Win a Bottle Of Estroblock!

TAKE BACK YOUR HORMONAL HEALTH with Estroblock! 

Xenoestrogens are often produced by toxins commonly found in our food and homes that, left unchecked, will dilute our naturally produced hormones and cause major health problems such as acne, obesity, or even breast and prostate cancers

Helps Clear Acne, Balance Hormones, Regulate Menstrual Cycle, Lose Belly Fat

All Natural from Cruciferous Vegetables and 100% Safe for teens and Adults!

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Win a Bottle Of Estroblock!

TAKE BACK YOUR HORMONAL HEALTH with Estroblock! 

Xenoestrogens are often produced by toxins commonly found in our food and homes that, left unchecked, will dilute our naturally produced hormones and cause major health problems such as acne, obesity, or even breast and prostate cancers

Helps Clear Acne, Balance Hormones, Regulate Menstrual Cycle, Lose Belly Fat

All Natural from Cruciferous Vegetables and 100% Safe for teens and Adults!

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ESTROBLOCK GIVEAWAY 

BALANCE HORMONES!

 CLEAR SKIN! 

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ESTROBLOCK GIVEAWAY!!

                

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Roam Products

Roam Products

STRAWBERRIES. STRAWBERRIES. FOR CLEAR GLOWING SKIN!

STRAWBERRIES FOR CLEAR GLOWING SKIN!

Face masks are a great way to feed your skin healthy antioxidants. I love creating my own homemade masks at home since it's inexpensive and the natural ingredients are gentle on my  sensitive skin.

Taking Estroblock to clear acne is an amazing way to clear acne blemishes from the inside out but it's also beneficial to use a an all natural topical to soothe the skin and remove surface impurities. Strawberries is one of the many natural ways to do just that. 

Strawberries can be either used as a toner, cleanser or mask. (tip:  always make sure to eat foods rich in vitamin C for smoother, better hydrated skin :))

Strawberry: Skin Benefits

1. Excellent Skin Cleanser

strawberries remove impurities and soften the skin as well as soothe allergies and other irritants and provide protection against pollution

2. Improves Complexion/skin toner

Strawberry juice has skin lightening properties. It is effective in removing age spots and freckles.

3. Protection from Ultraviolet Radiation

Vitamin C and other antioxidants present in strawberries prevent damage caused by free radicals to the skin and body

4.  Anti-ageing Properties

Strawberry contains ellagic acid which, when applied topically protects the skin against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, which are primarily responsible for skin ageing

 Strawberry clear skin recipes: 

Homemade Strawberry mask

• 8 - 9 Fresh strawberries
• 2 Tablespoon of honey
• 1 Tablespoon of oil - Extra virgin olive, jojoba, grapeseed or sweet almond oil
• Few drops of fresh lemon juice - About 8 drops if you have dry skin and up to 1 tablespoon for oily skin.

In a bowl, mash the strawberries with a fork until smooth. Stir in the honey, oil, and lemon juice until all the ingredients are well mixed. Using clean hands gently apply the mixture all over your face.  Lie down and leave the mask on for 5 minutes. Wash it away with warm water, pat your face dry and follow up with your favorite toner and moisturizer.

Homemade Strawberry Toner:

• Strawberry juice
• Rose Water
• cotton ball

Mash the strawberries to extract the juice. Mix two teaspoons of strawberry juice with 50 ml of rose water and refrigerate it. You can apply it with a cotton ball and use it instead of your regular skin toner to achieve wrinkle free, blemish free and younger looking skin. This juice can be stored up to 10 days

**More Strawberry tips:

You can use strawberries for getting rid of puffy eyes. Slice down strawberries and keep two of the slices on your eyes and relax for 10 minutes.

Strawberries can also be used as effective tooth whiteners too. Just crush down a few strawberries into a fine pulp and gently massage your teeth.

You can use strawberries for de-tanning too. Strawberries help in lightening pigmentation marks also. For both these purposes just mix lemon juice to strawberries and apply for 15 minutes. Wash off.

If you want to get glowing skin, you can mix strawberries with cocoa powder and honey. Apply for 15 minutes and then wash.

ENTER THE THE WELLNESS PAK AND CLEAR SKIN GIVEAWAY!

I love giveaways!  I am so excited to offer a great give away this week! I am giving away One Wellness Pak and One bottle of Estroblock! Make sure and enter the giveaway below!

