Celebrating Mel!

Posted by Robin Nielsen on May 2nd, 2012 in , , and · 1 Comment
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A Case Study in Growing Younger

Yes, Mel is a rocket scientist. She works with NASA on space shuttle launches, flying back and forth between California and Florida. She is a bundle of positive energy and a great friend.

Mel works long hours. REALLY long hours. She also plays hard. She is an amazing water woman, beach comber, gardener and creative. Years of pushing hard had taken its toll.

Mel has experienced horrible sinus congestion for years. Allergies, on-going sinus problems, extra weight, skin breakouts and burnout were nagging constant challenges. On and off of antibiotics for sinus infections she had finally scheduled sinus surgery for earlier this year.

Stress, stress and more stress defined Mel’s life. Taking care of aging parents long distance, raising two teenagers, working more than 60 hours most weeks and still trying to have some fun made balance almost impossible.

Late last year, November 2011 to be exact, right after my Rejuvenation Retreat, Mel decided to make herself more of a priority. The results have been nothing short of a miracle. She looks at herself everyday in such a grateful, loving way and is so appreciative of her journey. I know because she sends me at least two emails a week saying just that!

Here were Mel’s health goals:

  • Coughing/allergies under control
  • Lovely skin and hair
  • Buff bikini body
  • More balanced – less stressed
Congratulations to you on your amazing journey…

Mel now is a sexy, vibrant rocket scientist!

Here is what Mel has to say about her amazing, juicy journey…

“I could not drop weight and KEEP it off alone. I’ve done all the different diet programs: Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystems, fat burning pills over the counter/internet sales, work out programs in gyms/at home, massive amounts of stress causing weight loss only to be found again…..I just know that I have been fighting my weight my entire life.

Doing the entire Fabulous Body™ program and being accountable worked! How she has it structured and the entire program was perfect!

I haven’t been this weight since I was like 23 years old, so almost 30 years (yikes!) I dropped 20 lbs, which may not seem like much for a 30 year time period but it stuck to me all these years as I kept trying to shed the pounds and they kept coming back!!!!!

Robin has helped me with my food allergies and now my body is calmed down and not inflammed. With this program I was able to cancel my sinus surgery. Additionally, my moods are more stable now and my skin does not have the flare ups I was having regularly.

My hair appears healthier; shining, soft (not dry), nails grow fast and are thick and skin cleared up! Weight released….and never to be rescued!

This Fabulous Body™ program and Robin’s close one-on-one guidance with her knowledge of what to do with all the info (Dr’s, bloodwork, adrenal testing, personal questioning) truly got me where I am today…. I am balanced, energetic, calm (I was known to be hyper/ADD) and happy with my self image. Yay! I still cannot get over that it’s me in the mirror.”

Mel McNair, Santa Cruz, CA

Scallops and Baby Broccoli

Posted by Robin Nielsen on May 2nd, 2012 in , and · 0 Comments
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Dinner – quick and easy!

Meal assembly is key when you are living a full, fabulous life. Keep vegetables on hand that you can grab, along with protein that is delicious and easy to prepare. Here is a 10 minute meal for two.

Ingredients 

  • 3-4 medium-sized scallops
  • Two large handfuls baby broccoli
  • Two handfuls of raw spinach
  • 4 large radishes, cubed
  • 3 young carrots, sliced
  • Tamari, wheat free
  • 1 clove garlic chopped

Directions

Steam baby broccoli for 5 minutes or until al dente while sautéing scallops in chopped garlic and a few tablespoons of Tamari. Put a handful of spinach in each shallow bowl, sprinkle the carrots and radishes and cover with hot broccoli and scallops. Enjoy!

