The Bright Side with Maddie Bee

[maddiebeebright]

Salad Season

And Hallelujah! Spring has come in all its glory. It’s so good, I’ve almost forgotten what winter felt like...... 

Almost.

One of the best things about the return of warmer weather is also the return of cravings for fresh, raw food.

That’s right, my friends... It’s salad season!

And what’s a salad without a bomb diggity dressing mixed in? ‘Cause let’s be real: without a great tasting dressing, a salad is just plain vegetables. And while I love kale, peppers, cuc’s and sprouts as much as the next nutrition freakazoid, I like a little tang on my palate too.

So in celebration of veggies’ great return, here’s a dressing that’s sure to please! Use it on salads, health bowl concoctions, even as a dipping or pasta sauce.

(If you’re a ranch dressing fan, this is the healthy GREEN alternative for you ;)

Creamy Basil Dressing 

(adapted from Eat, Drink and Be Vegan by Dreena Burton)

1/3 cup plain non-dairy milk

1/4 raw almonds 

1.5-2 tbsp lemon juice

1.5 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 small clove garlic

1/2 cup packed fresh basil

2 tsp (or less) raw honey

2 tbsp olive oil

Combine all ingredients in a blender (NutriBullet works beautifully) and puree until smooth. Add an additional tsp or 2 of non-dairy milk if you prefer a thinner dressing. Pour on salad/health bowl as necessary and store in the refrigerator for future use.

This vegan dressing is one of my go-to’s whenever fresh basil is easy to come by. Give it a whirl and let me know your thoughts!

[maddiebeebright]

Let's Brighten Up: Oatmeal

Ah, oatmeal....

The breakfast of grandma's and grandpa's alike- or so you thought.

Whole rolled oats are actually one of the best (and hottest!) breakfast options around. In their unprocessed form, oats are rich in minerals, fiber and may even lower your risk of heart disease.

So why aren't we all following grandma's lead and dosing up on oatmeal daily? 

Common answers include: 

1. "It tastes like cardboard!" 

2. "It doesn't fill me up." 

3. "I don't have time to make oatmeal in the morning." 

I used to think the same thing.... until I learned how to make it the (b)right way.

The recipe I'm about to share with you:

1. Tastes delicious (you're encouraged to spice it up with your own toppings of choice)

2. Fills you up and satisfies 'til lunchtime (thanks to coconut oil and ground flax seed).

3. Is quicker than you think! (takes 5 minutes from stovetop flame to finished product).

Hot Oatmeal- The (B)right Way

For a slightly sweet version...

-half a banana 

-1/2 cup whole rolled oats

-1/2 cup water

-1/2 cup milk of choice (or 1 cup of water is fine if you don't like or have milk around)

-1 tablespoon coconut oil

-1 tablespoon ground flax seed

See the video here for a full demo starting at 1:16 or...

Mash the banana in a small-ish pot. When all the lumps are gone, add the oats, cup of liquid of choice and combine. Turn the flame on low-medium heat and add the coconut oil and flax seed. Stir to combine and wait a little while (1-2 minutes). Mix in a little cinnamon or other spice if you're into that and after about 2-3 more minutes, your oatmeal will be bubbling on the sides and the consistency will be porridge-like. Cohesive, dense in a good way and delicious.

Transfer to a bowl and add any toppings your heart desires.

Possibilites include: granola, coconut shreds, nuts, seeds, almond or peanut butter, berries, apples- the more wholesome toppings you add, the more nutrition you'll be getting from this versatile, warm and quick breakfast.

For a more savory version...

Do everything listed above without the banana and cinnamon. After you transfer to a bowl, add sea salt to taste and stir. This version is best with a fried egg on top... great workout fuel!

Important Things to Note:

1. Keep an eye on the pot while your oatmeal is cooking- it doesn't take long... 5 minutes tops. It's good to stir continuously once those bubbles start forming. If you let it go too long untouched, you might have a batch of dry oatmeal on your hands- bleck!

