Kiwi Coconut Kale Smoothie

For breakfast have a smoothie with protein powder, lots of good fats, chia seeds and some fruit.

Kiwi Coconut Kale Smoothie
10 ounces coconut milk
2 kiwis
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 avocado
1 cup kale
1 serving of Be Well Sustain Protein Powder
1 tablespoon Be Well PhytoGreens Powder
1 tablespoon chia seeds
5 ice cubes

Blend till smooth and creamy.

AND

Heavy Metal Detox Juice

• 2 cups pineapple
• 2 apples
• 1 lemon (peeled if not organic)
• 2 cucumbers
• 6 stalks celery or 1 small head of celery
• 1 head of romaine
• 1 small bunch cilantro (start with less, taste and add more)
• 1 small bunch mint
• 3 stalks chard or kale

 It's best to drink on an empty stomach, ideally as your breakfast or before your breakfast.

Almond Milk

Almonds
Water
Sweetener/flavorings if desired

A blender (regular or high speed)

For vanilla almond milk (my usual) add a few dates and a teaspoon of vanilla.

Vanilla Almond Milk (yields 2-3 cups or so)

1 cup almonds, soaked 8-12 hours beforehand if it’s possible
4 cups water
6 dates or 1/4 cup agave
1 tsp pure vanilla extract (or the contents of a vanilla bean)

Begin by soaking your nuts in some water, if you can. Eight hours is ideal, but an hour is fine if that’s what you’ve got!

Next, rinse off your almonds and discard the soak water. Add the almonds and the other ingredients (water, dates, vanilla) to a regular blender or a VitaMix. Blend them on high speed for a minute or so.  At this point, you can serve the nut milk exactly as is, enjoy a good shake before pouring!

If you prefer a smooth texture, give it a strain through a nut milk bacg or cheesecloth.



They’re cheap, conveniant, and can be used again and again (unlike cheesecloth) to strain nut milks and soups. You can purchase them from One Lucky Duck and other raw stores on the web.

To use, simply place the the nut milk bag or cheesecloth over the mouth of your container, leaving a generous overhang and allowing the strainer to droop about halfway down into the container. I used a large mason jar as my container:

Within forty-five minutes (or, ideally, an hour or two), all of the liquid will have been strained, and you’ll be left with almond pulp.

You can use this for raw cookies, for nut pates, or simply as a nut-butter-like treat.

Meanwhile, you’ll have three or so cups of fresh, delicious almond milk, ready to enjoy in smoothies, in soups, or plain! It should last about 2-3 days in the fridge.

There are tons of ways to enjoy nutmilk. You can make it with cashews (for a super neutral taste), with hemp seeds (protein rich and distinctive), macadamias, or pecans. And you can adjust seasonings to taste.

Chocolate nut milk: To the recipe for vanilla almond milk, add 2 tbsp raw cacao nibs or unsweetened cocoa powder

Cinnamon milk: To the recipe for vanilla almond milk, add 1 tsp cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg

Chai milk: To the recipe for vanilla almond milk, add 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon garam masala, and 1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Sugar-free vanilla milk: In place of the dates, add stevia to taste

So…what are you guys waiting for?! Stop dropping pennies on store bought nut milks, and get blending!! Once you experience the joy of homemade almond (and other nut) milks, you’ll never want to go back.

Blended Drinks

Ginger Citrus

1 navel orange, peel and seeds removed
1/2 grapefruit, peel and seeds removed
1/2 cup water, coconut water, or juice of your choosing
1 inch knob ginger, peeled and cut into a few pieces (if your blender won't blend this, you can use 1/4 tsp powdered ginger)

Blend ingredients till smooth. Sip and savor!

(serves 2)

Strawberry Avocado Chia Smoothie

16 ounces of tea (or kombucha)
1 cup coconut water
2 cups strawberries (freeze strawberries for a cold smoothie)
1 small avocado—seed and skin removed
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
½ teaspoon fresh ginger—grated
1 small pinch fresh ground black pepper
2 cups dinosaur or curly kale—large stalks removed (around 4-5 leaves)
2 teaspoons raw honey or stevia to taste
1 scoop of raw hemp protein powder or 2 tablespoons hemp seeds

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Enjoy immediately.