 

 

Raspberry-Filled Almond Scones

Posted by Robin Nielsen on April 22nd, 2012 in , and · 0 Comments
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So yummy and so good for you as a treat with your morning tea or Sunday breakfast.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour: 1 cup sorghum flour, 3/4 cup almond flour, 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 2 tbls organic sugar (or use 5 drops Stevia)
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/ cup finely shredded coconut
  • 1/3 cup almond paste, chilled (see recipe below)
  • 1/4 butter, chilled (1/2 cube)
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract
  • 1 – 1/2 tbls seedless organic raspberry preserves
  • 1 egg yolk mixed with 1/2 tsp water for glaze
  • 3 tbls slivered almonds

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Almond Paste Recipe (make first and chill)

  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds
  • Stevia
  • 1 egg white

Place slivered almonds in a blender or Magic Bullet and grind until smooth.  Pour into small bowl. Add egg white with 4 drops of Stevia into blender or Magic Bullet cup and blend for 1 minute. Add to almond meal and mix well. Refrigerate.

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Directions for Scones

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter baking sheet (mine is ceramic – use parchment paper if your is aluminum.)

In a large bowl mix all of the dry ingredients together, mix well. In a smaller bowl add all of the wet ingredients and mix well. Cut the butter into 1/2 inch pieces and distribute the butter and almond paste over the dry ingredients. Cut into the dry ingredients with two knives until it resembles course crumbs. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir to combine.

Pat the dough out into a 3/8″ thickness on a lightly floured cutting board (I use a marble board). Using a 2-1/2 inch diameter round biscuit cutter (or glass of a similar size), cut out the rounds from the dough. Gather the scraps together and repeat until all the dough is used and there are 18 rounds. Place 9 of the rounds onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a few inches between scones. Mound 1/2 tsp of the raspberry preserves in the center of each round. Top with another round and gently press the edges together to seal. Brush the top and sides with the egg mixture and top each with 1 tsp of slivered almonds. Press lightly into the dough. Bake for 17-22 minutes or until tops are just lightly browned.

Remove the baking sheet to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or completely cool and store in a airtight container.

 

Got Gas? Learn How to Lose the Bloat!

Posted by Robin Nielsen on April 12th, 2012 in , and · 1 Comment
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<img“Everyone has gas, it’s normal,” according to digestive expert, Eizabeth Lipski.

We “pass gas” an average of ten to fifteen times a day. It mostly comes from swallowed air, but can also come from chewing gum, drinking carbonated beverages and eating whipped foods such as egg whites or whipped cream. This type of gas is not usually a problem because it is odorless, mostly made up of nitrogen with a little carbon dioxide and oxygen.

According to Woman’s World magazine, the foods to avoid that may cause embarrassing gas are beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, apples, eggplant, onions, popcorn, prunes and raisins. Our intuition tells us that there’s something wrong with this advice. We all know that these foods are good for us because they contain nutrients and fiber that our bodies need.

So why might these foods cause us gas and what can we do about it?

Gas and bloating are usually a bi-product of of the fermentation of small pieces of undigested foods by the bacteria in our intestines.

This fermentation produces the stinky gases like hydrogen sulfide and methane which has the odor of rotten eggs. Yuck!

This smell is a good indication that something is out of balance. Our bellies act like a balloon, expanding to contain the gas produced by fermentation.

Foods from the cabbage family , dried and sulfured fruits, and beans all contain sulfur which gives gas a rotten egg smell. The cabbage-family group of foods (cruciferous vegetables) contain anticancer chemicals called glucosinolates and are important for good health.

Foods such as:
  • cucumbers
  • celery
  • apples
  • carrots
  • onions
  • garlic

can also cause gas if your digestion is not in order. People with lactose intolerance may experience gas when they eat dairy products.

