healthy recipes – StyleNectar

Posts

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

ultimate rustic caramel apples w chocolate ganache

+ a simple no-fuss way to serve them at parties!

raw vegan caramel apples

Oh. my. goodness. These Rustic Raw Vegan Caramel Apples might be my favorite thing I’ve ever eaten to date… WOW! Like you’ve got to make these asap. So simple. So incredibly delicious. MMMMMMmmmmmmm.

Let’s just say I’ve ALWAYS had a thing for caramel… and this raw vegan version is way yummier! Smear it all over a crisp apple, roll it in your favorite toppings and then drizzle chocolate ganache all over – the ULTIMATE!

Forget that these are healthy, they taste BETTER than anything you’ve ever had. Forget that they’re filled with amazing nutrition and life force that is going to make you feel and look phenomenal, cause the pure utter enjoyment in every bite is enough on its own. Crisp, juicy apple wrapped in thick, gooey caramel, with a light crunch of chopped walnuts and dark, dark chocolate ganache. Again, I’ve gotta call this treat food fit for the Gods.

And a treat…

Perfect for Autumn, for kiddos, and wonderful for entertaining too! These Rustic Caramel Apples slice right up with ease for display on your favorite platter. Trust, they won’t last long!

mind-blowing raw vegan caramel apples w chocolate ganache

I almost skipped over how unbelievable these Ultimate Rustic Caramel Apples are for our bodies, minds and spirit… because they’re so darn delicious I don’t want anyone to be turned off thinking, if they’re so healthy how can they taste so great? However, here’s the thing…

Amazing flavor, ultimate health, pure joy and our highest potential beauty & vitality need not be mutually exclusive!

These Caramel Apples are enzymatically alive, containing all the power of life force, and they also happen to be incredible immune boosters thanks to the raw coconut nectar and oil. Coconut nectar is low glycemic (with a GI of 35), gluten free, dairy free, non- GMO, vegan, contains 17 amino acids, minerals, B-vitamins, vitamin C and has a nearly neutral pH. Unprocessed coconut products such as the coconut nectar and oil used in this recipe are brimming with health and immune boosting power including :(1) (2)

Heart Health: the healthy short chain and medium chain fatty acids along with large amount of lauric acid protect against heart disease.
Reduction of Sweet Cravings: insulin secretion & utilization of blood glucose is improved while the healthy fat in coconut slows down any rise in blood sugar helping to reduce hypoglycemic cravings.
Improved Digestion: Absorption of nutrients including vitamins, minerals and amino acids is supported while many symptoms and inflammatory conditions associated with digestive and bowel disorders are improved.
Quick Energy Boost: Coconut is utilized by the body to actually produce energy rather than to store it as body fat.
Promotes Healthy Thyroid Function: and helps to relieve symptoms of chronic fatigue.
Immune Booster: coconut is Hypoallergenic and contains Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antifungal & Anti-parasitic healing properties.

1) http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org

2) http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/a-new-look-at-coconut-oil/

Please enjoy these beautiful and delicious, high vibration Rustic Raw Vegan Caramel Apples with the freshest most amazing flavor that also feeds our highest potential health, beauty and vitality!

RECIPE for RAW VEGAN RUSTIC CARAMEL APPLES w CHOCOLATE GANACHE (Makes 4-6 apples)

INGREDIENTS

4-6 clean, medium sized apples, stems removed
4-6 clean sticks from your yard (or use popsicle sticks) for handles
3/4 of a cup finely chopped walnuts (preferably sprouted & dehydrated- plus they taste SO much better this way!), coconut or your fav other toppings

Raw Vegan Caramel

1/2 cup liquified extra virgin coconut oil (to liquify: set a glass bowl over a small pot of boiling water, add coconut oil & stir til melted) Alternatively, you may sub equivalent dates or date paste which does make for easier adherance onto apple – I just love the taste of the coconut oil- tho both are super yum!
1/2 cup raw nut butter (such as almond, cashew, sunflower or pepita butter)
1/2 cup raw, organic coconut nectar
4 pitted dates
1/4 tsp vanilla powder
1/4 tsp himalayan salt

Raw Vegan Chocolate Ganache

1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil liquified
1/2 cup cacao or carob
1/2 cup nut butter
1/4 tsp ceylon cinnamon
1/4 tsp himalayn salt
a few drops of stevia to taste

METHOD

To insert the apple “handles” with ease, first make a slit about 1/3 the way down in the top middle of each apple with a sharp knife, then insert the sticks. Find a small platter and place a sheet of parchment or wax paper on it. You will be placing your apples on this during preparatin to catch excess caramel and chocolate. Place apples in the freezer for 10 minutes as this makes it easy for the caramel to adhere.
Blend together the caramel ingredients til smooth & creamy. Set in freezer to cool for 5 minutes while preparing chocolate ganache.
Whisk together the chocolate ganache ingredients until smooth and creamy. The mixture should not be overly runny, so adjust the amount of nut butter as necessary, slightly thicker is best for easy application. Set aside on the counter at room temp.
Remove apples from freezer and place on your platter. If any of them are unstable, slice a small piece off the bottom to stabalize. Remove caramel from freezer as well & give it a stir to loosen it up a bit.
With a small metal spatula apply the caramel to each apple, placing each apple on your platter as complete. Put the platter of caramel slathered apples back into the freezer for 5 minutes to set a bit. Don’t worry if some of the caramel slides down. Just pat it back up with your finger tips. We’ll be covering these babies up with your choice of toppings in a minute and they’re RUSTIC!
Remove apples from freezer once again & take this opportunity to patch any spots where you may want to add a bit more caramel. Roll in your choice of finely chopped nuts, coconut etc. Pop back in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Remove the apples from the freezer. Whisk your chocolate ganache to be sure it’s well incorporated, and then drizzle it about your apples. (If you happen to have a squeeze top bottle use it for even simpler ganache application. Alternatively, place the ganache into a freezer bag, snip the TINIEST of little snips off the corner and then squeeze out the ganache using the freezer bag like a pastry bag.) Once complete, pop apples back in freezer for 5 minutes to set. Then move to fridge for permanent storage.
For entertaining, slice the apples as shown and arrange on your favorite platter.

**Leftover caramel? Use it as a dipping sauce or smoothie topper! Leftover ganache? Pour into little molds (or onto a wax paper lined surface) & pop into the freezer for instant raw chocolates 🙂

Do you have any holiday classics you’d like to have me upgrade to a vegan or raw version? Let me know in the comments!

Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share!

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

Cauliflower Popcorn

Cauliflower Popcorn is loaded with all the flavor of your favorite snack chips and pop-ems with none of the downside!

Cauliflower Popcorn is so addictive I challenge you to make it so far as to get yours into the dehydrator (or oven) for step 2… without eating it all first!

This flavorful, smoky, cheesy, salty-sweet indulgence tastes phenomenal tossed up fresh… however, an hour or two in the dehydrator (or oven- see below) renders it crispy and warm with its tantalizing aromas wafting throughout the kitchen so do try to hold out! This raw food yumminess is brimming with powerful life-force, enzymes, phytonutrients and vitamins galore. It's a snack that makes us feel as phenomenal as it tastes! Whenever I eat Raw Snacks I feel satiated, energized and just plain fantastic. Cauliflower Popcorn is no exception! Loaded with all the flavor of our favorite snack chips and tidbits without any of the downside… except perhaps that I couldn't hoard it all to myself once Jim had a taste. He couldn't get enough and rates it…

"Outstanding!"

The Benefits (and this is just a few mind you!)

Fights Cancer - Cauliflower contains sulforaphane, a sufur compound proven to kill cancer stem cells thus slowing tumor growth, and to inhibit the growth of cultured breast cancer cells leading to cell death. Moreover, research shows, cauliflower with curcumin (the active compound in the turmeric in this recipe) may help prevent & treat prostrate cancer. Additionally, the Indoles and isothiocyanates in cauliflower have been shown to potentially inhibit cancer development of the bladder, breast, colon, liver, lung and stomach according to the National Cancer Institute.

Boosts Heart Health – The sulforaphane in cauliflower has been shown to significantly improve blood pressure and kidney function. These benefits are related to improved DNA methylation, a process crucial for normal cellular function and gene expression especially in the easily damaged inner lining of the arteries.

Supports Detoxification - Cauliflower supports Phase 1 detoxification via certain antioxidants and Phase 2 detoxification via it's sulfur-containing nutrients while the glucosinolates in cauliflower activate detoxification enzymes in the liver.

Anti-Inflammatory - Excessive inflammatory response when no threat is present can lead to inflammation-related damage in the body linked to many diseases including cancer depending on the organs impacted. Cauliflower's wealth of anti-inflammatory nutrients keep inflammation in check.

Rejuvenates Skin Hair & Nails - As you know by now, consuming a variety of veggies & fruits is important in order to receive all their valuable vitamins and minerals. Cauliflower specifically, contains Vitamins A, E, C & K as well as B vitamins, folate, sodium, potassium, calcium, manganese, zinc, fats, niacin, copper and iron. The biotin in cauliflower has been found to control dandruf and thicken nails. The plethora of antioxidants such as vitamin C in cauliflower destroy free radicals that accelerate the signs of aging. Additionally, the Vitamin C is required for growth & repair of tissues in all parts of the body including the formation of collagen in addition to making skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.

Boosts Digestion - That good old aforementioned sulforaphane has been shown to protect the lining of the stomach by preventing bacterial overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori. Additionally, cauliflower provides an great source of dietary fiber which is also crucial for digestive health.

Antioxidants & Phytonutrients Galore – Cauliflower is packed with tons of Vitamin C, beta-carotene and antioxidants like quercetin and cinnamic acid which provide cells adequate defense against attack from reqctive oxygen species or ROS. A proper supply of antioxidants helps banish free radicals enabling the body to resist aging caused by everyday pollutants, stress and more.

Boosts Brain Health - Cauliflowers abundant supply of choline is a B vitamin crucial in brain development. Choline intake during pregnancy "super-charges" the brain activity of animals in utero indicating it may boost cognitive function, prevent age-related memory decline, and improve memory & learning.

Overall Raw Foods Power – Nutrient dense, whole, plant-based foods that haven't been heated above 118 F retain their full nutritional value preserving all their naturally occuring living enzymes. Additionally, raw foods are still filled with vital life energy – the magic of life force, also known as chi or prana. I personally integrate a large portion of raw foods into my diet, finding at the moment as the weather is cooling, a proportion of 80% raw to 20% cooked is working best for me. In the heat of summer, I find myself eating close to 100% raw foods – though someday this too may change – and of course you'll be the first to know 🙂 Not only are we each unique with personalized needs, what works for us now may not be what works best for us a year or 5 or 10 years down the line. We always want to pay attention to the signals our bodies are providing in response to the changing seasons, our environment, habits, history, genetic predisposition etc.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

This is my submission to the lovely Jacqueline at No Croutons Required and Lisa of FoodandSpice.

I've been wanting to make a raw food version of this snack favorite which is, more typically, roasted in the oven. As you can tell, the results are beyond amazing! Please enjoy this fantastic treat and leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Recipe for Cauliflower Popcorn

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower separated into 2 x larger than popcorn pieces (they'll shrink in the dehydrator)
1/2 cup nutritional yeast (I like KAL brand)
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika (if you're a raw purist skip, tho it adds fabulous flavor)
1 tsp powdered stevia or xylitol
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
sea salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste
2 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil melted (or sub EVOO or use a combo of the two)

Method

Shake everything up in a large ziplock bag until all the pieces are thoroughly coated.
Spread out on a couple of teflex sheet covered dehydrator trays and dehydrate* at 135F for 1 hour (don't worry, the food is throwing off heat at this point & the internal temp remains under 115) and turn down to 115F for another hour or two until the mixture has dried and the popcorn is slightly crispy.

*Alternatively, if you don't yet have a dehydrator, spread mixture on a silpat or parchment covered baking sheet, place in oven on lowest setting with door propped open an inch or two. Check on the popcorn often as the oven will still likely be much hotter than 135F & 115F and, therefore, the process will be much faster.

Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Vegan or Raw Vegan version? Share it below for a chance to have me recreate it for you!

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share!

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

Fiery Onion Rings with Creamy Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce

Raw Vegan Chipotle Onion Rings with Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce

Who doesn't love the delicious crunch of crispy, battered onion rings?! Get ready for guilt free indulgence with these rings of fire made mega-delish with spicy smoked chipotle paired with THE most amazing Creamy Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce you've ever had! Seriously, Jim and I can't get enough. They've become a weekly staple – actually I made two batches this week they're that incredible and easy too!

You'd never guess these Raw Vegan Onion Rings are chock full of superfood power!

