Finishing the Race

Dieting Obsessions, Self-Criticism, and Insecurity Eat My Dust!

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February 5, 2016
Julie Yuccas

1 comment

Eat Your Fruit & Fiber Muffins

When you eat better, you feel better physically and mentally. Putting high quality nutrients in your body helps you think clearer and prevents those energy highs and lows. I love sharing easy recipes that provide your body with tools to help your body run efficiently.

Fresh plant-based foods have many vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and phytochemicals that benefit your body. Many of these foods have high antioxidant properties, heart benefits, and anti-cancer properties. Here a few of reasons I use these ingredients:

Carrots- immune building, healing properties, vision health
Kale- immune building, bone strengthening, vision health
Blueberries- brain health
Tart Cherries- anti-inflammatory
Oat or whole-wheat flour- fiber for efficient intestinal health
Flax- fiber, alpha-linolenic fatty acid
Olive oil- healthy monounsaturated oil

Eat Your Fruit & Fiber Muffins

  • Servings: 17 to 18 muffins
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

 

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♥  Ingredients  ♥

1 cup organic soy milk or milk of your choice
1 egg
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups Oat Bran Flour Blend or whole-wheat flour
1 cup Bran flakes cereal, crushed
3/4 cups brown sugar or 3/4 cups cane sugar with 2 tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon flax seed
2 large carrots, grated or shredded
1 large kale leaf, grated or shredded
1/2 cup tart cherries, chopped
1 cup blueberries, add last so batter will not turn purple

– Blend first four wet ingredients together.
– Add brown sugar to wet ingredients, blend well.
– Add Oat Bran Flour, crushed Bran cereal, baking powder, and baking soda to wet ingredients, blend well.
– Shred or grate carrots and kale. Food processors make the job quick and efficient.
– Add flax, cherries, carrots, and kale to mixture, blend well.
– Gently fold in blueberries, so batter will not turn purple.
– Line muffin tins with paper baking cups.
– Fill muffin cups with 1/4 cup batter for standard size muffin tins/cups.
– Bake at 400° for 20 minutes. Toothpick should come out clean when inserted in muffin.
– Allow muffins to rest in pan for five minutes. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack.

DSCN9763Blessings to your health!

January 26, 2016
Julie Yuccas

2 comments

What Thoughts Recur, But You Haven’t Taken Action?

Do you do this too? When I get a thought to start a habit, it takes me a few weeks before I finally do it. Whether it is something I look forward to or something I need to do. I seem to mull it over first. At some point, I finally push procrastination away and take care of myself.

Lately, exercising on my own has been a challenge. I find for myself and so many others, a higher success rate comes with accountability partners or attending a class. God’s Word says, two are better than one.

I am still under the care of Dr. Kimberly Castaneda, Doctor of Naturopathy. I am excited to report, we’ve gained a lot of strides to improve my health. The oncology blood work shows a steady increase in platelets and other numbers heading into the normal range! My red blood cells and oxygen to these cells require a little more work. So, I need to add additional weight-bearing exercises to improve my oxygen and stimulate cell growth.

I live at the top of a small hill. Thoughts recurred to run down my hill and walk back up to stimulate my bones and consume more oxygen. And I thought I’d never have to jog again—Ha!

Please notice, I did not say I had to run a mile or two. My goal was to run down the hill, one block long, and walk back up. Too many times we set our goals too high that we don’t even try.

Single-digit weather didn’t stop me either. Instead I chose to improvise. I jogged on the treadmill for one-minute segments with intervals of weightlifting. Now this seems like no big deal, but I find treadmills painfully boring. I’d rather be outside breathing fresh air.

My goal was simply, one block or one-minute intervals. You know what? I didn’t die! Instead, I felt accomplished and did my body a great service.

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The Bible talks about various ways Jesus healed the sick. Some of those people received post-healing instructions. Jesus held them responsible to complete a task after their healing.

I know God is protecting my life and healing my body in ways I may not be aware of. Through this journey, God has taught and is still teaching me how to be a better caretaker of my body. His timing is always impeccable to introduce me to juicing, smoothies, prescribed supplements and teas, holding onto God’s promises, movement, and people involved in my care.

