Recipe for Radiant Skin

Stop wasting your money on ineffective skin products and get to the root of the problem. Skin issues are a sign of an internal imbalance. Making a few tweaks to the foods you eat can clear up your skin and that drug store habit.

Learn how with my Recipe for Radian Skin on NBC.

5 Tips to Save Your Money & Your Health

Do you feel like you are just hanging on right now?

Between the economic news and the harsh weather, I hear from a lot of people who are ready to throw in the towel. And I’m not talking about the Steeler Terrible Towel I’ll be waving manically today during the Super Bowl.

I can’t give you any advice on dealing with the weather because frankly, I’m over it too. I tried to appreciate the season for the slower pace, sleeping and relaxing more but, at this point, I’d rather relax in the some warm weather.

The sun will come out again and so I’m providing details on a Boot Camp program myself and the talented Dr. Lipkin will host starting Wednesday, March 11th for women in the Philadelphia region who want a head-start on getting their bodies and minds into shape. Space is limited and based upon how quickly our past workshops have filled up, the sooner you sign up, the better. Check out details on my blog here under “Events”.

Now onto five simple and easy ways to save money in terms of your health-care spending. By that I mean your groceries and lifestyle habits:

1. Replace your store bought cereal with whole grains. Boxed cereal can cost upwards of $5.00. It’s more expensive than steel cut oats, quinoa or buckwheat (all economical whole grains that average $2.50 per pound) and you aren’t getting real vitamins and minerals. This leaves you hungry and cranky because you have to eat and spend more to feel satisfied.

2. Add chickpeas to your diet for a protein source. Chickpeas = Cheap. At about 99 cents a can, you can’t lose. They are great to make hummus, add to salads or throw into soups to make them more hearty. You can even grind uncooked chickpeas to use as flour.

3. Buy vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, potatoes, carrots and onions. These vegetables last longer in the fridge and won’t spoil as quickly as other foods—although I hear a McDonald’s meal doesn’t decay for six years! And because vegetables contain so many filling nutrients (like fiber), you eat less when they are a staple in your diet.

4. Try a free online yoga class. Stress sends off a flurry of hormones in your body that fuels your appetite and inflammation, which means more money on food and medication. By integrating stress management techniques like yoga into your routine, your body becomes more efficient at using the food you eat and cooling down, thus lowering your grocery and medical bills. Not to mention you are just more fun to be around and then, who knows, maybe someone will even treat you to dinner. Check out yogatoday.com or freeyogaonline.com for classes that range from 20 minutes to an hour.

5. Integrate gentle ways to detox your body. Many people spend uber amounts of money on drastic detoxing or flying off to spas. The spa part I get, but for those of us who don’t have that option, there are great ways to do this at home. Check out my TV clip, posted under “Media Appearances” here on my blog for easy and effective ways to detox daily.

If the Steelers lose today, I may fall of the cliff. If they win, I’ll jump off in excitement. Either way, I’m making a move. I hope you will too…with just one simple change that will get you closer to your best, most healthy self.

Be well,

Ali

Hunker Down and Watch Some Football Turkey Chili

I made this chili on Sunday as I watched the Steelers and Eagles pull out feel good victories in the NFL playoffs. It comes from the Healthiest Meals on Earth Cookbook.

I made some adjustments so the recipe would be gluten-free. If you are GF too, make sure your spices are GF as companies use gluten as an anti-caking agent in spices. I know McCormick spices are GF.

This chili is so wonderful and warming. It makes enough for meals through out the week…or if your team is still in the playoffs, for another football Sunday.

Turkey Chili with Cashews and Kale

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes

Ingredients

1 T of Olive Oil
1 yellow onion, finely diced
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
1.5 pounds of ground turkey or chicken
1 tsp dried oregano
2 T chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp cayenne pepper (I omitted this)
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup of gluten free beer (Red Bridge is a great choice)
2 T tomato paste
1 can of kidney beans, drained
1 can black beans, drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup of colored bell pepper (I used frozen peppers)
1 small zucchini or yellow summer squash, sliced into half rounds
1 cup kale, stemmed and torn into bit-size pieces
1 carrot, grated (I just thinly sliced the carrots)
1/4 cup of cashews. chopped (put in a plastic bag and use a hammer to chop)
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 to 2 T fresh lime juice, optional

In a 4-6 quart saute pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the turkey and cook until browned, for 5-6 minutes. Add the oregano, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and salt and saute for 2 minutes. Pour in the broth and beer. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the kidney beans, black beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, zucchini or squash, kale and carrot.  Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cashews and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Add the cilantro and lime juice, if using.

Enjoy!