Orange Mango Smoothie

Orange Mango Smoothie

This smoothie is a delight!

Ingredients:

4 oranges (juiced)

2 Tbs lemon juice

1 ripe mango

1 Tbs coconut oil

1 Tbs brown rice syrup (or 2 pitted dates, or other sweetener)

1 cup frozen banana slices

2 large Fuji apples cut up in chunks

Place the first five ingredients into a high-powered blender (like Vita-Mix).
Blend well. Add the banana and apple pieces and using the tamper, blend well. 
Pour and enjoy!

It's Detox Time! 3-Berry Smoothie

It's Detox Time!

For the past month I've made fresh vegetable/fruit juice just about every day. My husband and I have been trying to replace at least one meal a day with juicing. It's been a precursor to the detox diet that we started 5 days ago, and it's going great!

I liken our detox diet to the Hallelujah Diet of which I am familiar, but without the BarleyMax (I use my own powders/supplements). They promote an 85% raw, 15% cooked diet, made up of vegan choices. And glance at their testimonials and you'll see what a blessing it is to eat this way—for life!

But I'm not espousing a particular diet really, just whole "vegan and gluten-free" foods, mostly raw, and with no meat products for this time of detoxifying. And of course, fresh juicing to maximize our daily nutrient content and give the body something to enable us to heal.

What our detox includes:
Drinking a variety of fresh juiced vegetables and fruits
Healthy fruit and green smoothies
Raw fruits, vegetables and dehydrates
Big green salads
Steamed vegetables (been eating a lot of Brussel sprouts)
Homemade vegetable soups
Herbal tea
Fresh lemon/limeade
Nuts (no more than a handful)
Coconut oil

You're not ready, until you're ready!

Hubby and I both are beyond middle age. We're still young-at-heart, and so it's not fun when health issues interfere with life's enjoyment and our abilities. I feel like if I don't get serious now about true healthy living I might as well give up. I know we'll be making sacrifices—albeit good ones, as we change to better eating habits. I'm determined to—once and for all! I'm ready already.

I'd like to eventually proceed forward and make it a juice only detox, so I'm really preparing myself for when I feel the time is right. I'm inspired by documentaries like Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead and Hungry for Change. I find that a big part of making a lifestyle change or going on any diet for that matter, it takes the right timing, the right mental focus, and the right environment to make it a successful journey. I knew that now was the right time to begin. And having hubby on board makes it much more doable.

Our very first juice on day 1 was:  

Apple-Broccoli Juice

4 Granny Smith apples
1 lime
4 celery ribs
Bunch of cilantro
1 head of broccoli

I had never juiced broccoli before, but since I had plenty in the fridge I wanted to make good use of it, and I saw a recipe for Green Apple Pie Juice that stirred my interest. My Apple-Broccoli juice was so GOOD! I'm getting used to the taste of cilantro and it's useful to draw out heavy metals in the body.

This week I made another awesome smoothie recipe using blueberries (since we got such a great deal on frozen blueberries):

3-Berry Antioxidant Smoothie

This was a great tasting and so-good-for-you breakfast smoothie that utilizes three different berries: blueberries, blackberries and cranberries. One of the best sources of antioxidants, berries help to fight against aging and the chronic disease processes that many of us know about first hand. Even the American Institute for Cancer Research admits that blueberries are “. . .  substances that can slow the aging process and reduce cell damage that can lead to cancer.” Here are 7 Berries You Should Eat Everyday.

Not included in that list of 7 are cranberries, which when consumed in their raw form or juiced, have huge health benefits warding off urinary tract and yeast infections, dental plaque, and helps with blood sugar issues such as insulin resistance. See Cranberry juice benefits made simple.

3-Berry Antioxidant Smoothie

by Kathy's Kitchen

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Keywords: juicing raw gluten-free raw vegan

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A so-good-for-you antioxidant fruit smoothie that utilizes blueberries, blackberries and cranberries.

Ingredients

• 1 cup blueberries (raw, frozen or partially thawed)
• 1 cup blackberries (raw, frozen or partially thawed)
• 1 cup cranberries (raw, frozen or partially thawed)
• 1 Tbs. coconut oil
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 Tbs. lime or lemon juice
• 1 tsp. spirulina powder (optional)
• 2 Tbs. green powder supplement (optional)
• 2 tsp. coconut sugar, maple syrup, or other sweetener

Instructions

• Add all ingredients into a high powered blender (like VItaMix) and using the tamper, blend until well combined. Pour and serve.

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Right now I've got naked kale chips in the dehydrator and when I get some more sunflower seeds I'll make some red hot snackers crackers, but I won't indulge, and now at day five I'm feeling past the terrible late afternoon cravings (thanks to the wonderful nutrients I'm giving my body and cells). I'm not having the sugar and chocolate cravings but hubby is still dealing with it, and at 270 lbs. he requires more food than I do so he eats a tad more. (I don't scold, I'm very glad and proud of him and he's losing weight faster than I am!)

So today, I look forward to feeling good, staying active, and slimming down. How about you?

