The Juicing Smoothie COLOR CHALLENGE: RED

Hi Folks!! The last week of the color challenge was great!  The smoothies and juices I made were totally delicious and so good for my body! Last week was all about the color RED!  This one was easy peesy so I encouraged everyone to add in a new ingredient to expand their red vocabulary! Here is what I made last week:

Bananas, strawberries, raspberries, coconut sugar, coconut milk, chia seeds

 

 

I used other ingredients like: cranberries, pomegranate, raspberries, red grapes and started using coconut milk! Totally delish!

Red week was good!

Peace and Love!

Two Week Juice Challenge - Week 2

Hi Folks! The Two Week Juice Challenge is on it's last leg.  But there is a resounding cry to keep it going....so we will!  If you are interested in joining the group please let me know.  We are sharing recipes and encouraging each other to keep living the juicy life!

Here is a testimony from one participant: "I am having fun! I am almost replacing  dinner with a smoothie because I am just not as hungry as I was before but I feel good!! If we are alive then why don't we eat more live food? How can a living body survive on dead food? I am so encouraged to keep going and live!"

That testimony makes me so happy!  I feel the same way.  I've added in smoothies when there is no time for making juice, and for some reason I've been a hungry hungry hippo this week so I've supplemented my juice breakfast with oatmeal twice. 

Here are some of the juices/smoothies I've made this week:



Beet Juice - beets (2 large),  carrots (5), celery (12 ribs), ginger (1 inch) and lemon (1) 



Kiwi Basil smoothie - cucumber (1), banana (1), kiwi (2), orange (2), basil (1/2 bunch)

Mango Delight Juice - mango (2), pineapple (2 cups), honey dew melon (3 cups), orange (2), ginger (2 inches), cucumber (1)

Banging Broccoli Juice - broccoli (1.5 cups), pineapple (1 cup), orange (3), green apple (3), ginger (1inch), kiwi (4), basil (2 stems)

All of the juice has been packed with vitamins and minerals.  The beet juice needed 5 more carrots and the kiwi basil smoothie needed one more banana.  All others were AMAZINGLY TASTY!  I don't like torturing myself with bad tasting healthy food.  Healthy food DOES NOT have to taste bad!

I started having PMS symptoms  this week and to combat the possible hormone imbalance I tried to beef up my mineral intake by adding beets and broccoli to the party. 

What kinds of juices or smoothies have you made this week?

Peace and love!

Two Week Juice Challenge!

Hi Folks!! I've embarked upon yet another challenge! Juicing for two weeks straight!  This is not a juice fast. I repeat: this is not a juice fast.  I will be eating solid food.  But I'll be replacing one meal a day with juice.

I invited others to join the challenge and so far there are about 15 of us! I've realized the importance of juicing and I want to incorporate it into my life...............PERMANENTLY............! There are too many benefits that I don't want to miss out on.

I have friends and family that need some juice in their lives too...so we are juicing it up!! The participants that do not have juicers are making smoothies instead.  Remember folks juicing is a good way to get essential vitamins and minerals into your body. Juicing gives your digestive system a break and can boost your immune system!

Here is what I've been drinking this week (It's quite the rainbow!):

Cucumber Ginger - Cucumber (2), romaine lettuce (1/2 head), green grapes (1 cup), green apples (3), oranges (3), ginger (2 inches), lemon (1/2 with peel)

V7 - Celery (5 ribs), kale (1/2 bunch), carrots (5), tomatoes (4), red bell pepper (1), lemon (1 with peel), ginger (2 inches) -Next time I'll add 5 more carrots to this juice. 

Watermelon Cilantro - watermelon (3 cups), romaine lettuce (1/3 bunch), cilantro (1 bunch), red grapes (2 cups), blackberries (1/2 cup) - This juice was DIVINE!!!!!!! LOVED IT SO MUCH I DIDN'T WANT TO SHARE!

 
Try the recipes out and tell me what you think!!!

Happy juicing!

Peace and love!

Detoxification: Liver and Onions Part 4

Let the flush begin!!!

This week is all about the FLUSH!  I spent the last 4 weeks  preparing  for this.   I'm  finally going through with the liver flush.

