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Sometimes I almost feel like a chemist in a laboratory when I walk through the aisles of my local supermarkets! Each time I make that trek I become more and more convinced that that’s not the place I need to be picking up items to put in my stomach. I’m convinced the packaged food aisles are simply halls of death masquerading toxic food additives as “flavor” enhancers or “benign ingredients”.

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While packaged foods can be helpful sometimes (i.e. emergency foodstuffs for disaster relief, etc), they are definitely a class of foods every person should avoid if they value their lives!  Few people realize that those “packaged” foods they’re eating are loaded with toxic food additives!

Depending on what region of the world you live making sense of food labels can be a mysterious and frustrating task for the average person. For instance, here in the U.S. food label regulations and protections are ass-backward in my humble opinion.

Over the years, I’ve made it my business to become my own food and health advocate. I’ve been pouring over labels, ingredient names, questionable additives and so forth. What did I learn? Well, MY health and wellbeing are definitely not high up on the list of priorities for the packaged food industry!

Now I don’t know about you, but I LOVE my Mayo! I love it on my sandwiches and I sometimes use it as a base for some of my recipes. BUT after a bit of label reading, I was shocked to find an ingredient that is typically used in medical labs (and other industries), is showing up in my mayo! Say what? That’s right people. A dubious chemical that’s used in industrial processes and in certain medications, has a home in our mayonnaise! Everyday people seem to be missing the fact that this toxic food additive is hiding in their food!

Don’t take my word for it. When you read up on some of the “potential” health issues associated with this toxic food additive you will leave that jar of poison on the shelf too! I’m definitely not the only one raising the alarm about these toxic food additives and I am convinced that the more we rise up as consumers, the better of we will all be.

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Coming from a background in the medical laboratory, I KNOW that this is nothing I want in my food. It has no business showing up on my plate! As a matter of fact, EDTA is actually banned in some countries outside of the U.S. (i.e. Australia) and is well regulated elsewhere (i.e. Europe) in its use in personal care items, etc.

EDTA is a chemical really should be in our food. The packaged food industry uses it as a stabilizer and preservative to give their products a longer shelf life-too bad it doesn’t give YOU a long shelf life!

Thanks to the organic revolution and food advocates, the use of these toxic food additives are coming to light. As a matter of fact, some of these large corporations are trying to rebrand themselves as “healthy” by doing what they should have done in the first place. What’s wrong with producing food items that are not harmful to consumers? There’s no need for “rebranding” if you don’t put questionable and toxic food additives in the foods you’re marketing to the public!

Enough with the additives already! If it’s not processed sugars, in our foods it’s chemicals with questionable impacts on our health and wellbeing. It’s up to us to help educate one another and compel our regulatory agencies and our legislators to do the right thing!

The processed and packaged food industries have done their best to hide what’s in our food as well as the origins of the ingredients they contain. Thanks to organizations like the EWG (Environmental Working Group )  and others like them, we are becoming educated about what’s in our food.

I have become a label fanatic simply to keep myself and my family from being poisoned by our food industries, which is a sad commentary on the state of our regulatory agencies here in the USA. While, I know no country has consumer protection down a 100%, we’ve got to do better starting with now.

As consumers, we need to educate ourselves about our food and demand that our legislators step up and force compliance. You really can’t trust the “fox” to “guard the henhouse”, that’s just nuts and totally ineffectual!

Bottom line? know what’s in your food and get involved in your community. It is our responsibility to rise up and demand better from the food industry and our legislators. The only way we can protect ourselves and our families is to get involved and educated about what’s in our food. I’ve found a number of online resources to help me fight back!

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Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quick. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

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There are so many reasons why ingesting huge amounts of (processed) sugar is a terrible idea, but few people recognize the devasting impacts sugar can have on the body. Between the heavy marketing and confusing information from doctors and nutritionists alike, it’s no wonder that the facts get lost in the shuffle. Processed sugar in all its forms and packagings are literally killing us and if we don’t stop it right now, more people will die.

