Climbing to a Whole New Altitude!

If you haven't heard, Wellness on the Fly has moved! Find all your favorite posts from the past along with some fresh, new ones at www.wellnessonthefly.com! For all the up to date information, "LIKE" Wellness on the Fly on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WellnessOnTheFly

CHEERS!

Prosciutto and Pear Spaghetti Squash

(Free of wheat, gluten, eggs, dairy, corn, soy, nuts)
 
During the holiday season there are gatherings to attend, parties to host and a healthy lifestyle to maintain. It can be difficult to trust that there will be something you can eat at a particular event or that your guests will enjoy your healthy cooking. 

I recently attended a holiday party where I was asked to bring a side dish. I began to rack my brain for something festive, unique, delicious and on my diet to make. I had a spaghetti squash that needed attention yet was leaning towards a pear and cheese wrapped in prosciutto appetizer I saw in a magazine. In the end, I combined the two creating a delectable combination of flavors which also fit perfectly into my diet and was almost too easy to make.

The fruit and meat combination provides a sweet and salty euphoria for the tongue while the texture of the spaghetti squash hints towards filling pasta without the carbs. The fat from the prosciutto combined with the olive oil tricks your taste buds into believing they are indulging in a rich butter concoction.

Ingredients:

(serves 6-8 as a side dish)

1 medium spaghetti squash

1 pear

8 pieces of prosciutto

1 tsp fresh rosemary minced

1 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

3 Tbsp Olive Oil

Shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bake spaghetti squash in oven for 1 hour. Remove and let cool.

While you are waiting for the squash to cool, roll each piece of prosciutto lengthwise and then slice into small pieces. Once that is complete, dice the pear, being sure to remove it's seeds in the process.

 Heat a skillet with 1 Tbsp of oil over medium high heat. Add prosciutto, tossing often, until it begins to crisp (about 5-7 minutes). Reduce heat to medium and add the pear and spices, cooking until the pear is soft and golden brown (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat.

Once cooled, cut the squash lengthwise. Remove the seeds and toss in compost. Use a fork or spoon to scrape out the squash into a bowl. It will come out looking like thin strands of spaghetti.

Toss the squash with the prosciutto and pear mixture. Drizzle with the remaining 2 Tbsp of olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese (optional). Serve warm.

This unusual dish is perfect for your holiday gatherings or for something to instantly fill you with holiday cheer on your trips.

As Always,
Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness! Cheers!

Finally! A Solution For Ear Blockage!

Spending day after day surrounded by hundreds of people in a pressurized metal tube 35,000ft in the air, you are bound to have a few conflicts with germs. If you are like me, any little amount of congestion combined with the pressure of the airplane is a recipe for a painful disaster. I have had 4 cases of a blocked ear, 2 resulting in a near eardrum rupture in my short career as a flight attendant. I'm not too keen on using manufactured drugs but not knowing any other way, I loaded up each time on the highest dosage of Pseudoephedrine (decongestant) and Nasonex (steroid) possible and hoped for the best. Regardless of all these strong drugs, I still ended up with many painful landings and a huge fear of flying while congested.

After my last near rupture I consulted one of my naturopaths on a possible solution. She began by explaining to me just what was happening to cause the pain in my ear. When you become congested, your body is producing more mucus than it can drain and it gets trapped in your sinuses. Unfortunately our sinuses don't have automatic mucus shut off valves, so when they become full, that does not mean the mucus stops producing. Instead, it finds new places to live, such as your ears, causing pressure. When you experience pressure changes (ie in an airplane) the mucus's home gets smaller and it begins to seek a new place to go. When it can't drain in it's natural way, it begins to press on your ear drum, demanding to be set free. This is when you experience agonizing pain and in some cases, a ruptured ear drum. So, the goal to focus on is encouraging drainage.

It's been a few months since I was enlightened by this knowledge and given several solutions but had yet to share them with you. This is because I wanted to try them first to ensure they worked and to have actual experience with them. The opportunity finally presented itself this week in the form of a nasty head cold, and I am overly pleased to report that they worked! So, it is my privilege to share with you these phenomenal preventive tips that will change your life in the sky.