 DID YOU KNOW... 
Over 50% of Americans take some sort of multivitamin or nutritional supplement daily, according to a recent study conducted by the office of Dietary Supplements. Further studies show that 20% to 80% of people make errors in taking medication. Because of those errors people are not getting the full intended results from their supplements and medications. 

 For all of you who take vitamins, pills, tea and herbs for your health, I am sure you know how important it is to stay organized so that you can 'REMEMBER' to take them daily! I am all about promoting Wellness not Sickness! That's why I created the Wellness Pak and having Thyroid Cancer. Pill Boxes remind me of Illness and many pill organizers pop open are too small to hold the daily intake of supplements and medication. The Wellness Travel Pak is a soft, stylish, leather-like replacement of the pill box, offering benefits that greatly exceed its predecessor. Its contemporary design, which is both fashionable and sporty, “promotes a positive image of wellness” while organizing up to two weeks of vitamins, supplements, and medications, regardless of tablet, powder, or pill size. It is so important to maximize the benefits of your daily health regimen. The Wellness Pak does just that! What is so unique about it is that it not only holds vitamins and pills but holds herbs, sweeteners, a small spoon, liquid vitamins, and even crackers!(in case you need to take your pills/vitamins with food) If you dont want to take the entire Wellness Pak with you when you leave the house you can just remove the sleeves and put them in your purse,backpack or briefcase.

We are also raffling off ONE bottle of my most favorite supplements...Estroblock!
This incredible supplement is made from cruciferous vegetables and is safe for both men,women and teens.  It balances hormones, clears hormonal acne, gets rid of toxic estrogens found in plastics, food and household products. Having those synthetic estrogens in your body can really mess with your own hormonal balance and cause acne, obesity and even be responsible for estrogen dependent cancer. (read more on that at www.estroblock.com.  I feel Estroblock is one of the most amazing products to clear acne. The results are all over the internet. It originally wasn't made to clear acne but the results of balancing hormones does just that! Check out these recent before and after pics just reviewed on betweenthekids.com blog...
Check out Amazon Testimonies as well! Amazing! 

  

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY AND WIN! 
MAKE SURE AND SHARE!

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Acne takes a toll...

ACNE LETS TALK ABOUT IT...



                       

ACNE... BEFORE AND AFTER ESTROBLOCK

Acne affects more than 50 million Americans, making it the most common skin condition in the United States. But while many patients get professional help to control their breakouts, the toll acne takes on their mental and emotional health is often overlooked.
Have you ever had a big pimple on your forehead or chin? Almost everyone has, especially during those acne-prone teenage years. In reality, no one else probably notices that pimple, but you.  I remember feeling ugly and unloved... I was always so worried that everyone was staring at my acne and I didn't want to leave the house.

Though acne itself isn't a serious health condition, living with long-term acne can be every bit as devastating as having a chronic disease like diabetes or epilepsy. The shame and embarrassment of regular breakouts can be overwhelming enough to cause depression. Some people with severe acne even try to commit suicide. And the emotional scars can linger long after the pimples have faded.

Physical and Emotional Scars

Dr. Steven R. Feldman, MD, PhD says...

"Acne is particularly troubling because of its visibility and its intimate relationship with our self-esteem. "The skin in general, and particularly the skin of the face, is the way we see ourselves. It's the way others see us, and most importantly, it's the way we think others see us," explains Feldman, who is a professor of dermatology in the Wake Forest University School of Medicine and author of the book Compartments.

Having severe acne can seem like a huge burden to carry, but it's not a lifelong sentence now that so many effective acne treatments are available. "Dermotologists can control just about anybody's acne, no matter how severe. But their are those people who have done all the remedies and still have acne. Many times hormone imbalance is strong enough that the treatments dont work at all or only temporarily. For women anti-androgen therapy is suggested.. click here for more information. 



Having acne since I was a teenager and sympathyzing with my childrens acne led me to consistently be proactive over the years in seeking out and trying everything natural and allopathic to help balance their bodies and get rid of acne. All of my 4  children got acne at an early stage.

This is what we tried... 