Fiery Onion Rings with Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce win hands down for flavor, texture and satisfaction… plus they leave us feeling & looking our best too! I purposely created a nut-free (gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free) batter as even a Living Foods Raw Vegan diet is not healthy if it relies too heavily upon a high calorie, fat-laden, nut based approach. When it comes to fats, too much can be too much no matter the type – a pitfall new Raw Foodists often stumble into. Heavy, nut-centric meals can be very difficult for the digestive system and make it challenging to achieve ideal weight/fitness goals. We all want to look and feel our best while eating delicious, nutritious food, therefore, I aim to develop balanced recipes that deliver absolutely amazing flavor while simultaneously ensuring we don't have to worry about counting calories or offsetting meals with excessive exercise in order to enjoy them.

This Raw Vegan enzyme and nutrient rich recipe is full of incredibly powerful health & beauty enhancing plant-based superfoods. Check out some of the amazing ingredient fun facts & benefits you'll receive while enjoying this delicious combo…

Onions – Major cancer fighting power. major collagen/hair/nails building power.
Buckwheat Groats- (I sprouted mine however I include options for skipping sprouting below) – Not actually a grain at all, but a fruit seed. High in protein, flavanoids, magnesium, insoluble fiber, powerful phytonutrients proven to be more powerful than that found in fruits & vegetables, heart protecting lignans and more.
Chickpeas - (I sprouted mine however I include options for not sprouting below) – Excellent for supporting the digestive tract, contain uniquely powerful antioxidants, decrease risk of cardiovascular disease, regulate blood sugar, improve feelings of satiety, excellent molybdenum &, manganese, very good source of folate & copper, good source of fiber & protein.
Kale – More iron than beef, high in Vitamin K crucial for bone health, blood clotting and prevention of Alzheimer's, powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol levels, high in Vitamins A & C and Calcium, a great detox food filled with fiber & sulfur to keep the liver healthy.
Carrots – Excellent source of Beta-Carotene for beautiful skin & healthy vision. Carrots also contain falcarinol, a natural toxin that protects carrots against fungal disease and is found in scientific studies to stimulate cancer-fighting mechanisms in the body. Carrot extract has been found useful in combating cognitive dysfunctions and may offer memory improvement as well as cholesterol-lowering benefit.
Capsaicin in Chipotle (Chili) Peppers– Powerful anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol & triglyceride levels and increases body's blood clotting ability. Cultures who use hot pepper liberally have a much lower rate of heart attack, stroke & pulmonary embolism. Protects fats in blood from damage by free radicals, the first step in the development of atherosclerosis. Clears congestion from sinuses and congested lungs. Boosts immunity due to it's high content of beta-carotene and C. Kills the bacteria contributing to stomach ulcers while stimulating the cells lining the stomach to secrete protective juices.
Hemp Seed– A Super Food. A complete protein with a concentrated balance of proteins, essential fats, vitamins & enzymes with a virtual absence of sugar, starch & saturated fat. Increases and sustains energy, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces inflammation. Improves circulation, immune system and blood sugar control. More easily digested protein than meat, eggs, cheese or other high protein food. High in perfectly balanced essential fats: omega 3, 6 & Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). High in antioxidants, amino acids, fiber, iron, zinc, carotene, B vitamins, Vitamin E. Can be eaten by those unable to tolerate nuts, gluten, lactose or sugar as there are no known allergies to hemp foods.

Mmm mmm divine! We just had these Fiery Onion Rings w Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce on the side of a super delish Raw Vegan Soft-serve Chocolate Shake for a to-live-for lunch!

And, people, let me just talk about the Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce for a sec. Yes, these onion rings are unbelievably fabulous enough to stand on their own, however, this Creamy Garlic Aioli is phenom! You'll be wanting to dip everything in it – or thinning it out to use it as salad dressing – or slathering it all over your veggie wraps.

To. Live. For!!!

So, a final brief comment before I get to the recipe… I made my onion rings using the absolute highest raw vegan method possible (and it was still super easy) meaning I soaked my chickpeas and buckwheat then sprouted them before turning them into the batter. However, I've included an Express Option for anyone that feels like skipping that step. But, let's be honest about soaking and sprouting – it's literally dumping something into a big bowl of water, letting it sit, draining, rinsing, and letting it sit in a colander and rinsing again. Easy. However, options are good. And, either way you make it, they'll still be brimming with amazing flavor and stunning health and vitality power!

Recipe for Raw Vegan Onion Rings & Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce

(Serves 4)

Ingredients

Raw Vegan Fiery Onion Ring Batter

1 cup dried chickpeas soaked & sprouted* (for Express Method sub 1 cup chickpea flour)
3/4 buckwheat groats soaked & sprouted* (for Express Method sub 3/4 cup buckwheat flour)
6 kale stems (left over from salads/smoothies or just use 3 whole leaves stem & all. For Express Method sub 1 1/2 Tbsp of your fav Greens Powder)
2 medium carrots (for Express Method, sub 2 Tbsp Carrot Powder)
1 1/2 inch piece of dried chipotle pepper (or equivalent in powder, starting with 1/2 tsp & taste testing from there )
1 teeny tiny (they're like 1/2 inch long) dried habanero chili pepper (or chili powder to taste starting with 1/2 tsp & taste testing batter from there)
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for Express Method omit or substitute 5 nuts like cashews/brazil nuts/macadamia – don't worry 5 nuts spread across the entire recipe is not a big deal)
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or to taste)
1 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
1/2 Tbsp raw coconut sugar (or use raw maple syrup crystals, stevia, raw coconut sugar or your fav sweetener to taste adjusting to account for differences in the strengths)
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (reserved for garnishing)

*Soaking & Sprouting Instructions: Place Buckwheat and Chickpeas into two separate bowls, top with filtered water to 3 inches above. Let soak 8-12 hours or overnight. Rinse thoroughly. To Sprout: place Buckwheat and Chickpeas into two separate colanders inside 2 pots, add a 1/2 inch of water to each pot, cover with lids. Let sit for 2 to 3 days rinsing once in the am and pm until sprouts grow to about 1/4". Rinse again thoroughly and they're ready!

