Chia Gel

Chia Gel

Chia seeds are indigenous to Central America, and they are one of the tiniest edible seeds. They have no flavor which makes them great additions to smoothies!! They are capable of retaining up to 9x their weight in water if you soak them and when added to a smoothie after soaking them it makes the smoothie thicker (minus the calories). Unlike some other seeds, chias don't need to be ground because they are digestible as is. Chia is full of healthy fats, is high in fiber and chock full of antioxidants. It is full of minerals and protein, and contains omega-3's, calcium and iron. It's great for weight loss, sustainable energy and longevity.

To make CHIA GEL:
Mix together 2 cups of water with 4 tablespoons chia seeds. Let stand for 15 minutes. Mix again, then let stand for 15minutes longer to allow the seeds to swell even more. Refrigerate. Chia gel will last for one week.
*Fun Tip: instead of adding to water, add to apple juice, grape juice or kombucha to crest flavored variations.

When adding chia gel to smoothies make sure you add them after the smoothie has been made, maybe pulsing the smoothie a few times to incorporate the chia gel without pulverizing the seeds.

Brrrrrr!

GoodGodAlmightyImFreezingAndICantGetWarm!!!!

Trying to stay present, but seriously counting down the days until I'm in Mexico for my next retreat. There's two spots left for anyone else who is not feeling so in love with this cold weather!

Edible Exfoliator

Honey + Baking Soda = Amazing Face Wash

Okay, so maybe you don't want to eat honey with baking soda, but if you wanted to, you could!! (and you sure as hell can't eat your Neutrogena face wash...). This mixture is one teaspoon baking soda and a little scoop of organic (raw) honey. Mix it together in your palm and then use this edible, exfoliating scrub on your face and neck. I apply in a circular motion and let it sit on my face for less than a minute before washing it off. Your face will be glowing afterwards, I promise!!

Dehydrated "Burgers"

Bri is a genius in the kitchen. Through her juicer (which is the rolls Royce of juicers....it makes everything a pulp and Then you press it for the juice) she ran brazil nuts, raisins, beets, carrots, herbs (thyme, parsley, cilantro, mint). Add minced red onion, flax meal and salt. Mix and make patties. Hit em with some ground black pepper. Dehydrate for several hours. Enjoy! Bri also made a tahini white wine spicy mustard and a macadamia nut "cheese". So epic. Best.Camping.Food.Ever.

Food for Thought.

Last night after my day of departure [from my juice cleanse] Brad, Ro and I huddled up on the couch and watched two epic food documentaries: Fat Sick & Nearly Dead and Forks Over Knives.

Both were super informative and entertaining, but Forks over Knives was LIFE-CHANGING. I already adhere to a healthy diet...the meat we eat has been killed by my parents, the seafood we eat has been snatched from the sea by our own hands, and the produce we eat is a product of our backyard garden. We abstain from most dairy, and when we do indulge it is from free range, organic, Grass-Fed cows. My biggest weakness: french fries....which I'm trying to get under control. After seeing both of these documentaries I am re-inspired to get back on track with my juice cleanse for just a few more days. I'm not planning to juice forever-- but I definitely plan to make sure that ONE fresh juice makes it into my day EVERY day. I don't like people who preach - so I don't plan on preaching it here and now...all I can say is please, please, please do your body, you friends and family, and yourself a huge favor and watch Forks over Knives. We all deserve to be the healthiest and most vibrant beings possible - if not for yourself, at least for your loved ones.

Oh...and for those of you out there with all of the excuses:

"I don't have time to prepare good food":

Eating a plant-based and whole foods diet can add an extra 5-10 years on your life, so in gratitude to all that extra time you can take a little time out of your day to eat healthy.

"Buying organic, whole foods, and vegetables costs too much money" :

Not only will you be saving money by not having to visit the doctor, saving yourself from operations, medications, and rehabilitations: but you only have ONE body. ONE. That's it. Why do you spend $200 on a dress to put on the outside when you aren't taking care of what's inside?

The cost of having a heart-attack: $56,000.

The cost of juicing for one day: $18.

The cost of juicing organic for one day: $28.

Back on Track!!! Woke up at 7am and sliced up a batch of juice for me and for my Dad.