• vitamin therapy,
• CRA (contact reflex analysis
• Neuro-link
• herbal remedies
• anti-biotics
• topicals
• diet changes 
• light therapy etc…

**Our last resort was Accutane.  

Most people who use Accutane clear up with the first 6 month regimen.  All of my children used it and only one cleared up and stayed clear. Three of my children went on it a second time and 98% of the people who do it twice clears up. Three of my children's acne came back within a couple months.  So my daughter went on the same regimen as I was on (anti-androgen therapy) and her skin was totally controlled.  (Which was great but it isn't something she should be on long term...)*see article

Two of the boys tried once again anti-biotics, topicals and still were frustrated with the non-results.  It just broke my heart seeing my boys feeling so ugly and angry about how the acne made them look. So one evening I was on the hunt again to try and find something natural. 
I came across Estro-Block through someone else’s testimony on You Tube. I read up on all the information and listened to all the tutorials I could find on Estro-Block.  (See: http://delgadoprotocol.com/products/estroblock-pro-formula/)

I thought, “I’ll try it and if it works for me then I’ll let the kids try it.” I decided to go off birth-control pills for 2 weeks prior to ordering  Estro-Block.  Acne started coming back! UGH! Im 43!. I couldn’t wait to give Estro-Block a try.  Only One day after I was taking it, my acne started to heal, oily and itchy rashy skin went away. I couldn’t believe it!  It has been 5 months and my symptoms are all controlled.  After a month I ordered more and had my daughter and my two boys try it also. Within 1 week their skin started clearing up! You can see a before and after picture of my youngest below... Amazing!
My daughter got off spironolactone (suppresses androgen) for the first time in four years!  I am very excited about the other benefits to Estro-Block as well, but I cannot tell you how much I appreciate Dr. Delgado for formulating the first natural product for the clearing of acne. Hormonal imbalance and acne is one of the number one issues that people are continually seeking answers for.  I can’t think of one product on the market that is safe and truly effective as Estro-Block. To see more info click Here.

Marnie Perri CPT, NHC

Sometimes you have to go more than skin deep when it comes to acne.

You wash and wash…put chemical after chemical on your face. But what if the source of your acne is coming from the inside? What if your acne comes from your having, like many women and men, too much of the wrong type of estrogen? However, new research and evidence suggests that estrogens, particularly, toxic estrogens play a much greater role than previously believed.  

 Many health practitioners believe androgens are the key cause of acne. As such they often prescribe birth control pills, which can produce unwanted side effects to include weight gain and blood clots.

Could my lifestyle be causing my acne?

According to hormone experts like Nick Delgado, PhD, ABAAHP most acne is caused by toxic estrogen buildup. These toxic estrogens (or TEs) include TEs from foods (consider eating organic fruits/vegetables and hormone-free dairy and beef products where possible), and xeno-estrogens (estrogen mimickers) found in plastics, pesticides, preservatives, and household products. These are in addition to your body’s own internal production of estrogen which can be over stimulated by diets high in processed fats to include dairy and meats (the more fat you have the more toxic estrogens you may produce).

Are there Natural “inside out” options to help reduce toxic estrogens?

 Yes! One such option is EstroBlock, a daily supplement containing GRAS (generally regarded as safe) ingredients, naturally supports the clearing of toxic estrogens (estrones) from the body, while supporting the production of good estrogens. Estroblock (www.delgadoprotocol.com) has been out on the market for many years, but is not as widely known as other products. According to sources, this may be one of the best natural solutions for hormone related skin breakouts or pimples in both men and women.

 What’s the skinny on the benefits of clearing toxic estrogens?

 Toxic estrogens reside in the fat cells – and attract water. Presto, now you're several sizes bigger, feel bloated…and no amount of dieting or exercise seems to work. However, when these estrogens are cleared fat cells can release their toxins and water, shrinking back to their regular size. Those taking this route should also look into reducing their estrogen intakes in their diet and personal care products.

 Sometimes you have to go more than skin deep…

*Article and pic courtesy of Delgado protocol 2014

Come Enter our Giveaway to Win a Bottle of EstroBlock!

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ACNE CURE ESTROBLOCK clears ACNE

ESTROBLOCK GIVEAWAY!!

 ESTROBLOCK... 

“Estro Block is the supplement of the year, perhaps the supplement of the decade.”  -David Wolfe 

Balances Hormones, Clears Acne, Lose Fat, and Gain Muscle! Vegan, Gluten Free and All Natural from Crucifereous Vegetables...For Men, Women and Teens

My New Favorite Supplement!

Organized Right In My Wellness Pak !

