five simple ways to make a difference (in your life, and in others')

Tis the season for giving and for looking to how we can better ourselves in the coming year.  Here are 5 simple things you can do throughout the year to have a positive impact on your life and on others'.

apple cider vinegar in a nighttime tea - worth it

I can easily admit, I'm pretty quick to try a new health fad, and only slightly less quick to say how much I like it.  But then, I'll always admit a month later if I realize it's actually not producing the expected or desired results (which is 95% of the time); I guess I'm impressionable but ultimately honest.  That said, I try to wait to post on here about results until I've gotten past my initial optimistic excitement - I've reached that point with this latest trend of drinking an apple cider vinegar tea before bed, and can report that it falls into that rare 5%!

green smoothie recipe - autumn bitters

My primary grocery store doesn't carry cranberries year-round, so when they start showing up, I know that Fall is finally here! Cranberries are one of my favorite smoothie ingredients - they're jam-packed with antioxidants, micro-nutrients, and they add great color and bitterness with only 4 grams of sugar in a full cup of them! Beets are another Fall favorite that I hold off on until the colder months. Rotating fruits and vegetables throughout the year allows me to focus on more locally-sourced foods, keeps variety in my smoothies, and adds excitement to the changing of the seasons!

understanding omega-3s, omega-6s, and grass-fed goodness

One of the easiest changes you can make to your diet as a way of improving your health is to focus on consuming grass-fed / free-range dairy and meat products. These items tend to be nearly twice as expensive, but if we're talking about an extra $20-$50 per month per person, it's a small price to pay for better health, happier animals, and a more sustainable system.

green smoothie recipe - basil berry blast!

With spices growing on the back porch, and fresh local berries at the supermarket, it's a great time of year for green smoothies! I've been making the following smoothie (without the optional ingredients) almost every day - it's so refreshing, with just enough zing from the fresh basil and lime.  Enjoy!

learn to do a chin-up in a couple minutes a day!

I love chin-ups and pull-ups! They engage so many different muscles, and there are a hundred variations to keep things exciting. Think you're a pull-up pro and can't get much better? Check out the bar scene on Venice Beach for a humbling bit of perspective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6nVX9txw6E

That stuff's incredible, but let's get back to a basic chin-up, which the majority of people can't do. Most of us spend our days behind a computer, at a desk, and barely mobile; we don't use our shoulders for anything anymore, and our arms are lucky if they get a five-minute workout doing dishes or cleaning up the house. But, I'm here to claim that most of you can learn to do a chin-up in a month!  Guys, girls, in-shape, out-of-shape, give it a try! I'm convinced almost anyone can do it with a simple month of effort. And why do it? It'll start to tone you up, increase your mobility on everyday tasks, and give you a sense of accomplish which can translate to other goals (here's a task I wanted to complete, that I didn't think I could complete, and I did it!). Let's get to it!

health on the road

I’ve been spending a lot of time on the road recently for a mix of work and pleasure.  I love to sample local foods (and beers!) with the friends that I visit, but I try to eat most of my meals each day from food I’ve brought along with me, to save money, and to keep things healthy and consistent for myself.  It also makes the trip a lot easier when I don’t have to think about most of my meals.  Here’s a quick list of what I travel with, and why: