CURRY VEGGIES BEDDED ON WATERCRESS..."CHOKED" IN PARSLEY

Hi Gorgeous Ones!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend! Mine was great! Although I must say that for the past couple of days I've been feeling a bit....idk, some-kinda-way, so I haven't been feeling much blogging. *shrugs* Sometimes its like that.

Anyhoo, I recently tried winging another vegan recipe. I started with my usual basics: sauteed onions & fresh garlic in evoo. Then I filled it with all sorts of veggies on hand; portabello mushrooms, sweet potatoes, zucchini, red & green bell peppers, kale & tempeh. And I added one of my fav spices - curry. Love that stuff!!

I put them on a bed of watercress- a new herb to my pantry.

Then decided to top it with parsley.

Yes, I got really excited about the parsley. Lol.

And no, I'm not that huge a fan of parsley.

What I will & won't do the next time:

Overcooking - I thought that I needed to steam the sweet potatoes but it was totally unnecessary.

Complete prepping before cook start  - I started cooking the vegetables and wasn't even finished cutting them up. Bad move. This also added to the food being overcooked.

Overuse of some herbs - Check out the amount of parsley on that plate (above pic). Lol. Nuff said.

I am definitely a fan of raw vegan foods so I understand the importance of the natural enzymes, vitamins & minerals in them. Overcooking destroys these important nutrients which are the point of eating. To feed your body, your cells so that they function properly. When you overcook your foods, they kinda lose their purpose and end up not performing as they should. Which, overtime, can lead to a malnourished bod.
Bottom line - That will not happen again.

I paired it with one of my green smoothies.

Kiwi- Pear Green Smoothie

Kiwi-Pear Green Smoothie

2 chard leaves

3 kale leaves

2 ripe kiwi

1 ripe pear

2 scoops of Ruth's Hemp Protein Powder (raw,gluten-free)

1 heaping T of organic Coconut Oil

2 T of Chia powder

1.5 - 2 C of distilled water (depends on thickness preference)

Blended all ingredients to perfection. Enjoyed some with my meal and put the rest in mason jars & refrigerated immediately.

Peace.



Post Title → CURRY VEGGIES BEDDED ON WATERCRESS..."CHOKED" IN PARSLEY

A COUPLE OF NEW SMOOTHIES FOR YA!!

Well, at least they're new to me. =)

Had a Facebook inquiry about a smoothie pic I had posted and realized that I hadn't shared any smoothie recipes lately. Mainly because I hadn't tried anything new until now.

So here goes.....


I adapted this first one from a shake recipe that I found by Kathy of The LunchBox Bunch. The original recipe calls for 1/3 cup of ice. I prefer to only use frozen fruit instead of ice. I just like mine on the thick side. Click here for the original shake recipe.

As you can see, I had to take a few sips of this while taking pics. Lol. Love the nutty flavor of this one. And so does my daughter.

Almond Banana Smoothie

1 3/4 C almond milk, vanilla flavor *I prefer unsweetened.
2 large frozen bananas
2 heaping T of raw almond butter
1/4 tsp cinnamon


Place all ingredients in a high powered blender. Blend on high til smooth and thick.
Makes enough for 2, maybe 3.
Enjoy!!

As you can see, I was taking sips from this one, also. ;)

Yes, you do see Girl Scout cookies in the background. I swear I didn't do it. Seriously. Lol.

Avocado Green Smoothie
4 - 6 leaves of Kale
1 avocado (diced)
half a fresh pineapple (cubed)
orange (peeled) or mango (peeled or frozen)
filtered water
1 knob of ginger *optional
sweetener like raw agave, honey or stevia to taste *optional


Place all ingredients into a high powered blender. Blend on low til smooth and thick.
Me thinks it makes about 4 servings.
Enjoy!!

Happy Sipping!

Post Title → A COUPLE OF NEW SMOOTHIES FOR YA!!

HAPPY FRIDAY, A BIRTHDAY AND A GREEN SMOOTHIE!!

Hi Beautiful!

Hope you've had a wonderful week! Mine seems to have been super busy. I'm a little pooped so I hadn't really prepared an official Friday post but here goes...

Today is a "snow" day here in Atlanta. And if you don't know what that means let me tell you. Being in the south, we really aren't equipped to handle snow and/or icy conditions because we rarely get that. For example, there was a 30 car pile-up here because the DOT had not gotten to that part of a highway. Having said that, we have a little snow and a lot of ice along with temps in the teens (windchill of 2 degrees) which means all the schools are out and some businesses are closed for part of the day, maybe more. So as soon as I'm done here, I'm getting back in bed. Lol.

