SWIHA Blog

6 Simple Meal Prep Tips for Beginners with SWIHA Graduate Mercedes Umphenour

Posted by Mercedes Umphenour on 12/7/23 4:00 PM

 

We all feel the same way when we are told to eat better by our physicians. “It's too expensive” and “I don’t have time for that” are two of the most common responses when I have asked people about their barriers to eating better. These two answers are some of the most discouraging to our journey and our self-esteem because when we fail we tend to take it out on ourselves, the cost at the store, or even the people who are succeeding at what we are trying to do. So here I am as a mom of two, a wife, a caregiver who works out of the house, and family members in my home with specific dietary restrictions to tell you, it's OK. You can do it.  In the last 10 years of trying to meal prep (sometimes unsuccessfully) and in the 5 years of consistent meal prepping (minus a day or week where I’m just not feeling into it) I’ve learned these 6 tips.

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Topics: Holistic Nutrition, Great Graduate, Whole Foods, Holistic Nutrition Programs, Raw Foods, Holistic Healh and Wellness Coach, Holistic Health and Wellness Coach

Happy National Cabbage Day! Celebrate with Sauerkraut & Kimchi Recipes

Posted by Jade Marvin on 2/17/22 4:00 PM

Happy National Cabbage Day! With this fabulous calendar holiday, let’s celebrate with some delicious Sauerkraut and Kimchi recipes! Before we get started, it’s important to learn a little more about fermented foods. What are fermented foods? Are they even good for you? Can you eat them? Should you eat them? In many ways, fermented foods can seem a little scary, or overwhelming if you are not used to eating them. They tend to have a really intense taste, however, so worth trying!

Food fermentation is a process that takes advantage of bacteria to alter ingredients. As mentioned before, this process often leads to fairly strong tastes, textures, and flavors. The bacteria partially breaks down the food, which is what creates this flavor and provides various health benefits too! The process in which the bacteria breaks down the food allows for the nutrients to be easier to digest, which in turn, gives you access to more nutrients than normal. Discussed further in the Holistic Nutrition: Raw Food Cuisine class offered here at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, research suggests that this is a great approach for health overall and has many potential health benefits for humans.

Now, let’s dive into the recipes!

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Topics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Holistic Nutrition, SWIHA, Whole Foods, Recipe, Arizona, Tempe, Raw Foods, Holistic Education, National Cabbage Day, Saurkraut Recipe, Kimchi Recipe, Food Fermentation, Gut Microbiome, Raw Food Cuisine

Take a Sip of Mindfulness with These Holiday Drink Recipes

Posted by Jade Marvin on 11/4/21 4:00 PM

A Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912) named Nan-in welcomed a university professor who came to learn about Zen. The Japanese master began to serve tea. Nan-in poured the professor’s cup full, and then some. As the professor watched the teacup flow, he eventually could no longer restrain himself and blurted out “It is overfull. No more will go in!” Nan-in then replied, “like this cup, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?

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Topics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, western herbalism, Holistic Nutrition, Whole Foods, Mindfulness, Nutrition, habits, spiritual studies, Mindful, Dairy-Free, Holidays, Raw Foods, Herbal Medicine, herbal teas, Holistic Education, herbal remedies, natures herbs, Mindful Practices

Fresh, Easy, Homemade Chips, Salsa, & Guac for Summer Time

Posted by Jade Marvin on 8/5/21 4:00 PM

You have guac to be kidding me!

You guac my world!

Rock out with your guac out!

Alright, this is getting ‘guacward’- enough with the guac puns - let’s get to the recipe!

It’s a hot summer day by the pool, you are hanging out with friends and family, and one of the best snacks to have...chips, salsa, and guac (oh my!). Not only are these recipes easy to follow, they are also super delicious and savory as well. Shout out to SWIHA’s Holistic Nutrition Instructor and chef, Janet Lee, for providing these flavorsome recipes.

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Topics: Holistic Nutrition, SWIHA, Whole Foods, Recipe, Nutrition, health coach, Nutrition Coach, Culinary School, Raw Foods, Clean Eating, Wellness Coach, Holistic Education, Nutrition Specialist, Comfort Foods, Health and Wellness

Raw Vegan Apple Cinnamon Torte:  A Nutritious and Nostalgic Treat

Posted by Jade Marvin on 7/8/21 4:00 PM

For many people, food can be a source of comfort and connection. Comfort food is food that provides consolation or a feeling of well-being and can be associated with childhood or home cooking. This recipe is one for the books and will create a sense of tranquility while making your mouth water at the same time!

A big thank you to Southwest Institute of Healing Arts Holistic Nutrition Instructor, Janet Lee, for providing this delectable recipe. Chef Janet Lee exclaims, “This recipe is easy to assemble and is a crowd-pleaser with the way it presents itself. A fantastic mix of sweet, tart, and very delicious!

