Healthy Make-Over Challenge: Arroz Con Pollo

Arroz con Pollo means "Rice with Chicken" in Spanish. It is a classic dish of Spain and Latin America, with many different traditional ways to prepare it, unique to various countries. An Arroz con Pollo you find in Cuba may be quite different than one you find in Peru.

So, after sifting through tons a different variations of this recipe JUST so I could swap out the ingredients for their healthy counterparts, I finally decided to just free-style it, WBG style!  

For example: Most Arroz Con Pollo recipes do not call for cheese...but a rebel at heart, I added it just for my special friend who gave me this idea to re-vamp this recipe! (Thanks, Mary!)

So, I present to you....

Arroz Con Pollo

• 2 lbs Organic Boneless Chicken Breast
• Brown Long Grain Rice
• Organic Chicken Broth- 1 cup
• 1 14.5 oz. Can of Diced Tomatoes
• 2 Red Bell Peppers
• 1/2 Cup White Cooking Wine (I use the brand, Pompeian)
• 4 Garlic Cloves, diced
• 1/2 Lemon 
• 1/2 bunch of Cilantro, chopped
• Monterrey Jack Cheese (Whole Foods 365 Brand)
• 1 Medium Onion
• 1 Cup Green Peas
• 2 TBSP Coconut Oil

Seasonings (Add as desired to your liking):

• Sea Salt
• Black Pepper
• Oregano
• Paprika

-Brown chicken with seasonings in 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. (You may use olive oil if you prefer, but keep on low heat if doing so..)

 -In a separate pan, cook brown rice according to directions on package. The brown rice I used took 40 minutes, which is typical cooking time! (*Instant Brown Rice can be used here also.)

 -Chop veggies during the time rice is cooking. (Red Bell Peppers, Onion & Garlic)

 -After Rice is done, let stand for 5 minutes.

-Coat a casserole dish with 1 tablespoon coconut oil.

-Add chopped veggies, green peas, can of diced tomatoes, white wine and chicken broth to rice in the pot. (add salt to desired taste, I didn't add enough the first time!)

-Stir and simmer rice for 5 minutes on medium heat. Add pepper and salt to desired taste. (This is a perfect chance to taste test!)

-Pour rice mix in casserole dish. Pre-heat oven to *350.

-Place browned chicken on top of rice mixture. Add slices of cheese to rice. I used 4 oz of the block of Monterrey Cheese...

-Bake for 30 minutes at *350, un-covered.

-Add cilantro and zest from the lemon for added flavor.
                                                                    
           Did you know?

Adding more herbs like cilantro and spices to your diet
greatly increases the variety of antioxidants that
you get from your diet, and is one of the most
effective measures you can take against
disease and premature aging.  

Give it a try and let me know how you like it! And don't be afraid to add your own twist with your own personal taste.

*Remember, not all cheeses are created equal. We used Whole Foods 365 brand. You can rest assured that the cheese they sell won't have crazy hormones injected. When possible, always use cheese that comes from grass fed cows! Goat cheese is another great option that would work well with the dish. Add your own zest!

Happy Eating!

Words Are Power

Health isn't just about what you put in your mouth or how much you exercise.

It's a mentality. And it all starts with your words.

The power to see change in your life can be found in the words you speak. You have the power to set the destiny for your life...by what comes out of your mouth.

The bible tells us in Proverbs 18:21 that life and death are found in the words we speak. No one gets to decide the words that come out of your mouth except for you.

You have complete control over what you choose to say.

Your words have the power to set things in motion, good or bad. They’re like little seeds that you plant in life.

When your words are filled with faith, hope and promise then you’ll enjoy the fruit of them. But if they’re filled with discouragement, fear and other negative attitudes you won’t enjoy your life.

Don't believe me? Tomorrow try saying over and over, "I'm so tired" and see how your body reacts. The more you say it, the more you feel that feeling. Let's face it, you'll be tired.

But instead of speaking what you obviously are feeling, try replacing it with, "I'm strong", "I'm healthy", "I am well able to do what I am called to do today"

Sure, it takes time to adjust to hearing yourself speak positive affirmations over your life, but as with any habit...you have to do it over and over again. Eventually, it will just be a habit for you to speak power over your life, and not defeat.

GRACE BREAK:

Take 5 minutes and write out a list of "I Am's" and post them where you can see them every day.

