The atmosphere in our house is really intense – the teenagers are preparing for exams and they are studying like crazy, really hard!
Green smoothies are the perfect energy kick to feed and nourish mind and body.
At this time of year, the stores are booming with fresh, soft, sweet and delicious mangos. They are the perfect snack and fantastic in green smoothies.
Here is a smoothie for the hard-working teens (or others) – a real kick of greens!
Lovely mangos
Green and delicious
This smoothie is delicious. It’s sweet, intense, powerful and refreshing! A perfect way to boost your concentration and refresh your mind – as well as refreshing and anti-oxidizing your body.
Green Smoothie with Spinach, Mango, Lime and Mint
1 good handful of fresh spinach
2 ripe mangos
3-4 twigs of fresh mint
2 lime fruits
Ice
Water
Fresh spinach
Lime
Juicy, sweet and delicious
Fresh mint
Put the peeled and roughly chopped fruit and herbs in the blender along with some ice and water. Blend until smooth, cool and fabulous.
Enjoy
And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair – Kahlil Gibran
I never thought it would be, because my doctor told me –
“young lady, you have the hereditary kind of high cholesterol and that means no matter what you do, you will never be able to lower it naturally. The only way for you is medication.”
So, for the past 10-12 years, I have been on statins – every single day I popped a pill, to help me to keep a low count on my cholesterol.
However, other health problems inspired me into changing my lifestyle.
And today, I can celebrate 3 years with normal cholesterol levels and no medication!
So does that mean you need to be on a really restricted diet? No desserts, no streaks on the BBQ, no butter, no cheese, no life…….no fun ?
Nope – I eat everything and I have lots of fun!
Even cream cake
So how do I do it?
It’s really simple and if I can do it, so can you!
(Please don’t go off your medication without talking to your doctor!)
I shifted the balance on my plate. So 80% of what I eat is plant-based. This means 80% of what I eat is vegan, plant-based, green leaves, lettuce, salads, spinach, kale, nuts, seeds, lentils, grains, roots, all kinds of veggies, and lots of fruit.
I eat plenty of food that contains natural cholesterol lowering agents, like nuts especially walnuts and almonds, oatmeal, berries, avocado, fish, tomatoes, etc.
20% is whatever I like to eat – it can be anything.
Every day I exercise, except for one day of rest! 45 min. to an hour! Yes I know, you don’t have time! I didn’t either, but you can find time! Exercise is brutally important when it comes to lowering cholesterol naturally. I get up earlier in the morning. I wake up and have millions of excuses for not going, but I tell myself that I only have to tie my shoelaces, get out and run to the end of the curb. If I still don’t like it, I can go back home……. but it has never happened, once I am out there, once I have taken the first breath of that beautiful morning air, the last thing I want is to go back home.
Meditation – When we are stressed and tired we are more likely to make unhealthy choices, eat fatty foods, drink too much etc. Also research shows that the release of stress hormones can damage the blood vessels, so plague sticks more easily. I find mindfulness meditation is a great way to unwind.
A great article about food writer Mark Bittman and his concept VB6 – Vegan before 6
Stay tuned for the VVP – The Virtual Vegan Potluck, taking place this Saturday! 160 + bloggers will bring their delicious food to the virtual party 🙂
A Raw Food Day – an entire day with pure raw organic food. Fresh fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts and seeds – and all prepared in flavourful ways .
It’s a luxury for your body, mind, heart and soul.
And, … it’s super easy to prepare and even easier to clean up afterwards – imagine no greasy pots and pans!
I have been amazed, astounded really, by the power of green food!
Lifestyle diseases can be cured by lifestyle changes!
I have been so spoiled lately! Last weekend I went to Montreal with my beautiful daughter – just the two of us! Wow, what a treat, spending time alone with her was so precious!
Then this weekend I went skiing with some girl friends. Both of these experiences were like big-time tonic for my soul.
The down side is however that while traveling it can be hard to maintain healthy habits and routines. I love joining the party and eating what everyone else is eating and I treasure visiting interesting restaurants and eat whatever takes my fancy.
