Simple Composting

As I mentioned, my family likes juicing fresh fruit and veggies (well I sneak in more veggies than they know), as a healthy treat.  As the last couple days have gone from 90's to 70's, we only have a month or two of local produce before winter starts to set in.

We pulled out our juicer for a fun treat and I thought I would share a quick and simple composting idea for the leftover pulp.  As you can see in the picture, I simply dug a hole (deep enough so that local animals don't dig it up), put in the fruit and vegetable pulp and then covered it up.   Banana peels, lemon/lime/orange peels, apple cores, watermelon/cantaloupe rinds, and other vegetable scraps can also be composted this way, enriching your flower and garden beds.

It is a great way to reduce scraps from your garbage and provide "free" compost infused with nutrients.

A couple other options for the left over pulp is to save it for protein smoothies, add it into muffins or breads and if you make a veggie juice, use the pulp in vegetable soup (you can refrigerate and even freeze the pulp to use later).

Guest Post at Bridal Connection Hamilton County

Please visit www.BridalConnection-HC.com to read my Guest Post.... or click here:  Dieting Can Be Tough.  Dieting While Prepping for Your Wedding is even Tougher... Plus Stressful!

Also, if you know someone getting married now or in the future, please invite them to our first Bridal Event this coming Thursday evening.  We have a fun event planned including food, free massages and door prizes!! 

Late-Summer Brides Night Out

I am excited to announce Bridal Connections of Hamilton County, a trusted network collection of experts and services in Hamilton County dedicated to helping Brides and Grooms prepare for and create the Wedding of their dreams.  

Bridal Connections - HC will be holding an informal Late-Summer Brides Night Out event on Thursday, September 5, 2013 from 6-8 pm at the Fishers Delaware Township Community Center.  We will have free admission and door prizes.

We will have light refreshments catered by Christine Pruett with The Corner Cook
Professional Make-up Solutions by Michelle Quinn
Travel and WeddingMoon sneak peeks by Christopher Lingren
Fitness Training Motivation by Kasey Rundle
Your Dream Home solutions by Jill Hutchinson
Healthy Lifestyle and Diet Solutions by Tammy Mutter
Bridal Photographer
Local DJ
Complimentary Massage

Please share our event and invite your friends.  Tickets available at www.BridalConnections-HC.com

Natural or Artificial

Natural vs. Artificial.  So simple even a child knows the answer.

5 Reasons Eating Healthy is Easier in the Summer

Summer months in the Midwest offer some of the best fresh produce!  I grew up in Michigan and some of my favorite memories include going into our garden and picking fresh green beans to eat, and my absolute favorite... ripe red raspberries that pop in your mouth.  Unfortunately I live in a neighborhood and not on 5 acres anymore so my summer bounty comes from a food coop and the local farmer markets.

I thought it would be fun to run through what I think are the top 5 reasons eating healthy is easier in the summer.... especially for those of us in the Midwest.



#1 - Fresh Food is Available Locally

There are lots of options for fresh produce in the summer... from growing your own garden to farmer markets and local CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture).  CSA's have become popular as a way for local farmers to sell shares of their crops which is a win/win for both the community and the farmer.  You can search www.localharvest.org for markets and CSA's throughout the U.S.

#2 - Produce is More Affordable

The number one way to save money on fruit and veggies is to grow your own and starting plants from seeds saves even more $!  However, many farmers pass along savings to CSA's and local Food Coop groups.  My Food Coop offers only organic produce, grass fed beef and dairy, free range chickens and we save about 30% off grocery store prices.  However, supporting local small farmers is very important and is another advantage over produce that is shipped in from other states and countries.  It results in better nutrition and support of local economies.

#3 - Spice It Up with Herbs and Spices

Growing herbs and spices in your garden, flower pots or getting fresh herbs from farmer markets are an awesome way to add spice to your favorite dishes.  Fresh basil and oregano are perfect in pasta and basil with tomato and olive oil is one of my favorite salads!  Plus, herbs are also a fun way to get in some "greens" into your diet.

#4 - Quick and easy..... Simple meals just what our bodies need when it is hot.  Unlike cool months when soups, casseroles and crock pot meals are the norm.  I often set out fresh fruit and veggies to snack on for my family and it is not surprising that it doesn't take long to see the bottom of the bowl.  Another yummy option is grilling veggies which brings out the natural sugars and is a great way to introduce picky eaters to the sweetness you might not get eating them raw.

#5 - Get Outside... Summer picnics, cookouts with friends and more help you and your family connect with the outdoors.  Getting fresh air and running in the grass bare foot is not only fun but also good for you.  Find a local "pick your own" farm and pick berries, apples or other fun local treats and make fun memories you will remember for years to come.

Juicing For Fun

One of our favorite drinks is fresh juice and summer time is the best time of the year to enjoy it.  We have so many fruits and veggies to pick from that there are endless combinations.  

One of my secrets is slipping in veggies into fruit juice for my kids.  They never even know I added carrots, cucumber or sweet peppers when it is combined with sweet fruits.  Juicing is recommended as a great way to get large amounts of nutrients quickly and is promoted in many natural circles for the ability to help the body heal itself. The good news is it is also a healthy fun activity to do with our kids.

The combination in the picture was a huge hit with dinner and no one even knew I added a few things of my own...

Secret Juice Recipe:

watermelon
apples
carrots
slice of raw ginger

Other Family Favorite:

cucumber
apples
grapes
blueberries or other berries

Berry Picking Bounty

One of our favorite summer activities is berry picking.  Part of the fun is that we also love to eat as much or more than we pick.  This was our bounty after a fun afternoon in our own backyard.  We made berry cobbler and home made shortcake with berries ...  very yummy.




But more than how good berries taste is the nutrition power punch you get from them.  A study earlier this year showed that eating 3 or more servings of berries each week may reduce women's heart attack risk.

What makes berries so great?  Berries are high in antioxidants and polyphenols which help fight chronic disease and cancer.  Berries are also a good source of flavonoids and are naturally found in other red and blue colored fruits and vegetables like cherries, grapes, eggplant and plums.

So, whether you are growing your own or getting produce from local farmer markets this season, stash away some extra in the freezer so you can enjoy long after the growing season ends.