Did you know mung beans or often called bean sprouts, are a legume, related to a bean and a lentil?  Mung beans are loaded with potassium, magnesium, folate, fiber, and vitamin B6.  They are easy to sprout and provide the body with lots of energy.  These are my favorite beans to sprout.  I hope you will give it a try yourself.  
Here’s how:

1.     Buy Mung Beans special for sprouting
2.     Rinse beans under water
3.     Place beans in a mason jar or glass bowl
4.    Cover beans with cold water  (about 2-3 times the volume of beans)
5.     Soak for 6- 12 hours (change out water 1-2 times during that time)
6.     Drain the water after 6-12 hours.  You can eat them or let them grow a bit by letting them rest in a dark place (counter top or refrigerator is fine), covering the bowl or jar with a cheese cloth or paper towel.  Don’t let them dry out completely or they will turn hard. 
7.     Rinse the sprouting beans with water 1-2 times during the day to prevent them from drying out or getting slimy.
8.     You can eat them between 2-5 days -  any time after the skin has split or when a little white tail has started grow (your preference).
9.     Enjoy.  Put them in salads or soups, add them to smoothies or pop them right in your mouth!

*Note- I sprout the amount of beans I will eat in a two day period.  I eat half the amount one day and the rest the next and then start sprouting again for the next 2-3 days.

"Harmony" is an easier goal than balance. 

Harmony means everything is co-existing in a spirit of cooperation. But whatever you want to call it - harmony, balance, or "fitting it all in" - there is a secret to doing more of what you want and less of what you don't want.

Want to hear it?


I just need to warn you that although the equation sounds simple, it actually takes massive willpower to execute. It also requires that you get absolutely clear on what you want your life to look like, and what you do not want in your life.

Ready? Okay, here's the secret: 

• First ask yourself what isn't serving you. What doesn't need to be in your life? What is dragging you down? Keeping you awake at night?
• Have you identified a few things? Now get rid of them (or fix them - now). 
• Next, ask yourself what you want in your life - or in this week or day? What do you want to accomplish? What do you want to do? Who do you want to be with? Focus your energy on these things. Anything that doesn't fit into this larger scheme... let it go (or learn how to say "no").

Ready to dive in and make a few changes? Give these tips a try and see how much more harmonious your life can be. No balance required.

Thanks to much of what we hear in the media, cleansing has earned a reputation for being unhealthy and even unsafe. When you hear the word “cleanse”,  you immediately think of all-liquid diets, expensive supplements and short-term deprivation for short-term gains?

 The truth is, a cleanse doesn’t have to involve any of the above—and if you cleanse in a healthy, supportive manner, you can achieve lasting results in weight loss, energy gain and full-body health.

 The following are four myths you may have heard about cleansing. Understandably, these myths may cause you to be  hesitant to try a cleanse.

Keep reading to find out the truth behind these myths and why cleansing might be just what your body is craving.

Myth # 1: You won’t enjoy anything you’re eating while on a cleanse.
While you might have to eliminate certain foods that you enjoy, cleansing isn’t all about eating lettuce with a drizzle of olive oil. There are many delicious recipes that can be prepared using healthy ingredients that not only taste amazing, but nourish and cleanse your body.

The best part is, many of them don’t involve any fancy ingredients and can be prepared even by a cooking novice. In fact, my cleanse participants always discover new foods and recipes that they absolutely love that have become staples in their diets long after the cleanse ends.

Myth #2:  You’ll constantly be hungry while cleansing.
While you might end up consuming fewer calories while following a cleanse, you shouldn't feel deprived or hungry. Going on an extremely low-calorie diet can actually disrupt your hormones and metabolism, making your body less efficient in the long run.

Everyone’s caloric needs are different, so a cleanse should never dictate how many calories you consume. By consuming whole foods that provide you with the right nutrients, you help cleanse your body while feeling satisfied.  My participants are always amazed that they never feel hungry during my cleanse.

Myth #3:  You need to do an all-liquid cleanse to remove toxins from your body.
Liquid-only cleanses have had more than their fair share of popularity. These types of cleanses can backfire: Not only do people often gain the weight back as soon as the cleanse ends, but such restrictive eating for several days can be detrimental to your health. An effective cleanse will include a variety of whole foods to help nourish your body and produce long-term results.

Myth #4: Cleanses are just a way for people to make money on expensive supplements.
Supplements involved in a cleanse should be just that, a supplementary part of the program, not the primary source of your nutrition.  While on a cleanse, you get most of your vitamins and minerals from whole-food sources.

Supplements may be recommended to help your body make the most of the nutrients it receives from these foods.  For example, by including probiotics in your diet, you help your body produce vitamins, absorb minerals and remove toxins from the body.

Aside from the benefits discussed above, cleansing is an incredibly effective way to identify if you have any food sensitivities, balance your hormones, and establish healthy habits for the long term.

I’ve worked with cleanse participants who not only have lost weight and kept it off, but who have also seen their energy level skyrocket, their skin clear up and even their allergies disappear.

Are you ready to discover the benefits of healthy cleansing for yourself?
Click here to learn more about my online 7-Day Cleanse.

What questions or concerns do you have about participating in a cleanse? Email me at mona@bodybalancecoaching.com.