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Here are some basic facts about sugar:

1.First and foremost, sugar contains a lot of calories and has no essential nutrients. If that isn’t enough to make you pause, consider the fact that it also causes tooth decay by fueling the production and proliferation of harmful bacteria in the mouth.

2.Next, added sugar is high in fructose and can overload your liver. A sedentary lifestyle coupled with the typical western diet that’s filled with processed foods, high in sodium and lots of sugar; the high levels of fructose in this type of diet is transformed into fat in the liver. The danger here is that it can lead to non-alcoholic liver disease.

So what’s the big deal?

The problem arises from the fact that when sugar enters the bloodstream from the digestive tract, it gets broken down into glucose and fructose. Now, while glucose is present in every living organism (if we don’t get it through diet our bodies can also produce), fructose is much different. This particular type of sugar is neither needed by the body nor do we produce it in any significant quantity.

While it’s not a problem when we take in small quantities (i.e. from fruits) since fructose can only be metabolized by the liver, consuming large quantities of this sugar can overload the liver. Not only this, fructose elevates your LDL (a.k.a. bad cholesterol), blood fats and lowers insulin resistance!

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3.The big “C” or cancer is one of the leading causes of death throughout the world. It is essentially the uncontrolled growth and proliferation of cells. Also, since insulin is one of the major hormones responsible for regulating cell growth, excessive levels of this hormone can contribute to cancer.

Several studies also show that people who consume large amounts of sugar in their diet are at a much higher risk for both cardiovascular disease and cancer (with inflammation listed as a potential cause).

4. Still hanging on to that crazy train? sugar cause large amounts of dopamine to be released in the reward center of the brain and is very addictive. In fact, because of the large amounts found in processed foods, etc the danger lies in the fact these amounts are much larger than what we ordinarily are exposed to from natural sources.

The truth is that most of the processed and fast food industries are aware of the addictive nature of processed sugar but do little to address the issue so it falls to the consumer to educate his or herself about what’s in their food!

5. Experts now believe that consuming large amounts of sugar over a long period of time can accelerate the aging process. So those lines and wrinkles you’re seeing in the mirror? You can blame a good portion of that premature aging on your diet!

While the breakdown of the skin is the result of a natural process that’s known as glycation (a  process in which the sugar in your bloodstream attaches to proteins to form harmful new molecules called advanced glycation end products or AGEs). When you eat a lot of sugar you increase the amount of AGE production.

When it comes to breaking unhealthy relationships with food, the struggle is real! SIGN UP & Find out more about ditching that processed sugar craze in my free 7 DAY DETOX event (Live on Facebook) beginning January 20-27th

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Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quick. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

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Hello, goodness and all my fellow skincare freaks! I make no bones about splurging on skincare, especially when I come across a brand that’s all about eco-friendly, animal-friendly, and plant-based skincare. Today I’m sharing my new secret weapon from Benu Cosmetics.

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I know it can often be hard to see the forest for the trees in the world of cosmeceuticals, skincare and wellness industries, BUT I would be doing us all a huge disservice by not featuring this up and coming skin care gem. I hate when old favorites keep messing with their formulas in the name of “improvements” (it’s just reformulating and branding, seriously, who gives a flying fig?) to the point where my skin straight up lodges a serious rebellion and I’m forced to go a-hunting for a new line that’s all natural, loaded with anti-oxidants and won’t throw me into a tailspin. Well, enough of that! I recently got the opportunity to try out “Hello Skin” serum from ©Benu Cosmetics, and needless to say, I am a fan.

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 I love the feel and texture of Benu Cosmetics’ “Hello Skin” serum! It’s an awesome new line, founded by a millennial who’s serious about making changes in both the skincare industry and the environment! It’s vegan, organic and uses all natural ingredients that will nourish, moisturize and heal your skin. Additionally, if you’ve got sensitive skin like I do this is one item you won’t want to pass on. My love of organic and all-natural skincare is what fuels my interest in this particular brand.