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a Rafflecopter giveaway **Dr. Delgado explains the importance of EstroBlock!

My New Favorite Supplement!

I totally recommend this Product! I came across Estro-Block through someone else’s testimony on You Tube. I read up on all the information and listened to all the tutorials I could find on Estro-Block. After having no success with allopathic medicine for acne...I thought, I'll have the kids try it... A few days after they were taking it, their acne started to calm down and heal, oily skin subsided! I couldn’t believe it! My daughter got off spironolactone (suppresses androgen) and birth control for the first time in eight years! There have been no side effects accept one of my boys had a small head ache on and off for about a week but nothing since. I am very excited about the other benefits to Estro-Block as well, but I cannot tell you how much I appreciate Dr. Delgado for formulating the first natural product for the clearing of acne that REALLY WORKS! Hormonal imbalance is one of the number one issues that people are continually seeking answers for. I can’t think of one product on the market that is safe and truly effective as Estro-Block. 

Marnie Perri CPT, NHC

What are other people saying about EstroBlock??

** Here are couple  Reviews
 from Amazon

5.0 out of 5 stars This stuff is magic, August 9, 2013

By 

EB88 -This review is from: Estroblock PRO TRIPLE STRENGTH - 60 Capsules Natural Anti-Estrogen Aromatase Inhibitor Estrogen Blocker (Health and Beauty)

I took 2 in the morning and 2 at night, because I wasn't sure if I would buy more and wanted the best results to know for sure. WOW. In less than two weeks my hormonal jaw/chin acne came to a screeching halt. I ordered more but I didn't have any for a couple of weeks because obviously I ran out of it quickly. I started to break out again, but once it arrived, again after less than two weeks FLAT SKIN. My family noticed and said HEY! Your skin is looking good!!! YAAAY! Even when I put makeup on, I feel like wow I don't need to cover any spots, it's flat skin and of course the scarring.
You think this is expensive? I believe this is a SMALL price to pay for something that WORKS like MAGIC. I've even paid hundreds of dollars at my naturopath, skin care specialists and on their products/supplements. I have tried I3C and DIM in the past, and didn't see results like this. I'm so grateful I found this product, I ordered 3 more (1 for my mom, we're curious to see if it'll help with her menopause). I will continue to take 4 a day, because I've been trying to lose weight, after losing 50 pounds, I am on that last 10 pounds and it's not coming off. The creator claims this will help with that last 10 pounds and tire around the waist. If it works, again, small price to pay!!! I will let you know with an update after a few months ^_^

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't mess with any other DIM supplements - this is the best!!!, 

May 28, 2013

By 

Kasandra Bracken 

This review is from: Estroblock PRO TRIPLE STRENGTH - 60 Capsules Natural Anti-Estrogen Aromatase Inhibitor Estrogen Blocker (Health and Beauty)

I used Estroblock for my hormonal acne after coming off the birth control a few years ago - I had some really bad breakouts especially on my cheeks, jaw line and chin, and I'd tried everything, you name it - Proactiv, medicated level Sacylic acid, antibiotics, candida cleanses and cutting coffee, sugar, gluten and common allergens, heavy probiotics, anti-fungals, the oil cleansing method.. the list goes on. I used Estroblock with great success for 2 months and then switched to Source Naturals DIM because it was cheaper and easier to ship where I am currently living - BIGGEST MISTAKE! It actually made my acne so much worse and gave me huge cystic acne in places and sizes like I've never had before. After using it for two weeks I switched back to Estroblock, I've only been on it one month now but already I have hardly any active acne. I don't believe in miracle products really, especially for acne, but if there ever was one THIS IS IT. No side effects at all, in fact my PMS has decreased and I feel more emotionally stable. Highly recommend!!!

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Power Packed Healthy 

High Fiber Blueberry Muffins!

On Sunday.

So I’m thinking homemade, from scratch, blueberry muffins are in order. It’s Sunday. I love homemade muffins! 

Before I give you the recipe...Let's Talk Fiber:

Eat more fiber. You've probably heard it before. But do you know why fiber is so good for your health and do you consume enough fiber each day? If you are like most Americans, then you probably consume about 10 to 15 grams of fiber a day. Unfortunately, this is just not enough. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), we should actually be eating anywhere from 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day.

What exactly is fiber?

