Recipe of the Week: Avocado and Tomato Salad
My favorite kind of raw recipes consist of simplicity. Because I am the only one in my house living a raw lifestyle, I am not about to spend a day in the kitchen cooking or should I say uncooking two meals! As a work at home mom I just don’t have a lot of time to mess with fancy lunches or dinners for myself so raw recipes like these are right up my alley!
Avocado and Tomato Salad
2Tbsp Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Organic Avocado sliced
1 pack Organic Cherry Tomatoes sliced in half
1 handful of Organic Baby Spinach
1 handful of Raw Organic Walnuts
Salt and Pepper to taste
Throw it all in a bowl and enjoy!
To find more healthy salads like the one mentioned above visit: http://goneraw.com
Do you have any avocado recipes you’d like to share?
Until next time,
Brandi
Health, Natural Remedies, Raw recipes | Comments (0)Food of the Week: Creamy, Green Chocolate
Anyhow, let’s get on with our yummy food of the week. What creamy, green delight will I be talking about this week? The Avocado of course!!! I must admit; now that I have been on an Avocado kick for the last several weeks, I can definitely see why it’s often referred to as the “chocolate” of fruits.
Since swimsuit season is fast approaching I did find myself asking, “how can eating fat, not make me fat?” The answer: When it’s a healthy fat! Contrary to popular assumptions, the avocado can actually be a helpful part of a successful weight-management program. For instance, the avocados monounsaturated fat content is great for speeding up your metabolism as well as giving you that full feeling to prevent you from over eating.
Some More Fun Facts:
- Avocados are a fruit, not a vegetable, belonging to the genus Persea in the Lauraceae family.
- Avocados are sodium- and cholesterol-free and have only five grams of fat per serving, most of it the monounsaturated kind.
- Avocados were once a luxury food reserved for the tables of royalty, but now California avocados are enjoyed around the world by people from all walks of life.
- Brazilians add avocados to ice cream
- Filipinos puree avocados with sugar and milk for a dessert drink.
- The avocado is also called an Alligator Pear because of its pear-like shape and green skin.
- Avocado is a corruption of the Spanish word aguacate, which is in turn a corruption of the Aztec word ahuacatl.
- California produces about 90% of the nation’s avocado crop.
- San Diego County is the Avocado Capital of the U.S., producing 60% of all the avocados grown in California.
- There are about 7,000 avocado groves in California; the average size is around 10 acres.
- A single California avocado tree can produce about 500 avocados (or 200 pounds of fruit) a year although usually average about 60 pounds from 150 fruit.
- There are seven varieties of avocados grown commercially in California, but the Hass is the most popular, accounting for approximately 95% of the total crop volume.
- California avocados grow year-round.
Protein, vitamins A and E, potassium and fiber are just a few of the avocados 20 beneficial nutrients! Replace the fatty, processed crap with one of these gems and you too can achieve True Optimal Health! It make me salivate just thinking about this yummy “Green Chocolate”. Can’t wait to give you the Avocado and Tomato Salad Recipe I’ve been filling up on everyday!
Stay Tuned,
Brandi
Business, Health, Natural Remedies | Comments (1)Food of the Week: Give Your Body the Antioxidant Punch it NEEDS!
Are you looking for a way to look and feel radiant? Well look no further, studies show that Blueberries deliver a potent antioxidant punch — in fact they have the highest antioxidant capacity per serving, compared with more than 20 other fruits!
Why are Antioxidants so important?
Antioxidants help our bodies protect against disease and age-related health risks. Every day, our cells wage a battle against free radicals – unstable oxygen molecules associated with cancer, heart disease and the effects of aging. Dietary antioxidants come to the rescue.
These phytonutrients, natural substances found in fruits and vegetables, neutralize free radicals and help prevent cell damage. Antioxidants also protect against inflammation, thought to be a leading factor in brain aging. Scientists from around the world are studying the ways in which these tiny little berries may help combat disease and promote healthy aging.
The many potential health benefits of Blueberries include:
- Brain Health: Ongoing brain research shows that blueberries may improve motor skills and actually reverse the short-term memory loss that comes with aging.
- Cancer Prevention: Research shows that blueberry compounds may inhibit all stages of cancer.
- Heart Health: Research indicates that blueberries may protect against heart disease and damage from stroke.
- Urinary Tract Health: Like cranberries, blueberries may help prevent urinary tract infections.
