Steak, Onion and Zucchini Kabobs

Yep. These rocked.

I tenderized and cubed up 5 thick gorgeous grilling steaks, drizzed them with extra-virgin olive oil, and tossed them in a bowl with kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper and a teaspoon of dried parsley. I covered the bowl and let them marinate for 2 hours in the refrigerator.

I wedge cut tri-layer slices of yellow and red onion and thick sliced zucchini into circles. After soaking my wooden skewers for a half hour, I assembled the kabobs and brushed a bit more olive oil onto the vegetables prior to grilling.

My hubby grilled up these beauties and paired with a salad it was more than enough for us each to have two kabobs. Oh, and he thanked me profusely and repeatedly while eating them. And my daughter barely spoke as she couldn't get enough of the delicious steak. They really were fantastic, so make them and enjoy!

Rest, relaxation and gettin' bendy

A nice cup of soothing tea ...

... and a great book to snuggle up with in a cozy bed. Add soft lighting, some scented candles, perhaps a really good dark chocolate truffle, have it perfectly quiet and I am in momentary, soothing, divine calm bliss...

So... Let's switch gears.
Ever done yoga?

I decided after having pulled back from it for some time {okay fine, in over like, 7 years}, that I would reintroduce my body to it again, to bring it back into that tranquil harmony and fluid line that only yoga can give. To get flexible and bendy and fold and twist and stretch my limbs like a pretzel as I did in years past... when I was lithe and in my 20's... before I had a neck injury and subsequent neck and back therapy and issues... before I had a baby and a large weight gain and loss... before I had become more of a busy, running around mom, working from home and doing just general exercise like using my Shakeweight {go ahead and laugh, but it REALLY WORKS!} walking, swimming, hiking and biking sort of stuff. {That is when I actually DO those things that follow after the walking part.}

I once was really bendy. Yep, now not so much. Although I am slim again, gettin' bendy, toned and really flexible is something I am enjoying grasping again, and just starting out shows me exactly where I am in comparison to some of the photos I found online of those waaaaaay beyond my current level of bendy.

I more than likely will never do this pose as my neck is in a reverse curve... WOW.

"Face To Floor Straight Leg Arm Smash"... I'm not even close.

Omigosh. I can understand the bendy balance, but the ELBOWS must be bionic. Dang girl!

Okay, I cannot figure out where this guy begins and ends...

Then we come to me. {Well, not ME, but the level I am at thus far in my "gettin' bendy program" goes}. I am getting groovy with Tara Stiles in my living room 3 mornings a week via my tv and really enjoying it, easing back in and finding that although I have had some annoying issues in the past health wise, that I am rising above them and working with them to be the best physical me that I can be. Plus, it is relaxing, restful and energizing all at the same time!

I can actually do much more than just sit like this.
Oh, and these yoga socks are super cute.

The importance of breakfast!

What do you eat for breakfast? Or do you skip it altogether?
A hearty breakfast ought to be, as the cliché goes, the most important meal of the day. Studies show that people who take time for a morning breakfast consume fewer calories over the course of the day, have stronger cognitive skills, and are 30% less likely to be overweight or obese. Beyond that, people who skip breakfast are more likely to drink soda, unhealthy energy drinks, alcohol and also smoke, and they’re less likely to exercise. Your morning meal, is like the foundation of your house. Everything else rests on it.

Eat AFTER morning exercise.
If you work out in the morning, try to eat as soon as possible after your workout, as you have already begun the "caloric burning process". A healthy breakfast will fuel your morning activity, a mid morning protein and low carb snack (ie: tuna salad in a half a red pepper) will sustain you and prevent you from getting so hungry that you pig out at lunch. On weekends, if you sleep in, don't delay breakfast more than 2 hours. "The sooner you start your metabolism by eating, the sooner it can start burning calories," says Elisabetta Politi, R.D., nutrition manager of the Duke Diet & Fitness Center at Duke University Medical Center.

Think HEART SMART.
When food marketers get their hands on it, “a hearty breakfast” turns into something more like “a heart-unhealthy breakfast.” Because an unhealthy heart is exactly what many of the country’s most popular breakfast joints and premade grocery items are setting you up for, by peddling premade fatty scrambles, lard loaded muffins, caloric dense "breakfast meat patty things" and pancakes that look like manhole covers. These foods are loaded with unhealthy fats, added sugars, and refined carbohydrates, which catapult your blood sugar, sap your energy levels, and tell your body to store fat! They may be easy to grab in a rush, but will take you down and make your cravings rise for more sugar later. A vicious cycle!

Think PROTEIN RICH.
Protein infuses your body with the building blocks for healthy tissues and muscle, boosts your energy and keeps your mind clear. Avoid the hype of high fruit/high carb/high fat/sugar laden breakfasts... they will just let you down literally, as if you do not burn off the sugary calories provided by those, they will turn to fat. Moderation is key, and as a rule, if you do have fruit with a meal, make it at lunch so your body has already started to burn from your morning workout and has time to burn it off throughout the remainder of the day, being consistent instead for snack choices with a low carb and protein snack both mid morning and mid afternoon.