However, there are times when I don’t feel like taking all those supplements. God lovingly reminds me. “Julie, those supplements don’t do you any good sitting on the counter. They work better in your body.” If I ask God to heal my body, and He leads me to do something, I need to do it. I don’t need to be legalistic, but I need to be consistent.

What habits keep resurfacing in your mind that you want to start? Is that task reasonable in expectation? Can you adjust that task to a smaller increment and increase when appropriate?

Every step you take towards bettering your health is an investment into you, your quality of life, and don’t forget—the lives of those you love. As January comes to a close, what new habit are you going to start this February? May God give you the courage to take that first step.

Every day is a clean slate.

Blessings to your health!

January 13, 2016
Julie Yuccas

3 comments

Looking Forward to 2016

I love the holidays! I love having my children home to hug, kiss, and admire what beautiful adults they have become. I love the opportunities to make memories with family and friends, such as playing the Right Family Christmas, or new to us—Heads Up. I love the warm, coziness of my home filled with Christmas lights, candles, and decorations. It’s truly a labor of love, as I cook and bake. And as God gave us the gift of Christ, we continue the tradition of expressing love to each other with thoughtful gifts. All of these things made for a beautiful 2015 holiday. Another reason I thank God for the gift of life.

My son traveled back to the banking business in Chicago, my daughter to floral designing in Los Angeles. Once my hubby returned to work, I looked forward to the clean slate of 2016.

One of the desires I had for this year was to save up for a masticating juicer. Masticating juicers render more juice from your produce and protect valuable enzymes. To my surprise, I was blessed with unexpected gifts of money for Christmas, which allowed me to buy the Omega J8006. This juicer should greatly improve the nutritional value of my juice/smoothies and our health!

DSCN9849As I was journaling yesterday, God led me to a scripture that validated some thoughts I have been wrestling with. Funny thing, the scripture didn’t offer a solution, but God simply communicated, I know what you’ve been through. That Word brought me comfort and released tension.

Whenever I am given the right word at the right moment, it is healing to know someone understands and cares. Then I thought about this blog and my manuscript—Finishing the Race. Although we may not have experienced the exact same challenges, I hope you will find comfort in knowing you are not alone, you are not crazy, and someone understands. I’ve experienced adversity. But through my journey, I have learned to manage and conquer self-criticizing myself and my body, which used to fuel years of constant dieting and the insecurities that tagged along.

The beautiful thing is once you know the truth, the truth sets you free. Truth gives you peace, comfort, and the strength to make sound, healthy changes. In 2016, I look forward to sharing more truth on how to be more in tune with your body, soul and spirit. We’ll continue to:

  • Look at ways to nutritiously feed your body with foods God created to gain energy, improve health, and maintain a healthy weight
  • Help you release your fears of gaining weight
  • Give you “principles to live by” to free you from dieting obsessions, self-criticism, and insecurity

You may be thinking, “Julie, you don’t know how long I have been dealing with weight issues.” No I don’t. Personally, my issues go back to when I was an obese toddler. However, truth was revealed to me as an adult, and the truth always set me free. It wasn’t overnight. It was a process. But I am free!

Now as we enter a new year, a clean slate, I want to continue to share truth with you. Thank you for joining me in this healing journey. And thank you to all of you that have spoken to me and have shared your positive outcomes—that encourages me greatly.

Blessings and healing to your mind, body, and spirit this year. xo

January 7, 2016
Julie Yuccas

no comments

Freedom With Responsibility – Sneak Peek Chapter 15

With many holiday opportunities to celebrate, I wonder if there are people carrying unnecessary guilt. Feelings of anxiety because one is afraid to eat. Instead of enjoying the company of family, friends, and festive foods—the way life was meant to be. If we look at things with a healthy perspective, we can let go of fear and anxiety about food and enter the holidays with enjoyment. I call it Freedom with Responsibility.

And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. Ecclesiastes 3:13 NLT

The idea of social situations in a dieter’s mind stirs up unnecessary fear and anxiety. A diet mentality distorts the truth that God created people to enjoy time with each other, and many times food is naturally part of the equation.

When Isaac grew up and was about to be weaned, Abraham prepared a huge feast to celebrate the occasion. Genesis 21:8 NLT

Think about it, Abraham hosted a huge feast just because his son was graduating to solid food!