- Vision Health: Research around the world has indicated that blueberries may improve night vision and prevent tired eyes.
Have you gotten your Blueberries today? Stay tuned for different ways to incorporate these power packed berries into your meal plan!
Until Then,
Brandi
Health, Natural Remedies | Comments (1)Recipe of the week: Chia Fresca 2.0
As promised, thanks to Yardsnacker, I found a rawsome Chia Seed recipe! I made this yesterday for my daughter and I before her baseball game…can you say YUM!
Because “healthy eating” is apparently a new thing here in RI, I had to order my Chia on the internet from Matt Monarch’s website, http://therawfoodworld.com. I believe it was under $10 for a pound, will have to double check on that!
Obviously making Chia Fresca 2.0 everyday is a bit on the expensive side so I will continue to drink Uri Life’s The Feast while I find different ways to incorporate this amazing seed into my diet.
Enjoy!
Brandi
Health, Natural Remedies, Raw recipes | Comments (1)Food of the Week: Cha, Cha, Cha Chia!
No, I’m not talking about the famous Chia Pet that seemed to grace the home of millions back in the early 90’s! I’m talking…Chia seeds! What was once considered to be a sacred food to the Native Americans, is now taking the world by storm again thanks to Oprah’s recent plug!
The name, chia, is Maya for strength or strengthening and rightfully so. Chia is a excellent source for the essential omega 3 & 6 oils. They also have approximately two times the protein concentration and up to ten times the oil concentration of other grains, and are digestible without grinding, unlike the Flax seed.
Chia seeds are small and have the unique feature of a shell that turns gelatinous (mucilaginous) when it gets wet. This gel is thought to create a barrier in the stomach between the carbohydrates and digestive enzymes - slowing the breakdown of carbos into sugar and prolonging endurance. The seed can absorb more than 10 times its weight in water which can prolong hydration and retain electrolytes in body fluids.
Chia Seeds Also Offer Powerful Health-Building Benefits:
• Super-Energizing For Increased Endurance and Sustained Energy. A Balanced Blend of Protein, Essential Fats, Fiber, Complex Carbohydrates, and Antioxidants. Chia is unrivalled among all seeds and grains for providing energy to your mind and body. Native peoples knew about chia and made it their power food of choice. The energy and endurance of native athletes, runners, and warriors is legendary. Now you can benefit from their knowledge about chia!
• Improves Cardiovascular Health. Provides Extremely High Levels of Heart-Healthy Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). Chia’s oil contains the highest-known percentage of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid, an incredible 62%–64%! Foods really can be the ‘best medicine.’ And chia’s benefits just get better!
• Stabilizes Blood Sugar. Reduces Blood Glucose Swings and Supports Conditions of Hypoglycemia and Diabetes. Chia’s soluble giber exerts a stabilizing influence on blood glucose levels by regulating the rate at which complex carbohydrates are digested and assimilated in the body. This creates steady, stable blood glucose levels…which also means steady, high energy levels. That’s the ‘magic’ of chia, based on the best nutritional science and traditional tribal knowledge!
• Reduces Cravings for Sweets and Junk Foods. Chia’s Soluble Fiber Allows the Measured Release of its Natural, Unrefined Carbohydrate Energy into the Bloodstream. This is exactly the opposite of a blood sugar rise followed by a crash, which happens when consuming foods high in sugar, refined carbohydrates (e.g., white-bread products), and concentrated sweeteners (such as high-fructose corn syrup).
Some people may not even know what normal blood sugar regulation feels like (due to poor diets or long-term blood sugar problems). Chia can help restore normalcy to blood glucose levels, especially for individuals suffering from lifelong consumption of ‘standard American diets’ (SAD) in our sugar-and-carbs-gone-wild civilization.
• Improved Mental Focus and Concentration. Chia’s Balanced Essential Fats (Omega-3 and Omega-6) Can Signficantly Boost Brain Power…and Brighten Mood (EFAs are known for their antidepressive effects). Essential fats make cell membranes more flexible, and enable more efficient membrane function, including better nerve transmission and nutrient transport into cells. A healthy nervous system supports more efficient brain function. In fact, the essential fats in chia are well-known for helping improve brain function!