FRUIT FACTS & NEEDS.
The key elements needed from fruit are the nutrient dense parts and fiber - much smaller than the entire fruit as a whole. Eating a overly massive amount of fruit also adds a massive amount of sugar and calories. Huge fruit smoothies are infused with both an incredible amount of calories and sugar and are not a good way to begin your day. Having select fruits is most optimal, and the best time is with a lunch meal so you are at the halfway point between your day and have hours to digest and replenish the nutrients and also to burn off the excess calories and sugar. {See chart below}

A way to ensure you are getting all the nutrients you need from fruit perfectly on a daily basis is by adding to your daily regimen a dense blend of everything you need in a simple whole food form. A absolutely superb blend of synergistically combined antioxidants, anthocyanins, flavanoids, polyphenols, vitamins, nutrients and soluble fiber stemming from fruits including Acai, Mangosteen, Pomegranate, Maqui Berry, Aloe Vera Juice, Elderberry Extract and New Zealand Blackcurrant - which is internationally rated for its exceptional antioxidant properties and benefits - is "Saxi"*, known as the world's premier "whole food super juice". Having the highest worldwide ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) score rating in the industry of 74,000 per liter, Saxi is a valuable daily addition to promote optimum health needs. Being antioxidant rich, diabetic friendly and containing no artificial ingredients, sweeteners or preservatives, Saxi infuses the body at an advanced cellular level in just the addition of 1-2 ounces per day.

This chart below shows the top fruits that are the very best choices to include in your daily consumption in regards to the ORAC Score.

Fruits	ORAC Score
Acai	18,500
Prunes	5,770
Pomegranates	3,307
Raisins/Dark Grapes	2,830
Blueberries	2,400
Blackberries	2,036
Cranberries	1,750
Strawberries	1,540
Raspberries	1,220
Plums	949

BETTER choices!
Just to name a handful for you: Nutrient dense liquid protein and vitamin shakes {ie: Shake Down* is a great one for advanced cellular therapy replenishment}, veggie and Mozarella omelets, thin crust quiches, cottage cheese, Canadian bacon egg cups, scrambled egg whites with cheese and fresh salsa, salmon and cheddar omelet, scrambled eggs with chiles and pepper jack cheese in a low carb whole wheat wrap, Kroger Carbmaster yogurt/Greek yogurt - great added to a breakfast shake! - and for cereal choices go heart healthy with high fiber and whole grain choices - steel-cut oatmeal or protein rich quinoa are great. Add some blueberries and it's even better with the great antioxidant properties they contain. And also, according to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture report, eggs today contain significantly less cholesterol than they did 10 years ago!

There are SO many ways to infuse your morning meal with needed key elements to rev your energy and sustain you instead of the vast array of breads, pastries, waffles, muffins, doughnuts, jellies, syrups, processed sugary cereals and the 4 million calorie fruit smoothies. You may as well drink a cup of sugar. The good food choices are vast as well, but the reality is that we live in a fast paced world, so with a little pre prep and planning {I am a Foodsaver girl!} a huge payoff in easing your time and health will result, and the way your body looks and feels will be the very best reward.

{I begin my mornings deliciously with a Shake Down* shake, and *Saxi is simply amazing. If you would like info about them, simply email me at tracy@vibrantdrinkactlife.com}

Muffin Pan Frittatas

Muffin pan frittatas are super easy, incredibly yummy and totally convenient! Like tiny quiches, so easy to freeze by two's in sandwich bags for at-the-ready yummy high protein grabs/mini meals! From breakfast with sliced tomato and melted cheese on top to brunch paired with a leafy salad, here are 4 ways to make them to suit your personal taste.

{For all recipes, preheat oven to 400 degrees and coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.}

Spinach Cheddar Frittatas
8 eggs
1 cup of 1% lowfat milk
2 oz. (1/4 C) shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 of medium red onion, chopped
2 cups baby spinach
2 tsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

In a large bowl, whisk eggs well.
Add milk and 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese to eggs.
Set aside. Heat the olive oil in a small saute' pan. Add red onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the baby spinach, cooking until wilted, about 2 minutes. Drain water and allow to cool for 2 minutes. Add spinach and onion mixture, salt and pepper to egg mixture and fold gently together. Ladle mixture into prepared muffin pan sections and bake until tops are puffed and golden, about 30 minutes.
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Salmon Cheddar Chive Frittatas
8 eggs
3/4 cup of 1% lowfat milk
2 ounces (1/4 cup) shredded cheddar cheese
3 Tbsp fresh chopped chives
1 cup cooked chopped salmon
Juice from half a lemon
2 tsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

In a large bowl, whisk eggs well. Add milk, 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese and fresh chopped chives to eggs. Set aside. Heat the olive oil in a small saute' pan. Add 6-8ounce fresh salmon filet to pan and cook thoroughly, browning both sides lightly (about 5 minutes). With spatula, break apart salmon into small pieces; saute' until cooked completely. Allow to cool 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to egg mixture and squeeze the lemon juice into egg mixture. Add salmon to mixture and fold gently together. Ladle mixture into prepared muffin pan sections and bake until tops are puffed and golden, about 30 minutes.
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Cauliflower Thyme Parmesan Frittatas
8 eggs
1/2 cup of 1% lowfat milk
2 cups fresh cauliflower florets (1 inch size)
2 ounces (1/4 cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp thyme leaves
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, thinly minced
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 tsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. sea salt

