Calling all Blueberry Lovers....

Yes, this is the blueberry loving club…. and sometimes we can lure others to join….

One of my favorite aspects of summer is the berry season.  I have wonderful memories picking handfuls of berries and eating so many I don’t want to see another till next year.  Last week I picked purple mulberries with a friend, and luckily he had enough control to save a bowl full so we could make a smoothie. Here on the east coast, blueberries will hit their peak relatively soon. My favorite blueberry farm is Emery’s. (Check out Emerysfarm.com) A few years ago I left with a blueish purplish mouth, and tried to play the card- I saw the sign, I didn’t eat any, it’s lipstick .. ( SHHHhh!)  

The list of blueberries health benefits gets longer every year, as more studies uncover the healing power of these good-tasting berries.

• Blueberries have been shown to shrink cancerous tumors and prevent the development and growth of cancer.
• Researchers have shown that blueberries reverse memory loss, and also improve physical coordination and balance.
• Blueberries reduce cholesterol levels.
• Blueberries reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Urinary tract infections can be prevented by blueberries.
• Blueberries help build strong bones.
• Blueberries are low in calories, high in fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants.

So about luring others to unite in this love affair….. Here’s a secret recipe which works every time…. kid friendly too.

1 Pint of Clean Organic Blueberries

2 T Organic Honey

1-2 T Cacao Powder

1 T Cacao nibs

Optional Toppings:

Cashew pieces, Coconut shreds, dried fruits, goji, cacao butter pieces, any nut or seed, ect…

Place in a bowl and hand mix until coated thoroughly, adjusting to preferences or desires.

So I guess you could say we are uniting the blueberry lovers club with the chocolate lovers club… and who doesn’t love chocolate? Yippee!

 “Your strength is not your ability to sell yourself. Your strength is your elevated spirit—when the face of a woman is so dynamic, so saintly, so pure and so nice, a man has no power to even speak. That’s the real strength of a woman.”

-Yogi Bhajan, 7/4/96

Namaste!

Collard Walnut Burrito Madness

Collard Walnut Burrito Madness

Yes… I’m sure you are wondering how a collard and walnuts will translate to burrito.. so read the following with an open adventurous mind… and if the thought interest you, why not try once?

This recipe is one of my favorite fast raw recipes that is satisfying and healthy. As always you can modify when needed.

2 Cups of Soaked Raw Walnuts

1 Cup of Soaked Organic Sun-dried Tomatoes   

(Organic will ensure no preservatives)

3 T of Lemon Juice

Favorite Mexican Spice, Cayenne, Chipotle, ect..

3 T Minced Shallot, Garlic, and/or Green Onion

In a food processor, pulse the tomatoes, lemon juice, spices, and onions/garlic. Mix to make a chunky paste. Then slowly add the walnuts, still just pulsing. Be aware to not over-process or under-process, so with that being said start with less pulsing. You may have to scrap the sides of the food processor every few pulses to mix evenly. This delicious ‘walnut taco meat’ will last in the fridgesealed in an air-tight container for a few days.

Now, are you wondering where the collard comes in…. ?

De-stem the collard leaves. I like to use a few leaves to make a strong burrito

wrap. Then place taco meat in the center of the collard leaf. Now here’s the fun part… if you have time to make salsa and guacamole, that’s an awesome idea.  If you don’t, just chop up favorite veggies to add to the burrito. I like to use cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, onions, greens, spices, ect.. Anything your heart desires. <3 Definitely don’t forget the avocado, especially if you’re in the Avo Love Club!
Layer all the toppings, then roll both ends of the collard up, and wrap like a burrito. Always options to use any type of wrap but the collard is surprisingly delicious. (It’s usually nice to rub a little oil and salt on the leaves if the bitterness is overwhelming.)

*Benefits of soaking nuts and seeds*

• Enzyme inhibitors get neutralized.
• The amount of vitamins your body can absorb increases.
• Phytic acid, which inhibits the absorption of vital minerals, is reduced.

Soaking times vary with the nut. Generally the more dense the nut, the longer the soaking time.

Besides containing manganese and fiber, walnuts also are a rich source of healthy omega 3 fatty acids, which are responsible for most of the nut’s health effects, according to the World’s Healthiest Foods website. Consuming a walnut-rich diet provides a range of health benefits, from improving bone health to protecting against cardiovascular disease.

When one experiences truth, the madness of finding fault with others disappears. (Goenka)

Namaste!

Internal Health = External Glow: Skin. Sweating. Detox.

Internal Health = External Glow

Everything you consume not only becomes your inner makeup of blood and such but also the outside of your body too. Our bodies skin cell regeneration cycles every 21 to 28 days.

Try…

Clean Water and maintaining healthy hydration

Omega 3 Rich Foods (Flax, Walnuts,Avocados, Salmon ect..)

Fresh Green Vegetable Juices

Organic Teas

Berries

Fresh Fruits and Veggies

Nuts and Seeds

Organic Whole Grains

Had a few request and concerns from students so I thought it was perfect timing to address this lovely topic.

