Rice Crackers Rock

There are a bazillion things you can eat with rice crackers.
I'm not talking bland, here. I'm talking creativity.

From main-dish masterpieces to sweet little dessert discs --
Here are just a few of my favorites...

*gourmet cheeses
*cream cheeses
*cream cheese and cucumber
*mushrooms sauteed in olive oil
*onions sauteed in olive oil
*tuna
*chicken salad with a light yogurt
*salsa
*spaghetti sauce
*tomato slices
*with a touch of gourmet mustard on top
*almond spread
*peanut butter
*cashew butter
*sesame butter
*sunflower butter
*fresh fruit, sliced
*fresh fruit spreads
*honey and yogurt swirled on top
(and any combination of the above...)

I just had my dinner, sitting here working at the computer. The foundation: the famed rice cracker.

Stock a box. Be creative and post your favorites. I'd love to hear.

Here's to feeling and looking fab,
Erin

Sweet Blueberry-Melon Crunch

My sweet tooth was acting up this morning (so soon?!), so I decided to satisfy the cravings with this luscious breakfast:

Mix in a bowl...
Cantaloupe melon, diced
Blueberries
Chopped Pecans (a "toss")
Raw Pumpkin Seeds (another "toss")
Toasted Sunflower Seeds (a sprinkle)

Pour over the top...
Naked Superfood Fruit Smoothie, "Blue Machine" (100% blueberry, blackberry, apple, and banana juice)

Fabulous! Enjoy!

In love with great breakfasts,
Erin

Crisp "Apple Pie Filling"...for Breakfast!

NEED a simple, healthy, FAST, breakfast bursting with Fall flavors...and tastes like a crunchy, fresh Apple Pie filling?

TRY THIS...
_____________________________

CRISP "APPLE PIE FILLING" BREAKFAST
_____________________________

Apple, diced (1/2 to 1 apple...as much as you want)
Walnuts (crumbled)
Raw Pumpkin Seeds (toss 'em in)
Ground Flax Seed, 1 heaping tsp. (grind in coffee grinder)
Natural Apple Butter, heaping T.
Natural Pumpkin Butter, heaping T.

MIX the above together till the apples and nuts are covered with the butters...
Toss a sprinkle of gluten-free granola over the top...
And ENJOY!

Happy Apple Season,
Erin

Pears-n-Pecans for Breakfast

Feeling in a morning breakfast rut? As the sun rises, some of us tend to put the sames things into our bowls and onto our plates. Go for variety in the morning!

Here's a simple, fast, tasty breakfast to throw together and enjoy. (I enjoyed it this morning...fabulous!)

In bowl, combine:

• 1 small, ripe organic pear, cut into bite-sized pieces
• ~ 1 1/2 T. chopped pecans
• ~1 T dates
• 1 tsp freshly-ground flax seed (prepared in the coffee grinder)
• heaping T. Soy Protein (I like the Now Sports 90% Protein brand)

Add filtered water, to mix into a creamy mix.

Dribble of honey over the top...and Enjoy!

To a great morning,
Erin

Romaine-Wrapped Egg White Delights

This quick meal, inspired by Chinese wraps, can be enjoyed morning, noon, or night. (I enjoyed the wraps for lunch today....mmm, mmmm, mmmmmm.)

In a small pan, stir fry in olive oil:
1/2 medium onion, slided in wide strips
about 1/2-3/4 C. long (not cut) green beans
~ 1/4 C. thin-shredded (or thin-sliced) raw sweet potato
heaping T. of sesame seeds

When the onions' edges are browned and the sweet potato shreds are soft, add
2 egg whites
a generous dash of garlic powder

When the egg whites are cooked, spoon the mixture into
2-4 large Romaine lettuce leaves

To eat, fold the leaves together into their own individual wraps and enjoy!

All my best, 'till next time,
Erin

7 Reasons to Eat Clean: Revealing Article on Additives

What's in those "additives" in your food, anyway?

Check out this article posted today:

http://health.msn.com/womens-health/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=100232497&imageindex=1

I've had times when I was quite ill, feeling awful physically and emotionally. I don't want to ever be there again. Eating clean makes sure that only the purest foods fuel my body. I want to feel my best. I want to be as healthy as I can be. I want to have the most energy possible, to impact our world positively. Eating clean does that for me.