Don’t take it from me though, grab yourself a bottle of Benu Cosmetics’ flagship serums, “Hello Skin” and try it out for yourself. It’s not every day that you encounter a product that is both simple and complex in one encounter. Boasting a short list of ingredients (no more than five ingredients) blended together in a unique proprietary formula, ©benucosmetics is my new bestie for my skincare needs. While it isn’t always the case that I fall in love with a particular skincare brand, I had to share my review of ©Benu Cosmetics “Hello Skin” serum ’cause I’m all about loving the skin I’m in!

Plus, since I’m also a great shopper I’m sharing my discount code with ALL of you>> RIGHT HERE!

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Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quick. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

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Whether you’re an athlete, gym rat or just someone who wants to optimize their fitness and health, certain nutrients are key to maintaining a healthy body and supporting the body’s ability to heal itself and stave off illness and disease. While this is by no means a complete list, here are 5 key nutrients that you need in your diet in order to optimize your health and fitness.

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There are no shortcuts to achieving optimal fitness and health (sustainable and long-term, at least). The best way to optimize your performance and by extension your fitness is through a well-balanced diet. 5 key nutrients that will help you meet those goals are potassium, magnesium, protein, B-vitamins, and anti-oxidants.

1. Potassium (Dietary potassium): Is a mineral that is critical for the proper functions of all body systems. We hear a lot about potassium and potassium-rich foods, but most people don’t realize how critical it is to sustaining life. In particular, Major organs like the heart, kidneys, etc require potassium in order to work normally. For the most part, people who eat a healthy and balanced diet typically get enough potassium without having to resort to supplements.

In general, it’s never a good idea to be chronically deficient in key dietary minerals like potassium and magnesium. As a matter of fact, low potassium is associated with a risk of success conditions as arthritis, high blood pressure, and infertility.

For those experiencing low potassium, your health care provider can recommend anything from changes in diet to supplements, etc.  From a nutritional stance, the demands of athletic sports and intense exercise generally contribute to a significant loss of salt, potassium, and magnesium in the sweat.

   2. Magnesium: As I pointed out earlier, magnesium plays a vital role in maintaining normal cellular function and bone health. When it comes fitness, performance and actually seeing “results”, balance is key. Too little or too much of any one mineral never bodes well for your health. In a lot of instances, a deficiency in one nutrient can hinder the proper function of another. For instance, magnesium in combination with phosphorous plays an essential role in energy metabolism.

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3. Protein: Yes, we’ve all our doctors and dieticians talk about it, but how often are we guilty of not having either enough of it or we’re consuming poor quality proteins in our daily diet?  In case you missed it, protein is a critical building block for building muscle, repair tissue, and is an important component of all cells within the body. Also, protein is required for the synthesis of various hormones, enzymes, etc.

Want to lose weight and keep it off? You really need good quality protein as a regular part of each meal. Plus, if you’re not into animal protein, there are plenty of plant-based sources that are equally good (i.e.beans and other legumes)!

4. B-vitamins: Include thiamin, riboflavin folate, B6 and the more well-known vitamin B12, are all required for the proper function and development of the brain, nerves, blood cells, heart, etc. When you’re deficient in these nutrients bad things happen. Anemia, memory loss, fatigue, weakness, and digestive problems are just some of the signs one can expect to see. Typical sources of these vitamins are fish, meats, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. For those who have adopted a vegan lifestyle, other sources can be found in dietary supplements or food sources that have been fortified.

However, fat-soluble vitamins like B12 can only be found in animal sources so a strict vegetarian or vegan must have foods either fortified or you need to use dietary supplements.

5. Anti-oxidants: They include but are not limited to, some vitamins ( beta-carotene and vitamins E and C), some minerals (i.e. selenium), and flavonoids (a diverse group of phytonutrients found in most fruits and vegetables). The best sources of antioxidants are fruits and vegetables. Just in case you’re wondering, flavonoids can also be found in red wine and teas.

