Keeping a cold at bay

It seems a cold has tried to get the best of me and bring me down, but with taking 3 classes and working full-time, I won’t let it! Here is what I have done to keep myself feeling better without taking over the counter medicine:

Yogi Echinacea tea + local honey. We picked this honey up at the Baltimore Farmer’s Market. The tea is quite tasty with a subtle hint of peppermint.

I like my yogi tea saying for today: Serve all without classification or discrimination.

I’ve been juicing with EXTRA ginger. Wow, what a kick!

I’ve been eating oranges for extra vitamin C!

And eating yogurt to boost my immunity. FAGE 0% is my favorite. It is so creamy and thick that I can eat it plain.

And of course, soup! This is a bowl of lentil soup I made over the weekend + a scoop of FAGE yogurt.

I’m in love with a smoothie

Yesterday I was raving about my new found love for almond milk. After the gym today, I made the most delicious smoothie with it!

I combined:

-1 banana

8 oz (1 cup) almond milk

YUM!

I was going to put a splash of agave nectar into it, but it was already super sweet on its own. I couldn’t believe how creamy and amazing it tasted!

Almond milk vs. cow’s milk

I am seriously thinking about embracing vegetarianism. I was a vegetarian in college for about a year and a half. I honestly don’t remember what made me start eating meat again, but I do remember how amazing I felt when I wasn’t eating it. I was full of energy, had great immunity, was at a great weight, and all around at peace with myself. I know all the reasons why vegetarianism is a wonderful choice for my body and the environment. That said, I don’t plan on cutting out dairy (milk, eggs, cheese) and becoming  vegan, however, this time around I am going to limit dairy.

I discovered almond milk this week as an alternative to cow’s milk. I must say it is delicious!

I compared the nutrition facts of the two. Almond milk is lower in calories (40 vs. 90); cow’s milk is lower in fat (0 g vs. 3 g); almond milk is lower in sugars (0 g vs. 12 g); but cow’s milk is higher in protein (9 g vs. 1 g).

It looks like cow’s milk

Almond milk + snowy Baltimore

For me, almond milk has won. I just love the taste and how creamy it is. It also smells very nutty. I can’t wait to make a smoothie with it and try the other flavors – vanilla and chocolate!

Hemp waffles. Groovy.

For breakfast, we had Nature’s Path hemp waffles + Whole Foods 365 brand peanut butter. I am trying to be conscious of the ingredients that are in the food I eat. The waffles contain organic whole wheat flour, organic flaxseed, organic hempseed, and organic cane juice, just to mention a few. The bonus is how tasty they are!

The crunchy salted peanut butter ingredients are: peanuts, salt. I like that.

All together, now.

Well, I’m off to write. It’s starting to flurry here!

Juicy

We inherited a juicer (thanks, Mom)! What a great way to start our Saturday morning. For my juice, I used an apple, carrots, and ginger. The ginger gave it a real kick!

Look how easy this is!

Apple-carrot-ginger goodness! YUM.

Phil was a bit more adventurous and added some beets and spinach into his

Look at that gorgeous color!

Here is the aftermath of fruity flesh. Does anyone compost?