Thursday, May 28, 2009

Watermelon Sorbet - YUM!


One thing that I really miss since I gave up all dairy products is ice cream. I loved ice cream! I recently got a new cookbook ( I know, I know - I have too many). Can you really ever have too many cookbooks? I don't think so. Anyway, I got The Vegan Scoop by Wheeler Del Torro.

So many non-dairy ice creams and sorbets that I couldn't decide which one to make first. BUT, I just happened to have most of a watermelon left over from this last weekend, so Watermelon Sorbet it is!! It is sooooo good. Just the right amount of sweetness and turned out perfectly. It was very easy to make, just the way I like it.


Watermelon Sorbet

Contrary to poplular belief, watermelons are vegetables, part of the cucumber and squash family. No matter what you call them, the sweet crisp flavor of this sorbet will win over anyone.


6-8 cups diced seedless watermelon

1/4 cup sugar

zest of 1 lime, minced

pinch of salt

1/2 cup agave nectar


In a food processor, puree watermelon into 4 cups liquid.


In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring 1 cup watermeon puree, sugar and lime peel to a simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Season with salt. Pour in remaining 3 cups watermelon puree then add agve nectar, whisking until blended evenly.


Pour watermelon mixture into a metal cake pan and freeze overnight.


The next day, let frozen watermelon thaw at room temperature for 5 minutes. Using a knife, carefully break up puree into 2 inch pieces. Transer to a food processor in batches and pulse until smooth.


Store sorbet in a freezer-safe container for up to one week.


Yield: 1 quart


Salted Chocolate Pumpkin Seeds


This chocolate spin on a favorite autumn treat is a fantastic sccompaniment to watermelon sorbet.


2 cups hulled pumpkin seeds (also know as pepitas)

1 TBSP vegetable oil

1 tsp salt

16 oz vegan chocolate

1 TBSP soymilk, optional


Preheat over to 350 degrees F


Mix pumpkin seeds, oil and salt in a bowl. Spread n a single layer on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes stirring occasionally until golden brown. Let cool, then place in a large bowl and set aside.


Cover another cookie sheet with waxed paper.


Place chocolate and soymilk (if using) in a double boiler over low heat and stir frequently until melted. Pour half of chocolate over seeds and mix until coated. Add more chocolate as needed to completely coat seeds. Turn seeds onto the cookie sheet, spreading them out into a single layer. Refrigerate until chocolate hardens and seed can be broken apart from one another.


Yield: 2 cups


Tasty Tidbit:

Watermelons contain lycopene, an antioxidant thought to help reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases.


So, I made my watermelon puree with sucanat. Since sucanat (Sugar Cane Natural) is darker than regular sugar, mine turned out a little darker than the picture in the cookbook. I also just used vegan chocolate chips on the top. Just as tasty!!! They are a bit crunchy when cold!!


Another recipe that gets 2 thumbs up!!! The real test will be when Brian gets home and I make him try it!!! I'm sure he will like it :)


If you decide to try it, let me know what you think. I'm interested in how yours turns out too.


I think next will be the chocolate martini sorbet. I must be in the mood for sorbet and chocolate. I'm always in the mood for chocolate. I'll let you know how it turns out.



Wednesday, May 27, 2009

New cookbook review - Mariel's Kitchen



If you haven't figured it out yet, I love cookbooks. I love to read them and look through them and of course, make the food in them!





Recently I picked up a copy of Mariel's Kitchen Simple Ingredients for a Delicious and Satisfying Life by Mariel Hemingway. I really like this one. It is easy to read, the recipes are easy to follow and the food is good. I won't be using all the recipes because some of them do have meat/dairy in them. Mariel breaks up the recipes into seasons. Right now my favorite recipe is:





Poached Eggs on Wilted Greens
Serves 6
1 tsp white wine viengar
12 large eggs
3 tbsp water
2 heads escarole, or 2 bunches Swiss chard or baby spinach coarsely chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 plum tomatoes, cut into small sedges or diced

1. Fill a pot with 2 inches of water. Add vinegar and bring to a light simmer over med heat.

2. Begin gently cracking the eggs, one at a time, closely into the pot. (do these in batches of 3 to be sure not to overcrowd the pot).

