Extended Vacation from Healing Cuisine

 Hi guys,

Okay, so first piece of exciting news going on in my life right now is we, Dave and I, are opening our new holistic health center TODAY!!  Wahoo!  We are bringing Maximized Living care to the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina.  We are called Triad Health Center and we are located in Greensboro off of W Cone and Battleground (in case you are near by!).  We have been working literally day and night on our office space for the past month getting it ready for tomorrow's official opening.  I can't believe our dreams and visions are finally happening!

The services we will offer include all of the 5 Essentials of health: specialized corrective chiropractic care for all ages, nutrition and detoxification consultations, fitness training, and mindset building sessions.  We are also hosting health seminars in a wide range of topics throughout the year.  We have a lot to offer to our new hometown and we cannot wait to get started helping and serving.  We want everyone to live to their fullest God-given potential!

If you live in or near the Triad area, we would love to hear from you!  Or maybe you have family here?  Send them my way!  I am looking for friends!!!  Dinner party anyone?  : )

Now, on to the second piece of news from my life right now...  I've learned quickly as we get Triad Health Center launched that my time is spread pretty thin already between the business and being a good mommy to my little man.  I've decided that I need to take an extended break from posting to Healing Cuisine.  I'm thinking the rest of this month should be a good time away, and I plan to come back in February with all of those promised recipes we made over the holiday months.

I am thankful for each one of you for your support.  Without you, I wouldn't keep Healing Cuisine going.  Thank you for sticking with me over the years and growing with me through this journey.  Your support and the community we have created mean so much to me.   I'll be back soon!  Love to each of you!


-- Elise

Ringing in 2013

Hi All!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways series!  All together, more than 35 people won some pretty awesome prizes.  Many of the prizes totaled more than $100!  I hope you all enjoyed learning about some new natural companies you can trust.  If you didn't win something this time around, stay tuned...  We have many more giveaways coming in 2013!

A quick note -- today is the last day to take advantage of the 30% SALE on the Season's Eatings holiday e-cookbook.  Download here today for only $9.99!  You won't see this sale again!

After all that hard work in December, I'm a little burnt out from blogging.  We have also been working basically 24/7 on finishing the buildout and set up of our new health center clinic space.  It's so exciting, we are almost ready to open and start serving our Greensboro community!!

I will be back soon refreshed and with lots of new recipes to share!  I have a list about 20 long to post!!  And, my hubby got me a new camera for Christmas, so we can all look forward to some (hopefully) better photography coming to Healing Cuisine...as soon as I figure out how to work all the settings.  : )

Coming up this week, I'll be answering some tooth and dental care questions AND sharing some new recipes we enjoyed this Christmas.  I still have to share my Cherry Crumble Bars recipe we enjoyed at Thanksgiving, too..  Lots of healthy food inspiration coming your way!

I hope you all have a safe and fun time ringing in the New Year.  We'll be having a quiet night at home with our boy and some homemade healthy food.  We're looking forward to relaxing with the fire and praising God for all the gifts he has given us this past year.  Here's to 2013 and all the blessings waiting for us!  Happy New Year to you and yours!

xoxo    Elise

25 Days of Christmas Giveaways: Day 25 from Tropical Traditions

It's Christmas Eve!  I hope you each have a wonderful Christmas full of God's blessings!  Enjoy your time together with family and friends.  God is so good to us!

Today is our final giveaway, Day 25, from Tropical Traditions.  This is another favorite source of mine for high quality organic coconut oil.  Tropical Traditions is the Gold Label coconut oil as they create their coconut oil (and all products) with the highest quality standards.

Tropical Traditions Gold Label coconut oil is virgin coconut oil, unrefined, and USDA certified organic.  This coconut oil is the good stuff, in the most raw natural state possible.  You can read here more details on where they get their coconuts from and how they turn them into coconut oil.  Very interesting and detailed.  It answers a lot of questions you might have about where does coconut oil come from?  I also liked reading their detailed page about where to buy coconut oil.  They explain what to look for on the label and why.

