The Green Smoothie has not been on my daily menu as we have been traveling in Florida for the past 4-5 days and I did not bring my blender :)

The beach near Tampa Bay was incredible what with all the offshore weather and all; waves crashing, shells being washed upon the fine sandy beaches and dangerous marine life circling about...aaah!


Staying with family is great as they all know my eating habits as well as my daughter's; no more explaining why and what and how and all that.  We haven't had our daily dose of the green smoothie but have eaten well, for sure.  The most amazingly thoughtful person is my mother-in-law.  Bless her heart!  When we got to her house in Gainesville, FL she had 2 refrigerators loaded with vegan foods and fruit galore!  We must have eaten 50 lbs. of fruit in the first 3 days, but on day 4 I was in extreme need of GREENS!  This morning I went to the nearest market to purchase organic green stuff.  I said nearest as that is KEY to surviving driving in Gainesville as anyone who has been here or lives here knows the roads here are SO CONFUSING!  (NW 23rd LN, NW 23rd RD., NW 23rd St; 19th Way and none of them come together in any type of order what-so-ever!) Even our GPS got us lost as it desperately tried to sound convincing with it's well-educated British accent. 

I had wanted to find a particular store I had been told about, but it was across town and I saw no reason to mess with the roads, GPS, fuel, etc. when there was a place nearby that most likely had organics in their produce section.  SO I went to Fresh Market thinking it would probably have at least some organic kale!  Wow!  They had a great selection!  I must say there was not much that was local, but there was a great selection of organic fruit and greens as well as raw nuts, seeds, and dried fruits w/o additives. There was coco water, and plenty of gluten free products as well as vegan alternatives to the usual condiments.

This is some of what I came back with.  YAY!  I immediately made a lovely green smoothie, I will say THE green smoothie as I hadn't had one in what seemed like ages, with my mother-in-love's old Oster Blender.

Now, the Oster did just fine!  Mind you, if you are new to green smoothies, this may not float your boat as it is chunkier and thicker than what you get when using a heavy duty, high speed blender, but I was EXSTATIC and could not wait to indulge in my liquid green body fuel!

On another note I would like to talk about cooked vegan food:  The last time I was in these here parts was about 6 years ago.  back then I wasn't privy to the wealth of information pertaining to raw food, although I ate a good amount of raw greens and fruits.  I was a vegetarian, not vegan and there was really nowhere to eat outside of the home that provided adequate menu choices for the vegetarian or vegan!  Or maybe we just couldn't find what we needed back then. On this trip, however I was AMAZED at the plethora of restaurants boasting at least 1/2 of their menu to the vegan and vegetarian!  YAY!  We ate at a great Jamaican restaurant, The Reggae Shack.  Hoo-Boy!  It had been nearly 17 years since I had eaten Jamaican food! (aaah, Caribe!  Nestled on a corner somewhere in Greenwich Village in NYC, that we would always wander around to, we never KNEW where we were going..or where it was.  It was like that movie with the castle that disappeared and reappeared in some new place;  I think Tom Cruise was in it and maybe unicorns...or perhaps I am combining two movies from the 80's into one?

Well, Caribe was like that castle to me.  I could never remember how I got there or if it relocated just to make me crazy or what but I would wander for hours, it seemed until I found it; Usually by the spicy smell that wafted down the hot street of NYC in the summer. It cut right through all the rotten trash and said "nose hairs are for burning! Follow me if you want to pleasure your mouth" More specifically the Scotch Bonnet peppers said that. 


Anyhoo...  The Reggae Shack Cafe ROCKS!  If ever in Gainesville, check it out.  Cooked vegan goodness filled with much love.  The service was great, staff genuinely kind and caring and the place was clean.  Although the music was LOUD I didn't care much.  But add children to the acoustics of the place and it can really set your ears a ringin!  Don't let that keep you from trying it though.  Yummy food for sure.

Alright.  That is about it for today.
In peace and good health,
Kirsten, signing off
If you have never made one of any kind, here is a good recipe for the green smoothie.

I have found a few tips for eating healthy that are great for keeping you focused and on track with a healthier eating habit!


1. Pack snacks.  If you are leaving the house, even for a few hours, pack a couple of snacking options; sweet; salty; chewy; crunchy.  It doesn't have to be extravagant. try, apples, celery and almond butter, dried fruit, raw granola, kale chips!


2. Do not stock junk foods.  You know it is terrible for your body!  Why serve it to other family members?  This one really gets me!  I see moms SO often refuse to eat chips or drink sodas yet the'll readily give it to their 7 year old!