Linking up with Gluten-Free Cat and  Raw Foods Thursdays 

Blue-Green Smoothie

This Blue-Green Smoothie

tastes WONDERFUL!

I LOVE blueberries, and I love adding greens into smoothies where it doesn't change the taste! For this treat, the greens used were raw spinach and spirulina powder—an antioxidant delight!

We had an excellent buy on large packages of frozen blueberries, so I eagerly threw some into my Vita-Mix and made this delicious blue-green drink. Actually, I spooned each mouthful, relishing the taste like I would an ice cream sundae!

Blue-Green Smoothie

by Kathy's Kitchen

Keywords: gluten-free raw

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A raw smoothie to enjoy like a blueberry sundae, but disguised with healthy greens.

Ingredients

• 2 cups organic apple juice (fresh juice preferred)
• 2 Tbs lemon juice
• 1 Tbs coconut sugar or preferred sweetener (optional)
• 2 Tbs hemp seed (optional)
• 1 tsp spirulina powder
• 1 Tbs coconut oil
• 3 cups frozen blueberries (thawed or partly thawed)
• 2 large handfuls of washed raw spinach leaves

Instructions

• Combine the first six ingredients into a high speed blender like a Vita-Mix and blend well.
• Add the blueberries and use the tamper to mix together.
• Add the spinach and use the tamper to mix while blending.
• Pour and enjoy!

Not familiar with spirulina powder? Dr. Mercola explains what this ancient plant is—a form of blue-green algae with "miracle" benefits: 

• detoxifying
• protein rich
• immune boosting
• allergy relief
• normalizes blood pressure and cholesterol
• reduces cancer risk

Caution: You may need to be careful with spirulina powder and work your way upward, starting with a small amount (like in this smoothie). Spirulina is safe to consume, but some people may have a reaction to it depending on their state of health.

Pom-Blueberry-Apple Cider

Pom-Blueberry-Apple Cider

We had some lovely frugal finds over the holidays recently. $2.00 for a gallon-size bag of frozen blueberries was almost a steal, so we stuffed five in our freezer. At the same discount store they offered apple cider for $2.50 a gallon. At Aldi's, the pomegranates were getting a bit too ripe so my hubby asked for a price reduction and picked up a boxload full for 25 cents each! It was a no-brainer to mix up a delightful pom-blueberry-apple cider concoction and BOY it was DELICIOUS!

How I did it:
In the Vita-Mix blender I put two cups of the apple cider and mixed in half a bag of the blueberries that I had thawed. (Leaving them frozen makes it taste like a yummy smoothie but my hubby is sensitive to cold right now.) I broke apart and seeded six pomegranates using the wooden spoon whacking method, I juiced the arils (using a few carrots also), and added this juice to the blueberry mixture, mixing everything together utilizing a half gallon of the apple cider.

Knowing the nutrient-filled, antioxidant rich benefits of pomegranates and blueberries I think we did alright! 

What else can you do with pomegranates? You may want to check some recipes online like those at Simply Recipes. 

A few of my sons love to eat the pomegranate seeds by themselves, but take a peek at the Chocolate Pomegranate Clusters at Lexie's Kitchen!



What are some of your best frugal finds and deals, and what did you make?

Apple Fritter Flaxcakes—Focus on Wheat-Free

It's a brand new year and great timing to start implementing a wheat & gluten-free diet plan. This morning I fixed a delightful pancake alternative that reminds me a lot of a yummy apple fritter.

 Apple Fritter Flaxcakes

I'll get to this easy recipe in a few minutes, but it looks like I took a six month hiatus—and in fact that's exactly what I did! This summer I went to Florida on vacation where I conveniently decided to let my diet choices have a lot of flexibility. I stuck to whole foods where possible but I allowed wheat and dairy to make a prominent return. In a way I looked at it as an experiment of sorts. Were my dietary choices at the time really making such a difference? I was to find out.

Well, six months and several holiday feasts later, my clothes are fitting very tight! Though I felt stagnant with weight loss last summer, at least I wasn't gaining, and there's something to be said for that. Health wise, I've had great success with supplementation help from my ND in curbing my Atrial Fibrillation attacks. I've had ZERO attacks in six months! I couldn't be happier there, so despite my thicker waistline, I'm wearing my happy face every morning! But, it's time to get geared up and deal with the inflammation issues, again. 

My main focus: WHEAT-FREE

This recipe was one I adapted from a recipe I saw in Nourish & Heal magazine.

Apple Fritter Flaxcakes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

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Focus: wheat-free A tasty, yet healthier pancake alternative.

Ingredients (6 flaxcakes)

• 2 organic eggs
• 4 Tbs ground flaxseed
• 2 medium apples
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 4 tsp sucanat (or other dry sweetener)
• coconut oil

Instructions

• Combine eggs, flaxseed, spices and sucanat. Cut apples into small chunks and mix into batter.
• Coat bottom of frying pan with coconut oil and when hot, spoon batter to make three flaxcakes, and flatten and form to shape.
• Cook several minutes over medium heat and when browned flip and cook opposite side 'til lightly browned.