Drink To Your Health!

Last nights yoga flow was called Spring Cleaning...a flow with lots of kundalini breath work and twists to cleanse the body of toxins. At the end of class I presented everyone with a cup of Turmeric Tea, and it was delicious! Several people asked for the recipe for this healthy drink so here it is, along with a bit of information about Ayurveda and our bodies.

"According to Ayurveda, good health is dependent upon our capacity to fully metabolize the NUTRITIONAL, EMOTIONAL, and SENSORY information that we ingest. When our digestive energies, known as "Agni" are robust, we create healthy tissues, eliminate waste products efficiently and create "Ojas". Ojas is the basis for clarity of perception, physical strength, and immunity. If our agnis are weak we have an abundance of "Ama". Ama are the toxins that our body cannot process, which will result in allergies, congestion, headaches, low energy, and chronic pain. "

Turmeric Tea Recipe:

2 cups water

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (or fresh ginger, zested)

juice of 1/2 a lemon

1 tablespoon maple syrup

Bring the water, turmeric and ginger to a medium high heat and allow it to steep for 10 minutes. Strain and then add lemon juice and maple syrup. Enjoy.

Turmeric Nutritional Benefits:

• known for its anti-inflammatory properties
• natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent (can be used on cuts and burns)
• natural liver detoxifier

*There are many many more benefits, but I thought I'd keep it short and sweet and list the most important :)

You Are What You Eat

You are what you eat...so take the time to find out where you're food is coming from...

Corn and Crap.

I'm a junky for information. When I became interested in Kundalini yoga, I went up to Massachusetts for a 4 day immersion, and ordered 6 books. What I'm trying to say is that I fully immerse myself in whatever I am interested in. And why I haven't known more about my food is beyond me...afterall, we ALL know that I live to eat food, prepare food and share meals with friends. Now- I never thought that I'd say this...but I'm going vegetarian. Yep, I said it. BUT, there are some specifications that I should make: I will continue to eat game, especially that that is killed by my friends and family. Venison, fish, home-raised pigs...all good. Also, if a restaurant KNOWS about the meats that they are selling then i would feel comfortable eating this (example: chef Gordon at La Medusa not only knows the name of the local farm his meat came from, but chances are that he was most likely present at the slaughter). These types of proteins are environmentally friendly, humane, and are about as natural as it comes. My generations life expectancy is actually going to be LOWER than that of our parents...all because of what we eat. And even if you don't care about losing a few years, at least have some respect for the planet, for the sake of the generations to come.

Take a minute to inform yourself...it is your obligation as a human being.

Muscle Testing

THIS is my AMAZING friend EMILY BOGY.

I have known Emily for about 6 wonderful years now, and she is a powerful and amazing individual. She's been living in Boulder, Colorado for a little more than two years now - and as some of you may remember, this is who I connected with while driving cross country earlier this fall. Em knows a lot about everything that I am familiar with, and also with things that I HOPE to become familiar with. She's a baker out in Boulder, but for years she has worked different jobs in the Health and Holistic field. If you have a question about supplements, diet or energy work: Emily is your girl. She came to my Tuesday night class and then came back to my house for some dinner and a good old fashioned sleepover. As exhausted as we both were, we chatted on into the evening about yoga, meditation, babies (Emily is becoming certified to be a Doula), supplements, food, astrology, love, energy and all that other stuff that most people in South Jersey aren't too concerned about. My brain was in overload, and my heart was on the brink of combusting. I was soaking up all that she had to said, asked a million and one questions, and enjoyed running through some of lifes difficulties with her -- a compassionate, insightful, thoughtful and wise woman. The depth of the conversation is a bit too much to share with the WWW, but I WILL share the amazing MUSCLE TESTING sequence that she taught me....

