ACV

So my dad has always tried to get me to drink Apple Cider Vinegar daily and I finally decided to give it a try! I found an article on www.heartofwisdom.com and found this information:
12 Health Benefits of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
1. Relief for rashes, stings and burns – add two tablespoons to the bath water and soak in it to soothe burning and itching skin or apply it on a sunburn for immediate aid
2. Relief for aching joins. Apply as hot compresses to aching joints can reduces inflammation and pain.
3. Battles yeast infections. Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a quart of lukewarm water douche helps restore the acid balance in your body.
4. Sore throat relief. Add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a cup of hot water and some honey to taste
5. Helps upset stomach. Mix a few teaspoons into a glass of water and drink for relief.
6. Useful in flu or chest congestion. Applying with pepper on the chest can help relieve some of the congestion. 7. Sustains bone mass because it has magnesium, silicone and calcium.
8. Lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The potassium and other substances makes the blood thinner and is helpful in controlling blood pressure. The fiber absorbs fats and cholesterol by expelling them from the body as waste materials.
9. Helps clear skin irritations, like acne and contact dermatitis.
10. Great for removing certain pesticides and bacteria from fresh produce. Use a solution of 10 percent vinegar to 90 percent water as a bath to briefly soak produce.
11. Aids in weight loss studies show it increases metabolism, generates energy and reduces hunger. It helps to detoxify the liver which plays an important role in weight loss. take 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, mixed in water, before meals.
12. Helps control blood sugar levels. People with a high risk of developing diabetes, or in other words people with pre-diabetes, were able to have lower blood-glucose levels than healthy people just by drinking two tablespoons of vinegar before their meals
On day 1, I noticed its appetite suppressant qualities. Day 2 isn't over yet, so we'll have an update soon!

Loving my NutriBullet!

Ever since I made my own almond milk a few days ago, I've been obsessed and today I think I perfected my recipe. Instead of the Agave Nectar, which I think made the milk a little too sweet, I used about 3-4 dates and a tbsp of Organic Wildflower honey. It gave me just the right amount of sweetness!

I've also made my FAVORITE smoothie to date! Thanks to Simplegreensmoothies.com and their 30-Day challenge for the recipe!

Orange Julius Smoothie
2 cups kale, chard, spinach, fresh
1 cup almond milk, unsweetened
4 navel oranges, peeled
1 banana
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Of course, I used my homemade almond milk in this recipe and it turned out great! All I had on hand was kale, so that's what I used as my green. Just blend until smooth and enjoy!!

Baked Parmesan Zucchini

I came across this recipe somewhere on Instagram and decided to try it. It turned out great! I had it as a yummy and low-calorie side dish.

1 Zucchini sliced in half
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
1 handful of cherry tomatoes, sliced
Pam spray (I used a bit of safflower oil, which I use in almost everything instead.)

Slice the zucchini and place in an oven safe dish


Sprinkle parmesan cheese on the sliced zucchini


Place the sliced tomatoes over the cheese


Bake for 20 minutes at 375. Enjoy!

Homemade Almond Milk

Ever since I started my healthier diet, I've been drinking almond milk instead of higher-calorie cow's milk. I'd never though of making my own almond milk until I came across a recipe on (https://www.facebook.com/7DayRawDetox?group_id=0) and I'm hooked!

Soak 1 cup of almonds overnight in enough water to cover them. This softens them and makes it easier to blend.

This is the result of the overnight soaking

Next, drain the almonds (save the water, as it has nutrients beneficial to plants) and blend with 4 cups of water until smooth




Add Agave Nectar, a few dates, vanilla extract to taste and blend for a few more seconds.

Next, strain the milk using a layered cheesecloth



It is best to let it strain slowly, but if you get a little impatient like I do you could press down on the pulp with a spatula or spoon.





Here is the finished product! Ready to be enjoyed in a smoothie, with cereal or cookies!

Low Calorie Noodle Stir Fry

I found these noodles at my local health food store (http://www.amazon.com/No-Oodles-Calorie-Shirataki-Noodles/dp/B003Z4F56C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1366170460&sr=8-2&keywords=no+calorie+noodles) and was amazed that I could indulge in my love of noodles of all kinds in a no-calorie version! Here is one of my creations!

Ingredients:
1 tbsp Safflower Oil
2 Cloves of Garlic (garlic makes so many things so much better!)
1 tbsp of Bouillon paste. (I like http://www.superiortouch.com/retail/products/better-than-bouillon/vegetarian-bases)
1/2 cup Kale (the leafy part)
1 cup broccoli stalks sliced thin
1 carrot, grated

For this recipe, I heated the Safflower Oil, garlic and bouillon paste. I then added the kale, broccoli stalks and carrot. Cover the pot until they soften. While veggies are softening, wash the noodles according the the package instructions. Add the noodles to the veggies and sautee together. I added about a tbsp of soy sauce as an afterthought. Gave it a nice flavor and added color.

These were a new addition to my garden this year


After MUCH patience, I finally have an eggplant to call my own!!



I'm a proud amateur urban farmer!

Welcoming myself back!

Holy crap! I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged! What a year it has been! I've gone to Africa, finally got a promotion at work and ran two more half marathons! I've kept most of my weight OFF (!!!) but lately been feeling so lumpy that I've put myself on an action plan to get back on track. I've discovered juicing through a friend of a friend, and been loving it! Through web searches and word of mouth, I found quite a few juicing recipes that have worked OK for me I juiced a few weeks ago, but had to stop because the recipes I was using were a little too extreme and the nurse in me came up with about 3 medical diagnoses! Through my amazing cousin I recently found Simple Green Smoothies (www.simplegreensmoothies.com) and have reached a level of motivation that I was at last year. I joined their 30 day challenge and this is what I've got so far!

I've still got my garden going and I'm currently farming bell peppers, eggplant, Homestead tomatoes, Roma tomatoes and Cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas, carrots and potatoes! Stand by for updated photos!