Onion Ring Soak

1 extra large sweet onion
1 1/2 cups filtered water
1 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar (or sub fresh squeezed lemon juice)
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp coconut nectar
1 tsp sea salt

Creamy Raw Vegan Garlic Aioli

1/2 cup hemp seed
1/4 + cup filtered water
2 cloves garlic (3 if you like it strong)
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (or sub fresh squeezed lemon juice)
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
5 raw cashews
a touch of raw coconut sugar, stevia or your fav sweetener (start with 1/2 tsp & adjust to taste)

Method

Fiery Raw Vegan Onion Rings

Note: It's best to do steps 1-3 the day before. Then dehydrate your onion rings the day you'll be serving or even a day ahead if you choose as they "reheat" really nicely in 45 minutes in the dehydrator.

Place all the Onion Ring Batter ingredients into your food processor and pulse until everything is uniformly broken down and well combined, scraping down the sides of your bowl several times. You should have a nice dough when the proccess is complete. You don't want huge chunks of anything. (For Express Method process ingredients into a flour and skip steps 2 and 3)
Spread the mixture onto a teflex sheet of your dehydrator (I like the Excalibur) and dehydrate at 115 F for 4 hours or until dry, checking periodically as climate/time of year/altitude etc. can vastly affect drying time. Feel free to make the Garlic Aioli at this point.
Once dry, break the dough into chunks and place into your food processor or Vitamix to process into a fine flour. Divide the flour between two medium bowls and set aside.
In a medium bowl whisk together the Onion Ring Soak ingredients.
Separate your extra large onion into rings.
Dip each onion ring first into the Soaking Liquid, then into the Batter Flour shaking to remove excess, back into the soaking liquid and again into the Batter Flour shaking to remove excess once more. Place each battered ring on a Teflex Sheet Lined dehydrator tray.
Once all onions are battered, dehydrate on 135 F for 1st hour (Don't worry they'll still be raw as at this point they're throwing off water and the internal temp remains below 115) then turn down to 115F for 2 to 4 hours more, checking on them periodically, until reach desired crispness.*
Dust onion rings with smoked paprika to garnish.

*There is leeway as to how long you choose to dehydrate the onion rings. They're really delicious both a little moist and quite crunchy & everything in between. I like to remove them when the interior is still a bit moist resembling deep-fried consisency as we put the leftovers in the fridge and "reheat" them in the dehydrator the next day on 135F for 45 minutes which makes them warm and crispier allowing us to enjoy them both ways.

Creamy Garlic Aioli

Place all the aioli ingredients into your Vitamix and process until smooth and creamy.
Taste to adjust for seasonings and, if making in advance, add 1 or 2 Tbsp extra water for it to be a bit thinner than desired consistency as it will thicken considerably in the fridge.

Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Raw Vegan version? Comment below & I'll recreate it for you!

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

Like, Comment, *Subscribe* & Share!

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty

Strawberries-n-Cream “Nice-Cream” w Raw Brownie Topping (Banana Ice-Cream)

Strawberries-n-Cream Nice-cream with raw fudge brownie topping. Heaven.

Strawberries-n-Cream "Nice-Cream" with Raw Fudge Brownie Topping tastes too good to be true. So incredibly delicious on a hot summer day… Sweet, creamy goodness topped with chunks of rich chocolate brownie.

How did we get SO lucky?!

Proving once again…

we CAN have our

Smooth,

Rich,

Delectably sweet

"Nice-Cream" …

AND our

Moist,

Chewy,

Dark Chocolate

Brownies

& eat them too

AND devour every last delectable bite

with

absolutely. no. guilt.

Strawberries-n-Cream "Nice"-Cream with Raw Fudge Brownie Topping… um YUM!

In fact this luscious treat is a powerful meal like no other. Brimming with…

protein (walnuts, almonds, bananas)
heart, skin & brain boosting omega-3's (walnuts)
blood pressure stabilizing potassium (bananas)
antioxidants galore (walnuts, almonds, strawberries & cacao)
mood-boosting PEA (cacao)
bone building calcium & magnesium (almonds, bananas)
high levels of depression banishing & memory enhancing tryptophan (bananas)
prebiotics, natural antacid & blood sugar stabilization (bananas)
iron (cacao, bananas)
fiber (almonds, walnuts, bananas, strawberries)
folic acid, magnesium, riboflavin, Vitamin E & tocopherols (almonds)
anthocyanins, which stimulate burning of stored fat & boost short term memory by 100% over 8 weeks (strawberries)
C-reactive protein (aka inflammation) lowering power (strawberries)
biotin to build strong hair & nails, & ellagic acid to protect elastic fibers in our skin to prevent sagging (strawberries)

And that's just the tip of the 'Nice'-berg! The astonishing benefits of this deceptively delicious meal go on and on. However, let's get straight to the recipe before our tastebuds go crazy from all that drooling 🙂

So simple.

unbelievably delicious.

fabulous for our bodies, minds & soul 🙂

Strawberries -n- Cream Nice-Cream makes us beautiful from the inside out!

This is my submission to Healthy Living Blogs for this weeks Favorite Summer Recipe Roundup and to Tinned Tomatoes for July's Recipe Bookmark.

Recipe for Strawberries-n-Cream "Nice – Cream" with Raw Brownie Topping

(serves 2)

Strawberries-n-Cream "Nice-Cream"

Ingredients

5 or 6 reaaaaallly ripe frozen bananas *TIP be sure to peel your nanas before you freeze them!
1 to 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries

Method

Blend all the bananas in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix, using tamper.
Scrape 3/4 of the mixture out of blender and set aside.
Add strawberries to remaining vanilla mixture to create a beautiful light-pink hue.
Layer into serving bowls/glasses in 3 layers, starting with a bit of vanilla "Nice-Cream" then the strawberry "Nice-Cream", ending with the rest of the vanilla "Nice-Cream" on top.

*This simplified recipe is absolutely fabulous as is. However, if you so desire, feel free to add some vanilla powder to the vanilla-cream base, & even some fresh, peeled lemon – yes, that's right, lemon! I love adding the lemon for a delish freshness you can't quite detect + more vitamin C power & it keeps the ice-cream from oxidizing too!

Raw Fudge Brownie Topping

Ingredients

1/2 cup walnuts (preferably soaked & sprouted scroll 1/2 way down link for instructions ~> here )
1/2 cup almonds (preferably soaked & sprouted scroll 1/2 way down link for instructions ~> here )
1 or 2 heaping Tblsp Cacao
7 or 8 pitted dates halved to assist food processor
pinch of sea salt
cinnamon to taste
vanilla powder to taste (if subbing vanilla extract instead, adjust amount of water added below)

Method

Pulse all the above ingredients in a food processor until well blended adding a Tbsp or 2 of water to moisten mixture so that it sticks together in a firm yet sticky mass.
Scrape mixture out and mold into one large rectangle using a pan to make it easier, or, alternatively, roll into balls.
Place in freezer for 15 minutes to set.
Cut into pieces to your liking, and top off Nice-Cream sundaes. Store leftovers in freezer.

