Get it together

Ugh I desperately need some raw in my life. I have not been impressed with myself lately - managed to get through Christmas, including a NYC trip, with minimal damage to my 96.7% vegan-ness... yet the post-holiday eating has been horrific for the past week-and-a-half. Oh the hypocrisy of my life over the last few days!

After today's pancakes for breakfast and quesadilla with copious (but oh-so-delicious) cheesiness for dinner, this has to end. Pronto.

NB: Huge thanks to housemates for the vegan nutrient-packed lunch, though. You probably negated at least one of my meals of badness.

Current me status:
Body - bloated, heavy, sluggish, achey, dry. Skin is suspect. Eyes not clear and white. Sleep pattern sucks - too much, and not restful
Brain - cloudy, tired and certainly far less intelligent than it should be
Emotions - minefield

To think I used to eat and feel like this all the time.

The housemate and I are planning to do a juice-based detox starting on the weekend, but I am going to pre-empt it with some fantabulous eating habits. I bought red grapes tonight, which I never do, but I feel like this key action of buying something simple, delicious and slightly varying from my regular diet shall kick things off swimmingly.

Plan for tomorrow: I shall eat pre-soaked (uncooked) steel cut oats with my trademark cinnamon-sunflower seed-vanilla stevia-almond milk topping, the grapes, almond-milk-based yoghurt, lentil soup (not raw, but c'mon it's Canadian winter), and avocado. There will also be copious amounts of lemon water and chlorophyll water involved and, because tomorrow is one of my 13-hour days, my treat shall be an uplifting pomegranate-blueberry fresh juice from the mall on the way to teaching. No muffin. No soy-based latte.

Projected me status:
Awesome.

Sundays are for experiments... Avocado "Fries"

Today I attempted Avocado "Fries"! They were pretty easy, rather delicious, and definitely something I'll make again. My pictures don't seem to be uploading properly as of late, so I apologise for the lack of illustration, but google-image 'avocado fries' if you really need that visual inspiration;)

Ze recipe (for two people, or one if you're hungry):

2 medium, just-ripe avocados
2 eggs (vegan: I used almond milk - a little less 'sticky' but fine)
1/4 cup flour
1 cup breadcrumbs/Panko/seasoning (I used a vegan Thai lemon chili crumb seasoning)
Oil (olive oil recommended; I used avocado oil and it worked)

Pre-heat oven to 450C.

- Peel and cut avocados into half-inch slices
- Coat slices well in flour
- Coat slices in egg or almond milk
- Coat slices in desired seasoning/breadcrumb mix
- Place coated slices on a wire 'cooling' rack, on top of a baking sheet
- Spray with oil
- Cook in oven for 20ish minutes, until they are crispy and golden-brown. I turned them over about half-way through.

They were delicious as is, or can be dipped in your favourite dressing or sauce!

I will definitely have to try these with a salt and pepper-based seasoning, or even some kind of crumbled vegan-cheese. Mmmmm.

Jolly Green Juice - a nutritional giant

So it has been an obnoxiously long time since my last post. What can I say, life happened.

I'm still here, though, and I return to you with green juice in all its goodness and glory and... greenness. In the spirit of the new year and all its associated health resolutions, I took some time yesterday to concoct a mixture for the housemates and I that would cleanse our blood, amp up immunity and alkalise our bodies. Ahhh detox.

Seriously, what's not to love about juicing? Once you get the right juicer (okay, mine isn't top quality, but I'm saving madly for one that is), it is a ridiculously cheap and time-effective activity. You can have fun creating your own recipes based on flavour, nutrient or ailment requirements/preferences, or even pick up a handy guide to get your started*.

Here are the ingredients and associated nutrients in my go-to green juice (for 4 people):

Asparagus (1 bunch)	Cucumber (one)	Celery (2 bunches)	Apples (3 green)	Lemons (1, peeled)
Asparagine Folic acid Potassium Phosphorus Riboflavin Vitamin C	Folic acid Potassium Silica	Coumarins Potassium Vitamin C	Carotenes Pectins Potassium Vitamin C	Bioflavonoids Limonene Potassium Vitamin C

This is definitely a winner for the circulation and immune system:

... Throw some ginger in there for the circulatory-stimulating zingiberene (<--best word ever) and gingerols.
... The wallop of vitamin C enhances our natural immunity, helps the body absorb iron and is a power antioxidant that protects against heart disease, circulatory problems and cancer.
... Check out all the potassium in there - great for nerves, controlling blood pressure and normal functioning of our body's cells
... The folic acid helps get those red blood cells going and our brain working.
... Add in all those other nutrients, plus the alkalising properties of asparagus and lemon, and you have yourself health in a mason jar.

And if you're skeptical about the taste, that is where the lemon and ginger come in. You can't even taste the asparagus, and the slightly potent celery flavour, which I actually detest, is drastically reduced.

