I Tried This Avacado Mango Milkshake

But with some modifications. I didn't have all of the ingredients at home so I had to improvise. I got the recipe from Whole Living, and the original serving size it 6, but since I didn't know what it was going to taste like I made enough for 2 servings.

Original:

-1 avacado pitted and peeled

-1 mango peeled, pitted, and coarsely chopped

-1 pint low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt

1/2 to 3/4 cup low fat milk

Directions:

Put it all in the blender!

La Vida Project's Recipe

-1 avacado pitted and peeled

-1/2 mango peeled, pitted, and coarsely chopped

-3/4 cup of plain non-fat yogurt

-3/4 -1 cup of low fat milk

-2 tablespoons of honey (not necessary if your mango is really sweet, mine was white and not very juicy)

Green Home Guide

Whole Living Magazine has a great post on making your house not only greener but a money saver. Such as buying things in bulk to save money and wasteful packaging; getting an energy audit to see where you are losing the most energy; donating electronics that still work, even though they are old, etc.

They also have tips for specific rooms and spaces in your home.

Instead of Dryer Sheets

Etsy seller Lucky Hanks has created wool dryer balls, to be used in place of dryer sheets. They help your clothes dry faster, which save you money and energy. If you want your clothes to have an added sent just add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. They are reasonably priced at $23 for a set of 6 XL balls.

Cleanse the Body First

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My ND (naturopathic doctor) recommends cleaning your intestines and colon every 4 months to keep your body regular and to reap the benefits of any healthy food you consume. I have just finished my detox this week. This consisted of me eating light, drinking lots of water, and taking a supplement that helps clean out my intestines and colon. Its called Super Colon Sweeper, and let me tell you it stays true to its name. You take it for 10 days 2 capsules before the 3 main meals. I lost 3 pounds during the process. I feel light and full of energy. So why do we need to detox?

When you consume food it doesn't always get digested properly and so it gets stuck in your intestines and colon, making you feel bloated and gain weight. This detox helps unstick all of the old food that has been sitting there for who knows how long and converts it to waste.

If you are think about changing your lifestyle to a healthier one this is the first step you should take. Not only will you lose weight but your body will be able to better absorb all of the nutrients you consume.

Yoga | Warrior Pose |

Prevention magazine has a great article on the warrior pose. It is an excellent pose that will help you learn how to keep your balance and tone your muscles. There are different levels of difficulty so practice them with caution. To read the article click here.

Recipes | Cold Peanut Noodles |

The Body and Soul website has a great recipe vegan noodle dish filled with protein-- Cold Peanut Noodles. For more recipes visit the website or their magazine in news stands and bookstores.

Serves four people

Ingredients:

1/2 pound whole wheat spaghetti

1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter

2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

1 1/2 teaspoons chili garlic paste

1 1/2 teaspoons grated ginger

1 teaspoon grated or minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/3 cup water

Directions:

Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water. Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, oil, chili garlic paste, ginger, and sugar. Thin with the water. When noodles are done drain and rinse under cold water. Toss sauce with pasta, and thin with more water if needed. Serve topped with a salad of shredded bok choy and carrots dressed with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a little toasted sesame oil. Season with salt.

Nutritional Spotlight | Cabbage |

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Cabbage is low in saturated fats and cholesterol, and it helps lower your bad cholesterol. It is an excellent source of:

-Calcium and fiber for stronger bones

-Vitamin A which is good for your skin and eyes

-Thiamin is good for the health of the heart and nervous system, and digestion

-Iron helps transport oxygen to our brains and cells

-Magnesium helps absorb calcium and makes teeth and bones stronger

-Phosphorus helps digestion of riboflavin and niacin. Also helps absorb calcium and makes teeth and bones stronger

-Vitamin C for a stronger immune system

-Vitamin K, helps your wounds heal faster and helps absorb calcium

-Vitamin B6 for your nervous system,

-Potassium which helps regulate your blood pressure and heart function

-Folate, for women helps keep an unborn child health, prevents cervical cancer, and for both genders prevents brain tumors, and cardiovascular problems

-Maganese which helps the metabolic, regulates blood sugar, immune function, calcium absorption

Other Benefits:

Helps people with breathing problems, helps with constipation, good for people suffering from frequent headaches, build strong bones, and lowering blood sugar.

How To Eat:

The most common way to eat is in a salad raw, but it can also be drunk in a juice form, and it can be steamed for a soup. To get the most benefits out of this powerful green is to eat it raw. If you decide to drink it make sure to do so within an hour of making it, because it loses its nutritional value. If you decide to steam don't over do it, make sure thats is semi-soft.

sources: vitamins-nutrition.org, nutritiondata.com, stbotanica.co.uk, health.learninginfo.org,

recipes.howstuffworks.com, nutritional-supplements-health-guide.com, oohoi.com, womens-health-symmetry.com

Welcome to La Vida Project

I am currently running a busy life: planning a wedding, running my own business, and finishing my bachelor's degree. With some many things to do in so little time it is easy to forget about the importance of taking the time to take care of one's health. This blog will remind me that I need to eat healthier but delicious foods, be more eco-conscious, and to remind myself take some time to relax and enjoy life's simple offerings.

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