Enjoy!

How is your Summer going?

Have you tried anything new (holistic health/food/art related or not) this Summer? I'm still learning about wild edibles, adding all the various types we've planted to our daily green drinks & salads. delish. and unbelievably energizing. And, at this point I can say I have become 100% Raw Vegan without even aiming for it. No more detoxing is occurring for me now- and that's a statement I once wondered if I'd ever be able to make! Here's to becoming a clean, mean detoxified machine 🙂

Another thing new I'm into is no more air conditioning! There's nothing like falling asleep to the soft, cool night breeze on my face, the sounds of owls, rustling leaves or a patter of rain in the night… awakening to the beautiful chorus of birds each morning. Bringing the outside in brings us in touch with the rhythms of the Earth, the Universe. That unity. experiencing the ebb and flow of temperatures throughout the day. no resistance. the night cools, the morning warmth. and the heat of the afternoon…

Are you reading anything you're loving? I'm loving The Essential Rumi. wow. on par with Shakespeare.

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

Like, Comment, Subscribe & Share!

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

Cheezy “Steak Fries”

Cheezy "Steak Fries" in all their glory

Who says "fries" have to be deep fried potatoes? These Cheezy "Steak Fries" are simply delicious. They deliver on so many levels. For starters, they're just beautiful to look at. Then you pick one up… biting into that yummy, cheesy coating amped up with the perfect kick of spice, enjoying the fantastic contrast of their ever-so-sweet interior – crisp & juicy – a beautifully unexpected pairing to their deliciously complex jackets. Satisfying and addictive. Yes, such a combo exists. As in, every time you open the fridge you'll be smiling at that other half of jicama, knowing you'll be turning it into another platter of Cheezy "Steak Fries" the very next day.

What to serve with your Cheezy Fries? I like them alongside a side salad or this thick, creamy milkshake 🙂 Now those are amazing combos we can feel great about!

This recipe has been submitted to Jacqueline at Tinned Tomatoes for June bookmarked recipes & to

the Root Vegetable No Waste Food Challenge at Turquoise Lemons.

Recipe for Cheezy "Steak Fries" (1 large serving or 2 small)

Ingredients:

1/2 large jicama
1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 ounce (2 Tbsp) sesame seeds
1 ounce (2 Tbsp) pepitas
braggs sea kelp delight seasoning
a few shakes of dried garlic
few shakes cayenne
himalyan salt to taste (don't be shy tho!)
turmeric
black pepper
nutritional yeast powder (if you have nutritional flakes instead of powder, just add the flakes to your spice grinder along with the pepitas.)
smoked paprika for garnish

Method:

Remove the outer peel of the 1/2 jicama. Slice into thick fry shapes as pictured above.
Place fries in a large bowl and toss with 1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil until well coated.
Place 2 Tbsp sesame seeds into a spice grinder and pulse or whiz until fine. (It's important to grind the sesame first by itself as sesame tends not to grind up when amongst other larger stuff.) Dump sesame into a separate, medium bowl. Next, add pepitas, several shakes of braggs kelp seasoning, dried garlic, cayenne, himalayan salt, turmeric & black pepper into spice grinder and whiz until fine. Pour into the medium bowl with the ground sesame. Stir a liberal amount of nutritional yeast into the bowl until all the ingredients are well combined to create your cheesy coating.
Pour the cheesy mixture into the large bowl containing the fries and toss until well coated. Garnish with a little dried paprika if desired – it adds that toasty, browned affect + more yum flavor!
Save any extra cheesy coating for the other half of jicama the next day. Or use as a delicious salad topper!

Enjoy!

Have you started any Spring activities yet this year? We've been planning and preparing the garden. Jim has made it look amazing! We're doing lots of new things this year from dandelion greens, (yes, that's right- for juicing. Plus the tops are the richest plant source of lecithen. No more shelling out big bucks for dandelion greens at the grocery) purslane and nettles plus a flowering wall of nasturtiums. I've been envisioning the nasturtium wall for a few years now and am SO excited we're finally doing it. We'll be using the nasturtiums as our substitute for cleansing cilantro since these two plants have similar properties and flavor, however, the nasturtiums are so much more beautiful and incredibly easy to grow! I'm absolutely fascinated by living food nutrition, wildcrafting, and the beautiful recipes one can make with these highly nutritious, wild edible and medicinal plants. Feel free to check out Turtle Lake Refuge in Colorado, for a look at their awesome celebration of the connection between personal health and wild lands. Meantime, back at the ranch here this Spring, the weather has been quite all over the place, with a gorgeous snow fall just three days ago and 6o's expected this weekend.

Do you have any gardening plans?

What are your favorite Spring activities?

All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting!

Like, Comment, Subscribe & Share!

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness

Light-n-Crispy Chia Crackers

Fresh Cracked Pepper & Sea Salt Chia Cracker topped with home-made sauerkraut, mung sprouts, avocado & Dijon.

Light-n-Crispy Chia Crackers are perfection for SO many reasons…

Nutritional powerhouse
Boasting the richest vegetable source of beautifying omega-3's
Major calcium power (more calcium by weight than whole milk!)
Antioxidant rich (giving chia a shelf life of over 2 years!)
Packed with complete protein (all 9 essential amino acids!)
Fueling long lasting energy (Chia's slow conversion of carbohydrate in to sugar in the body provides a constant stream of energy)
Brimming with cleansing, satiating fiber
Oh so crunchy, crispy & light &
Totally customizable to suit your mood!

I've made both savory and sweet varieties including Sea Salt & Fresh Cracked Pepper, Garlic & Herb and Cinnamon-Vanilla Crisps. Even a fantastic Cheesy Jalapeno Dippers version (Which I hope to share soon- great with fresh nut cheese & salsa!) Depending how thick you spread the mixture you can make these thicker like crackers or super duper thin into airy crisps (my fav). I store my Chia Crackers & Crisps in an airtight baggie in the pantry to have on hand whenever a snacking mood strikes.

Slice up some banana to top Cinnamon-Vanilla Crisps. Or…

Avocado to top a few Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper Crackers.

I love breaking the Cinnamon-Vanilla Crisps into a bowl with fresh nut milk, bananas & organic molasses for a protein, calcium, iron & omega 3 rich breakfast .