2. See how I said whole oats only take 5 minutes to cook? So make sure you're purchasing the whole rolled (or "old fashioned") oats variety. Skip the quick oats and microwaveable packages. Those versions have been processed, meaning some of the health benefits and minerals have been stripped away. I'm not tryin' to eat oatmeal for nothing, y'all!!

3. Coconut oil is essential to making this breakfast one of champions. It's the ingredient that's going to satiate you 'til lunch and give you a nice dose of healthy fats- great for your brain and energy levels.

4. Make sure you're grinding your flax seed before eating it. You can buy it ground (flaxseed meal) here or purchase the whole seeds and grind them yourself with this. Grinding is the only way to ensure you're absorbing all the omega-3's and fiber contained in this super ingredient.

Check out the full video here for more reasons to add this bright breakfast to your list of morning options!

granny photo source

[maddiebeebright]

Maddie's Magical Miracle Health Tonic & Elixir

If this cold and flu season is bringing you down, have I got the solution for you.

I woke up one morning last week feeling achy, snotty and generally exhausted- out of nowhere! With a ton of work to do and errands to run, I drank a glass of the tonic described below and slept for a few extra hours.

Lo and behold, I was out and about that afternoon and by the next morning, felt like a new woman. I continued to have the tonic once a day for the rest of the week and can now tell you in all honesty that I dodged the bullet.

If you're like me and simply don't have the time (or desire) to be stuck in bed for days battling aches, pains, coughs and sneezes, try sipping this tonic every morning through spring and I can almost guarantee: you'll be in the clear!

1 tablespoon raw honey

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with the mother (I like Bragg's brand)

dilute with water (tap or warm)

Make sure to mix/dissolve the raw honey in the vinegar before adding the water. It'll make for a smoother concoction.

That's it! That's all it takes... and it's pretty tasty too.

This simple tonic's effectiveness is due to the truly miraculous power of its two main ingredients: raw honey and apple cider vinegar.

Raw Honey

is not your average bear honey. The label must say things like "never been heated" "unpasteurized" "raw"..... This will ensure that all the healing enzymes and microbes contained in the honey will be alive and well when you go to have a spoonful. 

is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-mucus. This means it fights off germs that are just making their way into your system and/or works to battle the congestion you may have already succumbed to.

is known to fight allergies. The more local the raw honey, the more effective in staving off those pesky pollen-induced reactions (it sort of works like a vaccine- you're getting a little dose of the pollen to safeguard your body from the full nasty effects).

has SO MANY other (internal and external) benefits that you can read about here!

Apple Cider Vinegar with "the mother"

contains proteins, enzymes and good bacteria (probiotics) that help ease digestion and detoxify the body.

boosts alkalinity levels, making your immunity powers go through the roof!

soothes the throat. It sounds a little crazy to suggest that something as seemingly acidic as vinegar can cure a sore throat, but A.V.C. actually turns alkaline once it hits the body. I've heard many a great voice teacher swear by the old "gargle with apple cider vinegar" trick when you feel a tickle coming on.

has been shown to balance blood sugar levels in diabetics. This is a big one and research is still being done- but WOW- what an exciting discovery!

has an even longer list of (internal and external) uses you can read more about here, as well as health benefits here.

As you can see, both of these naturally powerful ingredients have so much to offer... If you don't already have some in your kitchen, I'd suggest grabbing a jar of raw honey and a bottle of Bragg's apple cider vinegar next time you're at the health food store. Both will do wonders for boosting your immune system and healing you body as a whole.

And next time you're feeling achy, mucus-y or generally under the weather (better yet, BEFORE you are), give this ol' tonic a try.

To see the full video with an explanation and recipe for the elixir, click here.

[maddiebeebright]

Holy Hemp-nola

Can we just talk about hemp seeds for a minute?

What a super food. (But really, hemp seeds are technically a superfood)

Being back in the workout, muscle-building game, I'm all about finding legit plant-based protein options.

Hemp seeds are nutritional winners because they contain a boatload of protein (10 grams in 3 tablespoons), they're high in the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 and to- literally- top it off, they're easy to incorporate into many a staple dish.

When you're looking to add a slight nutty flavor to your snack or meal, sprinkle a few tablespoons of hemp seeds onto/into:

smoothies

salads

bowls of cereal

oatmeal

veggie bowls

batches of brown rice or grain of choice

I could keep going..... But I'll let you experiment for yourself.

One of my favorite uses of hemp seeds is in this fool-proof homemade granola recipe**. I've been making this stuff for years, so I can guarantee it's easy to make and oh-so-delicious.

HEMP-NOLA*

*adapted from Dreena Burton's Eat, Drink And Be Vegan

2 cups barley flakes

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup hemp seeds

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 cup almond shavings

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp blackstrap molasses

2/3 cup brown rice syrup

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

3/4 cup dried fruit (optional)

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients (barley flakes, oats, hemp seeds, coconut, almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt). Stir until they're nice and combined.

In a smaller bowl, mix the vanilla and molasses until molasses is thinned out. Add the remaining wet ingredients (brown rice syrup, coconut oil) and stir.

Add wet mixture to dry and combine (I like to use my hands for this part).

Take your parchment-lined baking sheet and spread the uncooked granola mix evenly. Bake for 28-33 minutes, stirring occasionally. When you remove the granola from the oven, allow it to cool completely and you should have yourself a crispy sheet of nutritional goodness.

Just break apart and store in air-tight container of choice.

And there you have it- the perfect breakfast, snack or dessert option for granola lovers and athletes alike.

Have you used hemp seeds before? What's your method of choice?

**The most difficult part of this recipe is finding the ingredients. Barley flakes are the hardest to find- your best bet is to check a health food store with a good bulk section. The same store should have everything else too- check for brown rice syrup in the sweetener aisle and hemp seeds in the- you guessed it- superfood section. Whole Foods will be your friend in this endeavor.

[maddiebeebright]

In this video, I share 4 simple steps to making your health and fitness goals a reality. Great for the new year or anytime you're looking to make positive changes! Check out the full blog post here: http://tmblr.co/ZYI01o1a8BO9L Want more inspiration and connection?  Email me at: [email protected]

[maddiebeebright]

4 Steps to Making Your Health and Fitness Goals A Reality

It's that time again when we're all resolving to be the best version of ourselves.

What better way to start on that mission than by following through with those long-held health and fitness goals?!

Maybe you've always dreamt of running a 5k or amping up your yoga practice to 4 times a week; maybe you want to lose 10 lbs or quit eating dairy- whatever your health goal is, these 4 steps will help you to make those dreams a reality.

Step 1: Dream a little dream.

This is the fun part. Allow your imagination to run wild with images of a strong, fit body or endurance like a first place marathoner. Go a step further and ruminate on how your life will change once you achieve it- maybe you'll be more comfortable in that swimsuit come summertime; maybe you'll have more energy for passion projects or spending time with loved ones.

Building up and maintaining your healthiest self will have far-reaching positive effects in every facet of your life- that much I can guarantee.

Once you have the big picture of your future fit self, narrow the vision down to a few attainable goal posts and get them down on paper through writing, drawing or vision boarding. Give yourself something concrete to refer to in those discouraging moments when you can't recall why you thought it'd be a good idea to attend spin class at 6am in the dead of winter.

Step 2: Make a plan.

Without a plan, most of us are toast. Wonderbread toast.

While a rigid schedule can be daunting to some, it is essential to have a "road map" to refer to, especially in those first few weeks of being on the wagon. Following a strictly laid out plan will allow your body to get into the groove of doing this stuff.

I know personally, it's been about 3 years since I had a consistent cardio routine but since the new year has begun, I've been running and spinning 3 + times a week and I feel fantastic! Sure, my leg muscles are taking some time to get used to it but I feel better and better after every workout. Inspiration abounds and my energy levels are way up!

