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Juicing–the Healthiest Way to Start Your Day

IMG_3717 I started my morning off right today, with a quick ride on my motorcycle (which didn’t last long, because I quickly turned into a popsicle), and then an incredibly healthy green juice for breakfast when I walked in the door.

Beautiful morning, calm mind

Beautiful juice, grateful body

Usually, I’m more of a green smoothie fan, but today I wanted to try something different. I’m fortunate enough to have parents, that bought a nice expensive juicer, and then went on vacation so I could sneak it out the pantry, dust it off, and give it a whirl.

I’m glad I did, because this stuff is very powerful!! It had me zinging off the walls with energy! Very cool!

 

The juicer seems to be something that is brought up in all the natural health books that I read. What is so great about it, and also what makes it different from a green smoothie in a blender, is that it extracts all of the juice from the fiber of the fruit or vegetable, so that way the liquid goodness is absorbed immediately into your body, and it gives a break to all of your digestive organs because it doesn’t have to focus on processing the fiber-y pulp. Major Score!! Instant energy! Happy body!

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In my juice today, I had lots of green yummy things. I followed a recipe from Kris Carr’s wonderful book Crazy Sexy Diet. Out of every health book I’ve read, this is my Go-To. I’d even go as far as saying its my Healthy Living Bible. It has so much goodness packed in one perfectly sized book, and Kris Carr is like, my idol. I first stumbled upon her when I watched her documentary, Crazy Sexy Cancer, and have fallen quickly and hard, for this spunky health guru. She’s amazing.

Here’s a little bit about her story. At the age of 31 she found out she had stage 4 cancer (there is no stage 5) all over her lungs and liver. She was young and energetic and was an upcoming actress in New York living life the way we all do, with an average American diet, drinking, partying, and being young. But something happened… She got cancer! And it changed her world entirely. Her cancer was so rare, that every doctor she went to see had suggested something entirely different from the last, coming up with a large variety of different solutions – basically guest work (chemo, radiation, multiple organ transplant, etc.), but Kris refused to be used as a lab rat. instead she took matters into her own hands and submerged herself in the self healing, holistic world. After almost 10 years (she just had her 40th b-day, but you’d swear she was still in her 20’s) she managed to throw all of the health care practitioners for a loop, for one, by still being here, and also by being the most healthy and radiate woman you could meet. She’s completely changed her own life. She got the tumors to quit growing. They will never go away, due to the type that they are, but the doctors now say that she can basically look at them as “beauty marks’ as they are no longer a threat to her life, and she’s by far one of the healthiest women you’ll meet. Go Kris!! I Absolutely love her!! If you get the chance pick up her book, Crazy Sexy Diet, she will knock your socks off and have you rolling on the floor laughing. She’s really great.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble, I just get so excited. Here is what went into my green juice this morning:IMG_3716

All Organic!!

-5 celery stalks
-1 cucumber
-1 large leaf kale
-1 broccoli stem
-1 pear
-1/2 apple (added at the end, because I thought it needed a tad more sweetness)

This stuff was really neat and very different, but I enjoyed the taste. Very subtle hint of sweet.

It was the perfect way to start this morning. It gave me the energy to start this day with a blog post, and to get my booty out the door early, ready to go. Seriously, I have so much energy, I feel like I could go run a marathon. Lol!!

Have a great Saturday everyone!!!

Next post is on Remie’s wedding. I’m finally getting to the extra good stuff, wedding dresses, dancing, and pretty things.

Homemade Dairy Free Soft Serve Ice-cream!

This is my favorite desert!! Easy Easy Easy!!! I love recipes that require four ingredients or less and this one is just that and so simple to make. It’s healthy for your body (nutrition power punch!), healthy for the planet (we’re leaving the animals frolicking in greener pastures for this dish!) and healthy for your heart (who doesn’t get excited over a guilt-free bowl of yummy ice-cream!?)! This is my banana soft serve ice-cream!

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I made this when I got home from work today, as  it was 104 degrees outside and I was craving something to cool me down and satisfy my sweet tooth! This is my go-to recipe when I have ice-cream on the brain but still want to try and keep things healthy and nurturing! (I know this looks a little melted… and that’s because it is!! LOL! After I made this I had the bright idea that I should probably be sharing this in a new post for you guys, so I was running all over my house trying to figure out where I last placed my camera, and when I got back to it, the heat had already had its way with my ice-cream… Ek!! Oh well, it still hit the spot!)

