My name is Roxanne, and I have a passion for natural health and wellness. My job at Swanson Health Products also allows me to research and review supplements, cosmetics, health foods, and various other items that can help us to lead healthier lives. I graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition and a minor in Chemistry. I am also a Certified Group Fitness Instructor.
While my husband and I were both going to college, we had our two children. This is when life really started to challenge us: high stress, little sleep, and minimal free time. The college days are long gone, but our fast paced lifestyle with our kids and jobs is here to stay. Exercising, grocery shopping, or making a healthy supper is sometimes the last thing on my mind after a long day at work. In today’s world, grabbing take-out on the way home and watching an itinerary of TV shows in the evening is all too tempting.
We all work hard and deserve to be rewarded, right? Treat yourself with a long bike ride, make a new healthy recipe, or take the time to educate yourself about the benefits of supplements and health foods. The choices we make today determine the longevity and quality of our lives. We all want to age gracefully, and now is the time to make positive choices that can become permanent healthy habits for you and your family. Through this blog, I’ll be sharing some of my ideas and personal experiences to help you lead a healthy lifestyle.
As promised in my post yesterday, here is another hearty soup
recipe that is sure to be a hit with the whole family. My
favorite part about this recipe is that the pureed beans give the
soup a thick, tasy texture that is good for you!
Ham & Bean
Soup
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
1 chopped medium onion
2 Tablespoons
olive oil
1/2 teaspoon
garlic powder
4 cups (32 oz.) fat free chicken broth
2 cups cubed ham
2 - 15 oz. cans
great northern beans,
undrained
1/4 cup tomato...
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As the temperature dip well below zero, I look forward to making
two of my favorite soup recipes. These recipes are fairly
easy, and they are so much better for you than heavy cream based
soups or canned soups full of preservatives. There's nothing
better than a warm, hearty bowl of soup on a cold winter
day.
Chicken Wild Rice
Soup
2 cups diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 diced medium onion
2 Tablespoons
olive oil
3 Tablespoons
flour
2 - 14 oz. cans fat free chicken broth
2 1/2 cups...
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It’s a new year, and
many consumers are dieting with new resolve. Of 25 diets evaluated
by U.S. News & World
Report, the DASH Diet received top honors as the best overall
diet.
According to the report: “DASH was developed to fight high blood
pressure, not as an all-purpose diet. But it certainly looked like
an all-star to our panel of experts, who gave it high marks for its
nutritional completeness, safety, ability to prevent or control
diabetes, and role in supporting heart health. Though...
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When it comes to food and nutrition, even the most knowledgeable
parents can use help making sure their children are eating healthy
meals. Each March, the American Dietetic Association celebrates
National Nutrition Month®, and this year's theme, "Eat Right with
Color," encourages parents to take time to make sure their children
are getting all of the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. The
good news is that shopping, cooking and eating healthfully have
just gotten easier with assistance from...
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I recently found myself at the grocery store in
front of the taco seasoning packets searching for an ingredient
listing that didn’t remind me of chemistry class: monosodium
glutamate, autolyzed yeast extract, sugar, caramel color, and
sulfites. Why would anyone want to ingest these things?
I typically use natural food products, but this particular grocery
store didn’t give me this option. Knowing my cabinet at home
was full of spices, I made this homemade taco seasoning
recipe. Not only is...
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The sweet smell of pumkin and cinnamon baking in your oven is one
of the most delicous things about this time of year. Pumpkins
are a a natural source of carotenoids, phytonutrients that give
them their brillitant orange color. This recipe is a fall
classic that serves a dual function - gets rid of your hunger and
satisfies your sweet tooth. These muffins are full of essential
fatty acids benefits from the walnut oil and are sure to be a
favorite.
Pumpkin Oat Bran Muffins
1 ½ cups oat bran
½...
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Earlier this week, I shared with you the first of my favorite
muffin recipes:
Banana Oatmeal
Muffins. Today’s recipe is Blueberry Bran
Muffins--another great natural health food recipe. A lot of the
ingredients are available at Swanson Health Products, and you can
get the others at your favorite local grocery store or health and
nutrition store.
Blueberries are a remarkable super fruit loaded with beneficial
antioxidants. Their deep blue color comes from phytonutrients known
as anthocyanins....
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The aroma of muffins
filling your home is almost therapeutic on a cool fall day. I
have three recipes I regularly make at home, but I’m only going to
share one with you today. Watch for the other two recipes to
be posted throughout the rest of the month.
I always make my muffins in a mini-muffin pan, that way I get
“double the muffins.” The mini-muffin size is perfect when
you pair a muffin with a piece of fruit, yogurt or
organic raw
nuts. It’s also the perfect size for my kids if they...
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During
the school year, my kids spend the majority of their day at
school. They start off their day having breakfast at school
with their friends and end their busy day with after school
activities. In response to some complaints from my kids this
year, I have put together a list of my favorites to save them from
a long day with dry hands or lips, dirty glasses, or a raging
appetite.
Swanson Premium
Hand & Foot Therapy Cream - Classrooms sometimes have hand
sanitizers, sanitizing wipes and hand...
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