In a saute' pan, melt 1 Tbsp of the butter into the olive oil on medium high heat. Add the cauliflower florets and toss to coat. Add the sea salt and toss and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the onion, garlic and the other Tbsp of butter and cook together until softened. Remove from heat and set aside. Whisk together the eggs, milk and half of the Parmesan cheese. Fold in the cauliflower, onion and garlic mixture. Ladle into prepared muffin pan sections and sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese on top. Sprinkle with thyme leaves and bake until tops are puffed and golden, about 25 minutes.
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Colorful Breakfast Egg Cups

8 eggs

5 oz. frozen spinach, thawed, water squeezed out and chopped
3/4 cup shredded low-fat sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup cottage cheese
2 Tbsp minced red bell pepper

1 oz crumbled cooked bacon (about 1/4 C)

1/4 cup sliced green onions

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/8 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp hot sauce

12 slices Canadian bacon

Whisk eggs in a bowl. Fold in remaining ingredients except Canadian bacon slices. Spray muffin pan sections with cooking spray, place Canadian bacon slices in muffin pan sections to form a "bowl" and evenly ladle egg mixture in each section, keeping ingredients well dispersed. Fill them to the top. Bake in oven for about 15-20 minutes. The tops should be puffed and just barely set. The eggs will sink after cooling.

{beachlove}

Anyone who knows me well knows my deep love for the beach and sea. I am not talking touristy stopovers and viewpoints and shells collected by paying for them from a gift shop. I adore deeply both the power and serenity of the experience of the beach and waves, and having been caught up in both I remain in love. My shell collection is 90% of what I have hand collected or had passed down to me by my mother, who had also shared the same love and instilled in me the passion for nature and conservation. I currently live within the embrace of mountains, desert and forests. It has been too long since I have been within the water I long for and miss so very much. I yearn for the wash of clear turquoise blue Carribean seawater to blanket me and to feel the white warm silky sand under my feet. {sigh}

Until then, here's a darling hat to wear and reflect upon beachy days to come!

How dang cute and simple is THIS?!

Go buy a great woven flop hat that you love and get a faux starfish from PIER 1. They look TOTALLY real but are made of a resin-type stuff so they are WAY more durable than having crispy dead sea life on your head that could get crushed when you stoop down to get in your car. Not so pretty. Go for faux. And just by slipping it through the woven areas, imperfectly wrap jute, twine or hemp around the starfish, tying it inside the hat to secure it and you have a cute sea side look for summer, whether or not you have sand under your feet!

The Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea has received a lot of good buzz in the press over the past few years, as studies show that the antioxidant-rich drink could have beneficial effects on everything from heart health to cancer prevention. And green tea boosts your metabolic rate by 4% for 24 hours after you ingest it; plus, it elevates your adrenaline for an extended period of time, giving you more energy for your daily activities (including exercise) and helping your body unlock and use stored body fat. (And, a bonus! It may even prevent your body from absorbing additional fat from your food!) Here are a few ways how to work green tea into your daily plan:

You’ll need two to three cups of steeped green tea daily, or you can take a pill with 500 mg of ECGC extract (the active ingredient in green tea), or green tea containing beverages to reap the awesome benefits. {An absolutely fantastic all natural drink that I LOVE that contains green tea is another that also adds additional amazing health benefits to your body daily! Check out "BodyTrim" by clicking HERE!}

Take it early in the day. The adrenaline boost from green tea can make it tough for you to sleep, so avoid drinking it or taking the supplement later in the day. Taking it in the morning is perfect and it will help rev you up for the day ahead.

Try it with a big meal. If you’re indulging in a big, saturated-fat feast, a little green tea beforehand can help you avoid digesting (and storing) all of those fat calories.

Complementary supplements. Pairing green tea with 1 to 2 grams of the amino acid tyrosine could help you boost production of adrenaline.

{Sidenote: I had a patient and friend with whom I knew for over 20 years who drank 3 cups of green tea a day and just recently passed on at 97. She was a nurse and apparently knew her stuff!}

Bamboo Love

With the world's fastest growing plant at our fingertips are created thousands of everyday uses from it to benefit our life. The creations from bamboo are so vast and so varied that nearly everywhere you look, you will see something created with this majestic and graceful plant, and you will be amazed at the ways it can be manipulated to fit our needs, enhance the design of our space and provide comfort in our everyday life, all while reminding us that being from the earth, it can also return, continuing the recycle circle.


From beautiful textiles, flooring, and cabinetry, to stylish decor elements, body care, and so much more, bamboo provides us with amazing and earth conscious choices when making purchases to benefit both our life and the life of our planet. A fantastic way to enhance your surroundings is by bringing beautiful elements of the earth from the outside in, and with appeal like this, who wouldn't?



Yes, you can even get a bicycle made from bamboo!
Now THAT is "earth love" at it's finest!

Lemon Pepper Parmesan Salmon

Lemony, peppery, Parmesany
{my newly invented word}
and YUMMY! This salmon is
very easy to make and really great
paired with grilled asparagus or a salad,
flaked into scrambled eggs or an omelet, or mix it up
with a little Laughing Cow cream cheese and chopped
cucumber and you have a great "salmon salad filling"
to put in a romaine lettuce leaf or a halved red pepper.

8oz boneless, skinless salmon filet, thawed
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp lemon pepper
juice of half a lemon
3 tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese {thick shredded aged pictured here}

In a saute pan on medium low heat, warm up the olive oil and place in the salmon filet. Squeeze half the lemon juice on top of salmon, followed by 1 tsp of lemon pepper. Cook until half of filet is nearly cooked, about 4 minutes, then gently turn over. Repeat the same process on this side of salmon with the lemon juice and seasonings and spread the Parmesan cheese all over the top. Cover and allow salmon to finish cooking and the cheese to melt down and fuse on top, about 4 more minutes.