 Xlear

(found at natural pharmacies, food stores and supplement stores such as supper supplements)
 

This all natural nasal spray is made with the sweetener xylitol, purified water, salt and grapefruit seed extract (used as a preservative). The xylitol breaks up mucus almost instantly. Unlike decongestants and antihistamines, Xlear adds moisture to your nasal passages helping them stay clear. Spray one pump in one side of your nose, plugging the other side and sniffing several times as you do so. Leaning your head slightly to the same side helps the solution travel to your eustachian tubes. Repeat on other side. After a few moments you will feel the drainage. The sweetness you taste in the back of your throat is the xylitol carrying your congestion out of your sinuses. 

Use when you feel the need from day to day and once every hour when you are congested. Since this spray is all natural, you can use it often without any side effects.

Peppermint Essential Oil

(found anywhere essential oils are sold such as natural food stores, supplement stores and herb shops)
 

In the back of your throat, on either side, there is a slit where your sinuses drain. First, find this spot. It's fairly far back in your throat and you may feel like you are choking yourself a little but if you relax your muscles you shouldn't have a problem. Once you locate these spots, place a drop of peppermint oil on your finger and gently massage it into each slit, using 1 drop per slit. The powerful strength of this oil will pull the mucus out of your sinuses and help them drain quickly. It also aids in cooling a soar throat.

If you don't have peppermint oil with you, toothpaste or anything that has the same strong, cooling effect may be used in the identical manner. This process is not very pretty and slightly uncomfortable but I can't express to you how worth it it is. An added bonus? Minty fresh breath!

Massage

You can encourage drainage through massage as well. Find the tendon that runs from behind your earlobe to just above your collar bone. Use two fingers to thump the tendon on the side of the least clogged ear from top to bottom (about 3 or 4 thumps). Repeat on the opposite side. Once you have completed a couple sets of thumps, stroke the same area from ear to collar bone with as much pressure as you can without hurting yourself. This process helps break up mucus and encourages drainage.

Xylitol Gum

Chewing gum made with xylitol is also quite helpful. As mentioned before, the xylitol breaks up mucus while the motion of chewing helps to get it moving.

Because I am not a health care provider and have not tried this before I can only speculate that dissolving xylitol in warm water, possibly adding a drop or two of peppermint oil and placing in a bottle or sippy cup might be a great way to help babies and small children who suffer from ear pressure while flying. The xylitol gum is a great thing to give children who are old enough to chew it but be sure to do so before their ears begin to hurt.

The main goal here is prevention. Once your ear becomes blocked, there is little you can do to reverse it. So when you begin feeling congested, get out your nose spray!

In my experience, these natural aids, along with the knowledge of what I needed to prevent, helped me more than the strongest decongestant ever has. I made it through a working trip as well as a pleasure trip during my head cold without any pain whatsoever in my ears. I do have to admit, I still used a decongestant on my last 2 flights out of 4 when the congestion in my ears got really bad. I don't know if it made a difference or if I would have been just fine without them but I wasn't willing to take the risk. I do believe it is OK to use manufactured drugs when they are truly need but they are not something anyone should be taking frequently. If nothing else, these natural cures have significantly decreased my consumption of decongestants and I am grateful for that.

My new 2 best friends!

As Always,

Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness! Cheers!

Making Memories Instead of Money

This year I made the decision to work the holidays and put a little cushion in my bank account. My family is spread through 3 different states and we haven't all spent a holiday together since I was a little girl. So of course, the one year I give up trying to be with at least one of them, they all plan to go home for Thanksgiving. Regardless, I was still dead set on working... until fate pushed my hand and I was magically able to get off work that Thursday and flights to my hometown were miraculously not full. I decided that I could make money any other day of the week but I would not be able to make these memories with my family again. So I hopped a plane and spent my first holiday in 5 years at my parents home with my whole family.

I can put some money in the bank and it might stay there for a little while but eventually I will spend it and it will be gone, but the memories of my nieces 2nd Thanksgiving, one of my Grandpa's last and one of the only holiday's my whole family spent together will always stay with me, never to be forgotten, spent, lost or taken away.

Why do I tell you this small tale? Because, not only as we enter this festive season, but in all of life, you will be faced with decisions between monetary value and moments. In your old age, during lonely times, or when you need a good laugh you can wrap yourself up in memories to keep your soul warm. No dollar amount or anything money can buy will do this for you.