In addition to planning your workouts, don't forget to make time for meal planning and food shopping. This is the other piece of the puzzle that will require a good deal of attention at first, but once you get the basics down, it'll become second nature.

Step 3: Be prepared.

This step is all about making the execution of your plan as easy as possible.

This means doing your laundry regularly, investing in new workout gear that makes you feel good, and keeping your kitchen neat, clean and well-stocked with healthy, energizing food options.

That's not to say you have to have 100% organic, fresh off the farm produce, but having and using a few simple go-to recipes*** will make you feel way better than most deli or restaurant options could ever dream of (plus you'll save lots of time and money in the long run).

My sis bein' prepared:

Step 4: Stick with it!

The most elusive of the steps and the most important.

While I can't give you a one-size-fits all approach for this one, the suggestions I can offer are:

Refer back to your original intention as often as you need to. Look at the vision board you made way back in step one; re-read the journal entry you wrote about how your life will change once you achieve your goal. This will hopefully re-ignite your passion and get you out of bed on those cold January mornings.

Make your goal a priority and decide to take action every. single. day. Even if it's a "rest day" from exercise, go on a nice mellow walk, experiment with a healthy recipe you've been curious about. When you make these seemingly small relevant actions a priority in the beginning, they'll naturally become integrated into your lifestyle and you'll be living on blissful auto-pilot.

Seek out support. Find a friend or loved one who's on a similar path and hold each other accountable. I'm here for you too, so email me any time. Really! I love connecting and I'll need buddies on this journey too. Maybe we can be fitbit friends :)

I hope these 4 steps help you in finally making your new year's resolution a reality! (Hope they help me too ;)

I'll be sure to keep you posted and pass on any tips, challenges and breakthroughs I find along the way.

See y'all in 2015!!! 

***Stay tuned for an upcoming post about the best way to stock your kitchen for a regimented life.

[maddiebeebright]

It's protein bar mania at grocery stores nowadays! In this video, I share a simple step-by-step process you can use next time you're at a loss for which protein bar to choose.

[maddiebeebright]

Choose This, Not That: Protein Bars

Anyone who lives life in the fast lane has probably noticed that protein bars are the standard grab-n'-go "healthy option" of the moment... New brands and flavors seem to be created and displayed on shelves everyday.

With all these varieties to choose from, it's become increasingly difficult to discern the truly nourishing choices from the candy bars-in-disguise and Frankenstein-like laboratory creations.

If you find yourself panicked in the protein bar section and completely baffled by what to choose, follow these simple steps to ensure you're making the best choice...

Step 1: Choose a few bars that look appealing to you.

Yep, that's right. Judge a bar by its cover. Is there a giant muscle man that inspires you to get to the gym? Or maybe there's an evocative picture of a tranquil cherry orchard that tugs at your organic-loving heart strings. Whatever floats your visual boat, I'm suggesting: go for it!

Step 2: Study the ingredient list.

> Is it a mile long?

If so, pass. Most packaged foods with novel-length ingredient lists fall under the "Franken-bar" category, and are not so bueno for your insides.

> In fact, if you see anything on the list that you can't pronounce or looks like a laboratory creation, try to resist. Sure, these ingredients might not be proven to do any harm, but the fact is: there are too many natural foods (like almonds, cashews or simple trail mix) you can grab in a hurry to risk eating weird "food-like substances." 

> If the first ingredient is any kind of refined sugar or sweetener (contents like "syrup," "sweetener," or words ending in "-ose" are tell tale signs of sugar), say goodbye! You might as well mosey on over to the candy section and get your fix there.

Once you've confirmed all ingredients come from nature and are mostly not sugar...

Step 3: Check the nutrition facts.

> The important components to check for are sugar, protein and fiber.

> Any good bar is most likely going to contain at least some sugar- and that's okay, as long as the sugar is kept to a minimum and comes from a fruit source like dates, banana, dried fruit, etc (which you can check for in the ingredient list). We want our sugar to come from whole fruit sources since those fruits contain fiber that will help slow the absorption of sugar in digestion.

VERY IMPORTANT: If your bar contains zero grams of sugar, buyer beware!! That means it most likely contains sugar alcohols, which have been known to cause digestive issues (ahem, diarrhea, bloating), weight gain and can aggravate symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome.

Sugar alcohols to look out for:

mannitol

sorbitol

xylitol

lactitol

isomalt

maltitol

hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (HSH) 

See what Yale has to say about them here.

So here's the abbreviated checklist to use next time you find yourself confused and hungry in the protein bar section:

1. All the ingredients come from nature. 

2. The sugar content comes from whole fruit and is kept to a minimum. 

3. The bar contains at least 3 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. 

A favorite brand of mine that usually falls in line with my prescribed principles is Larabar. The good news is: they're almost everywhere- airports, bodegas, even some gas stations!

Only two ingredients? Now that's whatcha call real food!

WOOHOO!!

What's you favorite?

[maddiebeebright]

The Answer to Your Prayers

Do you love coffee?

Yeah, me too.

Aside from cozying up in the evening and binge-watching Nashville, the single cup of coffee I savor in the morning is probably the highlight of my day....

Thing is, I've gotta eat something with said coffee or I go a little cray-cray (aka: I lose my appetite until mid-afternoon, at which point I majorly crash and burn; it makes me even more jittery than usual; and can be a little rough on my tummy).

Good news! I've found a great solution if you're like me and want your cup o' joe first thing but don't know what to eat with it that's quick, easy to grab and nutritious.

I present (the gluten free and scrumptious):

Perfect Morning Muffin

Based on this recipe (but tweaked by moi), I pretty much always have a batch of these on hand. They're great to make on the weekend and have for the Monday-Friday morning grind. Though they sort of go against my new rule of eating simply, I give them a free pass since all of the ingredients are things I keep in my kitchen as it is. And baking is fun!

- 2 cups almond flour

- 2 teapoons baking soda

-1/2 teaspoon salt

-1 tablespoon cinnamon

-1/2 cup shredded coconut

-3 large eggs

-2 mashed bananas

-8 tablespoons coconut oil

-1 tablespoon honey (optional)

-1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

-1 1/4 cup pitted and chopped dates

-2 carrots, shredded

-3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Stir flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and coconut together in a big bowl. Combine eggs, bananas, coconut oil, honey, ACV in another bowl then add wet mix to dry. Stir in dates, carrots and walnuts. Scoop heaping amounts of batter evenly amongst 12 lined or greased muffin cups, bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes and BAM!!

The answer to your morning coffee prayers.

Not only are these muffins guaranteed DELICIOUS, but they contain only natural sugars from banana, dates and honey + they're a great source of healthy fats (coconut oil, walnuts), fiber (carrots, dates) and plant-based protein (almond flour)- all great components to a nourishing breakfast :)

See, look, I gave you some weekend plans!

TTYL xo

[maddiebeebright]

Basically Simple

Ya know, the more I cook, bake and eat at home, the more I realize that sticking to basics often produces the best results.

I've read and used dozens of "health" cookbooks over the years- vegan, raw, raw vegan, gluten free- if it was a health trend and had a corresponding cookbook, I made at least SOMETHING from it. One thing these recipes all had in common (it wasn't "they were healthy") were their super long ingredient lists.

And it makes sense because you'll be hard pressed to find a good-tasting gluten free vegan cake that contains only 4-5 ingredients.

It'll most likely call for 3 types of flour, another powder to get the consistency right, 2 more things to create an egg-like substance.... You get the picture.

I've tried these recipes, folks. Sometimes they're delicious; but more often, they're strange, have an odd texture and don't taste like any cake I've ever enjoyed. 

What I'm getting at with all these words is simply this: Simple is best.

