Wednesday, June 20, 2012

I love being a health coach and here's why...

A little under a year ago,  a very special client came to me looking for a better way.
She was addicted to diet soda, eating processed foods, and feeling low on energy.

She knew she needed to make a change.
But what she didn't know, is just how many she would make.

Her eagerness and commitment to creating a healthier lifestyle was clear, and within days she was off of the soda and eating a predominately whole food diet. She was listening to her body, experimenting in the kitchen, and describing her energy levels as being "through the roof!"


And that was only the beginning...



"I started working with Stephanie to break my caffeine addiction. I drank 8-10 cups of black tea and 1-2 cans of diet soda every day and I was always tired. I was looking for a couple of easy changes to increase my energy.  Instead I changed everything.

Our sessions were supposed to be three months and I had a couple of goals to achieve. The more Stephanie taught me, the more I wanted to learn and set new goals for myself. After the first three months I added another three and kept extending our sessions until eventually I had worked with Stephanie for almost a year.
I changed my whole diet. I became keenly aware of what I eat, why I eat it, and how I feel after making  healthy choices. I made lots of little changes that quickly added up. I tried new foods that I had never heard of or tried before. I discovered millet, became obsessed with organic pumpkin seeds and even starting eating avocados for breakfast.

I also made significant changes to the beauty and cleaning products I use. The chemicals I put on my skin or expose myself to are just as dangerous as the ones I consume.

I did not expect our sessions to also be focused on life, happiness and career but Stephanie is just as good at providing life advice as she is at suggesting uses for kale. Whether it was a specific problem at work or general outlook on life, Stephanie could always offer a grounded and positive outlook. After my last call with Stephanie, my boyfriend said “You’re always happier after your calls with Steph.”

Ultimately, working with Stephanie was a lifelong investment in my health that I’m grateful to have accomplished."
-Erin 

***

I am so humbled by Erin's awesome testimonial. It was super exciting to guide her through all of these awesome changes, and while I'd like to take a little credit, the person she has the most to thank is herself.

Many people are afraid, or not quite ready to commit to their health.
They can't imagine a day without sugary cereals, Splenda-laden coffee, (read the dangers of Splenda here) or a bag of chips. They'd rather deal with the headaches, Pepto their way through an upset stomach, or band-aid their anxiety with a Reese's Pieces sundae. (believe me, I was once there).

But I'm here to tell you that there's a better way. An amazingly empowering, satisfying, and delicious way. All you need is a little love, and a big desire to live your healthiest, happiest, most scrumptious life yet!

If you are interested in finding out how health coaching can help you, contact me at healthlegume@gmail.com to set up a free consultation.

To a sweet, healthy life!





Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Avocado bean supreme - a long way from my cheesy gordita crunch days!


Last night was  Sean's 30th birthday. After a fun filled weekend of celebrating, he was looking to do a chill taco night at home for his actual day of birth. (And not a modified, healthy taco night..a straight up beef, sour cream, taco sauce, shredded cheese kind of noche.) 

Although tempted to buy ground turkey along with healthier topping alternatives, I didn't want to disappoint him on the big 3-0, and decided  to go all out. 

The apartment smelled like a tex-mex dream, and seeing his face light up upon entering was worth all 16 oz of grass-fed beef. He was super pumped, but seemed to be even more excited that his health conscious fiance would be partaking in the fiesta as well. 

Sorry to disappoint, babe, but I actually had other plans for myself. (True, I have gone off the wagon for love in the past, but after some unhealthy decisions over the weekend, I thought it was time to get back on track.) 


Thanks to a  recipe I found on Find your balance, I was able to enjoy taco night just as much as the birthday boy! 

Introducing, what I've renamed, "Avocado bean supreme" 

Ingredients

2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 can black beans (rinsed) 
1/2 yellow onion chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped 
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. coriander
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 avocado sliced 

I eyeballed the ingredients, but you can follow these to the T. The recipe also called for chili powder and oregano, but I didn't have either, and found that it still tasted delish! Work with what ya got! 

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, cook until translucent. Add garlic, cook until lightly golden. Add beans and stir well. Mix in other seasonings and stir until evenly distributed.

Spoon into taco shells and throw some avocado on top, and olay! Taco night just got a whole lot cleaner! 

Personally, I find it hard to turn down anything of the corn chip persuasion, but to make this dish  a bit healthier, you can toss over mixed greens or a serving of brown rice. 

Maybe next time, Sean will give Avocado bean supreme a try!

Arriba, Arriba!