I hope you enjoy this holiday season and are able to make some beautiful memories whether with your family, friends, crew members or even passengers.

Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness! Cheers!

Chicken Sausage Soup

(I can't seem to find my photos of this soup so you will have to use your imagination until I do :) )

Unfortunately, I can not take credit for this delicious recipe. One of my closest friends, who also happens to be a flight attendant, made this soup for me when I was visiting her during a layover in Alaska. The night before, my heart had been broken by a member of the male species and that whole day I could not stomach even the idea of food let alone the physical act of eating it. When she placed a piping hot bowl of this soup in front of me I inhaled it's soothing smell, took a bite and the pain in my heart began to ease. Ever since then, I make this soup whenever I need to feel comforted, always thinking of her as it simmers on the stove.

Ingredients:

serves 6-8

1 package uncooked chicken sausage

1 medium onion chopped

3 celery stalks chopped

3 carrots peeled and chopped into 1/4 inch rounds

1 1/2 cup green beans cut into 1/2 inch pieces

2 medium zucchinis chopped

1 can white beans

1 can diced tomatoes

4 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth

1 Tbsp chopped garlic

2-3 Tbsp 21 no-salt seasoning (to taste)

1 tsp salt 

1 tsp pepper

Srirracha Sauce (to taste) 

Fill a large soup pot with 1/2 inch of water and heat over medium heat. Add Sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes. 

Remove sausage, let cool slightly, cut lengthwise and then into bite size pieces. Note: Sausage may be slightly undercooked. Place back in water. 

Add onion, celery, garlic, 21 no-salt seasoning, salt and pepper. 

Cook until sausage is no longer pink and onions are translucent (about 5 minutes). 

Add carrots and cook for another 5 minutes. 

Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until all vegetables are soft (about 30 minutes).

Note: Sriracha sauce is very hot so start with a small amount (1 or 2 tsp), let simmer and add more if desired.

If using a crock-pot, transfer contents of pot before adding the remaining ingredients. Simmer on low for 3-4 hours or until vegetables are soft.

The key to this soup is seasoning. I put in what looks like way too much garlic and 21 no-salt seasoning but it adds so much flavor! Use your own discretion to make it how you prefer.

For a little something extra, add cooked quinoa to your bowl  and top with parmesan cheese right before eating. You could also add kale while the soup is simmering for a little extra nutritional value.

Stock your freezer with this soup to take on your trips. It will give you the strength to get through a long work day and the comfort needed when you'd rather be home.

As always,

Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness. Cheers!

Pumpkin Scones

Free of: Wheat, Gluten, Eggs, Dairy, Soy, Corn, Nuts

I spent a day experimenting in the kitchen and came up with this great pumpkin scone recipe just in time for Thanksgiving!

Ingredients:

(makes 8 scones)

1 cup gluten free oat flour

1/2 cup coconut flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

1/4 cup dairy free milk

1/3 cup + 2 Tbsp agave nectar

1 tsp molasses

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

In  medium bowl, sift together dry ingredients

In a small bowl, blend together wet ingredients with a stand or hand mixer

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated

Form a large ball with the dough and place on a sheet of wax or parchment paper

Press out the dough in 1/2 inch flat circle (if the dough is sticky, place more paper on top of it before pressing)

Transfer to a cookie sheet, cut circle into 8 triangles, gently pull them slightly away from each other and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Let cool 5 minutes and serve warm.

Note: For a little something extra you can mix 1/4 cup extra dark, vegan, gluten free chocolate chunks or nuts in the dough, top with a single raw pecan half directly before baking or drizzle with a little icing.

These scones are a great treat to give as a gift, share with your family, or surprise your crew with this holiday season. They are only good for about 3 or 4 days so enjoy them quickly with a cup of chai tea or a pumpkin spice late!

As Always,

Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness... and Family! CHEERS!

Guiltless Pizza Logs

The other night I was craving one of my greatest enemies; pizza. Being tired and hungry, I was about to dive over the deep end when I was saved by inspiration. I went to the store, purchased all my favorite pizza toppings, went home and created a masterpiece I like to call Guiltless Pizza Logs.

Basically I substituted zucchini for pizza dough and wound up with a delectable alternative for my favorite food and arch enemy. You can make as many pieces as you want with any toppings you are in the mood for.

