My Deliciosly Devine Dessert Porn
Monday, March 19, 2012
Cleanse Update...
I thought I would take a few moments to occasionally update you on the progress of my spring cleanse. I decided to start today instead of Wednesday, which was my original plan because I felt inspired to begin this morning. I will still create my Spring Equinox/Ostara meal for my family and we will all celebrate the arrival of spring together but I will have juice instead of the meal. I won't feel left out because I'll enjoy every moment of creating it.
Today I had lemon water and cayenne pepper for breakfast and a wonderful smoothie of mango, pineapple, strawberries, peaches and banana for lunch. I have drank many, many glasses of water. I did my yoga and meditation practice outside on the deck, in the sunshine (the Maine weather right now is absolutely glorious!) and then went to the 4:30 class where Amy proceeded to wring me out! Talk about detoxing...I haven't sweat that much in a long time. It felt amazing. I am now drinking more water and contemplating either more lemon, cayenne pepper water or a green smoothie for dinner. I feel great. Day one, energy is good, mentally I am alert and not at all spacey and hunger is not bad at all.
If you have begun a cleanse I hope you are doing equally well. Try to enjoy this process and remember, listen to your own body!
Welcoming Spring!
Whether you are celebrating the Spring Equinox, Ostara or Easter your feast should be grand as you welcome in the Spring. We have had such a long and dismal winter that I am ready for Spring in a really big way. Fresh warm air, green grass, colorful flowers and delicious fruits and vegetables are all on my mind. Keep in mind which fruits and veggies are in season and freshest as you prepare your celebration menu.
Lots of Fresh flowers and pretty spring colors will help set the tone for your celebration. Delicious and colorful fruity juices and spritzers are good choices for beverages. For the main dish a vegetable quiche or frittata would be very appropriate. Traditionally they would both be made with eggs which are a symbol of rebirth. As vegans our menu will fore go the eggs but still hold the same symbolization. To go along side the "egg" dish maybe a nice whole grain pilaf with dried apricots, cranberries and pine nuts, a wonderful leafy salad with baby spinach and strawberries, and roasted asparagus with garlic and herbs. Of course a freshly baked whole grain bread would be a welcome addition to any celebration. For dessert a spicy-sweet carrot cake and some light and delicious lavender cookies would be good choices, as well as chocolates and other types of candy.
Last year I did in fact make a veggie frittata and I think I will do the same this year. I am craving asparagus so it will definitely be on the menu. I also may make the carrot cake but without the cheesecake filling, although unbelievably delicious, definitely more work.
Welcome Spring Salad
4 big handfuls fresh salad greens (any kind that you love)
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup thinly sliced almonds
2 avocados, pitted and thinly sliced
1/3 cup kalamata olives (pitted and halved)
2 juicy mandarin oranges (peeled and segmented)
Dressing -
juice from 1 to 2 mandarin oranges (2 T juice)
2 T olive oil
1 T fresh lemon juice or rice wine vinegar (lemon juice give a brighter, more spring like flavor)
1/2 T agave or sweetener of your choice
1 small clove garlic, minced
1/4 t sea salt and fresh black pepper
Whisk all dressing ingredients together, taste and adjust if desired. Some people prefer a bit more sweetness or a bit more tartness. Set aside.
Place greens in a large bowl. Add remaining salad ingredients and a splash of dressing and toss gently. Taste, add more dressing if desired and toss again, gently.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The Health Benefits of a Vegan Diet
Dr T. Colin Campbell
Dr. Michael Klaper
Dr. Neil Barnard
Dr John McDougall
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Choice to Remove Toxic People From Our Lives
Spring is a time of new beginnings. A time for evaluating what is working for us and what isn't. What it is that makes us happy and what doesn't. What's important and what's not. What is causing more harm than good. It is with these thoughts in mind that, like spring, the following blog post sprung.
