Drink up! The Feel Good Shamrock Shake by Carina Sohaili

March 14, 2016
blog, health

Drink yourself beautiful…

Life is too short for deprivation. You should be able to have your cake and eat it to. In this case, have your SHAKE and drink it too. It is quite simple really. When you start eating better, you start feeling better. I put together the perfect energizing breakfast blend or 3PM pick me up to prevent hanger (hunger-anger) and overeating later on. I have used my favorite ingredients in the shake specifically to keep you more full for a longer amount of time, give you lasting energy without the crash and curb unhealthy cravings. Not to mention, reduce stress, increase feel good hormones AND get your skin glowing (you can check out my most recent television appearance for more smart snacking options in the video section of my site). Yes, it all sounds too good to be true. Try it and then let me know how you feel.

Carina’s Dark Chocolate Mint Shamrock Shake:

1 tablespoon of unsweetened cacoa powder (Trader Joe’s brand is great) or 1 tablespoon of dark chocolate chips (I love Lily’s).
1 cup of plain non-fat Greek yogurt (I love Chobani) OR a frozen banana (if you are dairy free)
1/3 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
¼ tablespoon of mint extract
4 tablespoons of stevia
¼ cup of sliced avocado
1 cup of ice

Blend together and enjoy. Everyone is different. If you like a sweeter flavor then go for the frozen banana instead of the Greek yogurt. If the cacoa powder is too strong for you then try dark chocolate chips. Make sure the cacoa powder is non-processed to get the best health benefits. (More information and dark chocolate health tools can be found in my piece here.) Get creative and find a healthy formula that tastes good and works for you.

Quick tip: if you are on the run or at work (because that is life) simply do a little planning in advance. Blend together the night before and put your sassy shamrock shake in a container for the next morning. It will take ten minutes tops. Just like any muscle, the more you practice planning the easier it gets.

My tips on how to be healthy at your desk were recently featured in the Huffington Post, you can find them here.

A bit of nutrition while you drink because I just cannot resist:

INDULGE & GO DARK! Dark Chocolate triggers the release of “feel good” hormones in your brain. The same “feel good” hormones that get released after you do physical activity or when you are falling in love. For more health benefits of dark chocolate and two of my easy “no brainer” recipes check out my piece here or my Creamy Dark Chocolate Ice Cream video tutorial here. If you are a fan of mud muffins you can check out my healthy dark chocolate mud muffin recipe featured in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Greek Yogurt has double the amount of protein than normal yogurt, healthy bacteria for digestion as well as immunity and calcium for bone health. Check out my energizing ranch dip video here using Greek Yogurt or my Stress Reducing Avocado Pasta video here.
AMAZING AVOCADO (I am a huge fan of healthy fats)! Avocados are packed with heart healthy monounsaturated fats. These fats have been proven to reduce stress as well as increase post-meal satisfaction levels. Moreover, avocados contain plant protein to keep you more full for a longer amount of time, give you lasting energy and curb unhealthy cravings. Avocados also contain Vitamin-E. Vitamin-E fights off damaging free radicals that contribute to aging. Vitamin-E also gives your skin an overall smoother tone, which will help reduce fine lines and those pesky crows feet around your eyes. Need some skin clearing snacks? Check out my Satisfying Beauty Bites here, or Skin Clearing French Fry Video Tutorial here.

More information on my Custom Eat Yourself Gorgeous programs can be found here

If you need simple steps to change old habits, check out my piece here

As always, focus on progress, not perfection and DO YOU. Focus on your goals, instead of comparing yourself to others because that is all that matters.

*A cause that is very dear to my heart is the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I have formed a team in honor of my grandmother, Dr. Lailee Bakhtiar, who passed away after a 21 year battle with the disease. You can sign up and learn more about my team here.

Love always,

Carina

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Holiday Party Tools by Carina Sohaili

November 28, 2015
blog, health

The holidays are about memories, moments and fun. There is no time for feeling deprived or guilty about food choices (that also is not the answer to a happy life). Below are my simple tools so you can enjoy the holiday season without the guilt.

Remember, nobody is perfect and everyone is different. Set realistic goals to stay on track so you can truly enjoy this holiday season and start the new year with confidence.

