How to Make and LOVE Kale Salad

September 6, 2016 alisha@innocentindulgence.com

I seriously NEVER even wanted to try Kale, let alone did I ever think it would become one of my favorite salads. Kale is waaay more than the ugly plate garnish, we tend to know. 🙂 Here’s how to make a super easy kale salad…and LOVE it!

Mediterranean Kale Salad

2 bunches Dino/Tuscan Kale, “de-veined,” washed and chopped (Dino/Tuscan is a more mild variety)
(OR make it super easy: 1 bag washed, chopped. Be sure it’s really clean and fresh!)
2-3 Roma Tomatoes, or grape tomatoes, chopped
1 can Garbanzo beans, rinsed
2-4 Garlic cloves, minced (to taste, I LOVE garlic, so I use 4!)
1/3 cup Olive oil (extra virgin, cold pressed)
1/3 cup Lemon juice
Sea salt
Cayenne pepper
*Grated Parmesan

1- Prep veggies: wash, dry, chop

2- Rinse and drain beans (makes them much easier to digest) and heat.

3- Make dressing by combining garlic, olive oil and lemon juice in an 8oz jar. Shake to mix well.

4- Place kale into large salad bowl and pour on dressing. Sprinkle with sea salt and a pinch of cayenne, both to taste. Toss well, to coat all greens. Get your hands in there and squeeze it by the handfuls for a minute or 2 to soften the kale (OR…I prefer to divide kale and dressing into batches and pulse-chop in the food processor, so I don’t have to cut or squeeze it. It becomes a softer texture in smaller pieces.)

5- Portion into serving bowls and top each salad with tomatoes, warm beans and a sprinkle of Parmesan* (to soften and melt just a bit.)

Fabulous!!!

Serves 2, with a little left over for lunches

*Dairy free version – top with avocado slices. YUM!

6 Reasons Kale is Always IN

August 31, 2016 alisha@innocentindulgence.com

kale benefits Kale went from an almost “unknown” to practically overdone as a superfood in the past few years. However, it’s SO loaded with benefits, I think you can see why it truly will never go out of style! Check them out:

1–Gives more than 45 antioxidants to help lower inflammation throughout the body and boost the immune system

2–Protects from cancer as a primary food source of “glucosinolates,” which the body actually converts into cancer fighters, specifically against bladder, breast, colon, ovary, and prostate cancers

3–Supports and improves detoxification pathways in the body, helping to remove toxins (environmental, products, pesticides)

4–Helps balance hormones by further supporting detox and ridding the body of harmful estrogens in both women and men

5–Lowers cholesterol – even when compared by research to cholestyramine (cholesterol lowering Rx). [Steamed kale may prove to be even more effective!]

6–Supplies lots of Vitamin K, which also reduces inflammation, supports bone strength and balances digestive health

Try some Mediterranean Kale Salad tonight…and share these tips with a friend!

References: Nutr Res. 2008 Jun;28(6):351-7. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2008.03.007, as on http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19083431 June 8, 2016.

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=38

12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet – #11 Speak Wisely

August 23, 2016 alisha@innocentindulgence.com

speak wisely Take some time to hear what you are saying and carefully filter what others say to you. The power of our words and those spoken over us have a profound influence on our lives. Because we speak what we believe, our own words and even the words of others can be easily planted, growing in the soil of our mind and heart, resulting in a “harvest” that we may (or may not!) want. We must realize their power. You have the choice to shape your life and your future with the power of your words!

12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet: Week 3

August 16, 2016 alisha@innocentindulgence.com

Re-frame. Perspective. (hmm…stop and think on that a moment.) Could your Perspective change your Health? So many times what we see, feel or even experience in life is not a true reality. So often we look at life through colored glasses of our past, life experiences, family and cultural backgrounds, and many others. All of these lenses tend to shade, color and (quite often) distort our view. BUT, when we change our point of view, our perspective, it becomes a whole new ballgame.

As a formerly Type AAA person (I’m changing!!), it’s been easy for me to get incredibly task-focused, overly driven and onto the performance treadmill, missing the fun and enjoyment of the journey and daily life. BUT, as I slow down to breathe :), re-focus on what’s REALLY important to me, remember who I really am and just BE myself, pressure lifts, I can laugh at the perceived pressures, hamster wheel and even myself! Then, I’m free to enjoy the moment, seize the adventure and just have fun…and it’s a WHOLE lot less stress on the body!

Even exercise, re-framed, can really be FUN! I LOVE to be active, be outside and enjoy fresh air, but when the perception or talk of exercise, a gym, weightlifting or running 5 miles comes up, I cringe! Mention hiking, walking in outdoor beauty or playing tennis and for me, it’s no longer exercise but play! Funny, so often it’s all about perspective!

SO, with that in mind, here’s Week 3’s 12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet. Maybe all it takes for you will be a change of glasses to make these a reality and for your body to enjoy these benefits (and results!). Plus, YOU get to have a lot more fun in the process!