We’ve all had at least one, probably many more, toxic people in our lives. Whether it be a friend, co-worker, or family member, when they’re around you feel anxious, tense or just plain bad. Over the past couple of years I have made the conscious decision to eliminate these types of people from my life. Life is too short to spend it with people that don’t have your best interests at heart and honestly drain the life out of you.
When contemplating ending a toxic relationship you must first realize that these people are experts in manipulative tactics. They've most likely learned and honed these skills from a very young age and are true manipulating masters. In the beginning you might not even realize you’re being manipulated. They very skillfully use this ability to get what they want. Keep this in mind if you are trying to put distance in the relationship and they keep pulling you back. They are very often bullies and liars as well. Once you’ve realized that so much of what they have told you is base on lies it makes the breaking of ties that much easier. Some are angry and confrontational. That was the final straw in ending a toxic relationship in my families life. Prior to this particular incident I had only seen that behavior directed at others. It was more than enough to make me realize that, family or not, this is not acceptable behavior…ever.
Sometimes, with certain people, you may feel compelled to give them a second chance. Maybe they’ve apologized, promised to be honest, less hateful, or what ever the case may be. Others may have not realized how negative, hateful or draining they were and truly wish to change. With some toxic people a second chance may be possible but with many others there is no chance of a healthy relationship. These people feel they’re right, and that they’ve always been right. They will not change because they have no desire to do so. They enjoy being a bully, intimidating others, causing emotional drama, judging, gossiping and hating. It is who they are and it serves a purpose in their lives. In these circumstances, my advice to you is - cut them out of your life and don’t look back. Don’t feel guilty over this decision because in reality they’ve made it themselves. Just like you make a conscious decision to live a life based on true friendships, love, sharing, kindness and caring, they choose not to make those things a priority in their lives. It’s their choice ultimately.
This decision can be a very difficult one to make. There are often extenuating circumstances that come into play that keep us in a toxic relationship. Look out for your own emotional well being and do what you feel in your heart is the right thing to do. I truly hope this has been helpful to you.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Recipes for the Seven Day Cleanse
Green Juice -
handful of romaine lettuce (or 4 to 5 large leaves)
handful of kale (or 4 to 5 large leaves)
handful of baby spinach
2 Granny Smith apples
2 pears
1 lg cucumber
1 yellow pepper
sm handful of fresh parsley
thumb size piece of fresh ginger
small lemon
Juice according to the directions for your juicer. You could also process with a powerful blender but it will be thicker and less juice like. Basically it will look like sludge but still fill you up and give you the same nutritional benefits
Green Smoothie -
1 Granny Smith apple
1 pear
1 banana
1 small handful of kale
1 cucumber
a small piece of ginger if desired
Process in blender until smooth.
Large Salad
1 large bunch of salad greens (choose your favorites)
any combination of the following fresh raw veggies-
red bell pepper
cucumber
tomato
broccoli
cauliflower
onions
scallions
any sprout
celery
carrots
shredded cabbage
fennel
pea shoots
mushrooms
chopped fresh herbs
You may also add a bit of avocado, chopped nuts, sliced almonds, sunflower, pumpkin, flax or hemp seeds.
Dress your salad with either lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar, and if desired, a bit of olive or flax oil.
Noodles with Peanut Sauce
4 medium zucchinis, spiralized or shaved noodle thin (think fettuccine)
Sauce-
1/2 cup all natural, unsweetened peanut butter (may substitute with almond butter)
1 T fresh ginger
3 cloves garlic
2 lg dates (pitted)
1 sm serrano chili (usually pretty mild but cut out seeds and pith or leave out entirely if desired)
1 1/2 T tamari or Bragg's liquid aminos
1 T fresh lemon juice
1 T rice vinegar
1/4 - 1/2 t sesame oil
Process all sauce ingredients in food processor until smooth. Add water as needed to reach the desired thickness (usually up to 1/4 cup ).
Pour sauce over noodles and mix gently.