Here is what this week will consist of:

Day 1  and 5 - Raw food

• Step 1 - Drink 8 oz of purified water
• Step 2 - Drink the liver gall bladder flush mix (see below)
• Step 3 - Drink liver gall bladder tea, blood detox tincture, anti parasite tincture, echinacea/golden seal tincture (this should be repeated 3 times during the day)
• Step 4 - Drink morning nutritional smoothie
• Step 5 - Consume only raw fruit and vegetables

Day 2, 3, 4 - Juice Fast

• Step 1 - Drink 8 oz of purified water
• Step 2 - Drink the liver gall bladder flush mix
• Step 3 - Drink liver gall bladder tea, blood detox tincture, anti parasite tincture, echinacea/golden seal tincture (this should be repeated 3 times during the day)
• Step 4 - Drink morning nutritional smoothie
• Step 5 - Drink fruit juice, vegetable juice herbal teas and potassium broth all day long

Day one is complete and I'm on to the juice fast.  I did not cheat yesterday!  I completed all steps with some irritation.  I WAS HUNGRY! I WANTED TO EAT MORE THAN FRUIT and VEGETABLES!  But I did not cheat - even when a co-worker began chomping on peanut M&Ms of all things!!!!!!!  I stuck to the plan as outlined! Whoop whoop!! 

Here is what I ate:

Breakfast - Nutritional smoothie (star fruit, mango, green apple, spirulina, banana, alkaline water)
Snack - banana
Lunch - Green salad (romaine lettuce, arugula, snap peas, carrots, cucumber, peppers, dried cranberries, and chick peas)
Snack - carrot sticks and grapes
Dinner - Smoothie (cherries, green grapes, avocado, fruit pulp (from juicer), alkaline water)

Here is the liver gall bladder flush mix:

• 8oz of fresh citrus juice (grapefruit, orange, tangerine, etc.)
• 8oz of purified water
• 1 - 5 cloves of garlic (start with one and increase daily)
• 1-5 tablespoons of olive oil (start with one and increase daily)
• ginger root (1 inch)

Liver gall bladder flush mix - orange, grapefruit, garlic, ginger, olive oil

Fresh juice

The mix  in the blender

Finished blend

 Here are the tincture ingredients:

Anti parasite tincture

Blood detox tincture

Echinacea and goldenseal tincture

The Juice Journey: Carrot Celery Ginger Juice

Here is another juice I created that your body will thank you for.  Carrot celery ginger juice!

You receive a healthy dose of Pro vitamin A by consuming carrots but what I didn't know is that they are  also good for your skin.  Celery, along with it's distinctive flavor profile can help treat psoriasis and alkalizes your body! Celery is also good for lowering cholesterol levels.   You can't go wrong with this juice!

Here's how it's made:

Step 1 - gather, wash and peel all ingredients

Carrots (orange and yellow), celery, lime and ginger

 Step 2 - Juice all ingredients then strain (not pictured)

 

 Step 3 - ENJOY!

 

Try it and tell me what you think!! :)

Peace and love!

I'm in Love with BS - Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are in the cabbage family and even look like mini green cabbages.  Due to participating in the CSA this fall I finally (first time in life!) tried  Brussels sprouts.  I am in LOVE!

Why do Brussels sprouts get such a bad rap?  They are packed with nutrition (more protein than any other cabbage) and very tasty when prepared properly.  I used a recipe from a co-worker that turned out to be delicious!

Recipe:
1 bag of fresh Brussels sprouts
Balsamic vinegar
Salt
Olive oil
Red pepper flakes
(I didn't really measure any ingredients - just added to taste)

Preparation (sorry no prep pictures - I got too carried away and forgot):
1. Cut sprouts in half
2. Place on baking sheet
3. Season with salt (garlic salt is preferred)
4. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar
5. Follow with olive oil
6. Broil for 10 minutes
7. Add red pepper flakes

Time: 20 minutes (tops!)

Any other Brussels sprout recipe I should try?

Peace and blessings!

The Ravishing Radish!

