Happy New Year! And I’ve missed you.

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So, here’s the thing. I’ve been gone for way too long. I get it. I’ve been ignoring you. I’m sorry. But, more importantly and even worse, I’ve been ignoring me. I knew the New Year was coming. So, I decided to avoid a few things. I went a few weeks without a workout. I went on a cruise, we both know what that means. Endless food. It was Thanksgiving and a trip to California, lots of ice cream and sweets. There was my birthday, cake There was my boyfriend’s birthday, yet more cake. There was Chanukah and Christmas with their sprinkly cookies and sticky frosting and happy hours along the way. Eggnog cheer and festive and frosty cocktails along the way. But along the way I didn’t forget. The time was coming. This binge-fest can’t last much longer. It just can’t. I have to wake up, I have to take responsibility. It’s cliche, I know but I don’t care. Let’s dust off our sugar coated pants and try again.

I’ve just watched three incredible documentaries. You’ve probably seen them, but if you have not, now is the time. I should have watched these long ago. I regret not having seen them they have officially changed my entire life. They will change yours too.

I’m not going to tell you anything about them. I just want you to see them for yourselves. Just sit back, watch and learn and enjoy.

1. Hungry For Change

2. Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead

3. Forks Over Knives

Let’s make 2014 the year we take care of ourselves. Look at yourself in the mirror every single day, and say “I love me right now, just the way that I am”. You’ll start taking better care of yourself. Once you start taking better care of yourself, you’ll start loving yourself even more. You’ll start feeling better, you’ll start looking better. Then you’ll be able to take better care of your loved ones. Let’s do this together and we’ll make a big giant difference in this world.

xoxo,

Jess

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A nice cooking tip about apples…

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Lately as I’m trying to stay away from sweets I’m searching high and low for those healthy alternatives. This morning to add to my veggie saute and turkey sausage I made a baked apple. I simply put the oven to 375 degrees. I cut a few slits in an apple and added a touch of cinnamon. I placed it in a shallow baking dish. Filled the baking dish with some water and let it bake for about an hour. It was truly delicious and filled that space where something bready and sugary usually goes.

I found this apple baking guide (above) on Food Inc’s facebook page and thought it would be nice to share!

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1 cup almond milk (I use the 30 calorie version)
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 2 dates
  • 1 scoop protein powder (I use Plantfusion unflavored)
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • a whole bunch of ice
  • you can add water if you like your shake to be thinner
  • also, I added a bit of stevia but you obviously don’t have to, I just wanted it to taste just like a pumpkin pie in liquid form-and it did!

Instructions:

Plop it all in your blender, (I use a Vitamix) and mix until well blended. Gobble it up right away!

xoxo,

Jess

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