If an adult in your family HAS to have it, have them leave it in their office desk at work, in their car or somewhere else. Let them know how important it is to you to not have this kind of "food" around the house, especially in the beginning of dietary changes!  If your child "has" to have it; remind them they do not have to have it and no longer keep it in your house.  Find healthier options.  


Many times the reason children (and many adults) do not like healthy foods is because we try to give it to them once or twice, they refuse it because there is something else available they would rather have and then we do not try to serve it to them again.  If a child or adult does not like the taste of something, do not force it.  If they have honestly tried it and disliked it, they do not have to finish it, of course!  But, the key is to introduce it again and again; up to 10 times!  (not in a row, but over time!)  They will most likely begin to like it.  As long as it is not forced upon them.  Be kind-spirited, light-hearted and smile about it all; they'll come around!


3.  When it comes to tips on eating healthy and if you have children, and this is more for your sanity and time management than anything else, but pack a snack basket!  I got this idea from my brother-in-law, genius that he is!  I spend countless hours preparing snack foods for my daughter; In the kitchen, washing, cutting, cleaning up, etc.


So what I now do is, each morning I prepare a basket with small portions of snack foods she may eat at any time when the basket is out (after breakfast until 1 hour before lunch and then again after lunch until 1 hour before dinner).  This is my schedule.  You should try something that would work for you!  This morning's basket contents are: Apple slices, mango, almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, carrots and celery.  


The rule is she can have anything in there until the next meal.  I am no longer chained to the kitchen! Whoo-hoo!  And she LOOVES the snack basket!  The choice is hers and it is all ready to go in small bowls.


4.  Wash all greens and have them ready to go when you need them!  Want to make a smoothie but the thought of washing all those fruits and veggies keep you from making it?  I buy my groceries and wash/ store most of the items for later use.  I usually do not wash berries until right before I use them, though.  Greens I keep in an airtight container, washed and ready to go with a dry paper towel in there with them. This helps absorb the moisture or something! I am not sure why, but it helps keep the greens fresh. :) You can also have the contents for one smoothie all in a giant ziplok bag or other container.  When it is time to eat something, throw it all in the blender and add water.


5.  Do not shop hungry.  (I know you probably know that but do you always follow through with this one? )  Something that may help?  Keep some nuts or dried fruit in your car.  Before going into the store, eat something! Or just drink some water before shopping!  


I hope you found these tips for eating healthy helpful!  I plan on posting more soon.

In peace and good health,
Kirsten

I have been eating more skin nourishing foods trying to help my skin heal from a rash that was exacerbated by a topical medication I used.  One of the yummy things I made was this amazingly tasty, skin toning smoothie! 

Flesh and water from 1 young thai coconut
1 c. Almond Milk
1/2 small avocado
1 packet Acai
1 orange, peeled
1 banana

Blend and drink.  Awesome-ly good! 

Thai coconut water is full of potassium which facilitates cleansing of the cells.  It's electrolyte content is very similar to human blood and has been used for blood transfusions!  Very easily asimilated into our bodies, this hydrates you better than anything else. 
Almond milk adds thickness and creaminess!
Avocadoes have raw beautifying fat that is perfect for our bodies!    Full of minerals and fiber.
Acai  It is chock-full of Omega Fatty Acids that plump and nourish the skin as well as antioxidents.
Banana adds some sweetness!

Although I woke up the next morning and still have my rash :), I feel great!  Here's to trying new food!

In Peace,
Kirsten

Here are a few tips on getting healthy and staying healthy!

1. When you get home from the grocery store or farmer's market, wash those vegetables immediately!  Get all the greens washed and prepped for salads and smoothies.  Clean greens are WAY more appealing when you are hungry!

2. Prepare the fruits and veggies for your morning smoothies and place all the ingredients for your smoothies in individual containers.  Make enough for 3-4 days of smoothies.  That way you can wake up, hydrate, do your morning routine and then empty your one container of goodness into your blender, add water and whirl! (You can do the same for salads if you like.  Pre-make the salads.  Mix them up and have them in containers ready to eat.  I often make one GINORMOUS salad and place it in a lidded glass bowl for the family to eat on for 2-3 days.)

3.  Have a good dressing.  Have two or three!  Make your own!  If you do not have a great dressing recipe, try this on for size; it is awesome!

1/3 cup raw tahini
1/4 cup flaxseed oil (coldpressed)
1/4 cup olive oil (coldpressed)
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup Tamari or Bragg's Liquid Aminos
1 garlic clove (optional)

Blend it all up and add it to salad or dip veggies into it. YUM!