Antioxidants are powerhouses of goodness and their benefits cover a broad spectrum of health benefits from combating inflammatory responses (i.e. workout recovery), antioxidative stress (i.e. cell damage brought on by free radicals).

The bottom line here is that nutrition is a key portion of a healthy lifestyle and is especially important when it comes down to optimizing your fitness and performance. So the next time you leave the gym, finish a sweat session at home or in the great outdoors, remember to fuel your body with a balanced plate of wholesome goodness. If you’re just getting started on the right path, remember that your body needs these 5 key nutrients in order to get that ball rolling!

Also, realize that nutrition is just part of the equation. The other part of this actually involves the exercise component whether you do it at home or in a gym, the point is to get your body in motion on a consistent basis.

As a matter of fact, make sure you take a good hard look at what’s inside your fridge and or pantry and give it a good detox for the new you in the New Year!

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Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quick. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

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We all know how expensive groceries can become especially when you move between seasons or are making a huge shift in how you feed yourself and your family.

Making healthy nutritional choices doesn’t have to break the bank nor do they have to become an overwhelming experience. While you might think you’re saving money (i.e. buying processed foods instead of fresh produce, etc) by not buying organic and locally sourced produce (get my FREE quick and easy grocery guide for the EWG recommendations for produce in 2017), or stocking up on frozen meals, the truth is that the hidden health costs associated with these types of low quality “foods” are extremely high.

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I don’t know about you, but I hate drama in the kitchen. When it comes to my next meal I want it healthy, quick, uncomplicated and delicious! Given the plethora of techno kitchen devices and accessories, there really is no reason any of us should be stuck in the kitchen for hours on end.

With that in mind, I’ve come up with one dish that works for both vegans and non-vegans alike. It starts off with some skin-on salmon steaks (non-vegan option), string beans, arugula, romaine lettuce, artichoke hearts, cubed goat cheese (substitute vegan cheese in place of goat cheese), onions, garlic, dried chiles, EVOO and a medley of savory spices.

The vegan option for this dish simply requires eliminating the animal protein, which can be substituted with grilled or baked tempeh steaks. See? Simple!

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What you will need for this dish: (non-vegan  / vegetarian option)

1. Skin-on salmon steaks (one per serving).

2. Green beans (raw, 1/2 cup per serving).

3. Arugula (2 cups raw, shredded).

4. Romain lettuce (2 cups).

5. Artichoke hearts (1 cup chopped or cubed). For this quick version, you can use low-sodium organic canned artichokes in water.

6. 1 medium onion (yellow or red onions according to your preference).

7. 3 cloves of garlic (chopped).

8. Sea salt (1 tablespoon).

9.  Fresh ground black pepper (1 tablespoon)

10. Spicy paprika (1 teaspoon).

11.Curry powder (1 teaspoon).

12. Allspice (1/4 teaspoon).

13. EVOO (1/4 cup).

14. Apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons).

15. 1 medium lemon.

16. 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (sliced in half).

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Salmon steak: Season the salmon steaks with sea salt, fresh ground pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of spicy paprika, 1/2 teaspoon curry powder, 1/4 teaspoon of allspice, 1/2 clove of garlic, lemon juice (cut and squeeze the lemon juice over the salmon steaks) and allow it to marinate for a few minutes. Next, place the salmon steaks in a nonstick baking pan and lightly drizzle some EVOO over the entire dish, place in the oven and bake for 20 mins or until cooked through.

Green beans:

Snip off the tips of the green beans, wash, drain and place them in a nonstick baking pan. Lightly season the green beans with sea salt (1/4 teaspoon), black pepper and then add 1/2 clove of chopped garlic, 1/2 medium onion (sliced thin). Next, lightly drizzle a portion of the EVOO on the green beans making sure to fully incorporate it into the mixture. Place in the oven and back for 20 mins (bake until the beans are tender but still firm).