Participating in the CSA this year has opened my eyes and taste buds to a variety of veggies that I have never eaten. I feel a huge responsibility to use every bit of each week's delivery. So off I went figure out what to do with the RADISH.  In looking for what to with my CSA radishes, I've learned that this veggie is a powerhouse for liver and gall bladder function.  Here are 5 reasons why you should eat more of this root veggie.

1. Displays cancer fighting ability by impeding cellular mutations
2. Increases bile production
3. Facilitates gallbladder drainage
4. Helps prevent slow or difficult digestion
5. Helps with sinusitis and bronchitis due to the mucus softening properties

Sounds ravishing to me!! :)

I decided to be adventurous and create a side dish using the daikon radish I got in my CSA box. I searched for recipes online and created a variation of what I found.

Spicy Roasted Daikon Radish

Ingredients:
3 daikon radish
3 large carrots
1 cup of sliced leeks
2 sliced jalapeno peppers
Salt to taste
Red pepper flakes to taste
2 TBS of olive oil
Balsamic vinegar to taste

Preparation:
1. Slice all veggies thinly
2. Place on baking sheet
3. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper
4. Bake in oven for 20 minutes at 350F
5. Add balsamic vinegar and bake for an additional 5 minutes.





Prep stages
 



Pre and post baking

 

My next radish dish will be more on the raw side.  Just like with any fruit or vegetable....the raw version gives more of a powerful punch! 

Anyone ever juiced a radish???


Peace and blessings!

The Juice Journey: Carrot Beet Cauliflower

Hi Folks - My juicer is still whirring away as we really get into the cold season.  Here is a simple juice recipe I made using my CSA veggies!

I have grown to love the oddly shaped Romanesque cauliflower for its nutrient dense ways. It's packed full of calcium and fiber (and good for replacing calcium from dairy milk).  The most palatable way I've found to consume beets is by juicing them.  I love what they do for my body.... I just don't like chewing them!

Try it and enjoy!!

Peace and blessings!

Communty Supported Agriculture (CSA) - Week 3

It is week three of our CSA journey.  Everything we've received so far as been awesome!  I will admit, I'm a bit intimidated by some of the veggies....I'm not sure what to do with them! Here is what we got this week:

• white potato
• butternut squash
• unknown yellow squash
• purple kale
• green cabbage
• carrots
• spinach
• mushrooms
• parsnips
• beets
• white cauliflower

CSA pickup #3

This week we've made: vegetable Udon soup, stir fry, pumpkin/split pea soup, and Pumpkin Delight.

Tomorrow morning the juicer is getting fired up!!


Peace and blessings!

The Food Journey: Pumpkin Delight Smoothie

I'm squashing disease  by utilizing my Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) pumpkin!  First time making a smoothie out of pumpkin and it was DELICIOUS!  

Pumpkin Delight Smoothie:
2 cups of pumpkin (raw or steamed) - I actually used 1 cup of each
2 cups of hemp seed milk
Honey (sweetened to taste)
1/2 cup coconut butter/manna
1 - 1 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice blend
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of ginger powder

Again...please free style this recipe to suit your taste buds. You can use dates instead of honey, almond milk instead of hemp seed milk, etc. 




Pumpkin parts!



Ingredients

 

Pumpkin Delight

Has any one else tried pumpkin in a smoothie?

Peace and blessings

The Food Journey: Squash Disease!

Hi Folks! Another winter treat is abundant now:  SQUASH...AKA...the pumpkin.  This vegetable is so rich in fiber, vitamin A and yummy goodness make sure it's a part of your winter diet.  Just like with most fruits and veggies, there are quite a few types of squash.  Each has a unique, but similar texture and flavor profile.

Squash: Butternut, Queensland Bue, Acorn and Pumpkin

 

Here are 6 facts about the squash:
1.  Squash is extremely low in fat and sodium.  Because of this it's great for your arteries and heart!

2.  The pulp of this colorful veggie can neutralize excess stomach acid because of the abundance of alkalizing mineral salts. So if you are riddled with heartburn...eat some squash!