3. Once the white begins to set up, but the yolks are still soft and runny, carefully remove each egg with a slotted spoon and set aside in a warm area.

4. Place 3 tsp of water in a large saute pan with the greens. Heat until barely wilted (the warm eggs will wilt the greens more).

5. Season greens with salt and pepper, drain slightly to remove excess liquid and divide the greens onto 6 individual plates. Place tomato wedges around the plate or sprinkle the diced tomatoes on top.

6. Top each plate with 2 poached eggs and serve.

7. As an option, add turkey and/or veggie sausages.





Give it a try. So yummy! I made mine in a smaller batch, but still very good!!





Mariel's other book is also very good. (Healthy Living from the Inside Out.) I really agree with her in that we all need a little silence in our lives. I am turning off the tv and doing fun things and also working my Beachbody business more and spending time with the family. It just makes sense to me to accomplish something instead of mindlessly watching tv for 3-4 hours each night.


I have set aside a space in my bedroom that I can spend some quiet time every day. This is the perfect time for me to pray, meditate and just be still.

Create your own space and begin spending some time in silence each day and see how it affects you.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

What a Weekend!


Recently I went to a business seminar. We had to make a list of 25 goals that we want to do/accomplish in the next 10 years. My list has things such as improve on my job position, read the Bible all the way through, traveling with Brian, get over some fears and do some fun things. Well, I got to mark off one thing on the list this weekend. I went parasailing! Oh my, it was so much fun. Brian and I went together and it was at Grand Lake in Grove OK, but WOW!! I loved it and can't wait until I can do it again. I will want to do it somewhere tropical, but I will do it again.

I think it is so important for us to write our goals down, see them in print and it will make them more real. I highly recommend that you do just that. Put them on a piece of paper and post it where you can see it daily. It will help you to work towards those goals. Be sure to write down things you truly want. Even if you think it is completely out of reach!!

Here is my list:
1) reach top of Beachbody ranking status
2) help coaches on my team reach this level
3) get organized
4) win the trip to Hawaii (Beachbody top coach)
5) go rock climbing
6) Help my kids learn to manage their money
7) get physically fit and stay there
8) get an RV and travel with Brian all over the US
9) travel to Italy and stay there for 3 months
10) parasail
11) get certified as a wellness consultant
12) get a degree in nutrition
13) read the Bible all the way through
14) take entire family on vacation to the beach
15) swim with dolphins
16) volunteer work with children
17) be able to donate large sums of money to my favorite charities
18) get over fear of public speaking
19) see the rainforest
20) learn a foreign language
21) play piano
22) improve my memory
23) run a 5K marathon
24) see a Broadway play in NYC
25) travel to fun vegetarian restaurants in US

We always accomplish what we believe we can accomplish!!


Friday, May 22, 2009

Want to Increase your Business?



Grab a copy of this brand new report called, 7 Secrets To Your Very Own "Instant Customer Goldmine™". The report is about how to create an explosion in customer growth and profits, getting a plethora of new clients coming to you asking to do business with you, in any niche.

Total domination. You can download it here: http://www.instantcustomergoldmine.com/go/[code]p53

The creator of the report is Dani Johnson and she is a world reknowned success coach and relationship marketing expert in both online and offline marketing.

This new report walks you step by step, through the same system she used to go from being homeless, to generating over $18,450 in 6 weeks. She then totally turned the tables around and made a whopping $250,000+ in her first year, then $1,000,000 her second year working her business part time! She later taught the very same techniques to clients all over the world, some of who went on to make millions in profits!

What's different about Dani's Instant Customer Goldmine™ system is she focuses on simplicity. You'll see when you read the report, Dani has the ability to make complex issues very easy to understand and implement.

