My favorite way to detox is to eat. I never knew that you could detox by just using what God has given us. I always thought you had to take a supplement or a special tea/ It never occurred to me that God created foods that do even better than those magic solutions. There are a few things that you can detox, and vegetable infused water may not exactly get it done. It’s nice to add different flavors to your water, especially if you’re consuming half your body weight in water a day. But it’s not going to be solely responsible for cleansing your body. You’re not receiving all the nutrients of those water and vegetable combinations through infusion. Water is the best way to detox, but there are also veggies and fruits.
Vegetables can help you detox
Cruciferous veggies are members of the cabbage family. These veggies contain phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, and fibers that are important to your health. Vegetables have been recommended by various health agencies that we eat several servings per week for numerous reasons.
They help lower cancer risk
They help you with oxidative stress–is the overload of harmful molecules called oxygen-free radicals, which are generated by the body. Reducing these free radicals may reduce the risk of colon, lung, prostate, breast, and other cancers.
They help protect against cardiovascular disease
They contain Vitamin A, C, E, and folic acid, which helps reduce chronic inflammation. Diets that are high in wine and coffee but high in sugar, sweetened soft drinks, refined grains, and processed meat. All things that are prevalent in Easter dinner feast.
How to cook vegetables to get the most benefit?
Stop overcooking your cruciferous vegetables. They should be bright and vibrant green not dark green after cooking. They also can produce a strong sulfur odor and become unappealing and why most people don’t like cruciferous vegetables.
You can buy several types of cruciferous vegetables ready-to-eat in the frozen or freshly packaged sections of your supermarket, including broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Fresh is best but this is a great option if you don’t have access to fresh vegetables.
Make sure you get plenty of dark green broccoli or snowy white cauliflower florets when nibbling on veggie platters. They often get neglected but are the best choices out of all the options.
Add raw broccoli or cauliflower florets to your green salad to give the nutrients a big boost.
Cruciferous vegetables can be easily added to soups, stews, and casseroles.
When you are looking for cruciferous vegetables specifically fresh broccoli. Look for firm florets with purple, dark green, or bluish hue on the top. These vegetables contain more beta-carotene and vitamin C than florets with lighter green tops. If you broccoli is yellow or the stalk is limp-put it down-don’t buy it!
Other Options or Additional Detox
Fruits can help with detox far better than any supplement. Berries such as cranberries, blueberries, strawberries are antioxidants that are great in salads, shakes, and snacks. If you’re detoxing from some indulgent eating. A new thing that I am in love with is avocado seed powder. Adding this can rid you of toxins in your body. It is effortless to add to your diet and tasteless if you want to add it to any meal, shake, and coffee/tea.
My body feels better when I eat the right foods. Depriving myself or using “special cleanse potions” that were formulated in a lab usually don’t have the same effect. This stir fry is my detox stir fry. A super berry smoothie and some “detox stir fry,” and I am usually feeling a little better about my poor weekend decisions. When you clean your body with God’s goodness, after an Easter where you may have indulged too much in sweets and sodium-rich foods. You will feel less regret and will not negate your bad decisions. Choosing a healthy way to cleanse your body can set you on the path towards better choices.
This is a sponsored post from Perdue Farms although I am compensated for this post. My thoughts are my own. My Full Disclosure Policy
Planning family meals made easy
When I meal planned family friendly dinners consistently. We saved money, ate better and had more time to connect. That is something that I want to get back to in 2020. After a very busy 2019 I am reflecting and looking back on the things I want to change in the New Year. I want to go back to having family meals together. With work, sports and extracurricular schedules. It’s really hard to make time for family dinners like when the girls were little. I find when the meals are planned and I have all the ingredients family dinners are less effort. Perdue Farms Easy gathering Bundle Box inspired me to get back into meal planning.
Something that I used to do and want to begin again is meal planning for 30 days. It helps me budget better and makes shopping much easier. Having a variety of options and all the ingredients makes me want to cook more as well. It’s the prepping and planning that I don’t like but I love to make a delicious meal.