4.  Do not stock junkfood in the house.  If you buy it for your kids, stop!  If you buy it for your spouse, stop!  It does no one any good!  If your spouse absolutely HAS to have the stuff, tell them how important it is to you that you not have the temptation of junkfoods and processed foods around while you are implememting new habits that serve your highest goals.  Ask if they can buy that type of food for themself and keep it at work or elsewhere.  If they STILL must have it at home. Designate a shelf in the cupboard for that person and place those processed items there.  If it is your children that say they have to have it, remember you are the parent.  Here are some guidelines that help children learn good eating habits.

5.  Take plenty of healthy snacks when you leave your house.  Make sure your have choice.  I find if I take one snack with me, say something mroe salty, I will end up wanting something sweet.  So, take raw niuts and dried fruits (dates and pecans are a great instant sweet-tooth fix!); veggie slices and maybe a dressing to dip them in, bring a green smoothie or fresh fruit.  It may seem like alot, but packing a small sack with plenty of choices will save you money and keep you smiling all around.

There are so many ways to help yourself when it comes to staying on track.  The most important thing to remember?  If you get off track, do not beat yourself up about it!  it is ok.  Just try to make a better choice for your next meal or snack!

In Peace,
Kirsten

If you are anything like I was, then you might be in need of a quick pomegranate how to; Not so long ago, I enjoyed pomegranate juice, loved it when others put the seeds in their salads, etc. but when Fall rolled around and I started seeing those beautifully red and round fruits in the stores, I would walk on by!  I stayed away from them because they seemed like so much work for such a messy reward!  But that was because   I had tried to open one before and had no clue how to do it!  So, the juice got everywhere and I had  hard time getting those sweet little gifts of nutrition and joy out of their skin!  

One day, I was given a little pomegranate how to that would change how I felt about buying my own and preparing them!

On the pomegranate, there are these little ridges.  6 or so.  Take a sharp pairing knife and gently slice about 1/4" deep into each of the ridges, from the top to the bottom. Go round the entire fruit, slicing down these ridges.  Then, with the knife at a slight angle, cut the head out. (The flat nubby end of the fruit)  Now, place the knife in the fruit where you cut the head off and gently twist the knife, easing the fruit to split open.  You can use your hands to pull the fruit apart. Wow!  Look at all those little red jewels just waiting for you to taste them!  You can use your knife or fingers to push them out of their comfy seats and onto a plate or straight into your blender for a delicious smoothie! (orange/ kale/pomegranate/ flax oil or flax seeds and a little water YUM!)

Watch my video and go for it!  Do not be afraid of these tinydelicacies!  Enjoy them while they are here!  

At our home, I open one in the morning and have it on the table when everyone else in the house wakes up. You should see the delight on their faces!  Such beauty and taste displayed first thing in the morning!

I hope this pomegranate how to has helped you if you were in need of a little assistance on the subject!

Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants that can keep bad LDL cholesterol from oxidizing. And like aspirin, pomegranate juice can help blood platelets form clumping together forming blood clots.

Clinical tests are showing that pomegranate juice may slow down the growth of prostate and breast cancers and even arthritis seems to yield to the power of this juice!  Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have reported that tissue cultures from human cartilage cells respond to pomegranate extract.  Inflammation is reduced and the enzymes that break down cartilage become less active. 

One pomegranate has about 40% of the recommended daily vitamin C requirement for adults, along with folic acid, fiber, potassium, miacin and vitamins A and E.

It seems that pomegranate juice may interfere with some medications just as grapefruit juice can, so when in doubt, ask your doctor!

Enjoy your next pomegranate in your own home and pass along this pomegranate how to to anyone you know that would like to open their own delicious pomegranate!

Ooooh yeah!

This smoothie is sure to get things moving when you are feeling a bit stuck inside!  Whether you have eaten your fill of refined flours, sugars, had too much to drink in the form of alcohol, or just want somthing tasty and different from the regular green smoothie then this is where it is at!

Blend together the following ingredients, sit back and enjoy!

1 apple

1 pear

1/2 bunch parsley

3 Tblsp. Flax Oil

1/2 tsp. turmeric

1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger

juice of 1/2 lemon

sweetener of your choice (stevia, raw honey, a couple pitted dates)

Pears are rich in copper, vitamin c, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. 
Apples too, are fiber rich, rich in vitamin a, phosphorous, abundant in Quercetin, a flavonoid, which helps prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Turmeric, it's main ingredient curcumin has amazing benefits to the skin and joint health;  it can be used as an antiseptic by creating a paste and put directly on cuts, and scrapes; Taking turmeric on a regular basis helps in the reduction of fats, aiding in weight loss; Turmeric has been shown to be an anti-inflammatory and help in alleviating pain associated with arthritis;  it is used to treat psoriasis and helps restore damaged skin.
Flax oil is one of the richest sources of Omega-3 acids; flax seed oil essentially contains Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids, Vitamin B, Potassium, Lecithin, Magnesium, Fiber, Protein and Zinc. It tends to work like a multi-vitamin!
Lemon juice helps the liver to detoxify and function well.