Cut a medium or large zucchini lengthwise and carve out the seeds, 

spread a layer of sauce along the bottom, 

top with the goodies and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. 

The zucchini will be cooked but still firm and your cheese (if you use cheese) will be melted into gooey goodness! Enjoy right away. 

These pizza logs make a great treat for long, stressful days, especially all-nighter flights. Prepare the logs before leaving home and heat them on the airplane at 275 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Yet another guilty pleasure conquered!

As Always,

Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness! Cheers!

Blurring The Line Between Healthy and Overindulgence

After celebrating my birthday yesterday with spa night, a professional glamor photo shoot, gluten free vegan cupcakes (loaded with sugar) and french wine I find it only fitting to talk about indulgence.

There is a fine line between healthy indulgence and overindulgence. I happen to blur, re-shape and push that line to my benefit constantly. This restructure always begins the same, with pure intentions of  healthy indulgence. "I'm going to have a sugary, gluten free vegan cupcake and a glass of champagne on my birthday." Before you know it, my simple indulgence has turned into a whole bottle of wine the night before my birthday, that innocent cupcake and 3 glasses of champagne, chocolate mousse, another glass of champagne, 3 glasses of wine the day of and that last bit of wine and lonely leftover cupcake the day after. By day 4 I finally realize that not even the blurriest of lines can condone my behavior.       

When you are an all or nothing kind of person, it can be really hard to let yourself have a little taste of the decadence in life without abusing it. Finding that balance between healthy and overindulgence can be tricky. My advice? When in a situation, take a moment to step back and really think about how you are going to feel after and if you will be treating yourself or hurting yourself. If you can honestly know that you will feel satisfied after and not guilty then go for it! 

Life is about the little indulgences so enjoy them! Just make sure you aren't sabotaging yourself in the process.   

As always,

Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness! Cheers!   

Smoked Salmon Zucchini Boats

Free of: Wheat, Gluten, Eggs, Milk, Nuts, Soy
             Low Glycemic

Happy October friends! Fall is here, but so are the remnants of summer, including all of that beautiful produce the last few months gave us which we are grateful for but maybe a little tired of eating. Here is a great, end of summer breakfast idea to help add some creativity and variety back into your day and your meals.

Smoked Salmon Zucchini Boats

Servings and measurements vary 

(one whole zucchini equals one serving)

Ingredients:

Zucchini

Olive Oil

Avocado

Lime Juice

Garlic

Chili Powder

Dried Onion or Onion Powder

Pepper

Smoked Salmon Lox

Spinach

1. Cut Zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Slice a thin layer off the bottom so the zucchini lays flat on a plate. Rub zucchini with a little olive oil.

2. Mash the avocado with lime juice, garlic, chili powder and dried onion or onion powder to taste. (For a little spice you can add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes)

3. In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the zucchini (about 3-5 minutes on each side). You can also broil them in the oven for a few minutes until they begin to slightly char.

4. Remove zucchini from heat. Fill with avocado mix and top with smoked salmon locks. Grind some fresh pepper over the top and serve on a bed of fresh spinach.

This fun breakfast is quick and easy to make, yet beautiful, creative and delicious. Yummy warm or cold, these little zucchini boats are a perfect way to begin a trip. Be sure to make extras to take along on your travels.

As always,

Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness! Cheers!

Are you there followers? It's me, Jacquelyn.

Hello again!

I feel as if I have been gone for centuries, but it is wonderful to be back! I'm sure your summer has flown by just as quickly as mine. I hope you found some time to enjoy the scenery along the way.

My summer was filled with new friends, old foes, pre-wedding functions, a beautiful Montana wedding, sickness, an on the job injury, a sick grandfather, a creeping credit card bill and loads of stress. Needless to say, I welcomed September with open arms... only to find it just as crazy and hectic as the previous months. When will life give me a breather? Well it might not, so here I am, fighting a huge bout of writers block to re-connect with my blog and followers.

With many new flight attendants joining us this year and next I'm excited to get back to my writing, inspiring and encouraging new and old to take control of their life and live it at the healthiest level possible. Over the next month I'm going to really focus on reserve flying because it truly is the most difficult to maintain your health with. In the meantime, some great posts I've already written include "Initial Training Syllabus",  "All-Nighter Survival Guide", "'What's in your lunch bag?'", "A few tips from wise flight attendants" and "My RX against radiation and other toxins".

