*BREAKFAST* Whats that?

The saying "BREAKFAST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY" is very true. I learned the hard way. I use to skip breakfast all the time because I was in a rush,  I wanted to push snooze for 30 more minutes, (I know you guys can relate, best sleep ever is while pushing snooze hahaha), and I did not like to cook so "ya" breakfast was a "no go" for me. By lunch time I had absolutely no energy because I had nothing in my system to fuel me. I didn't feel like working, I was a lil more irritable, and all I could think about was my growling stomach. Then I would rush and go pickup some sort of fast food for lunch which made me full but it was not nutritious at all. By the end of the day I literally wanted to climb in bed, and not do anything. My body was not getting proper nutrients. This was taking a toll on me and I could feel it. I decided to try the whole "eating breakfast" every day for a month and see if it really helped. I made myself wake early so I could make sure I did not skip this meal. It was a struggle at first because I was never hungry first thing in the morning. I guess I had trained my body that it wasn't eating until mid day lol. 

To my surprised eating BREAKFAST helped. Now as soon as I wake up within 15 minutes my stomach alerts me to feed it. This happens no matter what time I wake. I need breakfast now daily, its not an option. Yes at times if I have to wake at 6:00 am I will wake at 5:00am to eat. It takes discipline, but its so worth it. I feel so much better and have tons of energy "maybe to much" haha,  but it allows me to get things done. We must do better to take care of the only body we have been blessed with. When something goes wrong you cant just go swap body parts, so start today taking care of the one you have. Start with eating breakfast. If you are in a rush then at least eat some fruit. EAT SOMETHING and not a donut, candy, or cookies and think thats going to get you through the day "ITS NOT" LOL. You need some good food that will help give you more energy,  help control your blood sugar levels and will help you concentrate. CLICK HERE for more reasons to eat breakfast. YOUR BODY WILL THANK YOU PROMISE ;-)

 You can't go wrong with a plate of delicious fruit. Your body will jump for joy. You wont need a mid-day cup of coffee or terrible energy drink. Super Foods will give you all the energy you need. Try it You wont be disappointed.

 Gluten Free Pancakes- CLICK HERE  for  recipe on how to make the pancakes from scratch. Or you can pick some up from a healthfood store. This will help if you prefer something more filling than fruit. This will help keep you going until its time to eat lunch.

Eggs are also a great way to add something more filling to your morning. This is a mixture of spinach and eggs.

Hope you guys are having a blast trying new meals and enjoying one of the best decisions you will make in life. "TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY"

Love yall, Happy Health
Shana Nicole

YUMMY *PINEAPPLE SORBET*

OK SO WE ALL HAVE TIMES WERE WE HAVE A SWEET TOOTH. 
Yes i'm very guilty too haha. I use to be a faithful mint chocolate chip ice cream indulger. I mean I use to eat it faithfully every couple days, another favorite of mine was cotton candy, its sooooo terrible for you because its nothing but unnatural flavors and tons of sugar ekkkk. "Want some pounds of fat on your body than keep eating tons of sweets and sugars" Of course no one wants to gain weight on purpose so we MUST BE MINDFUL and make changes. I decided I needed to find ways to satisfy my sweet tooth without eating so many unnatural sources of sugar. I started researching fruit and ways to make them taste like more than just plain fruit(Dont get me wrong fruit taste great on its own, but I like to make it extra special). LOL I wanted to feel like I was still having some of my favorite treats but in a much healthier fashion. You can find ways to substitute your food but its a choice and it takes MAJOR discipline. I don't want to make it seem like changing your eating habits will happen in the blink of an eye. There is no "magic gene" to instantly slap the taste of fried chicken, macaroni with dripping cheese,and chocolate brownies out of your mouth hahah. You must make a daily sacrifice, a daily choice to change. Decide which area you want to change first and start there. You become successful in different areas by actually beginning the process. DON'T CONTINUE TO PUT IT OFF UNTIL NEXT WEEK, next week usually turns into ill do it next month, next year etc, and before you know it you are further and further from your goal.


