Water is Vital to your Health

http://www.fitness.com/articles/118/the_importance_of_water_consumption.php

One of the pieces of the health puzzle that is often forgotten is water.  I'm as guilty of this as anyone.  But if you think about it, with our bodies being about 2/3 water, it should be the first item we address on our checklist.

Many experts suggest that the amount of water you drink every day is calculated simply by dividing your current body weight in half, and drink that many ounces of water every day.

For example, if you weight 150 pounds, you should consume 75 ounces of water every day.  If you weight 200 pounds, you should consume 100 ounces.

Their are a ton of benefits: less toxins in the body, better digestion, better joint health, better blood circulation, etc... essentially everything your body does will work better when it has enough water.

Creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-303-504-13847-0,00.html

this dish is one of my favorites.  We enjoy adding Pepperjack cheese to give it a little heat.

420 Calories per serving, 57 Grams of Carbs, 20 Grams of Protein, 15 Grams Fat

Healthy Mexican Chicken Soup Crockpot

Ingredients

2 uncooked chicken breasts
10-16 oz black beans (not canned)
10 oz can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
28-32 oz chicken broth (depending on how much liquid you like in soups)
1-2 cups wather (depending on how much liquid you like in soups)
10 oz can tomato sauce
6 oz chili sauce
1 chopped onion
1 chopped bell pepper
1/2 chopped Anaheim or Jalapeno Pepper
2 cups spinach

Instructions

Combine all ingredients accept black beans in crock pot and cook on Low for 3 hours of High for 8 hours.  Begin soaking black beans.  Black beans should soak 4-6 hours and boil for 20 to 25 minutes before being added.  Prior to serving, remove chicken, shred and put back into crock pot and stir.

Healthy Granola Recipe

This granola is one of my favorites plain, in yogurt, or on pancakes.

Granola recipe:
3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup honey
1 cup natural sugar
2 tablespoon vanilla and/or almond extract
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3-5 tbsp dark chocolate baking cocoa
 
You need 9 1/2 cups total of these 2 ingredients:
7 or 8 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (no less then 7 cups of rolled oats)
1- 2 1/2 cups of any of the following items combined: almonds, walnuts, pecans, raisins, any dried fruit, chocolate chips, coconut, pumpkin or sunflower seeds
 
Heat oven to 325.  You need 2 rimmed baking sheets or pans.  Combine over medium heat the first 6 ingredients until the sugar dissolves and bubbles- about 3 minutes. 
In a large bowl combine the oats and other fruit/nut items. Add the warm mixture and toss thoroughly to combine. Spread the mixture evenly on the baking sheets. Bake for 20 minutes stirring 2-3 times until the granola is crisp and golden.  Cool completely before putting in containers. (I stir the granola once or twice after taking it out of the oven to keep it from sticking to the baking pans)