Something old, something new

Anyone who knows me knows I am an addict.

I have been known to almost decapitate my husband to capture a photo of an amazingly beautiful old barn while traveling 80 miles per hour on a road trip as I leaned over him in a crazed fury with my camera.

When it comes to old, rusty, weathered, antiqued, vintage stuff, I am hooked. I swoon. I LOVE old doors, old windows, old cars, old rusted metal, old barns, old keys, old furniture, antique shops, and even antique people! {Fifteen + years of working in the health field with sweet seniors will do that to a girl!} The rich colors, the textures... the worn, beautiful and fragile state that old objects are in is so lovely, and the stories that are within such objects so intriguing, so unknowing, that it draws me in. I love it.

BUT, what if you wanted to make something old by hand, rather than go hunting for it?

A blog I follow has such a crafty and creative idea, I just had to share it. Check out how to make these cute and decorative aged barn doors without the splinters of 80 year old wood HERE!

PS.

Here is the barn I nearly killed my husband by capturing :

Aren't the colors incredible? And I love how it is leaning over.

Lashing Out

Oh, are you KIDDING me?! This is just too cool...

I have a sweet friend who waltzed into my Bunco group one night, settled into the chair across from me to have a few minutes of girlie chit chat during dinner and before the "pre-dice-rolling-frenzy" was to be underway, and let me just tell you, I do not remember a single word she said. I was mesmerized. Entranced. Enthralled.
By her EYELASHES!!

They were flirty and lush and batting away as she talked, so feminine and natural and LONG. They didn't look like THAT the month before, and I was in awe. I have known her for over a year, saw her belly-out-to-there encasing a sweet daughter inside, have rambled on with her face to face about every topic under the sun {oh, and we have some TOPIIICS!} during our Bunco nights and gatherings, but tonight she was all aglow... she looked amazing and fresh and youthful and oh so LASHY!!

Of course after I picked up my jaw from the table, I asked, or more gestured to her eyes like a frantic mime, while trying to get the words out in a combination of "Howdidyougetsuchlonglashes" and "OmigoodnesshowcanIgetthoseNOW?!"

She revealed her secret and like a drop of heaven in a box, I was bestowed this lovely treat, mine to myself for my birthday. Since I am not the type to have the fake nail/hair/lash/or other asset girl at this time, I was not wanting something temporary, fake looking, painful or associated with glue and daily removal, etc. blah blah blah, so this was PERFECT for me! And, in just 35 days I was blessed with the same long, lush and lashy results!! LOVE IT!

It is a MUST to get as IT IS AMAAAAZING and you will simply fall in LOVE with the results and your new flirty winkers! {Your hair stylist can hook you up!}
NOTE: LiLash ig good, but REVITALASH is even BETTER than LiLash! It is healthier for your eyes with no darkening of the iris and also no blurry vision, which can occur with some eyelash growth products!

Healthy Weight Loss Tips

Start your day right! Putting the right fuel in you to rev up your "energy engine" and burn stored fat is KEY. A good breakfast of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and the RIGHT carbohydrates will put your best foot forward to maximize your results. Putting fruit or high carbohydrate sugary cereals, breads, etc. into you will only crash your energy mid morning. Click HERE for a great article about the importance of breakfast and lots of tips on how to start your day the right way.

Set a goal. Identify your ideal/healthy weight and set up a plan to start reaching your goal. Quick fixes and restrictive diets are geared toward deprivation and are not a healthy answer, and with SO many things on the market today that make false promises and are dangerous for your body, do not be desperate. Be realistic and optimistic. You didn't put on that additional 30lbs. overnight, it won't come off overnight, but it will come off with the right steps and a healthy, nutritious system* that works for you. {See below for a great way to jump start your wt. loss plan!}

Don't be afraid to ask for and get help. You're not going to lose weight alone. Tell your family and friends your goals. You will have support and may have a few want to join in and be a "loser" right along with you, which is SO great for cross-motivation. Many workplaces have "Biggest Loser" challenges to create a more health conscious team, which is an encouraging event to be a part of.

Showcase "before" photos. Both Julia Ferraro, 37, and her mother, Adelaide, were 5'2" tall and weighed 205 pounds. A family picture brought them to tears. "You can know that you're getting bigger, but it doesn't hit you until you look at a picture of yourself," says Julia. Instead of stashing the photo out of sight, they agreed to display it prominently for weight loss motivation. Since that shot was taken, the two have lost a combined 90 pounds and five dress sizes-and they've added a new, beaming mother/daughter photo to their tabletop gallery. {Tip #50 in this great article by Prevention Magazine}

Appetite control. Is your appetite your nemesis? Cravings and having your workout area next to the kitchen can be a hazard all its own as you begin. Click HERE to learn about an amazingly delicious and nutrient rich product I love that is all about appetite control, so you can focus on the workout and not on the fridge.

Supplements are good for you. The American diet lacks essential vitamins and minerals. Balance your health with good nutrient supplements. And make the best choices in quality for your body. You only have one body - get it healthy!