Tropical Traditions sent me a quart size jar of their Gold Label coconut oil to sample and review.  You all know how much I love my coconut oil.  We talk about it so often here at Healing Cuisine.  I am used to using Tropical Traditions in my kitchen.  I love the taste and texture of it.  It's easy to spoon out of the jar even in solid form.  The taste is very mild coconut flavor.  It doesn't overpower dishes.  That's how you know if a coconut oils is truly unheated and unrefined.  The taste is the most noticeable factor to tell if you are eating truly unrefined and unheated coconut oil or not.  If it has a strong coconutty flavor or even a rancid taste that you can't get past, that's how you know your coconut oil has been damaged/heated or refined.

Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil today!!

Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the  advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.

I used my sampling of their Gold Label coconut oil to make a couple batches of my "Candy Cane" Macaroons.  They turned out wonderfully and the coconut oil did the perfect job as the binding agent in these cookies.  We also enjoy frying our eggs in the coconut oil.  Coconut oil can handle high temperatures without burning, so it is the perfect oil to do all of your cooking and frying with.  My husband is a big fan of his eggs fried in coconut oil.  He loves the slightly nutty taste the coconut oil gives the eggs.  Add a little sea salt and I'm set.  We also add a few tablespoons of coconut oil to our hot coffee.  We blend it in the blender until mixed and frothy.  No need to spend money on lattes anymore!  Try it, you'll love the taste and the creaminess the coconut oil adds to your coffee!  I'm still working my way through the rest of the quart of coconut oil.

Tropical Traditions coconut oil is also great outside of the kitchen.  I use it as my body lotion, body lotion for my infant, lip moisturizer, hair conditioner, and eye makeup remover.  I also use it as my base to make homemade toothpaste.

Tropical Traditions is giving away a 1 quart jar of their Gold Label coconut oil to one lucky USA or Canada winner!  Enter below using the Rafflecopter widget.  Good luck!  And Merry Christmas to each one of you! Thank you for sticking with me through these 25 Days of Giveaways!  : )

Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of their quart size Gold Label Coconut Oil to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.  If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you.

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25 Days of Christmas Giveaways: Day 24 from Zevia

Congrats to Al P. on winning Day 22's gift of the 10 piece natural stevia assortment from Stevita Stevia!

Two days left of giveaways, including today.  On Day 24 I thought it appropriate to give away a 24 pack of Zevia natural soda!

If you're new to Zevia, the company makes 15 different flavors of natural zero calorie soda pop WITHOUT the use of synthetic or chemical sweeteners.  I think it's neat to read about how the company started in 2007 and follow its progression since.  They only started with three flavors!  And now they have branched out to make 15 different flavors to quench your cravings for other (unmentionable) unhealthy sugar-filled brands.  Zevia uses both stevia and erythritol (a zero calorie sugar alcohol) to sweeten its sodas, producing a zero glycemic affect product that tastes great!

Their flavor list includes: Cherry Cola, Lime Cola, Strawberry, Cola, Caffeine Free Cola, Black Cherry, Cream Soda, Grape, Grapefruit Citrus, Ginger Root Beer, Lemon Lime Twist, Orange, Dr. Zevia, Mountain Zevia, and Ginger Ale.  I have tried almost every single flavor from Zevia.  They are all equally outstanding in taste and quality.  If I had to pick favorites, my go-tos are usually Ginger Root Beer, Ginger Ale, or Cream Soda.  If you are in to fruit flavored sodas, the Grape, Orange, and Strawberry are all SO GOOD!  I rotate which I bring home with me from the store.  If you're looking to switch from drinking diet cola to avoid the artificial sweeteners, Zevia's cola options will help you kick the habit.  We actually recommend Zevia's colas to our patients all the time as a healthier option to cutting the chemicals out of your life.

Please note that Zevia does use the sugar alcohol erythritol in all of their flavors.  Their cans are lined with BPA plastic lining.  For Dave and me, we enjoy Zevia on occasion, around once or twice a month at most.  We personally try to avoid BPA whenever possible and we try to limit our consumption of sugar alcohols.  We do, however, still enjoy a soda from time to time and Zevia is our soda of choice.

Also, for those of you who have wondered in the past, yes we do drink alcohol occasionally.  We will use Zevia as our base soda for mixed drinks (e.g. rum and 'coke', moscow mule, dragonfly, happy skipper, ginger mint julep).

