Greens – FREE Giveaway!!

29 June, 2014/14 Comments/in Health /by admin

Greens – FREE Giveaway

Famous saying goes: “We are what we eat”, or really what we can assimilate. The more you eat sugar, hydrogenated oils and processed foods as an example, the unhealthier your body becomes. Even though you might not sense the negative changes immediately, you can be sure that your body will charge you later on for being neglectful. Basically, key is with starting new, healthier ways of eating (not dieting) is to try to add more greens as much as possible.

Sometimes also changing little things that we eat daily or often can make a huge difference – ie if you drink diet pop, switch to just plain pop as the sweetener is sugar (most times) and not an artificial one, then maybe go to juice instead as it has less chemicals, then maybe add in more water (after all we are more than 70% water). Instead of getting fires as a side order a salad – these seemingly little things can make a huge difference in your health and your weight.

Green vegetables and leafy greens are healthy but have you ever considered more Greens?

Greens like in Kamut, Barley, Wheat Grass, Spirulina and Chlorella. They are loaded with Chlorophyll and Enzymes which is what our modern day diets are void of mostly!!

Chlorophyll is actually a green pigment found in plants, which serves its purpose of turning the solar energy into useful nutrients which plants use for food. Those nutrients created by using the energy of sun are actually as useful for us, as well as for plants. Although humans can’t use photosynthesis to create food, as plants do, eating plants rich in chlorophyll can help us heal our body and enhance our health. The greener they are, the more chlorophyll it has contained, which is great – it’s more alive – just like you and the more alive foods you eat the more alive you will feel and become!!

Foods with high concentration of chlorophyll are dark green. Green foods are rich in minerals, calcium, magnesium, vitamins and many other things that the body needs for optimum health.

In our modern day society supplements are often pushed on us instead of real foods, superfoods or herbs that have been around for centuries. The body knows how to digest and utilize these foods easily and properly.

The body can heal itself when given the right environment.

There is so much I could write here about Green foods and Superfoods but instead why not share the passion and knowledge of a great leader who has done much research and worked with 1000’s of people to show that using these foods does work from the results people are getting.

David Sandoval – Author of the Green Foods Bible – which I am going to give away a Free book to someone on Sunday July 6th!!!. In order to be eligible please leave a comment on this post and feel free to share this!! This is not a fad – it’s a movement and a lifestyle!!

Here is a short vid with David – owner and founder of Purium talking about the importance of eating real foods!

Hidden Benefits of Food

If you would like more information on Purium, their products, vision and mission please check out my Purium page.

Thank you again for stopping by and if you like what you read please feel free to share it and good luck on the contest!!!

Jodi

Chocolate Chia Pudding

25 June, 2014/2 Comments/in Health /by admin

Chocolate Chia Pudding

This is so tasty you won’t be feeling guilty!! And when you use real raw cacao – it has nutritional benefits – not that that gives you the excuse to eat it all the time or tons of it. To think that healthy, nutritional things can actually be really tasty and easy to make – well makes life more fun I think!! 🙂 This is raw and vegan – but you wouldn’t know it!!

Chia has been around for a very long time – it was used for centuries by the Aztecs of Mexico and the Indians of the Southwest of America, these tiny seeds formed part of their staple diet. Aztec warriors were said to use Chia to as a high energy ‘supplement’ on their conquest.

Google Chia as there are many stories on it since it’s been around for so long and it has many health benefits – especially again a good source of protein and omega-3 oils, a lot of nutrients, antioxidants and fiber. Not bad for a tiny little thing!!

Due to their antioxidant qualities, chia seeds don’t go rancid as quickly as flaxseeds do. Store Chia in a glass jar or in a sealed container to help keep it longer. Ground chia seeds should be placed in a container with a tight-fitting lid, and may also keep a month or more.

You can add Chia to many things but when you add it to a liquid remember it will become gelatenous – therefore can make good puddings or thickener!!