Fiber is the element in plants (like fruits, vegetables and whole grains) that our bodies do not digest. Fiber is different from most foods that we eat in that, unlike most foods which are absorbed and digested, fiber is not absorbed or digested. It passes quickly through your digestive tract, mostly intact, and it is not broken down like other foods. The fact that fiber is mostly left intact is a good thing as it creates bulk which aids in moving stool and harmful carcinogens through the digestive tract. Without enough fiber in your diet, you will have irregularity, constipation, and sluggishness. Insufficient fiber can also increase your risk of colon cancer, as well as other serious health issues.

Because fiber helps to move stool through your digestive tract and colon, it actually helps to prevent colon cancer as it keeps your colon clean and healthy. Other health benefits of fiber include reducing the incidence of heart disease, lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose levels and inflammation, and even weight loss. Fiber can help with weight loss because it creates a fullness within your intestines that helps you to eat less.

There are two kinds of fiber: soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fiber. This type of fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material. It can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Soluble fiber is found in oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, barley and psyllium.
Insoluble fiber. This type of fiber promotes the movement of material through your digestive system and increases stool bulk, so it can be of benefit to those who struggle with constipation or irregular stools. Whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, nuts, beans and vegetables, such as cauliflower, green beans and potatoes, are good sources of insoluble fiber.

"Baking these muffins is a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon, which is exactly what I did!"

POWER PACKED BLUEBERRY MUFFIN RECIPE:

1 1/2 cups Spelt Flour 
(Bob's Red Mills Brand 4 grams fiber per 1/4 cup) 

3/4 cup Flaxseed Meal 
(Bob's Red Mills Brand... 4 grams fiber for 2 tblspn)

3/4 cup Oat Bran
 (Bob's Red  Mills Brand...6 grams fiber per 1/3 cup)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1 peeled shredded apple (fiber)

3/4 cup shredded carrots (fiber)

1 1/2 cup blueberries (fiber)

1/8 cup finely chopped dates (fiber)

3/4 cup honey

    3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk (SILK BRAND)
2 beaten eggs

1/4 cup coconut flakes (fiber)

                        1. Mix together all dry ingredients

                         2. Mix together all wet ingredients

  3. Combine

4. Fold in Carrots, Dates, blueberrys, and apples

5. Bake at 400 degrees...Makes 15-16 muffins

A very accurate 18 minutes later my bountiful muffins were done! They’re Blueberry with a touch of sweetness from the honey, and with all that bran and flaxseed packed in I don’t feel like I’m eating empty calories. I handed these off to my boys as a grab-and-go breakfast. Might you retire your sugar-loaded blueberry muffin from the bakery and do the same?

 Thyroidectomy 

Scars

I'm sure almost every person who has thyroid cancer not only wants details about their thyroidectomy surgery but wonders "What will my scar look like?". It certainly is a valid question! After thyroid removal surgery, the scar is in a very visible area of the neck. It's completely understandable to wonder how the scar may affect their appearance. Trust Me I did! Thanks to the  handiwork of my skilled surgeon, My scar is very streamlined and hidden in the natural crease of my neck. The picture I posted is me lifting my neck to show you a good picture of it... but when not stretched out I think it is pretty hidden. It took a good 6-9 months of me putting on vitamin E oil on religiously. But It turned out pretty good for being dead center of my neck! 

Every bodies Scar heals a bit different and can be unpredictable.  In some cases, the scars heal as a thin line while in other cases, they may be extremely thickened. The skill of your surgeon plays an important factor as well. The best thyroid surgeons have expertise at carefully positioning the incision so the scar is hidden in a neck crease. In recent years, incisions have gotten smaller, thanks to video assisted surgery techniques. The visual appearance of thyroid scars have certainly improved to a large extent, but thyroidectomy with a neck incision still leaves a visible scar.

Anyone who hasn't had your thyroid removed yet I would definitely do a little research prior to choosing your surgeon.  A friend of mine had a scar on her neck and it was extremely noticeable and lumpy... So it would be a benefit to get all the info about the surgeon referrals, pics etc.. before you choose. 

Have you had a thyroidectomy? Submit a photo of your thyroidectomy scar to show others what it may look like after surgery. For those who have never seen a thyroidectomy scar or just had the procedure, it can be helpful for them to see how their incision may heal. Showcasing your scar can help put newly diagnosed thyroid cancer patients at ease and also give you the opportunity to proudly show off your thyroid "battle scar", as It is sometimes called ;) Send your pics to: marniep@roamproducts.com so I can post them on my blog to help others!

