DIY Olive Oil Sugar Scrub

Sometimes, the easiest of things can create big changes!

I worked in the tourism industry for quite a few years when living near the Grand Canyon. When you are working with the public (I was a florist for 8 years, then worked front desk for another year) -you see a lot of faces from many different places, and they see your face and your hands when you hand them what they need. Clean hands, smiling face and warm friendly service.
A common side effect of working with the public, is washing your hands often. Antibacterial soap does it's job but it can ravage your skin! Mine would get dry and cracked if I didn't take drastic measures. This happens to be another case for me, of "if I knew then, what I know now.."which seems to be a running theme in my life! LOL

The easiest answer I have found is in my kitchen and readily available. I recycled a jar and cleaned it- filling it with sugar and olive oil. It now resides beside my soap pump at the sink. I refill as needed, no recipe really needed. Sugar soaked in olive oil. About a 1/4 c olive oil to 3/4 c sugar.

After cleaning up, when the sponges and cleansers go down for the day, and I am ready to relax with the family and enjoy the night- I wash my hands, and then I sugar scrub.
The sugar cleans and exfoliates. Rubbing vigorously warms my hands and the pores open up, improves circulation, and eases muscles. The olive oil goes to work moisturizing healing and protecting. Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, especially Vitamin E. The olive oil has an added benefit of being extremely good for cuticles and nails- be sure to rub into cuticles.  Scrub for a minute, until the sugar starts to dissolve, and rinse with warm water.

I no longer have to purchase expensive, and chemical laden hand lotions again. I had everything I needed right there in the kitchen. :) Done. easy. All natural.Very Frugal when considering the cost of hand lotions today.

A simple easy answer to dry, overworked, cracked hands. I do not have a model's figure or modeling hands- but you can see below- no alligator cracks, no dry patches, no unsightly exzema- just soft hands.

you might also like:
Frugal Days Sustainable Ways #77

You might try:



Disclaimer: Affiliate Links in no way affect your end price, there is no increase for you. But, they do help to support the cost of the blog. Thank you.

Talkin' about Real Food- the steps I take.

Just a talk about real food.

I'm a gal in my forties, just going through the motions. I have a wonderful family! We are not rich in money- but our family is strong, and together in this challenge we call life. We work together, and it works for us.
We all learn as we go. I think that's true for everyone.

A while back, I wasn't feeling well. Every day was a struggle in energy, aches, pains, stress... after a few doctor visits, I wondered what could help.  I really did not want to start playing the pill popping game. I just didn't feel old enough for that yet. I hate seeing it happen. So my question was simple: what can I do to avoid it? What can I do to feel better?
Before I really found a strong desire to change- actually - it felt like before I even had the chance- I had the doctor give me a medicine that I was allergic to- and I suddenly went from being diagnosed with high blood pressure- to nearly having a stroke. It took over a month to recover!
I found my motivation. Unfortunately it took a scare to cause it. And I want more people to realize that they can start sooner- before a scare- Prevent a scare! ---please!

There have been trends of diets and fads for decades. New! try this! Do that! Guaranteed to work! All trends that come and go. Marketing today takes an idea to extremes and shoves phrases down our throats to the point of confusion and disheartening results. You can barely avoid it, on every ad, on every page, every internet site, at the end of the market isle, whole sections devoted to the newest latest trend.
But... you do not have to follow a trend. Or jump on a bandwagon.

Sometimes, all you need is to know what's good and what's bad- and make better choices. Not feel like you are joining a cult trend.

Just trying to eat healthier. Small steps.
That's what you should do. Make better choices when you go to the store. Cook better food when you decide to cook. Cook at home more often,  and know what you are eating. Choose to make healthier food.
Simple really.

look up: Real Food, Clean eating, Whole food.
All phrases being used lately for good reasons. Some people, as in all things, take it to extreme. You do not have to unless you want to. Your choice. Even if you only choose to grab a healthy choice once a trip- you've taken a step in the right direction.
Baby steps- as it's been nicknamed.
Every step in a healthier direction is a step in progress to less doctor visits, less days of feeling bad, more energy, more smiles, and more ability to enjoy life. 
That's how I am looking at it.

I'm just learning.
But I'm learning how easy it can be to take baby steps. And already, I'm visiting the doctor less.

Don't be afraid to look it up. Literally just type your question into the internet browser and the information comes up. It can be so simple. Don't take one site's word for it- look at several! When key factors start repeating no matter where you look -you will start to get a sense of validity, and see a pattern. You just have to start- research isn't hard, it's a matter of asking questions and sitting down for a second. Not long.  Look up EWG. org and take a look at the chemicals in food. Google ingredients in a box of food you have on the shelf. take a look at MSG, and other ingredients. Start reading labels..read the dirty dozen/clean fifteen.