*Skin* Sweating*Detox*

Your skin, which is your largest organ, not only protects your internal organs and systems, but it also can provide clues when something is wrong with another part of your body. In these ways, your skin is an important player in your overall health. The skin is comprised of three levels which work in  unison to maintain balance. Sometimes to maintain balance our internal intelligence  naturally detoxes to rid the unwanted.  Detox and skin go hand in hand, and at times can be quite frustrating.  So, you go to hot yoga, feel amazing, yet confused about the unwanted rash, itch, or whatever it may be.  We all know the famous Shrek quote, “Better out than in, I always say”. For real though, be patient, loving, and just do the best you can.

True fact, we have 2.6 million sweat glands throughout our body.   The three main ingredients  in sweat include sodium, chloride and potassium. Interestingly, none of the contents of sweat stink — it’s the bacteria on your skins surface that interacts with sweat.

The function of sweat is to cool your body down when it is overheated. The act of sweating, yoga postures and also re-hydration, moves blood more freely though the organs and that in turn is where the detox effects take place.
Detox is a touchy subject for some as it can seem counter-productive at times. Truth is, our bodies are amazing, perfect and intelligent.  Second, truth is, that our bodies natural healing system sometimes needs a kick start.  According to TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), detoxing is basically cleansing the blood especially through the liver where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. However, when this system is compromised, impurities aren’t properly filtered and every cell in the body is adversely affected.

To make it simple and fun, you can start by removing toxic habits. Right? We all know what is healthy and best for our body!

If you would like more information, you can contact Kimberly Monks at MonksKimberly@gmail.com or (215)791-5829

for a free 10 minute initial consultation in health and detox.

Avocado Obession

Avocado

Love at first bite. And yes, an item you can typically see in my purse. For those that know me well, it’s a problem when I’m out of stock in ripe avocados. My experiment of  ‘an avocado a day keeps the doctor away’ is at high success rate. You ask why? Or maybe question the high fat content?


Avocados are an excellent source of monounsaturated fatty acids, potassium, vitamin E, B vitamins, and fiber. Also contain glutathione, an antioxidant involved in cell protection from the noxious effect of excess oxidant stress. Avocados are also rich in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin.



Benefits from regular consumption may consists of and are not limited to: healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels, decrease risk of cancers-especially oral, healthy skin production, heart health, anti-inflammatory response, stabilize blood sugars, anti-aging, and an increase in nutrient absorption.



Avocados originated in Mexico, or Central and South America, and were cultivated there by pre-Incan races of Peru, and the Mayas of Yucatan and Guatemala. The Aztecs called it aoacatl before the Spaniards changed it to ahuacate and aguacate, and it eventually became avocado in English.
Eating roughly 2,555 avocados in the past 7 years… whew!!! … I have become quite creative, to say the least, about incorporating them into my meals.

Here are a few ideas:

sandwiches

green fruit or grain salads

soup toppings, soup base

dips,  dressings, puddings

sushi, smoothies …. possibilities are endless!

So for a quick, nutritious, light but filling  meal… I started with an avocado

(of course I did silly)

And it goes a little something like this….

Ingredients:

1 ripe Avocado

choice of veggies minced(grape tomatoes, homemade pickles)

3 cloves of minced

parsley, chives

3 T spirulina crunchies/powder

2 T tahinni

2 T brown rice vinegar

1 T hemp oil

favorite greens

Directions:

Hand mix all ingredients in a small bowl, leaving half of the avocado whole but outer layer removed. Use favorite type of greens to layer a bowl, place avocado on top, then the mixed salad.

Eating Healthy can be fun, especially with avocados!  As always, allow your creative spark to flow and enjoy!

Namaste!

The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.  ~Japanese Proverb

Cravin' Kale Crazy

What’s this new craze about??

Kale and Chips in the same sentence???

If you have tried the raw packaged kale chips I bet you are wondering how you will pay for your new addiction…

They are quick and easy to make; and I love how the recipe allows versatility.

Basic Kale Chip Recipe:

Any type of Kale, de-stemed, washed, and dried(1-2 Bunches)

1/2 Cup of any Nut or Seed (ex. cashews, sunflowers, pumpkin, hemp)

Clean Water- about 1/2 Cup

1/2 Cup of Chopped Red Peppers

1-3 T Olive Oil

Juice of 1 Lemon

1 T Sea Salt

1 T Honey

Optional Chili Flakes, Cayenne, or Garlic

Directions: Place all ingredients except the kale in a high speed blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Then massage the dressing into the kale until distributed evenly.

Simple. Sample. Maybe put a bowl of the kale aside to eat fresh.

Place on a safe baking sheet at the lowest temperature possible or use a dehydrator.  Time depends on many factors so keep an eye out. The oven will typically take up to 30 minutes and a dehydrator 7 hours. (*The estimated times are at the lowest temperature possible)

Give this a try, you will be amazed with your new love of kale… Really!

P.s. I made a super spicy batch of kale chips in my dehydrator on Sunday. Monday, my usual hot yoga class was turned up a few notches… whew!  Talk about you are what you eat… that fire was sure filling me up!

Namaste!

Joy has no cost.

~ Marianne Williamson ~