DECIDE TODAY TO RID YOUR LIFE OF EXCUSES.START TODAY, tackle which area you plan to change. This can be as simple as I will eat fruit for breakfast every day or I will pair foods and make sure I eat my veggies first before my pasta. YOU MUST START SOMEWHERE and stick to it. If you have to make a meal plan for each day do it, what ever will help keep you on track. Meal plans are very helpful and will help you keep order in that area of life. Find a friend who wants to make the change and you guys can hold each other accountable and also encourage one another when the temptations come knocking at the door. JUST DON'T GIVE IN. OK SO WHAT ARE YOU STARTING TODAY?? (Answer the question, make a plan and STICK TO IT) REMEMBER IF YOU SLIP UP >>DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP. We as people are not perfect so sometimes you may slip just say to yourself "Ok I had a moment and I have to get back on track" Just don't have so many moments that you are not making progress and you slowly slip back into your old habits. 


REMEMBER 30DAY HABIT RULE. MAKE HEALTHY HABITS TODAY. I promise it becomes easier over time. When I first decided to give up meat the first week was sooooo hard, OMG I wanted a piece of chicken so bad. Every time I smelled meat I wanted to go grab a piece, but like i'm telling you I had to fight the urge and encourage myself that I was doing something beneficial for my body. My body soon begin to crave what I fed it. You have to take CONTROL and tell your body what its eating, then it will begin to obey and crave healthy foods. Don't be afraid to have self talks lol, my self talks helped me reject my bad food cravings so many time's. Self talks are awesome lol. 

***NOTE: Become best friends with google, yahoo,and order books. I have learned so much from the internet and cook books. Again it takes discipline so you have to study along the way, then put into practice what you have learned. 


ARE YOU READY TO MAKE SOME DELICIOUS **PINEAPPLE SORBET** LETS BEGIN: 

***CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO LINK  OF THE PROCESS >> WATCH ME MAKE PINEAPPLE SORBET 

1. Fresh cut up pineapple then freeze over night 
note* ( you can use pre-frozen pineapple as well your choice)


2. You want to take the frozen pineapple and place in blender


3. Add organic or plain almond milk fill up half way a half cup or cup depending on how many pineapples you use. You want the mixture to come out frozen. To much milk will make it to juice like. Start with a lil and blend first befor adding more milk
note* (our which ever milk you choose)

 4.  Add 1 or 2 table spoons of organic maple syrup or your choice of sweetener ( agave nector, powered sugar etc)
note* (you dont need much because pineapples are already sweet)


5. Blend all ingredients and ENJOY YOUR YUMMY ORGANIC NATURAL PINEAPPLE TREAT 
 

HAPPY HEALTH GUYS,
Im so happy you are starting your journey to healthy eating. Let me know if you have questions along the way. REMEMBER Before making any drastic changes check with your health care provider.  

*Announcement* MY Makeup Artistry was published in EMERGE magazine
( www.emergeartsmagazine.com) 
I am so very excited and thankful. Just thought I would share with all of you. 
Photo below WOOHOO

Heart You All:-)
Shana Nicole,

Home Made *HUMMUS*

When you decide to change your diet be prepared to become best friends with your
kitchen. As I stated before I was not the person who loved to cook, the thought of me 
having to make my own food made me want to cry. LOL I wanted quick speedy meals,
Well my mindset changed when I decided to REALLY pursue eating healthy. 
"REMEMBER"
This journey is trail and error sometimes it works sometimes not so much". You will learn as you try new meals, some foods you will love and some you will toss in the trash hahah. Everyone's taste buds are different as well so you will have to play around with different spices to see which ones suit you best when you start to hand make your food. Here is a quick and easy way to make tasty SPICY HUMMUS :-) Lets get started.

You will need the following: 

1. Organic or regular unsalted chickpeas or garbanzo beans (I used entire box) They also have the dry beans that you can soak over night. I prefer the pre-boxed it takes less time and they taste better in my opinion.