For seven days you must celebrate this festival to honor the Lord your God at the place he chooses, for it is he who blesses you with bountiful harvests and gives you success in all your work. This festival will be a time of great joy for all. Deuteronomy 16:15 NLT

Celebration, community, bounty, feasts these are all things to be enjoyed. There is a way to enjoy these blessings without reckless abandon—guilt free. It’s called Freedom with Responsibility. This principle allows you the freedom to partake in foods that you desire, but sets boundaries to bypass that “why did I eat all that?” sick feeling and any worries of gaining weight.

Freedom With Responsibility

  • Wait for your stomach to indicate it’s hungry. Now give yourself permission to eat what you want.
  • When you start to feel comfortably full, mentally prepare yourself to stop, eat a couple more bites, and then stop.
  • If you overate at your last meal, you are not a failure. It means you are still in the process of listening to your body. Consider it a learning experience for future meals.

I am thankful for a standard to live by that allows me the freedom to live my life free from dieting obsessions. Now, as I pay attention to the signals my body sends me, eat when I am hungry/stop when I am comfortably full, I act accordingly. This brings me great peace of mind. I can comfortably and naturally take good care of myself, while enjoying the holidays. My stress and anxious eating has dissipated. I naturally lose pounds because I make good choices. My mental and physical health prospers. So what am I doing? I listen to what my body is indicating, instead of my emotions.

I don’t get legalistic with my eating either. When I am in a social situation, if I am not hungry but want to participate, I will eat but stop when I am comfortably full. I never like feeling stuffed or sick, so I eat within my stomach’s comfortable capacity—healthy boundaries. I don’t choose foods that I don’t like, or if I take a bite of something I don’t like, I will not finish it. I only eat things that taste good to me, because I know my limits on how much I can eat to prevent that regretful overeating experience. This helps me enjoy food and socializing to the fullest measure!

You Are Not Required to Clean Your Plate

You do not have to eat everything on your plate. If the food is cold, overcooked, undercooked, stale, nasty tasting, or too much is served, you do not have to eat it! You are not a garbage disposal! Food is a gift to be enjoyed. Decide what is edible and appealing, and enjoy those portions of foods within the confines of comfortably full. A new habit to practice is to eat your favorite foods first, because you may not know when you will reach fullness and stop eating. Soon you will learn your body’s desired portion size, in respect to the time of day, and serve yourself appropriately.

Help in Social Situations

If you are full and someone wants to give you more food, your response should be, “No thank you, I’m full,” or “No thank you, I’m not hungry anymore.” Your host will usually drop the matter. If your response is, “Sorry I am watching what I eat,” or “I am on a diet,” more than likely the common response is, “Oh, you don’t need to lose weight,” or “Come on, just this one time, it’s the holidays.” Repeat after me, “No thank you, I’m full.”

You can enjoy the holidays guilt free, while enjoying the simple pleasures in life. Freedom with Responsibility, let your natural body indicators do the work for you, as you relinquish the need to diet. For more encouragement and tips, I invite you to read last year’s holiday message: Give Yourself Permission to Celebrate.

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Blessings and good health to you and yours this holiday!

December 2, 2015
Julie Yuccas

3 comments

Apple Walnut-Pecan Salad

With apple picking season coming to a close, this healthy recipe is sure to cure your sweet tooth. If you have adapted the “eat smaller meals more frequently,” you will be pleasantly surprised. Half or less of this recipe can be a small, filling meal.

If you struggle with stress eating, the combination of crisp apples, celery, and nuts satisfies the need to crunch. The bonus is every ingredient is healthy and beneficial to your body—guilt free.

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I found this recipe on the Sugar-Free Mom website. I modified the recipe slightly, because I don’t use fat free yogurt. When I use the Wallaby Organic Greek Whole Milk Vanilla Bean Yogurt, this yogurt has a wonderful flavor and consistency, I don’t need oil. I normally don’t eat yogurt, but this specific Wallaby yogurt has a wonderful flavor! My other go to yogurt is Stonyfield Organic Smooth & Creamy French Vanilla.

Apple Walnut & Pecan Salad

  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

 

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♥  Ingredients  ♥

2 large or 3 medium apples, chopped
1/4 lemon
3 stalks or ribs of celery, sliced
1/3 cup walnuts, pieces
1/3 cup pecans, pieces
1/2 cup raisins
1 5.3 ounce container of vanilla yogurt
1 teaspoon honey

– Toss chopped apples with lemon juice.
– Add to apples: celery, walnuts, pecans, and raisins.
– Blend honey into yogurt.
– Add yogurt to apple mixture and toss.
– Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

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Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to help the fiber and live active cultures in this meal do its job efficiently in your digestive system. What is your body weight? Cut that number in half. Drink that number of ounces of water a day, minimum.