3. The fiber can help with constipation by acting as a mild laxative. 

4. Because of the high vitamin A content it can help with vision disorders like cataracts.

5. Like most real food squash can help prevent cancer since it's riddled with vitamin C, vitamin A and fiber three of the most effective anti-cancer fighting agents.

6. The seeds are high in zinc, Vitamin E, iron, linoleic acid and protien.  Squash seeds also contain vermifuge which can fight parasites and worms.


Preparing the squash:
Okay...now does this mean eat nothing but pumpkin pie this holiday season???? NO! You can try to roast it, bake it, put it in stews and soups and puree it for smoothies.

Normally I use the acorn, butternut and green pumpkin (not pictured) for soups.  In the near future I'm going to try and make smoothies from the abundance of squash we have right now. In the past I've baked the acorn squash.....but didn't season it well so I'll have to try again.

I'm a sweet potato pie kind of woman, but maybe...just maybe pumpkin pie can be on the menu this Thanksgiving.


Squash/Pumpkin seeds:

I love love love pumpkin seeds  (pepitas)!!  I make milk from them, add them to chia pudding,  put them on salads and in my homemade trail mix.

Since they are so nutritious you can't go wrong with incorporating them into your diet.

Squash/Pumpkin seeds

How do you like to prepare squash/pumpkin?



Peace and blessings!

References for this post:
The Encyclopedia of Foods and Their Healing Power - Volume 2 - Dr. Pamplona -Roger

The Juice Journey: Winter Greens!

Hi Folks...as the winter season gets in to full swing, it's important to keep the flow of green juices going.  Green vegetables provide oxygen to your body. They also boost your immune system and keep your body full of vitamins and minerals that help fight nasty bacteria and viruses that like to show up this time of year.  As the trees turn the magnificent yellows, oranges and reds that are so pleasing to the eye...the green things start to disappear.  Make sure they don't disappear from your diet!

Keep green juice around using winter greens such as green leaf lettuce, chard, kale, broccoli and cabbage.

This juice is called Winter Green Juice:

Here is the simple recipe:
Yellow and green apples  (4 - 5)
Green leaf lettuce (1 bunch)
Kale (not shown) (1 bunch)

Drink up and drink green this winter!!! :)


Share your favorite green juice recipe with me!


Peace and blessings!

Saving Money....Saving the Earth - Community Supported Agriculture

Hi Folks! 

I've been silent for a few weeks.  No the liver detox did not wipe me out (Liver Onions and Divas), but a two week cold virus did. Plus Caleb got the bug and I've been in quarantine -- I mean cooped up in the house for 5 days straight!! Can you say stir crazy!

Well this post is all about sharing the Community Supported Agriculture love - aka CSA.

I joined one this fall and I am SO excited!!!!!!!!!!!  First of all I will be saving approximately $500 over the next 7 weeks on my grocery bill.  Second of all it's good to give back and keep small farmers alive.  Did I say that everything is ORGANIC and FRESH????

So here is the bounty from the first week:

Pumpkin, garlic, beets, tomatoes, sweet potatoes (white and orange), leek, spinach, chard, turnips, green leaf lettuce, cabbage (unknown variety), radish

I've been charged with making great dishes with all of these wonderful veggies...but I've never prepared turnips, radishes or leeks....so I'm going to need some help.

Here are some meals I started with: 

Yellow split pea soup with garlic and spinach

Vegetable soup with awesome Asian inspired broth and thin rice noodles.  Broth contained: vegetable stock, miso, soy sauce, honey, red pepper, coconut oil, lime, ginger, garlic) CSA veggies used: unknown cabbage, spinach.  Other veggies used: carrots, green onions

 Other items I made this week (not pictured) were:

• green juice with (kale, chard, dandelion greens, green apples, ginger and lime)
• salad with unknown cabbage, chard, kale, green apples, carrots, sprouts, dill, green onion (dressing: garlic, olive oil, salt, lime, honey)
• pasta using  the CSA tomatoes and garlic

I'm just hoping we won't let any of this good food go to waste.  Neighbors beware! We're gonna come a knocking if the bounty begins to overflow! :)

Any good turnip, radish and leek recipes out there???

Peace and blessings!