(serves 2)

Coconut Island Smoothie

1 pineapple
1 banana
2 pears
300ml coconut milk
200ml orange juice

Remove the outer layer and cut the pineapple into chunks.2. Cut the banana and pears into chunks too. No need to take the skin of the pear.3. Add all the ingredients into your vitamix or blender and whizz until smooth.4. Serve up in glasses and what the smiles.

(makes 6 glasses)

Anti-Aging Strawberry Energy Smoothie

3 cups unsweetened coconut water
½ cup organic coconut milk
2 cups organic strawberries
1 organic Persian cucumber—cut into large chunks
3 cups organic baby spinach
2 tablespoons Chia seeds
Stevia to taste

Place all ingredients inside a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately.

(serves 2)

Orange and Vanilla Hemp Shake

1 large navel orange, skin cut off and most of the white rind removed
1 large banana
2 cups hemp milk
Seeds from 1/2 vanilla bean, scraped out, or 1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp hemp protein powder
4 large kale leaves, tough stems removed

Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender till smooth. C


Tummy Healer Smoothie


1 cup spinach
¼ cup fresh mint
1 cup pineapple, frozen
2 tablespoons aloe vera juice, or a 2 inch fillet straight from the plant
2 teaspoons honey
½ inch fresh ginger, peeled and minced
¼ teaspoon tumeric powder
1 lime, peeled
¾ cup coconut water

Pineapple
Pineapple contains the protein digestive enzyme Bromelain, to help us break down our food. Bromelain also works to curb the appetite, reduces inflammation and swelling, can give relief for sinus and speed up wound healing. Pineapple is also high in fibre, speeding up transit time in the colon (= flat tummy), and a great source of Vitamin C and manganese. Manganese is an essential cofactor in enzymes needed for energy production and antioxidant defense.

Mint
Mint is a carminative and digestant. It soothes the digestive tract. It’s especially useful for those with IBS, to help settle the tummy. It can relieve spasms and gas. It’s comforting – like giving your tummy a hug.

Ginger
Also a carminative, traditionally used to aid gastrointestinal distress. It relieves gas, and calms muscles spasms in the gut. It is also used to prevent motion sickness, nausea and vomiting. It gets right into the gastrointestinal tract and neutralizes acids, hormones, and toxins. Ginger is anti-inflammatory, thanks to the anti-inflammatory compounds Gingerols, which inhibit the inflammatory messengers of the immune system. This makes it really good for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Tumeric
A potent anti-inflammatory, due to Curcumin (the bright yellow pigment), an anti-oxidant. Usefull for treating digestive disorders – gas, bloating, stomach ulcers, Crohn’s and Colitis. It adds a very subtle kick to the smoothie.

Hibiscus Tea with Watermelon & Strawberry



I love to mix hibiscus tea with different juices.

2 parts hibiscus tea
1 part fresh watermelon juice
1 part fresh strawberry juice
2 limes, juice of
1-2 limes, sliced (whole round slices)

Mix all ingredients together in a large pitcher with slices of lime , chill and serve.



Banana, Spinach & Bee Pollen

Bee pollen is high in B12 and assists the body with detoxing.

4 ripe bananas
Half a bunch of spinach
2 cups of orange juice
A dash of spirulina (for an extra dose of Vitamin B-12)
1 tablespoon of organic raw bee pollen
A couple ice cubes (optional)

Blend the bananas, spinach, orange juice and spirulina in a Vitamix, sprinkle the bee pollen on top.

Topical Mango Matcha Mint Maca

4 c spinach
1 c frozen mango
1 c frozen pineapple
1.5 c freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tbsp ground golden flax seeds
2 tsp maca powder
1 tsp matcha powder
1 scoop Simply Hemp
handful fresh mint leaves

Blend all ingredients, adding water if necessary to blend.
Serves 2 - 3 people & approximately 200 calories for 2 cup serving

I love Maca (yes its an aphoristic) - Cacao, Almond Milk & Maca Smoothie

2 cups almond milk

2 ripe bananas (may be frozen)
1-2 Tbsp maca powder
1 tsp raw cacao
1-2 tsp raw cacao nibs
1-2 tsp agave nectar (optional)
pinch of chile powder

Directions : Mix all the ingredients in a blender. Adjust sweetness to a desired taste. Enjoy!

