Weekly Food Prep #1: Soup

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Save for the hot hot summer months (and even then I often make a summer soup of sorts) I am a lovable soup eater.

Soup is great when you're thirsty, hungry, sleepy, tired, sick, excited...I could go on for days about the AWESOMENESS of soup. I will spare you my ramblings and get to the point.

Every week, and I mean every week, I make a pot of soup. It's my creed. It's my sanity.

Now for those who say, "Meh, I like soup but I get bored if I have to eat the same thing everyday." I say: stick with me...you'll see. I will offer options for modifications that will entertain even the miser-iest of us all, my bubby.

Now, as I was saying...ah, yes SOUP.

Photo by www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

Reasons why I like making soup:
1) Pour it all in a pot and walk away. (for the most part)
 - Soup usually cooks itself, minus a bit of stirring here or there and the occasional check that it's not boiling too vigorously, it usually requires minimal "kitchen work." This is a HUGE bonus for me, and will be for you too if you're the kind who has a bit of time to chop and prep and then other things to do. Soup is a good option for those strapped for time.

Photo by www.sallypasleyvargas.com

2) You can make soup out of just about ANYTHING.
 - You've got carrots, peas, corn, potatoes and garlic on hand...let's make some soup! No carrots, okay, no problem. Throw lentils, pumpkin puree, onions, and some celery in, add water and season to taste...and we've got soup! Leftover rice and stirfry in the fridge, throw it in there...add some chopped kale, seasonings, and chopped red peppers...and we've got soup! The list goes on and on...

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3) It's filling.
 - Anyone responsible for feeding themselves can easily say, "once I eat, I don't want to be heading back to the kitchen in an hour or so in search of food." You cook, you eat, you get on with your day. No one has days and hours to spend cooking and cooking on end just to survive. Soup is the answer of all answers. You eat some, not yet full, eat some more.

Photo by www.culinarycircle.com

4) It's cheap.
 - Most of the time when I endeavor to make soup, I look in the fridge, cupboards and crisper, see what's around, make a pile on the counter, pick out some options and "throw it in a pot." I'm not kidding. Once it starts cooking I season to taste, put the lid on and walk away. I don't tend to grocery shop to make soup. You can very often use what you already have in your pantry and reduce your trips to the store.

Photo by thepioneerwoman.com

5) It's healthy.*
 - Now this one is tricky, depending on what you put in it. If we're talking ham hocks and fried butter onion soup...or mac n' cheese soup (there exists such a thing)...not so healthy. Just because you cook it down and throw in a veggie or two doesn't necessarily make it good for you. We CAN however, make our soup choices largely veggie-based, limit the salt and try not to over cook them. These suggestions can help to preserve the nutrients in our soups and make them a very healthly alternative.


So, there you have it. My humble plea for weekly soup-making. I encourage you to make some yourself this week! Share your "spontan" recipe below!

Afraid of making TOO much soup? here's a tip on how to freeze leftovers.

Simple Meal Suggestions (3 part post)

My weekly regimen:

Photo by parenthoodandkids.com

SO, most people have a busy schedule that allows for limited access to fresh, nutrient-rich foods. The typical American diet consists of whatever is quick, easy, and tasty. We are often know, world-wide for burning our candles at both ends (if you've ever heard the saying). And this is unfortunately often the case.

Photo by ohsheglows.com (an awesome place to get fantastic recipes)

We get sick, and don't take the time to find out the root of the cause. We simply look for the quickest cold-suppressant we can find that will allow us to keep working and moving along at the daily grind pace.

We could stand to learn a lesson (or two) from some other cultures that value their rest.

I digress...


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I endeavor to present to you my Weekly (Sunday's are my free-est day of the week) Work-Week Food Prep Regimen.

The name is actually longer than most of these items take to prepare so let's begin....

Weekly Food Prep #1: Soup
Weekly Food Prep #2: Salad

Who poo'ed...did you???

Photo by http://pinsta.me/u/chichiromeoandme and her beautiful children.

When I was a little kid and first became exposed to the naughty nature of children and their uncanny fascination with poo, I quickly learned the correct and incorrect ways to describe it in public setting. Below I will categorize the words most commonly used for this regular bodily function:

1) Poo or Poop
 - The word "poo" is often used in conjuction with the unattractive smell associated either before or after the action of relieving one's bowels takes place. Add a simple letter "p" to the end and you will be describing the action itself.
EX. " Ewww.... Mom, Trent smells like poop!" or " Peee-eeeww, she poo'ed!"

Photo by www.justjared.com 

2) "BM"
 - A "BM" is a technical abbreviation for "bowel movement." This, according to my grandmother, who is the knower of all things, it is the most appropriate way to describe such personal functions, in public or private. It is also the most politically correct way to describe the action taking place.
EX. "May I please be excused, I need to make a BM."

3) #2
 - Realizing the meaning of doing a "#2" can only be understood by knowing the meaning of doing a "#1." Here we see that the first describes simple urination, while the second describes the complex task of bowel movements. Oftentimes parents will ask their children, "Do you need to go to the bathroom?" "Okay, #1 or #2?"
*Note: This way of describing the lower bowel movements is accepted in most all settings and situations and is the most 'politically correct' version to use.

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4) crap or it's censored version "$h!t"
 - To "crap" one's pants, or to "take a crap" is often used by the pre-teen to early and late adulthood generations. There is a sense of vulgarity to this verbiage and it is considered most rude to say out loud in public, especially the latter.
EX. "Gross Josh! You just crapped all over yourself!" or "Man, get outta my way! I need to take a massive $h!t"

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5) Doo-doo or boo-boo
 - These variations can be used by adults and children alike. The repetition in the words make them easy for kids to learn and they are generally accepted in public, when speaking to or about children's bowel movements.
EX. "Momma, I need to go boo-boo." or "Daddy, doo-doo'ed upstairs!"

6) Taking a "dump" 
Taking a dump is a common way to describe the process of passing stools and specifically refers to a large amount of waste being removed from the bowels. Often, it is also assumed, by using this phrase, that you will be engaged in bathroom functions for some time.
EX. " AY! Close the door! I'm taking a dump here!"

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SO...I hope that proved to be an informational and entertaining spin on the normal bodily functions we each experience everyday. No matter what you call it, or when you it happens, everyone does it!

Throughout your detox I hope yours are as smooth and pain-free as possible. Happy dumping!

DeToxify-ing our bodies

Let's talk about a few ways we can get our bodies regulated:

• 1) Drink WATER

We are challenged to drink half our body weight in ounces in order to maintain hydration. (ex. a person who weighs 160 lbs. (160/2=80) should drink 80 oz. of water daily OR eight 10 oz. glasses/day) Our body is made up of over 70% water and needs this to feed our cells, help our organs and move out the waste. Water is the cheapest, easiest, simplest way to regulate your body, stools included.

The way I do it: keep a water bottle/large cup at my desk at work, refill it every time it gets close to empty. At home, I have a large glass I keep by my bed. I plan to drink 1-2 large glasses before retiring to bed, refill, go to sleep, then drink the same immediately upon rising. Otherwise it's easy to forget about it.

I can't stress this enough: Drink to your health, DRINK WATER.

• 2) Drink Tea

If you can't get enough water in, next best thing is unsweetened tea. Tea and coffee can sometimes be dehydrating; I will not go into this debate here and now, however I will simply say there can be magnificent benefits to drinking tea for it's herbal components.

Tea can often get herbs into your digestive system faster than tablets and capsules can.

Here are some tea brands I recommend below:
1) Yogi Tea - Detox, Berry DeTox, Skin DeTox, Peach DeTox, Lemon DeTox, Mint Get Regular, Green Tea Kombucha, Purifica, Seven Berry Anti-oxidant...and so on.
2) Traditional Medicinals - Lemon Everyday DeTox, Women's Liberty...