Walk the Walk. You burn calories when you move and walk, did you know that? ANY additional movement will add to your results, both on the outside and the inside. Adding light weights will provide the development of toned muscles and more muscle burns more fat. Increasing lean protein plus weights/exercise will improve your caloric burning, so be active and balance your healthful eating plan with regular exercise.

Ice water. Water is your best friend when you are removing what you don't want and replenishing what you need do in your body as you work to shed some weight. The need to warm up foods and beverages we take into our system is the body's natural calorie burner. It will work harder to heat up the chilled fluid, therefore burning more calories. Make it iced!

What to eat and when. Studies have shown that the body runs optimally when consistently fueled with the right foods at the right times. If you keep a leveled blood sugar and satiated apestat (internal appetite meter) throughout the day, you will have a higher metabolism and burn calories more efficiently. If you eat meals/snacks few and far between, your body will anticipate the worst, feeling it needs to hold on to the fat stores in your body, as though going into "starvation mode". Six small "meals" is optimum, with the larger meal being at lunch and at that time the inclusion of heavier carbs and starches such as breads, pasta, fruits, potatoes, rice, and such is wiser than later on. Keeping your breakfast and dinner meals focused on a higher protein, fiber, and good cruciferious carb vegetable choices, you will not be loaded down with excess sugar as you begin your day nor as you finish it up. Having both a mid morning and mid afternoon snack of a healthy protein or protein and carb combo (ie. cottage cheese with tomatoes, a Canadian bacon egg cup or a string cheese and roast beef "roll up") will keep you feeling content throughout the day and more alert and focused, rather than grabbing the high sugar energy zapping "quick fixes" between meals.

{Protein rich snack ideas: Hard boiled eggs, turkey roll up with string cheese, green onion and red pepper, Canadian bacon egg cup, meatloaf, shrimp, spinach mini frittatas* with cheese, and chicken and bacon roll ups.}

Do not eat after 7 pm {finish eating 4 hours before bedtime} This is a great rule to follow as when the body is entering into its restful state, it is beginning a process of regeneration and renewal. You are still active until you lie down to get some Zzzz's, so you are keeping the caloric burn going into slumber. If you eat up until you go to bed, it is a huge amount of work for the body to then try to burn it while it is trying to rebuild in other areas, so the process of removing fat is diminished, and unfortunately you will build up fat stores rather than reduce them. You might feel slightly hungry as you go to bed, but that is okay and you will acclimate to it.

Sleep it off. To be an efficient fat-burning machine, your body requires at least eight hours of sleep a night. It is regenerating, reconstructing, renewing and removing stuff all night long, so give your body the needed time to do what it needs to for you.

IGNITE YOUR METABOLISM!
*See HERE to learn about "IGNITE 15" and how YOU can nutritiously ignite your metabolism into full speed ahead to optimize your fat burning potential the healthy way and lose 8 to 15 pounds and amazing inches in the first 15 days alone on this amazing system, nutritionally replacing and replenishing what you need while removing what you don't!

{*See recipe for Spinach Mini Frittatas HERE!}

"Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Now Prepared For Take-Off..."

You only have ONE body -
ONE CHANCE to live in your skin.
Get it HEALTHY - Get It IGNITED!!

It happens to me nearly every single day.
I LOVE it and I will NEVER tire of hearing it!

"Wendy down 12 lbs! Linda down 10 lbs! Tony down 13 lbs! Brenda down 12 lbs! Marty down 10 lbs! Scott down 14 lbs! Chris down 10 lbs! Greg down 25 lbs! Grant down 15 lbs! Terri down 17 lbs! Kyle down 20 lbs! Charlene down 25 lbs! Christine down 20 lbs! Ginger down 25 lbs! Teresa down 22 lbs! Mark down 35 lbs! Wayne down 72 lbs!" and on and on the names and numbers go... and this isn't even mentioning the HUGE amount of inches, cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels dropped along with excitement and self esteem levels raised!

The joyous squealing and happy shouting over my phone SO LOUDLY I have to pull it from my ear. Then the smile spreads across my face as I listen to the words of another incredibly happy individual revealing they have already dropped pounds super fast by igniting his or her internal "metabolism engine"... this after only two days {48 HOURS!} on our amazing and healthy weight loss system! You can only imagine what they say {or scream} after they complete the simple 15 day session, with the average loss by that time being 8-15 pounds! That's at least a pant size for the ladies, and a belt notch for the guys!

IGNITE 15 is a comprehensive, easy program that turns your metabolism on full throttle to burn stored fat at optimum level - without dieting, starving yourself or deprivation. You utilize 4 amazing nutrient rich and healthful supplement components with the IGNITE 15 Fat Burning System, all while eating the foods you love already in an easy to follow guided format. Point blank, after 48 hours on the system you will be amazed, after a week stunned, and after 2 weeks, floored!! The sessions are just 7 days each, so you simply repeat sessions until you reach your goal.

How does it work? Since we eat, drink and breathe in toxins and pollutants everyday, our bodies become sluggish and sticky - they need to be jump-started from the normalcy, stagnant and plateaued state they are in from so many additives and preservatives and fast food gunk and "whoknowswhatelse" that has been added to our food. IGNITE 15 jump starts your body's engine FAST, producing amazing and long lasting healthy results that are a breeze to maintain. It's all about replenishing your body, putting into your body what it needs and removing what it doesn't, on a deeply advanced cellular level. You turn yourself inside out and find vibrancy, increased self esteem, amazing zest for life and inspiration... it goes much deeper than pounds being lost, it creates overall health well being being renewed!