Salad:

Drain and rough cut the canned artichokes and then add the chopped romaine lettuce and cherry tomatoes. This is a simple fresh salad that goes quite well with the baked salmon and green beans. Toss these three ingredients together in a bowl and then add the teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, drizzle in some EVOO, freshly squeezed lemon juice, the remaining sea salt, spicy paprika and curry powder. You have the option of creating your salad dressing separately but here I just kept it simple and incorporated all the ingredients in one sweep but, if you’re going to serve it later it’s best to keep your dressing separate and just add it in when you’re ready to serve.

If you’re new to the healthy lifestyle or just trying to clean up your eating habits, here’s my FREE 7 DAY FOOD JOURNAL to help you get on track!!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.51″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_team_member admin_label=”Author Bio” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ name=”Tonye Tariah” position=”Freedom At The Crossroads Founder” facebook_url=”https://www.facebook.com/TonyeTariahHealthStrategist/” twitter_url=”https://twitter.com/fit_and_fab2″ image_url=”http://freedomatthecrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/16403040_732883533553339_4010103490960637755_o.jpg” background_layout=”light” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” saved_tabs=”all”]

Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quick. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

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It’s soup time

It’s another fall day in the Chicago area and that means soup time! Don’t allow the seasonal shifts and the inevitable approach of winter, keep you from embracing your creativity in the kitchen. There’s nothing like a warm bowl of my savory butternut squash and potato soup to get you through those cold days.

Also, I like to use this time to buckle down on creating healthy meals for the upcoming holiday season and avoid the temptations of overindulging in foods that don’t do anything good for my body or mindset!

That doesn’t mean I don’t have fun meals and snacks during the holidays. It simply means that by staying aligned and balanced I’m more likely to sustain healthy habits that serve my higher good in mind, body, and spirit.

Today’s recipe is for my savory butternut squash and potato soup is simple, healthy and loaded with the goodness of an awesome full-bodied flavor!

Ingredients for this savory butternut squash and potato soup

1. 5 medium potatoes or 2 cups, cubed. (Preferably Yukon gold or red potatoes).
2. 1 medium (2 cups) butternut squash, cubed.
3. 1 cup of cubed sweet potatoes.
4. 2 cups of shredded kale.
5. 2 cups of shredded red cabbage
6. 1 cup of thin-sliced/shredded Brussels sprouts.
7. 5 cups of water.
8. 2 tablespoons of sea salt.
9. 1 tablespoon of curry powder.
10. 1/2 teaspoon of spicy paprika.
11. 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme.
12. 1 tablespoon coconut oil
13. 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
14. 1/4 teaspoon of allspice.
15. 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg.

Putting it all together

Bring your water to a boil using a medium-sized pot. Next, add all your spices and sea salt to the water and boil until the mixture begins to release its aroma. Add your cubed potatoes (including the sweet potatoes) to the water and allow to cook for 15 minutes before adding in the squash (you don’t want to overcook your squash).

A good rule of thumb is to add the ingredients that require the most cooking time first and then incorporate the remaining ingredients accordingly. Since I want to preserve my nutrients as much as possible, I typically add my greens and more delicate veggies last.

Once all of the veggies have been added, allow the stew to simmer with the olive and coconut oil for 15 minutes (i.e. add the greens in the last ten minutes of cooking time).

Remove your savory butternut squash and potato soup from the stovetop and allow to set for 3mins and then this savory dish is ready to serve!

Before you go!

Have tried some of my other yummy recipes? How about this warming cold and flu-fighting tea to get you through the winter chill?

About the author

Tonye Tariah is a Holistic Health Strategist, Coach, and the founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog. Tonye helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her belief is that “the cookie-cutter method only works for cookies”. Meaning, she helps each woman in a way that is unique to each her situation. By doing this, she’s better able to help women transform their lives from the inside out. Her ultimate goal is to help women become healthy and empowered through the transformative self-care journey!

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If you’ve ever felt like life seems to be passing you by, you’re still figuring out who you are, haven’t hit your “sweet spot” yet or fully come into your own, guess what? You are not alone! You might just be, a “late bloomer”!