If you are experiencing foul smelling gas or bloating it could be due to one of these imbalances:

  • low stomach acid (do you regularly take antacids?)
  • inadequate levels of intestinal flora (could be due to overuse of antibiotics)
  • low pancreatic enzymes to digest your food
  • overgrowth of yeast or “bad” bacteria in your digestive tract
  • food sensitivities, especially to wheat and grains
Here are some tips to prevent embarrassing gas:
  • Chew your food well and eat slowly
  • Eat a high fiber diet, but increase fiber slowly
  • Cooking beans: soak overnight covered in water with a tsp of baking soda. Drain well and rinse before cooking. If you don’t eat beans regularly, only eat a small amount to start
  • Are you lactose intolerant? Eliminate dairy for two weeks and then slowly add back in to see if you notice a difference.
  • Do you have food sensitivities? Keep a food diary to see what you notice when you eat certain foods, or test to see which foods might be giving you a problem.
  • Do a stool test to see if you have too much yeast or an imbalance in good bacteria to bad bacteria so you know how to support your system to improve digestion.
  • Are you low in digestive enzymes or hydrochloric acid? Try 1tsp apple cider vinegar in 8 oz water before breakfast for a few weeks to see what you notice – this could just be the answer!
  • Check for parasites – they often cause gas so if you’ve tried all the other suggestions, do a stool test to see if you have parasites hanging out. There are many natural remedies that are very successful in purging these pests to heal your digestion.
  • Have some fennel or anise seeds on hand. Simply chew on a few seeds after a meal to cleanse the palate and relieve gas. How nice!
  • Common herbs can relieve gas such as: basil, oregano, marjoram, parsley, thyme, celery seed, peppermint, spearmint, fennel, bayberries, caraway seed, cardamom seed, catnip, cloves, coriander, lemon balm, and sasaparilla.

Enjoy some delicious meals and relieve gas all at the same time using common herbs in your meals. Deeeelicious!

© Robin Nielsen, NC

WANT TO USE THIS IN YOUR EZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you use this blurb with it: Robin Nielsen helps her clients to “grow younger.” She is a successful entrepreneur, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and an in-demand speaker and educator. She’s motivated thousands to improve their health with the right mental and physical fuel for living a luscious life.  Get your FREE audio 7 Secrets to Reclaim Your Radiance:  www.togrowyoung.com

Blueberry Banana Muffins with Almond Flour

Posted by Robin Nielsen on April 12th, 2012 in and · 2 Comments
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These muffins will help you feel delicious! They contain amazing nutrients for blood sugar and hormone balance, plenty of  fiber, nutrients for powerful exercise and even improved eyesight. Makes 12. (Adapted from a recipe from http://comfybelly.com)

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2  teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon of sea salt
  • 1-1/2 cup of almond flour
  • 1/2 cup of coconut flour
  • 4 tablespoons of coconut oil
  • 6 eggs
  • 4 medium ripe (soft) bananas
  • 1/3 cup of maple syrup (or instead of sugar use 10 drops stevia – my favorite)
  • 1/2 cup dried unsweetened blueberries or 3/4 cup Organic Himalayan Golden Raisins (my favorite)
  • 1 cup of chopped walnuts, (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350° F/175° C.
  2. Using a whisk or fork, blend all the dry ingredients together.
  3. Add the wet ingredients together, blend well, and then mix them into the dry ingredients. I use a mixer to ensure the batter is well blended.
  4.  Bake for 35 minutes, or until browned and a toothpick inserted in the middle of the bread comes out clean.

Gut Goo to Heal & Soothe Your Digestion

Posted by Robin Nielsen on April 6th, 2012 in , and · 2 Comments
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Is your tummy feeling rumbly?  Is your digestion out of whack?  If so, then try this easy healthy recipe…it only has 3 ingredients!

Ingredients

Mix all 3 ingredients together for this super healthy easy recipe!

If you don’t already have L-glutamine powder, get it here!

*Use organic ingredients whenever possible

(Adapted from Dr Diane Schwartzbein)

Detox & Cleanse for Spring

Posted by Robin Nielsen on April 3rd, 2012 in , and · 0 Comments
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“Detoxing” and “Cleansing” have become buzzwords. We all want to do it but are not sure what “it” is, why we need “it” and what the best approach is. Continue article here

Super Quick, Easy, Tasty & Healthy Muffin

Posted by Robin Nielsen on March 29th, 2012 in , , and · 0 Comments
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Want a super quick, healthy and easy-to-whip-together muffin?  Try this!  You can multiply the recipe to make as many muffins as you want, but this recipe makes one muffin!  Check out the nutrition facts below. Enjoy!