This may not be for you, but I KNOW you know people all around you who need to lose weight, improve their energy and clarity and reclaim their health, don't you? Perhaps you ARE one of them... Would YOU like to lose 10, 20, 30 or more pounds? Then you NEED and will LOVE Ignite 15! Tune into our weekly Monday night webcast at http://www.actwebcast.com at 6:15pm PST/9:15pm EST and watch me LIVE as I explain the fantastic system, then simply email me for more information! I will email you back the reference guide and program layout for you along with samples! See for yourself how EASY it is to enjoy and I can help you order the system for yourself to get YOURSELF IGNITED FAST!

I am a walking billboard of the power of IGNITE!
I USE it, I LOVE it and I SHARE it, so that others may experience the AMAZING body transformation within themselves too!

Would YOU like to be among the 30,000 + people who
I have had a hand in helping turn their health, bodies and lives around?

Let's chat! Email me today at : tracy@vibrantdrinkactlife.com

FREE SAMPLES of BodyTrim!

Imagine if you had in your hand right now 12 chilled ounces of an absolutely delicious, thirst-quenching, incredibly refreshing, naturally flavored lemon-raspberry beverage that:

• promotes a healthy cardiovascular system
• promotes a healthy immune system
• sustains and curbs your appetite
• provides great soluble fiber
• has 100% or more DV of vitamins C, D-3, B6, B12, D and Chromium
  
• is naturally sweetened, balances blood sugars and is diabetic friendly
• naturally boosts your energy, clarity and focus
• promotes a healthier cholesterol level
• comes in convenient on-the-go packets
  
• has only 40 calories
• and is only ONE DOLLAR per serving!!
  

Would YOU take a drink?
You sure would, and here's how YOU CAN!!

Simply email me at tracy@vibrantdrinkactlife.com to request a FREE SAMPLE of this AMAZING drink that I LOVE - I enjoy one each mid morning and mid afternoon. One sip and you will understand why I adore the taste... one hour and you will understand why feeI adore the feeling! Kick the "bad habit drinks" to the curb and embrace a healthier you within from your very first sip of BodyTrim!

Spring hues

The fresh burst of limey newness is now all around us! The leaf buds bursting open, fresh baby grass blades, bulb stems and tree saplings appear from the earth, signaling spring has sprung and new cycle life has begun. Mossy rocks, dewy leafy lushness and hues of green wrap around us, richly blanketing our world.

Get out and get into this amazing time, when nature creates new masterpieces to be within.

Salmon and Cheddar Omelet

I LOVE using salmon in all sorts of ways, from filling huge mushroom
caps with smoked salmon, minced veggies and cheese for a brunch or appetizer to making Lemon Pepper Parmesan Salmon for an entree.
Here is a great way to begin your morning protein-rich with fresh eggs and delicious, hugely healthful and
Omega-3 rich salmon!

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 cup fresh baby spinach* (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 ounces cooked salmon, flaked
• 1 tsp Smart Balance olive oil spread
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup grated reduced-fat cheddar cheese

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. If you desire spinach, add and cook, tossing, until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

In a small bowl, combine the spinach with the salmon. Wipe out the skillet and melt the Smart Balance over medium-high heat. Season the eggs with the remaining salt and pepper. Pour the eggs into the skillet and swirl the pan so they spread out. Using a heat-resistant rubber spatula, mix the center of the eggs quickly once or twice, then lift the eggs around the edges occasionally to let any uncooked portion flow underneath. Cook until the bottom is firm. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the eggs, then arrange the spinach-salmon mixture over the cheese; cook for 20 seconds more. Slide the omelet onto a plate, carefully folding the egg over the filling as you do. Serve immediately.

*I add spinach to mine as shown in the above photo,
as I am an admitted "full-blown, add to almost everything,
eat nearly every day" spinach addict!

Lemonwater... who knew?

The Amazing Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

There are basic lifestyle habits that are important to incorporate into your daily life, and this is certainly one of them. However, we are talking about organic lemons that are tree ripened. If you are buying commercial lemons from the store, learn kinesiology and muscle test the lemons you buy so that you know one way or another whether the lemons you are purchasing are actually therapeutic for you. “When life gives you a lemon... squeeze it, mix it with six ounces of distilled water and drink twice daily.”

The value of eating lemons is reported by Jethro Kloss in his book Back to Eden:
“The medicinal value of the lemon is as follows: It is an antiseptic, or is an agent that prevents sepsis [the presence of pathogenic bacteria] or putrefaction [decomposition of tissue]. It is also anti-scorbutic, a term meaning a remedy which will prevent disease and assist in cleansing the system of impurities.”

Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently thus controlling constipation and diarrhea.

On page 659 of Back to Eden, Mr. Kloss points out that, “The lemon is a wonderful stimulant to the liver and is a dissolvent of uric acid and other poisons, liquefies the bile, and is very good in cases of malaria. Sufferers of chronic rheumatism and gout will benefit by taking lemon juice, also those who have a tendency to bleed, uterine hemorrhages, etc.; rickets and tuberculosis. In pregnancy, it will help to build bone in the child. We find that the lemon contains certain elements which will go to build up a healthy system and keep that system healthy and well. As a food, we find, owing to its potassium content, it will nourish the brain and nerve cells. Its calcium builds up the bony structure and makes healthy teeth.

