Looking for an inexpensive, natural and effective way to exfoliate your face? This two-ingredient exfoliate will give you all the great exfoliation those over-the-counter scrubs do without all the toxic additives. Ingredients: 1 Tbsp. raw sugar cane crystals 3 Tbsp. raw honey Directions: 1. Combine honey and sugar and mix together with the spoon. Make sure the consistency is thick and not runny. 2. Use this mixture on a clean face. Scrub for about 30 seconds and then remove the mixture with warm water.

These simple and delicious Brussels Sprout chips are way more delicious than they sound. In my opinion, they beat out the normal potato, sweet potato, and kale chip recipes—you also get your greens in a delicious and fun way! Brussel Sprout Chips Ingredients: 6-8 Brussels sprouts Olive Oil Sea salt Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 2. Cut off the stems of the Brussels Sprouts and peel the leaves off. 3. Place a little olive oil in a bowl, dip your fingers and rub a very light coat of oil over the Brussels leaves. 4. Place on baking sheet and sprinkle Sea Salt to taste. 5. Bake for 4…

Who said you can’t have your cake and eat it, too? These delicious raw chocolate truffles are from my new book, "Bliss Cleanse: Your Two-Week Mind, Body, Spirit Guide to Greater Health & Happiness."   Cleansing is not about deprivation, but more about cleansing the old, processed food and filling your body with new, higher quality foods. These raw chocolates actually have mood-boosting properties and are low glycemic-index. Raw Chocolate Truffles Ingredients: ½ cup coconut butter or oil ¾ cup agave nectar ¼ tsp. sea salt 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 ¼ cup dried shredded coconut 2 ¼ cups raw cacao…

Dark, leafy green vegetables, including kale, swiss chard, collards and bok choy are essential to good health. These nutrient dense greens help purify blood, reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and lift depression.  They are high in calcium, iron, and magnesium. Despite the numerous health benefits, they are also the number one missing food in the American diet because most people do not know how to cook with greens. To get started with incorporating more greens into your diet, try something quick, simple, and not too far out of your comfort zone. Here is a satisfying and …

Have some extra avocados around and aren’t sure what to do with them? Instead of putting them on a sandwich or making guacamole, try this chocolatey dessert instead! You can feel comforted that your sweet treat not only tastes good, but it is also high in healthy fats and antioxidants. Chocovado Mousse (serves 2) Ingredients: 1 Avocado 1 Banana (preferably frozen) ½ cup Almond or Rice Milk 1 Tablespoon Raw Cacao Powder ½ Tablespoon Raw Honey Directions: Blend well in blender. Add ice for a thicker texture. Serve immediately.

From traveling on-the-go to a mid-day pick me up, healthy snacks can give our bodies the boost of nutrients it needs to keep going. This week, I decided to make sweet potato chips for a quick and healthy snack. Sweet potatoes are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium, potassium, and beta-carotene, which make them a nutrient dense food that can help protect against the cold and flu season as the weather starts to change. Enjoy them fresh or make a bunch and take them with you! Either way, you won’t be disappointed. Ingredients: 1 to 2 sweet potatoes Olive oil Himalayan Sea Salt Directions: 1. …

Yes, you can have cookies for breakfast—and yes, they can be healthy! Food Mood Girl Lindsey Smith of Brookline shares this recipe that will help start your day on a healthy note: Ingredients: 2 cups gluten free rolled oats ½ cup almonds, chopped 3 Tbsp chia seeds 2 Tbsp raw cacao ¼ cup agave nectar (or honey, brown rice syrup), melted ½ cup creamy almond butter, melted Directions: 1. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. 2. Add melted agave nectar (or your choice sweetener) and almond butter 3. Mix thoroughly until mixture forms one solid ball 4. Lightly press into an 8x8 pan 5. …

Sometimes I really get in the mood for some pancakes. However, most boxed mixes are unhealthy and full of unnecessary fillers. While experimenting with different ingredients, I not only whipped up these homemade pancakes in a matter of minutes, but they are way healthier than most store-bought mixes. Try for yourself and see! Oatmeal Pancakes Ingredients: 1 ½ cup oatmeal ½ cup whole wheat flour 2 teaspoon baking powder 2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 tablespoon nut butter 1 banana, chopped 1 ¼ cup almond or rice milk Directions: 1. Mix dry ingredients together in a medium size mixing bowl. 2. Add …

I am always up and running, so quick and easy snacks are essential to keep me going throughout the day. Sometimes I want a sweet snack like a piece of fruit, but other times, I want something salty. Instead of reaching for a bag of chips, I decided to make these roasted chickpeas. They are great an on-the-go treat or you can even sprinkle them on your salad for an extra crunch. Ingredients: 1 can of chickpeas, drained and dried 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil Sea salt and pepper, to season Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. Take a baking sheet and lightly coat with olive oil. 3. Roll the …

Looking for a quick, natural boost of energy during the day? These easy energy bars will do just the trick. They will not only increase your stamina, but are high in fiber and Vitamin E, which will also keep your stomach full and your skin glowing. Ingredients: ½ cup raw cashews, chopped ½ cup raw almonds, chopped ½ cup raw peanuts, chopped ½ cup sunflower seeds, chopped 2 Tbsp. chia seeds 1 ½ cup quick oats ½ cup almond or peanut butter, melted 1/3 cup brown rice syrup or honey, melted Directions: 1. Combine cashews, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds to mixture. 2. Slowly add…