Blessings to your health!

November 23, 2015
Julie Yuccas

no comments

Mama’s Fried Rice and Rainbow Carrots

My mom used to frequently make us fried rice for dinner. It was probably an easy go to because she could make it with leftover rice or meats—and we always liked it. You know me, I am always trying to step it up a notch and add more vegetables. Here is my version of homemade fried rice.

The last two years, I have been using sautéed tofu instead of meat. Seasoned just right and cut very small, it is hard to notice the tofu. Last week, I was visiting my daughter in LA. I wanted to make her a dinner that she would have easy leftovers for work. Fried rice it is! However, she asked me if I could add meat, so the meal would last longer in her stomach for those long designing days. Steak it is! This recipe is made with steak, however, you can use any meat or tofu you want. Enjoy!

DSCN9723 I use organic as much as possible. Although, I haven’t found organic bean sprouts. For meats and eggs, I use hormone and antibiotic free. For tofu, I use non-GMO organic.

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Rice should be made first or a day ahead of time, so it has time to cool before stir frying. When I make rice the same day, I put my cooked rice in a large bowl, so it has room to breathe, and I cool it in the freezer. Rice should be firm, not mushy.

 

 

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I grate my carrots in the food processor. If I don’t forget, I add the carrots to the uncooked rice before turning on the rice cooker. Add 1/4 cup extra water if cooking carrots with rice. Notice the rice photo…I forgot! So I sautéed the grated carrots with the mushrooms. Either way works.

 

 

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I sauté almost each item separately and set it aside in a large bowl. Eggs are cooked separately, then I wash the pan. The meat or tofu is cooked separately, then I wash the pan. Mushrooms and carrots are cooked together. Pan does not need to be washed. Lastly, bean sprouts and greens of your choice are cooked together, then set aside. The original reason everything was cut so small was to add as many plant-based foods without them being noticed. It worked!

 

 

 

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Before stir frying the rice, brush and rinse the rainbow/heirloom carrot skins. Cut into medallions. Steam to desired tenderness.

 

Now it is time to stir fry the cooled rice in a little olive oil. If you like the Asian flavor, you can add a teaspoon of sesame oil. Sprinkle with soy sauce or Liquid Aminos to taste. Once the rice is warm, add all the other ingredients and toss gently. If needed, season with more soy sauce to taste.

 

Mama's Fried Rice

  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

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♥  Ingredients  ♥

2 cups uncooked rice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced, or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
Extra virgin olive oil as needed
3 to 5 eggs with 2 tablespoons water, whisked together
8 ounce steak*, or 1 pkg organic, non-GMO extra firm tofu**, or meat of your choice
1 8 ounce pkg mushrooms, minced
2 large carrots, grated
1 pkg bean sprouts
2 large leaves of chard, grated (can use 2 large leaves of kale or large handful of spinach instead)
Soy sauce or Liquid Aminos to taste

*Garlic powder and/or Teriyaki sauce to flavor the steak
**Organic vegetable broth for sautéing tofu

– In medium pot or rice cooker add olive oil, minced garlic or garlic powder, sea salt, rinsed uncooked white rice, and shredded carrots. If cooking rice without carrots, add 2 and 1/8 cups water. If cooking rice with carrots, add 2 and 1/2 cups water. Cook as usual. When rice is done, cool in frig or freezer.

– Whisk eggs and water together. Add a quarter size drop of olive oil to your warm pan, whisk eggs while cooking like scrambled eggs. Set aside cooked eggs in a large bowl.

– Cut steak or tofu*** into 1/4″ size pieces. ***Pat tofu with paper towels to remove excess fluid. If sautéing steak: stir fry in small amount of olive oil and dust with garlic powder and/or teriyaki sauce. To keep steak tender and prevent overcooking, remove from heat while steak is lightly pink. If sautéing tofu: stir fry in 1/2 cup vegetable broth. When broth cooks out add another 1/2 cup vegetable broth and continue stir frying. Repeat this one more time. Set aside cooked proteins in the large bowl.

