UBC - Day 15 - Eating Healthy - Tips for Carers

Welcome to day 15 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge and my focus on Tips for Carers.  These tips have been things that I have found helps me, and I hope you have found some of the tips useful, and would love to hear about some of the things you have been doing.

When you spend a large proportion of your time caring for someone there are often things that slip, and you tell yourself you will sort later.  Eating healthily is one of those things.  It is so important, the very fuel that you need to carry out your tasks needs to be of a good quality.  You have to make sure that you have a balanced diet, nutrient rich so that you can get all that you possibly can.  When the body is under stress the levels of vitamins and minerals within your body reduces dramatically, and you therefore need a constant top up as you go along.

Importance of eating healthily for Carers

You also need to ensure that the one you are caring for also has a balanced diet, as this could have an impact on their overall health. When you are not eating good quality food, it affects the energy level, your mental clarity, and your general health and there are lots of books which can tell you the side effects of not getting certain nutrients into the body.

Smoothie Love - Day 2 of 30 delicious drinks

We recently brought a nutri-bullet and we have been blending a combinations of greens, fruit and nuts and seeds, it can be a complete meal in itself once you have finished, but this means that you are getting a whole range of vitamins and minerals that you might not have been able to get if you tried to eat them all at once.  I have found that the smoothie is easy to digest and it means that it is a healthy option that mum can have alongside her food that is good for her.  We have definitely seen the benefits in mums general health from drinking a daily smoothie.

As you improve your eating habits and introduce more fruit and vegetables, you will notice the difference in your outlook, energy levels and fitness. Speak to your doctor and check out the many programs, books, and online help that you can get to think about changing your diet.

A good balance of fruit, nuts, and seeds to your diet

For now think about investing in a smoothie maker or juicer. Take a look at what you are consuming on a daily basis, and try and increase your fruit and vegetable content and most importantly - drink more water!  Check out my Smoothie recipes for some great tasting drinks full of natural goodness.

You can also click on the 'Celebrating life' image to be taken to the rest of the posts from the Journey of a Carer.

Smoothie Love - Day 30!

Well, it is the last day of the 30 days of change - Smoothie Love, and I have been making a smoothie each day with a host of delicious fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.

I have managed to get my routine sorted and it has become like second nature, along with drinking more water each day.  For the exercise part of the challenge I had been doing gentle exercise, but for the next 30 days will really get going and focusing on making sure that I get out and about.  I wanted to incorporate creativity it may either be photography or art journaling.

Here is the ingredients for the smoothie for today: Carrot, Pear, Banana, Mango, Cashews, Almond Milk, Kiwi for the garnish.

Whatever you decided to do for the next 30 days here are a few tips to keep you going: 

1. Take one day at a time;
2. Follow through;
3. If you have an off day don't just scrap the whole thing, but start again tomorrow; 
4. Don't be too hard on yourself, change takes time;
5. Enjoy yourself!

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love Day 29

Smoothie Love Day 29

The smoothies posts technically should have finished today, but I must have miscalculated the 30 days somehow, which is not a problem as the smoothies have been delicious.  

If you have been joining me I am sure that you would have noticed a number of benefits to your health and well-being.  Along the way I decided to cut down all the changes that I would be making and focus on getting the nutrition from the smoothies and drinking more water.  The exercises started today, and I spent quite a bit of time in the garden making changes to plant location and cutting back.  Its coming on and I will share some images - might even do a garden video walk round.   

The smoothie for today consisted of Banana, Mango, Tangerine, Melon, Almond milk, Carrots, and melon.

I am looking forward to combining making the smoothies and getting more exercise. Come back tomorrow for Day 30 Smoothie.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love Day - 27 and 28

For some reason I thought that I had posted yesterdays smoothie, but here it is, another delicious blend of flavors.  

This smoothie has the following ingredients: Pear, Apple, Mango, Banana, Goji berries, Cashew nuts, Almond milk, it was delicious and I made some for all the family.  Today we have all had this smoothie, to start us off.