In the report Dani talks about how you can use Instant Customer Goldmine™ to:

- Have an endless stream of people APPROACH YOU about your product or service
- Discover a Marketing and Advertising Technique that costs you next to nothing and always brings you NEW CUSTOMERS!
- Learn the secret to building long term LOYALTY with your customers
- Discover how retail can be a CONSISTENT INCOME STREAM in your business
- Get others to expose your products and brochures for you willingly
- Discover the one simple response that will handly ANY objection
- How to get your customers to do all the work for you
- Uncover the real secret that moves people to buy your product immediately
- Become a Professional and not an Amateur at promoting your product or service
- Learn a Guaranteed Close that created a multi-billion dollar business
- Uncover the tool that creates Curiosity about your Product without saying a word
- Learn a technique that will compel customers to buy from you instead of your competition
- Know How to Confidently ASK for referrals and get them every time

Anyway, I highly recommend you download and read the "7 Secrets.." report here: http://www.instantcustomergoldmine.com/go/[code]p53 before they pull it offline!

Dani's next in-person training - 1st Steps to Success will be held in Washington DC, July 18-19, 2009. Get there and watch your business prosper, have personal growth, learn how to get out of debt and gain more confidence! You will NOT regret it!!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Chicago Trip and Shakeology success story!

I just got back from a business trip to Chicago. I loved the seminars and the people that I met. Some very interesting people were there. I met a professional ventriliquist. She was such a lively person. So full of life and energy. However, I was so unimpressed with the hotel food. We were in seminars all day long. We had a break for lunch and dinner and I didn't get to bed before midnight any night. So, we were stuck with eating at the hotel. As a vegetarian, the food choices were so limited and very un-inspired. I will eat fish and eggs on occasion and this became one of those occasions. I did have a tuna sandwich two days. After several people complained about the lack of "vegan" food, they added a grilled veggie sandwich. Dinner choices were salad with lettuce, tomato and onion or pasta with veggies. At least there was an option here.


I really thought that a large, metropolitan city like Chicago would be more veg-friendly.


The seminar was put on by Dani Johnson. She is an energetic, motivating person. If you can get to one of her First Steps to Success seminars, I can not recommend it enough. You will learn how to increase your business, how to get over fear of rejection, failure and any other fears that you have. I had a lot of personal growth at this seminar and now I can focus on my business. This seminar was Creating a Dynasty. You must be a First Steps graduate to attend the Dynasty event. Go. You won't regret it at all! Check it out at http://www.danijohnson.com/ or http://www.workathomeprofitzone.com/.


I can hardly walk this morning. I did Shaun T's newest workout - Insanity on Monday night. It is so hard and really challenged me. My calves are still on fire. It's been a while since my calves have been sore. I can't wait for this workout to come out in full. I got the preview of the Plyo cardio with my subscription to One on One with Tony Horton. Dawn, Chrissy and I did this together and none of us could keep up. I think I must really be insane because I will do the workout as soon as it comes out!! I love a good challenge.


Shaun T will help you find out what happens when you get your mind out of the way and push your body to an intensity level you thought was reserved for elite athletes. What happens is results. Insane results. Prepare yourself for the greatest fitness challenge we've ever created! Using MAX Interval Training used by Olympic and pro athletes to build a combination of strength, cardio capacity, and stamina without any equipment whatsoever, this 60-day program is truly hard-core. Transform your body. And while you're at it, transform yourself.


I wanted to pass along a quick note about Shakeology. My friend Jason Robertson has lost 10 lbs in one month. The only changes he made was to cut out snacking during the day and having Shakeology for one meal per day. 10 POUNDS!!!! Go Jason!!!! People are having such good results with this product. If you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend it. It tastes good, it has 23 different vitamins and minerals, anti oxidants, protein and essential amino acids, phyto nutrients, prebiotics and digestive enzymes.

Shakeology is like eating:
10 cups cauliflower
4 cups broccoli
4 cups mushrooms
4 cups radishes
3 cups lettuce
1 cup peas
7 carrots
3 raw onions
Shakeology has amazing health benefits and results. It reduces the risk of developing degenerative diseases and reduces oxidative damage in the body. You will lose weight, feel better and look better! It tastes great. Comes in chocolate (my favorite) and greenberry!
Check it out at http://www.shakeology.com/. If you are ready to order - get yours at http://www.missourifitclub.com/!


Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Beachbody Nutritionals


Beachbody is not just a workout video company. Beachbody has some of the finest nutritional supplements available.

Brian had a doctor's appointment yesterday and he recommends Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids. He told us that most diseases start with inflammation and EFA's are an anti-inflammatory agent. Beachbody has a GREAT Omega 3 supplement. It doesn't have that horrible fishy aftertaste. Dr. Chosney recommended 1000 mg per day at the least. We take this daily, but were not taking his recommended amount. We have increased our intake today!

Core Omega-3™

Give your body the support it needs for optimal heart, brain, and joint health with our premium fish oil supplement packed with 1,000 mg of critical fatty acids.*

Do what’s best for your heart and health!
It’s hard to get enough healthy fish in your diet, but this high-quality omega-3 fish oil supplement contains 600 mg of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and 400 mg of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) per serving—that’s science talk meaning a daily dose is similar to getting the health benefits of an average serving of salmon steak! Studies have shown that consuming omega-3 fatty acids—especially DHA and EPA—may help reduce the risk of heart-related diseases.* In today’s high-stress/fast food world, that’s a very big deal! In fact, the American Heart Association recommends getting at least two servings of fatty fish a week to support cardiovascular health.

Advanced Nutrient Release

Beachbody’s soft gel capsules use an advanced delivery system that releases in the intestines, not in the stomach. That means no stomach upset, and no unpleasant aftertaste.

100% Pure, Premium Ingredients

Not all fish oils are created equal. Beachbody's Core Omega-3 comes from the purest wild Atlantic coldwater fish sources, and is absolutely guaranteed to be free of harmful PCBs and heavy metal contaminants typically found in fish available in markets and grocery stores.

Core Omega-3 may be beneficial for:*

Promoting healthy heart function
Promoting healthy blood pressure
Promoting healthy blood viscosity and cardiovascular health
Promoting healthy joints
Promoting healthy immune function
Promoting healthy brain and nerve function
Supporting and maintaining healthy retina and eye function
Click here for ingredients and nutrition information.

WARNING: Consult with a healthcare professional if pregnant, breast feeding, providing to a child, or if you have any other unique or special needs. Keep out of reach of children.

Order today from http://www.missourifitclub.com/ or email me for details!





Monday, May 11, 2009

Shakeology

I have now tried both Shakeology flavors. Greenberry and Chocolate. I have to say that I like the chocolate better. This will probably not come as a surprise to anyone that knows me. I love chocolate. Since I gave up dairy products 6 years ago, I have really missed milkshakes. Hot fudge was my favorite flavor. I hadn't had a milkshake is so long and shakeology is so good and just like a milkshake. I love that I am getting all my nutrition in one glass. Vitamins, digestive enzymes, minerals, probiotics and more. I have a bunch of recipes to make the shakes different each day. I have added fruit, peanut butter, coconut oil, and even caramel. Each one is good, the shakeology is good by itself, but my favorite is banana and peanut butter.

If you are interested in giving this a try, please let me know. I can help you get it ordered and send you the recipes so you can get started on your journey to better health and nutrition.

If you love it and want to keep getting it every month ask me how you can get it with a 25% discount. All you have to lose is weight!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

New Challenge

We are starting a new challenge tomorrow!! This is a great way to stay motivated and on track. It takes 21 days to form a new habit. This will get you healthy habits and a healthy body!

Challenge details:

1) Work out ATLEAST 5 days per week (try to get at least 30 mins) & log the workout in WOWY

You want to aim for breaking a sweat for at least 10 mins per day. This usually means that you will work out for 30 mins - 10 min warm up, 10 min sweaty workout, 10 min cool down)

You can do whatever type of workout you want, but log it in wowy. This will help to keep you on track. Schedule it just like you do any other appointment for the day - put it on the calendar and invite someone to work out with you online! This will help you to keep the appt.

2) Eat Clean everyday and keep a food journal (try to get 5 servings of veggies/fruit per day)

Get a notebook and write down anything that goes in your mouth.

