HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!  My hope is that we will ALL have a prosperous, healthy, productive, joyous, strength filled, courageous, satisfying year. 

Since I have started this journey, I've learned more about myself than I could have ever imagined.  I've learned more about my weaknesses, my strengths, why I struggle with certain things so much, and what REALLY makes me tick. 

I've learned to love better, be more patient, exhibit self control (even when I don't want to) and I know what TRUE kindness really is. 

God has ushered me into a new year.  For that I am thankful.  My work on this earth is not finished yet. 

I have no resolutions.  I just want to be a better mother, wife, sister, aunt, niece, granddaughter, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, friend, and co-worker.  I've been enlightened on how to be better.  Now it's up to me to take the bull by the horns and fulfill the revelation.  It's time for me to kick fear and uncertainty out of my life! For good!

I must not rely on my five senses to lead me.  I have to rely on the still small voice of God to guide me.  That has been my main struggle this year - letting my common sense rule the day, instead of God's all knowing Spirit.  It's a new day and I'm grateful for another chance to get it right.  Good bye fear! Hello courage!

Are you all with me???

Thanks for supporting me this past year.  Blogging has been a new experience for me, and I've loved every minute of it.  I'm hoping to grow The Natural Journey For Life in 2014.  So stay on for the ride!

Peace and love!

Orange Pineapple Ginger (OPG) Juice

My juicer is still whirring away folks!  Not only is this juice DELICIOUS it's super healthy and will fuel many systems in your body all at once. With only three simple, common ingredients this juice will keep you alert, glowing and free of belly aches! Initally, I thought oranges were just good for the vitamin C boost and the main benefit of eating pineapple was the enzyme bromelin that breaks down proteins....but boy was I WRONG! Check out characteristics I didn't know about these juice ingredeints. 

Oranges** -
1 - Contain high amounts of provitamin A,  vitamin B1 and B2
2 - Contain 170 known phytochemicals
3 - Can help prevent retina degeneration due to the carotenoid content

**IT'S BETTER TO EAT A WHOLE ORANGE INSTEAD OF POPPING A VITAMIN C PILL.  I put that in caps, becasuse when we consume whole food we get so many other benefits than when we take isolated, synthetic supplements.  The whole food nourishes the whole body.  A supplement will only effect ONE part of your system in an incomplete way.

Pineapple -  
1 - Prevalent vitamins are C, B1, B6 and folates
2 - Weight loss aide - consume before eating to help reduce appetite
3 - Can fight sterility due to it's high manganese content that helps form reproductive cells (in males and females)

Ginger -
1 - Good for easing symptoms of diarrhea
2 - Can reduce inflammation
3 - Can relieve gas pains

OPG Juice Recipe:
1 ripe, fresh pineapple
4 - 7 oranges
2 inches of fresh ginger root (or less if you don't like it so spicy)

Here is how I made the OPG juice:

Step 1 - Gather all ingredients

 

Step 2 - Remove the skins and chop everything up in preparation for the juicer

 

Step 3 - Juice all ingredients (I'm using a centrifugal juicer).  Try to alternate between soft and hard ingredients.

 

Step 4 - Strain the finished juice with standard strainer (not pictured...I forgot to take a picture!)

Step 5 - ENJOY!

This juice is also great for the cold season.  I think by far, this is my favorite juice. Drink up and drink often! 

Peace and love!

Another great snack: Apple Chips!

We've all heard the saying: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" right?  Here's another one: "Chips made of apples can keep inches off your hips".  Okay.  It doesn't really rhyme, but you get the point! :)

I made some apple chips last night that I am happy to share with you as another snacking alternative. This is my first time actually making them, but not my first time consuming them.  They are great for children as well. 

Check out how I made these delicious treats!

Step 1 - Gather all tools and ingredients.  Since this was my first attempt I only used two apples (red delicious).  Three are pictured, but one was rotten.  Other ingredients used: ground cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.

