Cyd Notter

Author and Nutrition Educator, Founder of The "Plan A" Diet™

How much do you know about America’s Birthday?

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Happy 4th of July! In observation of today's holiday, let's take a little trivia quiz just for fun.

  1. July 4, 2019, marks the ____ birthday of the U.S.
  2. Who was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence?
  3. What do the stripes on the flag represent?
  4. What was the original national bird going to be?
  5. Which President died on July 4?

 

American Flag

Answers:

1) 243rd

2) John Hancock

3) The 13 original colonies

4) Turkey

5) Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Monroe

I find that last one to be amazing!

May your holiday be blessed with family, friends, healthy food, safety, and good weather.

 

Photo credit: West Point - The U.S. Military Academy on Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-ND

 

 

 

Photo credit: West Point - The U.S. Military Academy on Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-ND

 

Fudgies

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As kids, our nickname for Fudgesicles was "Fudgies." They're basically fudge popsicles - cold, creamy, and chocolatey. What could be better?

How about a healthy version!

I was excited when a friend posted this Fudgesicle recipe by Dreena Burton on facebook, because I like her recipes and I had a feeling her fudgies would be delicious.

And oh yes, they are! Hubby also gives them a definite thumbs up.

The only drawback was my popsicle molds, which are made of hard plastic. It was difficult to remove the fudgies without the stick pulling out first. So I had to run them under warm water, which is why the fudgie in the photo looks partially melted.

Time to invest in some silicone popsicle molds, because this recipe's a keeper!

 

The "Plan A" Diet - Kindle version available July 2, 2019! Order today 🙂 

The Last 10 Years of Your Life

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I watched this short video at a class in 2015, and I've never forgotten its powerful impact. It still moves me.

It's a side-by-side portrayal of the same man experiencing very different events in his latter years of life.

(Click here to view)

What a striking example of God's reaping and sowing principle.

The seeds we sow today (the foods we currenlty eat) will determine the harvest we reap tomorrow (our health outcomes).

If this video produced by the Canadian Health & Stroke Foundation isn't a motivator to consider our eating habits, I don't know what is. Plant your best crops, my friend, by sowing the seeds of whole food, plant based nutrition.

Don’t be misled; remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it: a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows! (Galatians 6:7, TLB)

Read more about Reaping and Sowing in the "Plant Your Best Crops" chapter of The "Plan A" Diet. 

Kindle version available July 2, 2019.

Black Bean Lentil Taco Soup

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Thanks to my sister-in-law for recommending this recipe! Black Bean Lentil Taco Soup by The Garden Grazer is a definite "keeper" that is super easy to prepare! Top with avocado, green onions, or tortilla strips for a little something extra.

Becuase this soup is hearty and thick, it also makes a great potato topper! Boil and mash a few Yukon gold potatoes and top with this soup for a satisfying, delicious, starch-based meal which not only fills you up, it also provides ample protein, calcium, fiber, and all those lovely nutrients which our bodies need for good health.

Let me know how you like it!

Question: When is a cake not a cake?

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Answer: When it's disguised as a giant cheeseburger.

I couldn't resist taking a picture when I saw these cakes displayed at the checkout line. They're no different from most other cakes found in a commercial bakery, but the cheeseburger design was the kicker. One health-damaging food made to look like another. As cute and clever and colorful as a cheeseburger cake appears, a quick look at the label shows why bakery cakes should stay on the shelf, and not make their way into your cart:

The first ingredient is sugar. That means the largest amount of any ingredient in this item is sugar (of course!)

Sugar = highly inflammatory, affects brain chemistry/addictive, weight gain, raises triglycerides which thereby affects cholesterol levels

Milk = saturated fat, cholesterol, known carcinogen, estrogen, acids which affect bone health, growth hormones

Eggs = cholesterol bombs, choline = cancer risk

Oils = 100% fat, inflammatory, impairs circulation, clots blood, damages artery lining and paves the way for plaque build up

Aluminum = definite factor in dementia

At least 9 food dyes = chemicals, linked to allergies, ADHD, cancer

Refined flour = spikes blood sugar, impairs insulin function, raises triglycerides

Unfortunately, the above list of side effects is just the tip of the iceberg. Sure, this cake is funny and would be a big hit at the party, but make no mistake, it's a sugar-filled junk food that promotes ill health and disease. Ask yourself if it's really worth it - and especially ask why you'd want to give this to your children.

Instead, how about a birthday cake that promotes the gift of good health? Here are some recipe ideas. 

Here and here are a few more. And don't forget the brownie and cupcake recipes that are out there, too!

McDougall recipes

Fat Free Vegan recipes

Forks over Knives recipes

Whichever recipe you use, be sure to substitute a natural cane sugar (such as 'sucanat') in place of refined sugar when necessary, replace oil with applesauce, and replace eggs with "flax eggs" (1 egg = 1 TBS ground flax whisked or blended with 3 TBS water); swap out refined flours with whole grain flours, and of course, omit all dairy products such as milk, cream, and butter.

It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets....(Proverbs 25:27a, MSG)

 

 

 

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