Here is an example of mine:
I am blessed.
I am strong.
I am healthy.
I am happy.
I am a child of God.
I am a women of faith.
I am more than able to do what God has called me to do.
I am funny.
I am beautiful.
I am talented.
I am creative.


Not hard, right? Let go and be courageous with what you speak! Here's to a better tomorrow and a beautiful future that awaits you... just say the words ;)

By Grace,
Erica











*Pic credit goes to Wisdom From Books

Our 2011 Highlights & Looking Ahead to 2012

Happy New Year! Wow, 2012 here you are, ready and rearing to go...

But before we kick these new dreams into gear, I wanted to take a moment to share one of Whole Body Grace's highlights from 2011.

Last year, was essentially, the birth of WBG. I had plans that were put on hold due to life events, but even in the midst of it all, I gained amazing support that I don't take for granted. And above all else, I want to acknowledge those people that really stood out and helped get Whole Body Grace's name circling the atmosphere.

My sister, Melissa, who runs a fabulous website, Lisscat Creations, (which you should definitely check her art out!) always faithfully re-tweeted & re-posted my material to her audience. She also donated her talent to designing WBG's logo and blog layout! HUGE thank you to her for supporting this dream of mine.

We ended the year with a wonderful testimony that was too good to not share. I believe the following words you are about to read is the essence of what I hope Whole Body Grace can bring to people in this year to come...

------------------------------

If you do anything constructive today, then I would suggest that you please visit and LIKE Erica Ohnesorgen's Whole Body Grace. :-) Back in my sophomore year in college, when I was on my quest to lose weight, I learned a great deal about health and fitness, mostly through trial and error. However, in the time I've been with Erica, my knowledge has increased tenfold, and well, let's just say I didn't know as much as I thought I knew.

And that's usually the case for people who are either entering the Health and Nutrition world for the first time or even those who consider themselves to be veteran practitioners. Regardless, we all have bought in to the myths perpetrated by the Health Industry, who let's be honest, just want to make a quick buck and could really care less about you as long as they meet that objective. So many people want a quick fix, a quick solution, and they don't want to put the time and effort toward building a healthier body. So naturally, the corporate suits and ties Health Industry cash in on this. It's their job to determine what America's inner most and wants and desires are and sell it to them.

America is practically obsessed with looks and we as people desperately throw our hard earned money away toward whatever FAD diets, CRAPPY workout equipment, or SILLY quick fix solutions they're shilling. The Sawdust Diet that prides itself on letting you eat all the meat you want does not work, the Shake Weight is an insult to our intelligence, and all the magical pills and supplements carried out by Pharmaceutical companies is a corrupt and an immoral practice, who again just want to make a profit.

LISTEN, if you want a happier, healthier life it's going to take work on your part, and Erica is going to tell you the very same thing. However, Erica is a real person with a real story. She's been through all the up's and down's in regard to maintaining her health, and she can empathize. It's hard for me not to put my personal bias aside, but she really is the kindest, sweetest person you'll ever meet.

She's not a health NAZI, she'll give you REAL and PRACTICAL advice toward making Health and Nutrition an active part of your LIFESTYLE. No DIETS here! You'll learn the difference between a LIFESTYLE CHANGE and a DIET, you'll learn why FAT is so CHEAP to produce, and above all else, you'll learn just how of what we put into our bodies is so IMPORTANT to increasing our VITALITY and IMPROVING our LIFESTYLE.

WHOLE BODY GRACE is a blooming business, working from the ground up and Erica could use your business. So MEN, you want those coveted SIX-PACK abs, shoot WBG a message on Facebook or Twitter to find out how. LADIES, you want to fit in that little black dress again? Shoot a line at Whole Body Grace. And yes, she'll respond. She'll, get this, actually talk to you like a NORMAL person!!! However, if you're interested...whatever it is that you want, whatever it is that you need, she will make a plan specifically catered to your goals.

So you want to be ripped, sexy, or more importantly, be RIDICULOUSLY happy and healthy? Then be sure to LIKE "Whole Body Grace" on Facebook, FOLLOW @WholeBodyGrace on Twitter, and SUBSCRIBE to Whole Body Grace on Youtube.

I only endorse what I believe in...