I look forward to sharing more of my experiences and tips with you all as summer turns to fall, giving us our personal focus back and along with it, the time to take care of ourselves once again.

As Always,

Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness! Cheers!

The "Muffin" Side of Life

After yet another 40 minute drive to see my favorite doctor and check up on MORE lab results I am faced with a serious decision on which mental path to venture down. I can either choose the positive path where I look at all the good that has come over the last year and celebrate with a vegan, gluten-free lemon poppy seed muffin at my favorite coffee shop or I can take the negative path where I choose to dwell on the things I can't seem to change. It's probably not that shocking to you that I chose the path with the yummy muffin.

After several years of hormone imbalance and pre-diabetes, my hormone and sugar levels have become consistently normal and continue to get better with each test. I have conquered not one but two of the biggest feats of my life and I couldn't be happier. My vision for the future has grown more rose colored than ever and my present outlook is one of true gratitude, faith in myself and inner strength.

Like I said, I chose the happy, muffin celebrating path meaning, with all my good news comes some bad. After weeks (and $$) of desensitization for my food allergies nothing has changed. Things looked really good a few months ago just after my treatment but now they have gone back to their original stance and with them, my dreams of being a normal, allergy free person. 

In the beginning, I viewed this as a short term problem thinking, "I can do anything for a few months." But, as we approach a year since my diagnosis, I have transformed my life (again) and made it work for long term. I may not be able to eat as "normal" as most people but, on the muffin side of things, my figure may actually have a fighting chance at staying intact!

So why am I sharing all of these intimate details about my health with you? Because it's just another lesson in this crazy thing called life and perhaps my choosing the positive path will inspire you to do the same when the time comes. You never know how strong you are until you face your demons and refuse to let them define you or leave a negative presence in your life.

Everyday we must choose the mental path we wish to take and unfortunately Air Traffic Control doesn't get to decide for us. Which mental path will you take when you are thrown curve balls? Will you focus on the good stuff, celebrate and eat a muffin, or will you dwell on what you don't have, what you can't do and be muffin-less? Personally, I love my muffins!

As Always,

Here's to Life, Love, Health and HAPPINESS! Cheers!

Note: After writing this post, I went in search of my original allergy test results and discovered that they have in fact gotten better after desensitization. I went through 3 separate testings and my doctor was comparing the last to the second, not to the original. Everything except for milk were still at least half if not more and in a "low reaction" state. All this worry and stress for nothing. The lesson to take from this? Always save your test results so you can read them for yourself. Your doctor and you may not always speak the same language or be on the same page and it may cause un-needed stress. 


Here's to a stress free, low allergy life! Cheers!

"What's in your lunch bag?"

For protection against leaks and for easy clean up, line lunch bag with a plastic garbage bag

The question I am asked more than any other is this: What's in your lunch bag?

After 5 years of flying I have finally mastered the art of packing my food for any number of days. Use this outline to help you pack your lunch bag and eventually you will find a method that works best for you.

Frozen Meals

• For days with more than one flight I pack 2 frozen meals. For days with only 1 flight I pack 1 meal
• Wrap frozen meals in tin foil to help them stay cold and prevent the condensation of defrosting meals from making everything wet

Salad

• Spinach, Romain, Kale etc.
• Dressing/Olive Oil in travel size bottle
• Dried Herbs 

Protein 

• Cooked chicken breast 
• Nitrate free lunch meat
• Shrimp
• Fish such as salmon or tuna

Fresh Vegetables

• Having your vegetables ready to eat make them an easy choice for a quick snack during a busy day
• Prep your vegetables and store them in travel containers the day before your trip for an easy grab and go

Fresh Fruit

• Along with bananas and berries, you will always find avocados in my bag. A superb fruit, avocados are a great source of fiber and omega 3's which is so important

Snacks

Although we'd all love to believe we will only eat the fresh vegetables so nicely prepared and ready to eat, stress and tiredness will win throughout the day and the mini-pretzels will begin to taunt. To prevent inhaling useless carbs and calories, keep healthy snacks you consider a treat easily accessible.