I have personally had great success with these brands and have drunk many of their teas, always unsweetened and with great taste and results. Be encouraged to find the purest forms of tea you can and stay away from the "generic black teas." We can never be sure the leaf:stem ratio in the mix.

• 3) Take supplements

Of course, there are many out there in both liquid, capsule and powder form. Below are just a few I am familiar with:

1) Dr. John R. Christopher's Lower Bowel Formula ( I am currently testing this one out: here)
2) Essense of Vitality, Chef Ahki Cleanse (information found: here)
3) Nature's Way Naturalax 2 (info: here)

• 4) Detox with foods

This is mentioned last, because if we are already stopped up internally, adding more fuel (food) to the fire (our digestive system) will NOT make it better. There are, however, a few foods that can aid in detoxification, and help with waste management in the body.


Photo by www.foodnetwork.com 

1) Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale, chard, romaine...)
2) Root vegetables (carrots, beets, potatoes, sweet potatoes...)
3) Citrus Fruits (lemon, orange, apples, pineapple...)
4) AVC (Apple Cidar Vinegar) the best "in my humble opinion" can be purchased here

Photo by Bragg.com

 - Instructions:  Mix with water and honey or lemon or basic fruit juice. Add 2-3 tbsp to an 8 oz. cup of liquid. Drink ACV up to 3x/daily.

5) Aloe Vera Juice or Gel (This can be consumed straight in "shot" form, or added to a well-like plain juice or smoothie) BEWARE: it will clean you out.

Either way it goes, remember there are MANY ways to deToxify your body and help it do it's job of keeping you healthy and alive with vitality.

 Attempt one or more of these each day and you will be well on your way to understanding your body better and helping it function and survive.
 









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Which one of these methods will you try today? Have you done a deTox regimen lately that WORKED!? Tell us about your experience "deTox-ing" below! Join the conversation!

Eat well. Live well. Be well.

Pre-poo post

Hello there, unsuspecting reader...

(that sounded so malicious, it was not malintended)

Welcome to the new poo-forum.

Tomorrow I will begin my very first ever lower bowel cleanse.

Photo of Dr. John R. Christopher himself, the jolly old man he was.  

I have been recommended by natural hygenists, and nutritional clinicians alike to begin first with the lower bowel, since that is the last place deigested food items go before they depart to the unknown waters below the bowl.

So here you have it:

Dr. John R. Christopher's LB Formula (lower bowel formula)

After some thorough research about this fantastic formula I decided to buy a small supply and take this as my first step. Starting at the beginning, and from the bottom up (literally...hehe)

The formula includes:

Lower Bowel Formula contains: Barberry Bark, Cascara Sagrada Bark, Cayenne, Ginger, Lobelia herb and or seeds, Red Raspberry Leaves, Turkey Rhubarb Root, Fennel, Golden Seal Root. All encapsulated products are in a pure 100% vegetable based capsule.

Extract: a base of Pure vegetable Glycerine, Distilled Water, & Ethyl Alcohol (less than 5%).


I have ordered the capsules and will take them 2-3x/daily with meals, taking 2 capsules at each meal.

Of the following I have (see those underlined):

Ailments historically treated: Acne, Appendicitis, Bad Breath (Halitosis), Blood Sugar (Diabetes), Blood Sugar (Low/Hypoglycemia), Constipation, Worms, Triglycerides (High).

I do NOT know if I have worms in my stomach (apparently many of us do) but I imagine they will be rid by the end of this cleanse.

Worries: I will be pooping beyond control after taking these supplements.

Hopes: I will "feel lighter" if you know what I mean, and also develop a very regular bowel movements schedule, clean out my colon without invasive techniques and feel/look younger.

SO...there we have it. Today is my last day of ... of ... hmm...

I guess I won't be doing much of anything different except adding these capsules to my meals. We shall see, shant we?

Tomorrow will be my first day of lower bowel cleansing! HORRAY!

Have any of YOU ever done a cleanse like this before????? Comment below!


Eat well. Live well. Be well.