– Sauté mushrooms (and carrots if not cooked with rice) until tender. Toss in a little soy sauce to taste. Set aside in large bowl.

– Sauté bean sprouts until soft. Add grated chard, kale, or spinach to bean sprouts and stir fry one more minute. Set aside in large bowl.

– In a large pot, sprinkle olive oil and warm the oil. Add cooled rice and stir until warm, not hot. As stir frying, add soy sauce or Liquid Aminos to taste. When rice is warm, add all the other ingredients from large bowl and stir fry for one or two minutes until everything is warm. If needed, season with more soy sauce to taste.

Tips:

– If you like a more authentic Asian flavor, add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the olive oil before stir frying the cooled cooked rice.
– More chard, kale, or spinach can be added to your liking.

Rainbow Carrots

  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

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♥  Ingredients  ♥

2lb bag organic rainbow or heirloom carrots
1 tablespoon organic butter
Honey

– Wash carrot skins, trim tips, then slice into medallions.

– Steam cook to desired firmness or softness.

– Drain any excess water. Add 1 tablespoon butter. Lightly drizzle honey over carrots and toss lightly.


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For those family members that are afraid of vegetables, notice how well the vegetables are hiding in the rice! I invite you to read What’s All the Hype About Smoothies and Juicing to learn one amazing benefit of chard and kale for your health. Also click on the highlight to read some quick facts about What Are the Health Benefits of Carrots by Dr. Mercola. This Rainbow Carrot recipe would make a quick and easy dish to pass for your Thanksgiving table too.

Happy and healthy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

November 6, 2015
Julie Yuccas

4 comments

Keep Trusting

Life’s challenges can easily throw us into panic mode. If anxiousness is allowed to visit too long, reacting in haste seems to be the tempting answer—but it’s not. I do not want to make decisions based on fear. Nor do I want to live the consequences of making a wrong decision either. Here is where faith kicks in. Do I take matters into my own hands, or do I patiently trust God to intervene on my behalf?

These past couple of years have been a learning experience as I trust God to provide. You are welcome to read some of my experiences in Overcoming Fear – Sneak Peek Chapter 30. Today, I am at another crossroad. In a few short months, logically my finances won’t work. Anxious thoughts go back and forth of possible options. Human nature wants to panic and make rash decisions. Another part of me, deep inside of me, is calm and says wait for God.

I don’t know about you, but I need God’s guidance when it comes to big decisions. I don’t want to venture on my own, I want God to lead me. He knows what is best for me and has my best interest at heart. Plus, God promises to give us wisdom when we ask, “For the Lord grants wisdom…and you will know how to find the right course of action every time.” (Proverbs 2:6, 9b NLT)  He also encourages us to, “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

I finally quieted myself down and asked God for wisdom. What should my husband and I do? He answered me so interestingly. I sensed He was leading me to read Psalm 1 for encouragement, then to Psalm 78. Psalm 78 shows us several miracles, provision, protection, and guidance God gave to the people He so loved. “In the daytime He led them by a cloud, and at night by a pillar of fire…He split open the rocks in the wilderness to give them plenty of water…He rained down manna for them to eat…He rained down meat as thick as dust…He gave them what they wanted…He kept them safe so they were not afraid…”

Without pointing a finger, I can easily forget God’s loving provision for me and allow thoughts of worry to creep in. God provided for His people in ways that are not humanly logical—but He always provided. God gave them provision and soon after their response was, “Yes, He can strike a rock so water gushes out, but He can’t give His people bread and meat.”  “For they did not believe God or trust Him to care for them” (or meet their needs). Too quickly, they spoke doubt and unbelief. How easy we can do that too. My prayer is that I will never forget what God does for me, so my faith stays strong. That is one reason I keep a journal.

“They forgot about His power and how He rescued them from their enemies. They forgot His miraculous signs in Egypt, His wonders on the plain of Zoan.” All these things God did for the people He loved, and their thoughts and words kept returning to doubt, fear, and complaining. How did that make God feel? His heart grieved and it was frustrating to Him (vs 40, 41). I can imagine when a person’s actions display consistent integrity, how frustrating it must be when they are frequently met with doubt and mistrust.

