Category Archives: weight loss

The Benefits of Homemade Coldpressed Drinks this Winter.

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Hello Y’all! Welcome to a new month and the second-to-last month of the year. As the weather cools, the flu, along with every other bug, becomes rampant. Avoiding getting sick during the winter is the best thing one can do because not only will it be miserable outside, you will be miserable on the inside, coupled with still having to do daily activities and get stuff done.

If you’re in the States and keeping abreast with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) overhaul, you would realize that a lot of our processed drinks contain ingredients that are not only harmful to our health but also have limited to no nutrients and predominantly artificial sugars. It’s widely known that some of the ingredients in our foods have been banned in Europe and are not included in food processing activities. The result of this is the fact that we Americans have the highest obesity rate in the world as of 2022, with approximately 41.92% of men and 43.8% of women. Need I say more?

In an attempt to have a healthier option than soda with zero calories or fruit juice with reportedly ‘no sugar’ but has a saccharine sweetness that tastes sweeter than honey, I started researching alternatives. One thing I learned was that when making regular juice, it doesn’t keep as long, but a better option is cold-pressed juices, which keep longer in your refrigerator. In my case, they last about 7 days. Now, I am not sure as to why, but there is a science behind it, and that’s a blog for another day.

Yes, they quench your thirst but expand your waistline over time….unfortunately :/

And so, about 2 years ago, I purchased a cold press juicer and began experimenting with making juices with fruit and roots that my body needed. I usually have from two to four ingredients in any given batch, with ginger being the non-negotiable and always included in ALL juice batches. Other ingredients are pineapples, celery, apples, turmeric, and lemons. These fruits and roots contain everything from anti-inflammatory benefits, digestive enzymes, fiber, antioxidants, immune boosters, anti-nausea, weight loss, fat burning, cholesterol, and blood sugar-lowering properties, just to mention a few. These are my preferences. Another fun fact is the husk from the press can be used as compost for your garden…if you have one.

Putting on my elder-type glasses literally, let me share, according to AI, some of the benefits of cold-pressed juices.

  • Detoxification
  • Boosting immunity
  • Nutrient absorption
  • Weight management
  • Improved digestion
  • Clearer skin
  • Mental clarity
  • Reduced cravings
  • Stabilize Insulin levels
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Anti-aging
  • Mood enhancement
  • Hydration.

Now, I’m not saying I’ve been completely weaned off sodas, but I have drastically reduced my intake, and we no longer purchase soda at home anymore. It’s all about tweaks without any drastic changes that cannot be sustained. So, with this being said, If you’re interested in getting started with a cold-pressed juicer, there are a few good options on the market, and I’ll be sharing the exact one I use as well, and they include brands like Aietto, Ninja Neverclog, Tinana cold press juicer, and Kitchen in the Box. As you swap out your wardrobe for layers and warmer clothing, remember to boost your immune system and keep it healthy against all the bugs and viruses common at this time of year. Until I come your way again, be safe, healthy, like, follow, and comment. I remain,

Periwinkle Starr

Not Another Weight Loss Blog Post!!

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Hello Y’all! I hope this post finds you doing great in your corner of the world. If this is your first time stumbling on my blog Periwinkle Starr, you’re welcome! This is a lifestyle blog where I get to share all things worth living for from food, travel, fashion, health and so much more. So if this is right up your alley, then follow to get notified whenever I post a new blog.

I know, I know…if you’ve been following, you know that weight loss is something I love to write about not just because it’s something that I and a majority of the population have struggled with every now and then but because weight loss eliminates the risk of several illnesses and prolongs life. So, before you roll your eyes (wink), please read on and thank me later.

We’ve heard over and over that 80 percent of weight loss is attributed to your diet. Well, that isn’t entirely true. I recently embarked on a search to figure out why I wasn’t losing weight despite doing my best to eat right, exercise regularly, and maintain a positive outlook on the process. I WAS WRONG! And on so many levels. Here’s what I found out and I’ll share what actually worked in the last month and a half – six weeks; with me being down 12 pounds without starving myself. Before this, for the past two years, I couldn’t even lose 5-pounds no matter what I did.