Today is also my daughter's birthday. (Didn't she luck up with a snow day as a b'day!) Got a 14-yr old whom I'm very proud of. She's a good kid - uh, young lady. Just the other day, she asked for some green smoothie. Now granted, she wasn't feeling well at the time, but just her thought to get some green smoothie in her to remedy illness really impressed me. She does listen to me! Woo hoo! Normally, she sees me making what she's calls "a lake" and runs in the opposite direction. It's cool. Now I know she is taking note. She just doesn't know how much she made my day. =)

Green Smoothie
good bunch of kale
some parsley
banana
orange
filtered or distilled water
a little agave nectar (for the newbie)

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend. Take some time to do something good for yourself.

And as always, "Do you".

Much Luv,

Post Title → HAPPY FRIDAY, A BIRTHDAY AND A GREEN SMOOTHIE!!

DANDELION GREEN SMOOTHIES

Hi Gorgeous!

It is sooooo beautiful here. I hope that you are having lovely weather where you are. If not, happythoughts. =)

On last week, I decided I wanted to really expand on the types of greens that I was using for my green smoothies. Typically, I've stuck with spinach and kale. But after more reading & research on green smoothies, I see that rotating the greens in them is very important.

Why? Because almost all greens contain trace amounts of alkaloids. Tiny quantities of alkaloids cannot hurt you. It can actually strengthen the immune system, in tiny amounts. However, if you keep consuming kale, or spinach, or any other single green for many weeks without rotation, eventually the same type of alkaloids can accumulate in your body and cause unwanted symptoms of poisoning. Mixing them or putting your greens into rotation is the best way to consume them in your diet. And just so you know, this does not apply to fruit.

Having said all that, I decided to try some weed. Dandelion weed that is. Why dandelion? Well, because I had seen some green smoothie recipes with dandelion in them and was curious as to the taste and benefits. I had read in one of Victoria Boutenko's books that weeds are high in vitamins and minerals, especially because they haven't been cultivated by extensive farming methods. Only thing is they (weeds) are quite bitter in taste. It has been said that the more bitter a green is the better is for you. I figured that (bitterness) was easy to get around though. Just add a sweetener.

I'll share the two green smoothie recipes I made but let me tell you some of the benefits of the dandelion green.

Antiviral - The roots possess strong antiviral properties.
Blood Sugar - May help stabilize blood sugar levels.
Digestion - General The root acts as an appetite stimulant, helps promote digestion and gastrointestinal health, encourages the growth of healthy bacteria, and alleviates flatulence.
Gallbladder - Cleansing and healing to the gallbladder. Typically, the roots or juice from the leaves are used for this.
Heart - May help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL).
Kidneys - The leaves support kidney function and act as a diuretic.
Liver - The roots promote liver detoxification.
Menstruation/PMS - Alleviates the bloating associated with PMS.

Now before you go to pullin' weeds in your back yard (As a friend of mine thought I was doing. Lol.), I recommend that you get them from your local farmer's market (where I got mine from) or you may want to consider taking a class to help you identify plants.

Now onto my yummy smoothies:



1 bunch of dandelion
1 frozen banana
some frozen mango chunks
1 C distilled water
some agave nectar (to sweeten)

This was good, however it still had somewhat of a bitter after-taste to it hence the drinking of it in a wine glass. Hey, I had to do what I had to do to help me consider it more palatable. The next smoothie was awesome.



1 bunch of dandelion
2 granny smith apples (Their tartness really balances out the dandelions bitterness)
1 frozen banana
distilled water

This one was sooooooo delicious! It's my favorite now.

Well, that's all for now. I'll talk more on the benefits of wild edibles (weeds) on next week.

Happy healthy living,
CO

Post Title → DANDELION GREEN SMOOTHIES

GINGER {revisited}

**THIS IS A REPOST**----**THIS IS A REPOST**
I wanted to revisit this because ginger is a "warming" herb. Great year-round but also during the cooler/colder months. So if you're looking to spice it up a bit, this is one of the herbs for you.


One of my fave smoothies of the moment contains mixed berries, an apple, spinach, and a little ginger. Oh, how I love the smell of ginger. When grating it, you partake in such a wonderful aroma. It’s so pleasing to the senses. It’s also pleasing to the body. Let me tell you how.