Only two more postings to go for the Smoothie Love!

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love Day 26

Smoothie Love - Day 26 of 30 days of change

Starting out early this morning.  Have a lot on and I sometimes underestimate how long something will take.  This challenge is a good example.  Our good health cannot be gained by a quick fix miracle drug, nor overnight sensations.  We have to be determined in our minds that the benefits that we will achieve through taking time to invest in our health far out weighs where we currently are at the moment, and that you are willing to do all that is necessary to take the daily steps - each and every day, when you feel like it and more importantly when you don't.

I haven't really spoken about the exercise routine over the past few weeks, other than at the beginning that a minimum of 30 minutes will be spent exercising.  I have not been as consistent as I would have hoped, and done a little here and there, but not enough to make a dent.  I will be picking up the pace when I complete the smoothie posting on Monday, and I want to incorporate a creative aspect to my exercising, whether it is take a picture or create something in my journal.

Anyway, here is the smoothie for the day - it is a mixed one, and it contains:  Raspberries, Strawberries, Blackberries, Banana, Mango, Melon and Almond milk.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 25

Smoothie Love

I shared yesterday the missing smoothies from the 30 days of change, one of the things that I have been benefiting from is the increased nutrients that I am getting each day.  I think that the smoothies are now going to be part of my way of life.

I was thinking that it would be great to have a light weight portable mini blender to be able to take with you when you go on holiday or away from home.  I am going to experiment with some of the more tropical Caribbean fruit in a smoothie such as Sweetsop, Soursop, and Jackfruit.  

What has been your favorite Smoothie so far?

Smoothie for today ingredients includes: Logan berries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Strawberries and Almond milk, 

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Missing Days 12 - 16, 18 & 19

Smoothie Love - Missing Days

I remembered that I hadn't posted the smoothies for days 12 - 16, 18 and 19, for those who have been following.  I explained what happened in my posts HERE and HERE.  I can't quite believe time has flown so quickly and there has been many lessons learnt that I have posted, and a few more besides. 

Only a few more days left for the postings for 30 days of Change and I will still continue to make smoothies, I will always be on the look out for some unusual ingredients and combinations, that help enhance and maintain health.  Looking after our health and well-being is key.  Everything we can do to enhance and increase our health will benefit us when we need it most.

If you have any questions about the recipes please let me know and I will be happy to answer them.

Here are the missing days and ingredients:

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Day 18

Day 19

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 24

Smoothie Love Day 24

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Got off to another good start had to leave out early this morning so I didn't have time to wash and cut up fruit. Used frozen in this recipe, and it will stay chilled until I get to my mums. She has the builders in so having something with me that can fill the gap and taste good is essential. Haven't yet had my water quota for the day, but will work on it. 

Here is today's smoothie: Mango Chunks, Banana, Almond milk, Grapes, Melon and Tangerine.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 23

Smoothie Love Day 23

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Got off to a good start this morning, with a smoothie, slightly chilled because I used some frozen fruit, our weather is hotting up over here so it is a welcomed addition to the smoothie. I also managed to drink more water which is good for the system. 

My grandson Malakai and step daughter Ahisha came round to visit and it was a great excuse to make some more smoothie and get some more vitamins in.

More smoothie to go round!

Malakai is used to having smoothies - his parents make them regularly, so he knows when he is on to a good thing.  He really enjoyed it especially in this heat, it made a refreshing drink, though I think that he was expecting a bigger glass!

Malakai enjoying his smoothie

After he finished his Smoothie he was after more, I wonder what he would have made of yesterdays smoothie!

Here is today's smoothie: Mango, Banana, Apple, Melon, Cabbage, Almond Milk

It definitely hit the spot!

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 22

Smoothie Love Day 22

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Well, the start of the week brings with it something different, and thought I would play a little. I am quite proud of my smoothie and being able to get the two layers. You have to pour the top layer in slowly for it to sit on the bottom layer, garnish with some kiwi and you have yourself a delightful combination of flavors.