“Its magnesium, in conjunction with calcium, has an important part to play in the formation of albumen in the blood. The lemon contains potassium 48.3, calcium 29.9, phosphorus 11.1, magnesium 4.4. Lemons are useful in treating asthma, biliousness, colds, coughs, sore throat, diphtheria, la grippe [flu or influenza], heartburn, liver complaint[s], scurvy, fevers and rheumatism.”

Why the lemon works so well:
On page 19 of A.F. Beddoe's book “Biological Ionization in Human Nutrition,” he states that: “Man does not live off the food he eats but off of the energy that is produced from the food he eats.”

The energy you get from your food comes from the atoms and molecules of energy in your food. A reaction takes place as cationic food enters the digestive tract and encounters anionic digestive enzymes.

To explain further, an ion is part of a molecule con-atom or a group of atoms that carry an electrical charge. Ions which carry negative charges are “anions.” Lemons are considered to be anionic, having more anions (negatively charged ions) of energy as compared to cations (positively charged ions) in their atomic structure. Saliva, hydrochloric acid, bile and the stomach's other digestive juices are also anionic.
Lemon is one of the only foods on the planet that has more anions than cations in its atomic structure.

When considering the electromagnetic properties of food Dr. Beddoe points out that all foods are considered cationic with the exception of fresh, raw lemon juice. Some have suggested that the reason fresh lemon juice is similar to digestive enzymes is due to the low amount of sulfur in lemons. It should be noted that pasteurized and packaged lemon juice is cationic and, therefore, ineffective as a health remedy. ~ by Ann Heustad, R.N.

Ciabatta Bread Crab Pizzas with Havarti Cheese Cream Sauce

This recipe is so easy, healthy and delicious! Using extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt and fresh lemon juice, herbs and creamy havarti cheese, you will so enjoy these personal little pizzas! A perfect summer lunch with a baby spinach salad dressed with red wine vinegar and oil, dried cranberries, feta cheese and pinenuts. Yum!

{serves 6}
1 cup shredded cooked crab meat
1 cup fresh finely chopped broccoli floret tips (no stems)
1/2 cup minced red onion
1 tsp. fresh minced chives
1 tsp. fresh minced parsley

3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
juice from 1 lemon
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. all purpose flour
3/4 cup skim milk
3 oz. cubed havarti cheese
3 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
3 "loaves" ciabatta bread, sliced in half and toasted

Place olive oil into a saute' skillet and add minced red onion, broccoli and kosher salt. Cook on medium heat until tender. Add crab meat, chives and parsley, and fold together gently. Set aside and prepare the cream sauce in a small saucepan by melting the butter, adding the flour and making a roux, using a small whisk. Add milk slowly, allowing the sauce to thicken slowly. Add lemon juice, fresh ground black pepper and Havarti cheese cubes, allowing the cheese to meld into the sauce and thicken. Remove from heat. Your kitchen smells amazing, right?!

Slice the Ciabatta loaves in half, creating 6 squares. Toast them dry {I just pop them into my toaster} and allow to cool. Spread the cheese sauce evenly divided among the toasted bread, taking it to the edges. Top with the crab mixture and mozzarella cheese and bake at 400 degrees just until the cheese melts. Serve and enjoy or follow instructions on freezing with a Foodsaver bag below. If you haven't figured it out by now, I am a Foodsaver addict.

Allow pizzas to cool and measure out a Foodsaver bag to accommodate all of them, adding about 8 inches for sealing the ends. Seal one end with the Foodsaver, write on the bag the item info, and place the pizzas inside, pushing them all the way to the sealed end. Seal the other end, and Voila! They are good for up to 6 months in your freezer.

Yummy for lunchtime on "free days"
7 & 14 of IGNITE 15!

Great Tips to Prevent Alzheimer's

A LONG post, but GREAT information!

{Excerpted from Jean Carper's newest book, "100 Simple Things You Can Do To Prevent Alzheimer's"}

The idea that Alzheimer's is entirely genetic and unpreventable is perhaps the greatest misconception about the disease, says Gary Small, M.D., director of the UCLA Center on Aging. Researchers now know that Alzheimer's, like heart disease and cancer, develops over decades and can be influenced by lifestyle factors including cholesterol, blood pressure, obesity, depression, education, nutrition, sleep and mental, physical and social activity.

Mountains of research reveal that simple things you do every day might cut your odds of losing your mind to Alzheimer's, so in search of scientific ways to delay and outlive Alzheimer's and other dementias, Jean Carper tracked down thousands of studies and interviewed dozens of experts. Here are 10 surprising strategies she found:

1) Have coffee.
In an amazing flip-flop, coffee is the new brain tonic. A large European study showed that drinking three to five cups of coffee a day in midlife cut Alzheimer's risk 65% in late life. University of South Florida researcher Gary Arendash credits caffeine: He says it reduces dementia-causing amyloid in animal brains. Others credit coffee's antioxidants. So drink up, Arendash advises, unless your doctor says you shouldn't.

2) Floss.
Oddly, the health of your teeth and gums can help predict dementia. University of Southern California research found that having periodontal disease before age 35 quadrupled the odds of dementia years later. Older people with tooth and gum disease score lower on memory and cognition tests, other studies show. Experts speculate that inflammation in diseased mouths migrates to the brain.