MUSCLE TESTING: So, I was telling Emily about how my joints have been aching...to the point that it hurts to move (lymes disease). For this she recommended a super potent, high quality fish oil and lots of turmeric root and ginger. Excited - I reached for our huge supplement cabinet and pulled out a bottle of Fish Oil and a bottle of Turmeric pills...."Is this what you'd recommend", I asked. She responded with "Well, does it resonate with your body?". Huh? What the friggin' hell does that mean? She explained how to do the Muscle Testing, and godddamnit - the freakiest thing ever - and it worked!!! She had me stand and hold my phone against my chest with my right hand (if you are a righty- you'd use your right hand...a lefty, use your left). Then she had me extend my left arm straight out. Then she said that she was going to try to press my left arm down, and to resist. Sadly, it went down rather abruptly. "Shit", I thought, "I need to build some muscles...add in a few more chatarungas to my practice". Then she had me hold the bottle of turmeric to my chest, and when she pushed my arm down it barely moved!!!! Well shit balls...I was intrigued. So I was grabbing things all around me and holding them to my chest, having her press down my opposing arm. My body did NOT resonate with the brand of fish oil that we had. After going through a bunch of different objects, I was completely sold on the power and accuracy of the "muscle testing". Emily said that the next time I'm at the store and want to pick out a supplement -- just close my eyes, hold the container to my chest and have someone try to push my arm down.

Well goddamn - people ALREADY think I'm a bit looney - I can't imagine what everyone will think when they see me doing this! But who cares, I know that I'll be taking supplements that energetically correspond with my body.

In addition to just the beautiful physical presence of Emily, she also came with a present for meeee!! Sonia Choquettes' "Ask Your Guides ORACLE CARDS". My dove for a card and she picked "REST" and I dove for a card and came up with "BALANCE". How spot on! Mom has been saying for all of December how EXHAUSTED she is and how she needs to just take some time to sleep, rest, and rejuvenate after a very long, very exhausting (physically and mentally) year. Balance was perfect for me because lately I have been spreading myself thin - trying to give 180% of myself to each and every yoga class. I'm reading half a dozen kundalini/zen/meditation/vinyasa/and philosophy books simultaneously, as well as trying to promote myself and create a business. Balance, yes. I promise to honor that.

Anywho -- all in all, a FABULOUS visit from my very wonderful friend, the lovely and amazing EMILY BOGY.

Karuna Meditation

This is the Karuna Meditation...Karuna being the 3rd of the 4 Divine Abodes of Buddhism (and the Four Immeasurables from Patanjali's sutras). Karuna means compassion. The difference between Karuna and Metta is that Karuna is the desire to remove harm and suffering from others; while Metta is the desire to bring about the well-being and happiness of others.

In Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, one of the foremost authoritative texts on the Bodhisattva path is the Bodhicaryavatara by Shantideva. In the eighth section entitled Meditative Concentration, Shantideva describes meditation on Karunā as thus:

Strive at first to meditate upon the sameness of yourself and others. In joy and sorrow all are equal; Thus be guardian of all, as of yourself. The hand and other limbs are many and distinct, But all are one--the body to kept and guarded. Likewise, different beings, in their joys and sorrows, are, like me, all one in wanting happiness. This pain of mine does not afflict or cause discomfort to another's body, and yet this pain is hard for me to bear because I cling and take it for my own. And other beings' pain I do not feel, and yet, because I take them for myself, their suffering is mine and therefore hard to bear. And therefore I'll dispel the pain of others, for it is simply pain, just like my own. And others I will aid and benefit, for they are living beings, like my body. Since I and other beings both, in wanting happiness, are equal and alike, what difference is there to distinguish us, that I should strive to have my bliss alone?"

KARUNA MEDITATION (Compassion):

Begin by focusing on the heart center - the middle of the chest, just beneath the sternum. Feel the breath moving there, rising and falling. Soften the heart, let yourself be open and receptive, letting down any defenses. Very slowly move through these phrases in your mind, contemplating their meaning and letting their meaning penetrate beyond the idea to the actual feeling itself.

• May I be kind.
• May I be aware of my own suffering.
• May I be open to my own suffering.
• May I respond to my suffering with love and compassion.

1. First repeat this several times for YOURSELF.
2. Now focus it and send it to someone dear to you (May you be...)

• May I be kind to you.
• May I be aware of your suffering.
• May I be open to your suffering.
• May I respond to your suffering with love and compassion.

• May you be kind.
• May you be aware of your own suffering.
• May you be open to your own suffering.
• May you respond to your suffering with love and compassion.

