Get Your Fix

I had been wanting to give up my thirteen year coffee habit, but was fearful of how I would survive without my daily jolt. I loved the ritual of starting my day with a warm, delicious beverage, but had read some bad press about caffeinated coffee and even more bad press about decaf coffee and the chemical laden process decaffeinating beans involves. Caffeine causes a blood sugar drop, followed by increased sugar cravings, which could contribute to weight gain. Caffeine can also affect sleep, may accelerate aging and has been linked to elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone and when elevated can cause an accumulation of abdominal fat - okay, we don't need anymore of that!

So, after hearing about Teeccino coffee alternative and its long list of benefits - freedom from cravings, easier weight loss, a flatter abdomen, diminished under eye puffinesss, clearer skin, a natural digestive aid and restores alkaline balance and energy to the body - I decided to give it a try. So, I got out my french press (the company recommends this as the best method to brew Teeccino), waited a few minutes for it to brew, added my stevia and organic half and half and was instantly hooked! It tasted like a smoother, more delicious version of coffee, similar to a flavored coffee, as I had chosen the the Vanilla Nut variety, which is naturally flavored, with no artificial ingredients.

I have not looked back since and even my husband and older daughter have joined me in drinking and enjoying Teecino. I still savor the ritual of a warm, soothing beverage, just now in a different form. Check out http://www.teeccino.com/ for your free sample and recipe ideas.

Turn On Your Smart Stick

Eggonomical Eating

As we are all facing these challenging economical times, cutting back or going without certain items, especially when it comes to food, has become the norm these days. We all know that good health is priceless, and if we make an effort to nourish and care for our bodies, we will be blessed with vitality and longevity. Feeding our bodies well shouldn't break the bank, though and that's why today's post highlights one of the most budget-friendly, versatile, good-for-you foods - the egg! Coming in at less than twenty cents per egg for organic and even less for non-organic, they are a bargain lovers dream. Scrambled, hard-boiled, poached, fried - there are many opportunities to incorporate the egg into your meals and snacks. Packed with protein, lecithin and phospholipids, eggs happen to be excellent for your skin, arteries and your waistline. In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, eating eggs for breakfast made overweight women crave and eat less until lunch the next day. So, keep a supply of hard boiled eggs in your fridge, so you'll always have one or two to grab for a healthy snack, or to use in a quick lunch over chopped veggies and greens. You can even whip them up into an easy, crustless quiche that your whole family can enjoy and still stick to a budget. Try out my favorite crustless quiche recipe below that's perfect for any time of day. You can even get creative by using leftover veggies that happen to be lingering in your fridge. You can brainstorm and come up with your own variations, incorporating crabmeat, taco fixings ( ok - not both together), whatever appeals to you - would love to hear what combinations you come up with!

Basic Quiche:

1 3/4 - 2 Cups organic half and half

4 organic eggs, beaten

Salt and Pepper

1 to 2 Cups cooked chopped meat and/or veggies

1 to 2 cups shredded cheese

Whisk half and half and eggs in mixing bowl. Add in filling ingredients and cheese into well greased pie pan, no need for crust. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes, then lower heat to 350 and bake another 30 minutes or so. Allow to set 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with tossed green salad if desired.

Reach Cooking Nirvana in Your Own Kitchen

As we come upon the eight year anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, I recall feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness on that day and for many months after, much like the rest of the world was feeling. I just wanted to be at home, knowing that I was with my family and that we were all safe. I realized that I couldn’t hole up in the house forever, but I did discover something that brought me great comfort and a sense of calm - being in the kitchen cooking a warm, nourishing meal for my family.

More than ever, I felt the need to bring my family together and one of the ways was to all be at the dinner table catching up on each others’ day. So, I spent my days looking at recipes and discovered that I loved to create comfort foods – meals that bring you in from the cold and warm your whole body (maybe that’s part of the reason why I live in New England!) - foods like a hearty turkey chili, meatball soup topped with fresh grated parmesan, crispy herb roasted chicken, melt in your mouth Italian pot roast and out of this world eggplant rollatini. These are meals that are easy to prepare and can sit all afternoon in the oven, crock pot or stove, permeating the house with their rich aroma.

When the family arrives safe and warm at home that's when the togetherness begins. Gathered around the dinner table, sharing, laughing and just connecting – that’s what it’s all about. So, whether you need to distress from the day or just channel your inner Julia Child, cultivate your calm in the kitchen by cooking nourishing, wholesome and satisfying meals for your family.

Start by looking for recipes (check my website http://www.nutritionalmerritt.com/ for a few to get you started), gather your ingredients and take your time - make sure your little ones are out of the house or occupied, so you can focus. Put on some favorite music and let the fabulous scents that you create in the kitchen help to soothe your soul. Pretty soon you will have reached cooking nirvana and all your worries will have miraculously melted away. Give it a try - would love to hear how it works out!

Add Some Hemp to Your Day in a Legal Way

I discovered a new food item that I'm in love with that totally enhances my meals, taking them to the next level. While away on vacation, visiting a local health food store, I stumbled upon an item that I had read great things about - raw hemp seeds. Ok, they are totally legal, super nutritious and can be used in so many different dishes. A cross between sesame seeds and pine nuts, these little grain-like wonders are packed with essential omega fats (these are the good fats), protein, fiber and tons of vitamins and minerals.

I first tried these beauties sprinkled on my salad - totally amping it up to gourmet status. I then tried the seeds as a bed for my homemade turkey meat sauce, instead of using pasta, which gave the dish amazing flavor and texture. Their fat and protein content helped to keep me satiated and held cravings at bay.

I have been thinking of ways to incorporate these delectable seeds into more recipes - perhaps using them in place of rice for stuffed peppers, substituting them for bulgur in a tabouli salad, the possibilities are endless. Give these hemp seeds a go, whether you're looking to replace grains & pasta due to food intolerances, want to add more omega fats to your diet to recapture radiance and lift depression or are just looking to boost your overall health. Check out http://www.nutiva.com/ to find a store near you so you can be on your way to adding a little hemp to your day!