This seems especially relevant as we get into the holiday season when there's so much demand for classic recipes. Sure, I'll still be healthifying things to the best of my ability, but making a recipe that's main ingredient has to be ordered from Amazon and flown in from Bangladesh.... is off my Christmas list of to do's. 

The fewer ingredients, the better.

To prove my point... Did you know it only takes 6 ingredients to make the best waffles EVER?!

-1 mashed banana

-2 eggs

-1 3/4 cups buttermilk

-1/4 cup coconut oil

-1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour

-4 teaspoons baking powder

Stir it all up, pour batter into greased waffle maker and VOILA!!! 

I've tried making this recipe gluten free, fiber-heavy, vegan, spicy, etc but the simple 6-ingredient version trumps them all!

And since I'm only allowing myself 2-3 dining or drinking out experiences a week currently (more on that later), I'm putting the whole "cooking basically" idea to use e'ryday.

[maddiebeebright]

Watch this video to find out if I'm able to stay healthy on a road trip while only shopping at gas stations, rest stops and fast food joints.

Yes, we go to a Wendy's drive-thru!

[maddiebeebright]

In this video, I get into the how-to's of food label reading so you're better able to discern healthy bottled vegetable juice from liquid sugar in green clothing.

[maddiebeebright]

Choose This, Not That: Green Juice

You know a health food is all the rage when big food companies start to package and sell it.

That's currently happening with green juice.

image source

While I wish I could say these easily accessible green drinks are healthy choices, that would be a lie. And since I'm all about telling you guys the truth, here it is:

Fresh, unpasteurized vegetable juice that contains mostly veggies (with minimal to no fruit) boosts pH levels in the body and can lead to spectacular healing.

The thing is, most of the popular green/veggie juices you see bottled on shelves are anything but healthy.

How can you tell the weak links from the tried and true?

It all begins and ends with.... LABEL CHECKING!

Not the "I-see-a-pretty-picture-of-broccoli-so-I'm-gonna-go-for-it" kind of label checking; I'm talking about the nitty gritty fine print.

First things first, you want to make sure the drink is made of MOSTLY VEGETABLES. You can tell that very simply by reading the ingredient list.

Ingredients on all packaged foods are listed from highest content to lowest.

For example, when a list reads: "sugar, oranges, coconut," that product contains mostly sugar, a smaller amount of orange and an even smaller amount of coconut. Get the picture?

Looking at the ingredients in this bottle of Naked: Green Machine, you'll notice it's made up mostly of apple, mango, pineapple, banana and kiwi,*** with a teeny bit of veg thrown in at the end. (I won't even get into the "natural flavors" thing.....)

"But the drink is green, there's broccoli on the front... I don't get it." I know, it's kinda effed up.

It becomes even more apparent you want to avoid this drink when you look at the sugar content:

28 grams of sugar in a single serving and TWO servings in an entire bottle mean that drinking this whole bottle is equivalent to consuming 14 teaspoons of sugar.

I don't think those are the sort of health benefits Dr. Oz and Gwyneth are toasting to...

image source

What you want to see on a vegetable juice label are the vegetables listed first...... 

and the sugar content as low as possible...

Descriptors like "cold pressed" and "unpasteurized" up the health ante even further. That means the juice hasn't been heated, so a lot of the nutrients are alive and well...

Seeing "organic" and a local address doesn't hurt either...

Now you know: not all bottled green liquids are created equal!

So next time you're at the airport and think you could use a little alkaline to make you feel so fine, check those labels for ingredient order- veggies first, fruit last- and choose this:

Not that:

**** If you're curious about why I'm suggesting you avoid fruit-heavy juices, check out my last video here.

[maddiebeebright]

SPIRIT QUEST

I just returned from a glorious impromptu weekend in the country.

And thank God for that, because... CUT TO:

Last Friday, I was aggro. I was cranky, whiny, bitchy and insisted that, "I MUST take a break from the city..." Or else.

Lucky for me, I have the best nature-loving huzzband around, and at 6:30pm on a Friday, we beared the city traffic and made the 2 + hour trek to a little airbnb in Saugerties, New York.