COCOA
Cocoa contains the chemical phenylethylamine, a stimulant that conjures just the sort of subtle feelings of well-being and excitement.

CHILE POWDER
Chile peppers release endorphins – a natural *high* from physical excitement! Even just a little increases heart rate and brings on natural excitement.

(2 servings)

Apple Carrot Beet Ginger Juice

Total time - 10 mins

YES you can make juice without a juicer!

mmmm, carrots, apple, beets and ginger...

• 1 beet, rinsed, lightly peeled and quartered
• 1 apple, lighted peeled, cored and quartered
• 1 Tbsp size piece of fresh ginger (skin removed)
• 3 whole carrots, rinsed and peeled
• unfiltered apple juice (optional)Instructions

Then:

• Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, adding a splash of apple juice if needed to get it moving. I probably added about ¼ cup
• Then, place a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and pour the juice over. Use a rubber spatula to press the pulp down and squeeze all of the juice out. Let stand for 5 minutes so you get most of the juice
• Discard pulp and pour your juice into a serving glass. Drink immediately or chill for a bit. You can keep in the fridge for a day or two - tastes best fresh of course!

The classical : lemon/cucumber:
Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water + 1 cucumber and a lemon, thinly sliced + 1/4 cup fresh finely chopped basil leaf + 1/3 of finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

The granite : Strawberry/Lime or Raspberry/Lime
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 6 strawberries / 0r Raspberries and one thinly sliced lime + 12 finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

The digestive : Fennel/citrus
First: infuse 1 to 3 grams of dried and crushed fennel in 150 ml of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Allow to cool.
Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water + lemon juice (put the leftover lemon in the mix) + a small thinly sliced orange + 12 fresh chopped mint leaves + the infusion of fennel seeds. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.

The antiOX : Blackberry/Sage
Note that a part from the berries, sage leafs is the herb that has the highest antioxidant content.
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of blackberries that have been very slightly crushed + 3-4 sage leaves. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.

WATERmelon : watermelon/Rosemary
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of watermelon cut into cubes + 2 rosemary stems. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.

The exotic : Pineapple/Mint
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of pineapple cut into cubes + 12 fresh mint leaves finely chopped. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

The traditional : Apple/cinnamon
Mix in a pitcher : 10 cups of water + 1 cup of apple cut into cubes + 2 cinnamon sticks + 2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

The zingibir : Ginger/tea
In advance: heat 1 teaspoon of ginger in two cups of tea, let it cool down.

Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water with two cups of the ginger tea + 4-5 pieces of fresh ginger cut into cubes. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Green Juice

Yes, it's time to get a juicer......

Morning Green Juice

This recipe makes approximately 32 ounces

* 2 large cucumbers (peeled if not organic)
* big fistful of kale
* big fistful of sweet pea sprouts
* 4–5 stalks celery
* 1–2 big broccoli stems
* 1 pear or green apple (optional)
* 1 inch of ginger (or less)

Other optional greens we love: romaine, parsley, spinach and dandelion.  

Mojito Juice

Makes one 12 - 16 oz juice

1 cucumber
3 stalks celery
handful fresh mint
2 kale leaves
1 lemon, peeled


Green Goddess Juice

Makes 8 - 12 ounces

1/2 cucumber
2 stalks celery
2 kale leaves
small handful parsley

Apple Ginger Mint Iced Tea

The recipe below is for Apple Ginger Mint, but feel free to experiment with your own favorite herbs, spices and fruits like: blackberry-basil iced tea, peachy-cardamom iced tea or apple-cinnamon iced tea. Just make sure you cut up or smash the fruit to release all of its flavors. Add fruit juice for that extra kick.

2-3 bags of green tea
2 inch piece of ginger, cut into matchsticks
1/4 apple, cut into matchsticks
1-2 sprigs mint
2 cups boiling hot water
1/2 cup apple cider
2 cups ice in pitcher
Honey, as desired
Combine tea bags, ginger, apple and mint in a tea pot. Fill with boiling hot water and steep for 5 minutes. Pour and strain into ice-filled pitcher. Add apple cider and honey as desired. Fill individual glasses with ice and serve.
Yields 4 servings

To make Apple Ginger Sake-Tea-ni: pour 1-1/2 oz chilled sake in martini glass and 1-1/2 oz of Apple Ginger Mint Iced Tea.