Asian Slaw
1 small head napa cabbage (shredded)
2 lg carrots (shredded)
1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced )
1 1/5 t olive oil
1 1/5 t sesame oil
1 T rice vinegar
2 t tamari or Bragg's liquid aminos
1 date, pitted
1/4 t red pepper flakes
Place cabbage, carrots and peppers in a large bowl and toss gently to combine.
Make dressing -
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until date is completely incorporated. Pour over salad and toss gently to combine.
Hummus with Collard Leaf Wrap
Basic Hummus
2 cups chickpeas or one 16 oz can (use Eden Brand)
3 T fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 T tahini
2 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
up to 1/4 cup chickpea cooking liquid or liquid from the can of chickpeas
Process all ingredients except cooking liquid, in food processor. Add liquid as needed to reach the desired thickness
1 Collard green per wrap
cut of the bulky part of the stem so that it will be easier to wrap
Vegetables - Use any of the veggies that are on the large Salad list
Place a scoop of hummus in the center of collard leaf and then add what ever veggies you desire. Be careful not to over fill.
Fold leaf from left to middle, right to middle and then roll as if you were making a spring roll.
Beautiful and delicious.
Quinoa Stuffed Red Pepper
1 1/3 cup water (add a pinch of sea salt)
1 bay leaf
2/3 cup quinoa, rinsed
4 medium red bell peppers
3 med. carrots, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 T olive oil
2 T pignoli nuts or sunflower seeds
2 t parsley (dried or 1 1/2 T fresh)
1/2 t basil (dried)
1/2 t oregano (dried)
1/4 t thyme (dried)
1/8 t marjoram (dried)
1/2 t sea salt
dash cayenne pepper
Cook quinoa - In a small saucepan, bring water and bay leaf to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat, cover and let simmer for 12-15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove bay leaf.
Cut peppers in half lengthwise and discard seeds.
Heat oven to 350f
In a large skillet, over med to med-high heat, saute the carrots, onions and garlic in oil until tender. Add quinoa, pignoli nuts or sunflower seeds and seasonings. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until everything is heated through. Scoop mixture into pepper halves. Place in an oiled baking pan Bake, uncovered for 25- 35 minutes or until peppers are tender.
Sauteed Kale
1 lb kale - washed and chopped (allow some water to cling to leaves)
1 1/2 T olive oil
1/2 cup water
2 cloves garlic (minced)
sea salt and black pepper
In a large skillet, heat 1 T oil over medium heat. Add kale, tossing gently, allow to cook until bright green, about 1 minute. Add water, reduce heat to low and cover and cook, stirring occasionally until the kale is tender, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove kale from pan. Add the remaining 1/2 T oil and garlic to the pan and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add kale back to pan. Stir gently to combine add sea salt and black pepper to taste.
Veggie Sushi
you will need a bamboo sushi mat for this recipe
2 - 3 cup cooked short-grain brown rice
2 T rice vinegar
1 t tamari or bragg's liquid aminos
4 sheets nori
1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded, cut into matchsticks
1/2 carrot, cut into matchsticks
1/2 avocado, thinly sliced
While rice is still warm, place in a not metal bowl and add the vinegar and tamari. mix well.
Tip - Keeping a bowl of water close by and wetting your fingers while handling the rice will keep it from sticking to your fingers.
Place plastic wrap over bamboo rolling mat (makes clean up easier) Place a sheet of nori on mat and cover with rice, pressing it firmly to the edges. It should be a thin layer. Leave about an inch at the side closest to you for the fillings. Now add the veggies. It is easy to over fill so be wary. A few carrots, cukes and a slice or two of avocado should be plenty. To roll the nori, tightly fold the filling edge over and use the bamboo mat to slowly roll it up and away from you, being careful not to roll your plastic or mat into the roll. You'll get the hang of it quickly. After you've rolled your sushi, wrap the mat around it and press firmly around it to secure the edge. If it doesn't seem to be sealing well add a bit of water to the edge of the nori. Dip your sharp knife into water and cut into 6 or 8 slices.