You can purchase Zevia at your local health foods store or online at Amazon.com.  Ask your store if you can order in bulk to save.  Often we can get 10-20% off on an order of a case or more.  Also, click this link for money saving coupons for Zevia!  Every penny counts, right?  : )

Enter to win a 24 pack flavor assortment of 12 of Zevia's top flavors!  One USA winner will receive two each of the following flavors: Cola, Caffeine Free Cola, Black Cherry, Cream Soda, Grape, Grapefruit Citrus, Ginger Root Beer, Lemon Lime Twist, Orange, Dr. Zevia, Mountain Zevia, and Ginger Ale.  Good luck!  Enter the giveaway below in the Rafflecopter widget.

And a very blessed Christmas Eve to each one of you!  Enjoy the anticipation and celebrations!

GIVEAWAY RULES

Enter to win a 24 pack flavor assortment from Zevia!  This giveaway will last 24 hours, from midnight EST on Sunday December 23rd until 11:59pm EST the same day.  Entering is easy!  Simply follow the various options below in the Rafflecopter widget window.  This Zevia giveaway is open to continental U.S.A. residents only.  There will be one winner.  The winner will be contacted and confirmed within 48 hours after the giveaway ends.  All entries are verified via Rafflecopter.

Come back tomorrow for our final giveaway as part of the 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways series!

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25 Days of Christmas Giveaways: Day 23 from Copy-Kids

Congrats going out to our two winners of Day 21's giveaway from The Organic Whey.  Marissa N. and Holly H. are each the winners of a pouch of The Organic Whey protein powder.  Enjoy them, ladies!  This is my favorite source for pure whey protein!

Today's giveaway has been a pleasant help in my home.  It's so funny, I have had this conversation with a few other Maximized Living moms....  When we're pregnant and already living such a healthy, green, sugar-free life we tell ourselves, "Oh, our kids will never get hooked on sugar.  They'll eat their green veggies and love them.  They'll be begging us to eat vegetables."  Well... It's time I publicly admit my 15 month old son has quite the sweet tooth.  It's often very hard to get him to eat his vegetables with lunch or dinner.  Or he'll eat a few bites, then opt to throw around the rest of his meal on the walls and floor.  The other moms I have compared notes with have had the same issues.  We want the best for our child.  We want our child(ren) to be the Super Baby they were destined to be!  But sometimes we need to laugh at ourselves and roll with the punches.

Today's company has really helped with the veggie eating issues Austin has been having in the past 5 months.  The company is called Copy-Kids, and they make a fabulous DVD designed to help young children get excited to eat their fresh vegetables and fruits.  Copy-Kids sent me a copy of their DVD to sample and review.  It is such a cute production.  I enjoy sitting down to watch it with Austin!

This is the first DVD in the Copy-Kids series, launched in January 2012 (just a baby itself!).  It focuses on Fruits & Vegetables.  Copy-Kids wanted to design a video that encourages positive habits in young children.  They acheive this by having our children watch and copy other kids eating the fruits and vegetables that we so want them to enjoy.  Copy-Kids unique take on healthy eating helps parents get their children hooked on healthy and positive habits at an early age.

This DVD is for children aged 6 months to 5 years.  The Copy-Kids DVD features 12 individual 7 minute chapters, one for each of twelve fruits & veggies: bell pepper, carrot, raspberry, avocado, broccoli, cucumber, blueberry, apples, tomatoes, strawberry, banana, and orange.  Each clip cycles through two or three children eating and enjoying the fruit/veggie that you select.  It's simply put together, and very intimate so your child feels like they are right there at the table with the children on the screen. (Read more about What Is Copy-Kids?)

When you put in the Copy-Kids DVD, it gives you the option to choose the type of food you are giving your child (e.g. broccoli, carrots, bell peppers).  What I do is place a plate of whichever veggie in front of my child, then turn on the DVD and select the same food.  It usually takes a minute or two, but Austin warms up to the children on the screen who are eating the same vegetable that he sees in front of him.  He smiles as he watches the kids eating their vegetable.  Then, I watch in amazement every time, he eats a few bites of his vegetable just as the kids on the DVD did.  Austin says “Mmmmm” and almost always finishes the whole plate as he watches.  Thanks to Copy-Kids, Austin is noticeably more excited and willing to at least try his vegetables even when not playing the DVD with is meal.  The power of kids wanting to copy other kids is so amazing!!  It really works!