Summer Drinks

Sangria! Sangria!

Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 20 Minutes Ready In: 30 Minutes Servings: 6

"The BEST sangria recipe I've been able to hone to perfection! If you like a sweeter Sangria, use ginger ale in place of club soda."

Ingredients:

1/2 cup brandy 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate 1/3 cup orange juice 1 (750 milliliter) bottle dry red wine 1/2 cup triple sec

1 lemon, sliced into rounds 1 orange, sliced into rounds 1 lime, sliced into rounds 1/4 cup white sugar (optional) 8 maraschino cherries 2 cups carbonated water (optional)

Directions:

1.

In a large pitcher or bowl, mix together the brandy, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, red wine, triple sec, and sugar. Float slices of lemon, orange and lime, and maraschino cherries in the mixture. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor. For a fizzy sangria, add club soda just before serving.

Strawberry-cucumber libation

Bubbles: Sometimes, nothing else will do the trick. Enjoy them (responsibly) with a refreshing, booze-free libation. Sweetened with agave syrup instead of artificial additives or an overdose of sugar, the effervescent cooler combines cucumbers, summer’s ripe strawberries and a hint of lime. And while seltzer gives it the perfect amount of fizz, if you topped the drink with a splash of sparkling wine, well, we wouldn't tell anyone.

Strawberry-Cucumber Cooler
Recipe from the Tasting Table Test Kitchen
Yield: Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons agave syrup or granulated sugar
Juice of 1 lime
Ice cubes
8 medium strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
One 2-inch piece cucumber, thinly sliced
Seltzer water

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, stir together the agave syrup and lime juice. (If using granulated sugar, whisk the liquid until the sugar is dissolved, about 30 seconds.)

2. Fill 4 glasses with 2 or 3 ice cubes each. Divide the strawberry and cucumber slices among the glasses. Add 1 tablespoon of the sweetened lime juice to each glass, top with seltzer and enjoy!

Maca-phrodisiac Smoothie

Maca is a Peruvian aphrodisiac that helps to regulate hormones and is rich in nutrients like potassium, calcium, magnesium and high in protein.  

Maca provides a great energy boost, without the side effects of caffeine. This sweet love potion is a great way to start the day. Blend in a banana for an extra energy kick and more creaminess.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup of hemp seeds or cashews (preferably soaked overnight)
• 1 cup of coconut water
• ½ cup of filtered water
• 1 Medjool date
• 2 teaspoons of Mesquite powder
• ½ teaspoon of Maca powder
• ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder
• ½ teaspoon of ginger powder and/or fresh ginger
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla powder
• *Optional: one banana

Directions

Blend until smooth

I LOVE Smoothies and FRESH Juice

Alkalinity Bliss

A single teaspoon of chia seeds packs almost 2 grams of fiber!

½ pear¼ avocado1 packed cup spinach¼ cup coconut water1 cup almond milk1 tsp chia seeds1 scoop protein powder (hemp, pumpkin or pea works great!)

pure water

BLEND all ingredients.

Pina Colada Smoothie 



Only use FRESH and RIPE ingredients, these flavors are AMAZING!!

1 cup fresh organic young Thai coconut milk (water)
1 cup fresh RIPE organic pineapple, small chunks
3/4 cup fresh organic young Thai coconut meat shreds
paper umbrella
pineapple leaves

In your blender, blend the pineapple chunks and coconut shreds with 1/2 cup of the coconut milk, on high for 3 minutes until smooth. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of coconut milk and blend o high for 1 minute until thick and smooth. Pour into your serving glass and garnish with a paper umbrella and pineapple leaves to complete the look :) NOTE: if you prefer a thinner smoothie, add more coconut milk after you have followed the directions until desired consistency is achieved. ENJOY!!

Smooth Operator

This greenie features the crunchy root vegetable jicama, which is rife with vitamin C.

