Welcome to CookinmomsCorner!

Well, not quite where to start but...here goes. Beginning in August of 2009, I began this journey to, not just lose weight (although that was a major concern) but to learn how to live healthier. I decided I was sick and tired of all of the foolish fad diets and crazes I'd done in the past. You know, the cabbage soup diet, the eat nothing but grapefruit and eggs for days diet, the lemon and cayenne "tea" cleanse diet, the "take these pills and be skinny in a week" diet, the "if I have to eat another piece of meat I'm gonna be sick" diet...you know the kinds! The one thing I'd finally learned over the years is that fad diets do not work. They only made me fatter! How irritating is that!?

Now, with that being said, I also learned a lot of things about myself...about my body and how food affects it, my "system", my mental and emotional state...as I've moved through these various diets and fads. And these are the types of things I'd like to share. I'm also very, very aware of the fact that there is still a LOT that I don't know (or understand) as of yet...which means I'm a work in progress. I also want to share thoughts and idea's on how to live healthier in other areas of life, like fitness and activity level...like using natural products...or being "greener". Oh, all kinds of things! I hope you get the idea:)

Here's a couple of super simple recipes I've made this week. Spring is coming to my neck of the woods, so eating fresh fruits and veggies is really appealing to me right now:)

Vanilla Orange Banana Smoothie
1 8 oz. cup lowfat vanilla yogurt
1 very ripe banana, broken into chunks
1 c. orange juice

Place all in a blender and blend for 1 or 2 minutes till smooth and creamy. Enjoy!

Butter Lettuce and Strawberry Salad
1 Head of butter lettuce, broken or torn
10 strawberries, sliced
2 T. slivered, toasted almonds
1 T. lowfat raspberry vinaigrette

Toss all together and enjoy!

Serve these in really beautiful glasses or plates! Make yourself feel really special.....because you are!