The Good Stuff

Water. You should drink half of your weight in ounces each day.

Also, any soda, coffee or alcohol you drink should be flushed out of your system with twice as much water. So if you grab a venti latte while you are out and about, plan on downing 40 oz of water just to balance your coffee intake plus "half your weight in ounces". To cut to the chase: Your pee should be "clear & copious" in the words of survival expert Codi Lundin (Lun-deen). Codi is the hard core, primitive survival expert in America today. We like him 'round here. Anyhow, back to the topic at hand - Are you drinking enough water? It's just a simple reminder, most of us aren't and it really does a body good.

Tips for increasing your water intake:

Don't wait until you are thirsty to reach for water, keep a cup or nalgene nearby all day and sip on it regularly.

Cut your juices 50/50 with water; it'll give you more of the good stuff and you'll be consuming less sugar. Once you get used to this, you won't even want to drink juice straight, promise.

If you just really don't like water, get in the habit of drinking herbal teas. The brisk fall weather has arrived, and there's nothing more comforting than a steamy cuppa goodness. We love Mighty Leaf teas, specifically the Citrus Chamomile and the African Nectar teas.

Quiche; Lish style

I used to make my own quiche and pie shells. Then I became a mama. So I happily traded in the glory days of whipping up my own from-scratch shells for the Wholly Wholesome shells (found at King Soopers & Whole Foods). They are moderatly priced and make the whole quiche process such a snap. I am one who bakes my shell before filling it with yummies because I personally abhor a soggy quiche or pie shell. But the directions say it's not necessary. For me, it is!

1)Bake or Don't (I'm wincing even as I type that) Bake your Shell

400 degress for approx. 10 minutes

2)Fill it with yummies

Ideas: Choose at least one of each

Veggie - chopped onion, bell pepper, green onion, leeks, tomato, spinach, asparagus, potatoes

Meat- ham, turkey, bacon, crab

Shredded Cheese -anykind, use 1 cup shredded cheese. If you like a creamier flavor, stick with mozzarella, or mix in some parmesan or romano. Otherwise, go for a sharp flavor with white cheddar or swiss.

Pour the yummies into your cooled pie shell

3)Whip up in a bowl:

5 eggs

1 cup half and half

salt & pepper

Pour the eggs over the yummies and fill that shell to the brim.

Bake @ 375 for approx 40 minutes.

Serve with hashbrown for breakfast or a nice green leafy salad & hearty roll for dinner.

HeartBurn, Baby, Heartburn

I don't know how many of you experience the side affects of heartburn from time to time, but it accompanied me in my last pregnancy and is here once again with full flare after many things I eat this pregnancy!

Two natural ways to cure that heartburn instead of reaching for the Tums/Rolaids:

1) 1/4 tsp baking soda (*aluminum free) in a bit of water

2) papaya enzymes

The baking soda works, like, effective immediately, but it tastes a bit yucky.

However; when you feel like you have fire coming up your throat, it's not so bad afterall....

Make sure that your baking soda (and baking powder for that matter) is aluminum free. This would require a trip to the healthfood store, the major brands at your local King Soopers all have aluminum. The point of avoiding the Tums is to avoid the aluminum content found in the Tums, so that's an important part to this equation. And while we are on the subject of aluminum, here is a little expert info from Dr. Mercola's Healthblog:

Metals like aluminum, which are prevalent in many areas of our environment, can accumulate in soft tissues of the body.

Risks: Cancer, neurological disorders, Alzheimer's disease, foggy head, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels

Major Sources: Drinking water, fish, vaccines, pesticides, preserved wood, antiperspirant, building materials, dental amalgams, chlorine plants

So, keep your eyes peeled for that toxic ingredient and please don't go rubbing it into absorbent pores on your body! There are several wholistic deodorant alternatives to the aluminum containing antiperspirant brands.