Granola bars used to be a good breakfast idea until many companies and brands started filling what should be a simple recipe with a hodgepodge of ingredients, most of which cannot be pronounced. Even bars that we think are healthy for us, end up being filled with sugar, food dyes, and food additives, which makes these homemade quick and easy granola bars almost too good to be true. They are low in sugar, ingredients, and best of all—no need to bake them. Say goodbye to store bought granola bars and make your own with this yummy recipe! Ingredients: 3 cups quick oats 3 Tbsp. chia seeds ½ cup …

Need to make cookies for a work party or cookie exchange? Try these delicious Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies. They not only taste delicious, but they have half the sugar of regular cookies. So you can really have your cookie and eat it too! Ingredients: ½ cup unsweetened applesauce ½ cup organic palm sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 cup almond flour, sifted 1 ½ cups rolled oats ½ tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. sea salt 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon ½ cup dark chocolate chips or carob chips Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. With a mixer or…

As the winter weather kicks in, our bodies start to naturally crave warmer foods and drinks, such as hot soups and warming teas and ciders. While I am a fan of tea and cider, I also love some hot chocolate in the holiday mix. However, most store-bought hot chocolate is filled with chemicals, additives, and tons of sugar. So give your body a break and instead, make your own hot chocolate to ensure your ingredients are few and the taste is superb! Ingredients: 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other milk preference) 1 Tbsp. raw cacao 1-2 Tbsp. raw honey or maple syrup 1 tsp pure vanilla extract…

Don’t let the greens fool you. These collard green fajita wraps are not only delicious, but they are gluten-free and a unique way to make sure you get your greens! The hot ingredients steam the inside of the wrap, making it crisp and fresh, but easy to chew. Unlike tortilla shells, collards don’t break apart on you, making them a mess-free dish. Did I mention it also saves you the calories other tortilla shells add on? A win-win for both taste and health! Ingredients: Fajitas: 2 collard greens, de-stemmed and tore into tortilla size 1 large onion, chopped 1 red pepper, chopped 3 clovers fresh…

When I think of the holidays, I immediately think of food; everything from pumpkin pie to stuffing to mom’s famous sweet potato casserole. Whether it’s eating at a family celebration, a work celebration, or a cookie exchange with friends, food consumes us during the holidays. While it can bring great joy to eat and be with friends and family, it can also bring about some serious food stress. With the plethora of food, we worry about gaining weight, eating something we don’t think we should, or giving in to all the temptations. However, this year pledge to do things differently when it comes …

It wasn’t long ago where pumpkins, acorns, and squashes were mere fall décor for my home. Aside from the occasional summer squash, the fall and winter squashes seemed too intimidating for me to handle. Once I got past the intimidation however, I realized that cooking squash was a lot easier than I thought. This season, butternut squash has become a staple in my house because of its creamy flavor and easy cooking methods. If you are new to cooking squash or a veteran, this recipe is a must try for this fall and winter! Ingredients: 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed 1 bag of carrots (6-8 …

The other day, I really wanted a sweet, crunchy, and healthy snack. I literally had nothing on hand. Instead of hopping to the grocery store for a pre-made package of something, I decided to get a little creative with ingredients I did have. I whipped up these amazing “Crunchy Bliss Bites” in about 10 minutes. They not only taste good, but they are super easy to make and satisfy both a sweet and crunchy craving! Ingredients: ½ cup cashews ¼ cup coconut shreds 2 Tbsp. raw cacao ¾ cup quick oats 1 tsp sea salt 6 tsp coconut oil 2 tsp raw honey ½ cup almond butter Directions: 1. Process cashews …

The weather in Pittsburgh this past week has been a roller coaster. One day I was wearing flip-flops and the next day, I was in boots. My food choices were much like my clothing choices; one day I wanted a smoothie and the next day I wanted something warm and hearty. This past weekend I decided to cozy up during the rain and make a warming quinoa casserole dish. This dish has little ingredients and goes a long way. It is also great for potlucks, parties, and even lunch the next day. Ingredients: 1 ½ cups dry quinoa (I used tri-color quinoa) 3 cups vegetable broth 1, 15 oz can black beans, …

Do you ever feel stuck in the kitchen? You open up the cabinets or fridge and it looks bare? So you end up settling for some instant oatmeal or frozen pizza? I have been traveling for the past week and when I came home, I definitely felt this way. Luckily, I had absolute staples in my house to ensure I could make something that was both quick and delicious. Here are some simple pantry must-haves to ensure you always have a quick and easy meal at your fingertips: Vegetable Broth Assortment of Canned Beans Frozen Fruit Frozen Vegetables Dry Beans Brown Rice Pasta Dry grains like couscous, …

Seasonal cleansing is a chance to purge what is no longer serving you from the last season and to allow the new season to begin. During the fall, our bodies tend to crave more grounding and warming foods to purge the previous light and fresh season. The fall is also a great time to clean, purge, and organize as our bodies are ready to re-focus energy. This week’s recipe comes from the Bliss Cleanse, a seasonal cleansing program I co-created with fellow co-author, Lorraine Miller of Nourish by Nature. This recipe is one of our personal fall favorites: Pumpkin Pancakes. Ingredients: 1 ½ cup …