• Nuts
• Healthy Chips
• Crackers
• Popcorn

Other items I rarely leave home without

• Olives
• Peanut butter
• Hummus
• Stevia packets
• Tea
• Almond Milk in a jar

Tips: 

• Always pack more food than you think you will need. In this industry, just because your paring says you will get home on a certain day at a certain time does not mean you actually will. Weather and mechanical delays can take a huge hit on your food supply.
• If you are on reserve, always pack for as many days as you are good for, even if you are only scheduled to do a turn. In a perfect world tagging wouldn't exist but the world is far from perfect.  Besides, even if you don't need it that day, it will be sitting in your fridge just waiting to be tossed in your bag when that 2 hour call out comes.
• I know the possibility of international flights is a huge excuse to not bring your own food. I have tips for that too but they deserve a whole post of their own! Stay tuned.

Take this model and mold it to make it your own. As with everything I discuss, this could take some trial and error to figure out what works best for you but keep at it. 

As Always,

Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness. Cheers!

(Note: For information on lunch totes and travel skillets, check out the links on the right)

Star Flight Breakfast "Scramble"

Low Glycemic and Free of eggs, milk, wheat, gluten, soy, corn

 

When eggs, wheat, milk and sugar are removed from ones diet, creativity becomes crucial, especially at breakfast time. It's been 8 months and I still have trouble getting my creative juices flowing before I've had my coffee (and sometimes even after). The key to a.m. meals for those of us who can't have the classic American breakfast is changing the idea of what morning food is.

My staple breakfast items include, but are not limited to, zucchini, sweet potatoes, black beans, lentils, quinoa, avocado, turkey bacon, ham, chicken sausage and some kind of fresh fruit.

This signature morning dish of mine is very versatile, delicious and freezes well. I use any vegetables and meat I have in my fridge. Sometimes I use black beans for a starch instead of sweet potatoes, if I have spinach instead of Kale I'll toss that in. Whatever you like best or have on hand works wonderfully.

Ingredients:

Serves 1

1 Sweet onion, sliced

1 Sweet potato, cubed

1 Zucchini diced

1/3 cup diced green beans

1/3 cup chopped broccoli
1/4 cup diced peppers

1 cup Kale leaves torn in bite size pieces

cubed ham or sausage

Olive Oil

Sriracha chili sauce (aka rooster sauce)

Sesame seeds (optional)

Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a medium frying pan. Once hot add onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add sweet potatoes and cook until almost tender and onions are turning brown. If needed, add more oil and toss in green beans. Once the green beans are almost tender, add broccoli, peppers and zucchini and cook until all vegetables are to your liking. Fold in meat and kale. Coat evenly with Sriracha sauce and cook until kale is slightly wilted and bright green. Plate, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with Mary's crackers, Corn chips, fruit or solo. 

This dish fills up the belly and gives a great boost of veggies first thing in the morning. You don't have to use Sriracha but the flavor with the sweet potatoes and caramelized onions is delectable!

Note: This recipe serves 1 but using more of all ingredients makes a larger batch to share with others or add a supply to your freezer.

As always,

Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness! Cheers!

Motivation, Lost in Transit

Help! I've lost my motivation and no one seems to know where it's gone! 

I wish there was a form to fill out for lost motivation, like there is for lost luggage. Then maybe I could be reimbursed by the airline for my inconvenience. Unfortunately, that is not how life works. Instead, I have to take responsibility for my own actions, retrace my steps and figure out where I last had my ambition.

When I first began writing, it was because I had a story to tell and knowledge to share. There was this voice inside of me clawing to get out. I didn't care about who read it or getting paid or promoting, I just wanted to manifest my thoughts and feelings in a place they could be heard and saved forever. 

Shortly after I was bombarded with opinions and questions. "How many followers do you have?", "Do you get paid?", "You need more 'Like''s on Facebook", "You aren't on Twitter? You have to be on Twitter!". I fell victim to all of this madness and began to panic because there was so much to do, and so little I knew about. I began my Twitter account, Pinterest account, and posted more on my Facebook. After spending so much energy with all these different sites and promotion attempts, I found I was too drained to actually do any writing. 

Where had my motivation gone?

I blamed not writing on so many outside factors such as working too much, planning parties, visiting family, spending time with friends, doctor appointments, bad weather and general laziness. The truth of the matter is, I let myself get sucked in to what those around me were saying and wanting me to do and in turn, I stopped listening to what I was saying and what I wanted to do. 