The keyword that stood out to me when I was asking God for direction was “grieve.” Grieve means to cause great distress to (someone). God was telling me, when I was contemplating rash decisions, it grieved His heart, because hadn’t He proved over and over His provision on my behalf and that of my family? Then He gently reminded me of a recent “aha” moment.

In Overcoming Fear, I shared an example of minor daily provisions. Well this was a similar situation. I was going to need shampoo in a few weeks. I was trying to be prepared ahead of time and ordered shampoo from my hairdresser. Mind you, I had a few weeks before I needed some more. A day or two before my shampoo ran out, my daughter sent me a bottle of Wen as a birthday gift. So, technically I didn’t need the shampoo I bought. Because “all good gifts come from our Father above,” He used my daughter to provide me with a gift that I needed at just the right time.

Now some of you may think, there is nothing wrong with buying things ahead of time and being prepared. It is not wrong to be prepared. My mom was like that. Her basement storage room was proof. However, I see that God is dealing with me differently. He is training me for a deeper level of trust. One source of encouragement I feed on is a message from Dale Crall. Pastor Dale Crall gave a wonderful, personal testimony of God’s provision, healing, and miracles, that continues to strengthen my faith. Strengthen your faith with me, click on his name and you can hear the same testimony, free of charge.

So in the end, the message God was lovingly sending me was, “Haven’t I proved myself to you before. I have always been faithful to provide. Please don’t grieve my heart and choose to doubt me and take matters into your own hand. Wait patiently. I won’t fail you.” And that is where I rest. I wait for God to do His thing and lead me for the things that are my responsibility. It will all work out in His perfect timing, and that peace that passes all understanding calms my heart.

Blessings to your mind, body, and spirit!

October 29, 2015
Julie Yuccas

no comments

Broccoli & Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Last time we were at the farmer’s market, one vendor had an abundance of cauliflower in the back of his pickup truck—priced to sell. For one-dollar a head and the brisk fall air, it was time to make soup again!

I used to make a California Medley soup with broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, but the recipe called for two cans of cheddar cheese soup. I wanted to step-it-up a notch and use better ingredients, so here is an organic version. I found a recipe on Horizon Organic’s website and changed it to fit my needs. Hope you like it!

You may want to make a Comfort Food Grilled Cheese with Garlic & Kalamata Olives along with your soup.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese Soup

  • Difficulty: easy
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DSCN9689♥  Ingredients  ♥

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 sweet onion, diced
1 head of broccoli, cut into small pieces
1 small head of cauliflower, cut into small pieces
4 tablespoons flour
6 cups organic vegetable broth
2 teaspoons honey mustard (or Dijon mustard)
1 pint organic half and half
4 to 6 ounces organic mild cheddar cheese, shredded
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Asiago cheese, shredded

– Warm olive oil in a large pot. Add diced onion and sauté until tender.

– While onion is cooking, steam broccoli and cauliflower pieces for 6 minutes. This can be done in a separate pot on the stove or in a covered glass bowl in the microwave.
– Add vegetables and flour to onions. Sauté for 3 minutes.
– Add broth and mustard, bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer 5 minutes.
– Add half and half, cheddar cheese, salt and pepper, and allow to simmer for 5 more minutes.
– Before serving, garnish with Asiago cheese.

Tips:

– To boost the nutrient value, add two carrots-diced, 2 leaves of kale or chard-chopped. Steam the carrots with the broccoli. The greens can be added when you put in the steamed vegetables.
– I try to keep Asiago on hand. With its rich flavor, you do not have to use very much.
– Use as many organic products as you can to consume less pesticides in your diet.

Broccoli and cauliflower are both cruciferous, nutrient-dense vegetables. They are known for their rich source of cancer-fighting phytochemicals. Soup is an easy way to add them to your diet. Keep eating your veggies! They bring life to your body. Enjoy!

DSCN9689_2Blessings to your health!

October 22, 2015
Julie Yuccas

2 comments

Beauty Comes in Every Size – Sneak Peek Chapter 40

Ladies, when you look at other women, do not be fooled and allow insecurity or intimidation to creep in. As humans, we have a tendency to form initial first impressions with those we meet. Sometimes our own insecurities get in the way and cause us to incorrectly prejudge other women. Whether it is something about their personality, or what they are wearing, or their size and shape. We do not know what her story is and what she is currently experiencing. To prejudge and then compare ourselves to others is not a healthy place for our thoughts to engage in.