Please also feel free to share your story! We all need to be heard encouraged and understood!

In Good Health,

~Marnie

P.S. Yes the scar above is my beauty!:

CANCER... LET'S TALK ABOUT IT. I invite you to follow and join me on this New Wellness blog!  I am so excited to start this blog and  share what I have learned and to empower others on their road to wellness. One of the primary goals for the blog is to support and reassure each other on this health journey. My secondary goal is to discuss ways build up our immune systems and ultimately prevent cancer from coming back.     My Story - Marnie Perri... from Sickness to Health My passion for health and fitness stems back to my childhood years growing up in a family that modeled fitness as a lifestyle and for me, there is no better job than one where I can interact with another person to help them to achieve their goals and feel better about themselves. My 12 year involvement in the health and fitness industry was a perfect expression of those two desires. My experiences ran the gamut from being a Group Aerobics Instructor, a Personal Trainer, an Apex Nutrition Specialist, Director of Aerobics at a national health club and finally, owner of my own Personal Training Studio. I felt very lucky to have found what I loved at a very early age and to have made my living doing it. On September 11th, (9/11) 2001, I was in an operating room. While planes were flying into buildings and the world was in shock by the events of that horrible day, my family and I were taken back by yet another unbelievable piece of news. My doctor told us that I indeed had Thyroid Cancer! While this was the end of the Training Studio I loved so much, it was the beginning of a 6 year journey towards wellness that ultimately changed my life. During this 10 year period, I had many ups and downs, incredible hormone imbalance issues, fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, and a host of other problems related to the complete removal of my Thyroid and the radiation treatment that followed. Dealing with all of the doctors, specialists and conflicting therapies could be challenging at times (that’s an understatement). However, in seeking help to become disease free and relieve symptoms, I acquired a great deal of knowledge and became inspired to go back to school for my Natural Health Practitioner degree in order to share what I have learned and to empower others on their road to wellness. Today I am disease free, but as a result of having no thyroid, must take certain medications as well as vitamins and supplements to sustain total wellness. While preparing to go on a mission trip to Mexico with my son’s grade school class, I went out looking for a travel bag to hold my medication, vitamins and supplements. The products I found were either too small or too bulky. I ended up constructing what basically became the first prototype of our current product.  The staples ended up pulling out, it wasn’t exactly pretty, but it was the most organized my pills had ever been while traveling, and I just loved the whole concept! I knew that I could not be the only one encountering this frustration and this motivated me to design a bag to functionally manage vitamin, supplement and medication intake. When I arrived home, I immediately began working on a bag design and sourced components to add to its functionality. After numerous prototypes later the Wellness Travel Pak was ready for market! My 6 year struggle against cancer, while beyond challenging at times, and certainly not something I would have wished for myself or family, ended up being a gift that provided me with valuable life lessons, insight and the inspiration to develop a fantastic product that is helping many people to take better care of themselves. Roam Products - Wellness Travel Pak™ - Managing Your Health!

8 Tips for Veggie Haters...Sneak them in! :)

Some People love veggies and yes are there are those that hate them! 
Some of you may have negative experiences in regards to eating veggies from your childhood that come back to haunt you as adults. Maybe you were forced to eat vegetables, or had to eat a stack of green beans to get to dessert or leave the table. Possibly your vegetables had been served to you overcooked and mushy. Or perhaps some time in your life, you were on a diet where all you could eat were certain vegetables. 

When I was a kid my mom couldn't get me to eat most veggies! I had endless moments crying at the table and hating the smell of green beans and peas. I have four children and my oldest boy, Collin was just like I was! I learned to disguise his vegetables in the food I cooked or prepare a yummy dip just so he would eat them. It worked most of the time. :) I also supplement my family with a chew-able super food vitamin that has a full spectrum of enzymes, amino acids and brown rice. I don't think it is a sole replacement for veggies but it's the perfect supplement You can check out: Natures Plus Source of Life for more info.

The problem with hating vegetables is that they are arguably the most health-promoting food group on the planet. If you aren't eating vegetables, you aren't getting all their amazing components like fiber, antioxidants, and other powerful phytochemicals that nourish and protect the body.