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All you need is:

-2 Frozen Bananas
-Soy Milk (or almond is good too!)
-Cinnamon
-Stevia
(And sometimes vanilla extract, but I was out!)

Basically you just place the frozen banana into your blender, pour in enough non-dairy milk to cover the blades, give the cinnamon a few shakes, and use a tiny bit of stevia (about 2 pinches) and BLEND!!

Let the blender do its magic for a few moments but be sure to keep an eye on it as it shouldn’t take longer than a minute!

I wish I would have snapped a photo of what this looks like when its finished blending in the blender as it looks really neat. All you’re looking for is that there are no clumps and that the mixture has formed an almost solid smooth looking swirl design in the bottom of your blender.

Just scoop the glob out into a bowl! Add any extra toppings if you’d like (Mmmm, Blueberries! And Walnuts! And Coconut! Oh My!). And enjoy!!! This always makes a ton so there will be more than enough to share. I usually only put a tiny dent in my serving as it seems my eyes are ALWAYS bigger than my stomach when I make this!

Bonus: The sweet cinnamon-y flavors remind me of Christmas!

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*Oh! And just so you know, I’ve made this many many times with only frozen banana and enough water to cover the blades and its comes out delicious! Especially if you’re a banana fan! Maybe if you add in a few drops of honey it’ll add in a bit more sweetness, but yes, banana and water have worked for me many of times! You’d be surprised at the sweetness of a lone blended banana! Winking smile 

*Today I’m grateful for sweet surprise notes from loved ones, cute workout gear (I just got some and man is it good for motivation!), and coming home to 2 excited puppies and a nice book to snuggle up with! Have a beautiful day!!

Blueberry Picking

I went blueberry picking with my parents! Look how beautiful!

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Organic, 1 gallon, $10, can’t beat it!

Mexican Bean Salad!

I’ve recently come cross the most amazing dish and I would love to share this with everyone! Its so light and refreshing! And so very yummy! Addicting almost!

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I was looking for a new recipe that was light and healthy and something that I could keep in the fridge that was easy enough for me to just grab and go. Plugged in “Top Vegan Recipes” in Google, and voila! Mexican Bean Salad! There were several “top” dishes, but out of them all this was the only one that caught my eye enough to give it a try.

And I’m so glad that I did! I loved everything about this dish! The flavors are perfect together and the lightness of the entire salad is so perfect and appealing. You feel GOOD after eating this!

Here goes:

In a large bowl mix together:

1 can each of black beans,
1 can kidney beans,
1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed!

Chop and add

1 green bell pepper,
1 red bell pepper,
1 purple onion,
1 10 oz. pack of frozen corn. Set aside!

Look how pretty! Its like a veg food rainbow!! Ooooooo! Aaahhhhhhh!!!

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In a small bowl, whisk together:

1/2 cup olive oil,
1/2 cup red wine vinegar,
2 Tbsp. lime juice,
1 Tbsp. lemon juice,
2 Tbsp. sugar,
1 tsp. salt,
1/2 tsp. minced garlic,
1/4 cup chopped cilantro,
1/2 tsp. cumin,
1/2 Tbsp. black pepper.
Add hot sauce (I used the roster sauce, yum!) and chili powder to taste!

Look how gorgeous! Would you ever think food could look so pretty and uplifting?! I love it!

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This recipe makes a HUGE bowl of this stuff! I wish I would have snapped a photo of my holding the bowl so you could see how large it actually is! I was feeding off this dish for a few days and It tasted wonderful every time!

*Today I am grateful for telephones, as I was able to catch up with a good friend that I miss that is living in Cali and also my brother Daniel in Colorado! Daniel has been gone for about a month now! Can you believe it?! I miss him and his girlfriend Paula already! Hmm, I’ve always wanted to visit Colorado! I think its about time I mark that one off the “Will Do” list! Winking smile 

Easy Avocado, Tomato, Onion Salad

This is a salad that I just threw together that came out absolutely delicious and surprisingly satisfying. It consists of 1 onion, 1 avocado, and 1 tomato. This makes enough for 2 people to have a nice lite meal.

