I know it has only officially been Spring for a few weeks, but in Southern Louisiana, summer sneaks up quickly. I wanted to start compiling my summer recipes and tips now, so mother nature can "Bring on the Heat"!!! I will add to this blog throughout the season as I find new recipes and activities for the kiddos :)
ENJOY!!!!
ALL NATURAL BUG SPRAY
This one is a must! Whether your at the ball park mid summer or on your back porch, Louisiana mosquito are vicious. I love this recipe, it's super easy and inexpensive. There are no preservatives so you'll need to reapply often, but there's also no chemicals or harmful ingredients so smile as you drench the kids in it.
1 part Witch Hazel
1 part Apple Cidar Vinegar
citronella and or geranium essential oil (add about 3 drops per cup)
That's it! Put it in a large spray bottle for home and grab a few of the travel cosmetic sprayers to keep in the car and purse. If you're going to the woods, dip a bandanna in the mix to tie around your head or neck.
ALL NATURAL CITRUS MARGARITAS
This mostly fresh juice cocktail is perfect for get-togethers, weekends on the river and beach trips. Super yummy, not too heavy on the liquor and won't rack up a million extra summer calories. Plus you can make it ahead of time.
Tip***I like to freeze the juices first for a frozen concoction.
1 gallon fresh orange/satsuma juice (100% pure juice! best if you juice it yourself)
1 cup fresh lime juice (straight from the lime, NO concentrate)
1 cup fresh lemon juice (see above note)
3/4 of a small (750ml) bottle of tequila (more or less depending on taste & remember the ice will water it down some)
Raw sugar (add a bit to the mix or use for garnish around the rim of your glass)
Toss it all in a blender and pulse. Add ice here if you like frozen margaritas or serve over ice later.
Showing posts with label juicing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label juicing. Show all posts
Friday, March 29, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Fasting/Cleansing
I have done numerous cleanses and fasts over the years, all for health reasons. This week our church is fasting for spiritual reasons, so I have promised to post tips on fasting and cleansing, so here they are...
The first step is to decide the length of your fast. Biblically, you will find examples of 1,3, 7, 10, 14 & 40 day fasts. I recommend a 7-10 day fast as it takes the body at least that long to adjust to abrupt diet changes so that you can then truly focus on the prayer and clarity that comes with being free from, and yes, a bit deprived of what we are used to in terms of food. Purpose, preparation and commitment are essential to any cleanse or fast.
All effective cleanses and some fasts eliminate any "foods" that are not immediately derived from God's provisions. This means, that if foods are consumed, they are to be plant based and if meats are allowed, they should be the leanest, most pure meat/animal products available. No processed or artificial ingredients.
I am partial to the Daniel Fast, vegetables, fruits, whole grains & water only, basically a vegan diet. There is no limit to the amount of plant based foods you can eat on the Daniel Fast, so this is a great one if you lead an active lifestyle or just have trouble skipping meals. I also like a juice fast... Only juiced fruits and vegetables and water. This one is more restrictive as it also eliminates grains and carbs like potatoes and bananas. Following are tips on how to make a fast/cleanse "doable" in today's busy world.
Juicing/Blending- Juicing allows the body to immediately absorb nutrients through the blood stream
giving amazing health benefits, the downfall is that you loose a lot of the natural fiber of plant skins and pulps and some essential nutrients are not easily juiced, not to mention, juicers are often a pain to clean. However, if you choose a juice fast/cleanse, you can freeze the fresh juice, allowing you to juice numerous "meals" at once. Store them in freezer safe containers & freeze for later use. Allow juices to totally defrost before drinking as the water tends to separate and needs to be remixed.
Blending allows for a wider variety of nutrients and still allows for easy absorption of nutrients, but most mixtures will need to be made and consumed fresh, requiring a bit more daily preparation. If you've ever made a smoothie, you have made a blended drink, but don't get stuck in a strawberry/banana rut. Smoothies can be made of lots of fruits, vegetables, and proteins and still be delicious, cleansing and satisfying. Below are a few recipes that may be odd or new at first, but trust that they will nourish the body while eliminating the spiritual and physical toxins and taste good.
Sweet Potato Smoothie
1/2 cup or 1 cooked Sweet Potatoe
1 banana2
1/4 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. pure vanilla extract
1 cup spinach
8 oz. Almond Milk
Orange & Ginger Smoothie
2 peeled oranges/satsumas/blood oranges
2 carrots
1 inch fresh Ginger root, peeled
3 ice cubes
Pumpkin & Carrot Smoothie
1 cup Pure Canned or fresh cooked pumpkin
1 Pear or apple (cored)
1 Carrot
2 cups Spinach
Berry & Avocado Smoothie
1 cup Raspberries/Black Berries/Blue Berries or combination
1 Banana
1/2 Avocado
2 cups spinach
1/2 cup water
3 ice cubes
Berry & Oatmeal Smoothie
1 cup Almond Milk
1/2 cup rolled or steel cut oats
1 banana
1 cup fresh frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, etc.)