All it takes is a desire to change. An attitude of being fed up with feeling like crap everyday. A desire to be happier.

In my personal baby steps toward Real Food, I have:

1. Done my homework. Did the research I just told you about. Asked questions and WANTED change. I never stop reading, I look at everything I can.

2. Stopped buying boxes.  Boxed, premade, and convenience foods

3. Stopped the sodas. We drink Water, flavored water with citrus or herbs, teas, lemonade, kefir, almond milk -all very good!

4. I buy fresh, (or fresh frozen vegies now). Fresh fruit! Fresh colorful, vibrant! Whatever comes from a live plant! Fresh herbs even!

5. I buy organic pasture fed meats, fresh fish, nothing factory farmed.

6. I love the eggs!! Luckily we have no allergies! So- eggs! 

7. I fell in love with butter. Real butter. Cheese! Yogurts! Sour cream! All fine! I make homemade whenever I can!  again- we are lucky to not have that allergy!

8. Stopped the white over-processed flour! I use whole wheat, or almond flour now.  Stop the white.

9. Stopped the partially hydrogenated oils, margarine, canola, and cheap vegetable oils. I use olive oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or almond oil.

10. Stopped the easy sweets: corn syrup and refined sugar. I try honey, stevia, real maple syrup, palm sugar, organic cane sugar. 
11. Stopped blindly buying. I read the labels. my rule of thumb is easy: If I cannot recognize the ingredient, my body cannot either.

As I learn and progress there will be more to the list. There's always more to learn. But don't be afraid to try. Each and every step to eating healthier- is a step in progress to being healthier.
You just have to Want to try.

I dare you...try REAL food for 1 week!

Ever have a challenge presented to you that changed your life? 
I have.
Simply, I was asked, "Can you go just 7 full days eating Real Food?"
One simple week. 7 days.
I took it as a dare, like a kid in school excited at the challenge! Can I? I found out quickly, I CAN!
It not only was a challenge won, but a step in the right direction for our entire family! A huge leap, actually! What an eye opener and fantastic!
Can you take the challenge?
I KNOW You can!

Do you think you can eat only real food for 7 days straight?

>
To some of you this might sound nearly impossible and some of you may be thinking – I already do. This challenge is designed to help those of you who really want to live the real food lifestyle but might need a little guidance to get started. This challenge is also for all of you who have already figured it out, but you have fallen off the bandwagon. Sometimes life gets hectic and our diets seem to suffer. It's never too late to get back into the healthy food routine!

So, What is the 7 Day Real Food Challenge?

There is a big group of us following this challenge. Everyone who joins this challenge is making a pact to eat only real food for 7 days – specifically on April 21st - 27th. Already there are 28 bloggers who have committed to this challenge and are here as a support team for everyone who joins us. Here is your support team:
Todd Dosenberry from Primal Toad
Amanda from Natural Living Mama
Erin Odom from The Humbled Homemaker
Janey McKeever from Consistantly Sporadic
Jaime Reid from Jaime Reids Kitchen
Anne Simpson from Authentic Simplicity
Laura Broach from Mama Making Changes
Mike Lamitola from MikeLamitola.com
Alix from Blessed in Homemaking
Stacy Karen from A Delightful Home
Nina Nelson from Shalom Mama
Melissa Joulwan from Well Fed
Kimball Young from Heavy on Wholesome
Laura Prevost from Head over heels in Health
Victoria Moore from Yogi Mami
Carol Lovett from Ditch the Wheat
Katie Stanley from Nourishing Simplicity
Jami Leigh from Young Wifes Guide
Andrea from Homemade for Elle
Sarah Warren from Unorthadox Momma
Amanda Anderson from Chef Amanda Anderson.com
Sara Roylance from Sara Roylance.com
Sara Shay from Your Thriving family
Jennifer from Hybrid Rasta Mama
Marillyn Beard from Just Making Noise
Nichi from My Healthy Beginning
Michelle Elnycky from The Crooked House

So for those of you who think this might be way too hard to do – you have all these experts here to back you up and help you meet the challenge. It’s not only these bloggers that will be doing the challenge but many of our readers will be following along. We will have a special Facebook group for discussions about the challenge and a place to reach out to everyone for help and support. There are two ways you can participate in the challenge:

Option # 1 (Free)

Join us and make the commitment to eat only real food for 7 days starting on April 21 – April 27, 2013. You will receive:

• An e-guidebook on “What is Real Food?”
• A chance to win one of our fabulous real food prizes

To enter this challenge for free click here

Option # 2 ($29)

