Better Than Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Dip with Apples

There is one thing that has called my name for the last seven years during September and October, and that is Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies. But they are evil, and I'm not going to go there this year I have decided, but I needed something that I could nosh on that was equally as yummy, but would not ruin my healthy lifestyle. That's when my friend, Allison, came into this story. We took our kidlets to the Hands On Museum last week in Olympia, WA to celebrate and create great memories on September 11th. During lunch she takes an apple, puts it into some dip and hands it over. I was in love. It was pureed sweet potato with cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and coconut oil. Really just delish. And that got me thinking.

The next day I created the same and took it to school for a snack. I was so satisfied after I ate it. The next day is when the real magic happened, however. Think hours of homeschooling mixed with adrenal fatigue and low thyroid. CRASH! So I new I wanted something good, but I need something solid. I started pulling things out of the fridge and pantry and this is when I created the Better Than Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Dip ror my Whole 30 Challenge.

Better Than Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Dip

Ingredients:
1/2 Can Organic Sweet Potato Puree
1 1/2 tsp Spectrum Decadent Blend
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 scoop of WAVSmart (formerly branded as WheySmart) undenatured whey powder

Directions:

Warm the first three ingredients for 25 seconds in the microwave.
Add WavSmart Vanilla Bean protein powder and mix.

You'll end up with an almost pumpkin-ish tasting chocolate chip pudding. Slice apples and use this as a snacking dip. YUMMY!!

My Ocean Avenue Earnings

I wanted to share this, but I was really hesitant. I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, because honestly I'm kicking myself right now because I haven't given my business the time I should have to be making the money I am making as an Ocean Avenue Ambassador. I've been with Ocean Avenue for almost a year, it's been about 8 months since we first got products, and that is when I really began to build my team of four. But I don't know why I actually stopped there. So I built, and they built, and their builders built a few and I just ordered products to use personally, gave out a few samples and waited. Waiting is the worst thing to do with a new company, but I have to admit that is what I've done. But I have been helping others, and that is the core of my business, but the help I could do with my family, and for my friend's families... so I am picking it up and yelling from the mountain tops about what this business could do for you.

There's a Fire in My Ocean Avenue Business! 

Now I'm on fire... because I remembered an old post by a friend. I was too scared then to join her company when it first came to me, scared I would not be able to make any money, that I was no good at selling to people... I just like to help others. She posted that post 2 1/2 years ago when her business after 18 months had started making with her two centers and her husband's center $2,000 weekly. She posted the other day she had her first $20,000 week the other day - and I had an aha moment. We are just launching Ocean Avenue this month, September 2013, from the ground floor. The nutritional products are just amazing and made with the BEST ingredients I've seen. We have the exclusive rights to the Ice Elements product line, starting with the Two Minute Miracle (and whatever is launched in two weeks...) and you can't get this from HSN or QVC ever again.

So why have I been sitting on this opportunity? I know that for someone out there reading this that extra $2000 or more per month could save them. It could be the answer to their prayers, and I'm selfish for not sharing how easy this company is to get into. It could save a home, or pay medical costs, or even take a family on vacation for the first time. My family is taking a vacation next month to Disneyland, and then going to go to San Diego and make two weeks out of... all because of my business. So I'm stepping it up because I want to come back in a year or two with my first $20,000 week... I want to help just one person who like me thought they couldn't it!

On top of that the people that we can help who are obese, who are dealing with painful chronic inflammation, that's going to keep my motivated to help others become physically and fiscally healthier going into the Ocean Avenue Launch in Orlando Florida. Think of this as my pre-Success blog... and I'll come back next year in 12 months after launch and share how much this business has truly impacted lives.

Lastly, believe me IF I CAN DO THIS ANYONE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL WITH THIS! If you want to help change lives, enjoy yourself, travel and change your life, contact me!

FARE Allergy Awareness Month

It is the FARE Allergy Awareness Month, and I love the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxix Network because of all that they do for all of us with allergies. FARE is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to food allergy awareness, education, research, and advocacy, and provides information, programs, and resources about food allergies and anaphylaxis. I have spent so many hours of my life in the ER hooked up to benedryl-ish drips after receiving multiple epi-pens to save my life. It's not a fun experience, I promise you that. No one wakes up and says, "Hey... I wish I had a food allergy!" It's a complication in life that could lead to death and in fact did this last summer for that adorable 13 year old twin girl at camp. Just one mistake.

So why aren't Food Allergies Taken More Serious?

Food Allergy Awareness Month Should Include Education for Everyone!

Today I went past a local food coop, PCC Natural Market, to pick up some quick easy items for a field trip tomorrow, and they had a sampling of date muffins. I checked the ingredients and everything looked great. I let my daughter have one, which she put in her mouth and immediately spit out... "Peanut Butter, Mom! That has Peanut Butter in it!"

How on earth she knew that there was actually peanut butter in it I'll never know, because she has been kept away from peanut butter her entire life. She just new. Divine Intervention is all I can tell you. The store staff didn't seem to care. I gave them my name and number, but I highly doubt they will ever call to apologize. When you can't even trust the coop.... who do you trust?

If stores are going to sample products, they should have to be educated on the proper practices. For instance if you are going to have to muffins that look similar, you have to have LABELING of some sort to show that half of those muffins contain PEANUTS! These are items that our products have to say, there for you need to label your demo items as well. You need to understand that a life can be gone in a matter of minutes from a food allergy reaction. Ask any parent, any spouse, and sibling that has lost someone from a food allergy reaction and they will pour their heart out to you on how important education and labeling is.

We had to stop going to Jamba Juice this summer because we had some sort of allergy to a smoothie that shouldn't have contained anything we are allergic to. Now I will say that they do have postings... but I used to run six Jamba stores in the Pacific Northwest and contamination in one of these stores is from lack of education and sheer laziness and negligence.

Food Allergy Idiocy 

I recently had a friend post on Facebook about how she didn't mind if you were not of her religion, that was fine, but she hated when someone would go out of their way to belittle her belief system. One of her friends posted back that they "also didn't care what your food allergy issues are but don't force them on me". This guy is an idiot. Plain and simple. He should be required to take latex proteins until he because sensitive to them and live the rest of his life dealing with the food and environmental issues of having an allergy for being just so off the mark. People can try to force their religion on you, and it won't kill you. If you are the jerk that sends your kid to school every snack day with peanut butter crackers in a class where one child has a severe off the charts peanut allergy because "your kid loves them and that's all that matters" ... you need your parent card taken away. I get the mama bear attitude, I AM a mama bear and I will rip anyone to shreds that puts my child in harms way... but the difference is that taste preference should not prevail over LIFE! And most of these people are "Pro Life"... so what is the difference in the life of my child, and an unborn child? PROTECT them!!

Stepping off the soap box... but I had to share because it is just too important and hopefully this will save a life.