But I also love to get back home and squeeze myself a rejuvenating green juice. Its the perfect way to recoup and getting back into the rhythm again .
Fresh spinach
Celery
Sweet Apples
Lemon
Pear
Green Juicy Juice
This juice is made in minutes and served on ice.
You need:
A bunch of fresh spinach
3 sticks of celery
3 apples
1 pear
1 lemon
Put it all through the juicer (or blender, but then you need to add some water) to make a delicious, refreshing green juice.
It amazes me how much is possible when we take our own health into our own hands – so much can happen! It could happen that we might very well risk feeling better, energized, loose weight, lower our cholesterol, boost our immune system – and all naturally!
A little actually goes a long way – and can make a huge difference.
Health is everything – without it we have nothing.
13 steps to a healthier ’13
Drink green juice/green smoothies – every day. It is not a coincidence that I put green smoothies and green juice on top of the list. Drinking them every day, will energize you and naturally make you feel like eating more healthy foods, moving and grooving. You will feel great. If you are not already a green smoothie drinker check this >>>out.
Try to exchange some of your meals with plant-based meals. But keep to: whatever feels right – exchange, bacon and eggs with a delicious raw food oatmeal and a great smoothie. Or exchange the sandwich with a delightful salad lunch. One meal at a time will make a difference!
Exercise – there is no way around it, exercise is a must. We know the mind will try to convince us, that today is not a good day, tomorrow is better or even next month is much, much better. But don’t listen – just DO IT, get out there – I promise you one thing, you will not regret it.
What ever it is – make it fun, make it enjoyable, make it a joy that you cannot live without. Check this>> out!
Drink water – Exchange some of your drinks with cool clear water. Water rejuvenates you and keeps you alive. This is what The Mayo Clinic>> recommends
Meditate – research shows again and again the multiple advantages of meditation. If you already meditate, you know what I am talking about. Meditation is so powerful and so good for our health, both emotionally and physically. Mindfulness meditation boost our health and overall well-being – it reduces stress and anxiety. It gives us a pause, a well needed break in a hectic world.
Journal – journaling is a fantastic way to release emotions, reflecting about life and understanding ourselves better. It is like writing yourself home. The journal can be trusted with anything, no one will ever need to see it, it is yours. Express yourself on the pages, no censoring.
Fresh air – spend time in nature. Japanese researchers have found what they call “Forest Therapy” – spending time in nature, to lower blood pressure and heart rate and it increases the amount of natural killer cells that helps us ward of infections and fight cancer. Read the article>> here
Play – did you know that play is an actual need? Play is crucial for our health and well-being. Dr Stuart Brown has proven how play shapes the brain, opens the imagination and invigorates the soul. Check this>> out.
Express yourself – Expressing ourselves, speaking our truth and taking ourselves seriously, is important for not just our emotional health but our overall health. If we don’t there is a part of us that gets stuck – and stops the flow.
Follow a dream – Life is short and if there is one thing that can really bring joy and add to our well-being, it is going after our dreams. Making them happen. Taking steps towards reaching a goal, a dream.
Get a massage – A massage is soothing, comforting and wonderful. It also has tremendous health benefits, such as stress relief, pain relief, helps with depression and anxiety, blood pressure control and it even boosts our immune system.
Read more>> here.
Self-compassion – Before helping others put on your own oxygen mask! The more gentle, compassionate and loving we can be with ourselves the more compassionate we are to our children, our spouse, our friends and the world. Studies says self- compassion boosts not only our self-esteem but also our health. Prof. Kirsten Neff has researched the power of self-compassion for years, listen to an interview with
her>> here
Friends and family – spend time with friends of both sexes. Nothing so rejuvenating as a night out with the girls or a guys night. A night with good friends around the dinner table is wonderful. Make time for friends and family. Often when you ask people what is most important to them, they say family and friends, but work and duties get first priority. Read more here in this>> Huffington Post article.
Green Smoothies are part of my daily health ritual. I love these green shots. I swear to them and joyfully make them every day!