If you want to get really serious about this challenge and take full advantage of the support you can get from this group – this is for you. Making a big lifestyle change can be difficult on your own but with a huge group of people doing it along with you it is a lot easier – and a lot more fun! As a member of this challenge you will receive:

• An e-guidebook on “What is Real Food?”
• A full real food Paleo meal plan for 7 days – three meals a day and snacks
• Recipes for all of the items in the meal plan (37 Delicious recipes!!)
• A shopping list to help you prepare for the challenge
• Tips on how to prepare your kitchen for this event
• Membership to our private Facebook group which is a place to reach out for help and ask questions
• A chance to win one of our fabulous real food prizes - worth over $600+

PLUS these fabulous Bonuses (worth over $237+) for everyone who buys this package...

• A copy of "Your Grocery Budget Toolbox eBook" ($7.99 value). This eBook is the perfect guide for anyone new to eating healthy, learn how to save time and money with a few simple strategies. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
• A copy of Health Coach, Mike Lamitola's music album, "Fitting Out," ($7.00 value). Mike's music is inspired by real life experiences, dreams and some very random thoughts. Follow Mike on Facebook
• A 20% discount to Natural Living Mama's Product shop. Natural Living Mamma offers herbal body and skin care, salves, and teas made from only natural ingredients. Click here to visit her shop or follow her on Facebook
• A copy of The Holistic Mama's Audio Class,"How to Eat Real Food on a Budget" ($29.00 value) Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
• A 15% discount Blessed in Homemaking Etsy shop. Blessed In Homemaking offers organic and all natural body care products, gentle baby care products, herbal products, crocheted items, and more, for your healthy lifestyle. Follow on Facebook
• A copy of "What to Eat and Why: Healthy Nutrition for Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum" audio program (Value $197.00) by Nichi Kuechle from My Healthy Beginning
  Follow Nichi on Facebook and Twitter
  

  
  

The meal plan for this challenge is a Paleo menu! This means that all the recipes are grain-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free. If you have ever thought about trying the Paleo / Primal diet and thought it was too hard this is the perfect chance to try it out. All of these done for you planning items and the built in support are designed to make this challenge much less of a challenge to complete. What do you think – are you ready to take the 7 Day Real Food Challenge?

Click here to join us and get the plan, recipes, and support now!

The plan and recipes require basic kitchen tools. A good set of knives is the best thing you can splurge on in my opinion - even better you may win some in the giveaways that go along with this challenge!

Speaking of giveaways...Don’t forget about all of the fabulous prizes from our amazing sponsors!! We are giving away $600 worth of products! 

  The Giveaways (over $600+ value)...

Ergo Chef Knife Company, makers of ergonomically-designed professional chef knives, is giving one participant of our challenge their Pro-Series 7” Santoku knife, Come Apart Kitchen Shears and a 9” & 12” Duo Tongs (Retail value $132) Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube  

Taza Chocolate company, makers of traditional stone ground Mexican Chocolate, is giving one of our participants a package of their salted almond discs, their chipotle chili discs, a jar of chocolate covered hazelnuts and their 87% chocolate bar. Taza chocolate has a direct trade cacao program that cultivates face-to-face relationships with farmers. (Retail value $ 30.47) Follow them on Facebook and Twitter

Kaya Foods, superfoods for delicious living, is giving one participant 5 bags of their delicious Kale and Veggie Chips, great for healthy snacking and a few $1.00 coupons (Retail value $ 10) Follow them on Facebook

    Yogi Tea, products inspired by Ayurveda is giving one participant of our challenge 4 boxes of a variety of our top selling teas and a Yogi tea mug. (Retail value $40)Yogi tea is committed to providing healthy, natural teas that are accessible to as many people as possible. Follow them on Facebook.    

Applegate, Organic & Natural Meats, is giving away a gift pack of products. (Retail value $ 25) Applegate meats are free of anti-biotics, growth hormones, nitrates, artificial ingredients and fillers which makes them far surpass the quality of conventional sliced sandwich meats. When buying Applegate products you can be confident you are eating a high quality product. Follow them on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter

  Trilight Health, makers of fast-acting, great tasting liquid herbal supplements, is giving one participant a $50 gift certificate to order products on their website! For over 20 years now, TriLight Health have supplied their customers nationwide with their high quality line of liquid herbal products. They specialize in great tasting, alcohol and sugar free, liquid herbal formulas for pregnancy, children, and the family. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter  



Eco Lunch Gear, eco friendly reusable lunch gear, is giving one participant a a reusable sandwich wrap (Retail value $10.50). Eco Lunch Gear was started by a Mom who saw a need for an alternative to plastic and aluminum foil, her products can be washed and reused over and over to save money and our environment. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.  