We all travel different paths in this life and while there may be some points of intersection along the way, we are unique and our paths tend to reflect that truth.

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So you’re wondering if you too are a late bloomer? You’ve come to right place to help you figure that out!There is nothing overly dramatic or mysterious about being a late bloomer. As a child, I often wondered why I seemed to be out of step with my peers and or felt like my path led in a different direction. No, I didn’t have some monumental epiphany; I slowly grew into an awareness of myself, the unique space I held and finally, acceptance that I was a late bloomer!

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With that in mind here are a few quick clues:

1. You feel out of sync with your peers! Have you ever felt like you were on the outside looking in? Slightly out of phase with those around you or your “peer group”? If your answer is yes to any of this, chances are that you’re a late bloomer. I’ve often found that any or all of these “feelings” or sense is the recognition that I’ve yet to fully come into my own maturation at a particular point in time.

2. Your body hasn’t caught up with your mind! In other words, I’m speaking to another aspect of being out of sync with the rest of the world. This includes everything from the physical (i.e. you don’t look your age) to other areas of your life such as marital state, professional positioning, etc.

3. You’re “just” beginning to hit your peak in your life! Unlike your peers or the rest of the world, you intuit the fact that there’s “more” awaiting you; that something transformative is about to take place in your life that will cause a significant shift from the inside out.

Like most things in life, there are no quick and dirty rules for growth or advancements on this journey. One thing we can be sure of is that each of us must strive to avoid comparing ourselves to other people and focus on our unique individual gifts, talents, and paths. Also, being a late bloomer does not translate into resting on our laurels or procrastinating and waiting for life to just happen to us, rather we must choose to live and take action!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.51″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_team_member admin_label=”Author Bio” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ name=”Tonye Tariah” position=”Freedom At The Crossroads Founder” facebook_url=”https://www.facebook.com/TonyeTariahHealthStrategist/” twitter_url=”https://twitter.com/fit_and_fab2″ image_url=”http://freedomatthecrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/16403040_732883533553339_4010103490960637755_o.jpg” background_layout=”light” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” saved_tabs=”all”]

Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quick. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

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Fall cooking

When I think of Fall, I think of cozy fires, a stack of my favorite books in my favorite nook, and the yummy fragrance of savory dishes baking in the oven. Needless to say,  I’ve learned to appreciate the beauty to be found in each season and more recently, to cherish every moment. Fall is a great opportunity to get creative in the kitchen with some awesome healthy fall recipes!

Getting creative with my recipes during the fall and winter seasons

I love the challenge of creating yummy and healthy meals using products that are in season and are ethically and sustainably sourced. Fall veggies ring in a new season of goodness and are a great opportunity to learn more about where my food comes from. Are you making the right choices when it comes to what’s on your plate? I love hardy greens and kale is one of my favorites because it’s so versatile as both a salad base and cooked dishes. Unlike spinach, it holds up well for both cold and hot recipes.

Today’s recipe

Obviously, today’s recipe is centered on kale as the basis for my spicy kale dish favorite! My basic rule for ALL of my recipes is that every dish must have a full-bodied flavor profile and incorporate gut-friendly and anti-inflammatory properties. This is a huge issue for me as I have struggled off and on with digestive maladies and have fully dived into the benefits of using spices and other ingredients that promote gut health.

Squash is another Fall favorite of mine. For this dish, I’ve used butternut squash baked in the oven with a savory blend of fresh garlic and herbs to complete this vegan dish. If you have another favorite or preference, substitute it in place of the butternut squash.

What you will need for this recipe: (Approx. 45-50 mins to prep and cook)

1. Fresh organic kale (yes, people! quick and dirty rule: if you’re going to eat the skin /leaf (s), they need to be organic veggies to limit your exposure to harmful pesticides and herbicides).

2. Fresh butternut squash (conventional non-GMO or organic, depending on your preference and budget).

3. Fresh, fine-chopped garlic (equivalent to 3 tablespoons to one large butternut squash)

4. 2 tablespoons of thyme (fresh or dry; this will be enough to season both the squash and kale).