How do you plan family meals for 30 days?
I found its very easy to meal plan 30 different meals for the family if you get them involve. I make a list with 3 columns. One for the diva’s, one for my husband and one for me with 10 spaces to fill their favorite meal. It’s really that simple and I find that they very rarely duplicate but if they do it’s 30 days and a family fave it will get eaten anyways. The goal is to have a variety and make something that every one will eat.
I recently got to try Perdue Farm Easy Gathering Bundle which is a new meat subscription box from Perdue Farms. You can have a variety of meats shipped directly to your door. Ready to be placed in your freezer or thawed and cooked. It made meal planning even easier because I didn’t have to do the shopping.
Where can you get organic chicken and premium meat for family meals?
Since attending Shift Con I have been trying to make sustainable efforts and to eat organic meat. With Perdue Farms Easy Gathering Bundle Box I am able to do both. Perdue Farms does not raise chicken conventionally as well as they work with small local farmers. The box was full recyclable and all the products were encased in brown recyclable paper and not plastic.
Easy Family Meals you can make in under 20 minutes
It was easy to add the Perdue Farms Easy Gathering Bundle box to my monthly meal plan. I made some of our family favorites. Highlighting my husband and my diva’s three favorites. One meal was a tie! My husband loved the Pulled Pork Sliders on Gluten Free Ciabatta Rolls with Apple Coleslaw, Sweet Potato Fries and Salad. This was an easy three ingredient hit!!
Niman Ranch Barbeque Pulled Pork Sliders with Apple Coleslaw
Perdue Farms Herbed Olive Oil with Roasted Garlic and Sea Salt wings
Lailah’s Favorite was the Herbed Olive Oil with Roasted Garlic and Sea Salt wings, Broccoli and Cauliflower Rice. This is another easy three ingredient meal that is nourishing tasty and easy to make Perdue Farms Easy Gathering Box made this supers simple with their pre-seasoned Herbed Olive Oil with Roasted Garlic and Sea Salt wings. This was simple. I made steamed broccoli which is my kids favorite and added riced cauliflower rice. Simple easy meal healthy and nutritious meal. It doesn’t have to be complicated to eat healthy and especially when you are always on the go.
Niman Ranch Kielbasa Stir-Fry
Niman Ranch Kielbasa Stir-Fry is Kyhia and Milah’s favorite. Its one of my favorite meals to cook because it takes about 20 minutes. It’s so easy and a healthier option when we need a meal quick in the evenings.
This meal is a plate cleaner with the family and its really easy to make. Even if you’re not the best cook you can’t mess this one up. Adding seasonings like oregano, basil or Italian Seasoning and dinner is ready. You can add a few Niman Ranch Uncured Kielbasa to your Perdue Farm Easy Gathering Bundle Box. You get to choose what meats you want delivered directly to your door.
Eating well doesn’t have to take a lot of time with the right ingredients. With your Perdue Farms Easy Gathering Bundle box delivered right to your door. Just add some healthy sides and you easily have family friendly meals without having to stop at a drive thru. We’re going to spend more time at our dining room table. I am saved some grocery shopping and it’s a great way to switch up some of our favorite meal rotations. I can’t wait to see what comes in my next Perdue Farms Easy Gathering Bundle box. Family meals are coming back in the Bolton home and I am going to make my life easier with the Perdue Farms Easy Gathering Box and planning my meals.
My two favorite foods are Sushi and Pizza. I can eat both anytime of day with anyone but since learning of my wheat allergy and lactose intolerance. I try to stay away from all wheat which has made eating pizza hard. I’ve tried the cauliflower crust but I guess I didn’t wring it out enough (I’ve tried three time) but it takes a lot of time to make Cauliflower crust and it also turn out soggy. When I discovered this Quinoa Crust recipe I was so excited. After a few tweaks I look forward to Pizza night every week.