Erin Odom from The Humbled Homemaker and creator of Real Food, Real Easy the eBook is giving one participant a copy of her eBook to help you continue with your Real Food journey (Retail value $$9.95) Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Health Coach, Mike Lamitola, is giving one participant free entry to his Tele-seminar on Cravings. Do you have a sugar habit you've been trying to beat? In this tele-seminar, Mike will explain how. (Retail value $25.00) Follow Mike on Facebook and Twitter  

 

Alix from Blessed In Homemaking offers organic and all natural body care products, gentle baby care products, herbal products, crocheted items, and more, for your healthy lifestyle in her Etsy Shop. She is giving two participants a one ounce bag of loose chamomile tea (Retail value $8.00) Follow her on Facebook

 

Stacy Karen from A Delightful Home is giving one participant of this challenge a copy of her eBook, Simple Scrubs to Make and Give. Start making your own scrubs at home for yourself and others (Retail value $3.99) Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Nina Nelson of Shalom Mama, is giving one participant of the challenge a healing balm and lavender mint lip balm from her etsy shop (Retail value $19.50) Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Melissa Joulwan from The Clothes Make the Girl, is giving one participant a copy of her Paleo eBook called Well Fed: Paleo Recipes for People Who Like to Eat (Retail value $14.95). This is a great resource for anyone interested in Paleo diet, whether you are just getting started or you are just looking for some new recipes to try. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Health Coach, Laura Prevost is giving 10 lucky participants one of her Dynamite Coaching sessions. If you are looking for some support around breaking a bad habit, or getting yourself motivated, Laura will work through it with you in this session (Retail value $20.00/session) Follow Laura on Facebook or Twitter

Jami from Young Wife's Guide, is giving one participant a copy of her eBook, Apartment Gardening, which is a great resource for getting started growing food in small spaces (Retail value $2.99) Follow Jami on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Jennifer from Hybrid Rasta Mama has also offered to give away two copies of her eBook, Cooking with Coconut Oil (Retail value $19.95). The 68 recipes in this eBook are all simple to make and the ingredients in the recipes are all readily available. This eBook is a great way to start getting more coconut oil in your diet to get all the amazing health benefits. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

You will have the chance to win all of these prizes by joining is the challenge with either Option # 1 or Option # 2 detailed above!

Click below to join us!

Do you have questions about this event? Please feel free to comment on this post with any questions or concerns.

Real Food! Questions I had, and the answers I found.

Real Food!   Real Food!    Eat REAL FOOD!


Questions I asked when I first heard about Real Food; and the answers I have learned:


Well, isn't all food real? 

In a simple sense, No!. Not in today's world of fast, prepackaged, convenience food. Many – if not all- of the fast foods you can buy that are ready to heat and eat, or microwavable, or boxed are processed for long term shelf life are NOT wholesome real food. In order to sell conveniently packaged food, factories over-process, and  many of the nutrients and flavor is lost in the process! This causes manufacturers to replace what should have been naturally been there with artificial, chemical, or synthetic alternates for flavor, texture, and appearance.  To then top these all off with preservatives, added sweeteners, and more chemicals: ie. Fake food.

How can you tell if all that has been put in? 

Read the label. Use a Simple rule of thumb is: if you cannot recognize the ingredient, your body cannot either. If you cannot pronounce the ingredient, your body cannot process it. Simple ingredients do not require help to understand. 

Then what's Real Food?

Real Food is bought Fresh. Raw. Whole. Uncooked. Local.
Real Food actually nourishes your body; fuels the body and maintains the body.  
Real food comes from nature: it’s grown or raised from some plant or animal that was alive.  All vegies, all fruits, all nuts & seeds, beans, whole grains, eggs, meat (not factory processed- but whole cuts from pastured animals like pastured chickens or range beef or wild fish.) Organic is best, the more natural you can purchase it the better. Milk and dairy are fine (as long as they have not been factory over processed like Velveeta.) The list goes on and on. No boxes. Less convenience foods. More REAL food.

Why bother? 

This is your decision; a choice. A change in awareness, a motivation to care, and a step in the right direction. For many it comes down to A simple choice of eating more healthy now; or paying for costly health care later -because you chose convenient quick over nutritious. Every real food choice is a small step in the right direction. It can be done in small baby steps, doesn’t have to be all at once. 

I am never able to finish a diet, why should I try this?

It’s a choice… It’s not a diet!  It is not a fad! It's not a program to break, or a resolution to forget. It's just learning to make better choices. In small steps.

Choosing Real Food is truly is not hard, or overly difficult. It is a choice to make when at the store- a healthier option.  It’s simply a way – a lifestyle - to become aware of more healthy options for yourself and your family. 

The more aware you are of fake foods, and the amount of chemicals put into convenience foods, the more you will WANT to make better choices for yourself. 

Make better choices. Choose real. Real Food!

You might also like:
Six Weeks to Real Food

Going Nuts! for Coconut Oil!

Coconut Oil for cooking

oh wow- do I love coconut oil!!! Such an awesome wonderful surprise! I cannot sing it's praises enough!

 As a child and teen learning how to cook in the 80's, the new surge of bad, fake and over processed oils was dominating the market. Suddenly media went nuts over highly refined vegetable and Canola oils and margarine -all the products that made the big name businesses lots of money and never were really good for us anyway. 
I wish I had known then...what I know now! How many times have you said that?

I am still learning the benefits of coconut oil. It's crazy good for so many things, it's astounding! 
For cooking alone, it enhances flavor of foods! It doesn't chemically breakdown in the heat of the skillet as fast as other oils (heat stable), it doesn't hurt your body with bad fats, and it's super healthy.  Organic, unrefined cold-pressed coconut oil is higher in antioxidants than any other oil. It is known to boost metabolism, and helps provide greater energy which can lead to weight loss. It is known and proven to boost the body's immune system!

Coconut oil benefits include the fact that it's anti-bacterial, anti fungal, anti-microbial (which means it helps to fight infections)! It's anti inflammatory! It improves thyroid function! It helps with absorption of vitamins so your body takes in more of what it needs, particularly calcium and magnesium-- that means it's awesome for bone support! And new studies indicate it can help Alzheimer's stop symptoms! ( I loved learning this!!) 

There is so much more! You can cook with it just like you did all the other vegetable oils, and get all the added benefits you never got with them! And it tastes soooo awesome! You really do not get a heavy taste of coconut, at first there is a hint- but as it cooks with the food it seems to just enhance flavor of what you are cooking, not dominate it. You can fry, add to baked items, any recipe that calls for vegetable oil- you can use coconut oil!

I personally use either Coconut oil or Extra Virgin olive oil now for all my cooking. Olive oil for light cooking, coconut oil for rich flavors or to add flavor to more bland foods.  I will not buy anymore over processed vegetable oil, or canola oil ever again. It's a choice I feel very good about- a healthier choice for my family. The benefits are listed in the hundreds! At this time, I cannot begin to list them all, and I have not even touched on what it can do for your skin and beauty routine!  Do not be afraid to research the benefits! It is well worth it!

You can find Coconut oil sometimes at the grocery store in the organic section, at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and Health Food stores. You can purchase it online at  Amazon, and Tropical Traditions




you can also find it here:

Homemade Yogurt Using a Yogurt Maker

 Homemade Yogurt Using a Yogurt Maker

I start with gathering the materials,
sauce pan, Whole organic milk (not ultra pasteurized), cooking  thermometer, spoon to stir, my jars and yogurt maker, and measuring cup (this just gives me a handy pour) :) and 1 packet of yogurt starter cultures.
Measure out enough milk for filling the 7 jars into a med saucepan.


Heat on med on stove, until milk reaches 180 f degrees
(yes, a thermometer is handy for this, but basically- just before boiling- you do not want the milk to boil.)
turn off heat and let it cool....
When milk cools to 110 f  (or to the point where you can touch it, and it's warmish- over room temp- but not scary to touch) add either 1 packet of dried yogurt starter cultures,  or 1 entire jar plain yogurt  (1 jar of previously made homemade yogurt from the last batch! Yay!)
Stir until completely incorporated.
Pour into clean sanitized jars and place them in yogurt maker.
Place in an area where they will not be bumped or moved around, and turn on. Leave for 8-10 hours, checking toward the end. each hour until the yogurt has set. The longer you leave it the stronger the flavor!.
When it's set, lid the jars and set them in the fridge for at least 2 hours before eating!
Absolutely delicious!  You can flavor and top the new homemade yogurt any way you'd like! Substitute it for sour cream in recipes, add it to your favorite recipes for extra flavor and beneficial probiotics!
 Every one will benefit! And enjoy!

 

The benefits of making your own yogurt are simple. Yogurt, being homemade is controlled by you- meaning it has nothing unwanted in it. Store bought yogurts often contain preservatives, unnatural flavors sweeteners and additives. You control what goes in. Also being fresh, it has more of the good stuff. Store bought yogurts often sit on the shelf so long the beneficial probiotics have started to die off. Home made yogurt has all the  fresh, live probiotics ready to help your body; it is awesome for gut health! Probiotics in it are wonderful for your digestion! Homemade yogurt is a great way to boost your calcium intake, and it is said to boost your immunity. You simply cannot loose by trying it.

There are ways to make homemade yogurt without the yogurt maker, using your oven, a dehydrator and even a crock pot. I as yet, have not tried these. And I do not feel comfortable writing about it unless I have tried. it! However, it is easy to find numerous blogs and posts by wonderful people who have tried it! Research and start making your own fresh homemade yogurt! You are going to love it!

you might like these:

My experience with the last 7-Day Real Food Challenge

What!??? You want fresh vegetables always now??

With a new challenge coming up in barely over a week, I wanted to share my personal experience with the last one.

You see, due to health problems in 2012, I had started looking for natural ways to help our family. I just knew there had to be answers out there! And I started searching! I ran across an blog post on Holistic Mama. 
 The blog was about a challenge I'd never heard of before- a 7 Day "Real Food" challenge-  to eat wholesome, real food for 7 days.
hmmm? Isn't all food REAL!?

The challenge even included a free basic guide to what Roxanne King, an accredited health and nutrition professional, considered  to be Real Food. Can't go wrong with free, nor professional advice!
And it wasn't a diet! Not a fad! Not expensive! Just a change!

I read it, it seemed pretty easy! I understood what was meant by real food in a matter of minutes.
I loved cooking, and this concept presented me with possibilities I considered feasible! It made sense!
As an added bonus at the time, I could join for free, and be included in an enormous list of giveaways!
Sold! 

Now, truthfully, I didn't take the giveaways seriously at the time. But the challenge- I considered!
I asked questions, and was surprised to find answers immediately provided.  
The support system alone sold me. 

So I planned, I bought food for it accordingly- nothing too far off my normal grocery list to really make a difference... and I tried it! The deal, at our house, is that I am the only female in an all male testosterone filled house (Dad and 2 Teenage boys! and me.) My boys do not take well to announced changes- so, at first, I planned to this for myself- like a test run. The problem was- I couldn't afford 2 dinners a night, so each night's meal I made actually followed the plan. After the first night of the challenge- and the positive reaction I got from everyone on how good dinner was...I decided to cook for everyone the rest of the week following the challenge, and just not "announce" it. (My boys -all 3 of them- do not like changes, let alone announced declarations of favorite foods being changed! LOL...) So I kept it to myself and we finished 7 days in full, without whimper or sigh- (one exception of a whine over no available hot pockets, but it was minor).

After the challenge, what occurred amazed me!!! Floored me actually!
I heard requests!
 Yes! Mom, can you make some more of that homemade bread?
Mom, when can we have that steak strip beef stroganoff again- that was good! 
Mom! Those bacon wrapped green beans were awesome, etc, etc.
One night, a while later I didn't have time to run to the store so I threw together a meal with what I had- which included canned green beans... and the reaction was instantaneous! Eww! These aren't fresh! I was floored! What?! You WANT fresh vegies only? From all 3 males in my house came a resounding YES!!!!!!!!!
So I finally took the time to explain the challenge to them, in detail. And now they are all for it! I even have help in the kitchen with cooking! If it means they can get to that real food faster -They are willing to move!

That actually was the best part! Success all around for the entire family- and we are all learning as we go! Wonderful for all!
The bonus I got??? I was notified by Roxanne King at the Holistic Mama, that I'd actually won one of the giveaways!  It was awesome!!!!!!!! A week later, I received Yogurt starter from Cultures for Health! I have never bought store bought yogurt again! We love it!

I'd won!

... not just a giveaway...
                                             I'd won a challenge---
                                                                                                for my whole family! 

                                                And we all are still winning!

Now the challenge is back! Bigger and better than ever! April 21-27!
One week! a huge 7-Day Real Food Challenge!
You can win too!!! It's all there!
There are 2 ways to join!
The bonuses for joining fully are valued above $237.00!!!!!with that value of the free bonuses ($237+) you are almost getting paid to purchase this product!!!!
The giveaways are valued at $600.00!!!!!!!

Give it a try! 
 Every small step in trying is a WIN!!!!!!

Time for the Spring 7 Day Real Food Challenge!

Ever have a challenge presented to you that changed your life? 
I have.
Simply, I was asked, "Can you go just 7 full days eating Real Food?"
I took it as a dare, like a kid in school excited at the challenge! Can I? I found out quickly, I CAN!
It not only was a challenge won, but a step in the right direction for our entire family! A huge leap, actually! What an eye opener and fantastic!
Can you take the challenge?
I KNOW You can!

Do you think you can eat only real food for 7 days straight?

>
To some of you this might sound nearly impossible and some of you may be thinking – I already do. This challenge is designed to help those of you who really want to live the real food lifestyle but might need a little guidance to get started. This challenge is also for all of you who have already figured it out, but you have fallen off the bandwagon. Sometimes life gets hectic and our diets seem to suffer. It's never too late to get back into the healthy food routine!

So, What is the 7 Day Real Food Challenge?

There is a big group of us following this challenge. Everyone who joins this challenge is making a pact to eat only real food for 7 days – specifically on April 21st - 27th. Already there are 28 bloggers who have committed to this challenge and are here as a support team for everyone who joins us. Here is your support team:
Todd Dosenberry from Primal Toad
Amanda from Natural Living Mama
Erin Odom from The Humbled Homemaker
Janey McKeever from Consistantly Sporadic
Jaime Reid from Jaime Reids Kitchen
Anne Simpson from Authentic Simplicity
Laura Broach from Mama Making Changes
Mike Lamitola from MikeLamitola.com
Alix from Blessed in Homemaking
Stacy Karen from A Delightful Home
Nina Nelson from Shalom Mama
Melissa Joulwan from Well Fed
Kimball Young from Heavy on Wholesome
Laura Prevost from Head over heels in Health
Victoria Moore from Yogi Mami
Carol Lovett from Ditch the Wheat
Katie Stanley from Nourishing Simplicity
Jami Leigh from Young Wifes Guide
Andrea from Homemade for Elle
Sarah Warren from Unorthadox Momma
Amanda Anderson from Chef Amanda Anderson.com
Sara Roylance from Sara Roylance.com
Sara Shay from Your Thriving family
Jennifer from Hybrid Rasta Mama
Marillyn Beard from Just Making Noise
Nichi from My Healthy Beginning
Michelle Elnycky from The Crooked House

So for those of you who think this might be way too hard to do – you have all these experts here to back you up and help you meet the challenge. It’s not only these bloggers that will be doing the challenge but many of our readers will be following along. We will have a special Facebook group for discussions about the challenge and a place to reach out to everyone for help and support. There are two ways you can participate in the challenge:

Option # 1 (Free)

Join us and make the commitment to eat only real food for 7 days starting on April 21 – April 27, 2013. You will receive:

• An e-guidebook on “What is Real Food?”
• A chance to win one of our fabulous real food prizes

To enter this challenge for free click here

Option # 2 ($29)

If you want to get really serious about this challenge and take full advantage of the support you can get from this group – this is for you. Making a big lifestyle change can be difficult on your own but with a huge group of people doing it along with you it is a lot easier – and a lot more fun! As a member of this challenge you will receive:

• An e-guidebook on “What is Real Food?”
• A full real food Paleo meal plan for 7 days – three meals a day and snacks
• Recipes for all of the items in the meal plan (37 Delicious recipes!!)
• A shopping list to help you prepare for the challenge
• Tips on how to prepare your kitchen for this event
• Membership to our private Facebook group which is a place to reach out for help and ask questions
• A chance to win one of our fabulous real food prizes - worth over $600+

PLUS these fabulous Bonuses (worth over $237+) for everyone who buys this package...

• A copy of "Your Grocery Budget Toolbox eBook" ($7.99 value). This eBook is the perfect guide for anyone new to eating healthy, learn how to save time and money with a few simple strategies. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
• A copy of Health Coach, Mike Lamitola's music album, "Fitting Out," ($7.00 value). Mike's music is inspired by real life experiences, dreams and some very random thoughts. Follow Mike on Facebook
• A 20% discount to Natural Living Mama's Product shop. Natural Living Mamma offers herbal body and skin care, salves, and teas made from only natural ingredients. Click here to visit her shop or follow her on Facebook
• A copy of The Holistic Mama's Audio Class,"How to Eat Real Food on a Budget" ($29.00 value) Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
• A 15% discount Blessed in Homemaking Etsy shop. Blessed In Homemaking offers organic and all natural body care products, gentle baby care products, herbal products, crocheted items, and more, for your healthy lifestyle. Follow on Facebook
• A copy of "What to Eat and Why: Healthy Nutrition for Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum" audio program (Value $197.00) by Nichi Kuechle from My Healthy Beginning
  Follow Nichi on Facebook and Twitter
  

  
  

The meal plan for this challenge is a Paleo menu! This means that all the recipes are grain-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free. If you have ever thought about trying the Paleo / Primal diet and thought it was too hard this is the perfect chance to try it out. All of these done for you planning items and the built in support are designed to make this challenge much less of a challenge to complete. What do you think – are you ready to take the 7 Day Real Food Challenge?

Click here to join us and get the plan, recipes, and support now!

The plan and recipes require basic kitchen tools. A good set of knives is the best thing you can splurge on in my opinion - even better you may win some in the giveaways that go along with this challenge!

Speaking of giveaways...Don’t forget about all of the fabulous prizes from our amazing sponsors!! We are giving away $600 worth of products! 

  The Giveaways (over $600+ value)...

Ergo Chef Knife Company, makers of ergonomically-designed professional chef knives, is giving one participant of our challenge their Pro-Series 7” Santoku knife, Come Apart Kitchen Shears and a 9” & 12” Duo Tongs (Retail value $132) Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube  

Taza Chocolate company, makers of traditional stone ground Mexican Chocolate, is giving one of our participants a package of their salted almond discs, their chipotle chili discs, a jar of chocolate covered hazelnuts and their 87% chocolate bar. Taza chocolate has a direct trade cacao program that cultivates face-to-face relationships with farmers. (Retail value $ 30.47) Follow them on Facebook and Twitter

Kaya Foods, superfoods for delicious living, is giving one participant 5 bags of their delicious Kale and Veggie Chips, great for healthy snacking and a few $1.00 coupons (Retail value $ 10) Follow them on Facebook

    Yogi Tea, products inspired by Ayurveda is giving one participant of our challenge 4 boxes of a variety of our top selling teas and a Yogi tea mug. (Retail value $40)Yogi tea is committed to providing healthy, natural teas that are accessible to as many people as possible. Follow them on Facebook.    

Applegate, Organic & Natural Meats, is giving away a gift pack of products. (Retail value $ 25) Applegate meats are free of anti-biotics, growth hormones, nitrates, artificial ingredients and fillers which makes them far surpass the quality of conventional sliced sandwich meats. When buying Applegate products you can be confident you are eating a high quality product. Follow them on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter

  Trilight Health, makers of fast-acting, great tasting liquid herbal supplements, is giving one participant a $50 gift certificate to order products on their website! For over 20 years now, TriLight Health have supplied their customers nationwide with their high quality line of liquid herbal products. They specialize in great tasting, alcohol and sugar free, liquid herbal formulas for pregnancy, children, and the family. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter  



Eco Lunch Gear, eco friendly reusable lunch gear, is giving one participant a a reusable sandwich wrap (Retail value $10.50). Eco Lunch Gear was started by a Mom who saw a need for an alternative to plastic and aluminum foil, her products can be washed and reused over and over to save money and our environment. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.  

Erin Odom from The Humbled Homemaker and creator of Real Food, Real Easy the eBook is giving one participant a copy of her eBook to help you continue with your Real Food journey (Retail value $$9.95) Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Health Coach, Mike Lamitola, is giving one participant free entry to his Tele-seminar on Cravings. Do you have a sugar habit you've been trying to beat? In this tele-seminar, Mike will explain how. (Retail value $25.00) Follow Mike on Facebook and Twitter  

 

Alix from Blessed In Homemaking offers organic and all natural body care products, gentle baby care products, herbal products, crocheted items, and more, for your healthy lifestyle in her Etsy Shop. She is giving two participants a one ounce bag of loose chamomile tea (Retail value $8.00) Follow her on Facebook

 

Stacy Karen from A Delightful Home is giving one participant of this challenge a copy of her eBook, Simple Scrubs to Make and Give. Start making your own scrubs at home for yourself and others (Retail value $3.99) Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Nina Nelson of Shalom Mama, is giving one participant of the challenge a healing balm and lavender mint lip balm from her etsy shop (Retail value $19.50) Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Melissa Joulwan from The Clothes Make the Girl, is giving one participant a copy of her Paleo eBook called Well Fed: Paleo Recipes for People Who Like to Eat (Retail value $14.95). This is a great resource for anyone interested in Paleo diet, whether you are just getting started or you are just looking for some new recipes to try. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Health Coach, Laura Prevost is giving 10 lucky participants one of her Dynamite Coaching sessions. If you are looking for some support around breaking a bad habit, or getting yourself motivated, Laura will work through it with you in this session (Retail value $20.00/session) Follow Laura on Facebook or Twitter

Jami from Young Wife's Guide, is giving one participant a copy of her eBook, Apartment Gardening, which is a great resource for getting started growing food in small spaces (Retail value $2.99) Follow Jami on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Jennifer from Hybrid Rasta Mama has also offered to give away two copies of her eBook, Cooking with Coconut Oil (Retail value $19.95). The 68 recipes in this eBook are all simple to make and the ingredients in the recipes are all readily available. This eBook is a great way to start getting more coconut oil in your diet to get all the amazing health benefits. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

You will have the chance to win all of these prizes by joining is the challenge with either Option # 1 or Option # 2 detailed above!

Click below to join us!

Do you have questions about this event? Please feel free to comment on this post with any questions or concerns.