Know Your Blood Type

I learned that your blood type has requirements for nourishment. It also determines whether you need to be physically active or you can get away with less exercise. I kid you not. This blew my mind and opened up a rabbit hole that I voluntarily decided to explore. For free information, my first stop was YouTube. I found the following channels:

  1. Ask Dr Anita PhD
  2. BioBalance Healthcast

Eliminate Stress From Your Life

Stress is a major blocker when it comes to weight loss. It affects your metabolism, your hormones, your bones, and even your ability to burn fat. If you are ready to lose weight fast, removing stress is a huge requirement. If you aren’t able to due to circumstances probably beyond your control like school or a stressful job, weight loss will be harder and it will take longer. It will also affect the body negatively because the body is already in a bad state to begin with.

Change Up Your Diet

After incorporating points 1 and 2, you’re ready to implement the third item which is changing up your diet. If you remember a previous post I made where I talked about a YouTuber that I follow named Plantiful Kiki who was overweight for so many years but was able to shed the weight and keep it off so many years after doing the Carb Diet or Carb Balance Diet, something along those lines. Well, I tried that diet and gained even more weight. But knowing my blood type and what it needs to be nourished, I can’t eat the Carb Diet. It won’t work or give me the same results as Kiki. And I feel there are tons of people who have given up hope of losing weight or not being able to keep it off long-term; not because the diets were bad but because that was someone else’s diet, and meant for someone with a different blood type.

Now Exercise!!! Exercise!!! Exercise!!!

Don’t complicate things by saying you need to join a gym or hire a trainer, all of these are good things but you can start small. Youtube has a plethora of short-circuit exercises you can begin with. Start walking whether on the treadmill or outside. Take the stairs. When you go grocery shopping, park a little distance from the entrance so you get more steps in. You can even start tracking your steps on a daily. All of these things are FREE!!

Get A Smart Scale…If you don’t already have one.

The reason smart scales are preferred in my book is because they give me a breakdown of everything including my weight, BMI, Body Fat, Muscle Mass, Body Water, Visceral Fat, Bone Mass, BMR, Protein Intake, Fat Level, Subcutaneous Fat, Lean Body Mass, Body Type and Standard Weight. Having this information, I get to custom tweak my diet to improve.

Folks, If like me, you had practically given up on shedding those 10 or 20 pounds and accepted your fate that age had come to stay, I’m here to shake you out of that rot. You can have the best body in your later years if you’re ready to do these few tweaks. It’s worked for me and I almost cried when I saw the numbers on the scale. Illness is rampant in our world and we have so little control over many things but if you become an active participant in your life, success is inevitable!!

Until I come your way again, please like, follow, and subscribe.

Periwinkle Starr

Soups Are In….Happy Thanksgiving!

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Hello Y’all! It’s that time of the year when the Yuletides begin. I hope you are doing well in your corner of the world. It’s the eve of Thanksgiving and the streets are packed with people doing their last-minute shopping, and yours truly was one of them but also the Memorial Day of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The temperature has finally dropped and will not go up for a while so we can officially change out our summer gear for Fall and Winter clothing. I’m back to decluttering again and will continue to sift through the house for items that aren’t getting any use and wont in the near future which is fun but also a way to give back to those less fortunate.

The cooler it gets, I yearn more for soups, I feel the need to bake and be a little easy on the diets because I know they won’t make it past the holidays…lol. But as I walked down the aisles of my local grocery store, I couldn’t help but scream internally at the level of inflation we currently have. Food items are double- and in some cases triple the price from just one year ago. THIS IS INSANE! Well, I will be dusting off my cookbooks and begin baking cookies at home. Honestly, it’s cheaper than spending an arm and a leg because quite frankly, the only way to overcome this impending hump of sky-high inflation is to be smarter with money…. but folks, that’s a post for another day.

Soups are in but so is warm, fresh, homemade bread! The beauty about homemade food is it costs less, is more nutritious, you have control over the portions, and you know what the real ingredients and caloric densities are. After scouring the internet for healthy websites, I came across a website called ‘Eat This, Not That’, had a post listing a vast array of healthy soup options and I’ve selected 11 of my favorite recipes and others I’d like to try.

Folks, the holidays are in and all diets are seemingly out…but there are delicious options available and yours truly will be trying each and every one of these recipes. Its been a whirlwind of a year and if you’re reading it, you are still kicking. I am thankful to you for reading my scribbles and wishing you and yours an amazing holiday season ahead. There’s more to come from Periwinkle Starr, so stay tuned, like and follow for more. Until I come your way again, I remain.

Periwinkle Starr

Fitness on the Road: It’s Doable!