As always the options are endless and ridiculously simple. It's all up to your mood and imagination!

Let me know your favorite twist!

Recipe for Light-n-Crispy Chia Crackers

Equipment

Dehydrator (I like the Excalibur) If you don't own a dehydrator, try using your oven on the lowest setting with the door propped open.

Ingredients

1 Cup Chia Seeds
5 Cups Filtered Water
Sea Salt to taste
Optional: Fresh chopped herbs & spices. For a sweet variation try vanilla, cinnamon + your favorite sweetener, or cacao, maca, cinnamon, vanilla + sweetener. A chai flavor can be achieved with ginger, cardamom, clove &/or star anise and even a bit of dried tea ground together in spice grinder + sweetener. All of these sweet varieties delicious with a cup of tea in the afternoon 🙂

Method

Mix the 1 cup chia, 5 cups water (yes that's right, 5 cups – chia holds up to 10 times it's own weight in water) and sea salt to taste together in a large bowl. (If you plan to add any optional savory or sweet additions mix them in at step 1 as well.)
Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes until a thick gel has formed
Spread onto teflex sheets of your dehydrator as thick or thinly as you choose. Don't be worried about going too thin- the crisps hold together beautifully.
Optional: score the crackers or crips with a knife so that they break apart uniformly- or just leave as one mass and break apart when finished for an artisinal look which is just as yummy and easier too!
Dehydrate on 115 for several hours (amount of time depends on the humidity of the season, where you live etc. so check on them periodically to determine when the top is dry) then flip to dry the other side (just place another sheet on top and flip, then peel off the top layer of teflex)

Add your favorite toppings or enjoy as is!

What is your favorite way to enjoy Chia?

Have you ever owned a chia pet?!

Much Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting!

Like, Comment, Subscribe & Share!

Food

Chop-Chop Salad

Chop-Chop Salad by Mimi Kirk

This delicious Chop-Chop Salad recipe from my personal role-model, the gorgeous Raw Food Chef, Mimi Kirk (click on her name for an amazing video), is the perfect crisp, refreshing meal for a Summer evening. The tangy dressing is absolutely phenomenal- rich and creamy with a zippy zest I just love. In fact, I find the dressing so tasty I also like to let it shine on it's own as a delectable sauce over a beautiful plate of yellow squash spaghetti (I prefer yellow squash over zucchini for my raw vegan version of spaghetti).

Please enjoy this tantalizing recipe!

Ingredients:

(Feel free to substitute in the vegetables you have on hand or whatever is in season)

1/2 yellow squash
1/2 zucchini
4 stalks asparagus
1 cup broccoli
7 string beans
1/2 parsnip
1-2 small carrot
1 cup red cabbage
1/2 turnip
1/4 fennel bulb
Fresh whole herbs such as mint, tarragon, sorrel, and dill for garnish

Dressing

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup tahini
¼ bunch of fresh parsley
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup cashews
3–4 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup coconut aminos or gluten free tamari
Himalayan salt to taste
Freshly milled pepper
2–3 tablespoons maple syrup or sweetener of choice
1 tablespoon or less water, added slowly while blending if thinning is necessary

Method

Chop all vegetables into small, even pieces. (Feel free to substitute in the vegetables you have on hand or whatever is in season.)
Add dressing ingredients to a blender & blend until smooth.
Place all salad ingredients into a large bowl and add desired amount of dressing. (I used it all, it depends on the amount/size of your veg)
For beautiful plating, use a ring mold or, an empty 8 oz. can with top and bottom removed. Pack the salad into the ring, pressing down firmly. Slowly lift up the can while pushing the salad down with a spoon, leaving a cylindrical stack of salad in the middle of the plate. Garnish with a sprig of dill, tarragon or mint.
Best served chilled.

Check out Mimi's two beautiful cookbooks at her website YoungOnRawFood.

How is your Summer going?

Lots of love,

xoxo

Juliane

You may also enjoy: Dearest Pasta Alfredo, It's been way too long…

If you liked this post say thanks by sharing.

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness

Creamy Cauliflower “Mashed Potatoes”

Creamy Cauliflower "Mashed Potatoes"

Who doesn't love the rich, creamy comfort of a bowl of mashed potatoes? Here's a delicious take on the classic that will keep our taste buds singing and our waistlines, hips & thighs slim and sleek. Oh, not to mention this recipe is fabulous for our skin, hair, nails, heart and digestion too! Here are just a few of the amazing nutritional bennies of our lovely friend Cauliflower…

Cauliflower is an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid and vitamins C and K, which, when combined with lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates, are linked to a lower likelihood of wrinkles and dry skin according to a 2007 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Cauliflower contains other important antioxidant phytonutrients, such as beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, rutin, and kaempferol, all of which work together to protect our body against free radicals and reduce the risk of diseases caused by oxidative stress, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and various infections. They are also important in slowing down the aging process.
It has high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, well-known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Cauliflower is an Excellent Detoxifier due to its sulfur-containing compounds called glucosinates which help our body get rid of toxins and carcinogens. After broccoli, cauliflower boasts the second highest content of glucosinates. Eating cauliflower can help prevent various types of cancer and cleanse our body of toxins.
It can help prevent heart diseases in many ways including via allicin, which reduces the risk of stroke and many cardiovascular disorders.
Cauliflower contains excellent anti cancer properties via compounds such as sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which have been found to reduce the risk of prostate, breast, cervical, colon and ovarian cancers. One Canadian study has shown the consumption of ½ cup of cauliflower/day may cut risk of prostate cancer by over 50%.

I enjoy this simple and satisfying dish at least once a week. I'm certain you'll love it too 🙂

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes with Chives

Recipe for Creamy Cauliflower "Mashed Potatoes" (Makes 4-6 Servings)

Ingredients

1 Head Cauliflower broken into florettes
1/2 small clove Garlic
Coconut Milk or Almond Milk- to taste depending on how thick you like your mash (use less than you think as you don't want it to get too liquidy)
Sea Salt to taste
Fresh Ground Pepper to taste
1/4 tsp of fresh lemon juice (yes you read that right- you won't taste it & it adds a fab freshness)
Coconut Oil for garnish (optional – an option I go for always 🙂
Fresh snipped chives for garnish & zippy flavor pops

Method

Steam cauliflower and garlic over medium heat for about 8 minutes until a fork easily inserts into the side. (Be sure not to overcook as that causes it to get increasingly bitter, as well as lose nutrients)
Place steamed cauliflower, garlic & 1/4 tsp lemon juice into a food processor or heavy duty blender along with coconut milk. (Start with less than you think you need- as once the blender gets it all moving it will get surprisingly smooth & thin out quickly.)
Add sea salt and pepper to taste.
Process until mash is smooth and creamy. Check seasonings and adjust if necessary.
Pour into serving bowls and add a dallop of coconut oil for extra richness plus a sprinkling of snipped chives for some contrasting zip and green brightness. A little fleur de sel on top is always nice too:-)
Serve immediately (mashed cauliflower is best eaten immediately as it's pungency develops if it sits overnight)
Enjoy!