This recipe is really easy and it’s only 4 major ingredients. There is no kneading or letting the dough rice and it’s a nice thick crunchy crust to hold everything you want to put on your pizza.
Quinoa is also a great source of iron and has many other benefits.
High Content of Antioxidants Phytonutrients
Anti-inflammatory phytonutrients
Contains Higher Heart Healthy Fats content
There are so many toppings that you could use for this here are 10 Healthy Topping options:
Spinach is your best choice for a pizz topping. It has 13 different nutrients that you get in one serving. Spinach mostly contains concentrations of vitamin K, which helps you with effectively blod clotting. It also has over 13 different flavonoid compounds that contribute to preventing the condition of cancer
Broccoli is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin A and folate. It is another wise choice when picking toppings.
Mushrooms only contain 15 calories per cup and they are made of over 50% protein which is 2g of protein. It also contains a high amount of selenium which protects us from free radicals. This would be in my Top 3 for great choices.
Diced Chicken Breast is a great high protein low fat choice. This is also a great option to add to your pizza for some extra protein.
Garlic sliced, minced, crushed no matter how you cut it Garlic is delicious on pizza and oh so good for you. It also benefits your health it helps to support good cholesterol and helps to decrease the risk of heart disease. Although, too much can have it cswaeting out of your pores at the gym this week.
Extra Tomato Sauce is an easy way to get lycopene into your meal. Lycopene has been discovered to prevent cancers of the lungs, stomach and prostate gland.
Low-Fat or Vegan CheeseI have a cheese addiction and provolone and mozzarella mixed pizza cheese is my all time favorite BUT I am lactose intolerant so have to sub for vegan cheese and sometimes goat or feta. My favorite Vegan Cheese is Go Veggie for their taste but it doesn’t melt like provolone or mozzarella. It’s a trade off for digestive comfort for me.If you get to enjoy cheese than I would go with a low-fat cheese because it’s a higher source of protein not for the lower fat. Just go easy on it
Pineapple You Hawaiiain pizza lovers you can still do you thing. Pineapple is an okay sweet addition to your pizza. It’s a awesome source of maganese, Vitamin C and E giving you support for your eyesight, immune systems and eye sight.
Parmesan Cheese I love Parmesan cheese because its one of the only cheeses’s I can consume. It also is a great source of protein and lower in fat. It makes thing crunchy or can make it goeey.
Ham is a great, flavorful option. You can also do a lower fat sausage. It’s lower in fat than pepperoni, sausage and bacon.
There are so many tasty options you can choose you just have to try new flavor combinations and discover the world of FaithFueled Foods.
Usually, when I come back from blogging conferences like 2019 Shift Con, I typically have information obesity. My intention is always to “do all the things,” but my life and self-discipline usually fail. It’s been a few weeks since I attended Shift Con. It was a great conference that I got to experience with three of my good friends.
The first week I needed to process mostly, because I won the 2019 Best Fitness Blogger. Winning was a shock and a fantastic experience. I thought I knew which direction I wanted to go when I left Shift Con. I was at peace on the plane ride home, reflecting from the weekend. The most memorable part of the entire experience was the influencers who attended Shift Con.
I met influencers that are doing amazing things for people and our environment. I never considered using my voice and influence to provoke change. I have used it to inform, but there are people out there changing laws, demanding better for everyone, and they are using it through their Eco-Wellness Influence.
Information Processing
I needed to process all the info on lifestyle changes. I would consider myself living green, but I realized that I could be doing better. In all things, we should strive to do our best, and when you learn something new, you have to apply it, or what’s the point in learning? I went to Shift Con with no expectations than attending another conference, and I left changed as the fantastic Ari Adams spoke, “we need to Shift!” and that exactly what I experienced at 2019 Shift Con.
7 Shifts from SHIFT Con
7. Community exist
Meeting other bloggers in the wellness and sustainability community was refreshing to see other influencers who had the same concerns about ingredient labels, food quality,household toxicity, and water quality. As well as the education and knowledge I received on how to take actionable steps to change.