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Hello Y’all! How are you and I hope you are doing well in your corner of the world. Summer is here and we have slowly eased our way into triple digit temperatures in North Texas. A slew of air conditioning complaints, multiple breakdowns and power companies requesting light use and conservation during peak times…. the whole shebang! Anyway, the weather has been better today, and we just might be able to be outside for a little while. It’s been super busy, and I have had this post waiting in the wings for some time now. But alas! it’s done.

One of the things that irk me when I’m on the road but also something that I hear often from friends and coworkers is how difficult it is to maintain their fitness goals when traveling. I know a lot of you might say ‘It’s simple! Just stick to the plan’, but to be honest, it’s easier said than done and I have by no means figured it ALL out but I’m going to share what I’ve learned from friends that has motivated me to keep it up. These tips are not only simple but work if you commit to it. These are tips gleaned from a few friends, coworkers and of course the internet, so please stay with me.

Another List!

*Look up your hotel for fitness amenities or gyms close by.

*Pack your trainers…with the intent to use them.

*Try not to get ravenously hungry too often because it will lead to unhealthy choices.

*At meals, substitute, substitute, substitute…for healthy options, veggies or have dessert and plan on working out later. Finding balance where you’re not deprived and yet not overindulging.

*Travel with a scale. I know some might see this as over kill but I first learned this from a YouTube influencer who said it helped keep him on track; and knowing he had to weigh first thing in the morning, he tried to make better choices with food and being active during the day. Now this may be a bit much for some but if you’re looking to shed some serious pounds, this will work in conjunction with a lean-er diet.

*Try to rest. I find that on road trips, there a lot of late nights, tons of meetings and work that needs to be done. Try to sleep early and wind down so your body is rested even with late nights or days when you have minimal hours.

*Try to get some sun…..if you can’t, taking vitamin D supplements daily will help.

*Keep up your hydration. These days we have apps, reminders or just good ol water bottles – Do whatever works best for you.

Well folks, there you have it…a few tips that can help you and yours truly stay on track when we’re on the road. It is a balancing act and a lot of commitment but, it does work. Staying healthy is becoming an anomaly these days, so keep striving to give your body a fighting chance. Until I come your way again, be safe and stay in shape.

For the lovers of all things random out here….a few photos for your viewing pleasure. The Lord knows we need a lot more randomness in our lives. Enjoy!

Periwinkle Starr!

Keeping Up with Your Fitness Goals in a Fast-Paced World!

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Hello Y’all! I hope you are doing well in your corner of the world. Spring Break is finally here, and I am officially over the cold weather. Spring cleaning has begun, and I have spent my weekend decluttering, cleaning and organizing. I must say that I am satisfied with the progress made so far. It is almost that time when we swap out our winter gear for lighter layers. Yesterday was my first time going hiking in a long time – prior to this, the weather has either been too cold or too windy. Being stuck at home or on the road makes it harder to keep up with any kind of fitness regimen. But at the end of the day, the scale does not lie and in order to stay healthy, one of the best ways to do that is to keep one’s weight down…as naturally as possible.

Be Active Any Chance I Get. Take the stairs. Have a workout app on your phone. When traveling, map your stay in areas that give you access to a gym. Always pack a pair of trainers. Walk as much as I can especially when in big cities. Swim. Zumba. Dance. Move.

Always have healthy snack options available. Whether it’s packing my lunch, baking healthy, low-calorie snacks or having fruits and veggies, I’m able to make better decisions about food because when I’m hungry, I tend to reach for high-volume, high calorie or filler foods that obliterate my diet.

Vitamin Supplements Do Help. Living in somewhat of a fast-paced lifestyle, it’s very easy to be low on some vitamins or minerals. In this post covid world we live in, keeping our bodies in tip top condition is the better option. When you have family and dependents, being sick is a luxury you cannot always afford.

Intermittent Fasting Works. Sometimes I feel like an overstuffed turkey because everything revolves around food. Slowly incorporating intermittent fasting into my daily routine helps my metabolism burn off excess calories but also allows my system to rest from trying to process something every other hour of my waking day.

Smoothies Are King! When done right, smoothies can be a great source of nutrients, antioxidants and fiber. The fewer the ingredients, the lower the calories the better. Trust me when I say that I would rather eat a full meal than make a 10-ingredient smoothie. They do exist.