5 large Romaine lettuce leaves
½ Granny Smith apple
¼ avocado
½ cucumber
½ cup jicama
handful of cilantro
1 whole lime
4 scoops of hemp protein
1 medjool date
pure water

BLEND all ingredients.

Morning Glorious

These four recipes come from wellness activist Kris Carr's new book, Crazy Sexy Kitchen. "Cucumber is the perfect base since it yields lots of mild and refreshing juice and minerals, and it’s a fountain of alkalinity," Carr says.

1 large cucumber
A fistful of kale
A fistful of romaine
2 or 3 stalks celery
1 big broccoli stem
1 green apple, quartered
½ peeled lemon, quartered

WASH and prep all ingredients.

JUICE all ingredients.

Crazy Sexy Goddess

"The avocado, cucumber, greens, and coconut water will shower your cells in alkalinizing goodness," Carr says. "An alkaline inner environment helps your body’s systems operate optimally."

1 avocado*
1 banana
1 cup blueberries
1 cucumber
A fistful of kale or romaine or spinach
Coconut water (or purified water)
Stevia, to taste, and/or a sprinkle of cinnamon or some cacao (optional)

*If desired, use coconut meat, raw almond butter, or nut milk in place of avocado. You can also add superfoods like cacao (to taste) and/or 1 to 2 tablespoons of E3Live.

IN a high-speed blender, blend all ingredients until smooth.

Source: Kris Carr, Crazy Sexy Kitchen

Strawberry Fields

Berries of shortcake fame are also great for a detox. "Strawberries are phytonutrient factories, supplying your body with a bounty of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients," Carr says.

3 cups cashew or nondairy milk of your choice
2 cups fresh strawberries
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 small orange, peeled
1 banana
1½ cups loosely packed spinach

IN a high-speed blender, blend all ingredients until smooth.

CREDIT: CRAZY SEXY KITCHEN

Lemon-Blueberry

This super-simple recipe boosts immunity.

1 cup alkaline water
¼ cup organic blueberries
1 organic lemon (whole).

BLEND all ingredients together in VitaMix.

Blueberry Ginger

This gluten-free smoothie is packed with antioxidants.

1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
¼ cup blueberries
1 frozen banana
3 Tbsp ginger juice

BLEND all ingredients together in VitaMix.

Mint Apple Berry

½ green apple
2 tablespoons of Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts
8 fresh mint leaves
3-4 leaves of organic green leaf lettuce
¼ cup organic fresh or frozen berry blend
8-12 oz pure water

BLEND all ingredients.

Sensual Detox

Sip yourself sexy.

1 tablespoon of Essential Living Foods cacao powder
2 tablespoons of hemp seeds
4-5 red endive leaves
pinch of Essential Living Foods green stevia
¼ cup of organic fresh or frozen dark red cherries
8-12 oz pure water

BLEND all ingredients.

Green Machine

Barley grass, a nutrient-dense grain, can help soothe inflammation and pain.

1 green apple
1 teaspoon of Essential Living Foods barley grass juice powder
1 lemon
1 cucumber, peeled
 3-4 leaves of red leaf lettuce
¼  cup of organic fresh or frozen mango
8-12 oz pure water

BLEND all ingredients.

Liver Cleanser

50% kale
¼ cup parsley
1 small beet (scrubbed and quartered)
1 apple (core and seeds removed)
1 lemon (peeled)
½" chunk of fresh ginger
1 Tbsp chia seeds
Water to the max line

BLEND all ingredients.

Warrior Tonic

1 cup almond milk
1-2 Tbsp maca powder
1 scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder
2 Tbsp chia seeds
1 organic ripe banana
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp lucuma powder (natural sweetener)
1-2 Tbsp cacao nibs

BLEND all ingredients.

Clear Skin Sip

It's a gluten-free, golden ticket to a clear complexion! Coconut kefir restores radiance with live probiotics. Parsley oxygenates, cucumber revitalizes, coconut oil moisturizes, lime provides toning vitamin C, and mint packs vitamin A, which strengthens skin tissue and helps reduce oily skin.

1 cup coconut kefir
½ cup packed flat-leaf parsley (leaves and stems)
1 cucumber, seeded if you don't have a high speed blender
1 apple
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 lime
2 Tbsp fresh mint leaves, or to taste

BLEND all ingredients.