So what's a veggie-hater to do? People who think they hate vegetables can definitely learn to be creative in the kitchen and add them into their diet. 

Karen Collins, MS, RD, nutrition advisor for the American Institute for Cancer Research explains,"If veggies are only served in ways that don't match your personal flavor preferences, they won't seem exciting,"  So if you love spicy food, you won't like veggies served plain; or if you love simple, earthy flavors, veggies covered with rich sauce won't appeal.

But there are also innate physical reasons why some people have an aversion to certain vegetables. According to Collins, a genetic trait has been identified that seems to make some people have extra-sensitive receptors for bitter tastes."They are sometimes dubbed 'super tasters' and they make up about 25% of the population," says Collins.

But there are ways to tame the taste in these nutrition-packed vegetables. Check out the tips below for help on this, and for more ways to get vegetables past the lips of even confirmed veggie haters.

Sneak them in tip No.1:  Add veggies you almost like to dishes you already love.

Layer zucchini slices, chopped spinach, or shredded carrots into lasagna sphaghetti  Stir cooked down broccoli florets into macaroni and cheese. Toss whatever veggies you like (tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, asparagus) into an omelet or quesadilla, pizza

Sneak them in tip No. 2: Try them in soup.

Embellish your favorite soups with added veggies. Some homemade soups already contain a nice amount of vegetables, but most canned and commercial choices can stand to have their veggie quota bumped up. I love adding  celery, edamame, onion, peas, carrots, squash or finely chopped spinach to chicken noodle soup. Just add them while you are cooking or heating the soup.

Sneak them in tip No. 3: Serve them raw.

Raw veggies can be more appetizing than cooked to people who aren't crazy about vegetables.The texture is crispy, rather than mushy and using dip. ie: hummus, oil and vinegar, green tabasco or peanut butter

Sneak them in Tip No. 4: Drink your vegetables. 

There are several good green/veggie juices on the market (Odwalla Super Food juices, V-8 or carrot juice), even veggie-fruit juice blends that taste great. Or, create your own veggie blend juice by blending some carrot juice with a fruit juice (like mango, tangerine, apples strawberries or orange juice.  We have the Jack Lalane Juicer and we love it!

Sneak them in Tip No. 5: Increase the fun factor.

Let's face it: some vegetables are just more fun to eat than others. Corn on the cob (especially when grilled) continues to be fun into adulthood. So are veggie kabobs, and celery sticks filled with natural peanut butter and raisins or light cream cheese. And a zucchini half, tomato, bell pepper, or portobello mushroom stuffed with a savory filling can be as elegant as it is fun.

Sneak them in Tip No. 6: Grill and Broil

 You'll be amazed at how great grilled veggies taste. Before grilling or broiling, just brush veggies lightly with canola or olive oil, garlic salt ,light Italian dressing, or the same marinade you're using for your meat (make sure to use marinade that hasn't touched the raw meat). Large pieces can go straight onto the grill (portobello mushrooms, asparagus zucchini halves, large pieces of eggplant). String smaller pieces onto a skewer for a veggie kabob.

Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 7: Don't reward your kids (or yourself) for eating vegetables.

"Studies suggest that when we are rewarded for eating something, then the reward becomes the treat and we will not see the food itself as enjoyable," notes Collins. When this is standard table practice for vegetables, we're taught indirectly that the vegetables are the punishment we have to get through to reach our reward.

Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 8: It's all about the cheese.

When all else fails, you can always sprinkle a little grated, reduced-fat cheese over the top. If cheese sauce is more your style, drizzle it over vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower and suddenly, it's a whole different ball game. 

Here's a recipe for Lower Fat Cheese Sauce.

	1 pound of cooked veggies (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower etc...) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 1/2 cup(s) fat free skim milk
	2 Tbsp all purpose flour
	3/4 cup(s) low fat shredded cheddar cheese
	2 tsp Dijon mustard
	3/4 tsp table salt, or to taste

Instructions

• Bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a large pot. Place broccoli in a steamer basket and set over water. Cover and steam until crisp-tender, about 5 to 6 minutes; drain and return to pot. Alternatively, you can cook broccoli in microwave.
• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, whisk together milk and flour until blended; place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat to low and simmer until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes; remove from heat. Whisk in cheese until melted; whisk in mustard and salt.
• Pour sauce over broccoli and toss until coated. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

Happy Green Eating!

~Marnie