Summer, Meet Fall. A Smoothie.

all you need (besides love):

1-2 fat mangos


1-2 cups organic grapes

1 teaspoon ground sage

1 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove)

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1-2 teaspoons  turmeric powder

3-6 stalks of kale

2-4 tablespoons coconut oil

all you do (besides be love):

1. add all the above into a blender.
   
2. blend on high speed
   
3. devour!

all the goodness is made up of:

as you perform step 3 above, know that while tasting delicious, this summer fall mash-up is full of goodness.

mangoes:
loaded with potassium,  vitamin B6, A, C, and E. includes beta and alpha carotene, pre-biotic fiber. protects against breast, colon, and prostrate cancer.

grapes:
storehouse of numerous health promoting phyto-nutrients such as poly-phenolic antioxidants, vitamins A, C and K, and minerals.

kale:
provides rich nutrition ingredients that offer protection from vitamin A deficiency, osteoporosis, iron deficiency anemia, and believed to protect from cardiovascular diseases and, colon and prostate cancers.full of vitamins K and A, as well as TONS of antioxidants and iron.

sage:
rich source of minerals like potassium, zinc, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium.

cinnamon:known to have anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-septic, local anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, rubefacient (warming and soothing), carminative and anti-flatulent properties. Cinnamon has highest anti-oxidant strength of all the food sources in nature. it also comes full loaded with a variety of essential oils.


cayenne pepper:
full of vitamin B group, C and A, with high levels of essential minerals and potassium.

turmeric:just a few grams of turmeric per day either in the form of powder, crushed root or fresh roots can provide enough nutrients to help you keep away from anemia, neuritis, memory disorders and offers protection against cancers, infectious diseases, high blood pressure and strokes.

Let me know how yours turns out (so i can come over)!

source: yogitimes

A Little Shout Out to Spring

Spring is the season of awakening. Take some time out and look around! Nature is alive with blossoms, green trees, singing birds, buzzing bees, consistent visits from the sun, and smiling faces. 

Following the shorter, darker days of winter, and heavier foods, the exhilarating energy of spring brings cravings for freshness, cleansing, and rejuvenation. Even the local produce available is stocked with fruits and vegetables full of vibrant colors just asking to be eaten! Have you seen the farmers market lately?

This time of year is the body’s natural time for cleansing and detoxification. A spring detox revives your energy, brightens our complexion, and strengthens our immune systems while helping us lose all that excess winter weight and eliminate toxins. Who wants any of that hanging around?

• Give your body a break by eating less.
• Avoid heavy, rich foods that are hard to digest.
•  Cook with spices like coriander, fennel, cumin, and turmeric to enhance digestion and brighten your skin.
• Cut out coffee and add in more cleansing teas, such as ginger or clove.
•  Increase the amount of wholesome spring veggies in your diet
• Hydrate with water and flush out toxins. (Tip: Squeeze an entire lemon to a glass of water first thing in the morning to  cleanse your liver, kidneys, and colon.)

Nothing makes a good detox more fun than making a smoothie or juicing some fruits and veggies. Here are a couple recipes to help you kick start your spring detox:

Peach Berry Cocktail

 2 peaches, cut in half, seeds removed

1 orange, peeled with a vegetable peeler keeping as much pith on as possible

1/2 cup blueberries, raspberries, or cherries, pitted

Push fruit through the juicer.  Then add 1/2 cup purified water to dilute.

Cleansing Spring Smoothie

8 oz. coconut water
4 oz. filtered water
1 tsp. organic extra virgin coconut oil
1 Tbsp. organic flax seeds, ground
2 Tbsp. raw psyllium husk flakes (found at Whole Foods or supplement stores)
1 c. frozen organic raspberries
½ c. frozen organic blueberries
1 scoop green powder (Amazing Grass is a good one!)
½ c. organic frozen spinach
1 scoop organic brown rice protein powder

Blend all ingredients. Add water to achieve desired consistency.