Refresh Your Gym Bag.. with Natural Ingredients!

Whether your hitting the gym, fitness classes, the yoga studio or the great outdoors to workout this spring, you need to be sure to disinfect your gym bag and its contents!

Need an all natural tip to help keep the germs away?  Try this:

Make your own Essential-Oil-Infused Disinfectant Spray

All you need is:

•  a small spray bottle
• lavender essential oil
• tea tree oil

Fill the Spray bottle with distilled, spring or purified water, add 2 drops of tea tree oil and 1 drop of lavender oil and viola!  With its anti-fungal, antibacterial and tension relieving properties, this winning combination will keep the germs at bay, while giving your gym bag a fresh scent and can help to relax you after a workout in the process!  Keep this bottle in your gym bag so you can spray and wipe your gym stuff immediately after use.  This solution is perfect for cleaning the inside of your bag, your yoga mat, shoes, hat etc. which can all be a breading ground for germs.

TIP:  With essential oils, a little bit goes a long way!  So what if you spend a little extra on the concentrated oil.... it will last you forever!   Lavender and Tea tree oil are among the essentials that I have in my home....

Organic Collard Greens and Pico de Gallo Recipe

When we think of collard greens, most of us probably think of the good ol' southern tradition of cooking them down, with a turkey neck bone and lots of salt and butter.   While they taste good, unfortunately, cooking down your greens negates the majority its nutritional value.   

Tonight for dinner, as a side dish, I whipped up some Collard Greens and topped with some Pico de Gallo.... Yummie!  I only cooked the greens for 3-6 minutes/or until bright and tender.  Here is what I did:

What you need:
one bunch, Organic Collard Greens
Pepper
Sea salt
Vegetable stock or Better than Bouillon, organic base

What to do:

• Clean greens by Soaking in cold water with 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar  (click here for directions)
• In a pan on medium heat, add 2/3 cup of water and a 1/2 teaspoon of Better than Boullion
• Once nice and warm, add freshly cleaned greens and pepper and sea salt to taste.  Cover for 3 minutes. 
• Flip and move the greens around.   
• Add pico de gallo and cover for 2 more minutes.
• When greens are tender and at their brightest color, remove from heat and serve immediately.

Collard greens are packed with nutrients! They are an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, B6, A, C and E, carotene, chlorophyll, and manganese. Collard greens are also a very good source of fiber, and several minerals, including iron, copper,calcium, manganese, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and omega 3 fatty acids. 

Vegetables help to move "stuff" through your digestive track and are so ridiculously good for you. Not only should you eat your veggies everyday, but you should also ensure that you are eating them in a way so they will retain the most nutrients. 

Hope you enjoy!