Miso Soup
4 cups of water
2-1/2 T mellow white miso paste
1/2 cup extra-firm tofu (diced)
1/2 cup mung bean sprouts
4 lg button mushrooms, sliced
In a med. saucepan, bring water and mushrooms to a boil, remove from heat. Place miso in a small bowl or cup, and add 3 T of the hot water to the miso. Whisk until it makes a smooth paste. Pour miso mixture into the saucepan, stir until evenly distributed. Place pan back on a low heat and bring to a simmer, and add tofu and bean sprouts. simmer gently for a couple of minutes until heated through.
1 cup raw almonds or cashews
3/4 cup roughly chopped carrots
2 lg white mushrooms
1 shallot
1 T fresh lemon juice
1/2 t sea salt
fresh black pepper to taste
Place carrots in food processor and process until finely chopped. Add remaining ingredients and process until it forms a nice pate.
Use as a snack with rice cakes or with crudites or by the scoop full on a salad. Can also be added with other fillings to a collard leaf wrap.
Tofu Salad
1 block xtra-firm tofu
1/4 med onion, finely diced
1/2 cup grated carrot
1 sm stalk celery, finely diced
2 T chopped pickle or pickle relish (use no sugar added, all natural pickles or relish )
1 T whole grain mustard
1/4 cup vegan mayo
1/4 cup sliced almonds (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
Place tofu in a med bowl. With a fork or your hands mash the tofu.
Add the remaining ingredients and mix gently to combine.
1 Collard green per wrap
cut of the bulky part of the stem so that it will be easier to wrap
Vegetables - Use any of the veggies that are on the large Salad list
Place a scoop of tofu salad in the center of collard leaf and then add what ever veggies you desire. Be careful not to over fill.
Fold leaf from left to middle, right to middle and then roll as if you were making a spring roll.
Tempeh Stroganoff
1 block of tempeh or half block of tofu (cut into cubes)
1/2 lb mushrooms (clean and cut into quarters)
1 med. onion (diced)
2 T olive oil
3 T tahini
2 cups water
2 T arrowroot mixed with 2 T cold water
1/2 cup peas (frozen is fine)
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
Heat oil in a large skillet over med-high heat. Saute onions and mushrooms until softened, about ten minutes. Add the tempeh or tofu, cook until completely heated through. Add water and tahini and stir well. Taste and season with sea salt and black pepper as desired. Add arrowroot slurry and stir until mixture thickens. Add peas and stir until heated through. Serve with, brown rice, millet, quinoa, or sweet potato fries (very nontraditional ; )
Sweet Potato Fries
3 large sweet potatoes, cut into thick fries
1 T olive oil (plus oil to oil the pan)
1/2 -1 t salt
Fresh black pepper to taste *
Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees, oil a baking sheet.
In a large bowl, toss together all ingredients until potatoes are evenly coated.
Place potatoes on a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes (flipping half way through) or until golden and slightly crispy.
*you may add other seasonings if desired, cumin, cayenne pepper, garam masala...use your imagination
Kale Salad
1 lunch bunch kale, washed and chopped (about 6 cups)
1 small onion, minced
dressing -
1 clove garlic, minced
3 T olive oil
juice from 1/2 of a fresh juicy lemon (about 1 1/2 to 2 T )
1/2 t sea salt
1 carrot, shredded
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup sliced almonds
fresh black pepper to taste
Combine kale and onion in a large bowl. Add dressing ingredients to kale and massage well with your hands. Allow to marinate for at least an hour at room temperature.
Add carrots, avocado, and almonds. Season with pepper to taste.
Kung Pao Tofu.
1 1/2 cups brown rice (short grain)
3 cups water
Sauce -
4 1/2 T tamari
3 lg cloves garlic
1 heaping T ginger
1 date (pitted)
2 t arrowroot power
1 t crush red pepper flakes
3/4 cup water
1 lb tofu cut into 1/2 in cubes
1 T olive oil
2 onions, cut into thin strips
2 peppers, cut into thin strips
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced, on an angle
1/2 cup unsalted, roasted peanuts
Bring 3 cups water and brown rice to a bowl in a med pot, cover and reduced heat and let simmer for 50 minutes.
