Wellness Wednesday #1

Hello my amazing friends!

I know you all are wondering if we disappeared off planet earth, but no! We are still alive and well. 

So excited to be here today starting our new Wellness Wednesday post #1!! Let us know how you like this new series in the comments below, or quickly send us a message using our information in the contact section. 

And now for our tip of the week...

Start of your day by stretching 

Studies have shown that incorporating a few minutes of stretching into your morning routine have lasting benefits. Many times, we don't get to go to the gym, or do a home workout because we either have to go to work, or to school, or are heading out for a cup of coffee, but just try stretching for at least five minutes a day for one week and see how you feel. Below are five reasons why you should stretch:

1. Ever get those morning aches and pains and don't know why?? The reason behind it all is that when you go to sleep each night, you are at rest for a period of time long enough for fluid to build up in your joints and spinal discs. So each morning just stretching for a few minutes will get rid of those morning pains.

2. Stretching is beneficial for those of you who sit at a desk most of the day, because your back muscles and chest muscles are overstretched which results in poor posture. 

3. This is one of the simplest reasons to stretch. Stretching increases blood flow to all parts of your body, but especially the brain. It helps get that blood pumping which allows you to be more alert, concentrated, and ultimately it produces good benefits. 

4. Many people suffer from stress, and if you are one of them, then just know that stretching is proven to be one of the best ways to relieve yourself from it. Just take the time to do it every morning, and you will be shocked at how stress-free you are! 

5. Are you one of those people who literally stumble out of bed so that you can get your coffee which is what actually wakes you up? Well, we have great news for you... Stretching increases your energy levels! So if you ever need a morning boost, you know what to do. 

Thank you for visiting our blog for Wellness Wednesday #1! We hope to see you back soon, and remember you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under nutrisimo. Have a fabulous week, and we will see you next time!!

Photo credit:

 <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aryaziai/9154284940/">Arya Ziai</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>

Guest Post - Creamy Pumpkin Orzo with Figs and Spinach

Hello!

Today we have our awesome friend, Jamie, from Dishing Out Health! She has an amazing healthy-living blog which you should definitely check out: dishingouthealth.com :) She has an amazing recipe, we have yet to try it, called Creamy Pumpkin Orzo with Figs and Spinach...

Makes 3.5 cups prepared (~4 servings)

Ingredients

• 1 cup (dry) orzo pasta
• 2 shallots, minced
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 5 black mission figs, chopped
• 3 generous handfuls of fresh spinach
• 5 sage leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (I use Libby’s)
• 1/2 vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil.  Add shallots and sauté for 3 minutes, until translucent. Add figs, garlic, spinach, sage, salt and pepper and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Add pumpkin puree, vegetable stock and milk. Stir until combined and let simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, cook orzo pasta in a medium pot of salted water as directed for al dente.
3. Once pasta is cooked, drain in a colander and add to the skillet. Toss all components until well combined. Serve with freshly grated cheese if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition facts per serving (3/4 cup)

Calories: 220; Total Fat: 3.5 gm; Saturated Fat: <.5 gm; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 150 mg; Carbohydrates: 40 gm; Fiber: 4 gm; Sugar: 8 gm; Protein: 8.5 gm

Find Jamie Here:

Dishing Out Health Facebook

Dishing Out Health Twitter

Dishing Out Health Pinterest

Dishing Out Health Instagram

5 Ways to Stay Well in Winter

Wait, What?

It happens nearly every time the weather changes - people start to get sick. Runny noses, coughs, and colds all run rampant during a change of season. Why? simply because when the weather changes, and the fall/winter season comes around again, it weakens our immune system - not necessarily makes us sick as is a common thought today. Therefore, it is extremely important to be 'healthifying' your lifestyle especially during the changes in season. Following are seven tips to stay well during the weather change.

1. Get Moving!

With the change in weather, and your body more susceptible to disease, exercise is vital. Not only in keeping yourself in shape for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas, but also just for your immune system. Exercising helps in strengthening the heart and lungs, and aids in spreading certain disease-fighting cells to diverse parts of the body, getting you ready for an immune system attack. You definitely do not want to over-workout, because that will hurt you more than help. Over-exercising wears down your body instead of building it up. Remember, all things in moderation.

