Pacific Northwest Organic Kale Chips

Do you love Kale chips?  I've yet to meet anyone who didn't like them, including people who don't like "healthy food."  Even people who wouldn't go near kale, seem to love it in this form, and that includes children.  Kale chips are so satisfying, they don't make you feel full and gross the way regular chips do, and since they are cooked at very low heat, they are still raw and loaded with nutrients. 

Pacific Northwest Kale Chips are the latest I've tried and they are fabulous.  One thing I noticed right away when opening the bag is how green they are.  They are much greener than other kale chips I've had, they're really pretty.  I don't know if it's the lemon juice, but it's a lovely presentation.  They come in three flavors, Stumptown Original--made with hazelnuts and has kick from cayenne pepper, Glacier Peak Greens--containing cilantro which pairs fabulously with the kale and also a little spicy with jalapeno peppers, and Cheezy Crunch--not spicy, made with cashews and probably my favorite, though anything with cilantro is right up there.  The best thing about these, besides how awesome they taste, is that they are completely organic.  They're also raw, gluten free, grain free, vegan and very low in calories.   How great to have a snack like this on hand!  If you're in a hurry, just pop one in your bag.  Because of their light weight, they are perfect for backpacking and hiking too.

Though they might get a little smashed, I think they are fantastic for travel.  In fact, I'm about to head over to their website to order a case for an upcoming trip.  Yes, they are a little spendy, but how much would you pay for a big healthy organic salad at the airport, for instance?  Or at your hotel?  First of all, it's almost impossible to find organic food on the go, and certainly at the airport, but if you do find it at your destination, you will pay.  Having snacks like these in hand is my insurance for being away from our healthy kitchen, and it's worth it.

Organic greens are a staple and necessity in our family diet, and I personally feel like I can barely live without them, I need greens daily.  This is a great way to make sure you will get your greens, and in one of the most delicious ways possible, it's a big bowl of organic kale, dehydrated to fit into a small bag, how fantastic.  They are even on sale right now, so it's the perfect time to try them out, and if you need a post-holiday gift for the healthy foodie in your life, these would be perfect--oh how I wish someone would give me stuff like this!  Also, what a perfect way to start the new year off on the right foot.  Find them HERE. 

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CRAZY SEXY DIET

Kris Carr could make anything fun.  Anything.  Even drinking your greens and getting a tube up your butt (colonics).  CRAZY SEXY DIET is infused with healthy information made fun.  Her great vibes are infectious, the tone is sassy and creative and it feels like a conversation with a good friend.

Every now and then, even though I eat this way pretty much normally, I need a good kick in the pants.  Seems like every holiday I start veering off with chocolate and cookies (vegan and organic, but still). Her words are just what I needed to refocus.  For those new to this lifestyle, I can't imagine a better introduction.

I Love Kris Car. Love Love Love her, and I can't imagine anyone not loving her. But you know what made me adore her even more?  The things she wrote about sugar.  Never have I heard anyone articulate the evils of sugar so perfectly.  And the honesty--just beautiful.   I was both laughing and nodding as I was reading about her battles with this wickedly addictive substance.  I loved hearing about how, at night, she would hear that spaghetti western music playing in her head as she faced the sugar monster.  Boy have I been there. 

There's a great primer on PH and why we want to strive to be as alkaline as possible, why we should try to eat foods low on the glycemic index, and what causes and prevents inflammation.   It's all about eating to cope with or prevent disease and feel your very best.  This translates into looking your best too. 

This book is jammed packed with great information and guest appearances form many well known contributors in the field of nutrition and integrative medicine, like Dr. Hyman, Dr. Bernard, and Kathy Freston among others.  It's very well balanced giving you a ton to work with in a variety of areas beyond diet.  Movement, meditation, massage, safe body and household products are all touched upon as part of a healthy lifestyle. There's a 21 day cleanse and some yummy recipes in the back to get you going.  Highly recommended!

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Tribest FreshLife Automatic Sprouter

One way to stick to healthy New Year's Resolutions is to simply add sprouts to your diet.  They are little powerhouses of nutrition and with this FreshLife automatic sprouter from Tribest, it's easy. In the past I've wanted to eat sprouts on a regular basis, but when I'd buy them in the store, they'd go bad so fast I often ended up throwing them out before I could eat them all.  This sprouter changes all that.  Because of the continual water supply going to the sprouts, you can harvest right out of the sprouter and have fresh sprouts any time you want.

All you do is put the seeds on the tray--there are four separate sections for easily dividing different types of seeds (I have been using broccoli and alfalfa seeds), put the second tray on top to protect the seeds (this you remove after about two days when the seeds begin to sprout), put the lid on top and plug it in.  That's it.

You change the water every 24-48 hours and within just a few days you have fresh sprouts.  You don't have to keep rinsing the seeds, the sprouter does it for you with it's built in sprinkler system.  I learned that if you want the sprouts to turn green, you can remove the lid and they will green very quickly.   The sprouter is expandable and there is an optional secondary tray so you can double your crop if desired.  But it's a Big thing, so be sure to measure for your space.

The FreshLife sprouter enables you to have constant access to fresh organic greens, including wheat grass, year round. It's a convenient way to enjoy the flavor and health benefits of sprouts.  Broccoli sprouts, for instance, contain high levels of a powerful anti-carcinogen called sulphoraphane.  The sprouts contain up to 100 times more sulphoraphane than the mature broccoli plant.  It's wonderful to just be able to grab a handful any time you want and toss it into your salad.  Find it HERE.

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