Protein Powders are Great. When used as meal replacers, protein powders are a great way to augment my diet especially when I’m on the go. I try to find shakes that taste great, dissolve well and those I can drink alone or add to other foods and drinks. Finding the right one for you needs some research of the ingredients and buyer reviews. It will save you time.

Don’t Stop Snacking – Just Make Healthier Choices. Being a natural born snacker -if that is even a real thing – depriving myself does not work long term. I get on a strict regimen that lasts for a couple of months and then I just give in and eat everything I’ve craved for the past months. I learned that this part of me will probably never change… EVER so I’ve swapped my unhealthy choices for healthier options like homemade popcorn, low calorie frozen desserts, dehydrated fruit, nuts and home baked low-calorie treats.

Folks, we’re still in the first quarter so don’t give up yet. The gyms are still packed but I can see the numbers dwindling down because life gets in the way. I’ve learned that anything I don’t make time for or prioritize will soon be relegated to the background. Feel free to like, follow and share your tips and tricks on how you stay committed to your fitness goals with other readers. The more motivated we are together, the better we become. Until I come your way again, be positive, dream big and stay on the wagon!!!

Periwinkle Starr

P.S.: All photos are culled from Freepik.

A Look Back at 2022 – An Epiphany of Sorts.

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Happy Holidays and a belated Merry Christmas to all! I hope you are doing amazingly well in your corner of the world. 2022 is at its end and I am resting my way into 2023 but also taking the time to look back over the last 362 days. Taking time off to rest every now and again is so vital to being fit and healthy. Sometimes we don’t even know how exhausted we are until our body breaks down and we’re bedridden and forced to rest. Anyway, I’m warm and cozy, have my hair in a bun, my snacks nearby and I’m ready to dive into today’s post.

I Had An Epiphany….

I realized that ‘Everything matters’…We are very fond of separating our lives into compartments like work life, relationships, religion, health & fitness, friendships, hobbies etc. But in actual fact, these pieces make up who we are and are intertwined or bleed into every other area no matter how hard we may try to compartmentalize. One area that’s not doing so well affects every other area. ‘Yeah…yeah, we know that already’, I imagine some reader say but take a minute to think it through.

Every step counts. I mean this literally. It’s hard to keep up with a fitness regimen. All the determination in the world will get you nowhere if your body is tired. On days where I can’t drive my tired body to the gym, I can walk through the house, go up and down the stair’s multiple times, do online Zumba, stretch or exercise in place. You’ll still burn calories which is better than not exercising at all.

Hydration is huge part of weight loss. I didn’t know this until a friend of mine who is a fitness buff and competitive lifter shared this with me. Being hydrated with WATER removes toxins from your system, aids digestion, reduces constipation, and improves your skin, brain function and overall health. When I hear medical professionals tell the public to drink 8 glasses of water a day, I roll my eyes because no one and I mean NO ONE is drinking that much water…its soo boring especially when you have zero calorie diet drinks and everything else out there. I know I wasn’t. But to get there, start by buying a half gallon water bottle. It doesn’t feel like that many glasses but trust me that I exceed this quantity in water intake these days. This water bottle changed my life and I know it can change yours.

Sleep is important. If you’re always on the go during a typical work week, take one day on the weekend to sleep, rest, relax and let your body recharge. When you rest, your cortisol levels come down, this signals to your body that you can relax; stress reduces and the craving for salty and sweet snacks go down. Its literally a domino effect. If you have a bad or poor sleep routine, it’s only a matter of time before it begins to take its toll on your life.

Procrastination has an effect on weight loss. Quit telling yourself that you will start tomorrow. You would start walking, start dieting, sign up for a gym membership, join a fitness group, sign up for a personal trainer…..you get the gist. START NOW! Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Opt for a low calorie dressing on your salad instead a high carb option. Opt for a healthy midnight snack or pass on a second serving at meals. What really matters are the baby steps.

You can’t do it alone. There is that 1% of individuals who lose ALL their weight in their basement while livestreaming on YouTube. Well, I hate to break it to you, but those individuals are far and in between. The rest of us who are the 99% need to have a support system, people with similar goals, text groups and accountability partners to motivate us on our down and lazy days. Now, if you aren’t sure where to find ‘those’ people, start with your circle. Find out from friends, neighbors and ask if they’re interested in starting for example a mall walking group, joining a class etc. If that isn’t successful, you can find fitness groups online via social media. There are no excuses. There is a group for everyone out there.