What's one of your favorite healthified recipe makeovers?

Do share with all of us 🙂

Lots of love,

XOXO

Juliane

PS. If you just can't give up your potato fix try my amaze lightened up Irish Style Colcannon Mashed Potatoes. SO much lighter & way better tasting than standard recipes.

If you liked this post, say thanks by sharing it.

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness

Creamy Chia Rice Pudding

Creamy Chia Rice Pudding

My silky Chia "Rice" Pudding is one of my favorite desserts or snacks- in fact I just had it this afternoon topped with a little extra virgin coconut oil and cacao nibs. SO delish! In the recipe below, I've shared a few tricks I use to make my version even better than other recipes you'll find. The result is a luxuriously comforting, creamy and rich dessert that takes less than five minutes to prepare. It's a cross between tapioca pudding, rice pudding and classic vanilla custard.

Chia seeds, best known for their role in animal shaped potted plants, rival flaxseeds for nutritional super status. In fact, I now use Chia instead of flax because flax has 3 times the phytoestrogenic properties of soy. In addition, the oils in flax oxidize very easily becoming rancid and biologically harmful when the oxygen–rich environment of the body causes oxidative destruction of these oils after they are consumed.(1) Chia on the other hand is extremely shelf stable allowing it to be kept for several years! Chia is also incredibly satiating because it holds up to 10-15 times it's own weight in water. And, it's very versatile in it's recipe application- not to mention amazing for our skin, hair, digestion, overall health and beauty.

See for yourself…

Check out these 18 awesome reasons to enjoy Chia every day!

1. Chia boasts 8 times more Omega 3 than salmon, making it a super food for the heart and brain and an anti-inflammatory in the body.

2. It's super high in dietary fiber making Chia excellent for digestion as well as healing digestive issues and cleansing the body of toxicity.

3. Chia boasts 20% protein.

4. Its protein is a complete protein containing all 8 essential amino acids.

5. Chia is a gluten free whole grain.

6. Chia is very high in antioxidants, boasting 4 times higher ORAC value than blueberries!

7. It contains 3 times more iron than spinach

8. Chia contains 5 times more calcium than milk

9. Chia contains 7 times more vitamin C than oranges

10. Chia is an excellent egg replacement. Simply combine with water to form a gel, and add to recipes that call for egg.

11. Chia can also be added to recipes as a thickener. Just blend it up (in your Vitamix) alongside the rest of your dressing or sauce ingredients.

12. It has twice the potassium content of banana

13. Chia is great food for healthy hair, skin and nails.

14. It balances blood sugar levels, because of it's soluble fiber content, making it outstanding for diabetics.

15. Chia is easily digestible. For example, unlike flax seeds, which need to be ground to obtain their full nutrition, chia can be eaten and digested whole.

16. Chia seeds are great for athletes because they are highly hydrophilic. Chia seeds can absorb over 10 times their weight in water making them a great enhancer in hydrating our bodies; they absorb the water we drink holding it in our system longer.

17. Chia seeds gel when wet. In our digestive systems, this gel prevents absorption of some of the food (and calories) we eat, making the chia seed a great assistant for anyone looking to lose weight!

18. Chia can be sprinkled on salads, cereals, oatmeal, smoothies, yogurt (dairy & soy free of course). They can be added to dressings, baked goods and, of course, made into the delicious chia pudding below!

My favorite type of Chia Seeds are the white ones below by The Chia Company. However, when I can't get those, I also enjoy the Nutiva brand.

From The Chia Company, my favorite Chia source

Recipe for Creamy Chia "Rice" Pudding (makes 1 large serving, or 2 small servings)

Ingredients

1/4 cup chia seeds
8 oz almond milk
Madagascar vanilla extract to taste (I like a lot)
liquid stevia to taste (I use 1 1/2 droppers full)
cinnamon (again, I use a lot!)
pinch of Himalayan or Celtic sea salt (optional)
heaping teaspoon cacao nibs (optional)
extra virgin coconut oil (optional)

Method

Add almond milk to a small, heavy-duty pot and gently warm til baby bottle temperature (to keep raw) or lightly steaming. This is the 1st of my tricks which result in an immediate thickening of the chia into a delicious porridgey pudding.
Whisk the vanilla, stevia and cinnamon into the milk.
In the meantime, grind chia seeds with a pinch of sea salt in a spice grinder until fine and place in serving bowl/s. (The second of my tricks which adds to the immediate thickening of the chia.) You may prefer to leave your chia seeds whole, in which case you'll need to stir the chia, after you add the milk in step 5 below, several times throughout a 15 min period until thickened. This will create more of a rice or tapioca pudding texture.
Pour steamed almond milk mixture over the seeds, whisking with a fork til thickened.
If desired, top with extra virgin coconut oil for additional yummy richness.
Add a sprinkling of cacao nibs for a fabulous chocolatey crunch- plus another sprinkling of powdered stevia/raw honey/coconut nectar over the nibs if you're me 🙂
Enjoy!!

What is your favorite way to eat Chia?

"Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind."

-Eric Hoffer

References:

1. http://integratedsupplements.typepad.com/integrated_supplements_bl/2008/05/some-reasons-to.html

If you liked this post, say thanks by sharing it.

Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness

Proper Food Combining: The Missing Cornerstone to a Healthy, Beautiful Body, Anti-aging & Energy? + my Cleansing Quadruple Berry Acai Smoothie

I promised to offer more information on the potential benefits of Proper Food Combining in my last nutrition post, The Secrets to Detoxing. Proper Food Combining may be the missing cornerstone to healthy eating and something we’ll want to understand if we’re interested in achieving and maintaining a beautiful, healthy body and mind for life. Entire books have been written upon these subjects so I must admit, attempting to write blog posts on them can feel rather daunting! However, I suppose that’s the benefit, condensing everything into the most important points so that you can save yourself the effort of sifting through reams of information and get to work applying these anti-aging, beautifying and energy enhancing secrets!