If you get the chance to watch the Q&A at the end with the video's creator, Dr. Jay Gordon, pay attention to the answers he gives.  They ask some great questions that go in depth in to why organic is best for children, the best ages to start solid foods, why it's important to not start a "reward system" for eating veggies, and much more great information!  I am very impressed by the nutritional philosophy of Dr. Gordon and the mission behind this DVD.  It fits right in line with all of my values and everything I try to produce for children here at Healing Cuisine.

You can read more about Copy-Kids in the news and from other moms here on their press page. Why didn't I learn about this DVD sooner?  Seems like many many many other moms have discovered the power of Copy-Kids! 

If you've got a picky eater under your roof, I highly recommend giving Copy-Kids a try!  Start using this DVD while your kids are young, and healthy eating will never be a problem!  : )

You can purchase Copy-Kids from their website or on Amazon.com.

Copy-Kids is giving away a copy of their outstanding children's DVD.  You can enter to win in the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good luck!  This giveaway is open to USA & CANADA!!

GIVEAWAY RULES

Enter to win a bag of 50 Load Laundry Soda from Nellie's All-Natural!  This giveaway will last 24 hours, from midnight EST on Sunday December 16th until 11:59pm EST the same day.  Entering is easy!  Simply follow the various options below in the Rafflecopter widget window.    This Nellie's All-Natural giveaway is open to continental U.S.A. and Canada residents only.  There will be one winner.  The winner will be contacted and confirmed within 48 hours after the giveaway ends.  All entries are verified via Rafflecopter.

Just TWO more giveaways remain after today.  Please come back tomorrow for a chance to win a new prize!
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25 Days of Christmas Giveaways: Day 22 from Stevita

We have a winner of the DAGOBA Organic Chocolates 10 piece gift package.  Congratulations to Chelsea L.!  Enjoy those chocoaltes, Chelsea!

On to Day 22!  Today is my favorite source for stevia.  You've heard me mention this brand and possibly caught my rants on the Facebook Page now and again.  I use the Stevita Stevia brand in all of my recipes.

Stevita makes the purest and most potent stevia I have been able to find.  They grow their stevia plants on organic and environmentally friendly farms in Brazil and import their products into America.  What sets Stevita apart from every other brand of stevia I have tried is the potency of their products.  They use 95-98% pure steviosides in the making of their stevia liquids and powders.  The steviosides is what supplies that sweet taste to our tongue.  All other brands I have tried (and I'd estimate it's been 10 other brands in the last 5 years) have fallen short in taste and potency.  Most brands you can find at the store only use 40-85% steviosides.  The lack of pure steviosides is what gives you that bitter taste when using stevia.  You won't get a bitter aftertaste with Stevita's products.

I personally use the Spoonable Stevita Stevia in my baking (get the big container to save you some cash).  Their pure stevia powder is blended with natural vegetable-sourced erytritol (a zero glycemic sugar alcohol) for easy measuring and mixing while baking.  I also have the Stevita Supreme on hand for baking or quick "sugar bowl" needs like oatmeal.  It is a blend of their pure stevia powder with birch-sourced xylitol.  Again, easier measuring and you can easily take a spoonful and add it to your dish without going overboard in sweetness.  For pure stevia, I use Stevita's liquid.  I buy it in the big bottles to get the most bang for my buck.  They also make a great pure stevia powder, but for me it's really hard to bake with such a concentrated powder form.  I find it easier to count the drops from the liquid bottle.  But either option is available to you!

Stevita has given a great give package for one of you to win as part of our 25 Days of Christmas Giveaways!  They have included some of their flavored gums (mint and cinnamon) -- love their gum!  They flavor it naturally with essential oils and add xylitol for tooth and gum health.  You'll also receive a pack of their Stevita Supreme packets and 5 bottles of their liquids including plain, chocolate, vanilla, peach and toffee!  I looove using their flavored liquids in my coffees, tea, or smoothies.  So good!  You've got to try the toffee in your coffee with a little coconut milk.  Yummo!!