Berry Elixir

We're gaga for antioxidant-rich goji, since studies have shown it might reduce fatigue and stress.

1 cup coconut milk
1 cup blueberries
½ cup raspberries
½ cup blackberries
2 Tbsp Goji berries (soaked for 15 minutes) or 1 tablespoon of Goji powder
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
2 dates, pitted

BLEND all ingredients.

Fountain of Youth

Another great alkalyzer. Plus, blue-green algae is chock full of protein and provides essential amino acids.


1 cup coconut water
3 stalks of kale
handful of spinach
½ cup packed flat-leaf parsley (leaves and stems)
½ cup cilantro (leaves and stems)
1-2 green apples
¼ tsp fresh grated ginger
1 heaping Tbsp wild blue-green algae (jack it to 2 tablespoons if you really want some potency!)



BLEND all ingredients.

Cranberry Cleanser

Sip this wintry detox juice to keep your kidneys strong.

½ cup cranberries
1 large celery stalk
1 cucumber
1 apple
1 pear
Handful of spinach

JUICE all ingredients.

The "Fat Flush" Juice

If a flatter belly is on your wish list, start with this ultra-cleansing juice.

1 medium organic red beet
3 medium organic carrots
1 organic radish
2 organic garlic cloves
large handful of organic parsley

JUICE all ingredients.

The Super Green

Powerful detox action masquerades as another delicious shake.  The celery and parsley that contribute to its bright green color are diuretics that help rinse toxins from your system. Kale and mango are superfoods bursting with nutrition that support your cleanse.

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 15 minutes

1¼ cups chopped kale leaves (stems and tough rib removed)
1¼ cups frozen cubed mango
2 medium ribs celery, chopped
1 cup chilled fresh tangerine or orange juice
¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
¼ cup chopped fresh mint

COMBINE all ingredients in blender.

PUREE until smooth.

POUR into 2 chilled glasses.

Hale to the Kale

These powerful detox smoothies keep in the fridge for a day, so feel free to make several rounds at once.

½ pear
¼ avocado
½ cucumber
½ lemon
handful of cilantro
1 cup kale (packed)
½ inch ginger
½ cup coconut water
1 scoop protein powder (hemp, pumpkin or pea works great!)
pure water

BLEND all ingredients.

Another Smoothie to LOVE

2 large handfuls spinach cucumber (peeled if not organic)
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted
1 tbsp flax or chia seeds (or both!)
5 ice cubes

Pineapple Detox Juice

2-3 thick slices of fresh pineapple (the canned kind has TONS of added sugars)
1/2 cucumber
1/3 cup aloe vera juice
1/2 cup coconut water

Coffee!

Yes.......I love my coffee in the mornings.  I'd like to not want my morning cup, it seems to offer solice in waking up early, especially when I'm kinda a nighthawk...

 Coffee! The Good, the Bad, and the Ayurvedic Perspective.

Coffee is real good when you drink it gives you time to think. It’s a lot more than just a drink; it’s something happening. Not as in hip, but like an event, a place to be, but not like a location, but like somewhere within yourself. It gives you time, but not actual hours or minutes, but a chance to be, like be yourself, and have a second cup.


~ Gertrude Stein

No coffee, no prana.

~ Maru Garcia






 

Start your day with water & lemon ~ Dr. David Jockers

Start your day with water & lemon ~ Dr. David Jockers

(NaturalNews) Clean water and fresh squeezed lemon is one of the most well tested energy boosters around.

Most people in America rely on caffeinated beverages like coffee to get aroused in the morning. These adrenal stimulants produce dirty energy in the form of blood sugar swings and oxidative stress. Water with lemon produces clean energy by hydrating and oxygenating the body to extraordinary energy and mental clarity.

After sleeping through the night the bodily tissues are dehydrated and need clean, pure water to filter out toxins and improve energy production in the cells. Most individuals turn to stimulants like coffee in the morning to give them a jump start. Unfortunately, coffee is a diuretic that depletes your body of water reserves and essential minerals and electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium & magnesium.