1. Send this to someone neutral. A neighbor, acquaintance, coworker, etc. (May you be...)
2. Focus on someone negative or difficult. Someone that maybe you just don't like. Now send it to them (May you be...)
3. Finally, send it to All Beings Everywhere (May all beings everywhere be...)

Radiate Karuna outward to all beings nearby, and gradually out to the whole planet, and finally the entire universe. At the end, come back to an awareness of breath and the heart center again, returning to the reality of your own body and this present moment.

Metta Meditation

I'm realizing just now that I never posted the other 2 (of the 4) Divine Abodes that we have practiced in Yin: Metta and Karuna. So, here you go!

A meditation taught by the BUddha himself, and is designed to bring unconditional love to your Self, your loved ones and even learn to send unconditional love to beings throughout the universe. IT will help bring peace to situations taking place in your life - and allow you to look at the world in a more positive light. Bring your attention to your breath - exhaling negative thoughts and emotions, breathing in pure light, kindness, generosity and love - breathe out anger, breathe out any thoughts or feelings of fear or failure. Relax your body. Feel your energy settle into your heart and into the present.

METTA MEDITATION (Loving-Kindness):

Begin by focusing on the heart center - the middle of the chest, just beneath the sternum. Feel the breath moving there, rising and falling. Soften the heart, let yourself be open and receptive, letting down any defenses. Very slowly move through these phrases in your mind, contemplating their meaning and letting their meaning penetrate beyond the idea to the actual feeling itself.

• May I live in safety.
• May I be happy.
• May I be healthy
• May I live with ease.

1. First repeat this several times for YOURSELF.
2. Now focus it and send it to someone dear to you (May you...)
3. Send this to someone neutral. A neighbor, acquaintance, coworker, etc. (May you...)
4. Focus on someone negative or difficult. Someone that maybe you just don't like. Now send it to them (May you...)
5. Finally, send it to All Beings Everywhere (May all beings everywhere...)

Radiate Metta outward to all beings nearby, and gradually out to the whole planet, and finally the entire universe. At the end, come back to an awareness of breath and the heart center again, returning to the reality of your own body and this present moment.

Sound Sleep

For the past three weeks I have been having a really difficult time sleeping. Feeling exhausted but unable to sleep ranging to being wide awake and alert - tossing and turning. To me: this is unacceptable. A good nights rest is just as important as a healthy diet and a regular yoga practice. I don't need as many Hours of sleep as some, but I do need for those few hours to be uninterrupted sound sleep. The sleeplessness started in Seattle, but I was blaming that on the time difference. Once I returned back East, I still had trouble sleeping - but then attributed that to time change (again). But now that I've been home for a fair amount on time I'm getting frustrated. I find myself doing Legs-Up-The-Wall at 3 o'clock in the morning, focusing on the rising and falling of my breath, with my headphones on playing some soothing music (check out "Manose"). I hate the idea of taking any medicine: benedryl leaves you with a benedryl hangover and I'm not game for taking any of those PM products. I've cut out all caffeine, with the exception of my morning cup of coffee. So until I'm able to figure out what is keeping me tossing and turning, I've turned to Melatonin. I have been taking one at night about an hour before I go to sleep, and along with some earplugs (sorry Dad, but your snoring has become unbearable) I have been able to get a deep, sound sleep through the night. Here's what it's all about:

What is melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland, a small gland in the brain. Melatonin helps control your sleep and wake cycles. Very small amounts of it are found in foods such as meats, grains, fruits, and vegetables. You can also buy it as a supplement.

What does natural melatonin do in the body?

Your body has its own internal clock that controls your natural cycle of sleeping and waking hours. In part, your body clock controls how much melatonin your body makes. Normally, melatonin levels begin to rise in the mid- to late evening, remain high for most of the night, and then drop in the early morning hours.

Light affects how much melatonin your body produces. During the shorter days of the winter months, your body may produce melatonin either earlier or later in the day than usual. This change can lead to symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or winter depression.

Natural melatonin levels slowly drop with age. Some older adults make very small amounts of it or none at all.

Why is melatonin used as a dietary supplement?

Melatonin supplements are sometimes used to treat jet lag or sleep problems (insomnia). Scientists are also looking at other good uses for melatonin, such as:

• Treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
• Helping to control sleep patterns for people who work night shifts.
• Preventing or reducing problems with sleeping and confusion after surgery.
• Reducing chronic cluster headaches.

