Add some fresh fruits to your Holiday menu this year...

Christmas is just days away and along with all the goodies we are going to eat, we can still add fresh fruits into the Holiday menu! Check out these 2 recipes:

The first recipe is a super easy and taste apple salad dressing. No preservatives in this one though!

Easy Apple Salad Dressing

• 2 apples, peeled and cored
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• Cinnamon, two shakes
• Ground cloves, one shake

Add all ingredients into a blender.
Blend until smooth.
Pour over salad just before serving.


Juice your own sweet lemonade without any sugar or preservatives! Whip out that juicer you have stored in the cabinet and get to juicing again.

Some blenders are also capable of creating this sweet lemonade recipe. Instead of using a juicer, you can use a heavy duty blender as well. If you are, peel the apples and lemon for better results.

Apple Lemonade

• 4 apples, cored
• ¼ of a lemon, with peel

Press lemon through the juicer and then run the apples through.
It is that simple…fresh, sweet lemonade!

Add some sliced fresh fruit for added flavor and a festive Holiday look!

Eat your oatmeal!

Have you often wondered if instant oatmeal is just as good for you as rolled oats are? If so, I have the answer for you!

Rolled oats are a better choice than instant oats and here is why:
By using rolled oats, you will reduce the added sodium and sugar that are in the instant variety.
In addition, by eating the rolled oats you will feel fuller for a longer amount of time. This is because it will take your body more time to break down the rolled oats.

So, there you go! Stick to the rolled oats and stay fuller and eat healthier.

TIP: 

Since rolled oats do not come in the flavors of the instant oats, you can easily add some flavor to them yourself. Add a dab of honey and/or ground cinnamon to your oats. You can also add raisins and/or dried cranberries. For a dab of sweetness, add some low sugar jelly or jam. For crunch, add nuts or top it with granola. The possibilities are endless, just get creative!

Happy Autumn...make your own pumpkin pie spice!

Happy first day of Autumn! 

Along with Autumn comes pumpkin spice everything! Several posts ago, we shared that many of the "fall" inspired spices are good for our bodies.
Here is a recipe for pumpkin pie spice:

Pumpkin Pie Spice

3 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 Tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 Tsp. ground ginger
1/4 Tsp. ground allspice

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container or plastic bag.

You may be asking yourself what you can do with this pumpkin pie spice. You can add it to your ground coffee before you brew a pot. You can also add it to coffee creamer for your own version of pumpkin pie spice coffee creamer.

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer

2 cups regular flavored coffee creamer
3/4 to 1 cup sugar
2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

Combine all ingredients into a medium to large bowl and stir with a wire whisk.
Pour into air tight container, tapping on the counter as you go to pack it down.
Store air tight.

Healthy spices!

Did you know that there are spices that are actually good for your health and over all well being? Here is a short list of spices and how they can be helpful to you.

Fall will be arriving within days...The first 5 spices on this list make their seasonal appearance during the beautiful autumn season. Granted, most of us are used to tasting them in cookies and pies, but they can easily be added to your morning coffee, tea and/or protein shakes!


Cinnamon:
Helps your memory

Nutmeg:
Helps with anxiety

Ginger:
Helps with head aches.
Mixed (¼ tsp ginger) with 1 cup hot water, shake of cinnamon and honey to taste

Allspice:
Helps settle the stomach

Cloves:
Helps inflammation (joint swelling and pain)

Fresh Garlic:
Helps prevent colds

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