Turns out, those 2 nights in the serene Hudson Valley, along with miles of brisk fall walking through the countryside, were just what I needed.

I returned to the city feeling completely renewed and inspired. The time spent in nature reinvigorated my sense of purpose somehow. It also made me consider the rather heavy, if not all-consuming question, "Where does spirituality fit into the world today?"

Yes, yoga is hot right now; sure, meditation is going mainstream and being studied using MRI's and other high-tech science- AWESOME! But what's become of good old-fashioned personal contemplation?

I know most of you reading this contemplate plenty. You wonder how we got here... Why? What we're supposed to do with this relatively short span of time here on earth. If you're one of those ponderers, you've come to the right place because I'm constantly questioning, continuously imagining, forever wondering. 

Early on in my California days, my mind was blown after growing up in South Carolina, and I read all the big names in new age/spiritual pop culture; I did The Artist's Way, I meditated, journaled, smoked pot, painted, detoxed, cleansed and self-inflicted rock bottom scenarios just to rise back up again.

All of these were feel-good pick me up's to be sure. Reinvigorating reminders, much like this weekend in the country was, but what about sustainability? Isn't that what all good spiritual teachings are aiming at? How we're able to maintain a steady flow of contentment throughout the inevitable highs and lows of life as a human being...

Well, I've decided I'm on a mission to get to that sustainable place. And unlike previous attempts at this endeavor, the buck stops with me.

Gone are the days of taking a pop spiritual icon's words or tips as 100% true, be all, end all philosophy. This time, it's up to me to seek out different modes of connection, try them and decide what floats my boat. I'm taking the blindfold off, no longer to be led. I'm heading out on this quest with eyes and heart wide open to guidance, yes, but perhaps more importantly, personal truth.

This truthful, tuned-in mindset is one I will continue to encourage as I develop this blog. Whether I'm sharing nutrition information, a recipe, spiritual inquiry, a workout suggestion, my travels, it's all happening along this personal spirit quest path o' mine.

So please, use the suggestions talked about here as a chance to tune into your own intuition to see if there's anything you'd like to incorporate into your lifestyle... or not.

While I certainly don't have all the answers- YET- I do have a ton of questions. And intend to have them answered in the most thorough and interesting ways possible.

So come along, no more hiding. Let's seek! <3

[maddiebeebright]

In this video, I reveal the truth about fruit juice. Find out why it’s not the immune-boosting health drink we’ve been led to believe. I also share some alternatives if you’re not ready to kick the habit.  Check out the full blog post here: http://tmblr.co/ZYI01o1VM4MbU Follow me @maddiebeebright: https://twitter.com/maddiebeebright http://instagram.com/maddiebeebright For more information, visit: http://balloonagency.com

[maddiebeebright]

Choose This, Not That: Fruit Juice

There's a big truth I'd like to share with y'all today.

Bottled fruit juice you buy in the store is not a health drink!

I can remember buying OJ in college, thinking it was a cure-all for any cold or sniffles I might catch on that heavily populated campus...

In reality, fruit juice is one of the last things you want to rely on when trying to boost your immune system.

The reason: IT'S EXTREMELY HIGH IN SUGAR!!!

Just check out the label on this popular orange juice brand:

22 grams of sugar in an 8 oz glass = 5.5 teaspoons of sugar

And this apple juice, a standard for toddlers and kindergarteners alike:

31 grams of sugar in an 8 oz glass = almost 8 teaspoons of sugar 

Ahhhhhhhhhh!

And just because the sugar comes from fruit doesn't make it any different from plain old table sugar. 

A couple reasons why having whole fruit is a better option than it's juice alone:

1. Whole fruit contains fiber (the flesh). Fiber regulates sugar absorption in the bloodstream, making for a slower rise in blood sugar levels. Over time, consistent quick rises in blood sugar can lead to all sorts of bad stuff like heart disease, cancer, weight gain, etc.