2. 1 Table spoon of Organic or regular Tahini Dressing BUY TAHINI HERE
   
3. 1 or 2 fresh squeezed lemons or limes(you choose on your taste if you like more or less)

4. 2 red peppers(if you don't like spicy skip this)

5. 2 Fresh garlic crushed (Garlic is a super food especially to help fight off disease etc)GARLIC amazing benefits

6. A pinch of Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper, Himalayan salt or Sea Salt  ( again if you are not a fan of spicy simply skip this step)
 
7. Add 1/4 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of olive oil and blend and when its complete I top mine with Red Pepper Flakes and Sesame Seeds. "Yes I Love Spicy foods haha"

ENJOY, 
Feel free to let me know how yours turned out, & if you added anything to the mixture. I love to learn new ideas too ;-)

SIDENOTE*** If you want to make Plain hummas just mix garbanzo beans, lemon juice, garlic, seasalt, tahini, and olive oil.

Happy Health to you all,
Shana Nicole

SAYING *BYEBYE* TO JUNKFOOD

I know, I know you don't want to give up your ice-cream snack nights, you loveeeee to eat those cheesy nachos,  and that 3pound Burger. Well I am going to show you how to buy healthier foods for your household and make healthy snacks that's actually good for you. Now every once in a while if you get a craving don't beat yourself up if you have your favorite donut, cookies, or a slice of red velvet cake. Just make sure its not everyday. Grapes, Pineapple, and Apples are sweet and you can make yummy snacks with them. STARTING TODAY SAY NO TO JUNK FOOD!!!

OK ITS TIME TO GO GROCERY SHOPPING WITH YOU!! FIRST THINGS FIRST YOU MUST MAKE UP YOUR MIND THAT YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR EATING HABITS AND YOU ARE STARTING TODAY!!!! You will consume what you have in your home. You can train your body to eat and actually like what you give it. The saying is it takes 30DAYS to start or stop a habit. So tell yourself right now that you are starting your habit of healthy eating today. LETS GET STARTED WOOHOOOO :-)

***1. Make a grocery list (Super important so that you don't buy things you dont need)
***2. Do not go to the grocery store Hungry (LOL Im so serious you will walk out with stuff you have no clue why you purchased it but at the time your growling stomach told you to)
***3. Don't be afraid to use coupons (Hey save money where you can  my sister is a coupon queen and saves soooo much money I am learning from her)
***4. Shop online when you can Vitacost is an amazing discount vitamin and food online store click link to go to direct site>>> Vitacost. Another great online store is Shop Organic >>shoporganic  you can also shop at Vons online >>Vons. There are tons of other online stores, the ones I posted are just a few to get you started. Shopping online helps also if you are the type who prefer quick easy ways to shop with out standing in lines or waiting to find parking etc (Yup I am not a fan of driving but I love going inside the grocery store, so I make the traffic sacrifice for the "fresh produce" and the items I can't buy online hahaha)

FILL YOUR GROCERY CART WITH FOODS THAT WILL BUILD YOUR BODY NOT TEAR DOWN YOUR BODY. Below are a list of veggies and fruits to incorporate daily there are a ton, the ones listed will give you a great idea of where to start.

*KALE- Helps detoxify the body, boost your immune system and is filled with vitamin C,A,K and iron. Its a super food in itself read more here>>EAT KALE DAILY

*SPINACH- Helps clear up your skin, boost immunity, helps with cancer. Read more here>>spinach benefits

*COLLARD GREENS- Helps fight off many types of cancer some include, breast, colon, lung etc. Learn more  >>Collard Greens healing powers

*BROCCOLI- Can help with high Blood pressure, cancer, and is loaded with vitamins >>broccoli benefits

*CARROTS- Can help with vision, aging, cancer >>I love carrots

*TOMATOES- Taste amazing and are loaded with vitamins >>yummy tomatoes

*GRAPEFRUITS-Helps with kidney stones and detoxing the body >>Buy a grapefruit

*LEMONS- Not only are lemons a immune booster, can be used to eat and drink but they can help clear your acne >>experience the lemon rush

*APPLES- Long story short apples are amazing.org, bomb.com, delicious.net haha the saying goes "A apple a day keeps the doctor away " and I must agree >>apples will change your life

*BANANAS- For you athletes or energy drinkers out there try a banana. They give energy, taste yummy, and are packed with nutrients to fuel your body >>bananas are a everday must

*PINEAPPLES- Packed with vitamin B, C, Fiber and a ton of other nutrients how can you not add pineapple to your life. They are sooo good. One of my absolute favorite fruits. Read more>>YUM YUM PINEAPPLES 