Apples are cut into small chunks and mixed into batter.

 Batter, ready to make flaxcakes.

Top with fruit or maple syrup and enjoy!

Chocolate Mint Leaf Pudding

Raw Chocolate Mint Leaf Pudding

sweetened with banana & honey

Today is the first day of summer and the temperature outside is climbing toward 90 degrees.  I'm not tolerating the heat well these days and I feel that I'm in for trouble. We've not turned on the air conditioning yet indoors, but we're going to soon I reckon, regardless of the high cost of keeping cool. 

What is your choice of a refreshing cool drink or a good-for-you snack? Today, I was thinking of something minty to go with a little chocolate—my most favorite food combination ever!

I enjoy watering my few flowers, herbs and small vegetable garden. When I water the chocolate mint plants which have taken over one of my planters, I immediately smell that awesome chocolate minty flavor—you can almost taste it in the air. Pick a leaf and whiff an aroma from heaven . . .

The Chocolate Mint 

in my yard

Adding the leaves to this pudding recipe or in a smoothie adds a refreshing minty flavor. 

Raw Chocolate Mint Leaf Pudding

by Kathy's Kitchen

Prep Time: 10 minutes

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Enjoy this "Pudding Perfect" chocolate/mint flavor sensation to cool off this summer.

Ingredients (1-2 servings)

• 1 cup almond milk (or milk of your choice)
• 1 ripe banana (sliced)
• 1 avocado
• 3 Tbs raw cacao powder
• 1 Tbs coconut oil
• 2 Tbs raw local honey
• 10-20 chocolate mint leaves (or any mint leaves)

Instructions

• Add all of the above ingredients to a high-powered blender (like Vita-Mix) and blend well. Pour into dessert dishes and refrigerate several hours before eating if you want it cold and a bit firmer.

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Try juicing mint, or freezing the leaves in ice cubes. Have you  tried it fresh in your herbal tea? It's also a great addition to your dinner salad. Check out more recipes and read more about this plant that is good for much more than tea.

What are the health benefits of fresh mint? Of course it is great for digestion as you'd imagine green leaves to be, and it's calming effect helps with nausea and indigestion. Mint is commonly used in oral health, killing germs and inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. 

Yummy!

Do you like pretty chocolate candy decorations? 

Martha Stewart tells us how to make these easy 

chocolate dipped mint leaves!

Have you tried this yet? 

How do you use fresh mint in your kitchen?

Linking up with Gluten-Free Cat and Raw Foods Thursdays 
and Intoxicated on Life and Wellness Wednesdays

Raw Strawberry Cream Pie

Raw Strawberries, 
a Nut Crust, and Cashew Cream—
Makes a Perfect Pie! 

Berry season is here and I couldn't be more delighted. We're stocking up, and making room in the freezer too!

I made this raw strawberry treat for my guests on Memorial Day, and they scraped their plates! It's the perfect dessert for a July 4th celebration, summertime entertaining, or a family get-together.

  

The Nut Crust

My pie crust is made with a combination of three different nuts: 

Walnuts
Brazil nuts
Almonds

Line the crust with sliced strawberries

Add the cashew cream center

Raw Strawberry Cream Pie

by Kathy's Kitchen

Keywords: raw dessert gluten-free raw soy-free vegan pie spring summer

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Who doesn't LOVE the deliciousness of raw strawberries 'n' cream?

Ingredients

Crust:

• 2 cups of raw nuts (I used a combination of walnuts, Brazil nuts, and almond flour)
• 1 cup of date paste cut in pieces (or pitted dates)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt

Cashew Cream Filling:

• 2 cups of raw cashews
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of coconut butter
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (I used slightly less)
• 1 tsp real vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp coconut sugar

Strawberry Topping:

• 2 cups of fresh strawberries
• 1 tsp of fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tbs of pure maple syrup
• Handful of fresh blueberries (optional)

Instructions

• 1. Combine ingredients for crust in a food processor. Blend well until moist and a little sticky. Press the mixture into a pie plate along the bottom and sides. If you like, you can add a little fine coconut underneath to help keep crust from sticking.
• 2. Cut the washed strawberries into slices and line the crust in a single layer. Set aside the rest.
• 3. Make the cashew cream filling by placing all ingredients into a high-powered blender (like a Vita-Mix), being careful to mix, using the tamper, for short spurts of time. It's very thick! You will need to push down the sides several times. Pour cream mixture into the pie plate and spread evenly. *
• 4. Mix in the lemon juice and maple syrup with the remaining strawberries. Make a pattern along the outward crust with the slices, and then dump the rest into the middle and spread until the top is evenly covered. Dot with blueberries as desired.

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* Pop into the freezer for 20 minutes or refrigerate for one hour before proceeding to step 4 where you add the topping.

Keep refrigerated and enjoy!

Summer is Sweeter 

with Raw Strawberry Pie

Linking up to Gluten -Free Cat and Raw Foods Thursdays

and Real Food Wednesdays with Kelly the Kitchen Kop

and Foodie Friends Friday Sweet Treats Party!