- Grahm

------------------------------

A HUGE thank you goes to these two special people in my life for their love & support for WBG.

As I look ahead to 2012, I am ecstatic and overjoyed about all the possibilities and opportunities that are within my grasp. I am blessed beyond reason to be apart of bringing health and wellness to the community around me. I pray that this movement spreads like wildfire as we all learn to take care of the most precious thing we've been given...our health.


By Grace,
Erica

Monday Motivation

If anyone knows me, they know I am all about lyrics and music. And naturally...they go together!

Well, music moves and this song moves me as I hope it will do the same for YOU. Check out the lyrics below and my hopes is that it sets to tone for much positivity for the week ahead! Let's make some moves, people! :)

"Make A Move" - Royal Tailor

Mr. Good Intentions, so much I wanna do
My mouth just keeps on running
But I never follow through
I heard that true religion is love with hands and feet
I wanna find my own way
To reach a world in need
I've been captured by the unimportant
Locked in and now it's time to break free

There's more to life
Open my eyes
Someone is needing you
So I gotta make a move

What good are words
When this world hurts
Real faith will come through
When I make a move
We don't need permission to go outside of these doors
And dream some crazy dream
No one else has dreamed before
To show love and compassion
Whatever way it may be
To put faith into action
Do more than just believe
 

We are hope to those who have been broken
We were made to make a difference

I've been captured by the unimportant
Locked in and now it's time to break free
Now it's time to break free

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I dare ask the question.... What moves you??

"Hello Somebody... Is anyone listening?"

I got to believe at one point or another we've said this, thought it, or at least felt it. In fact, I think we too often go through life thinking people don't want to be bothered or inconvenienced. But really, if you stop to ask how they are doing, more often than not they tend to light up and appreciate you took the time to just...listen.

I think I am finally listening. I am finally starting to open up to the world around me and accept the fact that *gasp* It isn't always about me.

This is why I LOVE what Hello Somebody is all about. Within the past few months this non-profit organization kept popping up on my radar and finally I had to check them out! I love how Hello Somebody engages other people to help conquer huge goals for these kids in Rwanda.

Instead of just saying, "Yeah, we sell apparel and it helps feed a kid!" They reach out and recruit people like you and I and have you focus on ONE child. Your aim is to get one sweet boy food and education by selling some pretty nifty watches. I just bought one and I LOVE it.

Check out the array of awesome colors!

My last post, " An Early Christmas Wish" indicated the simple instructions of when ordering. So far, two watches have been sold for Fils Twizeyimana! 

Since Hello Somebody takes care of the orders, I have no clue who it was BUT much gratitude to you who bought a watch for Fils! :)

We only have 68 watches to go till Fils can be guaranteed food and education for a whole year! AND...we only have 2 weeks to make it happen!


I need 7 Rock Stars who can recruit 10 people each to buy a watch! Want in? Leave a comment below letting me know!


The Basics:

• Buy a watch here.
• Simply put Fils Twizeyimana name in the "Note" field upon check out.
• That's it!

BONUS: 

My Rock Stars will be automatically entered to win a $25 certificate to Amazon.com PLUS a free introductory Health Profile courtesy of yours truly, Whole Body Grace.

Thanks for everyone's support, I really appreciate it! :)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



 Would you like to be a Team Lead for Hello Somebody and help one of these kids get food and education for a whole year? Check out more information right over here ----> Rwanda 100






*Winner will be selected at the end of the month!

An Early Christmas Wish

I know. Not even Halloween yet, and I am making my Christmas list...sort of.

If Santa can only give me one thing this year, then Santa... I want Fils Twizeyimana, who lives in Rwanda, to be blessed with food and education for a WHOLE year.

There is an incredible opportunity through Hello Somebody, a organization that exists to feed and educate children, that I want to share with you all.

I have partnered with Hello Somebody and their movement to get 100 Rwanda boys off the street, fed and educated by simply buying a watch. Yes, a watch. If 70 people bought one watch for themselves (or for a Christmas present for someone else, hint hint!) You will be apart of giving Fils food and education for a WHOLE year. That's all it takes! 70 watches.

Now who is Fils, you say?

He's awesome and has an amazing story....