Still Reeling from the Community of Shift Con
It took me days to process the Shift Con community. They were so encouraging, helpful, genuinely trying to collaborate and help each other succeed. I’ve been to other blog conferences that have been motivating and empowering. I have never experienced the authenticity and kindness like the Shift Con community. That made the difference for me for Shift Con and other influencing conferences. Everyone was so giving, kind, and eager to help each other. It was such a connecting atmosphere, which is what you expect from the events but don’t often receive.
Learning from your Peers
On the last day, we had a Bloggers Round Table, and it was hard to choose because each table had a skill I need to improve. I got to two tables, and because I had to split my time, I got as much information as I could, and it was info overload. They were giving us exactly what we needed to do to improve.
Meeting New People
Meeting so many new people would usually have me anxious, but I was pretty peaceful the entire weekend. Usually, I’m an anxious traveler. I felt completely comfortable, and I know its due to the people and the atmosphere. I also have many new influencers to follow and grow my awareness of sustainability.
6. Personal Responsibility
You don’t know what you don’t know,
BUT,
when you learn something new, then you have a personal responsibility to act. #CommitActImpact was the theme of the OCS2 Network. The Organic Sustainable Community is a community of thirty-two sustainable leaders who work together to have a positive effect on the natural products industry and our environment.”
We are consuming our natural resources at such rapid rates without replenishing them that they will run out. We have to learn and try sustainable practices to live productively in this world. I learned so much at Shift Con Eco-Wellness, especially in Climate Control, and I have some things I need to change. They are supporting businesses like those of the OSC2 Network that are making a positive change outside their own companies and creating powerful communities to thrive on their own.
Lotus Foods part of OSC2 Network supports More Crop Per Drop Program
My family’s impact may be small, but that’s why I blog. Sharing what I’m learning on this journey to help others hopefully is a personal responsibility. As well as who I collaborate with is my personal responsibility. Considering my impact on this world and how I can do more was a significant shift and Shift Con.
5. Be a Voice
I can be somewhat ditzy sometimes, and I had a moment at Shift Con, so please don’t judge me for my ignorance. One breakout session that I didn’t mean to attend probably gave me one of the most significant “Shifts” in my perspective at 2019 Shift Con. The title was “Being a Budget Activist” I didn’t read the description, but I’m really trying lately to budget to went in completely naive and walked out inspired to make a difference.
Within minutes I realized that I had joined the wrong class. It wasn’t what I was searching for, but it’s what was needed.
Leah Segedie, Carissa Bonham, and Moderator Paige Wolf are three inspiring women and Eco-Wellness Influencers. They don’t sit back; they take action, and the three were leading the room and sharing the gifts of how to take actionable steps to create change in our legislature.
What kind of change?
An Influencer in the audience got a crosswalk sign put up in her town after her daughter was hit by a car in the same area.
Leah worked on labeling for Genetically Modified Foods in California, Oregon, and Washington. I am still working diligently in the green sustainability movement.
Carissa worked on Medical freedom in Oregon.
Paige was the catalyst for removing toxic floor cleaners and wax in Philadelphia schools have.
These women have all taken a stand to make change happen, and because of their compassion, things are better for everyone, especially our children.
Using our voices as Influencer and being an activist for what we believe was a massive shift in my thinking.
4. Quality is more than essential its critical
I have never been so comfortable around a group of people. I have been called an ingredient snob on more than one occasion; In several different ways, when it comes to my food and cleaning products. Recently, I’m turning my nose at conventional health and beauty products.
Our shelves are overstocked with chemicals that are harming us. There is little to no regulation, and the company complete disregards humane practices for the sake of mass production. The inferiority of our products should be concerning and voiced. I often get the response, “we’re all going to die from something,” but why accept if you know there is something better.
We deserve Quality
Mindset shift at Shift Con on the quality of all of my products, not just-food. I want to be more intentional about all of my products. I am pretty green in the cleaning and food but still working on my makeup and hygiene products. That would be my next Shift at Shift Con.