A researcher at Cornell University Medical College discovered that ginger has an effect on blood clots that is similar to that of aspirin. By the same token, it appears that high cholesterol levels are lowered using the same active ingredient in ginger.

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Ginger

Ginger has been found to be helpful in blocking the harmful effects of prostaglandin, a substance that can lead to inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain and even cause migraines.

Ginger has been associated with alleviation of the feeling of nausea, even in the case of pregnant women.

The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger make it effective in alleviation of the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Ginger helps to promote warmth in the upper respiratory tract and thus, is quite effective in treating the cold and flu.

Those suffering from cramps, caused by stomach gas have found ginger to be quite effective.

Ginger makes the platelets less sticky and is thus, pretty helpful in case of circulatory disorders.

The cineole content in ginger has been found to be a mood enhancer and can help in relieving stress. (Hmmm…no wonder.)

Ginger is a natural and effective mouth freshener and also aids digestion.

Ginger reduces inflammation and also helps lower cholesterol.

Ginger is good for those suffering from gas and bloating.

Naturally firms and tones skin with moisture retention properties

Ginger is believed to have anti-caner properties.

Ginger has been associated with easing of menstrual cramps and mitigation of headaches and migraines.

Ginger is quite effective in treating diarrhea.

Note this: When buying ginger, fresh is best! Be sure to avoid ginger with dry, wrinkled skin, mold or soft spots. African and Indian ginger are the most potent. Grating or using a garlic press will give you the maximum benefit. Also, ginger can give you many benefits but more is not always better. An ounce a day should give you all the benefits you will need.

Post Title → GINGER {revisited}

CHIA SMOOTHIE RECIPES

Remember my post about Chia seeds?... Well, I have been having a wonderful time with my chia seeds. It is so simple to incorporate this wonderful food into your diet. I just "activated" them in water for 30 minutes before adding them to my smoothie recipes. The above picture attempts to show their consistency once water has been added. The mixture becomes like a gel.

Here are a couple of smoothies that I made w/them.

Cacao-Banana Smoothie w/Chia Seeds

1 C almond milk
1 large frozen banana
2 T cacao nibs (ground up)
2 T chia seeds (activated in water)
Can sweeten w/lucuma or other sweetener of choice (agave nectar, stevia, honey) if necessary.

Place 2 T chia seeds in 2 to 3 T of water. Let sit for 30 minutes. Grind up cacao nibs and add to blender. Add all other ingredients to blender. Blend until desired consistency.
Enjoy. =)














Chia Mixed Berry Smoothie
2 T chia seeds (soak in water for 30 minutes)
1 C of frozen mixed berries
Handful of baby spinach
1 C of distilled water
Agave nectar or other natural sweetener if needed

Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until desired consistency.
Enjoy








Both of these smoothies were really delicious! I ended up adding more spinach to my Chia Mixed Berry Smoothie. It was sweet enough without the added agave nectar but if you've never had a smoothie w/greens in them you may want to add a natural sweetener to it. This also goes for my Cacao-Banana Smoothie. I really don't think I needed the lucuma in it because of the sweetness of the banana. (Btw, I freeze my bananas after they've ripened.) But I do believe the lucuma powder added a sweet nuttiness to the flavor fo the smoothie.

Also, chia seeds don't have a taste. At least that I can tell. It seems to take on the taste of whatever you put it with. If you live in the metro Atlanta area, you may want to go by an Arden's Garden and try their Orange Chia juice. (Btw, you can also find some of the Arden's Garden juices in Whole Foods.) It's really delicious! I suppose I would liken the experience to drinking a bubble tea.

Happy Healthy Eating,
CO

Post Title → CHIA SMOOTHIE RECIPES

GREEN SMOOTHIE - RED GRAPEFRUIT STYLE

Good Morning Beautifuls!

It is truly great to be alive w/another wonderful day before me. What say you?... "Your day isn't so wonderful". Well in that case, I challenge you to change your station to "Another Day, Another Opportunity for All Good Things" station. Remember this. =)

I actually was going to post something else on today, but seeing as it is a more difficult topic for me than I expected I've moved that to next week. However, I can and will discuss a green smoothie I tried this weekend. It's a Red Grapefruit Green Smoothie. Yes, it is a bit tart but I'm sure you could level that with some agave nectar, stevia or other healthy, natural sweetener. I found this on the Green Smoothie Blog (great site for green smoothie ideas). I have a link to them in my blogroll to the right.