1/2 t. pure vanilla extract
1 T. honey
***Add spinach, fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley, flax seed, unsalted sunflower seeds or almonds to any smoothie recipe for added health benefits.
It's best to eat/drink small meals 4-5 a day. If you choose a fast or cleanse that allows for a non-juiced/blended meal, it's best to consume that meal early to mid-day when you are at your most active. If you choose a fast that involves eliminates meals, omit dinner and/or lunch. The meals that you do eat, should be moderate. See earlier posts for light/vegetarian meals. Or choose a variation of the following...
1/2 cup brown rice
1 cup steamed veggies (your choice)
1/2 cup lean protein (eggs, lean meats such as venison, chicken, turkey or fish)
1-2 T olive oil or other good fat i.e. grape seed oil, walnut oil, etc. (use for cooking or as a salad dressing)
*Vinegar can be used to add flavor to salads & grilled veggies or as a substitute for salt in cooked dishes.
The first step is to decide the length of your fast. Biblically, you will find examples of 1,3, 7, 10, 14 & 40 day fasts. I recommend a 7-10 day fast as it takes the body at least that long to adjust to abrupt diet changes so that you can then truly focus on the prayer and clarity that comes with being free from, and yes, a bit deprived of what we are used to in terms of food. Purpose, preparation and commitment are essential to any cleanse or fast.
All effective cleanses and some fasts eliminate any "foods" that are not immediately derived from God's provisions. This means, that if foods are consumed, they are to be plant based and if meats are allowed, they should be the leanest, most pure meat/animal products available. No processed or artificial ingredients.
I am partial to the Daniel Fast, vegetables, fruits, whole grains & water only, basically a vegan diet. There is no limit to the amount of plant based foods you can eat on the Daniel Fast, so this is a great one if you lead an active lifestyle or just have trouble skipping meals. I also like a juice fast... Only juiced fruits and vegetables and water. This one is more restrictive as it also eliminates grains and carbs like potatoes and bananas. Following are tips on how to make a fast/cleanse "doable" in today's busy world.
Juicing/Blending- Juicing allows the body to immediately absorb nutrients through the blood stream
giving amazing health benefits, the downfall is that you loose a lot of the natural fiber of plant skins and pulps and some essential nutrients are not easily juiced, not to mention, juicers are often a pain to clean. However, if you choose a juice fast/cleanse, you can freeze the fresh juice, allowing you to juice numerous "meals" at once. Store them in freezer safe containers & freeze for later use. Allow juices to totally defrost before drinking as the water tends to separate and needs to be remixed.
Blending allows for a wider variety of nutrients and still allows for easy absorption of nutrients, but most mixtures will need to be made and consumed fresh, requiring a bit more daily preparation. If you've ever made a smoothie, you have made a blended drink, but don't get stuck in a strawberry/banana rut. Smoothies can be made of lots of fruits, vegetables, and proteins and still be delicious, cleansing and satisfying. Below are a few recipes that may be odd or new at first, but trust that they will nourish the body while eliminating the spiritual and physical toxins and taste good.
Sweet Potato Smoothie
1/2 cup or 1 cooked Sweet Potatoe
1 banana2
1/4 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. pure vanilla extract
1 cup spinach
8 oz. Almond Milk
Orange & Ginger Smoothie
2 peeled oranges/satsumas/blood oranges
2 carrots
1 inch fresh Ginger root, peeled
3 ice cubes
Pumpkin & Carrot Smoothie
1 cup Pure Canned or fresh cooked pumpkin
1 Pear or apple (cored)
1 Carrot
2 cups Spinach
Berry & Avocado Smoothie
1 cup Raspberries/Black Berries/Blue Berries or combination
1 Banana
1/2 Avocado
2 cups spinach
1/2 cup water
3 ice cubes
Berry & Oatmeal Smoothie
1 cup Almond Milk
1/2 cup rolled or steel cut oats
1 banana
1 cup fresh frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, etc.)
1/2 t. pure vanilla extract
1 T. honey
***Add spinach, fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley, flax seed, unsalted sunflower seeds or almonds to any smoothie recipe for added health benefits.
It's best to eat/drink small meals 4-5 a day. If you choose a fast or cleanse that allows for a non-juiced/blended meal, it's best to consume that meal early to mid-day when you are at your most active. If you choose a fast that involves eliminates meals, omit dinner and/or lunch. The meals that you do eat, should be moderate. See earlier posts for light/vegetarian meals. Or choose a variation of the following...
1/2 cup brown rice
1 cup steamed veggies (your choice)
1/2 cup lean protein (eggs, lean meats such as venison, chicken, turkey or fish)
1-2 T olive oil or other good fat i.e. grape seed oil, walnut oil, etc. (use for cooking or as a salad dressing)
*Vinegar can be used to add flavor to salads & grilled veggies or as a substitute for salt in cooked dishes.
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