Fruit Art

So after work was over for me I jumped right into my passion, FRUITS...
I've learnt to carve and decorate to make eating fruits fun. ..

Loving What I do...

With each passing day I'm loving every minute of feeding Jayden, so much that he's almost a year and I didn't even notice... where did my little 7lb baby go. I bless God for his life, feeding him has given me a new purpose in life and has made me realise I can be a better me.

5 Healthy Eating Habits to Steal From Europeans by Morgan Kom

Cutting your risk of heart disease and stroke is simpler than you think.

They sometimes do things we Americans find weird (like wearing tiny Speedos to the beach), but when it comes to healthy eating, Europeans — specifically those from Spain, France, Italy and Greece — could teach us a thing or two. 

Their diets, referred to in nutrition circles as the Mediterranean Diet, consists of lots of olive oil, nuts, red wine, and lean protein. It has been widely touted as a top defense against chronic diseases and a sure-fire way to drop pounds. It’s also the most effective diet to protect against heart disease.

"This diet is about keeping you healthy and fighting disease," said Holly Andersen, M.D., attending cardiologist and director of Education and Outreach at the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute at New York Presbyterian Hospital. 

A landmark study published last April revealed that a Mediterranean diet led to greater cardiovascular health. The Spanish research team tracked more than 7,400 participants for nearly five years. These volunteers, a mix of men and women between the ages of 55 to 80, did not have cardiovascular disease at the beginning of the study, but were at a high risk for developing it (i.e. they had Type 2 diabetes, were smokers or had a family history of heart disease).

Two-thirds of the volunteers were told to follow a Mediterranean diet; the other third was instructed to eat a control diet. Half of the Mediterranean diet group had to use four tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil per day; the second half of the Mediterranean group were given an ounce of mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts) each day.

The researchers ended their study earlier than expected because the results were so pronounced it would have been unethical to continue: Those consuming a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil or nuts saw a 30 percent reduction in their risk of heart disease. 

Andersen told Yahoo Health that this study reiterates the notion that what you eat truly determines how healthy you are. “These volunteers did not lose weight or change their exercise habits,” she noted. “It’s not about what you weigh but what foods you eat that will help you fight disease.”

Adjusting your diet to incorporate Mediterranean eating habits isn’t hard. Anderson recommends incorporating these five foods into your diet for better health and weight loss — the Speedo, that’s your choice: 

1. Nuts. “Mix unsalted pecans, almonds, cashews and walnuts together and eat as a snack,” she said. “These nuts increase good cholesterol.”

2. Dark chocolate. “Dark chocolate is associated with longevity,” she said. But stick to a chocolate bar that contains at least 70% cocoa.

3. Small fish. The big fish in the sea — tuna, halibut and swordfish — contain high levels of mercury. Healthier options are wild salmon, snapper, sardines, and anchovies because they’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.

4. Colorful veggies. Spice up your salad with red and green bell peppers, tomatoes and other colorful veggies and don’t forget to sprinkle some blueberries on your oatmeal or yogurt, said Andersen. Eating a wide assortment of fruits and vegetables guarantees you’ll be getting key vitamins and minerals.

5. Extra virgin olive oil. “Not all fat is created equal,” noted Andersen. Fat is essential for energy and keeping your skin and hair healthy. Extra virgin olive oil is perfect for dipping bread, providing taste and texture to salads and scrambling eggs.

Article By Morgan Kom

November 17, 2014

LEARNING TO LOVE YOU...

we need to learn how to care for our bodies by avoiding bad diets, misinformation about whats right and what isnt and staying clear of fast foods (guilty!).

I used to love anything that quick and easy to eat, but now I'm setting examples for people to follow I need to change that attitude. Though it might take a while to prepare but healthy foods are your best option. Reduce the amount of work you give your body in terms of the amount of toxins it has to deal with on a daily basis.

REMEMBER, HEALTHY IS THE NEW CHIC!!!

Na only organic person go chop...

I'm sure you are wondering what all the craze is about organic foods, all we hear these days are organic this, organic that.... HABA!!!
But in reality, YES, organic is all you deserve cause your body needs the best, and that goes for our little cherubs too.
Foods that are organic are produced without the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers or preservatives and most are not Genetically Modified (GM foods). Our little ones have sensitive stomachs and these toxins are not needed for our bodies especially for our little cherubs, therefor it is important to keep our foods free of toxins.
Research has shown that organic fruits and veggies contain significantly more vitamins and minerals than GM foods. This is due to the rich nutrients contained in our rich chemical-free soil.

xoxo
Concerned mummy

WHY I MAKE HOMEMADE BABY FOOD

My first son was fortunate to be the first, and also first on which I practised my motherhood skills (which were none existence) on. I learnt from all my mistakes using him, but thank God for His mercies that keep little children.

Many times I picked baby food off the shelf, and i couldn't even get myself to smell it, let alone taste it, but it still ended up in his mouth and then into his system. A part of me felt guilty but I didn't know any better, so I just continued spending so much money on "CRAP". With no incline of where the food came from and how it was made. When I had my second son, I vowed to do things differently and uniquely. Though it took quite some time and effort, every second doing it was worth it. And that how it became my passion...

Most of the recipes for babies are steam the fruit or veggies until tender, blend and serve. So when my first blender broke down from excessive pureeing, the passion in me drove my hubby's friend to buy me a blender that same day, after so much whining...lol

It is without a doubt that making baby food is the most time consuming than popping open a jar of shelf plucked baby food. Hungry babies do not wait for foods to be thawed and defrosted, that's why I came up with the phrase "plan ahead" and keep in baby coolers for the next meal. You will be shocked at how long it takes to complete making a portion of baby food to last for a week (especially if you a blessed with a healthy feeder), but once my freezer is stocked for the week i'm ready to plug and play", little wonder why stored jar shelved baby foods are an all time favorite for every mom.

Making my own homemade baby food allowed me to give Jayden and Jeremy (my first son who better late than never) the essential nutrients needed to grow into healthy young men. When i look at them now, I know it was worth every time spent in the kitchen.

Recipes of peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, brown rice, pap (ogi), apples, pears, avocadoes.... these and more are loved by my children (especially my toddler who has teeth still loves his brothers pureed foods) and now I want to share my passion with all the mothers out there who want the best for their little ones.

xoxo
Maureen

ON BREAK...

I know its been a while since I wrote on this blog, there has just been so much on my mind... from nanny drama to work pressure.

Right now I'm not even sure again of what I really want to do, driving along lekki road I saw a store with exactly the same concept as mine and browsing facebook I saw the same concept again and this time around it was in the same neighbourhood. I feel they are catching up on me very quickly...

Dear Lord, I need direction, guidance, strength, grace.... sometime I feel so lost and so alone, thank God for my kids, they bring so much joy. So recently I started walking, this still gives me more time to pray and think about business and ways of generating funds. Its Christmas and people set a lot of money aside to spend on gifts and their loved ones, so now will be a good time, so why I'm I still here sitting and wondering what to do, I should go out there and make some money....

The fear of the unknown sometimes is a driving force in a lot of things we do as individuals, I want to still receive a salary but I want to make some money on the side, or is there sth wrong with that, I'm sure you are wondering what I' waiting for, well my enterprenuer skill needs God's special touch, the right people to help, the right location, the right clientele...