in minerals, good for viruses and gives you energy.  Great if you are feeling run down.  Infuse the petals into drinks and foods.

RED CLOVER

Red Clover is good for nitrogen content in the soil.  Harvest only the red petals.  It is great for fertility, reducing menstrual flow, decreases cramping, good for cracked nipples if you are breast feeding, gout, rheumatism, good for psoriasis, arthritis as well as it is a mild expectorant.

DANDELION

Harvest the roots, leaves and flowers.  You can eat all of those.  Dandelions are high in vitamin D.  You can dip the heads in batter and deep fry them.  They are supposed to taste great.  You can also make Dandelion wine.  You can eat the roots like any root vegetable.  Dandelions are good for the digestive system, IBS issues, heartburn, diabetes as well they are anti-inflammatory.  The white liquid that comes out of the stems are great to get rid of warts if you apply topically.

Welcome to my blog...

Blogging is not new to me.  I have been doing it for the past 12 years.  I however have decided to start this new blog to share my love of healthier living, working out, gardening and Juice Plus+ and Tower Gardens.  Please keep checking back for all the latest and greatest I have to share on this advernture I am on.  I will be sharing work out tips, gardening tips and updates on my garden and how things are progressing, healthier eating ideas, and all things Juice Plus+ and Tower Garden.  If you ever have questions, comment and post them here.  Welcome!