It may be that melatonin, when taken as a supplement, can stop or slow the spread of cancer, make the immune system stronger, or slow down the aging process. But these areas need more research.

Yin Yoga for Kidneys and UB

As I'm sure you know by now - I am in love with Yin Yoga. Obsessed. And the more that I learn about it, the more fascinated I am by this powerful, reflective form of yoga. There are only 3 books out on the subject, and I am so very grateful for Sarah Powers incredibly descriptive but easy to digest book, Insight Yoga. It's brilliant. "In our body we have YIN organs and YANG organs. The Yin are those concerned with the pure energy of fundamental substances such as chi, blood, essence, and spirit. They transform, regulate, and store these primary energies. These are the kidneys, liver, spleen, heart, and lungs. The Yang organs are involved with impure substances such as undigested food, urine, and waste. Their job is to receive and digest food, absorbing useful components, while excreting waster. These are the urinary bladder, gallbladder, stomach, and small and large intestines.

In Chinese medicine, the organs are completely linked to the meridians that flow through them. Each yin organ and meridian has a direct sister-brother relationship with a complementary yang organ and meridian. This means that what we do to one directly affects the other. Although the yin/yang organs have different anatomical functions - their energetic, emotional and mental qualities are intimately intertwined. The KIDNEYS are paired with the URINARY BLADDER. "

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This is WHY we need to practice Yin yoga to keep our Kidney and UB meridians in check:

"The kidneys are a storehouse of vital energy. They house our essence energy, which is considered the substance that pervades all organic life and is the essence of growth and decline. Their energetic health rules the general health of the lower back, the reproductive organs, the urinary system, the lower intestinal track, and all the fluid systems of body (including joint lubrication, blood and circulatory system, lymphatic system, endocrine system, perspiration, saliva, tears, and sexual secretions). Kidney chi emotional imbalance is associated with all kinds of fears, while a balanced kidney chi gives us access to our innate gentleness, openness, and wisdom. With our mental qualities, the kidneys are associated with short-term memory, willpower, and healthy ambition. If our kidney energy is deficient, we have trouble completing tasks, have less energetic and sexual drive, and feel less enthusiasm. The urinary bladder is much the same in the energy, emotional and mental qualities. THe Kidney and UB meridian organs' influence on our body-mind is connected with the LIMBIC system housed near the center of the brain. The limbic system controls sleep cycles, appetite, and libido; promoting bonding; modulating motivation; and setting the emotional tone of the mind, providing a filter through which external experiences are integrated into emotional states."

The Kidney Meridian: begins at the little toe in each foot, running through the sole, through the arch, and up the sindie of the knees and legs, entering the torso near the tailbone. It moves up along the longitudinal ligaments of the lower spine, connecting internally with the bladder and kidneys. It also moves externally over the abdomen and chest, while internally flowing through the liver, diaphragm, and lungs. It goes through the throat and ends at the root of the tongue.

The Urinary Bladder Meridian: starts at the inside of the eyes, goes up the forehead and across the crown, and enters the brain. It then runs down the back body parallel to the spine. A branch goes into the body at the lumbar spince and connects with the kidneys and urinary bladder. Outer branches run all the way down the backs of the legs and end at the little toes.

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One Hour YIN YOGA Session, emphasizing the Kidney and Urinary Bladder Meridians:

1. Butterfly
2. Saddle
3. Sphinx
4. Seal
5. Full Forward Bend
6. Dragonfly
7. Lying Spinal Twist (both sides)
8. Stirrup
9. Legs Up The Wall
10. Corpse

*Hold each pose for 5 minutes.

Yin is an opportunity to crawl into ourselves and stay for a while. We learn that we can relax our resistance to strong sensations and emotions, turning TOWARD - rather than away from - what is arising within us. Namaste.

Dirt Smoothies.

Jules, Jer and Janice start off their days with dirt smoothies, and since I'm game to try anything I said that I wanted to join the dirt smoothie breakfast club. Not very tasty, but I was running around the house and dancing afterwards- throwing in the occasional karate kick. Shazaaaam, feeling good.