– 2 tbsp Chia seed in 1 cup water and let soak for at least an hour – the longer the better as the softer the seed becomes but it will work with an hour. It will become gelatenous and I did add a little more water to mine as it got a bit too thick, add up to 1/2 cup more of water if it is too thick

– 3 tbsp raw Cacao Powder

– 4 tbsp Agave (or Honey or Brown Rice syrup)

– 1 Avocado (or you can also use 2 Bananas or 1 peeled Mango)

the fruit will make it a little more sweet than the Avocado so you can always cut the sweetener back a tbsp

– 1 tsp Vanilla

Once the Chia has soaked for at least an hour, throw all ingredients into a Vitamix or Blender and blend until smooth.

If you are going to serve it right away, throw in 2-3 ice cubes to make it cooler.

Yes that is the Cashew Whip added on top and that is tasty!!

What I had for breakfast today was the pudding with the Cashew Whip and a cut up Banana, Blueberries and Strawberries

Yummy – what a great way to start the day!!!

Hope you enjoy it and please feel free to share this!!

With Gratitude

Jodi

Cashew Whip

22 June, 2014/0 Comments/in Health /by admin

Cashew Whip

This is one of my favorite things to eat. I have a smoothie almost every morning but when I don’t this is the next best thing.

It’s easy and quick to make, tasty and will keep for several days in the fridge.

I add in some raw granola that I make (recipe to follow soon – I just make it and need to really get the measurements down clearly :)) but it’s just as tasty with just fruit!!

For anyone who kind of, sort of misses whip cream (the dairy kind) this is a great substitute – it’s raw, it’s vegan and has protein!!

– 1 cup Raw Cashews (if the nuts whether in a package or bulk don’t say raw, then they aren’t, and it will make a difference, and will probably be heated some how and flavors maybe added)

soak for at least 15 mins but you don’t have to, this will make the cashews softer

– 1 tsp Vanilla

– 1-2 tbsp sweetner Agave, Honey (not Vegan) Brown Rice Syrup, (depending on how sweet you like it)

– 4 ice cubes (only use if you want to eat it right away it makes it cooler)

Start with 1/4 cup water

Throw all ingredients into the Vitamix or blender and start blending. You will need to add more water until desired consistency. I don’t like mine too runny but not too thick either. It’s not as fluffy as whip cream but it’s so much tastier and healthier!! These little differences can make eating healthy so much easier – in more ways than one!!

Cut up some fruit in a bowl and pour over top – and enjoy!! Add some cereal or nuts or hemp if you like!!

Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to share this.

Always greatly appreciated!!

Have an awesome day

Jodi

Raw Popcorn

18 June, 2014/1 Comment/in Health /by admin

Raw Popcorn

What the heck – raw popcorn??

It’s probably not what you think!!

One of the things I do love is popcorn especially with a really good movie – which I don’t do often so it’s a treat. I always make sure its Organic so it’s non-gmo as corn is high on that list.

This though is a really good, nutritious and tasty treat substituting for popcorn that lets face it is just totally healthier period. It’s raw (not everyone agrees on nutritional yeast being raw) but totally vegan and gluten free for sure!!

When I used to go to the movies at a theatre it was a big treat for me to get popcorn and I would get a large and eat it myself – yes I do love popcorn!! Since cleaning up my way of eating, the last time I went to a real movie theatre and ate popcorn I felt it for 2 days in my system and felt horrible – bloated and just yucky – I seem to be more sensitive to chemical crap since cleaning things up lesson learned!!

My daughter came home this past winter after being at the movies and a couple of days later said the same thing to me – I try hard not to inflict my judgments on my kids so it was kind of neat to hear her say that and that she wouldn’t be eating popcorn at the movies again – which she hasn’t and she loves popcorn as much as I do!!

If you love popcorn too hope you enjoy this way – you may not the first time but it does grow on you!!

Raw Popcorn

– 1 head Cauliflower chopped into small pieces

– Himalayan Sea Salt

– 1 – 11/2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast (good for B vit’s and found in health Food Stores and a lot of grocery stores now)

– 1 tsp Spirulina (optional) Purium’s Spirulina

Put cut up cauliflower into a big zip lock bag and add in sea salt, nutritional yeast and spirulina (optional) shake till well coated.

Both are shown in the bag here – one with Spirulina and one without it.

Put into a bowl and grab a cool drink and a good movie, eat and enjoy!!

