I know. I know. You think I mean it is the New Year already. But what I am really thinking is that my firstborn will be 31 at the end of this month and I was not young when we had him! How did this happen? Where did the time go? Here I am on the downside of 50 (well let me be honest, even that decade has passed!) and I am still trying to figure out how to eat healthier, exercise more and learn to relax better! Not to mention I haven't posted anything since August! Well that can't be undone. But, what about you? How are things going? Now maybe some of you have a head start on me and that is wonderful. All I am saying is that no matter what your age, where you live, and what your life circumstances are, most of us can use a little encouragement in the "let's get healthier" category. We always think of January 1 as the day to "turn over a new leaf" "make a new year's resolution" be resolved and say, "I am really going to start..." and although most of us have great intentions, we often times find ourselves at the end of January, already losing our war on changing. Don't beat yourself up because "today really is the first day of the rest of your life!"

I have redeveloped a friendship with my 'VITAMIX TURBOBLEND VS.' I splurged on this baby a couple years ago when I walked into a great deal, but there are many other great blenders out there ready to be bought and used, with varying power and price tags to suit your needs. I have used it off and on and have to say, it is truly one of my "gadget" buys I have used the most. But, I have not used it to it's full potential when it comes to eating healthier, like more fruits and veggies. So, I am changing that! See, it can be done! I love making breakfast smoothies, with ground flaxseed, ground chia seeds and a my favorite protein powder. I am NOT a breakfast person, and my body runs better starting with a later breakfast, but by that time, I am often scrambling to get out the door, so eating a healthy smoothie (with the leftovers put in the fridge for a healthy in between meal snack later in the day) helps me not grab a less healthy choice. And the protein powder helps keep me full when I am on the run and pass all those fast food places that call to me when I am in a hurry. Although many of the fast food places have some decent healthy choices available, I often op for that high fat choice that just smells and tastes so good.

Here is the website of the Protein Powder of my choice. I receive no compensation and have no alternative motive for sharing this website other than I want to pass on to you, what I truly believe is one of my most exciting finds. Sounds dramatic I know, but you will understand better as you read on.

https://www.biprousa.com/

Two of the reasons I chose this company (after trying or investigating many, many others) is FIRST, they offer a choice of one of the only protein powders I have found that is unflavored AND has no sugar OR sugar substitute of any kind. (biPro WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE SUPPLEMENT, UNFLAVORED) Many of their choices have stevia, but I do not like the taste of it, so I was very excited to find a protein powder that had no sugar, no stevia, no other sugar substitute of any kind and no flavor to boot! This allows me to add only the sweetness I want using fruits, or allows me to add raw honey, agave nectar or even the occasional splash of organic raw sugar. (GASP!)

The SECOND reason I chose this company is that many of their products are NSF International (certified for Sport) http://www.nsfsport.com/ certified. My daughter was a NCAA college athlete when I was researching my protein powders (and made periodic trips home and enjoyed making healthy smoothies for off season training) and my one son is a Chaplain in the Army National Guard. This means they both need to make sure any of their supplements have no 'banned substances' that could be detected in mandatory, periodic drug testing. My son and his wife like to make healthy smoothies so when I was researching, I decided to try to find one that I could suggest to them without my son having to be worried about any drug screenings he may be given. I will be honest, I was surprised that this was a reality that had to be addressed, but evidently there have been traces of banned substance found in over the counter supplements that are out there that could produce a positive banned substance result. So, if this is a concern for you or any of your loved ones, "biPro" may be the answer. NSF international also list other companies that provide "certified for Sport" products.

I will wrap up this day's post with a sample of one of my breakfast smoothies.

1 cup milk, almond/soy milk, etc.

1 scoop of biPro Whey Protein Isolate Supplement, Unflavored)

1 scoop of beet root powder

2 Tbsp ground flaxseed

2 Tbsp ground chia seeds

Frozen fruit of choice (strawberries, blueberries, black cherries, raspberries, pineapple, mango, etc.)

1 ripe banana (I also peel and freeze my bananas that are becoming over ripe for this purpose)

Spinach and/or Kale (optional)

1/4 of an Avocado if available

The above is just a sample, but there are so many other great things you can add or substitute such as pumpkin/squash puree, ground oatmeal, wheat germ, other protein powders if you are gluten sensitive. The possibilities are endless. Parents: This is a great way to get kids to drink a healthy snack and you would be surprised what you can sneak in there without them noticing!

Making small changes can score BIG rewards when changing habits that help you in your "life and health journey" destination. My next adventure in my journey is to use my Vitamix to make warm, delicious, healthy, creamy soups. I am looking at my Vitamix cookbook and the thought of "Coconut Pumpkin Bisque," "Acorn Squash Soup," and "Carrot Ginger Tofu Soup" to name a few, are making my mouth water and the thought of eating such 'good for you soups' with some homemade healthy bread on this cold January North East, United States day is all the more reason to end this post and get busy planning and picking out the first one to try! Until next time... "Life is a Journey pursued by Mere Mortals but Ordained by God!" Embrace the Journey!