Little Habits = Big Results. Friends, if you’ve been with me on this journey for a couple of years now, you’d notice that I’m very skeptical about instant results especially when it comes to diet, health and weight loss. Not only does it take a toll on your body, but your brain hasn’t had enough time to master or take on new habits. Anything too fast or hastily done in my opinion isn’t sustainable. Start by tweaking the little things and slowly override the old you with who you want to become by imbibing new habits and better lifestyle choices.

2022 has been a good year. Life is seemingly back to ‘normal’. To all the readers of Periwinkle Starr, thank you for being a part of my journey. Thank you for the likes, comments and follows. The new year will be even better. Until I come your way again, be safe, upbeat and have a Happy and Amazing New Year!

Periwinkle Starr

(P.S. All photos are culled from the internet).

Meal Planning During the Ember Months!

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Hello Y’all! I hope you are doing well in your corner of the world. It’s been a minute since my last post, and it’s been very busy but also very good. It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christm ahem…Fall and I’ve officially switched out my Summer garb for Fall. One of the things I love to do each year is go through the house and gather all the items I have but don’t use – and I know deep down that I may never ever use – and donate them to the community thrift store to help families in need especially at this time of the year. It’s awesome because I not only get to declutter, but I narrow my chances of ever becoming a hoarder in the future. It’s a win- win for both parties!…atleast I think so.

Anyways, as the year begins to wind down and the festivities kick in especially with parties, dinners, sweet treats and tons of sugar, I feel like the only way to balance it out can be achieved by planning my meals so that I’m nourished and not starving myself; but also controlling my portions so when I’m out and about, I can enjoy myself without feeling any guilt.

Culled from Freepik.com

When it comes with meal prepping, you first of all have to have a goal and know how you’re going to execute it. You have to prepare for shopping for foods YOU like to eat but are also healthy for you. Please don’t just follow all those YouTube videos prepping foods off someone else’s menu. This is one of the reasons why meal plans very often fail within the first few weeks.

A Few Things To Consider When Meal Planning

Pick a day to go shopping for ‘small’ food storage containers, cooking utensils, groceries and condiments. Block out a time for meal prepping.

Only make meals for a couple of days at a time. I usually prep for a five-day work week or four days; and I give myself a cheat day – this is when I get tired of eating my own food and just want to switch it up.

Create some variety. Having overnight oats with berries or an oatmeal muffin or a slice of banana bread,….there shouldn’t be too many options so you’re not wasting food. Choose recipes that are super easy to make, easy to portion out and store in the fridge for a few days.

Make it a balanced diet. If you’re having a lot of carbs, starches or heavy recipes, portion control is important. You can balance that out with steamed veggies, lean protein or a green smoothie. There are a plethora of food options that make quick meals, are great, and gluten free. Some of my favorites include Cauliflower Rice, Millet, Quinoa, Bell peppers, Chicken, Eggs, Oats etc.

Limit eating between meals because if you meal plan, and snack throughout the day and constantly eat out…it pretty much defeats the purpose.

Benefits!!

By eating nutritious and homemade food, you cut back on unhealthy sugars, additives, calories and cravings. Weight loss. You save money – you get more bang for your buck. Above all, your body will thank you for it.

Folks, the holidays are here, and most diets go out the window before it even begins. One way of not losing all the progress you’ve made is to find some balance where you can enjoy it all without the guilt. Until I come your way again, I hope you enjoy the weather, attempt to meal plan and see how it goes. Be safe and have a fun month!

Periwinkle Starr

Getting Out of My Own Way!

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Hello Y’all! I hope you are doing well in your corner of the globe. We are in the Ember month already and slowly winding down to the end of another great year. In the last month, I have embarked on a journey of changing up what I’d call my norm. I started out small with changing up my routes to work every week and then trying out new foods when grocery shopping. I tend to head straight to the produce I like to eat and skirt past anything that looks odd, has a weird name or looks like it would be too much of a hassle to prepare. But I’m getting out of my own way. I didn’t know I would be sharing my journey on here, so a majority of the photos are from the net. But I discovered some pretty amazing things. I would purchase something randomly, google and ask questions about it then I’d try it. These are my findings:

Jicama – Looks like a root but full of fiber and reportedly great for digestion, heart disease, fights cancer, boosts brain function, a substitute for high carb foods and getting rid of bad cholesterol amongst other things. Not sure it’s going to be my favorite staple going forward but I tried. It has an earthy but mildly sweet taste when eaten raw. I boiled it then placed it on a baking sheet and baked it.