Add sauce ingredients to a food processor or blender and process until the date is complete incorporated. Set aside. Pour 1/4 cup of marinade over tofu cubes and mix gently. Set aside for 30 minutes or so for tofu to absorb the flavors. Slice the vegetables while tofu is marinading.
Once marinated, place tofu cubes in heated skillet with the 1 T oil. Saute until it starts to become golden. Remove tofu from pan and add vegetables. Saute until tender crisp, adding water if the vegetables start to stick. Once the vegetables are done add the tofu back to the pan. Then add remaining marinade. Stir gently as the mixtures heats and becomes thicker. Sprinkle with peanuts and serve over brown rice.
Fried Brown Rice
3 T olive oil, divided
1/2 block extra firm tofu
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup peas (frozen is fine)
1/2 cup corn (frozen is fine)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 slice ginger, minced
3 c. brown rice, cooked and cooled
1/4 cup tamari
Heat 1 1/2 T oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add tofu and cook until it is browned on all sides. Remove tofu and set aside. Add the onion, garlic and ginger to the pan, saute until the onions have softened. Add the peas and corn. Continue cooking until veggies are hot. Add the veggies to the tofu. Add the remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp. oil to the pan and turn the heat up to high. Add the brown rice, stirring frequently until all of the rice is hot. Add the reserved tofu and veggies back to the pan. Add tamari and stir until everything is well combined.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Spring is Almost Here - Time for a Cleanse!
After a long Maine winter I am so ready for spring. I long for the beautiful colors and my body craves the warmth of spring and summer. Maybe it is my Vata nature but winters are extremely hard for me. I will celebrate the changing of the season in my normal "Spring Equinox Feast" sort of way, but afterwards I will be doing a cleanse. I often like to a cleanse or fast with the changing of the seasons or whenever I feel the need. Sometimes you just feel a little sluggish and out of sorts and, for me at least, a 36 hour or longer fast can can be healing and rejuvenating.
7 Day Spring Cleanse -
This is not a fast. You will eat healthy foods and eliminate foods that can build up toxins in your body. I will list sample meals for a 7 day cleanse but feel free to continue for as long as you feel is necessary.
If you are cleansing for a particular reason, such a heavy metals or liver detox, I will add more information at the bottom of the post.
Basics -
eat organic
8 - 10 glasses of pure water every day
30 or more grams of fiber everyday
onions, garlic and cruciferous veggies are your friends- eat lots
drink fresh juices
no alcohol
avoid the microwave oven
avoid white flour, sugar, processed anything, food additives and preservatives, caffeine, and obviously animal products
avoid chemicals (cleaning products, paint, pesticides, hair spray, etc. )
no drugs unless they are prescribed by your physician
Remember, these are sample meals. You don't have to follow exactly. But they do give you an idea of what you should and shouldn't be eating. With that being said, the morning lemon water and breakfast are the same everyday so try to stay true to that part of the menu. The 7th day is more restrictive, if that doesn't work for you just pick your meals from the previous days. You may stop after seven days or continue on. If you are hungry at any point during the day, you may drink more green juice, eat crudites or a salad with fresh veggies. Fresh raw vegetables are wonderful.
