BERRY SMOOTHIE

Let's face it . . . everyone loves a good smoothie, and in our continued series of ways to use Coconut Oil, we are adding some to the mix.

Smoothies are easy to prepare, fill the mid morning or mid avo pick me up requirement, and depending on ingredients can give a good anti-oxidant hit.

Adding coconut oil makes a smoothie a higher energy option, and helps make you feel fuller for longer.

Obviously you need the oil to be in liquid form when you add it - the trick is to add it in a few drops at a time to the blender, to avoid it turning into solid clumps in your drink (it should make it frothier).


1/2 c berries of your choice
1/2 banana
1/2 c plain yoghurt
(some milk if it's looking a little on the thick side)
2 T liquid coconut oil

Place berries, banana and yoghurt in blender - blend (add milk if necessary) - very slowly add in coconut oil - enjoy!!

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Class of Life

So do y'all remember the Graduation 'wear sunscreen speech' that was put to music - and made it's way into your living rooms via the radio station??

Well my minions - it's been healthy-ised, and kHiSSt-ified, and the health version is ready to make it's way into your hearts and your heads.

We have put one paragraph into a wee graphic - just so you can have something to print off

 . . . and ladies and gentlemen - here it is . . .

Ladies and gentlemen of the Class of Life

GET HEALTHY

If I could offer you one tip for the future

Health would be it

The long term benefits of health have been proved by scientists,

Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable, than my own blundering experience

I will dispense this advice now

Enjoy the power and beauty of your body

For beware

The power and beauty of your body can be all too easily, taken away.

And trust me . . .

In 20 years, you’ll think back on your lifes story

And celebrate the potential that is within you

Or commiserate on how fantastic you could have been

It is not as hard as you imagine

Don’t worry about your abilities . . .

Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to lose weight by watching the Biggest Loser, while eating chocolate cake.

Some of the challenges in your life are apt to be things you could have avoided.

Do one thing everyday that scares you

EXERCISE

Don’t be reckless with your diet, and don’t put up with people who question your resolve

DRINK WATER

Don’t waste your time on guilt

Sometimes you will do well, sometimes you will slip up

The race is long, and in the end you will thank yourself

Remember to compliment yourself, ditch the insults

If you succeed in doing this, tell me how

Keep your good habits, dispense with your bad ones

STRETCH

Don’t feel bad if you don’t know where to start

Many successful people I know, started by getting up off the couch

The most successful people I know, rarely sit down

GET PLENTY OF SLEEP

Be kind to your liver, life is TERRIBLE when it goes

Maybe you’ll do sport, maybe you won’t . . .

Maybe you’ll keep up with the kids, maybe you won’t . . .

Maybe you’ll start at 50 . . .

Maybe you’ll learn to salsa for your 95^th birthday

Whatever you do . . .

Don’t ever give up, or think “Im finished now”

Your choices affect your future, and that of your family

Enjoy your mind, use it every way you can

Remember it is like a muscle that needs to be exercised – it is the greatest instrument you will ever own

DANCE

Even if you have nowhere to do it other than your own living room

Be sensible and avoid the lolly isle

Do NOT drink to excess, it will only make you look TRASHY

Get to know your body, knowledge is power

Be nice to yourself.

You are the only thing with you now, you can guarantee will be with you, your entire future

Understand that diet fads come and go

But your body is unique, and should be treated as such

Work hard to bridge the gaps in your knowledge and your lifestyle, because the older you get, the more apparent they will become

Be tough, but not to the extent that it makes you hard

Eat cake, but not to the extent that it makes you soft

PLAY SCRABBLE

Accept certain undeniable truths

Some people and places don’t want you to get healthy, so they can keep taking your MONEY

And you will get old

It will be then you realise you could have spent all that money on a fantastic holiday

Challenge your muscles and they will continue to reward you

Maybe you fit into skinny jeans

Maybe you rarely get sick

But without work, either can turn around

Don’t mess too much with surgery

Or by the time your 70  -  you will look FAKE

Be careful whose advice you buy, and trust your instincts when listening to them.

The way you treat your body is a form of currency

You cannot skimp now and expect it to perform more than it is worth.

And so my friends  . . .

I ask you to

Trust me on the HEALTHY

 We would love you to share - and be kind to one another.  Hugs to ya!

CHOC-BANANA ICES

My daughter loves these . . .  and lets face it, when you have kids, there needs to be the occasional treat food available . . .

and these are a great alternative to shop bought ice-cream . . . and she thinks they're great because she can make them.

Directions:

Half a banana and insert stick in blunt end.
Place on non-stick paper and freeze


When banana has frozen solid you will need:

150g good quality dark chocolate
At least 1 Tbsp coconut oil - the more you put in the runnier the mixture will become.

Break up chocolate and place in glass bowl.
Microwave at 50% power no more than 30 seconds at a time
Stir in between each heating time
When just about melted, stir in coconut oil - if you keep stirring this should melt of its own accord in the warmth of the chocolate

Spoon choc mixture over the frozen banana to coat (it will harden very quickly) so if you want to put something special over it such as nuts or coconut - have it ready and do it before choc hardens.

Enjoy :-)

You can see more about me at www.healthcoaching.co.nz and about coconut oil at www.discovercoconut.co.nz

DOG TREATS

In our continuation of ways to utilise coconut oil - we even have some for the doggie friends in the family :-)

1 3/4 cups plain flour
2 tsp toasted wheat germ
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sesame seeds
12 tsp coconut oil 
1/2 cup ground walnuts
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp of dried chicken or beef stock 


Combine all the ingredients. Knead until thoroughly blended. Divide into 6 parts. Roll each into a log. Wrap loosely in waxpaper. Freeze.
When needed, thaw and slice into 1/2 cm thick slices (across roll). Preheat oven to 375F. Place cookies on an ungreased cookie pan. Bake about 12 minutes. Makes 6-8 cookies per roll.

www.discovercoconut.co.nz