Juicing is such an integral of health of promoting and maintaining an increased level of health. It concentrates the availability of nutrients from fruits and vegetables, and delivers them to your body in an effortless, natural way, i.e. your body can focus on repair and restoration processes instead of expending its energy resources on digestion. This is especially important after the holidays or any time periods where your health is not at its best (sickness, stress, intake of medication, suboptimal eating habits) - give your body a break, let it focus on getting you better, and enhance its work with a power-packed slew of the good stuff from juicing!


* I was fortunate enough to discover a copy of Michael Van Straten's 'Super Juice - Juicing for Health and Healing' in a second-hand store some months ago, and I absolutely love it. It is a multi-coloured, big-fonted, super-fun collection of recipes divided into juices for power, cleansing, aphrodisiac properties, mixing with alcohol for cocktail parties (yeah!) and more. As an awesome bonus, there are user-friendly indices at the back which you can reference by food name, nutrient or ailment, plus a detailed 3-day juice detox program.

Soup's up!

I recently read an article, courtesy of Food Inc.'s Take Part, on the dangers of consuming soup from a can due to high quantities of bisphenol A (BPA) present in the lining of the cans. This chemical has been linked to all sorts of conditions such as cancer, diabetes and reproductive issues (article: http://www.takepart.com/article/2011/11/23/no-canned-soup-you).

With this in mind, opt for delving into the simple art of making soups from scratch. I have always steered away from making my own soups in the past, as I thought it would be a complex process involving large pots stewing vegetables for 14.7 hours and sticking to a strict schedule of adding in the perfectly specific combination of spices and broths and sprinkles of warmth. If I'd known it was actually this easy, I'd have started a long time ago!

In keeping with my previous Autumnesque theme, and the fact that today is the U.S. Thanksgiving, here is a recipe for pumpkin sweet potato soup. Scroll down to find a RAW recipe for a similar soup below it (it's like pumpkin pie in a bowl), should that be more to your taste. Both recipes pack a huge punch of vitamins A and C, fibre, potassium, manganese and taste-explosion-goodness!:

PUMPKIN & SWEET POTATO SOUP

Ingredients:

• 3 cups diced fresh, peeled pumpkin (peel and chop raw pumpkin, preferably a sugar pie pumpkin)
• 3 cups diced peeled sweet potato
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 3.5 cups veggie broth (homemade or bought - watch sodium content!)
• spices can be adjusted to taste
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp allspice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • salt & pepper to taste
• *optional for a thicker soup*
  • 1 tsp chia seeds soaked in 1/3 cup water for 30 mins
  • 1 tsp arrowroot (in place of cornstarch which I don’t recommend)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees
• Toss sweet potato and pumpkin dice in coconut oil, honey, salt & pepper
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 mins, tossing every 10
• Meanwhile, saute onions and garlic in skillet with coconut oil until onions are translucent and start to caramelize
• When sweet potato and pumpkin are done, cool a bit and puree in food processor with onions and garlic
• Add broth, spices, and remaining ingredients, and continue to puree until smooth
• Taste, and if satisfied, return to a pot on the stove to heat through
• Top with roasted pumpkin seeds, raisins, and serve with crusty bread and a fresh salad.

RAW RECIPE: PUMPKINLESS PIE IN A BOWL

Ingredients:

2 cups carrot juice (fresh if possible, bottled if not)
¾ cup chopped butternut squash
¼ avocado
½-3/4 packet of stevia
Generous sprinkle of cinnamon, a small sprinkle of nutmeg, and a dash of salt

Directions:

• Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth and creamy (and a little warm, if you like to serve soup that way). Serve with fresh salad.
• If you don’t have a high speed blender or Vitamix, you could substitute steamed squash for raw and use a regular blender.

(This recipe is for 1 serving.)

Have a soup-er day ;)

N.

Super-delicious (and easy!) Thanksgiving/Fall recipe!

This is what I'm making for Thanksgiving dinner! It is also a delicious treat any time during the Fall, as in incorporates simple ingredients, seasonal vegetables that you can access locally, and the promise of satisfying the craving for scrumptious comfort foods in a healthy way:

SWEET POTATO & APPLE BAKE

Ingredients:

3 cups sliced, peeled, cooked sweet potatos (*healthy: steam them)
3 cups sliced, peeled, tart apples
3/4 cup packed brown sugar (*healthy: can substitute a 1/4 to 1/2 cup with maple syrup)
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 dash fresh ground pepper
3 tablespoons butter (*healthy: use organic)
Optional: walnuts, sliced almonds, or pecans

Directions:

- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Grease a 1.5 quart baking dish (*healthy: use organic butter, not oil or spray)
- Layer half of the sweet potatoes and apples
- Combine brown sugar, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and pepper; sprinkle half over the apples

- Dot with half of the butter

- Repeat layers, and sprinkle a layer of walnuts, sliced almonds or pecans on top if desired

- Cover and bake at 350 degrees, for 15 minutes

- Baste with pan juices

- Uncover and bake for 15 more minutes, or until the apples are tender

Serves 8.