When you stop listening to that little voice inside of you, your happiness and motivation slowly begins to silence itself along with that voice. As a society we are so influenced by what we are told we should be doing, wearing, desiring, eating, and feeling that we stop recognizing what it is we really want out of life. 

Shut off your computer, turn off your phone, unplug your TV and let that little voice you've been surpresing have a chance to speak freely and I guarantee you will begin to locate your motivation, and maybe even find that it is more full than when you lost it.

As always,

Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness! Cheers!

Sugar Addiction

Sugar addiction sounds like a nice excuse for consuming too much of the sweet stuff. Many say it's all in you head and you know what, they may be correct. 60 minutes aired a show in April of 2012 where Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks with Dr Robert Lustig and other researchers about sugar addiction and the effects sugar has on the brain and body.

60 Minutes: Is sugar toxic?

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7403942n&tag=contentBody;storyMediaBox

Sugar acts like a drug to the brain by implementing the release of dopamine, similar to drug use. Research shows when sugar is consumed regularly, your brain can become immune to it's effects, meaning you need a greater amount to obtain that satisfied, happy feeling. You then eat more to reach that feeling of contentment which in turn leads to over consumption. 

What is wrong with over consuming sugar? Well sugar has been linked to many prominent diseases including, but not limited to Heart Disease, Cancer, Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity. Other health issues sugar has been linked to are weakened immune systems, chronic fatigue, hormonal problems, gastrointestinal issues, ADD/ADHD, anxiety and depression. These are just a few of the health issues being linked to people who consume too much sugar.

Just like everything, sugar is not a bad thing when eaten respectfully, in it's natural form. Fresh fruits and vegetables have wonderful nutrients and fiber to balance out the negative effects of sugar on your body. Honey, when consumed in moderation,  is also a natural sugar full of health benefits that outweigh the adverse effects of the sugar.

A huge problem in the US is the hidden sugars in out food. There is sugar in almost everything. They try to trick you by using many different words but in the end, it's all sugar. One of the largest amounts of hidden sugars is found in anything "low fat". When fat is removed, sugar is added to make the food taste good so people will buy it. Don't let good taste be mistaken for good health.

When I had to break my sugar addiction, I remember my nutritionist telling me it was going to be like an alcoholic trying to quit alcohol and she was right. I had an awful headache along with the shakes and sweats, causing me to be mean and irritable. I needed sugar so bad that I'd cry because I knew I couldn't have it. But after the first few days it got better and within a few weeks I was functioning properly again. I still fall off the wagon from time to time and trying to get back on is always difficult, but knowing how wonderful I feel afterward is all the motivation I need.

For more information on the effects of sugar and beating your sugar addiction, check out these helpful links:

Is your sweet tooth an addiction?

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Diabetes/addicted-sugar/story?id=10869006 

Corn and Green Bean Chicken Salad

Between foreign travel, visiting family, participating in an upcoming wedding (and all that entails) I can barely squeeze in work, house cleaning and the occasional good nights rest let alone time to write. I've had to put my inner-voice on hold for a while to live this hectic thing called life and am missing the blogging world immensely. I promise you, as well as myself, that I will be back to writing more regularly soon. Thanks for your patience.

Today, during my layover in Portland OR,  I celebrated Mother's Day by spending the afternoon with my brother. If we couldn't spend it with our mom, I'd say spending it together was a good substitute.

We worked up our appetites by venturing through the huge Saturday/Sunday market, filled with tons of booths selling the most unique, interesting merchandise (and yes, most vendors put a bird on it ;)  Afterward, we picked out a nice, shady spot in the grass for a picnic. Along with chips, guacamole, salsa, fresh berries and my famous trail mix, we had a delicious corn and green bean chicken salad. The crisp green beans complimented the Italian herb chicken while the fresh corn lent a subtle sweetness to the mix. It won over it's consumers and is now on my list of favorites. 

When I whipped together this simple salad, I didn't realize I had struck a gold mine of deliciousness. Perfect for summer picnics, camping, potlucks, luncheons or a hotel-easy dinner, this salad is sure to satisfy.