5. 2 tablespoons of finely chopped chives (organic fresh or dry).

6. 1 tablespoon of curry powder (African curry is what I use for all my Afro-fusion dishes).

More wholesome ingredients for this recipe

7. 1 tablespoon of spicy paprika (this will be enough for both the kale and squash portions of the recipe).

8. 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric (to be used for cooking the kale portion of the dish)

9.  2 tablespoons of Braggs amino acid (to be split equally between the kale and squash portions).

10. 1/2 tablespoon of sea salt, equally portioned between the kale and squash (none of the stripped-down stuff!).

11. 1/2 teaspoon of allspice (equally portioned between the kale and squash).

12. 1 teaspoon of ground African crayfish (eliminate this ingredient if you’re allergic to shellfish or if you want the vegan alternative).

13. 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground nutmeg.

14. 1/4 cup of olive oil (this will be enough to prepare the kale and butternut squash).

Cooking instructions: Kale

This is a two-part dish with the kale cooked on the stovetop and the butternut squash baked in the oven. It’s not complicated and only requires a bit of organization on your part. First, place a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat and add two tablespoons of olive oil to gradually warm-up(using the two tablespoons of olive oil that was set aside for the kale portion of this recipe).

Next, add your spices and gently mix them together in olive oil and allow the heat to release the aroma. Don’t allow the ingredients to burn, so you need to keep a close eye on this process at this point! Incorporate the chopped garlic and crayfish and allow the mixture to cook for 1 min. Finally, add both the chopped /shredded kale and the chopped chives to the mixture and sauteé for approximately 10-15 mins or until wilted, and then set it aside while you continue prepping the other half of this dish(your greens should still be green and not overcooked!).

Cooking instructions: Butternut squash

First, set your oven to 375ºF, lightly coat your baking dish with 1 tablespoon of olive oil (set aside the second tablespoon of olive oil until you’re ready to season the butternut squash). Wash and peel the butternut squash and then cut it into small to medium-sized cubes and then season with the spices you set aside for this half of the recipe. Next, top the squash with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil making sure that the squash is fully coated in both the olive oil and the spices. Finally, cover the pan with foil and bake for ten minutes on the top rack of the oven. After 10 minutes, remove the foil and place the baking pan on the middle oven rack and back for an additional 15 mins and once it has cooked remove the butternut squash (once it’s medium soft with a light brown tint, it’s done!).

Serving it up

Finally, allow the squash to cool for five minutes, and then plate your creation! Bon appetite and help yourself to the freebies on this page!

P.s. if you’re still on the fence about how to break free into healthy habits CLICK HERE!

Before you go!

Remember that every season has something good to contribute to your life’s experience. That’s also true when it comes to preparing seasonal recipes we feed ourselves and our families.

Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie-cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quickly. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

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Like it or not, food is a huge part of our lives! Considering we need it to live ( nourish, heal, and keep all of our body systems functioning at an optimal level), it’s so important to have the right relationship with our food.

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There is never a good reason to rush through your meal or use it for something other than what’s it’s naturally intended for, etc. Sometimes we allow our lives to get so busy and packed with “noise”, we lose sight of what really matters-our health and wellbeing (i.e. mind, body, and soul).

Don’t live to work, work to live! Quality of life is defined by balance and recognizing that YOU matter and that your health is a huge part of that equation.

In honor of that, I decided to add a new twist to an old recipe of mine for a nutrient dense, spiced kale salad to usher in the Fall season.

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For this quick and easy kale salad recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

1. 3 cups of fresh chopped/shredded organic kale

2. 1/4 cup of thin-sliced onions (I prefer spicy red onions)

3. 1/2 cup of julienned mini sweet bell peppers

4. 7. 1/2 cup of organic riced cauliflower

5. 1/2 cup of fresh, mini portabella mushrooms

6.  1/2 cup of julienned organic carrots

7. 1/4 teaspoon of allspice

8. 1/4 teaspoon of spicy paprika

Additionally, I created my own vinaigrette from scratch since it’s cheaper and far more healthy. When you prep and cook your own meals, it’s not difficult to make a conscious connection between your body and what you choose to put into it! Not only that, it’s easy to make and can be tailored to fit your taste (i.e. spicy and or more savory).