3) Google.
Doing an online search can stimulate your aging brain even more than reading a book, says UCLA's Gary Small, who used brain MRIs to prove it. The biggest surprise: Novice Internet surfers, ages 55 to 78, activated key memory and learning centers in the brain after only a week of Web surfing for an hour a day.

4) Grow new brain cells.
Impossible, scientists used to say. Now it's believed that thousands of brain cells are born daily. The trick is to keep the newborns alive. What works: aerobic exercise (such as a brisk 30-minute walk every day), strenuous mental activity, eating salmon and other fatty fish, and avoiding obesity, chronic stress, sleep deprivation, heavy drinking and vitamin B deficiency.

5) Drink apple juice.
Apple juice can push production of the memory chemical acetylcholine; that's the way the popular Alzheimer's drug Aricept works, says Thomas Shea, Ph.D., of the University of Massachusetts. He was surprised that old mice given apple juice did better on learning and memory tests than mice that received water. A dose for humans: 16 ounces, or two to three apples a day.

6) Protect your head.
Blows to the head, even mild ones early in life, increase odds of dementia years later. Pro football players have 19 times the typical rate of memory-related diseases. Alzheimer's is four times more common in elderly who suffer a head injury, Columbia University finds. Accidental falls doubled an older person's odds of dementia five years later in another study. Wear seat belts and helmets, fall-proof your house, and don't take risks.

7) Meditate.
Brain scans show that people who meditate regularly have less cognitive decline and brain shrinkage - a classic sign of Alzheimer's - as they age. Andrew Newberg of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine says yoga meditation of 12 minutes a day for two months improved blood flow and cognitive functioning in seniors with memory problems.

8) Don't be "D deficient".
Severe deficiency of vitamin D boosts older Americans' risk of cognitive impairment 394%, an alarming study by England's University of Exeter finds. And most Americans lack vitamin D. Experts recommend a daily dose of 800 IU to 2,000 IU of vitamin D3. Take it and take a walk outside!

9) Fill your brain.
It's called cognitive reserve. A rich accumulation of life experiences - education, marriage, socializing, a stimulating job, language skills, having a purpose in life, physical activity and mentally demanding leisure activities - makes your brain better able to tolerate plaques and tangles. You can even have significant Alzheimer's pathology and no symptoms of dementia if you have high cognitive reserve, says David Bennett, M.D., of Chicago's Rush University Medical Center.

10) Avoid infection.
Astonishing new evidence ties Alzheimer's to cold sores, gastric ulcers, Lyme disease, pneumonia and the flu. Ruth Itzhaki, Ph.D., of the University of Manchester in England estimates the cold-sore herpes simplex virus is incriminated in 60% of Alzheimer's cases. The theory: Infections trigger excessive beta amyloid that kills brain cells. Proof is still lacking, but why not avoid common infections and take appropriate vaccines, antibiotics and antiviral agents?

Drink the right stuff!
Juice:
A glass of any fruit or vegetable juice three times a week slashed Alzheimer's odds 76% in Vanderbilt University research. Especially protective: blueberry, grape and apple juice, say other studies.

Tea:
Only a cup of black or green tea a week cut rates of cognitive decline in older people by 37%, reports the Alzheimer's Association. Only brewed tea works. Skip bottled tea, which is devoid of antioxidants.

Caffeine beverages:
Surprisingly, caffeine fights memory loss and Alzheimer's, suggest dozens of studies. Best sources: coffee (one Alzheimer's researcher drinks five cups a day), tea and chocolate. Beware caffeine if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, insomnia or anxiety.

Red wine:
If you drink alcohol, a little red wine is most apt to benefit your aging brain. It's high in antioxidants. Limit it to one daily glass for women, two for men. Excessive alcohol, notably binge drinking, actually brings on Alzheimer's.

Two to avoid:
Sugary soft drinks, especially those sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. They make lab animals dumb. Water with high copper content also can up your odds of Alzheimer's. Use a water filter that removes excess minerals.

5 Ways to Save Your Kids from Alzheimer's:
Now Alzheimer's isn't just a disease that starts in old age. What happens to your child's brain seems to have a dramatic impact on his or her likelihood of Alzheimer's many decades later.
Here are five things you can do now to help save your child from Alzheimer's and memory loss later in life, according to the latest research.

1) Prevent head blows:
Insist your child wear a helmet during biking, skating, skiing, baseball, football, hockey, and all contact sports. A major blow as well as tiny repetitive unnoticed concussions can cause damage, leading to memory loss and Alzheimer's years later.

2) Encourage language skills:
A teenage girl who is a superior writer is eight times more likely to escape Alzheimer's in late life than a teen with poor linguistic skills. Teaching young children to be fluent in two or more languages makes them less vulnerable to Alzheimer's.

3) Education:
Education is a powerful Alzheimer's deterrent. The more years of formal schooling, the lower the odds. Most Alzheimer's prone: teenage drop outs. For each year of education, your risk of dementia drops 11%, says a recent University of Cambridge study.

4) Provide stimulation:
Keep your child's brain busy with physical, mental and social activities and experiences. All these contribute to a bigger, better functioning brain with more so-called 'cognitive reserve.' High cognitive reserve protects against memory decline and Alzheimer's.

5) Spare the junk food:
Lab animals raised on berries, spinach and high omega-3 fish have great memories in old age. Those overfed sugar, especially high fructose in soft drinks, saturated fat and trans fats become overweight and diabetic, with smaller brains and impaired memories as they age, a prelude to Alzheimer's.