 

 

 Step 2 - Remove the apple core.  I didn't have a fancy device.

 

 

Step 3 - Slice the apples using a mandolin (straight ,1/8 inch blade).  PLEASE BE CAREFUL.  The blades are super sharp.  I recommend using the veg/fruit holder.  The last time I used it I cut my fingers (not fun!).  Slicing 2 apples took 2 minutes and my slices were nice and even.

 

Step 4 - sprinkle spices onto apple slices for desired taste.  Use hands to coat evenly.  Note I did not measure anything...just sprinkled and tasted.  I only added spices to 1/2 of the slices just in case Caleb does not like the extra kick.

 

 

 

 Step 5 - place coated apple slices onto dehydrator trays starting at the bottom.

 

 

Step 6 - set dehydrator to 135 deg F (recommended for fruits and vegetables).  I kept the apples in the dehydrator for 18 hours.  Depending on the thickness of your slices and desired moisture level the timing could change.  I wanted thin, crisp chips so 18 hours was perfect!

 

 

 Step 7 - Remove chips from dehydrator

 

 

 

 Step 8 - Enjoy!

 

I hit a home run for my first attempt.  These chips are the bomb diggy!! :) This was so easy to do and totally healthy! Another guilt free snack!

 

Peace and love!

The Ultimate Snack: Popcorn

I LOVE POPCORN! I will eat it morning, noon and night.  It's been my favorite GUILT FREE snack for years.  About ten years ago I traded in the bags of microwave popcorn for raw kernels, oil and a big pot.  Which is the way my dad makes popcorn.  A few years ago we bought an air popper and my life was transformed!!!

Popcorn is a great snack because it's low in calories and high in fiber.  When you eliminate all the junk (chemical flavors and colors that give people cancer) it's quite a healthy alternative to potato chips and other savory snacks.  I "hook" my popcorn up with three main ingredients: coconut oil (replaces butter), salt and nutritional yeast flakes.  I could eat a huge bowl (alone) and not think twice about it!

 

Here is how I do it:

Step 1 - make the popcorn using the air popper

Air popper with kernels and popped corn

Step 2 - while the corn is popping gather all seasonings

Fixings: coconut oil, nutritional yeast flakes, Himalayan pink salt
 

Step 3 - once the corn has popped, heat up your coconut oil (if not already in liquid form)

Melting coconut oil

Step 4 - Grind up salt using a mortar and pestle. This increases the surface area of the salt granules allowing an even distribution (and you use less)

Grinding the salt to increase surface area -  makes it easier to distribute evenly

Step 5 (not shown) - drizzle coconut oil on popcorn, add salt and yeast flakes (all to desired taste profile)

Step 6 - ENJOY!!!!

 

Why use alternatives? Because the alternatives solidify the guilt free designation and here is why:

1.  Coconut oil (instead of butter) - coconut oil is a GREAT oil.  It's good for your skin, hair, and innards! It's antibacterial and contains MCTs (medium chain triglycerides) which are found in human breast milk and are great for building strength.

2. Himalayan salt (instead of iodized table salt) -  more minerals are found in Himalayan salt in comparison to table salt.  It tastes better and you can use less of it.

3. Nutritional yeast - I've been using this ingredient on my popcorn for over 10 years now.  A wonderful family that took me in while I was in undergraduate school were vegan and they used nutritional yeast on their popcorn.  That's what led me to use it.  Nutritional yeast has no leavening ability. It's high in protein and B complex vitamins.  It can be added to kale salads, kale chips, vegan mac and cheese and any dish you desire.

Be creative with your popcorn! I've added turmeric, herbs and garlic salt in the past. Try a sweet version with cinnamon and brown sugar and cloves. 

Is there such a thing as "raw popcorn"? If so, that may push me to convert 100% LOL!

How do you eat your popcorn?  Bag, pot or air popper??

Peace and blessings!