I feel fantastic when I drink these green health boosters. It is an excellent and easy way to get your greens!
I am excited and look forward to a new and refreshing taste every day.
They take 2 minutes to make, so easy! I would never ever be able to chew my way thorough the amounts of greens and fruits that go in a smoothie, but I easily drink them and feel the goodness in every cell of my body. By drinking green smoothies I load my body with health. More about the Benefits of green smoothies.
Green Smoothies
Green Smoothie with Collards
A good handful of collard greens
2 apples
A chunk of pineapple
An orange
A generous handful of frozen mango
2 cups of water
Add it all to the blender and blend into a cool smooth and delicious drink.
Enjoy!
Something new and exciting in my life. I have signed up for Twitter a completely new world to me. Feel like Bambi on the ice actually, but I am determined to learn 🙂
If you are on Twitter I would LOVE to connect with you!
There is something about mixing fruits and herbs – Apple & Thyme – Strawberry & Basil – Peaches & Rosemary – it creates such wonderful flavor combinations. Here, while the autumn rain is pouring down outside my window, I still recall the Strawberry/ Lime/ Basil popsicles we made this summer.
Today’s delicious green smoothie is made with apples and thyme and it is scrumptious!
Millions are diagnosed with cancer all over the world, every year. We all know people with cancer, we all know people who have died of cancer. Many of us know people with cancer in our immediate family. Some of us even have personal experience with cancer, or maybe even you are fighting the disease right now.
Cancer is everywhere.
“You have cancer” must be THE most frightening diagnosis the doctor could ever give us. Most of us are rightfully terrified of cancer.
This past year, I have heard of 7 cases in my family and close circle of friends, 7 cases! And more examples come up as I write this post.Even as a young girl I had a boy friend who died of cancer. I cry every time I hear of someone dying of cancer and I ask myself, why? Why is it that so many people get sick with cancer, nowadays?
Is there anything we can do to actively fight and prevent these diseases? I firmly believe that’s possible!
Here are 6 inspiring sources of information that can help you to be an active participant in fighting cancer and other diseases.
During my own healing journey I have come across many incredible stories of people who have healed diseases naturally and it is literally fascinating!
Can we actually do something to create an environment within the body that can help prevent cancer or stop it from spreading? Is it possible to support the body to heal on its own? And hereby add a powerful supplement to what the doctors can do for us?
According to these studies – yes it is possible!
In this post I will look at some very inspiring sources of information. This is information that everyone should know about. Information to help us prevent diseases like cancer and to create the worst possible condition for cancer cells in the body to spread. It is information that brings hope – that we can assist our bodies in healing and be an active participant, by giving it what it needs to fight disease and heal.
The book The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, PhD and Thomas M. Campbell , MD. This book is such an incredibly important book about the relationship between diet and disease. It is the research and story about how we can reverse diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer!! Dr Colin Campbell’s research is ground-breaking and life-saving!
The title comes from that Dr. Campbell found in his research that certain rule areas in China, cancer is non-existent! He obviously wanted to find out why and eventually discovered that in some areas the people ate very little or no meat and no processed food. He found that there is a direct link between animal protein and cancer. Chapter 3 in the book is called “Turning off Cancer” – the research in the book is evident. There is a connection between the food we eat and the diseases we get. It is also evident that it is possible to reverse these diseases and we can do that by taking the reins and be active participants in our own healing.
Kris Carr is a living testimonial of this. She was diagnosed with cancer in the liver and the lungs! She was told, “Sorry, no cure”, and given very short time to live . Today it is 10 years since Kris was diagnosed with that incurable disease, Cancer, and she is living proof that it is possible to turn cancer off! She did turn cancer off, and is fitter than she has ever been. As a journalist diagnosed with cancer she documented her very private journey with cancer from the point that she was diagnosed and then her journey onward. She is also the author of two wonderful New York Times Bestselling books – “Crazy Sexy Cancer” and “Crazy Sexy Diet”. She is an incredible woman, so inspiring she will knock your socks off and I highly recommend her work. She has been and continues to be my hero and my inspiration. An amazing woman!