Unless you are looking at other women for good ideas for yourself, it is self-defeating to think that because a woman is visually appealing in her outfit she looks like a bikini-clad model underneath her clothing. Go into a woman’s locker room at the gym or workplace, and the reality of nature taking its course is revealed. Thank you Lord for clothing!

We have to stop comparing ourselves to others and be comfortable in our own skin. Then we can enhance whatever we want, however we want, because we want to. Do it for yourself—no one else! Every woman deserves to feel good in her own skin.

We have to shed insecurity and intimidation like a snake’s skin, and walk with a new skin of confidence—beaming from the inside out. Let go of the old habit to look at other women and automatically think that everyone who is thinner, taller, shorter…is better than us.

You Are a Treasured and Valued Woman

Yuccas_Julie 14bw_2_3Your natural attractiveness radiates from within. Your beauty comes from your heart. People can see it. Inner beauty is portrayed through your eyes, and your lips when you smile. When you feel good about yourself, it is reflected by how you posture yourself. When you allow yourself the freedom to accept yourself and feel good inside, the old habit of measuring yourself to others loses its grip.

Make the decision to not compare yourself to others. Maintain your heart’s peace knowing who you are. You are a treasured, valuable woman, God specifically created for Himself. It is my prayer that you will arrive at the place where you are self-assured. Where you are at peace with your unique looks, talents, and purpose. Give yourself permission to wear things that make you feel pretty and feel good about yourself. Represent yourself the way you want people to treat you. You deserve nothing less.

Blessings to your health and your well-being!

October 16, 2015
Julie Yuccas

no comments

Calling a Truce With Our Body – Sneak Peek Chapter 41

A woman cannot live under the pressure of continuous self-condemnation. It has to stop. Years ago, my friend Mo, one of the most encouraging women I know, graciously opened my eyes to see my strengths. Mo pointed out that I had these beautiful high cheekbones. Thirty years old, and I never saw them. I always gave too much attention to what I thought were my weaknesses to ever notice any positives.

Mo’s investment in me with compliments and encouragement impacted me for life. I am reminded that all good gifts come from our Father above. I know her words were gifts from God to help me feel better about myself. Accepting compliments is an important piece of the healing process to stop condemning and judging ourselves.

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.
Song of Solomon 4:7 NIV

 Compliments Are Good Things

Compliments used to be impossible for me to accept. My response was usually in the form of self-criticism. On my fifty-first birthday, my sister-in-law Kassey took me shopping. I was trying on clothing, and the young sales girl said, “You know you have this really nice shape. Everything looks so nice on you.” Her compliment did not sound fake or like she was forcing a sale. In response, I said thank you and nothing more. I have taught myself to receive compliments knowing God uses other people as messengers. With that belief in place, I treasure sincere compliments as to how God wants me to view myself.

In the past, I would have spewed out my concealed imperfections. I don’t do that anymore. Number one, realistically, why would I want to advertise what I feel to be my shortcomings? Number two, who wants to hear about my imperfections in the first place? Number three, it is time to stop criticizing myself! God lovingly gave me this shape, this bone structure, and this height. It’s okay. It’s all good!

I was watching a ninth-season episode of What Not to Wear with my daughter. Stacy London had on a cute pair of red pants! She looked adorable in them. Her legs are so lean, the pants looked great on her. In the past, I would have beat my brains wishing I had her thighs. “Why can’t I be more disciplined and diet harder?” Blah, blah, blah!

Today, I compliment her. I appreciate her beauty. I can separate the fact that we have different body shapes. I am okay with the fact she is smaller than me. Self-condemnation and self-criticism is not part of my thought process, and jealousy is a wasted emotion. I appreciate my strengths and the strengths of others.

I finally had a revelation moment. It took me long enough! I accepted the fact that there are other women in this world that are thinner, prettier, and more outgoing than me—and it’s okay! I can quit trying to be somebody else. Once I accepted this obvious truth, I was set free in my mind. No more need to perform or strive to be a certain weight. I am at peace with my body. I love my body. I am at peace with who I am. If there are things I want to enhance that make me feel good, like coloring my hair, by all means I do it. God planned our height. God designed our bone structure. It is what it is. Time to be at peace with our body and enjoy the ride!

Blessings to your well-being!

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