Culled from the Internet

Dragon Fruit – So far, this was my favorite option. This is a really delicious fruit that’s even sweeter when ripe. It’s great for digestion and gut health, weight loss, hair health, improving skin radiance, helps improve asthma conditions.

Culled from the internet

Kiwano Melon – Also known as a horned melon is a beautiful fruit; something I would rather place on my shelf for decorative purposes than eat. When cut open, it looks like a cross between a cucumber and a kiwi. It has a salty taste to it and a little tang; and has so many nutritional benefits such as antioxidants, weight loss, lowering blood sugar levels, helps red blood cell reproduction, improves mood, and much more. It’s a little on the pricy side depending on where you are but worth trying.

Barley Tea – An east Asian drink made from roasted barley and reportedly aids in weight loss, blood sugar regulation, aids digestion, and may improve male fertility problems. Well, I tried it. Its tasteless and usually drank unsweetened. It has a mild hint of bitterness to it as well. More benefits include sleep regulation, curing the common cold, blood thinner, lowering bad cholesterol and improving weight loss. However, this drink isn’t the best for gluten sensitive individuals or those with celiac disease.

Culled from the internet

Sesame Seeds (White) – This an awesome addition to smoothies. It is tasteless with a hint of grain. It’s a great source of fiber, lowers bad cholesterol, very good plant protein source if you are vegan, reportedly lowers high blood pressure especially systolic numbers, supports healthy bones, reduces inflammation in the body, a great source of B vitamins, helps stabilize blood sugar, helps blood formation, rich in antioxidants, hormone regulation, bone and immune support.

Periwinkle Starr

Folks, I have spent the last month getting out of my normal routine and expanding my experiences in my little corner in North Texas – and it’s been refreshing if I must say, and I would like to keep at it going forward. I remember a saying by Hippocrates ‘Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food’. My only way of finding out is to try. Until I come your way again, don’t just skirt by those unknown produce in the grocery store or farmers market, be curious, ask questions or better still – try it!

Periwinkle Starr

Summertime Shenanigans: GF Baking with a Twist!

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Hello Y’all! Thank you for stopping by. I hope you are doing well in your part of the world. It’s been a whirlwind of sorts lately but well worth it. We’re officially in three-digit temperatures and it’s getting unbearable by the day, but this is Texas, and the desert heat does not play….at all. Summer is the best time for the outdoors. It’s a great time to hike, swim, attend crawfish boil parties, go salsa/bachata dancing, go to the beach, outdoor concerts, do touristy things in your city like checking out local restaurants in your area, visit historic sights, and have fun in the sun – while wearing floral prints and enjoying every minute of it.

It’s the weekend and one of my favorite times to try out new recipes but also doing my best to incorporate healthy ingredients when I can. Today I am trying out a GF Yellow Cake Mix but adding my own twist to it. Being one to skip breakfast on a regular basis, having a healthy-er snack late in the morning will tide me over until lunchtime. Instead of reaching for a sugar filled, calorie dense treat, I feel like this recipe is a much better option.

Update on Health Goals

Culled from my food diary

I’m still on track with eating healthy but also staying fit by being active every other day. One of the things I’ve done recently is trying out new and unknown veggies when I go to the shops. For some, this is the norm but those of us who have that ‘stick to what you know’ mindset, it’s a big step…in the right direction. Bok Choy has been my latest addition and I find it to be an interesting option but also very filling. I’m looking forward to what my next experiment will be. Now let’s get back to baking, shall we?

Typical Cake Mix Ingredients: 3/4 Cup of Water, 1/2 Stick of Butter, 2 tsp GF Vanilla and 2 Eggs. My Added Ingredients: 1/2 Cup of Roasted Salted Almonds, 1/2 Cup of GF Oats, 2 Scoops of Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, Monk Fruit GF Sweetener, 2-3 Scoops of GF Baking Flour. Utensils: Mixing bowl, measuring cups and spoons, 2 Baking Pans – To get flat square feel, and a spatula.