It’s also a very good snacking treat if you are needing a mid afternoon snack or too busy working – will keep in fridge for a couple of days in sealed bag as well!!

Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to share this – greatly appreciated!!

Jodi

Raw Creamy Basil Sauce

13 June, 2014/1 Comment/in Health /by admin

Raw Creamy Basil Sauce

with Raw Noodles too

If you are wondering about having to give up some favorite foods or comfort foods – no need to worry any longer!!

This Raw Creamy Basil Sauce will help!! It is totally vegan, raw which means it’s live!!

Every time I make a dish like this I can’t believe how filling, yet satisfying it is and it’s still healthy and raw – how cool is that??

And again easy, quick and tasty – even better.

The one tool you will need is called a Spiralizer – yes sold on Amazon (no affiliate link) or by now easily available in your local health store possibly grocery store (depending maybe Whole Foods).

There are other kitchen tools that will create a pasta like noodle so if you have something else that works awesome!

One Zucchini, a good size one is enough for two good servings. It creates a fair amount of noodles – some long and some short. I have found since using Zucchini for noodles I could never go back and eat pasta especially with the after effects! 🙂

Raw Creamy Basil Sauce

– 1 cup Cashews

– juice of 1/2 Lemon

– pinch Himalayan Sea Salt

– fresh ground Pepper (optional)

– 2 cloves Garlic

– approx 6- 7 bigger Basil Leaves (more if you prefer)

– 1/2 – 1 cup Water

Through all ingredients in Vita mix or Blender with about 1/4 cup water, slowly adding more water until the desire consistency you prefer is met (more water will create a thinner sauce, less water it will be thicker)

Finely chop 2- 4 basil leaves and stir into the mixture or add in and pulse lightly once or twice.

Pour the sauce over the noodles and enjoy.

If everything comes right out of the fridge it will be colder, you can leave things out for a little bit to get more of a room temp.

Please feel free to share this recipe – it’s always greatly appreciated!!

Jodi

A Moment in my Life

11 June, 2014/0 Comments/in Health, Latest /by admin

Good Day

Well I am a little behind in getting this out – busy but fun weekend and my computer crashed – not good timing but really when is it??!!

Yes mercury is retrograding and I am feeling the effects of it lol

Just wanted to share a few moments in my life with you!

Friday was busy with my daughter getting ready for Prom – my son graduated two years ago and I remember it being much simpler – ahhh the difference between boys and girls. Nails, hair, getting car all cleaned for playing taxi, flowers, picking up, dropping off and lots of excitement and giggles.

I am proud to say I am very proud of her and her accomplishments!!

Saturday morning I meet up with some fellow photographers that I just met and we did a real fun and funky photo shoot up at Lake Bunzten – I had never been and it was a gorgeous morning.

I had a lot of fun with this shoot – stay tuned for upcoming photos

Walking on Water……

Sunday was another busy but fun day – started of at the Vancouver Veg Expo and I highly recommend attending one in your area if there is one. Lots of cool products, samples and people!!

This is Adam Hart – he wrote a book the Power of Food and is speaking on stage at the Vancouver Veg Expo

People are wanting to eat healthy and be healthy and our world is demanding more of it. I found alot of information on GMO’s – Jeff Smith was there who is also one the guest speakers at Purium this August, and companies making that part of their products. Organic, clean, real and raw – these products are nutrient dense and I found many to compliment my way of eating and the Purium products – so it was very cool!!

Then I finished off the day with some friends hanging out on the Drive – (otherwise known as Commercial Drive in Vancouver) experiencing Italian Days – lots of people, food, music and not just Italians!!

Great little band playing on the side – they were fun and called Happy Hour!!

Summer is just getting started – love being outside more and connecting with like minded people and having fun – isn’t that how life should be?

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!

Jodi

Green Dip / Spread

5 June, 2014/1 Comment/in Health /by admin

Green Dip / Spread

Where I started with this recipe and where I ended up truly surprised me but in a very good way!

I love surprises especially when they taste good! 🙂

That is what is fun or cool when you are using fresh, real ingredients – don’t be afraid to explore or if it’s not as tasty to your liking add a little something here or there or a little more.

And Green – kind of bright but oh so healthy and tasty making healthy eating or eating healthy easy!!