Proper Food Combining (1,2,3) may enable our bodies to process food efficiently and more effectively absorb the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. It’s based on the theory that different food groups require different digestion times and different digestive enzymes to aid in the digestive process: some acid, some alkaline. Therefore, correct food combinations are considered important for proper utilization and absorption of nutrients potentially leading to better digestion and ultimately, better health. Basically, the simpler the meal the better.

While the method is easy to follow, it’s certainly a far departure from the Standard American Diet (SAD). However, after just two weeks following the guidelines in the chart below, general emotional outlook and appearance can improve as toxins are cleared out of the system faster. Cravings are often eliminated- making it incredibly easy to stick to – while the immediate energy surge, effortless toning, melting away of excess body fat and glowing skin may serve as reinforcements against any ideas of going back to old habits!

I am continually shocked to learn the amazing wisdom available when I challenge what I find unacceptable… in this case the gut feeling I’d had all along that staying lean and feeling good shouldn’t be difficult. The constant battle against cravings, subpar energy levels etc., all stayed in place even though I was following the advice and workout recommendations of the most respected doctors and best-selling authors! Not that I wasn’t seeing major improvements along my journey – I was. However, until incorporating several aspects of proper food combining, it was all a little too effortful, requiring a level of will-power that wasn’t sustainable.

Here is where I really want to delve into the science of Proper Food Combining so you can understand the “how” behind it all. The chart (4) below offers an excellent summary for how to apply the results of all the science involved. And, since this will turn into a book if I explain every possible poor food combination, I’ve provided just two examples underneath the chart; what happens when we combine protein and carbohydrates, and how to consume fruit. Feel free to post specific questions in the comments below and I’ll be happy to answer them.

In the meantime, here’s a really simplified version that won’t put us all to sleep: Basically, when we improperly combine food, the environment required to digest it is compromised, for reasons such as improper levels of acidity, the wrong or inhibited enzymes, improper levels of digestive acid etc.. The result is the body’s inability to digest the food, causing it to putrify, ferment, produce gas and ultimately create a digestive, toxic nightmare. This scenario zaps our energy and turns any preexisting nutritive benefits into an age-accelerating, weight gain producing horror. The terrific news is, simply changing the way we eat can immediately reverse all that. As I stressed in my last post, the best way to transition into a cleansing lifestyle is gradually, so it’s ok and normal that we’ll have a learning/implementation curve. As always, we NEVER need to be perfect 🙂

(Click on chart to enlarge)

Examples:

Protein and carbohydrate concentrated foods. Breakdown of protein requires an acid medium, therefore, digestion of protein dense animal products requires high levels of hydrochloric acid. Since digestion of carbohydrate dense foods requires exactly the opposite environment, an alkaline medium, in order to be broken down, high carbohydrate foods that have been mixed with high protein foods will not digest but will sit there fermenting, producing indigestion, bloating and gas. Since this fermentation of carbohydrates will inhibit the digestion of the protein, even more gas, bloating and discomfort will be produced. This makes the typical American meal, composed of a big chunk of meat alongside bread and potatoes, a recipe for digestive disaster.

Fruits. Fruit digests very quickly. It’s extremely cleansing and excellent to eat at breakfast, while the body is still in cleansing mode after a night of fasting. Always eat fruit on an empty stomach such as at the beginning of the day. Otherwise, the fruit will get backed up behind another slower digesting food, and will sit in the stomach putrefying, turning what was once a cleansing, beautifying cocktail of nutrition into a toxic, aging, energy drain. I’ll go into further detail in a future post on how this resulting “toxic sludge” gets permanently baked into the body’s 98.6F environment- just one reason cleansing requires an ongoing lifestyle in order to remove years of toxicity from the body.

I will continue to expand upon the applications of Food Combining in my next post where I’ll include a sample daily menu following these guidelines. In the meantime, my incredibly delicious Quadruple Berry Acai Smoothie followed an hour later by this energizing superfood Macaccino drink, are giving my mornings a powerful start 🙂

Cleansing Quadruple Berry Acai Smoothie

Recipe for Cleansing Quadruple Berry Acai Smoothie (Makes 2, 32 oz servings)

Ingredients:

1/2 fresh lemon
10 oz fresh or frozen blackberries
10 oz fresh or frozen blueberries
10 oz fresh or frozen strawberries
2 frozen, unsweetened, acai packets (Pronounced ah-sah-yee, acai berries come from acai palm trees found in Central & South America. They’re touted as being a superfood for anti-aging, weight loss & overall health. If you can’t find Acai, substitute 1/4 cup dried Goji berries or just use fresh or frozen raspberries.)
2 tablespoons pomegranate concentrate, or sub a sprinkling of fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2″ of fresh ginger root (a fabulous anti-inflammatory which also aids in digestion!)
your favorite sweetener to taste

Method:

Place all ingredients into a Vitamix Blender.
Fill almost to top with water.
Process until thoroughly blended.
Pour into two 32 oz mason jars and enjoy the GLOW!!

PS. Don’t forget to post any questions you have in the comments below. I’m happy to do my best to answer them all. Also, thank you so much for all the amazing emails you sent me regading StyleNectar and my new Fine Art website too! I really appreciate the love. You all are AMAZING!

In grace, light and presence

Love 💕

~Jayashrii

Live Beautifully

Be well

Jayashrii (Juliane) 💫

(Jayashrii is my Sanskrit Yogic name given by my teacher in India)

Set up Holistic Life & Wellness Coaching

Join my Saturday Zoom Yoga Classes~> All Levels Yoga Flow with Jayashrii

Join my Monthly Yoga Nidra~> Manifesting Your Deepest Heart’s Desire

Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!

Thank you for visiting!

Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share

Sources:

1. How to Always be Well by Dr. William Howard Hay

2. Fit for Life by Harvey Diamond

3. Food Combining Made Easy, Herbert Shelton

4. http://lytnyc.com/pdfs/foodComboChart_03.09.11.pdf

I am not a healthcare practitioner or provider. To the extent that any information is provided through this website, it is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute or substitute for medical advice or counseling, the practice of medicine including but not limited to psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy or the provision of health care diagnosis or treatment, the creation of a physician-patient or clinical relationship, or an endorsement, a recommendation or a sponsorship of any third party, product or service by me. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements available on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

If you liked this post, say thanks by sharing it.