Here's the info. on it:

Grapefruit contains vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, iron, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, folate and many B-vitamins. Lycopene is a carotenoid found in the red/pink hues of the grapefruit. Both red and blond grapefruits both positively influenced cholesterol levels, but red grapefruit was more than twice as effective, especially in lowering triglycerides. Another health benefit of grapefruit is that it is a powerful antioxidant. Red grapefruit contains vitamin C, vitamin A and lycopene. These antioxidants are potent scavenger hunters that get rid of free radicals and excessive oxidation that can cause cancers. Lycopene, especially, helps to prevent the occurrence of tumors and cancers in the body. Grapefruit juice significantly increases the production and activity of liver detoxification enzymes responsible for preparing toxic compounds for elimination from the body.

Ruby Red Smoothie Recipe
• 2 ruby red grapefruits
Cut a slice of peel from each end of the grapefruit. Standing the fruit upright, continue to slice the peel away from the flesh without removing too much flesh. Be sure to remove some of the pith which tends to have a bitter taste. Although the white pith inside the fruit may be bitter, it contains health qualities which are anti-viral and anti-inflammatory and compliment the vitamin C found in the fruit and make it even more potent. Place a bowl under the grapefruit as you cut to catch the sweet tasting juice.

• 1 bunch mint
• 2 medjool dates
• 1 handful kale
• Water (optional)
Place in the blender in the order listed. Blend and enjoy!


CAUTIONARY NOTE: Compounds in grapefruit are known to increase circulating levels of several prescription drugs including statins. For this reason, the risk of muscle toxicity associated with statins may increase when grapefruit is consumed. Please refer to your primary care therapist or physician before ingesting grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
he body.

With love, health and happiness,
ChocolateOrchid

Post Title → GREEN SMOOTHIE - RED GRAPEFRUIT STYLE

COCKTAILS AND FLOWERS FOR EVERYONE!!

Happy Friday Beautiful Ones!

Did you wake up and tell yourself, "I love you. I respect you. I value you". How about a hug or a well wish?.. When you opened your eyes, did you consider all the things that have gone right and are going right in your life? Did you reflect on all the wonderful things in your world?...

I ask you these things because it is way too easy to focus on what you don't like, what you wish had gone or would go a different way, what you regret doing or not having done, who you wish would act the way you feel they should act as opposed to focusing on the universe before you and what you can fashion it into. You can either tune yourself into the "Perpetual Victim" station or you can align yourself up with the "I Am Active in Making My World Positive and Healthy" station.

Which station are you choosing to vibe with?.... I guarantee you, the latter station will make your world more joyful and peaceful.


Anyhoo, I just had to meet up with you Lovelies because I miss blogging when I'm away. I'm addicted. Lol. I'm happy it's Friday but I'm really looking forward to next week. I have some posts in mind for next week (one of which was inspired by other bloggers) that I'm excited about. As far as the weekend is concerned, I hope that I will be able to get to my Hatha yoga class. I've really been missing it. I'm also gonna try out a couple of green smoothie recipes that I will review sometime next week. And definitely making it to see "Star Trek" this weekend.

What about you with your beautiful self?....

Peace and blessings, Beautifuls!
And as always, don't forget to "do you"?
ChocolateOrchid ;)

Post Title → COCKTAILS AND FLOWERS FOR EVERYONE!!

Wonder-Working Ginger

**THIS IS A REPOST**----**THIS IS A REPOST**
I wanted to revisit this because ginger is a "warming" herb. Great year-round but also during the cooler/colder months. So if you're looking to spice it up a bit, this is one of the herbs for you.


One of my fave smoothies of the moment contains mixed berries, an apple, spinach, and a little ginger. Oh, how I love the smell of ginger. When grating it, you partake in such a wonderful aroma. It’s so pleasing to the senses. It’s also pleasing to the body. Let me tell you how.

A researcher at Cornell University Medical College discovered that ginger has an effect on blood clots that is similar to that of aspirin. By the same token, it appears that high cholesterol levels are lowered using the same active ingredient in ginger.

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Ginger

Ginger has been found to be helpful in blocking the harmful effects of prostaglandin, a substance that can lead to inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain and even cause migraines.

Ginger has been associated with alleviation of the feeling of nausea, even in the case of pregnant women.

The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger make it effective in alleviation of the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Ginger helps to promote warmth in the upper respiratory tract and thus, is quite effective in treating the cold and flu.

Those suffering from cramps, caused by stomach gas have found ginger to be quite effective.

