Blackwood Nutrition

For those of you who have been in my world for a while, know that I have a slight obsession with chocolate. I used to eat chocolate bars, chocolate ice cream, chocolate glazed doughnuts...I think you get the point, as long as there was chocolate I was good to go. But I also realized that those are really not ideal. Too much white sugar and too many processed fats. ... But I did not want to give up chocolate.but I also wanted to reach my goals. Something had to give. There had to be a solution. I have since made all kinds of yummy brownies, granola bars, puddings and smoothies - all which hit the spot. This recipe is seriously one of my absolute favourites. Next time you really feel like having some chocolate.try this recipe!!! It is so good, and I am making some today! Are you going to give this one a go? Lemme know in the comments.

I hear from moms that they often feel exhausted by the time everyone's’ gone to bed and that that is her time to relax and unwind. (absolutely!) I also hear from those moms that they find it so hard not to snack on cookies, chips and other carb-y and sugary stuff, once the house is quiet. I totally get that. We are so busy all day looking after everyone else’s needs (and having to share our food every time we eat something, even if we try to eat it in the closet away from the... kids...I swear they can smell it). So then naturally.at some point, after all the laundry has been done (if we have the energy to actually get it done) and the dishes have been put away...we want to unwind. You frantically search all cupboards for food, anything to satisfy that hunger. You finally find something you really want, and eat more than just one or two pieces.you end up eating almost the entire thing. You have tried to restrict yourself from those foods entirely only leaving you overeating on them later when you tell yourself I just can’t do this. What if I told you that there is a way to overcome your cravings, and to not end up there almost every night? What if you could just enjoy one or two pieces of chocolate, and then happily put it away after? I used to be exactly where you are right now. There are a few things I did to help me move forward and to get over my cravings (especially the night time cravings). I made sure to eat breakfast no later than one hour after waking up and to include protein and healthy fats in every meal and snack throughout the day. I also stopped skipping meals because this causes the blood sugar to drop which can totally lead to cravings and overeating later. One other thing I did, was to not restrict myself from having sweets. If people around me were eating cookies and cake, I made sure to have some of my own healthy upgrades from my secret stash. Doing those things helped me feel fuller throughout the day, and allowed me to not constantly think about food. And because I followed those steps, I got rid of my food cravings. And you can too. What is your favourite healthy upgrade snack? Homemade or store bought? Share below.

If you have the vision to change your health and to achieve your goals to feel better, then allow yourself to have that. If you have the vision to move towards eating better, figuring out your body, and improving your life for the better, then allow yourself to have that. If you have the vision to wake up and feel full of energy so you can be productive and keep up with your kids and everything else, then allow yourself to have that.... Give yourself permission to go after what you want. Don’t listen to what others say. Others' opinions. What matters are your opinions, and how you want to feel about yourself. So this week, I want you to begin to focus on what it is that you really want....and then to go after it! Wake up every morning, kick ass, be kind to yourself and repeat. Every day. Are you with me?

If you are anything like me, then you appreciate all seasons, and love getting cozy on cold winter days. Today it’s pretty stormy out there snowy and cold. The kids are playing (on their last day of homeschooling, as schools reopen on Monday) and I am just thinking about all of the things can make me happy. A small part of me is going to miss having the kids home with me, but I know that getting back into a routine will be better for everyone. I need some of my space b...ack, as do the kids. Being in lockdown has changed so much for all of us. And what this looks like for me, might be very different for you. Deciding whether or not to send the kids back school, can be a really difficult decision. So, if you are struggling, just listen to your heart. Do what feels right to you, and your family. There is no right or wrong. Whatever you choose, try to enjoy all the moments, especially the small ones. To me, the most important thing is that we have each other. What are some of the little things that you’ve enjoyed having the kids at home? Share in the comments below

What does your self-talk sound like? If it sounds something like this... I can't do this. I always fail. I'm doomed.... I am not good enough. I don't deserve this. It's too hard. ...then it is time to challenge your self-talk and to turn it into something beautiful. Destructive self talk never helped me get anywhere, it never helped me achieve my goals or my dreams. Instead, I say things like... Jasmin, you are amazing. Jasmin, yes you can. Jasmin, work hard, and you can achieve anything. Jasmin, never take no for an answer. Jasmin, you deserve this. Self talk helps me change my attitude, build my confidence, helps me work through challenges, and strengthens my self love.. Change your mindset, and you change everything. Believe in yourself. Go have a look in the mirror, and say something kind about yourself and share below, I'd love to hear