Eating clean means - no fried foods, no white sugar, no white flour, no alcohol. Less butter, fat

This doesn't mean you can't have something good now and then. Be aware, plan for the days that you know you'll be going off the plan.

3) Drink 1/2 of your body weight in ounces of water per day (min 64, max 100)

Keep this in your journal also. I keep a 32 oz nalgene bottle full of water on the counter and pour a glass at a time. This way I can keep track of my water intake. I had 70 oz yesterday - which is more than I needed to have. BONUS!!!

I try to have my water intake before I let myself have anything else to drink. I don't usually have much more than water, but I do like a decaf chai latte now and again.

4) Write down your goal - and share them with everyone

Put this out there - it is good for everyone to see what you are working towards and you will stick to it more knowing that it is out there.

5) Graditude - what are you thankful for?

Write it down each day in your journal. You can write it out in a list or in journal form - however you like to do it. This will help - I promise!!

6) Meditation/Prayer

Spend 5 minutes per day in quiet time. Reflect on your day, pray, whatever you feel like, but take the 5 mins to be in silence. Can be in the morning, or in the evening before bed.

If you want to participate, send me an email and I'll get you added to the list. We are posting by email and on the Beachbody message board thread - dmoritz's Missouri Fit Club - http://forums.teambeachbody.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/831103293/m/4511009701/p/1

Feel free to drop by the thread and post with us, even if you don't want to participate in the challenge.

We had a cookout a few weekends ago and I wanted to share a recipe from then. The food was good, but the company was even better!!!

Avocado Salsa - The Garden of Vegan by Tanya Barnard & Sarah Kramer


The real trick to this great salsa is to use good avocados. Make sure they are ripe and the skin unblemised. Avocados contain a fair amount of vitamin C, thiamine, and riboflavin, so eat up! Serve this dip with corn chips, fresh veggies or on top of burgers.

1/2 cup cooked or canned corn niblets
1/4 cup olives (your choice), chopped
1/2 small red bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 small onion, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/8 tsp salt
1/8tsp pepper
1 avocado, diced

In a large bowl, combine the corn, olives, red pepper and onion. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, oil, lemon jice, oregano, slat and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salsa. Stir in the avodcao just before serving. Makes approx 2 cups.


This is so yummy and we used it to dip with tortilla chips and also as a topping on bean burgers! Let me know what you think!!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Karma Chow



I had the pleasure of meeting Missy Costello, Tony Horton's personal chef in March at the Beachbody Coaches Summit in California. Missy is one of the nicest people I have ever met.





She has a great website and is now offering a free e-book to all subscribers. If you are looking for great ways to get healthy and change your diet, you should check out her website and download the e-book, 7 Steps to a Karma Chow Kitchen.





Karma Chow is a full-service, personalized cooking service that is committed to your health & wellness and the preservation of Mother Earth! By using all organic, locally grown (when available), mostly vegetarian, whole foods we assist the Earth in keeping her natural resources, while making YOU healthier and happier!





Her web address is http://www.karmachow.com/ Please check it out and if you are in California, you should definitely go to one of her cooking classes!!!

In the picture is me, Missy and Doris (another Beachbody coach and friend!)


Sunday, May 3, 2009

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

May is National Physial Fitness and Sports Month. What a gift to give yourself. The gift of health!! Now is the time to get started on your journey to better health and physical fitness.

Let's get started today!! I don't care what workout you choose to do, just get started. If you want to get started with a Beachbody workout, then great. I hope that you will choose to have me as your coach and purchase your workout from me. But, if you want to walk, jog, ride a bike, go to the gym, go to Curves - whatever you want to do, just do it!!! You can have a chance to win money and other cool prizes (ipods, digital cameras and camcorders) for ANY workout you log into WOWY, the online super gym.

Get your family involved in working out with you! It will be fun for everyone. Play a game of bastketball, football or baseball with your kids, put on music and dance around the house with the whole family. I'll bet that you will have more fun than sitting around watching TV!!! Turn off the tube and move!!!

The weather is getting warmer, so get outside and enjoy it!

