Hot Pink Smoothie!

Six years ago my mom faced some health challenges that initiated her interest and later newly found passion for health and nutrition. Through her I've learned a lot and I'm grateful that she has educated me with the knowledge she has gained. This past weekend I had the chance to attend a free seminar given by Green Smoothie Girl with a few of my close girlfriends. She, like my mom, made lifestyle changes after experiencing health issues firsthand. Green Smoothie Girl shared some really interesting stories and studies that prove the importance of incorporating whole/raw foods into your everyday diet. Let me tell you that I have been converted! I am a believer! Maybe I'm just gullible, but it just makes sense. Of course raw, natural foods that come from the earth are going to be healthier than processed, cooked foods. Live enzymes are proven to help the body prevent/fight diseases and maintain the perfect balance that the body needs to live a long, healthy, and disease free life! Total epiphany! PS- did you know that raw kale removes 7 times its weight in toxins from the body??? Way cool! So I came home and unloaded everything that I learned at this seminar onto my husband. He rolled his eyes and had fun playing devil's advocate for a bit, but generally agreed that it makes sense. With a husband who's slightly on board, or at least supportive of me doing it, I have decided to feed my family at least 1 whole/raw food meal per day. The great thing about this is that 1) they are easiest and tastiest in the form of a smoothie. Perfect for a toddler to eat too! and 2) I already have an amazing Vitamix blender (thanks to my mom) that can blend just about anything and 3) I have some friends who are just as excited as I am about this. So let the fun begin! Here is Green Smoothie Girl's Hot Pink Smoothie that's entirely raw and absolutely delicious that I'd like to share:

1 cup 100% coconut water

1/2 cup ice

1 carrot

1/2 beet

1/4 cup chopped dates

1/4 cup raw cashews

1 cup of frozen strawberries

1/2 tsp vanilla

Welcome Fall

Fall is finally here! We started off the season with a little vacation to the East Coast to visit Matt's brother's family in Maryland, and the Spicers and my best friend Jill in Philadelphia. Matt has been extremely busy with work lately (which I am indeed grateful for) so some family time was much needed. It was great to see Rylan explore new things and places with friends and cousins. Matt and I realized that for the next several years vacations will be geared towards the kiddos entertainment more than our own, but that's okay. I love seeing Rylan have fun. We did have an adult night out at the comedy club. Overall it was a fun trip and a great way to introduce the Fall season.

Rylan and Ava at the Boston Aquarium

The kids loved this cool hardwood slide. They ride down on a potato sack. How fun is that!

Hay ride, apple picking, and eating amazing apple cider doughnuts! Now it feels like Fall.

This was by far the best and biggest kids museum I've ever been too. We could have been there all day.

Jill lives in this really cute town just 20 minutes outside Philadelphia called Conchohocken. They had their fall festival when we were there. Rylan loved the bouncy house and the fire trucks.

Valley Forge. Jill was a little more excited about this one then the rest of us, but I will admit that it was beautiful.

Rylan's birthday was the day after we got back. We didn't do much this year since we just had returned from a kid-filled vacation. He did indulge in a cupcake for breakfast (which he would have every morning if it were up to him) and Grandma Jorgensen and Uncle Austin took him to Chuck E Cheese for a few hours. Happy Birthday to my big two year old!