Here is today's smoothie: Blueberries, banana, dried cranberries, cashew nuts, mixed fruit. Bottom layer - Mango chunks, grapes, banana, and pear.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 21

Smoothie Love Day 21

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

I thought I would get this post up in time for you to follow the recipe if you wish. Smoothies are a great way to get your vitamins and minerals in your system. Depending what you put in them they can be a power house of goodness.

As with any smoothie you can adapt the recipes as you wish, adding or taking away an ingredient. The smoothies over the past few days you will notice don't have any cabbage in them, I have to get some more tomorrow. But you can chose from a wide variety - kale, spinage, red and green cabbage and loads more, just give them a try.

Here is today's smoothie: Pear, Banana, Mango chunks, Fruit Salad mix, Cashew nuts, Raisins, Almond Milk

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 20

Smoothie Love Day 20

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

I think that I am beginning to find my flow with the smoothies, and have learnt some lessons along the way - we are learning all the time!, especially with regards to helping me keep consistent. I have my staples which I work with, making sure that I have sufficient supply, and this has enabled me to keep going, whilst providing a nutritious smoothie each day.

The family have been joining in and as I make one for myself, I make one for them as well, knowing that we are all benefiting is keeping me going. It does also help to have an easy to use smoothie maker, and I will have to at some point do a review on the ones that we have brought and what has worked well for us. I am starting a new review site where I will be sharing my views on things that I have tried, hopefully it will help others make informed choices.

Smoothie Love

Here is today's smoothie: Pear, Grapes, Tangerine, Mango and Oat Milk, this one was quite nice, creamy and the frozen mango chunks were quite sweet.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 17

Smoothie Love Day 17

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Ok, so I missed a few days, stuff happens, and you have to go with the flow, walk round, jump over and a whole load of other things while you are at it. I made the smoothies, but didn't get to post for a whole host of reasons, some of which I shared in yesterdays post about Taking time out. The main thing is to make sure you take note of whatever lessons you are to learn, then as you move on you are able to see where the possible pitfalls may show their face again.

Here is today's smoothie: Grapes, kiwi, blueberries, raisins, cashew nuts, coconut milk, and spinage.

The kiwi wasn't very sweet and so there were slightly sharp undertones, but it still tastes good. I have stocked up on supplies so looking forward to the coming recipes.

Smoothie Love - Day 17

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love Day 11

Smoothie Love Day 11

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Keeping the smoothie light again today, 

and it contains the following:

Oat Milk

Banana

Melon

The Vlog for today will be uploaded soon.

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

Smoothie Love - Day 10

Smoothie Love Day 10

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

Keeping the smoothie quite light today, 

and it contains the following:

Melon

Banana

Mango chunks

Strawberries

Grapes

Pear

Oat milk

Day 9 Vlog

if you haven't had a chance to see the vlog from yesterday I have attached it above.  

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

30 Days of Change - Day 9

Smoothie love - Day 9

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

For my smoothies this week I am feeling like adding something more substantial in the smoothie.  For this you can use oats, add nuts and a variety of different seeds.  I decided to add granola to my smoothie, which means that I can reduce the amount that I will eat at lunch time, well that's supposed to be the idea.  I know that I haven't quite done a vlog yet, but it is in the pipe line!

Smoothie love - 30 days of change

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

30 Days of Change - Day 8

Smoothie Love

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

For this smoothie I used Red cabbage, greens, carrots, pear, apple, raisins, cucumber, seed mix and almond milk. Whilst there is quite a bit of vegetables, the fruit and raisins adds the sweetness, a great way to start the week.

Learning from the lessons of last week I plan to put them into action and see if I can have a more structured week, as we want to start feeling the benefits from the change.

What are you going to do today to work towards your change?

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.

30 Days of change - Day 7

Smoothie Love

Smoothie for the day for the 30 days of change...

For this smoothie I used a banana, blueberries, seed mix and ginger. I also added coconut milk - delicious taste.

What are you going to do today to work towards your change?

The smoothie is part of the 30 days of change, click on the image below to see what it involves.