2. Don't Cheat Now!

Eating a clean, balanced diet is probably one of the very best things you can do to keep sickness at bay, and not just during a change of season, but all through the year. Going green in your diet does amazing things for your health. Clean eating is one of the best things to do for sickness prevention because the food you eat is literally the fuel for your body, and if you don't fill yourself with good stuff, you won;t get anything good out of it. That's why eating fruits and vegetables is so good for you, your filling yourself with food that is great for you, and because of it, your energy level goes up, you feel better, and the results show very clearly. This leads to my next point:

3. Bottoms Up!

Yes, that means just what you think it means - drink more water. Water flushes toxins from your body and gives your systems a nice clean up. The recommended amount of water for an adult should be eight 8 ounce bottles of water, that is equivalent to a half gallon or two liters. And don't just drink when you're thirsty, if you're thirsty then you're already beginning to get dehydrated. Drink all the time. I've found that the best way to get yourself drinking more often is to have a bottle of water always with you. So drink up, and clean up your system!

4.  Dream On...

You need to get your rest to stay healthy. Do yourself a favor and get to bed at a reasonable hour. The recommended hours for an adult to sleep a night is 7 to 9 hours. How can you expect your body to fight off disease if you are fighting to stay awake during 

                  the day. So get your beauty sleep tonight!

5. The Little Things Matter

Although taking vitamins is one of those obvious things that you should do to prevent sickness, I'll still mention it because it's important. However, some of us just hate (some of us actually can't) swallow pills. If you are in this category, and even if you aren't this still works amazingly, you may just want to try using using this Heavenly Greens powder. Paired with the other tips given already, you'll have an edge over that oncoming wave of disease that gets us every year.

A Closing Thought

Going out of your way to take care of your body is not something that should only be done a few times a year. It's a lifestyle that is possible for YOU! I know you can do it. Living a balanced lifestyle doesn't necessarily mean dieting for the rest of your days. It's about choosing the better option when the choice comes, finding contentment in your own skin, and overall just being happy with who you are. So at least for today, choose to change your life for the better. 

If you found these tips helpful, don't forget to comment below, and share this on Twitter and Facebook!

photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sangudo/12921470833/">Sangudo</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>

photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nalbertini/7175598012/">nicola.albertini</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>

photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/aryaziai/9154284940/">Arya Ziai</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>

Quest Chips #crunchclean

Hello!

Today we have a review for the newest addition to the Quest store! And it is... the QUEST CHIPS!

We were really excited that Quest offered us some of their chips to taste, because they looked so good and... 

The point is that we were able to slip in a review for these chips. Continue reading to find out whether they were a winner or not. Happy reading!!

Cheddar & Sour Cream

I love when chips are flavored with sour cream and cheese. It just makes the chip come to life. :D Do get what I mean? 

I was really excited to try this flavor of the Quest Chips, not just because of how good they looked on the package, but also because I love flavor combinations! So when I tried them...

I was blown away by how good they were. I mean the texture was light and crispy like a really good chip that you buy from the store. The flavor was amazing! The dominant flavor was definitely the cheddar, whereas the sour cream was pretty subtle. 

I would buy this chip again and again and again without any hesitation. I was also thrilled that the first ingredient in this chip is protein. Not just are they amazing in taste, but they are sooo good for you! Quest just blows me away every time they come out with a new product. :)

BBQ

This was the first flavor that I tried, and with the first bite I was super impressed. The chip was a chip. It has the texture, the flavor, the look, everything. Quest really did an awesome job creating these chips. 

What I loved about it especially was that the flavor wasn't too strong or to subtle, rather it was just right. :) Also the chips was crunchy, light, and full of protein! This was my second favorite chip, and I would definitely buy it again from Quest. 

If they could improve anything, it would most likely be the sodium. I think that it could've been a pinch saltier tasting, yet I understand that they most likely are trying to keep the sodium low. 