You can purchase Stevita Stevia for yourself at your local co-op or health foods store (most natural minded stores carry the Stevita brand now) or you can find all of their products on Amazon.com.

And now for the giveaway!  Enter below.  It'll be pretty easy to get in your entries this time.  Stevita is mostly based in Brazil and they don't have much USA social media set up.  We'll have one winner from the USA announced tomorrow!

GIVEAWAY RULES

Enter to win a 10-piece gift set from Stevita Stevia!  This giveaway will last 24 hours, from midnight EST on Friday December 21st until 11:59pm EST the same day.  Entering is easy!  Simply follow the various options below in the Rafflecopter widget window.  This Stevita Stevia giveaway is open to continental U.S.A. residents only.  There will be one winner.  The winner will be contacted and confirmed within 48 hours after the giveaway ends.  All entries are verified via Rafflecopter.

We only have 4 days left of prizes!  Be sure to come back tomorrow and EVERY DAY through December for a chance to win a new prize!  You can win multiple times, so please don't be shy to come back!
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25 Days of Christmas Giveaways: Day 21 from The Organic Whey

Congratulations to Rachel B. on winning the 2 piece stainless steel set from Eco Vessel.  That's an awesome prize Rachel!  I think you'll really enjoy the Boulder Bottle!

Can you believe it?  Only 5 more giveaways as part of our 25 Days series!  Thanks to everyone for your participation and support through this series.  I am so happy for everyone who has won prizes!  Today's prize is another awesome one from a company who has had presence here at Healing Cuisine in the past.

Almost two years ago, I filled you in on my favorite whey protein brand, The Organic Whey.  This is the best quality grass fed protein I have been able to find.  I love the taste, but most importantly I love how pure and high quality the whey is.

The Organic Whey protein powder is certified organic, from 100% grass fed cows, BGH-free, and gluten-free.  Their whey protein is also free of food colorings, preservatives, sugar, additives, flavorings, and anything artificial.  It is 100% organic whey protein powder.  That's it.  No other ingredients added. And that's why I love it so much.  It's so versatile!  You can flavor it however you want in smoothies, or use it easily in baked goods without an overpowering vanilla/chocolate/berry flavor coming through.  If you mix it plain with almond milk, or even water, it has a slightly sweet taste and tastes almost like milk.  Dave finds it very enjoyable as is and will have that after his workouts.  I prefer to shake it up with some Dynamic Greens and I'm good to go.

Another unique point I need to make about The Organic Whey is the way they process it.  They take great care in assuring the whey protein is kept as raw as possible.  Of course in order for it to be sold legally, it must go through pasteurization.  They do this at the lowest heat temperature possible to keep the proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals intact through the minimal processing required by law.  You can't find this anywhere else!  The Organic Whey is the rawest form of whey protein I have been able to find.  And remember, raw is a good thing.  You want to eat your food the closest to how God put it on the earth for you.  You'll probably find you can digest The Organic Whey more easily.  And you'll definitely notice a better taste!  Pure product equals better taste every time!

You can order The Organic Whey from their website or on Amazon.com.  They recently introduced a new size - 1.5 lb bags.  You'll save money that way and it reduces waste!  AND, they are hosting a giveaway of their own right now.  If you sign up for their newsletter, you'll have a chance to win a 6 month supply of The Organic Whey protein!

Today, they are giving away one 12 ounce pouch each to TWO WINNERS!  That's right, you have double the chance to win some The Organic Whey!  Enter below.  Good luck all!  : )

GIVEAWAY RULES

There will be two winners selected!  Enter to win a 12 ounce pouch of The Organic Whey protein!  This giveaway will last 24 hours, from midnight EST on Thursday December 20th until 11:59pm EST the same day.  Entering is easy!  Simply follow the various options below in the Rafflecopter widget window.  This The Organic Whey giveaway is open to continental U.S.A. residents only.  There will be two winners.  The winners will be contacted and confirmed within 48 hours after the giveaway ends.  All entries are verified via Rafflecopter.

We only have 5 days left of prizes!  Be sure to come back tomorrow and EVERY DAY through December for a chance to win a new prize!  You can win multiple times, so please don't be shy to come back!
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