• 4 huge tablespoons of cacao
  2 huge tablespoons of maca
  2 huge TEAspoons of spirulina
  1/2 cup acai juice
  2 cups water

Put the raw cacao powder, raw maca powder and spirulina into a sifter with a bowl beneath it. Using a spoon push it through the mesh to get any clumps out of the powder. Pour the acai juice into the bowl, then add the water. This, in my humble opinion, is pretty disgusting. But it's ridiculously healthy, and without all of the calories that smoothies usually contain. So, I'd say enjoy- but instead I just say drink to your health :) cheers.

Soup #1

I vowed in yesterdays post to start experimenting with more soups, and this was my first execution. The soup was a yellow zucchini (also known as "summer squash") and Yukon gold potato. Deeeee-freaking-licious!!! And not only was it super tasty, but it was super easy to make.

• 3 yellow zucchini, diced
• 1lb YUKON GOLD potatoes, peeled and diced
• 32oz chicken stock (or vegetable stock if you're a vegetarian)
• Salt and pepper
• Handful of fresh dill
• 5 scallions
• 2 tbls butter (optional)

Put the diced zucchini and Yukon golds into a pot with 32oz of stock. Bring to a boil, and then turn down to low. Add dill and simmer for 20minutes (adding butter at this time is optional). Purée the soup in batches and then RETURN TO THE STOVE AND SIMMER. Add salt and pepper to taste, if you don't let the soup sit and simmer then the flavors won't have time to develop. Before eating, top with some thinly sliced scallions!

H2O2 for your Health!

I've been seeing Dr.Jonuzi at the Integrative Medical Center in Pleasantville for a month now. The Ayurvedic centers that I want to go to are in Kerala, India-- so since I'm Jersey bound for a while, and have heaps of free time because of my knee injury, I've decided that treatment here will have to do. Since the second I walked in Dr.J's office I have been super satisfied with the treatment I've received. Dr. Jonuzi is a naturopathic doctor. He went to med school but didn't buy into all that they were saying, and that sent him to naturopathy. There's an MD in the building who writes your scripts and because he's here, everything done here is covered by my health insurance. My main reason for coming is to treat my Lymes Disease. It has fatigued me and affected me for far too long now, and since "regular doctors" refuse to treat me (they don't know how to make $$ off it yet)- I've decided to take my mothers advice and become my Own Advocate. Dr.J is treating the Lymes and also addressing the overabundance of Candida yeast in my body. The cleansing for these will also clean out any other random shit that's in my body (that isn't supposed to be), as well as cleaning out any and all parasites that I've picked up abroad. Side note: I eat everything, anywhere. Street food in Cambodia, in a remote village?! YES Please. Hence, parasites.

My treatment consists of IVs twice a week, and regular colonics. Yep, colonics. I was going to write a blog about just the colon hydro therapy- afterall I Always include my poo-capades with all of you- but it's better for everyone if I just work them into This blog entry. The titles I thought of ranged from; bum gun, pooped out, holy shit, so on and so forth.... Anyways, colonics. I'm such a sissy. I dropped my pants and then Drena pushed the "bum gun" up my bum. I'm sorry- but when something's up your ass, everything inside of you is saying PUSH. It's a tough sensation to cope with for the 35minutes youre on the table. My hands were clammy and I rambled through the whole treatment, I can't help it- the more nervous I get, the more I ramble. After the treatment Drena told me that she was going to remove the insert (bum gun). I was so nervous and I said "bah! Are you sure?" After having FORTY GALLONS of water entering and exiting my ass I thought for sure there would be some remains. She assured me that I WOULD make it to the bathroom, and I made her pinky swear- saying that I'd be devastatingly embarrassed if I didn't make it the 3 feet to the bathroom. Ha. Drena always looks at me with a look that says "ha, this crazy little fucking white girl, full o' parasites. Ha. Scared of needles and scared of guns up her bum!". She loves me. Really. Anyways- I SURVIVED. I thought I was going to faint a few times when I was on the table, but I made it. And then I did it again the following week. At this point I feel like a seasoned pro...clean and healthy and Cambodia-street-food-parasite-free!! Drena's the best, and I'll never trust anyone but her with my backside...