6. Laugh!

It affects the entire body, making it an essential and one of the most FUN components of wellness. Laughter strengthens the immune system, relieves depression, brings hope, boosts energy, oxygenates and detoxes body, reduces pain, offers benefits comparable to exercise, builds relationships, makes you more beautiful with a smile….and it’s free! A joyful heart really is good medicine. Lighten up. Don’t take life too seriously!

7. Be

butterfly transitions

Often, women especially, feel we must measure up…to standards of culture, Hollywood, social media, a career and more. That somehow we must constantly pe

rform, compete and look and act a certain way, keeping us on an exhausting hamster wheel. Know you are OK just the way you are! Believe it and live from that place of actually liking yourself. It can be uncomfortable at first, but SO freeing! Just Be. Be free to be yourself. Not everyone will “get” you. That’s ok. That doesn’t change your unique, marvelous Divine Design, inside and out!

8. Exercise – errr Go Out and PLAY! play exercise

The “E” word … with endless benefits: boosts the immune system, increases metabolism, relieves stress, improves moods, gives energy, strengthens bones, slows aging, removes toxins, promotes better sleep and regulates blood sugars – just to name a few. Find something you really like to do … make it fun … and get moving!

Your turn! How can you Laugh, Play and BE this week? What 3 changes will you make?

And be sure to share these tips that have helped you with a friend!

12 Secrets to Living Your Healthiest Year Yet – Week 1

2 Comments July 26, 2016 alisha@innocentindulgence.com

Though we’re just days away from August, it’s not too late to still meet our health goals (resolutions) for the year. Yes, I know, most of them could be long forgotten, BUT there’s still hope! With 5 months left of 2016, there’s still plenty of time to make some real progress!!

16 years ago, facing my own health crisis, I finally had to come face to face with “what really is health?!” With horrible cystic acne, miserable digestion and food sensitivities, fever and unable to work (and hardly even function!) for 3 months, extreme fatigue and a host of other symptoms, I knew health was waaay deeper than I understood or had been trained in college and professionally. Especially when doctors gave me an anti-depressant and told me to go live my life! Though I can’t share my full story here, I’ve been healed and my health restored. With it came a whole new understanding and appreciation of health, wellness and wholeness…as well as a tool chest full of gems I want to share with you to encourage and support you on your journey! …and hopefully make it just a little bit easier for you.

SO, whether it’s shed a few pounds, build some muscle, find the root issue(s) of symptoms that have bothered you for too long, “eat better,” lower your cholesterol, manage your blood sugars, or do a complete makeover… following these 12 steps can lead you into a whole new place of health! We’re so phenomenally put together that we just can’t separate out the physical, emotional and spiritual components of our lives. As we nurture our body, mind and spirit, and bring them into a place of balance, then we can experience full living and real health.

Now, let’s get back on track. We’ll start with 2 biggies that make a HUGE impact. Be looking for what you can implement to help you towards your 2016 goals. Come on! You can do it!

1- Nourish – (Even I need a review on this now and again!)

Give your body the building blocks it needs for life and health. Explore nutrient-dense, delicious options that naturally eliminate lifeless, empty-calorie foods. Enjoy the beauty, benefits and endless possibilities of foods in their most natural form: lots of fresh, green leafy, colorful veggies & fruit, nuts & seeds, good oils (omega 3s & coconut oil), beans, whole grains, and lean, quality (antibiotic & hormone free) protein. Add in flavor-packed herbs and spices, loaded with extra antioxidant and healing properties. Make the investment now and enjoy good health for a lifetime! It’s easier to “maintain” health than to “regain” it.

2- Detoxify your life detox cleaners environment emotions

Eliminate the “junk” from all areas of life. This may be food, but think just a little deeper to household products and cleaners, synthetic bath and body products, pollution, clutter, unorganized stacks of “stuff,” a job you don’t enjoy, unhealthy relationships, etc. Going just a bit further, this even includes toxic emotions you’ve held on to—fear, guilt, bitterness, unforgiveness, shame, negativity and unthankfulness. Let it go! Work through the hurt. Let it heal. You won’t miss it and you’ll be healthier! This is a step you can’t rush…and it’s often on-going!

Two simple tips, yet very profound and FULL of healing potential, as you walk through the depth of what’s loaded in just these concepts. Much more to come on each of these in the weeks and months to come.

Now, it’s your turn:

What one thing will you do/add/change this week to nourish your body?
What one thing will you detox from your life this week?

Be looking for Week 2’s Secrets!

Want some personalized accountability and support for your goals? You don’t have to do it alone!

Sweet Secrets for Success #3: Go out to Play

February 9, 2016 alisha@innocentindulgence.com

play exercise What would happen if we could look at exercise as play? Loosen up and be child-like for a few minutes. Forget the drudgery we so often think about, shake off busy-ness and excuses, let your mind and body have a few minutes of fun, unwind… and love the benefits: