Heart & Wheat

Since I started this blog last year, many friends have been sending me articles they know I might be interested in. Two of the best that I have read in recent weeks were sent to me by followers of this blog (thanks and keep them coming). Since they were so informative and I am such a “giving” person, I thought I would share them with you!

Death By Beef?

I know that after a weekend of St. Patty’s Day, March Madness and Girl Scout cookies, I am probably the last person you want to hear from this early on Monday morning. You think that I am going to rant about the evils of beer, corned beef, green food coloring, and generally just rain on your fun. You would be correct about this most days – but not today.

I am here to deliver some good news for all of you omnivores out there -- red meat is actually really good for you.

The Real (Bad) Thing

I would like to dedicate the following post to my father.  My dad is one of my favorite people. Of course I love the old guy, but I also really like him and enjoy his company.  I have many traits that I am proud to say “I get from my dad” including my love of music, my enthusiasm/obsession for exercise, my obnoxious laugh and the fact that I always have to be right!

There are a couple of my dad’s traits, however, that I am happy to report I did not retain for the long haul. They include mysteriously “disappearing” from family functions when there is work to be done, and a love of donuts and soda.  But I am not writing today to lecture you about loving donuts

Reality TV Proves Sugar is the Devil!

This week’s blog post is for all of my friends that roll their eyes when they see “The Real Skinny” hit their inbox each week. To be fair, these friends that I am referring to were probably just trying to be nice in signing up to follow my blog in the first place. They don’t actually care to get lectured each week about what I consider the evils of America’s food supply and they probably hit delete before they finish the first paragraph -- “Uh-oh, here she goes again."

But, PLEASE, I beg you… don’t hit delete this week. Whether you are a reality TV show junkie or just looking for a good laugh, you won’t want to miss this one! I saw this clip on another blog I follow – Rubies & Radishes. This blog is written by a woman who follows the Paleo lifestyle and blogs about it. If you want to read more about her you can check her out  here (she seems pretty cool).

Not So Golden Arches

In honor of our first President’s 280^th birthday last week, I thought I would share a kitschy story I read online.  A woman in Nebraska found a McDonald’s Chicken McNugget that she claims looks like George Washington. She is trying to hawk the THREE year old McNugget on EBay to raise money for a summer church camp. Last bid I saw was for $356! Good for her… better that she auctions it off as a piece of history than actually eats it!

This little prize piece of journalism reminded of another recent article I read about Chicken McNuggets.  If you’ve ever seen Fast Food Nation or Supersize Me, perhaps this won’t seem like such shocking news to you, but there isn’t much chicken in a Chicken McNugget.

The Unhealthy Truth

I must admit that sometimes I get discouraged about all the scary information I keep uncovering about our food supply. I feel an obligation to share it with people -- and that's why I started this blog -- but I hate to be a Debbie Downer all the time.  You may not believe this from my apocalyptic blog posts, but I actually think of myself as a “half glass full” type of gal. 

Thankfully, I continue to get inspired by people who are doing amazing things to help us stay healthy and fit.  For instance, I recently finished reading a book titled “The Unhealthy Truth.” It is written by Robyn O’Brien, a full-time mom.   After her youngest daughter had a violent reaction to eggs, she decided to dig and do some research about what was happening to her daughter's body.  She became a true expert about the toxins in America’s food supply. Her initial search for answers about kids’ food allergies led her to an even scarier reality: whether you are dealing with acute allergic reactions or a semi-tired, cranky, “blah” feeling, it is our very own food supply that is most likely the culprit. Our food is literally making millions of us sick. 

Healthy Hearts for Valentine's Day

I thought I would lay off all the lecturing this week and send you a yummy dessert recipe instead! It is Valentine’s Day after all!

I actually made this yummy and EASY dark chocolate candy over the holidays. It was a huge hit among all my family and friends. I think it will make a perfect gift for that someone special in your life. And if you don’t want to share - I promise not to tell.