The IV. The IV's less interesting, and therefore comes without a funny story. The needle is administered by the amazing Monica. She's awesome. Mon works the desk and also works in the office. She's very gentle and makes the whole I'm-deathly-afraid-of-needles thing bearable. I put on my iPod, and for nearly three hours I sit in a comfy lazy boy reclining chair and get a drip of 3 bags. 1: hydrogen peroxide. 2: a bright orange bag of vitamins. 3: antioxidants and a flush. Monica makes me a cup of ginger tea, because she's amazing, and then I'm on my way.

I have to say- im already feeling better. The fatigue has gone away, and for that I am SO thankful. Hopefully the upcoming weeks of treatment leave me Lymes-free! So next time you have a cold or backache- don't head to your MD, head to Dr.J, you will not be disappointed...

Dr. Jonuzi

609.641.9009

201 East Blackhorse Pike, Pleasantville NJ

Hobble and Harvest

I have been on crutches for 9 days now. Well, I guess that I was on them for only about 6 days, the past three I have been hobbling. I don't hobble far, just around the house, always rest, ice and elevation between the hobble sessions. I've been hobbling mostly around the kitchen - my favorite place in the house. To say that I'm stir crazy would be an understatement, and the only thing I can think to do is cook and create. Lucky me - I've had lots of vegetables to work with! My mom has enlisted my (handicap) services this week as she harvested radishes and string beans after the big rains that we had. She has been super busy working as well as with taking care of Dad and me - so she hadn't gotten around to thinning the radishes, or even picking any at all. SO, she brought in armful after armful of inedible radishes with green stalks about the size of a tall midget. Not to worry though, because the greens are edible and not only that, but they are delicious!! So she set me up a station, one seat for sitting and one to elevate my leg - with a huge bucket of water to prewash the picked greens in.

Also harvested this week were mounds and mounds of string beans...enough for a small army. Lori King showed up earlier in the week, picked heaps of the SB's and then went home-- it was a huge help and a super kind gesture that my exhausted mother and her invalid daughter appreciated. After another big summer shower the other day, Mom put on long sleeves and long pants to ward off the mosquitoes and spent nearly two hours picking bucket after bucket after bucket of SB's. I was inside, again set up with a seat for seating and a seat to elevate my leg (with ice on my knee of course!), cleaning up the harvest. I picked the ends off of nearly 5,000 of those little green bastards. But despite the tedious work, I'd do it all again -- because you simply CANNOT beat something that is fresh from the garden, grown with love. It just tastes BETTER.

“The difference of a single day is perceptible. Vegetables can only be tasted in perfection, gathered the same day.”

John Pintard (1759-1844)

We had so many that we obviously couldn't eat them all or give em all away -- so we froze a bunch. But you can't just throw them into the freezer, there are steps to take. Onions, peppers and herbs do not need to be blanched. Squash, sweet potatoes and pumpkin should be fully cooked before freezing. All other vegetables need to be BLANCHED...

Why Blanching Vegetables is Important

Enzymes are necessary for plants because they cause them to grow. But after a plant is harvested, those previously beneficial enzymes continue to work their magic to the plants’ detriment. If left to their own devices, plant enzymes will quickly cause the plant to lose its color, flavor and texture.

The purpose of blanching vegetables is to slow the action of the enzymes for freezing or freshness:

1. Freezing – it is often a necessary step prior to freezing your market-fresh or home grown veggies for longer-term storage (not over 6 months).
2. Freshness - it will cause vegetables to keep their color, texture and flavor longer… a nice trick for leftovers such as salads. It’s also a good way to quickly cook vegetables without sacrificing texture, flavor and nutrition.

How to Blanch Vegetables

Proper blanching is specific to each vegetable, and it is not necessary for all vegetable:

Here is a high level overview of how to blanch vegetables:

1. Add a little salt to a pot of water and bring to a boil.
2. Prepare vegetables as described for that specific veggie.
3. Boil or steam veggies until they are tender but still crisp. The boiling time required is specific to each vegetable.
4. Drain the vegetables.
5. Fully submerge vegetables in cool water for the same amount of time that they were boiled or steamed.
6. Drain, and your fully blanched vegetables are ready to go.