Corn and Green Bean Chicken Salad

Free of Gluten, Wheat, Eggs, Dairy, Soy, Nuts

Low Glycemic

Ingredients:  

(serves 2-3 as a main dish, 4-6 as a side)

2 Chicken breasts cut into 1 inch cubes

1/2 pound fresh green beans cut into bite size pieces

2 ears of corn on the cob, shucked and rinsed

Extra virgin olive oil

Italian seasoning (Thyme, Rosemary, Basil, Parsley)

Garlic or Garlic Powder

Salt

Pepper

1. In a medium pot, steam green beans for about 5 minutes, until cooked but slightly crunchy. Then transfer to a strainer and rinse with cold water to prevent further cooking. 

2. Re-fill the pot 2/3 full of water and bring to a boil. Add corn and cook for 10 minutes.

3. While the corn is cooking, saute chicken in olive oil until all signs of pink are gone. Season with desired amount of Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper.

4. Remove corn from water. Once cool enough to do so, cut the kernels off the cob with a pairing knife.

5. Toss together chicken, green beans and corn.

6. Lightly coat with olive oil, chill and serve.

For the best tasting salad, purchase these ingredients at your local farmers market. Not only will your salad have incredible flavor and be more nutritious, you will be helping support your neighbors and your community. It's a win win!

As Always,

Here's to Life, Love, Health and Happiness! Cheers!

Paris, A city where food is still food

Paris, a city that refuses to be taken over by GMO, technology rudeness and self-obsessed blinders. A city where people actually have conversations with other people, where a piece of trash that was somehow misplaced on the sidewalk instead of one of the many garbage bags is picked up not ignored, where treadmills and stationary bikes have yet to replace old fashioned walking outdoors and where food is still food. Paris, I love you.

 

My first 24 hours in Paris was filled with awe of this world that I dreamed of but feared was gone forever. The moment I stepped off the plane, I could smell the difference. The air was strangely fresher, cleaner and more refreshing than I knew air could be. It was cold and drizzling outside but the chill didn't reach my bones, it opened up my mind. Walking the cobblestone sidewalks through the markets, my eyes were wide as I took in the beautiful colors of the largest, most delicious looking fruits, vegetable and seafood I had ever seen. Pikes Place Market in Seattle was put to shame by this 4 or 5 block street market. On the other side of the sidewalk, butchers had their doors open as large rotisseries spun golden brown chickens outside their entrances. 

Heavenly salad and Rose wine

As it began to rain, we slipped into our first French restaurant, Les Fondus deLa RacLette where we sipped "expresso's" and watched passerby's carrying their long baguettes, taking a large bite as they did so as not to miss out on it's freshness. After our coffees, we ordered our first meal in Paris. I didn't know lettuce could taste so good. The sweet, fresh leaves could have only come directly from a nearby garden, grown solely with love and respect. The bacon and ham that topped these beautiful greens were cooked to perfection, delectable and juicy with every bite. The brie-like goat cheese, melted atop crostinis, gave just the slightest hint of it's age amid it's creamy body. Savoring this heavenly meal along with a small carafe of rose wine, I decided this place must be heaven.

Our next 3 days were filled with site seeing, not of tourist traps but rather the lifestyle and culture that is Paris. The things we learned were as follows:

Traditional Onion soup, Bread with pork pate and Beaujolais

• Sit outside to eat and drink no matter how cold it is
• Stairs are EVERYWHERE, so pack light.
• Wine is sipped slowly out of small glasses
• Coffee is not ordered to-go. It is enjoyed in a cafe while watching people walk by, escaping the rain or chatting with friends.
• Waitstaff does not dote on you. If you want the check, ask for it
• Don't talk or text on your cell phone while in the company of others
• Water is expensive, drink wine

Raspberry pistachio tart

• Bring your own bag, and make sure it's not plastic
• Throw trash in the garbage bag, not on the ground
• Look both ways before crossing the street because no one will stop for you
• Too much makeup and people will think you work at the Moulin Rouge
• Eat croissants for breakfast, pastries for a mid-day snack and bread with every meal

Pairs, a city where the freshest, cleanest water is served in glass bottles, free of chemicals and plastic. A city where cheeses and meats are served on wooden boards to preserve the flavor and bread is purchased that day from the bakery down the street, sliced in front of your eyes and served in a metal basket. A place where electronics have not replaced manners, where food allergies and hangovers cease to exist and where food is still food. Paris, I love you. 

 Here's to Life, Love, Health, Happiness and Paris! Santé!