Working with Green Brands and Services
I have been searching for an Aluminum-free Deodorant that lasts for longer than two weeks and doesn’t make me stink. So far, I am liking Type A Deodorant. I love the application; it’s not abrasive. I like most of the scents their not overpowering. It doesn’t go on chalky, and I don’t have to reapply as often as other natural deodorants. I have tried so many in the last year but feeling satisfied with TypeA Deodorant.
I learned about companies like the Environmental Working group and products with EWG Verification. EWG is creating an education platform for consumers to know what products are clean. Unfortunately, as consumers we must be our best advocate.
3. Knowledge is Power
My shameful confession is I live in a bubble when it comes to the worldly news. Whether its local politics, state, federal, or international news, I have no idea what is happening. For the last three years I have intentionally removed all access to local and world news.
Filtered Perspective
I choose what I see in my Social Media feed. We stream television, and I don’t watch tv. So, unless I intentionally check out the news, which I don’t, I have no idea. Except for my husbands’ occasional rants of social and political injustices.
Shielded from Reality
I am shielding myself from reality, but I really need to know what is going on. Balance is a continual struggle for me and something I need to work on for all things. That is a constant shift that I am working on.
Pants from Aikacircle.com use “faithfueled” to get 20% off
2. People are listening
I started writing this blog five years ago because I love to write. I always have since I was a little girl. I wrote many “novels” in my younger years.
When I was introduced to blogging, I had lots of time on my hands. I needed a creative outlet. I started writing about Christian parenting. Then I began my weight loss journey and seeking information.
It was on my mind, so I shared it with you, and to my surprise, every month, people are reading the things I have to say. Then I became convicted to share the gospel through my journey.
Memorable Moments at Shift Con
At Shift Con, it was refreshing to have people tell me they followed me as I follow them was mind-blowing. Or meeting people that I have been following for years but never thought I would fit in real life. Like the Crunchy Mommy, I have been following for over five years since Mimi was a baby. Sharing the stage with Aaronica as an award winner was crazy! When I share, I’m usually talking out loud, and it’s good to know people are listening.
Ari Adams CEO of Shift Con, Aaronica Cole of The Crunchy Mommy Pants from Aikacircle.com use “faithfueled” to get 20% off
It’s not the first time that someone has told me they’ve read my blog. The difference since Shift Con is I am ready to own it. I work hard, and I am passionate about what I do! I am grateful it is appreciated. I am even more appreciative that people still read!
1.Chosen
First, can I have Hallelujah, Praise God and Thank you, Lord moment. Honestly, without God, I would not be at this point in my life. The opportunities that I receive are nothing but a blessing and a light on my path. I am beyond grateful but trying to remain humble. My mission and what I always set out to do in FaithFueled Mom is for His glory — not my own. I am really psyched and appreciative to receive the award and just in awe of God and His grace. It was obviously the highlight of 2019 Shift Con for me and a shift. That I can be exactly who I am and share what I believe and still be recognized by my peers is an honor. Next, I want to thank everyone who nominated and voted for me. I appreciate you.
Ephesians 1:3–6 (NIV): 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
FaithFueled
There are a lot of fitness bloggers out there, but we’re not all the same. Although, my message is to move and fitness is a method of movement. My ultimate message and the one that Shift Con made me realize I need to get out. Is to honor your temple!
Take care of what God has given us from your body inside and out, where you physically live, and how you treat this earth God gave us. There are so many facets of honoring your temple, and fitness is just one of them. I want to other wellness.
I introduced to Shift Con two years ago, another blogger friend Aida of Girlfriend with Goals, told me I needed to attend. Two years later, I did, and she was right. I’ve been to many conferences, but none that made me want to make a change and serve others more passionately than Shift Con.
Next year, Shift Con will be in Irvine, CA, on October 8-10, 2020. Inform yourself and learn more about Shift Con. Why did it begin? What is eco-wellness and see if you would like to join me.