Ginger makes the platelets less sticky and is thus, pretty helpful in case of circulatory disorders.

The cineole content in ginger has been found to be a mood enhancer and can help in relieving stress. (Hmmm…no wonder.)

Ginger is a natural and effective mouth freshener and also aids digestion.

Ginger reduces inflammation and also helps lower cholesterol.

Ginger is good for those suffering from gas and bloating.

Naturally firms and tones skin with moisture retention properties

Ginger is believed to have anti-caner properties.

Ginger has been associated with easing of menstrual cramps and mitigation of headaches and migraines.

Ginger is quite effective in treating diarrhea.

Note this: When buying ginger, fresh is best! Be sure to avoid ginger with dry, wrinkled skin, mold or soft spots. African and Indian ginger are the most potent. Grating or using a garlic press will give you the maximum benefit. Also, ginger can give you many benefits but more is not always better. An ounce a day should give you all the benefits you will need.

Post Title → Wonder-Working Ginger

THE GREEN GOODNESS OF.... KALE!

Hi Beautifuls!

This is one of my favorite green smoothies, of the moment. I know to some of you, it may look pretty ominous. I've been there so I do understand. But trust me when I say it is delicious. This is one of the recipes that I featured in a recent post. It hales from The Raw Mocha Angel's blog and is quite delish!

One of it's key ingredients, the one that gives it it's green glow =), is kale. The recipe calls for 3 kale leaves but I wanted more of a punch and added a fourth one. Still delicious. I want to provide you a little information on this green goodies nutritional benefits to our bodies.

Kale is an excellent source of vitamins B6 (lowers your risk of stroke, heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease, and many degenerative diseases) and C (antioxidant,immune system), carotenes, and manganese. It is also a very good source of B1, B2, and E (antioxidant, prevents hair loss and a whole lot of other good stuff). It is rich in calcium, lutein, iron and Vitamins A,C and K also. And is also a great source of fiber, iron, and copper.

The naturally rich sulfur content of kale deserves a bit more discussion. Science has discovered that sulforaphane, helps boost the body's detoxification enzymes, possibly altering gene expression. This in turn is believed to help clear carcinogenic substances in a timely manner. Sulforaphane is formed when cruciferous (meaning in the mustard family) vegetables like kale are chopped or chewed. This somehow triggers the liver to produce enzymes that detoxify cancer causing chemicals, of which we are all exposed to on a daily basis.

Post Title → THE GREEN GOODNESS OF.... KALE!

UMM UMM GOOD!!

Good Morning Beautifuls!

I hope that all is well in your world. I honestly have been struggling with myself as far as attaining my dietary goals of a 70 to 75% raw vegan diet. I've come to realize that my biggest battle is my thinking. I am not the most patient person in the world and on top of that, I can be a bit rigid in my thinking. For example, I want a Greenstar juicer and a Blendtec blender and feel like I need those appliances to successfully carry out the vision that I have for myself. However, I have to save funds to purchase those appliances. This requires time. Here's where my "rigidity" comes in... I struggle with feeling like I absolutely have to have those particular items to successfully begin this journey. Now note this: I have a blender and a personal blender/grinder. Yeah. So I've had to put myself in check and break out the items I have and put them to good use. And so far so good. When I get to the point where I can afford my Greenstar and Blendtec that will be wonderful. But until then, I'm gonna use what I have until I can.

Here's some delicious, healthy smoothies I've made so far:

The Green Smoothie from TheRawMochaAngel
2 oranges
2 bananas
3 collard leaves, de-stemmed
3/4 C water
If it's your first time attempting a "green" drink, you can use one collard leaf. You can also substitute a different green. I used kale in mine. Or you could use spinach.


Green Smoothie from IntheRaw
3 handfuls fresh baby spinach
1 C frozen mixed berries
1/4 inch fresh ginger, grated (yummy)
2 C water

Both of these recipes are very tasty. If you need to, you can add a natural sweetener like agave, stevia or honey to taste. Always use distilled or filtered water and organic fruits and vegetables.

personal tip: Instead of ice, I use frozen fruit. After my bananas ripen, I cut them up and put them in a ziploc bag. I'm careful to squeeze as much air out as possible and then I toss them in the freezer until I need them. It really helps to prep beforehand as much as possible. If I have any leftover smoothie, I put it in a mason jar and put it in the freezer or fridge.

Have you tried any delish and healthy smoothie recipes lately?...

Post Title → UMM UMM GOOD!!