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Topics: Holistic Nutrition, SWIHA, Whole Foods, Recipe, Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Nutrition Coach, Culinary School, Raw Foods, Clean Eating, Holistic Education, Nutrition Specialist, Comfort Foods, Health and Wellness, Apple Crumble

Phone Eats First : Delicious Vegan Chocolate Cream Pie

Posted by Jade Marvin on 6/10/21 4:00 PM

Have you ever stopped to take a picture of your food before eating it? And it just looked so good that you couldn't eat it?! That is how this yummy dessert will make you feel. Eating vegan has never been more delectable! This Vegan Chocolate Cream Pie will make your mouth water and your tummy rumble.

This recipe is really simple to make, doesn’t take a lot of time, and is for everyone to enjoy! Read the recipe and fun facts below to impress yourself and your future guests!

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Topics: Holistic Nutrition, SWIHA, Whole Foods, Recipe, Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Vegan, Nutrition Coach, Culinary School, Raw Foods, Clean Eating, Nutrition Specialist

St. Patrick’s Day is “Happy St. Freedom & Faith in Me Day” to Michael Anthony Suszczynski

Posted by KC Miller on 3/19/21 9:00 AM

For SWIHA graduate Michael Anthony Suszczynski, St Patrick’s Day is the anniversary he left the corporate world and began to recognize his ability to manifest what he wanted. A few years back he asked the Universe for help to leave his secure job doing IT recruiting of almost 10 years in exchange for the “real work" for which he had deep passion. The next day Michael went into work and was laid off completely out of the blue. He was momentarily taken aback, and was surprised at how upset his co-workers were for him. After he caught his breath, he realized he has manifested exactly what he had asked for.

Michael reflects, “Being freed from my job that day, on St Patrick’s Day, I now consider it St. Freedom and Faith in Me Day. I asked Spirit for something with childlike passion and it showed up incredibly fast. It was such a beautifully alive moment for me," he continues, "The more I have come to have faith in myself and my conversations with the Universe, the more I am able to manifest into my life.”

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Topics: Recipe, Healthy Eating Tips, Nutrition Coach, Raw Foods

Probiotic Coconut Yogurt: A Simple, Dairy-Free Recipe!

Posted by Taylor Jablonowski on 6/18/20 4:00 PM

Many people are opting to remove dairy from their diet, opening their eyes to the many alternatives and getting creative with ways to recreate traditionally dairy-based items! Janet Lee, a raw food chef and SWIHA Holistic Nutrition instructor, recently shared on a Facebook Live video for #WellnessWednesday two ways to make delicious and nutritious coconut yogurt.

Coconuts have numerous health benefits – they contain fiber, manganese, copper, iron and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), supporting your heart and bones, healthy weight loss, as well as having many essential electrolytes to prevent fatigue. When you add probiotics to the mix for gut health, you have a treat that is yummy and supportive of your total wellness.

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Topics: Holistic Nutrition, Recipe of the Week, Vegan, Raw Foods, Raw Vegan, Healthy Recipes

Golden Milk: A Recipe for Sweeter Dreams!

Posted by Blithe Parsons on 3/19/18 7:07 PM

Though its origins are in ancient Ayurvedic medicine, golden milk has become an increasingly popular holistic nutrition beverage in the Western wellness community. Golden milk is traditionally known as haldi doodh, with the only ingredients being turmeric and heated milk. Using this foundation, we can expand the recipe to make a delightful adaptogenic elixir to be taken right before bed!

Most of the ingredients needed for this soothing elixir are mostly available at any grocery store, although the ashwaganda and lucuma may need to be purchased at a specialty store or on Amazon. While they aren’t necessary for the basic version of the recipe, they add additional flavor and health benefits to this rest-promoting drink.

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Topics: sleep, Holistic Nutrition, Recipe, Dairy-Free, Raw Foods, Golden Milk, Turmeric

Spring Cleaning: Change Your Diet with the Seasons!

Posted by Megan Wolf on 3/12/18 2:00 PM

With our entry into March, we can officially mark the end of the cold and bitter winter. The time has come for spring! The air will gradually begin to warm, your wardrobe will start to change over to lighter and more vibrant clothing, and soon you will feel a little extra pep in your step when you take a wander outside.

So, what’s the best way to help with this transition? It all starts from within. Regardless of your diet plan, you are sure to have sampled a few holiday delicacies here and there, maybe as a little treat or to warm yourself up. Springtime is the season to leave behind the heavy and warming meals you ate in the winter in favor of lighter fare!

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Topics: Vegetarian, Holistic Nutrtion, SOUL Food, Vegan, Nutrition Coach, Raw Foods, Clean Eating

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