Sign up today for WOWY (it's free!!!). Let me coach you to better health and fitness.

Do it today for yourself and your family.

www.missourifitclub.com to join!!!

Email at dana@missourifitclub for questions or help!!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Fit Kids Club



Obesity is such a problem in our country these days. Especially in our children. It's such a shame. Many schools are cutting the Physical Ed department completely out or cutting back the number of days that the kids go to gym. When they get home from school, they veg out in front of the tv or play video games. Not many kids get enough exercise. This workout is fun, quick (30 mins) and will get kids interested in exercise again.


One of my favorite soups these days is Black Bean Soup. Here's a favorite recipe from The Real Food Daily cookbook by Ann Gentry.

Black bean soup with jalapeno-lime creme

2 cups dried black beans, picked through and rinsed
1 (2-3 inch) piece kombu
6 cups vegetable stock or water
1 bayleaf
2 tsp sea salt
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 onions finely chopped
5 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
5 stalks celery, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 (14 1/2) oz can diced tomatoes
1 Tbsp blended chili powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup Jalepeno Lime Creme (recipe follows)

Place the beans and kombu in a heavy stockpot. Add enough water to cover by 3 inches. Let stand overnight. Drain and rinse the beans reserving the kombu.

Return the beans andkombu to the same pot and add the stock and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer over high heat, skimmig off the foam that rises to the top. Decrease the heat to low, cover and simmer gently, stirring occasionally for 1 hour or until the beans are tender. Discard the kombu and stir in the salt.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet ove medium-high heat. Add the onions, carrots, clelery and garlic. Saute for 10 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Stir in the tomatoes with their juices, then the chili powder, cayeen pepper and cumin. Saute for 5 mins or untile the tomatoes soften. Add the tomato mixture to the soup, cover and bring to a simmer over med-high heat. Decrease the heat to med-low and simmer for 15 mins or until the vegetables are very tender and the flavors blend. Cool slightly.

Transfer half the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Return the pureed soup to the pot and season to taste with more salt if desired. Stir in the cilantro.

Ladle the soup into bowls. Drizzle the Jalapeno-Lime Creme over and serve.

The soup will keep for 2 days covered and refrigerated.

Jalapeno-Lime Creme

2 jalapeno chiles, roasted
3/4 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup plain soymilk
1 tsp finely grated lime zest
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 3 limes)
1 Tbsp canola oil
3/4 tsp sea salt

Blend the chiles, cashews, soymilk, lime zest and juice, oil and salt in a blender until very smooth.

The creme will keep for 2 days, covered and refrigerated. Stir before serving.

This is really yummy and good for a rainy, cool day like today!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Malaria No More


I am always looking for ways to help others. Whether it is fitness/health related or in another way. I recently found out about Malaria No More and wanted to share this info with you all.


Malarianomore.org:


Our Mission: Malaria No More is determined to end malaria deaths. A non-profit, non-governmental organization, Malaria No More makes high-yield investments of time and capital to speed progress, unlock resources, mobilize new assets and spur the world toward reaching this goal.


A child dies every 30 seconds from malaria—so every second counts. The fastest way for us to have impact is to blanket Africa with mosquito nets, effective medicine and targeted spraying to stop people dying from malaria. Our role as a catalyst is to maximize opportunities to save lives through communications, resources and investments. Each area of our work leverages the others to form a virtuous cycle for impact.


Want to get involved in the fight against malaria? There are many ways to make a difference! Here are some ideas to get you started:


Donate $10 Mosquito Nets
Providing a $10 mosquito net is the easiest, but most effective way to protect African families from mosquitoes that bite at night and transmit malaria.


A $10 mosquito net can protect a child and its family as they sleep, the time when most malaria-spreading bites occur. The tragedy of malaria can be transformed into our generation's greatest triumph—the ending of malaria deaths—with a simple act of compassion. Make your mark on the fight against malaria with the gift of mosquito nets.
If you can help out with $10 please do so today. Just go to http://www.malarianomore.org/ and donate!! You CAN make a difference in someone's life!!