• High-Quality Protein. Chia Contains 20% or More Protein…a higher percentage than found in other grains, such as wheat, corn, rice, or oats. Plus, chia is high in Natural Antioxidants (unlike flax), which means it stays fresh far longer and supplies powerful dietary antioxidants. In addition, chia’s high-quality, vegetable-source protein works synergistically with its other benefits (like reducing cravings and cardioprotective properties). The cumulative effect of consuming chia is super nutrition giving you exceptional staying power and supporting your active, healthy lifestyle!
• Promotes Lean Muscle Mass. Chia’s High-Quality Vegetable Protein Helps Build Increased Lean Muscle Mass. Therefore it is useful for weight loss and weight maintenance. Chia is suitable for all lifestyles and dietary regimens, including low-carb diets and vegetarian diets. In addition, chia’s essential fatty acids (see above) actually boost metabolism and contribute to optimal metabolic function, thereby serving to build and maintain lean muscle mass.
• Gluten-Free. Unlike Typical Grain-Source Proteins, Chia Protein Contains No Gluten. Chia thereby is an ideal food for individuals having gluten sensitivity, carbohydrate intolerance, hypoglycemia, Celiac Disease, Crohn’s Disease, or for anyone wishing to avoid common gluten-containing grains like corn, barley, and wheat. (Moreover, simple carbohydrates—including high-gluten foods—are implicated in obesity and blood glucose instability, and generally provide poor nutrient-density.) Chia is a gluten-free, nutrient-dense alternative to grain-source proteins!
• An Ideal Superfood. Chia is an Excellent Functional Food for Most People, including individuals exhibiting food allergies, food sensitivities, or food and chemical hypersensitivity. One study found no evidence of allergic response to chia, even among individuals having peanut and tree nut allergies.
Plus, chia is an ideal superfood because it is portable, won’t easily spoil (i.e., protected by natural antioxidants), and safely can be stored for extended periods; chia can be eaten raw, but also remains fresh after grinding; and even after being ground and mixed with water, chia (as a gel) can keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Chia absolutely puts the “super” in “superfood”!
• Super-Hydration and Electrolyte Balance. Chia’s Soluble Fiber (i.e., Hydrophilic Colloids) Massively Retains Water…keeping you well-hydrated and maintaining your electrolyte balance. Chia seeds hold 12 (or more!) times their weight in water. When consuming chia seeds that have been hydrated, you thereby obtain that hydration for yourself for hours!
Because when chia is placed in water, juice, or mixed (whole or ground) into moist foods, it greatly swells and thereby provides effective super-hydration for your body. This uniquely powerful swelling capacity also provides special properties (i.e., thickening) you may find useful in the kitchen…or anywhere you happen to be when you need hydration.
Given that water is the major component of our bodies, chia’s value for hydration is very significant indeed, especially for active persons, and can make a huge difference in your levels of hydration, and thereby in your quality of life!
• Supports Healthy Elimination and Detoxification. Healthy Oils and Soluble Fiber work together supporting greater regularity and comfort…beneficial effects not to be underestimated! Considering that most Americans are deficient both in essential fats and soluble fiber, chia is an obvious choice for supporting better elimination and natural detoxification, naturally.
• Uniquely Balanced. Chia Offers Amazingly Balanced Ratios of Macronutrients. In fact, chia’s ratios are better balanced than most grains, seeds, and many other foods. That’s why chia is considered by many to be Nature’s perfect food! Add chia to your diet, and witness your own transformation for yourself!
Have you gotten your Chia today? I have been drinking Uri Life’s The Feast every morning for the last 8 months and have noticed amazing results. While I knew The Feast contained Chia Seeds, I had no idea just how beneficial the Chia seeds truly were. After doing a little digging I have considered adding even more Chia to my diet.
Stay Tuned for some Cha, Cha, Cha, Chia recipes later this week!
To True Optimal Health!
Brandi
Did You Know…
…that a simple mixture of honey and cinnamon can cure most diseases? Weekly World News has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:
HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat.
ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis patients may take daily, morning, and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.
BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.
TOOTHACHE:
Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied three times a day until the tooth stops aching.
CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured.
COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.
UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.
GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.
INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ingredient which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.
LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increases and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.
WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.
FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the bo dy. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.
Wow, all that with Honey and Cinnamon…it’s worth a shot, eh?
Cheers to True Optimal Health!
Brandi
Health, Natural Remedies | Comments (2)
Loading ...
 -->/images/footer.gif)