My guess is that it can do that for you, too.

Eating clean is not a diet. It's a lifestyle. It's a choice. Because I want to feel and look my best--and because I want to have the energy, bright mind, and physical strength to do what I'm called to do--and to leave a legacy for my family and for others--I choose to eat clean.

All best until next time,
Erin

A Fabulous Lunch...

A lot of people think that to eat clean (and gluten free), you have to eat bland, uninteresting, boring foods. Not so!

I just threw together the most fabulous lunch that I've enjoyed in a loooooong time -- and I bet that you'll love it, too:

In a large pan, "stir fry" in hot olive oil...
> garlic pieces, chopped
> rings of onion
> ~1 c fresh broccoli

When the onion has browned edges, add:
> a little more olive oil
> two large handfuls of fresh spinach
> heaping T. of Tassos Bruschetta Olivara (imported from Greece...has sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, peppers, & herbs)

When the spinach steams down to wilting,
> take the pan off of the heat
> Add freshly-chopped tomatoes
> toss
> serve
> and EAT!

Serve with rice crackers or a gluten-free breadstick.
(Note: I was craving veggies big-time, so this meal is missing a protein. The fix? In a few hours, I'll have a high-protein snack. If I had wanted protein in this meal, I would have added lentils to the mix, when adding the broccoli. Either way...delicious!)

"Chocolate-covered" Strawberries for Breakfast?

Try this!

Fresh strawberries: 1/2 c.
coconut: 1-2 T.
raw roasted almonds (no salt): ~7
a "toss" of raw cashew pieces (no salt)
a dash of green pumpkin seeds
ground flax: 1 T.
Crisp Brown Rice cereal: ~1/4 c
Scoop of Advocare's Chocolate-flavored Muscle Gain Protein Shake powder
water to create the "chocolate sauce"

What a sweet--and healthy--way to start the day! I love it!

Yes, I use supplements. Most of us who are serious about putting on some muscle are. I don't "push" a company; but I do tell you what works for me. Personally, I use products from Advocare and Shaklee (Click here to find out more of what I think about Advocare). In my opinion, both companies are top-notch--and if you like chocolate, Advocare's Meal Replacement Shakes and Muscle Gain can't be beat.

All my best, 'till next time,
Erin

My Favorite Eat Clean Easy Breakfast

What's the #1 crucial ingredient to a good start to the day? Physically, it's a good breakfast. If you eat right from the start, you

• start a good pattern for the day


• have the energy you need, and


• begin the day with self-encouragement. After all, "good for you" because you began RIGHT!

Here's my absolute favorite breakfast, to get going right in the morning:

BOWL OF MORNING ENERGY*
Mix the following in a bowl...
1/4 to 1/3 green apple, diced
~ 8 blueberries
~ 7 roasted/no-salt almonds, whole
toss in a splash of raw (green) pumpkin seeds
toss in a "half-splash" of raw sunflower seeds
~ 1/4 c. Erewhon's Crispy Brown Rice organic cereal
1 T freshly-ground flax seeds (ground in the coffee grinder)
1 heaping scoop of soy protein
Water to blend

*Some things to remember:

• MEASUREMENTS: I have to let you know...All "measurements" are inspired from my mom, a fantastic cook who taught us that, in her world, "recipes rarely exist...measure to taste"...so it's true: I hardly-ever use exact measurements. You'll want to change measurements for your size and weight goals. I'm a small-framed person, so what fills me up may not fill you up or be exactly right for you. And the more you exercise, the more your nutritional needs and amounts will vary. Flex!
  
• AMOUNTS: Finally, remember that EATING CLEAN GLUTEN FREE means five to six smaller meals...so portions are smaller in each meal.
  
• BUYING TIPS: Buy in bulk at the health food store. Keep nuts and seeds in the freezer.
  
• PREP TIPS: Quarter and core the apple; store the unused portion in the frig for a snack later in the day (or for the next morning). Keep the grinder on the counter and grind the flax daily, for freshness.

Start your day right--and enjoy! See you next time,

All best for success,
Erin