Food Matters is an incredible documentary about the food we eat and the connection between diet and disease. Food Matters have made 2 very powerful documentaries, one is called “Food Matters” and the other “Hungry for Change”. I highly recommend these movies. They are mind-blowing .
“Forks over Knives” another incredible documentary based on the work of Dr. T. Colin Campbell’s research – another mind blowing documentary that will change not only the way you look at food but probably your life. It is a documentary that saves lives! It tells how we can reverse diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer!
Dr Otto Warburg won the Nobel Prize in 1931 for his discovery that cancer is caused by weakened cell respiration due to lack of oxygen at a cellular level. He discovered that in the absence of oxygen, the cell reverts to a primal nutritional program and nourishes itself by converting glucose through fermentation. This creates an acidic condition in the body and the cancer cells then begin to multiply. Cancer cells are anaerobic, they cannot live in an environment rich in oxygen. When we eat plant based foods we assist our bodies to be more alkaline – also meaning more aerobic, which cancer cells cannot live in!
This is the trailer for Kris Carr’s inspiring documentary
This is the trailer for Food Matter’s
This is the trailer for Forks over Knives – a documentary that leaves you empowered, because you learn there is so much you can do to heal!
This is an inspiring YouTube about a young lady who cured herself of ovarian cancer
This is great news! This means we can be grateful and accept all the doctors can do to help us heal – and at the same time, take the reins and go full power into doing whatever possible, ourselves, to create the very best conditions for the body to heal, by boosting the body with nutrients, healthy plant-based alkaline foods, fresh green juices and lots of green smoothies.
Kris Carr’s books “Crazy Sexy Cancer” and “Crazy Sexy Diet” are full of tips and great advise on how to alkalize your body and boost your health, to create optimal conditions for your body to heal.
I hope this post will inspire you to take the rains and be an activist for your own health – to prevent disease, to heal and to flourish.
If there is one thing I am really addicted to – it is having my green juice and/or green smoothies every day!
In the beginning it was just me onboard – I would make a big batch of green smoothie, put it in the fridge or take it with me in a thermos, sip of it all day and feel great. Quite quickly, actually within a couple of days, I could hear my husband “sneaking” into the fridge and pouring himself a smoothie 🙂 and before too long – starting to insist and complaining if the jug in the fridge was empty!
To start with, the kids would hold their noses and shake their heads when they saw us drinking “the green stuff” and we would smile and say “cheers”. Then one day they too wanted to try. Time went by and we would drink fruit smoothies with almonds in the mornings, then one day:-) “Mom, it’s not fair that you have finished off the green smoothies by the time we come home from school”!!
Now there is a fresh batch of green juice or a green smoothie everyday after school.
Are you busy and think it takes too much time and effort to prepare healthy food?
Green smoothies are the easiest and healthiest “fast food” ever. When I am really busy and don’t really have the time to prepare a nutritious meal – I make a green smoothy! It has everything in it that my body needs, the nutrients, the proteins and the fibers – it keeps me glowing and energized for hours on end. I make a big portion, put it in the fridge and even when I’m heading out on the road, away all day, I can bottle it and take it with me to enjoy later.
This recipe has
Fresh spinach
Mango
Grapes
Celery
pear,
Lime
Kiwi
And filtered water/ice cubes
Cheers to your health!
Green Smoothies are:
easy to make and easy to clean up afterwards
loaded with nutrients and proteins
full of fibers that keeps you full and satisfied
a perfect way to reduce/eliminate cravings for unhealthy food
a good way to balance your blood sugar
easy to digest and assimilate
a great way to alkalize the body helping to fight disease
a great way to lower cholesterol naturally
an energy booster
boosting your immune system
great way to help lose weight
an easy way to get greens and fruit – in fact it is difficult to eat your way through the amounts of greens and fruits we need, but by juicing or making smoothies, its easy.
supporting your overall health – both physical and emotional.
Anne Sture Tucker 