This is a Vegan, Gluten free and basically Raw recipe (Nutritional yeast may not be considered ‘raw’)

What I found with this is I used it as a dip and as a filling – both worked well

Recipe

– 1 cup Cashews – soaked for about an hour or longer (this helps to softens them, if you don’t have the time for this it’s not totally necessary)

– 1 clove Garlic

– juice of 1 Lemon

– Salt to taste

– 1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast

– 1/2 – 3/4 cup Water (less for a thicker dip or more water for more of a sauce type)

– 1 tsp Greens (Purium’s Power of 10 Veggie) – this is optional, it tastes good without it but this does add flavor and tons of nutrition easily

Put all ingredients into a Vitamix or blender and blend until smooth

Add in Spinach – for this recipe I added in a small container full of Spinach – you can leave some till the end and finely chop the spinach for a more textured dip.

Add in Dill – I used approximately 3 tbsp of fresh dill.

Blend until smooth or desired consistency is achieved.

Once I got the consistency I wanted I added in a small (my hands are small :)) handful of Cashews and lightly blended giving the dip some texture but this is not necessary.

If you want to have more dill flavor or just some herb showing, finely chop Dill and stir in at the last moment.

You can use it as a dip for lots of veggies or crackers.

Great for stuffing Mushrooms, celery or anything else!!

Would love your feedback and please feel free to share this – it is greatly appreciated!!!

Have a fantastic day!!

Jodi

Hemp Hummus

3 June, 2014/0 Comments/in Health /by admin

Hemp Hummus

When I was pregnant with both my kids (now seems like many moons ago) I ate so much hummus that it’s amazing that that wasn’t their first words when they started talking!!. Seriously I even made Hummus sandwiches – I love it, still do and have usually always made my own since it’s so easy. It’s a pretty basic recipe but what I wanted to show you here is how simple it is to add in Hemp to not only something like this but so many other dishes therefore upping the nutritional value big time. Now a days we need all the extra help we can get!!

Did you know these things about Hemp?

Hemp production is probably one of the oldest industry on the planet. Hemp in the past had many different roles from clothing to paper to rope to food. One of the biggest conspiracies happened in the 1930’s – Dupont Corporation, a newspaper publisher, a group of petroleum interests, the American cotton growing lobby, international bankers and a group of politicians led a crusade to ban hemp so it was out lawed in 1937. (David Wolfe – Superfoods).

Hemp can be used in so many ways it’s truly amazing!!

Canada also grows some of the best hemp!!

Hemp is a high protein seed containing all nine of the essential amino acids therefore making it an easy digestible protein.

Hemp has a lot of Essential Fatty Acids – significant omega 6’s as well as omega 3’s all good for our skin, reducing heart disease and stroke.

Hemp also has GLA’s knows as gamma-linolenic acid.

Hemp excels at absorbing minerals from the soil so is an excellent source of major and trace minerals especially iron.

Just to name a few things – so adding help into your way of eating is good and can be easy.

Try to buy organic Hemp, if in Canada buy Canadian Hemp as we have great growers and I’ve heard things but can’t validate what happens when USA Hemp crosses the borders.

Here are some suggestions of adding Hemp into things – for instance salsa, (mix in a tbsp or two), guacamole, sprinkle over salads, mixed into salad dressings, sprinkle over a stir fry (after it is cooked you really don’t want to heat hemp as it will lose most of it’s nutritional value), sprinkled on granola, used as the protein source in smoothies and I could go on. Hemp can be added into most – but like I said I wouldn’t heat it very high. Get creative and I try and get several tablespoons in a day.

Hemp Hummus

– 1 can Chic peas drained

– 1 – 2 cloves Garlic

– juice of half Lemon

– 1/2 tbsp Tahini (can omit with adding Hemp in but I still like the flavor it adds)

– 2 tbsp Hemp

– 1 tbsp cold pressed Olive oil

– 2- 3 tbsp Water (depending on the thickness you would like)

Throw all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth, you may have to scrape the bowl down a few times and i process mine a little longer as I like the smoothness and a bit of almost fluffiness to it (it’s not as heavy so to speak).

Eat and enjoy and if you like hummus as much as I do it won’t last long!!