All in all, this chip was a hit. I wanted to eat mother bag after I finished the first. They're so addicting!

Sea Salt

This was the last flavor that I tried, and also my least favorite. 

Don't get me wrong, this chip would be great to eat with salsa, nachos, or with something else, but eating it by itself was rather disappointing. The chip was lacking salt and just flavor in general. The texture was the same as the other two, but the flavor wasn't right.
I was probably spoiled because I had just tried two of the best chips I've ever tasted, and then I tried a plain, sea salt flavored chip, but nevertheless I still was hoping for much more.

Next time I try it though, I'm definitely going to have some salsa nearby to eat it with, because I'm sure it would taste delectable like that!! :D  Anyway, I'd probably give it a 3 out of 5 stars. 

It wasn't bad, but it wasn't necessarily impressive either. I didn't crave it like I did the other two bags I tried. 

GO GREEN - Discovering the Amazing Benefits of Green Foods

Why Green?

We hear a lot about "going green" in today's society; it involves a change of lifestyle that causes us to develop a eco-friendly life. But have you ever thought about "going green" in your diet - eating foods that are actually green? The types of food I am referring to are green vegetables and fruits. Foods such as avocados, kiwis, lettuce, asparagus, etc. Changing your diet to be focused on green foods not only can but will transform your overall health into something you only dreamed of. Green vegetables and fruits offer you only the best: a happy, healthy, and incredibly delicious diet.

But Green Food is Gross...

This lie has been fed to us from the moment we first toddled around on our little feet till this very day. We always knew we were expected to grimace at the prospect of a pile of spinach on our plates at dinner. And turn our noses up at the extremely unappetizing Brussels sprouts or broccoli. Doesn't everybody know that green vegetables are just plain gross? But I will happily be the first to say that you have been completely and utterly deceived. Yep, you fell for that one. Green vegetables are actually amazingly delicious. They are extremely flavorful, and there are so many ways to cook and eat them - starting at raw. So now, let's take a quick look at several different green vegetables and see just how amazing they really are.

Brussels Sprouts

Need to lower your cholesterol? You just might want to try eating some Brussels sprouts. They are known for their cholesterol-lowering elements, and for their rich vitamin content. They are rich in fiber, and aid in protection from cancer.

Lettuce

Ever wonder why some people are crazy about salad - who wants to eat leaves for lunch anyway? Lettuce has barely any calories (shout-out to all you calorie-counters out there); it's filled with antioxidants; and it helps keep your blood pressure at the right level. Did I mention that it tastes great with some other veggies and dressing along with it.

Kale

A vegetable from the cabbage family, kale is a great food if you're wanting to cut calories, because it's extremely low in them. It's also full of vitamin C and is known to help fight cancer. Another bonus is that it strengthens your bones, so cook some of this up tonight and enjoy a power-packed meal.

Asparagus

Full of nutrients and vitamins, Asparagus is an anti-aging vegetable. It aids in clearing the body of excessive salts, and it's rich in antioxidants. You'll see this one in the grocery store in the spring, so make sure to pick some up and enjoy this tasty veggie.

Avocados

These fruits are full of fat! But don't worry, because it's the right kind of fat that helps keep your body healthy rather than pile on the pounds.
Avocados also aid in strengthening your eyes; plus, they are super silky and delicious. Don't need to do any persuading with this one.

One More Thing

If you are the type of person who is always on the go, and you don't have time to be cooking up some greens everyday, there is another alternative. You can make green shakes using one (or both) of these amazing products designed specifically to give you the greens you need without actually having to break out the knife and cutting board. Green Gold and King of Greens are powders that you just mix into your shake. They are filled with greens, and you don't have to worry, because they taste great!

                   

That's a Wrap!

So now you know that green foods are nothing to be afraid of, so don't wait till St. Patty's Day to indulge in this treat. No worries, it's one of the best things you can eat. So don't forget to 'eat your greens' today!



photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/djwtwo/7219172132/">djwtwo</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>