To DIET or not to DIET, THAT is the REAL question!!

Deciding to go back to school and become a student of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition has been one of the very best decisions I've made in my life!  I'm learning more than I ever dreamed I would.  It is TOTALLY amazing as to how what we eat, exercise, stress, relationships, careers, etc. have such a HUGE impact on the health of a person!!!  I'm blown away each and every day I study!  I am so grateful for this opportunity to learn and expand my knowledge and horizons! 
I've learned for myself that dieting is just a way that we have been brain washed by these big diet program businesses to set us up to fail so we will continue to come back and fill their pockets again and again! I've lost 40 lbs. without going on ANY diet!!  It's amazing to me that these diet companies are getting more and more sly and sneaky about how they market their programs.  Our nation is at least starting to talk about health in a more pro-active way and "Healthy" is becoming a word people are starting to pay attention to because each and everyone of us has been touched by what it's like NOT to be "healthy", whether it is our own health that is compromised or a loved ones health, we've seen for ourselves what that looks like. 
Now these companies as well as other companies are popping up and starting to use the words, "Healthy and Natural" on their products.  BUT DON'T BE FOOLED!! I think the thing that is bothering me the most right now are these new companies that are promoting products that are supposed to be "ALL NATURAL" and trying to make people think their program is not a "DIET" with all their shakes and other "natural" products.  Folks, if it acts like a diet, looks like a diet, and smells like a diet, IT'S A DIET!!!  I have no doubt that they do help people lose weight just like ALL the diets that we've had around for years and years BUT what is happening is the people that try these products and lose some weight on them are being brain washed to think that they have to stay on their products to continue to lose weight AND to keep it off.  How convenient for them!  When in reality we can lose weight ourselves that is TOTALLY sustainable for a LIFE time without having to depend upon ANY companies products.  All we need is a grocery store and the right information!!!!  Starting in September I will be certified to start coaching clients.  I am armed with the knowledge to help you STOP the battle with weight forever and help you to "de-program" your minds in thinking that the only way to reach your goal is to go on one of these diets and in order to sustain all the work you went through to get to the weight you want, you have to keep buying their products.  Your FREEDOM is in site!  I found mine and it is the most amazing, empowering feeling I've felt in my life!  Let me share it with you!  Contact me at: aspiringtofreedom@gmail.com to set up your FREE consultation now!

I'm learning more and more that getting healthy is SUCH a fun and wonderful experience!  The key is to become more open minded and start thinking "out of the box".  Who would have ever guessed that pizza made with a "Cauliflower" crust was SOOOO yummy and light!!!  Have you ever ventured out to try a new food before like Quinoa?  Remember, everything you put into your mouth helps to create your blood cells, your heart cells, your liver cells, your brain cells, etc.  If you are feeding your body junk, you are going to have JUNK cells and organs that will be very susceptible to disease!  I used to think that if a food is "healthy" then it has to taste terrible.  Boy was I wrong!!
 I'm teaching  "Healthy Cooking" classes in Sallisaw and Gore, OK.  Last night I demonstrated how to make an absolutely DELICIOUS pizza that has a crust made with Cauliflower. If you would have seen the faces on these wonderful women as they took their first bite of this pizza, you would know without a doubt that "healthy" IS delicious!!! It is so easy to prepare and doesn't take long to make it.  I have NO doubt that you and your family will just love it!  I will be posting healthy recipes on my blog once a month for you to try that have been tested by my Healthy Cooking class students.  Enjoy!  Please feel free to make a comment and let us know what you and your family thought of the recipe.


Cauliflower crust pizza - Grain Free, Gluten Free

1 cup cooked, chopped cauliflower

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp crushed garlic

1/2 tsp garlic salt

olive oil

Pizza sauce, shredded cheese and your choice of toppings.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Chop the cauliflower florets into chunks and steam them in a steamer or on the stove until slightly soft for 15 minutes. Place in a bowl and mash it with a fork into smaller chunks.One large head should produce approximately 3 cups of chopped cauliflower. The remainder can be used to make additional pizza crusts immediately, or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

To Make the Pizza Crust:

Prepare your baking pan by covering it with parchment paper and spreading a small amount of olive oil on top of it.
In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup cauliflower, egg and cheese. Add oregano, crushed garlic and garlic salt, stir. Transfer to the baking pan, and using your hands, pat out into a 9" round.
Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. To the crust, add sauce, favorite toppings and cheese. I use crumbled cooked Turkey sausage, sliced Tomato, Red Pepper, Yellow Pepper, Basil, Onions, Mushrooms, and Mozzarella Cheese. Place under a broiler at high heat for 4 minutes. Serve immediately. This pizza is so light, not like the traditional dough pizza!

I got this wonderful recipe from: http://whatsfordinner-momwhatsfordinner.blogspot.com/2012/05/cauliflower-crust-pizza.html?pfstyle=wp