Per serving: 223 calories, 4.7g of fat, 3.6 g of fibre, 1.5g of protein... and a huge amount of those good ol' vitamins A, B, C, E and minerals.

Mmm... enjoy!!

N.

Thankful, always...

In the spirit of Thanksgiving weekend, I am taking a little moment to reflect on all for which I am thankful... I must say, it certainly is not hard to do as I sit here with a purring cat, sun pouring through the window, and a delicious breakfast steaming away beside me!

Being thankful is showing your appreciation, your gratitude and saying 'thank you'. More importantly, it is taking the time to do this, and being fully sincere... and noticing the kindness of people, even when what they have given you is not necessarily tangible. There are so many beautiful hearts out there, so let's take time to reflect on the gifts from our loved ones, the strangers who share their kindness, and the beauty Nature gives to us every day.

Today, I am thankful for, among many other things:

- a Mother who taught me how to love, how to give, how to strive for the best, and the best damn study techniques a girl could want;)

- a Father who passed on his strength, worldy knowledge and infallible common sense with me every day, and taught me the wisdom of Nature, health and cigar-smoking

- the career of my dreams, with the employer, coworkers, and students of my dreams... it is such a privilege to have my passion be my living

- the opportunity to be studying for the next, complementary step of my career under way

- a relationship with a wonderful man who makes me laugh, keeps me focused, and supports me even when I'm doing angler-fish impressions

- close friends, who live near (or even in my apartment!), and far... including those who I don't get to see as often, but think of dearly

- my hilarious cat... brightens my life every day in a ridiculously cute, furry way

- people in my past who have shaped my life today, whether it be teachers, past relationships/friendships, or family... and the cultures in which I have lived...

- the little blessings of every day... the colour of the leaves today, the lady who let me go ahead of her in the grocery line as I only had two items, having finally been to an apple orchard, a really good book, the cute little boy on the bus who was having deliriously-happy mitten fights with his Dad

- food (seriously, what would a thankfulness list by me even be, without the mention of food!!), and the beauty of whole, living, healthy eating... oh, and cinnamon (see previous post... or the bowl of oatmeal I am eating...)
- ability... to have choice, to dance, to sing, to learn, to help, to feel, to share, to give, to cook, to laugh, to walk, to dream, to believe, to breathe...

... what are you thankful for?

Sending love, and thanks, to all, and wishing you a fantastic weekend with your families,

N.

Mindfulness in the midst...

Around this time of year, things start to get hectic. Children and teens are buried under a deluge of homework and extracurricular activities... adults have shifted from their free-spirited summer adventures, back to the discipline of the work-place... and oh yes, the Christmas season is lurking around the corner, with its inevitable financial responsibilities and social commitments. On top of all this, the seasonal change brings an erratic energy with its windy days and crisp nights, and our immune systems are trying their darndest to keep up to shifting weather patterns and sniffle-inducing germs.

Now, more than ever, is when we need to find our little moments of zen. Of course, the question is: when, amidst this craziness, would one have time to find a warm patch of grass, fold into a sukasana pose, and get their "om" on? The reality is, that five or ten minutes may not be easy to come across at all. Most of us, myself included, rush out of bed in the morning, zip around between work and eating and errands all day, and sink gratefully back into bed at the last possible second of the evening. And even if we did find a quick stretch of time, would we really be able to quiet our busy minds enough to reap the full benefits of a meditative session?

So, let's work within our reality. A main part of meditation is becoming aware. Awareness. What does that mean? Taking notice. Of yourself. Of your surroundings.  Of your feelings. Of your body. Of your thoughts. Of your breath. It sounds so simple, but when did we become so busy that we lost the ability to notice our very own self? With this in mind, the first step is just beginning to give a little more attention to what we're up to. While driving to work, notice how you are feeling as you face the day ahead. Take a deep breath, counting to 5 as you breathe in, and to 10 as you breathe out. Maybe try a couple more. As you sip your coffee at a traffic light, notice its temperature, see the cars around you, appreciate the sun rising higher in the sky. Smile as you sing along to the radio. Greet your coworkers cheerfully, and when you ask 'how are you doing?', stop and listen to their answer. During that stressful phone call with a client, think about the words you are choosing to use, and listen to their tone of voice... it can provide many clues into what they really want to get out of the conversation.

Never be resistant to letting peace into your day. Even in the middle of the most hectic of situations, there is always one thing that is safe, constant and controllable, and that is your breath, your actions, and your reactions. Choose thoughtfulness, sincerity and awareness in all you do, and after a few days, you will find that it becomes a habit to react with less anxiety to daily stresses. Until you have the time and mental space to enjoy an uninterrupted, enlightening bout of relaxation and meditation, take mental mini-vacations and create your own calm little pockets of peace.