A Birthday, a Meal Plan & a Giveaway!

Happy first birthday to Wholesome Bits!

I created this space to unload my ideas and inspiration for living a healthier life. Our family has made changes... drastic changes... over the last 5 years and when you see visible changes with your eyes, it can't be contained. Hence, Wholesome Bits. You can read more about our 3 part journey to health starting here.

I have enjoyed this year's journey with you. I have been humbled by reading some of your emails of how this little blog has helped you in your journey too... Here is a one,

I am almost headache free. I certainly don’t get them every day or even every week but every now and then one creeps up on me. I lost 19 pounds so far. I have more energy. My BM’s are more regular (uh, you’re a nurse, you can handle that, right?), I have more energy. I have more clarity of mind, I can focus and concentrate whereas before, I was unable to even read a simple newspaper article. The other day I noticed another new change, my nails are healthier and stronger for the first time in my life! I’ve always had very thin brittle nails and assumed that was hereditary. Nope. It was lack of proper nutrition! My skin looks healthier and younger. I sleep better at night. I’m not as irritable and cranky. I’ve been enjoying getting out more and socializing. My joint pain is GONE! Ooo, I even convinced my husband to get rid of some of our carpet and install hardwood and ceramic.

And another one writes,

Your Wholesome Bits blog is a big source of encouragement for me... PLEEEESE keep blogging.....I thrive on your posts and links....they keep me motivated.

So this year has been a complete blessing to me to have readers like YOU who have encouraged me along the way as well!

So thank you!

I look forward to another great year of healthy living and hope you will continue to join in the fun too!


Now to this week's meal plan!

This week I am needing to stay within budget and again am trying to force myself to not run to the store. Do you understand the dismay this puts upon a foodie like myself? It's just not natural to not be surrounded by the beautiful fresh foods in my local produce section several times a week. Oh well... I. will. do. it.

Monday
Honey Sesame Chicken
Brown Rice
Roasted Carrots

Tuesday
"Creamy" Tomato Soup from Pretty Delicious Cookbook
Wasa crackers
Blueberry Smoothies

Wednesday
Cinnamon-Oatmeal waffles
Turkey bacon
Homemade applesauce

Thursday
Foil-Baked fish with black beans and corn (thanks to Pinterest for helping me discover this recipe!)
Purple cole slaw

Friday
Grilled chicken sausage pizza with LOTS of veggies! (never tried grilled, but we'll see what happens!)
Spiced pumpkin cookies


Now for the giveaway! I love giving things away and in celebration of Wholesome Bits' first birthday, here's the goodies one person will get!

First, one of my favorite healthy cookbooks is none other than,

Power Foods: 150 Delicious Recipes with the 38 Healthiest Ingredients.


Written by the editors of Whole Living, this cookbook is organized into chapters on breakfast, snacks, sandwiches, soups, salads, main dishes, side dishes, and desserts. The recipes are accompanied by simple instructions and beautiful photographs to keep you inspired to eat well at any time of the day.

The next giveaway is another favorite. A pantry staple I am never without. Great for cooking, baking, frying and even effective in treating eczema, dry skin and much more... 16 oz. jar of extra virgin, organic coconut oil. Here is a more detailed blog post of all the reasons I can't get enough of coconut oil in my life.


And last, how about a bar of shampoo soap?

Its 100% vegetable oil formulation lathers quickly, cleans well, and rinses out and easily, leaving you with healthy, beautiful, and clean hair. It will not strip the natural oils from your hair (there are no detergents) for this reason most people do not need a conditioner! It just smells clean.

So there you have it! Three fun, healthy items just for one person. Please leave one comment saying what healthy thing you will strive do in the year 2012. If you like Wholesome Bits on Facebook, you'll get another entry, just say you do.

Contest will close in just days on Wednesday at midnight.

Due to shipping, entries are limited to those living in the 48 contiguous United States.

Good luck!

My Favorite Things (2011 Gift Ideas - Part 1)

All through the year I have mentally and physically kept track of my all-time favorite things. Whether they are for the kitchen, kids or for him or her, it's here. So if you're in a bind and need to purchase those last minute gifts, I personally think the following will please almost anyone!

For the Home::


Cuisinart Immersion Blender - Puree soups, emulsify homemade salad dressings, blend drinks and mix pancake or crepe batters in a zip with this immersion blender. Comes in stainless steal and other fun colors. Price $30.





Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler - I can't tell you how long I've had my eye on this. It works as a full grill, panini press, and griddle. It has a drip tray for healthier eating and all the cooking plates can be removed and are dishwasher safe. Who can resist this thing of beauty? Price $80.





Reisenthel Market Basket - This innovative and collapsible bag is used all over Europe and is known as the essential basket. Can be used in place of the cart at the grocery store to cut down on germ exposure or to throw last-minute items in before heading out for errands. Great eco-friendly alternative to paper or plastic shopping bags. Throw in some favorite food items from Trader Joe's and you have a perfect gift in a gift! Price $40.



Yonana's Maker - I'm really not into a lot of convenience-type appliances, but this one may have to be an exception. It seems like an amazing invention if you ask me. You freeze the bananas or other fruits and voila', out comes frozen fruit yogurt. Great way to pack in vitamins and minerals in a little bowl of frozen fruit! Price $60.





Produce Calendar - This unique gift would make a great stocking stuffer for the health conscious person looking to see what produce to plant, harvest and eat according to each season. Features beautiful illustrations and is tailored to your particular region. Price $26.




For the Man in Your Life::

Black Walnut Cologne from Banana Republic - I love to smell my man. Nothing overpowering, but just enough to grab my attention. This scent has nice, subtle notes of cognac, tobacco leaves and cedarwood. Yum! Price $55.




Timex Weekender Watch - I know everyone has phones today to help with telling time, but there's something manly about a watch. This watch has a striped, nylon strap and is fashionable and affordable. These are available at Target, JCPenney, Walmart and REI. Just go buy one. Price $35.


Something Leather... Colsen Keane - The husband of a college friend of mine makes a variety of handmade leather goods... from ipad and kindle covers to belts and wallets. These items would make such a classic and timeless gift for any man. Prices $45 and up.



Bulldog Original Moisturizer - Even men need a good moisturizer. This all natural one is packed with 8 essential oils, green tea, green algae, konjac mannan and vitamin E to help rehydrate the skin. Does not contain harmful parabens, artificial ingredients or laureth sulfate. My hubby's gonna find this one in his stocking... shh! Price $14.




For the Fitness-Minded::

Bob Harper: Yoga for the Warrior - We actually just rented this from our local library and let me say, it is extreme. As the video states, "Temperatures and heart rates will soar as you push your body to the limit, triggering both physical and metabolic responses that work to deliver your most streamlined physique possible". A must-have to get you geared up for those New Year's resolutions! Price $10.


Hula Hoop - Believe it or not, the hula hoop is now one of the hottest fitness crazes. It's an exercise that provides low impact movement on your joints while burning 400-600 calories an hour. These weighted hoops you will strengthen your abs, shape your waist, burn fat and speed weight loss while building core strength. Price $35.



Bobble Water Bottles - Enjoy filtered water on the go with these sleek water bottles. When water passes through the carbon filter it removes chlorine and other contaminants. This is a stylish alternative to plastic bottles plus each filter equates to 300 single-serve bottles. Bobble is free of BPA, phthalates and PVC. Prices $9 and up.



There you have it, part one of my favorite things this year. Stay tuned for the remaining list of gifts for women, kids, food gifts and books/dvd's.

What favorite thing are you gifting this Christmas?