HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Here is to a happy and healthy New Year.  Last night, while I was celebrating with some dear and true friends, I indulged in a lot of food....pigs in the blanket, chips, spinach dip, fudge, pastry, shrimp.  Oh, I felt terrible.  My stomach was bloated and full and I just kept thinking about how things are going to change within the hours.  Besides, this was the second time I reacted to shrimp with a cramping stomach :( I woke up anew.  I am ready for this new lifestyle for myself and my family.

Upon waking this morning, I drank my cup of coffee.  I did not use processed creamer, like I have for years and I am not quite ready for eliminating creamer all together.  Instead I bought Natural Bliss Creamer.  It is made from real ingredients.  It is not as sweet as I am use to but I enjoyed my cup of coffee.  I usually drink 2 cups per day, but would like to get down to one cup per day.  

The next thing I did was change my username on Instagram from Char1971 to freshfamilyeats.  I will continue to post personal pics on this instagram account but will also use it for my fresh, clean pictures, as well.  Be sure to join me over there, too :)

Then I made my first smoothie of the new, clean year.  So so tasty.  The ingredients of this purple cleanliness in a glass are: vanilla protein powder, almond milk, sunflower butter, cacao nibs, flax seeds, frozen blueberries, and ice.  I like a little crunch in my smoothies so I don't blend them to liquid.  Instead I like to keep ice chips :)

When Belle woke up, she ate a hard boiled egg and a banana.  Then she saw me drinking my smoothie and wanted one of her own.  She requested yogurt and blueberries.  I also threw in some cacao nibs and flax seeds.  She helped me make her smoothie.

Today we will be taking down holiday decorations, cleaning up the house, and making our first attempt at make your own snacks.  I will be posting later our snacks and dinner.  Please bear with me with multiple posts.  I am very excited about this new chapter in our lives.  I will try not to overpost, but if I do, please just appreciate my excitement :)

Before I end this post, here is a little bit of learning for you and me.  You see that I used Cacao Nibs and Flax seeds in my smoothie.  Why did I?  Because my sister does, anunprocessedlife.  But I need to learn why.  So, I did some reading. And now I will do some sharing.

Why Cacao Nibs? Crunchy cacao nibs provide pure chocolate flavor and they’re a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber. 

Why Flax Seeds? First, flax is a great source of fiber. Most Americans do not get enough fiber in their diet. Each tablespoon of flax contains about 8 grams of fiber. This helps keep the bowels regular. Because of all the fiber, be sure to start slow (say, with a half-teaspoon) and build up. Otherwise, you may experience bloating.

 Second, flax is a plant source of omega-3. Once again, most Americans are short on their omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids ("essential" meaning they must be consumed because our bodies don’t make them) play an important role in the anti-inflammatory system of our body. Flax contains the shorter chain omega-3 called ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). Thus, it is not a replacement for fish or fish oil supplements that contain DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (ecosapentaenoic acid.) Third, flax contains lignans which reduce the risk of breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. The lignans alter the way your body metabolizes estrogens into safer forms. As if this wasn’t enough, flax  has been shown to reduce hot flashes in menopausal women. To reap the benefits, this requires a daily dose of 2 tablespoons. And flax can normalize the menstrual cycle by supporting the second phase (the luteal phase).

Until later today,

Charlene