There are so many little details I didn’t recap, but I did on my Instagram Stories Highlights as I walk you through the three Days of Shift Con. Hope to see you there so you can shift stuff in your life too. Do you ever attend bloggers conferences?
I am a Brand Ambassador for Nuzest Usa and have included an affiliate link in this post that I receive a commission from purchases. My full disclosure policy
Back to School, YAY!
How were you the first week of school? For some of you, it’s been a few weeks and you probably have settled back into a routine and life is starting to take on its new normal for the next 8+ months. For us Jersey peeps we have just finished up the hours’ long paperwork confirming that are a child is still the same child, with the same parents, living in the same house just another grade older. After school activities have taken our chill summer nights away and we are anticipating the homework to come trickling in to add to our now more full to do list. Oh, what happened to those preschool days where you just had to make sure they had a change of clothes and snacks. My girls are now in fourth and eighth grade, and I remember from my now eighth grader. Third grade is where things start to become a little more challenging. More responsibilities are assumed, and that wonderful common core is in full swing. I am happy that I got to go through it from Kindergarten-Seventh grade, or it could be a daunting task sitting down for homework.
Prep and Plan
I’ve been here before, so I thought this summer, “How can I make things a little easier?” Prep and Plan! That is my security blanket. I am an avid planner from our meals, schedule everything is done a month in advance. So, late July early August it began. I gathered recipes for easy, healthy dinners so that I can feed my hungry brood and make Soccer and Field Hockey games and practices without sitting down at the end of the day feeling like I was just swept up in a Whirlwind. I found these Blender Muffins on Cooking Light, but I had to change up the recipe a little to meet my daughter’s needs. One daughter is lactose intolerant we have all adapted to a less dairy lifestyle in my home. The other thing is protein. My middle daughter is a self-proclaimed Vegetarian except for hot dogs and tacos. (Yep! Hot dogs…sigh and slight eye roll) I am always trying to find ways to get my only fruit and veggie child to get more Protein. After two experiments the first one didn’t turn out so well, I came up with these delicious muffins that feed everyone for a week, and I just have to make one batch. You can make them in a variety like I did or just do one flavor. I did the variety to mix it up during the week.
Convenient and Healthy
My tween & teen can grab and go in the morning, and she’s all set, and my middle can eat, and I know that she is getting everything she needs to start her day. I also made Egg Muffins which the in between child wants no parts of but my husband has found these convenient too as he is a Kindergarten teacher and is trying to remain on the clean eating plan that he has fully embraced over the summer months. My personal favorite is the Chocolate Walnut Muffins, but there are so many topping options you can do. We have Apple Chai, Chocolate Almond, Strawberry Chocolate, Strawberry Blueberry, Blueberry and next week going to give Mango and Banana a try. I hope you enjoy these fast, easy, yummy treats for your family, and if you try any new flavors, please let me know. I am always looking for ways to make meal time fun, healthy and tasty.
Add Some Fruit and Veggies in a Scoop
Nuzest has just come out with some great additions to their plant-based smoothie line. Now they have Fruit and Veggies which gives these protein muffins an extra punch of power for my girls. Nuzest Just Fruits & Veg comes in three different flavors Wild Berry, Fresh Coconut, and Caco Mint. I used the Wild Berry in the protein muffins and they were delish. It’s also great for their after school needs post field hockey and soccer practice even as an easy tasty snack when they get home. I love it because it is no artificial sweeteners, a great form of plant-based protein in their pea protein powder and an ingredient list of all real, junk-free ingredients that I recognize. Each scoop contains 5 fruits and 5 veggies and 9 essential amino acids. My oldest daughter is lactose and casein intolerant so this is easy for her to digest. I rather they have fresh, fruits and veggies but I can find comfort in the Nuzest Just Fruit & Veg Smoothies and it also adds a great flavor to the protein muffins. Use coupon code “FaithFueled” to get 15% off your order!