Note that vegetables can either be steamed or boiled. While blanching time typically takes a little longer using steam, it may preserve more of the vitamins and nutrients.

For BLANCHING TIMES and PREPARATION for SPECIFIC VEGETABLES, click HERE.

Step out of Your Comfort Zone

"The easy path leads to the hard life, but the hard path leads to the easy life. " --Rilke

Went to bed last night and woke up this morning feeling really sad about my dad. I've been feeling a bit anxious...or atleast that's one of the emotions that I've been able to identify. I knew that something needed to change- but I just wasn't sure WHAT it was that needed changing.

This afternoon I head out to the mailbox, and there's two things: a package from Amazon and this months yoga journal. Yoga Journal...okay, I think, this is a sign. More yoga. I open up the package, wracking my brain trying to remember what I bought. Well- it's nothing that I purchased-- it was a gift, from my best friend Julia in Seattle. "40 DAYS TO PERSONAL REVOLUTION: a breakthrough program to radically change your body and awaken the sacred within your soul" by Baron Baptiste (founder of the Baptiste Power Yoga Institute). I've never been a huge fan of Baptiste, but Julia got this book a month ago and has been raving about it. Usually whatever she loves (food, jewelry, cocktails, movies, etc) I also love. So- voila-- she bought me a copy. I called her right away and she said that her and her boss were starting the 40days on July 5th, and she invited me to join in. Well, I woke up this morning asking for a sign, for help- and I don't think that the message gets much clearer than this! I'm glad to know that I'll have someone on this journey with me; to complain to, confide in and celebrate with (even though she's on the west coast!). Sometimes if you just ask the universe for some help, you get it!

Family Farming

After an exciting afternoon at the beach on Saturday, we decided to spend Sunday at home. We had a big breakfast of Dad's homemade (hunted, killed, butchered, and cooked) venison breakfast sausage and some french toast! Damn good! Then we putzed around the house and eventually made our way out into the garden to take care of some chores. Cabbage, Cauliflower, Radishes and Sugar Snap Peas were the harvest....and there were plenty of peas to go around!

Sugar Snap Peas

Red Cabbage

Cabbage

Greens

My Dad, showing us around, and pointing out the gardens local Bunny...

Mom, pulling up the roots from the cauliflower. The cauliflower plant will only yield one and then its gotta be pulled and another replanted.

Mom and Dad...stoked on their organic garden

Em and Me...pickin' peas

Gary, there for moral support and regulation {aka eating half the peas!}

Mom pea pickin'...

Dad pea pickin'... (its a family affair)

Mom's radishes, that Dad said would never grow! Take that!! Can't say that I'm excited about the radishes, but I sure am excited to sautee their greens!

The main harvest were the sugar snap peas. We blanched and froze a bunch of them, ate a ton, and still have a heap more. So, last summer I tasted a fantastic summer cocktail, the SNAPTINI, at the Ebbit Room in Cape May. If you click on Snaptini, I have it linked to the original blog. But here I've reposted the recipe as well....a perfect excuse for an afternoon cocktail if you're garden is overloaded with sugar snap peas :)

SNAPTINI
makes one drink

1/4 cup organic snap peas, ends trimmed
1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
1 ounce simple syrup (or AGAVE NECTAR)
1 1/2 ounces gin
Coarsely ground organic black pepper

In a cocktail shaker or tall glass, combine the snap peas, lime wedges, and simple syrup and muddle thoroughly. Add the gin and a handful of crushed ice and stir, then pour the mixture, unstrained, into a rocks glass. Garnish lightly with pepper (one crank of the pepper mill is plenty).

**From personal experience, you WANT coarse ground pepper in it -- I acutally added some extra to my cocktail. It gives the drink some depth and an earthy flavor. Without the pepper it's a bit too sweet.

As far as the nutritional breakdown for sugar snap peas:

Good points

• Very low in saturated fat
• No cholesterol
• Very low in sodium
• Very high in dietary fiber
• Very high in iron
• High in manganese
• High in magnesium
• High in pantothenic acid
• High in phosphorus
• High in potassium
• Very high in thiamin
• Very high in vitamin A
• High in vitamin B6
• Very high in vitamin C

Bad points

• Very high in sugar