FOOD PAIRING: 
Eat your fruits and veggies first before any rice, beans, seeds, meat(for those who eat meat etc.) Proper pairing of foods will help your body digest and break the foods down easier.
*A quick example of proper food pairing*
*Breakfast: A plate of plums, grapes, oranges, with a piece of toast after the fruit
*Lunch: Spinach and blueberry salad
*Snack: Fruit Smoothie with roasted cashews after the smoothie
*Dinner: Salmon (for those who eat meat), green beans, and rice. (Eat the green beans first always eat
 the fruit & veggies first)
*Dinner: (For those who don't eat meat)Veggie pizza with a romaine lettuce salad (eat the salad first)

Happy Shopping & HAPPY HEALTH :-) :-)

I LOVE FRUIT

YES YOU CAN GET  PROTEIN FROM PLANTS

YUMMY GREENS

ADD COLOR TO YOUR LIFE

"Spread LOVE, Share LOVE, Be LOVE"
 Shana Nicole 













Stay connected via Instagram or twitter at (loveshananicole) email galaxyqueen07@gmail.com

*OH MY GOSH* Where Do I Start?

You may be thinking I have no clue about eating healthy, where to start, darn it I don't even cook lol. Well first off I was just like you and had no clue where to start. I didn't even know how to grocery shop or what to buy. I was not always a cook, I barely knew how to make a salad lol but I'm so serious I was queen of fast food. Any thing that was made in 5 minutes or less was my best-friend, so YES I loved me a Whopper & fry, Big Mac, Chicken Mac-nuggets, Filet o Fish, Caramel Sundae etc. Regardless of where you are on your journey to health you are taking the right step by doing your research and deciding to make a change. Google and cook books became my college course. YOU can do it. This doesn't mean you have to cut out all your favorite foods (For you meat lovers out there haha) this just means you have to incorporate more nutritious foods into your lifestyle change. I have decided to exclude meat from my daily eating plan, but you have to decide what works best for you. REMEMBER eating healthy takes time. I have been on this journey for over 7 years and I didn't stop eating meat right away. There are several different options available to you. Let's briefly discuss five different diets.

1. I want to become a "VEGAN"- When becoming a vegan you will no longer eat soy, meat or dairy. This diet pretty much excludes any animal products. Some vegans also do not use any products that have been derived or tested on animals.(So lots of raw plants, fruits, beans, seeds etc)

2. I want to become a "VEGETARIAN"- A vegetarian cuts out meat of any kind. This is easier than  the vegan diet because many vegetarians still consume some animal products like milk, cheese, eggs etc.

3. I want to become a "PESCETARIAN"- A person who chooses this diet eats only seafood as their source of meat. This may be a good option for those who would like to cut out beef, pork, chicken etc, but feel eating "no meat" is to hard to start. As I said eating healthy is a journey and a lifestyle change so for some they may need to work their way up.

4. I want to try the "RAW FOOD DIET"-  The raw food diet consist of food that is not processed, canned, or cooked. At least 75% of the food should be consumed raw and uncooked. 

5. I want to try the PALEO diet- The paleo diet pretty much gives you much freedom when choosing what to eat. YES you can eat meat, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds with this diet. Paleo suggest not consuming dairy, grains, legumes, or sugar

I suggest watching the documentary "FORKS OVER KNIVES" it gives great detail into the journey of changing your eating habits. Click link>>> FORKS OVER KNIVES

Some great books I recommend are
"Veganomicon"  Purchase Veganomicon

"The Beauty Detox" Purchase Beauty Detox 
They were both so helpful and packed with tons of information and yummy recipes.

 

I will post meals that you can incorporate regardless of the diet you choose. This is all information I have obtained over the years. I am not a doctor and cannot give you a cure all. You must make the choices for your body by deciding on what works best for you. If you have any questions or need advice you can find me by clicking links directly>> tweet me >> instagram me and feel free to email me at galaxyqueen07@gmail.com 
HAPPY HEALTH :-)

I Heart you all,
"Spread Love,Share Love,Be Love"
 Shana Nicole