People feel energized by coffee due to the effects of caffeine on the adrenal glands. Coffee stimulates these organs to pump out instant energy hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. These hormones stimulate the body to breakdown stored sugar and release it into the bloodstream. This process causes abnormal blood sugar that increases oxidative stress, free radical formation and overall tissue damage.

This is called dirty energy because it produces a rampant amount of damage to the body in order to activate energy formation. Clean energy produces cellular energy without an excessive load of oxidative stress.

Food as Bioelectrical Energy
The food and beverages we eat provide electrically charged molecules that initiate energy production in our body. An ion is part of a molecule that carries an electrical charge. Positively charged ions are called “cations,” while negatively charged ions are called “anions.”

Most of the food we put into our bodies comes in a cationic form, while our natural digestive processes (hydrochloric acid, digestive enzymes, saliva) are anionic. Lemon is one of the only anionic foods on the planet. This means that it carries a very strong negative charge and is extremely electrically active.

Fresh lemon helps oxygenate the body and maximizes enzyme function. Lemon is known to stimulate the liver’s natural enzymes. This assists the liver in the process of dumping toxins like uric acid and of liquefying congested bile ducts.

Citric Acid Cleanses the System
Citric acid can also play a very important role in chelating out abnormal calcium stones. It has a unique ability to form soluble complexes with calcium that many have used to eliminate pancreatic stones and kidney stones. This mechanism can also help prevent calcium deposits from building up in the arteries that promote cardiovascular disease.

Clean water with lemon provides the body with hydration, anti-oxidants and electrolytes. Lemon is a rich source of the immune boosting vitamin C. It also has good quantities of electrolytes such as potassium, calcium and magnesium. Lemon is a tremendous source of citrus bioflavonoid anti-oxidant phytonutrients that have been given the label Vitamin P.

Vitamin P consists of the flavonoid glycosides hesperetin and naringenin among others. Studies have shown that vitamin P enhances the anti-oxidant capability of vitamin C. These bioflavonoids also improve capillary permeability and overall blood flow. This is especially important for oxygenating tissues and maintaining normal blood pressure. These anti-oxidants have also been shown to reduce swelling, venous backup and edema.

Upon rising take 1 full lemon and squeeze it into 16-32 oz of fresh clean water and drink. Be sure to eat out the membranous parts of the lemon where the majority of the pectin fiber and citrus bioflavonoids are located. Stevia can be added to form sugar-free lemonade. Apple cider vinegar and various herbs can be used to boost enzymatic and anti-oxidant potential.

Chai Coconut Tea

Sara & Sheila's Imaginary Chai

~ Chai Powder Coconut Butter Paste (or regular butter)
~ Back Tea (steeped), possibly w/Vanilla, Pomegranate, Raspberry, Strawberry
~ Scoop butter into blender, pour hot tea over, blend

Mmmm

Greeno Mojito Smoothie

http://www.coolhunting.com/food-drink/greeno-mojito.php

A delicious mocktail loaded with lime, mint, honey and healthful benefits

by Josh Rubin in Food-Drink on 28 March 2011 

 

What we affectionately call a "weekend smoothie," the Greeno Mojito is best for when you have a little more time to put into a detoxifying drink. We upped the healthful benefits of ours using the metabolism-revvingRevive shake packet from Eleven Eleven Wellness Center, whose Janice Lipman recently stopped by to share her recipe.

The combination of lime, mint and honey is a tasteful balance of tang and sweetness. Avocado adds to the distinct flavor with a rich texture that gives the smoothie a thicker, more substantial consistency without resorting to dairy. To make your own Greeno Mojito Smoothie, see the full list of ingredients and instructions below.

 

1 packet Revive shake powder (optional)
1/4 avocado
3-4 ice cubes
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
Juice of one lime
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 cup coconut water
Sweeten to taste with raw honey, and blend

Today's Smoothie

red kale
kiwi
small pink lady apple
a few fresh strawberries


(1July11)




arugula
purple kale
apple
strawberries
raspberries
blueberries
mango juice
water

(5May11)

Yayyy I *finally* got a VitaMix (happy dance)


2 handfuls of arugula
1 pear
1 pink lady apple
1 bananas
Splash of mango juice
A little H20

mmmm!
(4May11)