Enjoy!

Hello beautiful people!

Okay, I know that title is dramatic!  But, detoxification is very imprtant for the body, the mind and spirit.

The process of detoxification is just that; a process.  An ongoing one at that!  We need to make it part of our regular living habits; somewhat like laundry!  Perhaps not every day, but often enough to keep things clean!

For the body:

Starting out by eating green smoothies in the morning and then keeping it light until lunch...or even better keeping it light all the way to dinner will enhance your detoxification!  Green smoothies, fruit, salads, perhaps some easy veggie or nut pates (recipes page) can keep our energy levels UP, UP, UP so we can accomplish MAJOR goals in less time!  Then, at dinner, eat cooked meals, preferably vegetarian with light meats a couple times a week (or cut out meat completely).

Eating light doesn't mean carrot and celery sticks.  Although those are tasty and healthy quick snacks, there is a plethora of tastes and textures to explore!  Try the recipes on this site and begin to experience yourself and others on a deeper level.

Eating light keeps the mind light, the heart light and allows our energies to go towards greater things than our digestion!

A daily physical routine is another way to contribute to the detoxification process.  Sweating, aerobic activity, movement all stimulate the organs, blood and the body's natural chemicals to secrete.  Kundalini Yoga is my physical activity of choice.  In kundalini, the bodily postures and movements help to stimulate the glands to secretes properly; the postures massage the internal organs and help to flush them of impurities.

So move!  Do something you enjoy; walk, run, swim, bike, play a basketball, do yoga, hike, climb, do what you love remember to breathe! Completely fill your lungs and completely empty your lungs.  The simple act of breathing will boost your energy levels quickly, effectively and for free!  It doesn;t come in a plastic package; it isn't served with a straw!  It is free!  You already own it.  Breathe and you will grow.

For the mind:
Yoga also works the mind.  This is a main reason I practice this form of physical exercise daily.  Training the body alone will only get you so far.  You must train the mind if you are to overcome old habits, negative patterns of thought or behavior or past trauma. This is detoxifying the mind.  Letting go of poisons we hold internally.

Learn to tone the body, mind and spirit!  Take a yoga class today!

If you have a particular spiritual practice, then take time daily to tune into that.  Read scripture, ponder it and write your thoughts on it.  Every day.  It is the daily spiritual practice that moves us into self realization and moves us  forward into our most prosperous futures!

Eat light, travel light, spread the light, be the light!
Kirsten

Oh, the importance of taking baby steps! 
I try not to move forward with leaps and bounds, too often.  There is a time for moving quickly and a time for baby steps.  When it comes to yoga or physical activity, I believe in taking baby steps!  Slowly moving one step at a time, taking the time to reinforce the new step before the next is taken; solidifying that previous action and burning it into the brain first; Slow growth towards new found excellence!  If, in yoga class for example, we push ourselves too quickly, there is a greater chance of injury. If injury occurs it will take twice as long to progress, as we will need time to repair the damage first before we move on. 

It is the same for dietary changes in many cases. For some, a complete 180 may be okay, but for others slower might mean a better chance at successful long-term change! Because ultimately, this is what is necessary. long-term change.

If you are new to eating fruits and vegetables; if you previously viewed them as "garnish" but have been advised by a health care profesional or advised by your inner guidance to begin to incorporate more fresh foods into your diet and you are not sure where to start, try this on for size!

Breakfast.  Start your morning with a smoothie instead of your bagel, eggs, cereal, etc.  And I am not talking a smoothie with frozen yogurt, fruit and fruit juice!  This is better.  Yummy for your mouth and yummy for your body.

In a regular blender (high speed is best if you have it!) combine the following:

1. 2 cups water
2. 1 tsp. ground flax seed
3. 1 cup of fruit, your choice (banana, berries, mango, apple, pear, just no melon in here please!)
4. 5 full leaves of adult spinach or lettuce (or 1/4 c. baby spinach)

Blend it up and enjoy. If you find you get hungry before lunch, eat fresh fruit until lunchtime. 

That is it.  You can do it!  By simply changing your breakfast routine, you will change your life. Guaronteed.

As you become accustomed to drinking this smoothie, you can add more and more greens.  Do it!  Really pack them in!  This is a great way to get the vitamins, minerals and fiber from these wonderful sources.  Spinach is good source of Niacin and Zinc, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.

Drink it up!