2. Many bottled juices have been pasteurized (aka heated and sterilized) to a point that kills all the natural vitamins and minerals found in whole fruit.

If you can't stand to give up your juice habit just yet, you might want to try these alternatives:

1. Pour a fraction of your regular juice amount and fill the rest of the glass with sparkling or still water.

You still get the flavor without all the sugar.

2. Juice your own! It tastes better AND fresh juice that's consumed immediately retains more of those precious natural nutrients.

Get one of these:

Or if you're really serious about juicing, one of these:

3. Eat your juicy fruit whole, fiber and all!

Now you know the truth: bottled fruit juice is liquid sugar. Dead liquid sugar.

And here on the bright side, we're looking for life! Vibrancy!

So next time you're feeling juicy, choose this:

Not that:

[maddiebeebright]

3 Takeaways from IIN Live

For those of you who don't know: I'm in nutrition school!

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of attending my school's live conference in New York City. It was such a treat, since most of our coursework is done online and over the phone.

The conference served as a great opportunity to be a giant room with like-minded people and hear the latest in cutting-edge information from experts in the health field.

Here are my 3 biggest takeaways from the weekend:

#1 WE GOTTA CHILL ON THE BREAD...

After hearing legit speakers like my hero, Dr. Weil; cardiologist and author of Wheat Belly, Dr. William Davis; and the courageous story of celiac sufferer and actress Jennifer Esposito, get into the dirty details of the way wheat effects our bodies, the message became clear: "gluten-free"is more than a fad- there's actually something to this stuff...

I could write a 15 page essay on the topic, because the science behind it is both rad and frightening! Main thing to know is: eating excessive amounts of processed grains (i.e. flours of any kind) can wreak havoc on our digestive system and, over time, disables our ability to properly absorb the nutrients our bodies need to survive and thrive.

"But I've eaten bread and gluten my whole life, feel great and never have digestive issues." Okay, cool! That's awesome! I wonder what would happen if you went without eating it for a month and then reintroduced it?... I'm serious- I really do wonder.

If you're a nerd like me and want to know more about how and why wheat is getting such a bad rap, check out this article.

To be clear, I don't believe in extremism- balance is key. I also like to practice what I preach, so I'm not saying: STOP EATING ANY AND ALL BREAD IMMEDIATELY! But I am saying, after all I learned this weekend, I'm definitely going to stay mindful of my wheat consumption and work towards elimination experiments in the future (which I'll surely share here on the blog ;)

#2 Mistakes are actually a good thing...

The very wise Catherine Colleutt spoke about mindset training- tapping into our subconscious to clear away any gross beliefs that might be holding us back in life. She insightfully pointed out that mistakes are really lessons on what we can do better next time. They're teaching points, rather than big, horrible, unnecessary bummers. We've just got to reframe the way we look at them.   

When you think about it, to fail or make a mistake of any kind actually means that we've tried something, put ourselves out on a limb and JUMPED! That takes courage and is in fact the only way we'll ever achieve our wildest dreams. Any successful person will tell you that their road has been paved with just as many (if not more) failures than triumphs.

So I say: let's get out there and start f*cking up!

#3 Community is Everything

After a weekend of being surrounded by cool peeps and making new friends, I woke up this morning feeling pretty down. I realized after a brisk walk (and some super emo park bench journal writing) that I need to be an active part of a community. It's really the only thing lacking in my life. In LA, I had my acting class and fellow waiter friends; in college, I had my classmates. Here in NYC, my daily life mostly consists of blogging, auditioning and going to ONLINE SCHOOL. It gets pretty solitary at times. After this weekend, though, I'm inspired to go out and seize opportunities to join groups wherever I can.

Starting with the Park Slope Food Co-op. I've got my first meeting tonight. I've heard more bad things than good, but I'm going to find out for myself.

Worst case scenario? It turns out to be a mistake- and now I know: that's not such a bad thing after all.

Happy Monday!