Ingredients (for 1 muffin)
  • 1/4 cup flax meal (26 grams)
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp sugar or stevia for fewer calories (16) and carbs (5 grams)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 egg
  • 1-1/2 tsp oil

Mix and bake for 12 minutes in oven @ 350 degrees.

240 calories, 18 grams of fat, 11 g of carbs, 9 g of fiber, 12 g of protein

Yummy Up Your Life with Food Basics, Part 2

Posted by Robin Nielsen on March 28th, 2012 in , and · 1 Comment
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Let’s continue the  feeling-FABULOUS journey!  What you eat and how you move can get you 90% of the way to growing younger. Spring time is upon us and it’s a great time to get re-energized around food to improve your body’s imbalances quickly.

Part 1 of ”Yummy Up Your Life – Nutrition Basics” included information about the basics of a well-balanced diet and some facts about protein and protein powders, one of the 3 macronutrients essential to life.  What are the other 2 macronutrients? Carbohydrates and fats!  Your body needs all three to function well, and as we age they are especially important in the right balance.

 

Why do we need to eat carbohydrates?

  • For energy
  • Your central nervous system, brain, liver, kidneys and muscles all need carbohydrates in order to function properly
  • Vitamins and minerals – especially in vegetables and fruits
  • Fiber to help our digestion function properly, to support hormone balance and immune function

What are healthy sources of carbohydrates?

Why do we need fat in our diet?

  • Builds brain and nervous system cells
  • Protects our organs
  • Supports hormone production and hormone balance
  • Essential for the absorption of some vitamins

What are healthy sources of fats?

  • Olive oil
  • Almonds
  • Avocado
  • Fish oils (salmon, sardines, kippers, herring, cod)
  • Coconut oil
  • Nut oils
  • Butter/ghee

As you can see, it’s super important to eat healthy sources of all 3 macronutrients: protein, fats and carbohydrates. They can help you surf through your day with delicious energy and a terrific mood. Plus, eating a well-balanced yummy meal will ensure that you continue to grow younger.

©Robin Nielsen, NC

WANT TO USE THIS IN YOUR EZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you use this blurb with it: Robin Nielsen helps her clients to “grow younger.” She is a successful entrepreneur, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and an in-demand speaker and educator. She’s motivated thousands to improve their health with the right mental and physical fuel for living a luscious life.  Get your FREE audio 7 Secrets to Reclaim Your Radiance:  www.togrowyoung.com

Catalan-Style Radicchio and White Beans

Posted by Robin Nielsen on March 23rd, 2012 in , , and · 0 Comments
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Ingredients
  • 6 ounces (~1 cup) dried cannellini beans
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 1-2 vegetable bouillon cubes
For the radicchio:
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 head radicchio, stem and core removed, leaves cut or torn into 1 1/2 inch squares
  • 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
  • Cracked black pepper, for garnish.

Directions

  • For the beans: Place the beans in a bowl and add cold water to cover by two inches. Allow to soak overnight. The next day, drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again.
  • In a medium pot, combine the beans, garlic, thyme, and cold water to cover by 2 inches. Place over high heat to bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer until tender, 25 to 45 minutes; do not salt the water. When the beans are tender, add 1 to 2 bouillon cubes, to taste, and cook 5 minutes more; the liquid should be slightly salted. Drain the beans, reserving the liquid; discard garlic and thyme. Set beans and reserved liquid aside.
  • For the radicchio: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add radicchio, turning to coat with oil. Add pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • In a separate skillet over medium heat, add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add garlic, and sauté until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add beans and 2 cups of the reserved cooking liquid. Simmer until the liquid becomes somewhat creamy, 5 to 10 minutes. Add radicchio and parsley, and simmer 10 minutes more, adding more of the reserved cooking liquid if the mixture seems too thick. Serve in bowls, garnished with a sprinkling of cracked black pepper.

Source: Adapted from Jonnatan Leiva, Executive Chef, 10 Downing Food & Wine

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