____________________________________________________________
Day One -
Morning Lemon Water - Glass of warm water with the juice of one organic lemon
Breakfast - Fresh Green Juice or Green Smoothie
Lunch - Large Salad
Snack - Veggie (carrots, peppers, broccoli, celery, etc) with Unsweetened Raw Almond Butter
Dinner - Noodles with Peanut Sauce , Asian Slaw
Day Two -
Morning Lemon Water - Glass of warm water with the juice of one organic lemon
Breakfast - Fresh Green Juice or Green Smoothie
Lunch - Hummus with Collard Leaf Wrap and tons of Veggies
Snack - Fresh Green Juice
Dinner - Stuffed Pepper with Sauteed Kale
Day 3 -
Morning Lemon Water - Glass of warm water with the juice of one organic lemon
Breakfast - Fresh Green Juice or Green Smoothie
Lunch - Veggie Sushi with Miso soup
Snack - Rice cakes with Unsweetened Almond Butter
Dinner - Large Salad with Carrot Pate
Day 4 -
Morning Lemon Water - Glass of warm water with the juice of one organic lemon
Breakfast - Fresh Green Juice or Green Smoothie
Lunch - Tofu Salad Wrap with Collard Leaf and tons of veggies
Snack - Veggies with Hummus
Dinner - Fried Brown Rice and Tofu with Steamed Veggies
Day 5 -
Morning Lemon Water - Glass of warm water with the juice of one organic lemon
Breakfast - Fresh Green Juice or Green Smoothie
Lunch - Large Salad
Snack - Cup of Miso Soup
Dinner - Tempeh Stroganoff with Brown Rice or Sweet Potato Fries
Day 6 -
Morning Lemon Water - Glass of warm water with the juice of one organic lemon
Breakfast - Fresh Green Juice or Green Smoothie
Lunch - Large Kale Salad
Snack - Rice cakes with Unsweetened Almond Butter
Dinner - Kung Pao Tofu with Brown Rice
Day 7 -
Morning Lemon Water - Glass of warm water with the juice of one organic lemon
Breakfast - Fresh Green Juice or Green Smoothie
Lunch - Fresh Green Juice or Green Smoothie
Snack - Fresh Green Juice
Dinner - Large Salad or Fresh Green Juice or Green Smoothie
____________________________________________________________
Recommendations for particular types of Detoxes -
Heavy Metal -
A cup of miso soup everyday is beneficial as miso helps clean radioactive substances from the body.
2 teaspoons of Cilantro pesto everyday. Cilantro is one of natures best natural chelators.
Cilantro Pesto
1 clove garlic
½ cup raw almonds, cashews, or other nuts
1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
6 tablespoons olive or flaxseed oil
sea salt to taste
Lemon water every morning (don't skip this), also beet juice, carrot juice and dandelion tea, lots of raw veggies as often as possible, and small portions of sea vegetables every day. Adding a cup of miso soup everyday is very beneficial as miso alkalanizes the blood. Burdock Root also is a good blood cleanser. It is alkalanizing and highly mineralized. You can add cook it like carrots in soups or stews or make a tea ( 1-3 times a week)
umeboshi plums also help to detoxify the liver. Use it as a condiment or add a bit of umeboshi paste to warm water and drink as a tea.
Fat Disolving -
Eat plenty of radishes, daikon radishes, turnips, onions, green onions, leeks and shitake mushrooms.
Daikon Condiment
Anti-Cancer -
Dietary fat should be less than 15% (shouldn't be an issue in this cleanse but good to know as a general rule)
50 to 85% percent raw foods
Juices made from fresh pineapple, papaya, beets, carrots, cabbage, grapes, asparagus, black cherry, apples, and black currants should be consumed every day.
Do not take an iron supplement. Your body naturally withholds iron from cancer cells to inhibit growth.
Remember -
During this cleanse try and focus on yourself. Be kind and compassionate with yourself every step of the way. If you slip up or don't last as long as you planned, just begin again or end the cleanse...do not beat yourself up. Your body will tell you how long is long enough. Meditation or prayer is very helpful during this time and so is yoga. They all allow you to be totally present and that is where you want to be during any type of cleanse or fast. Focus on how you feel physically, emotionally and spiritually. I always feel much more spiritual during a cleanse or fast. It seems to allow me to be so open and free. Be in nature everyday. Try to spend at least a small amount of time outside. Go for walks, meditate or practice yoga in the fresh air. You will be amazed at how much this can improve your mood. Write in a journal about your cleanse experience. It is very interesting to look back on and gives you great insight as to where you've been and how far you've come. You will learn about yourself in an entirely new way. Most importantly, listen to your body and enjoy yourself. Really.