My name is Fils Twizeyimana, and I am 19 years old. I’ve been coming to Africa New Life Ministries since 2004. I learned about it from a former staff member who invited me to the Dream Center.  I am thankful that I learned the word of God there.  Once I knew God’s word, I was able to depend on Him and ask Him to help me go off drugs on the street.  I sniffed glue for 9 years, and I have been clean for 2 years now.  My dream is to finish school and be a counselor.  I want to help rehabilitate children from drugs and street life.  I desire to be a strong man and to have a family I can support.  I want to be a leader and an example of breaking the chain of poverty through education.  My parents died in the 1994 genocide and I live in their house. The court gave me the house after they died. I would be very grateful if someone bought the watch knew my name. I had no hope and no one to talk with about my life.  I took drugs to take my mind off my struggles.  Now that I know Jesus, I have God to talk with, and I know God cares for me.  God has shown me His love through people, especially at Africa New Life. My favorite color watch is dark blue.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are you ready to help impact a life and grant my Christmas wish come true? I got 30 days....70 watches. And I got HUGE faith I can do this...but not on my own.

Ready? Set. Go!

• Go >>>here <<< and check out the awesome array of colors the watches come in and start thinking of all the lucky people on your Christmas list that would love one ;) (hint, hint again...)
• When you check out with your watch(s), make sure to put Fils' name in the “Note to seller” (in which you click on and it opens the note field) Hello Somebody keeps count of how many watches are being sold for him!

One last note...

To make it clear, I am not getting anything from doing this other than the simple fact that I am choosing to pour into someone's life like many have chosen to pour into mine. I have been blessed and only wish to be a blessing in return. This year has taken a toll on me in more ways than I imagined. So, if anything good can come from this year...it is to know I was a tiny part of helping this young man have a better life and hope for a beautiful future. And you can very much be apart of this as well. (and this concludes my Miss America practice speech! ....kidding, kidding..)



#TeamFils <---- Trend it on Twitter!



More to come!...you might not only just be getting a watch. You might be getting healthier at the same time ;)












Pic Credit Hello Somebody

Re:Creating Our Family Trees

We all come from a family tree of sorts. We all got passed on the same family traditions, religious practices or the same traditional food our Mom's and Dad's had. And they grew up living the same lifestyle their parents did...and so forth and so on...

You look around these days and decades ago it wasn't the same for this generation of kids and young adults like it was for our great grandparents...even our parents.

To say times has changed is a dramatic understatement.

From high school tragedies, bullying to now the ever increasing health issues arising in our country... it's alarming.

__________________________________________________________________________________


I've been blessed with an opportunity to learn the value of true health and wellness. Moving away from my comfortable surroundings in Tucson, Arizona led me to my own self discovery of how we are really made to live.

It makes me deeply saddened to watch all my family take all these pills for all these random ailments, go through various health challenges and so much more. It's no way to live. And I understand some things we just can't help but most of what these pills are for are for things that CAN be controlled by diet AND lifestyle.


I'm the only one in my family who is NOT on high blood pressure pills. I am also the only one who has moved away and not constantly surrounded by the temptation of tortillas, chili con carne, tacos, enchiladas and a whole host of other mouth-watering Mexican dishes. (But how I do miss a good home cooked meal...)


By moving away from my hometown it caused me to see the world in several different lights. It caused me to see ME in many different lights...that I didn't like. I made a change. I made several changes...


And now I am making a decision.


I am changing my family tree.


I believe that educating others of the importance of eating real food and the importance of staying active, we can recreate our family trees. And what I am most excited about is recreating my own family tree (when God chooses to bless me with a husband and kiddos...)

I have been blessed with seeing first hand what eating real food can do. Making a commitment to my health has resulted in a joy I've never known.

This is the way God created us to live. Our bodies were meant for so much more... if we only just grasp the fact the times have changed. If we see our parents and family going through these health struggles, taking tons of meds, living a not so satisfying lifestyle...isn't it time we take a step back and think....

Maybe I should try something new? Something different. Maybe that stuff they've done for years...maybe I shouldn't do?

I'm not saying you have to move away. I believe changes can start small right where you are in your family...

Every time I make a visit to home I try to suggest something new like...using sea salt instead of iodized salt. Little changes...will eventually make BIG impressions.


What do you want your family tree to look like?

Here are some great places to get some ideas to start changing your family tree NOW! :)
Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution
Beyond Organic
Dr. Axe --Health.Life.You