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Basically you just chop everything in tiny bite sized pieces.

I used my go-to dressing that is tasty and actually quite good for you. Its 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil, 2 Tbsp. Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar, and 8 squirts Braggs Amino Acids. I just eye-ball the measurements and add each to taste. This dressing is quite strong so a little goes a long way.

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I hope you give this one a try, as its very simple to make and is packed with a ton of wonderful vitamins and minerals! It’ll give your body an extra boost of happy! Red heart 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

So, since this post is pretty short, I thought I’d add in a bit of brain splewdge on where I am at right now in my little world, in reference to mental clarity and life in general…

Um, on second thought… Lets not over think it…!

Silly me! Smile with tongue out

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!! I’ll fill you in on how mine went in an upcoming post. I’ll give you a teaser though, it has to do with growing my own wheat grass and also an at home intense yoga meditation retreat!!! WooHoo!! It was a perfect weekend! My brain feels so refreshed!

How To Make Healthy Chocolate Pudding

This is a recipe that I had heard about from a few different health food resources and after getting my newest issue of Whole Living in the mail and seeing it once again, I thought it was about time to give this a try. Plus, you can’t beat easy AND healthy, especially if it involves chocolate! Yum!

Here is all you need:

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You start by setting up your food processer and adding in 1 tsp. vanilla extract

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6 Tbsp. cocoa powder, 1/4 cup raw honey, and 3 small avocados (or 1 1/2 half large)

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And puree those yummies until it is smooth!

I know this picture doesn’t look all that smooth, but it was fine! Not clumpy and everything was blended well!

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To serve, just sprinkle a tiny bit of salt on top and voila! And YES, the salt does make a difference! Don’t ask me to explain how, but try with and without and you’ll see for yourself.

Surprisingly, this came out very light and fluffy with just the right amount of chocolate and sweetness! Delicious! I wasn’t sure about this recipe because off all the avocado, but it came out really well.

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I paired this with the Easy Healthy Strawberry Bars I had made 30 minutes before and it was the perfect combination. I even had it the following morning for breakfast! Yum!

*Today I am grateful for sweet berries, tasty chocolate, and having my own space to make my own lovely food!

How To Make Easy & Healthy Strawberry Bars

This recipe is so easy and really fun to make! If you have kids, give this one a whirl! I think they’d love it!

You only need 4 basic ingredients:

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Start with 1 and 1/2 cups pitted dates. I used the SunSweet brand, as its all they had at my local Winn-Dixie, and it worked perfectly! (Just make sure you remove the stems, because there were quite a few left in the bag.) Add them all into the food processor.

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Next, add 1/4 cup of raw, unsalted cashews. I’m sure you can substitute other types of nuts, but cashews are always my go-to, as I usually have them on hand in my pantry.

Next, you’re going to add 2 Tbsp. whole rolled oats (got mine at Whole Foods, bulk bin) and a pinch of sea salt. Pulse and process this mixture until everything is well chopped and mixed. This will be your crust, so make sure its nice and sticky and most large pieces have been chopped up.

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Pour the mixture into a small casserole dish and spread along the entire bottom of the dish.IMG_0780 IMG_0784 

Put aside for now!

Next your going to thinly slice enough strawberries to fill about 1 cup.

Take half of those strawberries and mashmashmash!

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I squished and mashed and squash until I had a pretty liquid but still slightly chunky consistency. And, WOW, do mashed strawberries smell so good! In love

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Next, spread the juice mixture on top of your crust. Take the remaining, un-mashed strawberries and lay them out over the top of the dish.

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And BAM! Amazing! hehehhe! Winking smile

These are so tasty and bright and colorful you’re really going to love this dish!

I set the bars aside in the fridge while I quickly whipped up some chocolate pudding. These 2 dishes together are quite a perfect pair!

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I actually had these for dinner that night and I felt light and fresh and energetic!

Score one for Rachel and feeding her happy body well!

Let me know if you try this and what you think! I know you’ll love it!

*Today I’m grateful for my wonderful taste buds and an active olfactory system (tehe), because I’m be one sad lady if I couldn’t taste or smell those scrumptious strawberries!