Never go to a party starving. Often times when we are stressed out, tired or cranky it is because we are eating sugary packed junk foods and unhealthy sweets with preservatives. These foods make us crave more unhealthy foods and mess with the hormones that regulate the stress response within the body. By nourishing your body with nutrient dense foods and always having a healthy snack, you will have increased energy, a calmer demeanor and be less likely to lose control at the holiday buffet. One of my favorite snacks that I always suggest to clients this time of year is organic canned pumpkin mixed with plain all natural Greek yogurt, stevia and cinnamon. This is a great combination of a healthy carbohydrate (from the pumpkin) and protein from the Greek yogurt. I call it my special “bliss in a cup” energizing snack. It is quick, easy to make and leaves me feeling like I just ate a slice of pumpkin pie. Moreover, the fiber in the pumpkin is great for your digestive system especially during the Holidays. Watch my video tutorial on how to make it here.
Eat real food before you reach for the sugary sweets. Fill up on protein before you head to the dessert table. Protein will help stabilize your blood sugar levels and keep you more full and satisfied for a longer amount of time. By eating protein you will reduce your cravings for junk food and sweets. One of my favorite protein appetizer options is shrimp, which you can find at most holiday parties (if not, be a great guest and bring a healthy appetizer). If you are vegetarian, hummus is normally a party platter favorite and a good source of protein as well as healthy fat.
Indulge in a balanced way. If you are craving a serving of pie have a reasonable portion but try not to eat three servings. Do you notice how the first serving of an amazing food tastes the best? The food is not as good the second or third time around. This will prevent you from feeling deprived and then overeating later on.
Volunteer to bring a healthy side to your next holiday party. Not only are you a great guest because you are contributing to the party (the host will love you) but you can ensure that there is something delicious AND healthy for you to eat. Bringing a healthy side does not have to be complicated or overwhelming. Check out my library of Eat Yourself Gorgeous cooking videos from Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes to Skin Clearing Spaghetti Squash here. All take less than 20 minutes to make. If you are a dark chocolate fan, you can find two of my “no-brainer” dark chocolate recipes here and my dark chocolate mud muffin recipe recently featured in Entrepreneur magazine here.
Be mindful of your environment. It is very easy to overeat when everyone around you is overeating as well.
Always have a plan. If you know you are going to be around a group of people that overindulge all the time, have a plan going into the situation. Make it clear what you are going to indulge in, what you are going to pass on and other activities you are going to focus on (schedule a family game of cards or talk to that uncle who you have not seen in a while). Focus on friends, family and conversation; not simply stuffing your face with food at the holiday buffet. Remember why you are at the gathering in the first place.
Learn to take a deep breath and slow down. It is okay to say no to certain events if you are feeling drained and overworked. Finding balance, especially during the holiday season is important. Recognize when you are doing too much and be okay with cutting back. You do not have to be superman (or woman). Make choices that are energy inducing as opposed to energy draining. Be smart about your time and how you invest it.
Ditch the all or nothing diet mentality. I always tell my clients to focus on progress instead of perfection as well as never compare themselves to others. So many people have “cheat” days then are excessively strict and deprive themselves. This causes them to overeat way too much when they “let themselves go.” I always hear “I am starting my diet tomorrow.” You should erase the term diet from your vocabulary.

Just like any muscle, the more you practice consistent healthy habits the easier they will get. By implementing these tools you will be less stressed and have more energy to invest in activities you truly enjoy.

Happy Holidays!

For more easy recipes and health secrets this season connect with me and the VHL community:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ YouTube ~ Quick Tip Newsletter

Love always,

Carina

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Video: Recipe Rehab: Healthy Holiday Dessert: Warm Pumpkin Cranberry Parfait by Carina Sohaili

November 18, 2013
blog

Recipe Rehab episode two features my “bliss in a cup” energizing Pumpkin Cranberry Parfait. This recipe can serve as a healthy holiday dessert, snack or breakfast bite (and a great alternative for those who love Pumpkin Pie). My energizing parfait takes only ten minutes to make. The ingredients will help curb unhealthy holiday cravings and truly make your skin glow (I explain how in the video). Not to mention, this episode I have a special guest to make the video more helpful. This is a great Thanksgiving dessert or healthy holiday party treat. Enjoy!