To assemble the recipe first mix the veggies together in a large salad bowl and then sprinkle the spices over your salad mixture. Once all of the ingredients are incorporated together, top off your salad with a vinaigrette dressing of your choosing or simply create your own.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.51″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_team_member admin_label=”Author Bio” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ name=”Tonye Tariah” position=”Freedom At The Crossroads Founder” facebook_url=”https://www.facebook.com/TonyeTariahHealthStrategist/” twitter_url=”https://twitter.com/fit_and_fab2″ image_url=”http://freedomatthecrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/16403040_732883533553339_4010103490960637755_o.jpg” background_layout=”light” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” saved_tabs=”all”]

Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quick. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

[/et_pb_team_member][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

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We all know how easy it is to reach for unhealthy snacks and quick fixes, especially during the summer heat but there are a number of ways to avoid those pitfalls! Filling and fueling up on nutrient dense smoothies are an excellent way to not only quench your thirst for something cool and creamy but they are also great opportunities to pack in those fruits and veggies we often miss during the hectic work week.

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Don’t be deceived by those fast food restaurant pseudo “healthy” alternatives that are packed with added sugar, mystery syrups, and additives that are claiming to be “fruit” and or yogurt smoothies!  After all, you get what you pay for in this instance. You can’t expect a fast food chain to deliver on healthy, organic and non-GMO at those prices (cheap up front, but you pay for it big time with the gains to your waistline) because the truth is, you will pay more for quality ingredients that have been sustainably sourced.

This is why I make the conscious decision to create healthy smoothies and protein shakes either from scratch or uses a protein powder that I know and trust (based on my own research, reviews, etc). For my smoothie recipes, I use one of my favorite protein mixes (check it out under resources in the fitness favorites section) along with some other varieties I’ve tried from my local health food store.

For my Choco nutrient blast smoothie I’ve created a list of ingredients below:

1. Chocolate vegan shakeology (available via the link on the resources page under fitness favorites or you substitute your own variety that you love).
2. 2 table spoons of organic nonfat vanilla (or plain and just 1/4 teaspoon real vanilla) greek yogurt.
3. 1/2 cup almond milk (or soy, rice milk).
4. 1/2 cup water (cold).
5. 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
6. 1/4 teaspoon maca root powder (I add this for an extra punch but you can leave this out if you prefer; also check with your health care provider to make sure this will not interfere with any medications you might be taking).
7. 1/4 teaspoon of ginger powder

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Offering/ Lead Magnet Goes Here” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ src=”http://freedomatthecrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Grab-Your-Pantry-Detox-Guide-As-A-GIFT-From-Us.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url=”https://tonye-tariah-health-fitness.teachable.com/p/detox-pantry-guide” url_new_window=”on” use_overlay=”off” sticky=”off” align=”center” always_center_on_mobile=”on” border_style=”solid” force_fullwidth=”off” /][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]

Next, blend all of your ingredients in a high-speed blender and serve cold. You can also allow your smoothie to set in the freezer for 45 minutes for a soft serve creamy delight! Bonne Appetite! Plus, if you’re still clueless about how to begin your journey to clean eating, grab the free guide on this page or book some convo time with me when you visit the coaching and programs page!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.51″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_team_member admin_label=”Author Bio” _builder_version=”3.0.51″ name=”Tonye Tariah” position=”Freedom At The Crossroads Founder” facebook_url=”https://www.facebook.com/TonyeTariahHealthStrategist/” twitter_url=”https://twitter.com/fit_and_fab2″ image_url=”http://freedomatthecrossroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/16403040_732883533553339_4010103490960637755_o.jpg” background_layout=”light” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” saved_tabs=”all”]

Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quick. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

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