Let’s Go! Combine the cake mix ingredients together in a bowl. Add oats and mix. Add GF Flour. Keep mixing and set aside. In a small bowl, mix the cocoa powder and sweetener and set aside. Chop the almonds and place to the side. Grease both pans and add a dash of GF flour. Pour in the batter into the pans and spread around. Sprinkle in the almonds and lightly mix without letting the spoon go all the way down to the bottom of the pan. Using a spoon drizzle 3 tablespoons or more per pan of the cocoa mix on top and with a plastic knife or chopstick, run through the batter to get that lush chocolate swirl design. Bake at 350F with constant checks until the cake separates from the edges of the pan and the top is golden. Toothpick checks every 15 minutes is great.

Tips: This turned out great, but it had a slight hint of dryness. I would add an extra tablespoon of butter to the batter in my next attempt. Folks I missed writing, but I sure am glad to be back. Feel free to share any healthy twists you are incorporating into your favorite recipes. Until I come your way again, I hope like me, you keep enjoying life and working on your health goals. Please like, comment and follow http://www.myeamba.com for more!! I remain,

Periwinkle Starr

Summer Vacation Aftermath!

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Hello Y’all! It sure feels great to be back with another post. I hope you are doing well in your corner of the globe. I just got back from a much needed and well-deserved vacation, and I made a vow to myself to not ever go for long periods without actually taking the time to pack my bags and go SOMEWHERE, because stay-cations don’t cut it anymore. I turned off my phone and didn’t give a thought to work all the while I was gone. I did glance at my emails every now and then to make sure no one was harming themselves or getting into any crazy mischief while I was gone…Ha ha! Buy yes, its so nice to come to you with another post. Its amazing how getting time off to rest does wonders for every part of my being.

Vacations for me mean that ALL diets are off or in some way reduced to the barest medium. One thing I did as soon as I returned was to take a dose of a gentle laxative to clear my gut of any and all the junk I ingested,….in many ways, giving my digestion somewhat of a fresh start. Also drinking a lot of fresh clean water to rehydrate my body is something I’m incorporating.

Staying Focused and Loving Every Moment of It.

Culled from the internet

Some of the things I am incorporating post vacation have been helpful to me and my hope is that it helps someone else enjoy their time off without guilt but also get back in the saddle when they return home.

Big Volume, Low Carb Foods. The list is long and instead of just listing the foods on here, I’m including links to some of the youtubers that have been tremendously helpful in steering me in the right direction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIOk6o5_xS8; and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvaJfRtrJxg

Walk at least 10,000 steps a day. You can build up your resistance to do more. In my case, doing one loop around my favorite trail gets me 5000 steps so my goal is to do two loops and try to build my stamina as I go. It’s so hot in North Texas this period, my plan is to walk indoors…..instead of burning in the heat.

Don’t Deprive Yourself. Find healthy alternatives for the treats you love. I recently found a GF chocolate cookie mix and I’m going to try it out.

Try Dry Packaged Soup Mixes. These are not only healthy for you, but they are easy to make and keep you full for longer while supporting your weight loss goals.

Never Compromise on Sleep. People gain weight when they are stressed. Cortisol levels rise and the body goes into hibernation mode. This stems from the early man having to weather all kinds of hardships to survive – like harsh winters, famine and only God knows what…maybe fighting off dinosaurs? LOL! At least 7 to 8 hours will do great for your body, your mind and your emotions. If you can’t afford to sleep that long, consider taking short 30 minute to an hour-long nap during the day. That will help tremendously.

Get Your Fiber Intake Up. A diet rich in fiber helps with weight loss and an overall balanced diet. The times I’ve seen myself pack on the pounds was when I was eating a lot of high carbs, starchy and sweet foods. Fiber helps speed up your weight loss.

Stay Positive. You are what you think and if you believe you can, you will. Real and healthy weight loss takes time and is not a quick fix. It slowly gives your body time to adjust instead of the shock the body receives when you cut corners. Unless its life threatening, I’m really concerned about surgeries, or those trips people make to developing countries to get all kinds of procedures done.

Having Courage to Deal with Emotional Baggage. Sometimes, weight gain may be due to natural causes – a slow metabolism, thyroid issues or more. Other times, it could be due to an unresolved issue that triggers incessant snacking, binge eating or not eating at all. Doing the best to face up to any emotional issues clears me of any reasons I have to not lose weight or maintain a healthy body and instead focus my attention on resolving any medical issues or underlying conditions.

Folks, it’s so nice to be back home and writing again. Please like, comment and follow. Until I come your merry way again, I remain

Periwinkle Starr