Holiday Detox Superfoods! Get Your GGGGGGs!

Groovy Detox Superfoods are especially important while and after treating ourselves to so many treats! And who doesn't want to be healthy as they move into the new year?!

Healthy Foods that Begin with G

During the holidays it's nice to have some helpers on our side as we happily indulge (no guilt please!)!

Remember the letter G, and you'll be good to go!

GRAPEFRUIT and other citrus fruits are rich vitamin C, which travels through your body removing toxins!

Try fennel and orange salad :) or some homemade OJ!

GARLIC activates enzymes in the liver that filter junk out of our bodies!

Lots of fresh-you garlic recipes or what about Spicy Vodka Pasta -- Healthy Version?

GREENS such as spinach and kale and broccoli are some of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet!

Dr Oz's Tangy Green Drink
Pine Nut Kale Salad (You Might Never Cook Kale Again!)
Lemony Kale Pasta

GREEN TEA (hot or cold!) "Green tea's detoxifying properties have links to weight reduction and fat burning, and they can fight bacteria, liver disease, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease." -- from www.ehow.com

Check out some green tea benefits!

GINGER helps relieve inflammation caused by toxins!

Try some No-Bake Carrot Cake or some of Dr Oz's Tangy Green Drink or Tasty Tofu Stir-Fry (Hubby Approved!)

Tasty Tofu Stir-Fry Contains garlic, spinach AND ginger!

COMMENTS: What did you indulge in this holiday season?  For me it was Christmas cookies!  Holy moly, more than I have have in the last few years! Very fun, but next year, I want to do better applying my savoring techniques!

Magic Reindeer Food

Magic Reindeer Food (popcorn, toasted pecans, salt, cinnamon)

Merry Christmas!  This is magical treat is basically popcorn, cinnamon, and toasted pecans. Delightful!

Magic Reindeer Feed

1/2 c or more popcorn kernels (use air popper)

1 c pecans

2 tsp cinnamon

Break pecans into smaller pieces and top with cinnamon.  Fill cookie sheet with single layer of nut pieces.  Set oven to 425 degrees and place pan of nuts in oven right away (while oven heating) and set a 10-minute timer.

Next, pop your kernels. Remove nuts from oven. Mist popcorn with just a spray or two of water (very little so not soggy) from a spray bottle. Combine popcorn and nuts, and shake in a covered container, and enjoy!

Reindeer, elves, Santa, and other children and adults will love this simple treat!

Here is a link from Christmas Letter Tips for a Magic Reindeer Food tag that you can print.  There is a cute poem that encourages kids to feed the reindeer and head to bed!  And here is one I made :)

COMMENTS: What treat do you leave out for Santa? Cookies and milk? Carrots and apples? Popcorn and pecans? I wish you a wonderful holiday!!

Challenge #4: Floss for HEART Health, and More!

Fresh-you Challenge #4 is to floss daily!  This simple healthy habit, shame on me, floats in and out of my daily routine.  Flossing is so important because there is a very possible link between oral health and HEART HEALTH, as well as with general OVERALL HEALTH.

The connections probably relate to bacteria, inflammation, and immune responses.  One study looking at these connections found that gingivitis and cavities predicted heart disease as well as cholesterol levels!

Take a look at the range of connections: endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy and birth, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's, Osteoporosis, and other conditions.

Theories and correlations have been studied and shared, although results and causes aren't definitive. Still, I am all for any habit that costs little, takes little time, and has no negative side effects.  Plus, there are these lovely benefits: healthy check-ups at the dentist, fresh breath, and a bright smile!

PREVIOUS CHALLENGES and a post on FORMING A HABIT

#3 Hydrate!
#2 Daily Exercise!
#1 Fresh Garlic!

HELPFUL ARTICLES on the Oral Health CONNECTION to More!

Peridontal Disease and Heart Health: Brushing and Flossing May Actually Save Your Life by WebMD

Brush Your Teeth, Help Save Your Heart? by US News & World Report's Health

Oral Health: A Window to Your Overall Health by Mayo Clinic

Oral Health and Heart Health

COMMENTS: A toothpick reminds me of my step dad.  What "things" remind you of people you love?

Cool Kitchen Tips, Second Edition

1. Slice POTATOES with an apple slicer!
2. Easily get more LEMON JUICE from a lemon by first warming it in the microwave.
3. For packing lunch or snack, slice an APPLE and put back together and hold that way with a rubber band!
4. When PEANUT BUTTER jar is getting low, fill it with CELERY slices and you are ready for snack time!
5. When HUMMUS container is low, fill it with VEGGIES for another to-go snack!
6. Use dental FLOSS to slice cakes and soft cheeses!
7. Re-use aluminum FOIL as a glassware scrubber!
8. Salt and VINEGAR paste for water bottles and vases that you can't get to the bottom of to clean -- I haven't yet, and really want to try this!
9. Put SALAD in a bowl with a paper towel on top and then cover in plastic wrap to keep crisp!
10. Place NEWSPAPER in refrigerator to absorb odors.
11. Remove mug stains by rubbing with a salted CITRUS peel!
12. Remove dirt from LEAFY GREENS by soaking in a saltwater bath, then rinse well.
13. Rub your hands with salt and VINEGAR, or rub them on stainless STEEL to rid your fingers of yucky onion smell!
14. To remove wax or perhaps gum, cover spot with a sealed bag of ICE for 20 min.
15. Erase crayon with BAKING SODA.
16. Clean a cutting board with half a LEMON.

Quick and Easy Kitchen Tips and Tricks

Many tips came from Pinterest.com as well as Real Simple Magazine's website.  Thank you!

Here is the first fresh-you edition of Cool Kitchen Tips!

COMMENTS: Please feel free to share your tips -- everyone has little tricks that we could all use!