Blueberry Ice Cream

I've been craving ice cream lately, and that is a major "no" on the Candida cleanse. So, I froze some blueberries (the only fruit that we are really allowed to eat on this diet).  

• One pint frozen blueberries
• One cup Kefir
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• Sprinkle of Stevia

Put it in a VitaMix and give it full power. You can eat it with a spoon or put it in a Popsicle tray and freeze it. So delicious, so nutritious. 

What is Kefir?

One dairy product that not only offers a wide range of vitamins and minerals, but also provides a variety of probiotic organisms and powerful healing qualities, is kefir (pronounced /kəˈfɪər/ kə-FEER).The word "kefir" is derived from the Turkish word "keif", which literally translates to the "good feeling" one has after drinking it.

 

Kefir is a fermented milk product that originated centuries ago in the Caucasus mountains, and is now enjoyed by many different cultures worldwide, particularly in Europe and Asia. It can be made from the milk of any ruminant animal, such as a cow, goat, or sheep. It is slightly sour and carbonated due to the fermentation activity of the symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast that make up the "grains" used to culture the milk (not actual grains, but a grain-like matrix of proteins, lipids, and sugars that feed the microbes). The various types of beneficial microbiota contained in kefir make it one of the most potent probiotic foods available.

Crazy for Kale.

I was cruising on InstaGram yesterday and found this under #kale tags. I couldnt help but to crack up. Dream man, with Dream "flowers".

I have been crazy for kale lately! I've always loved it, but recently I've gotten very creative with it as I've had to get creative to cater to all of the limitations on this candida diet. This morning I had a smoothie for breakfast...

• Kefir
• Water
• Small handful blueberries
• A few almonds (soaked and peeled!)
• Cinnamon
• Small sprinkle of stevia
• And a huge handful of kale!

It was full power and delicious fuel to get me through the two classes I had.

Then for lunch I'd prepared some sautéed kale that I simply did in a skillet with some toasted sesame oil, uemboshi plum paste (a little goes a LONG way), a touch of salt and a sprinkle of some sesame seeds. SO GOOD SO GOOD SO GOOD...and so good for you!

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.

152 Calorie Milkshake?

I can't help it...it's summertime, Carol's Custard is down the street, and after dinner I just want one thing -- ICE CREAM, damnit! SO, after some experimentation in the kitchen - I've nailed it. And it's pretty freakin' simple.

Healthy Chocolate Banana Milkshake:

(this recipe is for one serving)

- 1 medium to large Banana, frozen

- 2 tablespoons raw Cacao Powder

- 1/2 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk

- 1 teaspoon raw Maca Powder (optional)

- 1 teaspoon Wheat Germ (optional)

Peel a banana, stick it in a ziploc bag, and put it in the freezer. The following day when you are ready for this delicious dessert, remove the frozen banana from the freezer. Slice into half inch slices, so as to not kill your blender. In your blender put the sliced up frozen banana, the cacao powder and the almond milk (and the maca powder, if you'd like!). Puree...but not for TOO long, just enough. I also threw in 4 frozen blackberries...sometimes bananas are too "banana-y" for me, and I find that berries cut through the "banana-y" taste and texture. Anyways, you may need a little bit of extra almond milk, but don't put too much in because then it will take on a smoothie consistency as opposed to a proper milkshake-thickness. When it's done, pour it into a nice glass and top with a sprinkling of Wheat Germ (if you'd like)...which adds to the health benefits, and gives it a nice, nutty, well-rounded taste. ENJOY!

banana: 100 calories

2 tablespoons cacao powder: 45 calories

1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk: 17 calories

TOTAL CALORIES: 152 Calories

Super Smoothie

For lunch today I made myself a delightful smoothie, so good that I thought I'd share:

- 1tsp raw cacao powder
- 1tsp raw maca powder
- 1tsp spirulina
- 12 raw almonds
- 6 goji berries
- 6 fresh blackberries
- a bit of fresh pineapple
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup juice (cranberry)

I soaked the goji berries and almonds in the water for about an hour. Then in a blender I poured the water, almonds and berries in. I added the fresh fruit, powders and juice. Blend for about a minute. Enjoy.

Broccoli + Bikram, and I'm feelin' Good...

Damn, I feel really good right now.

1. Take a deep breath in through your nose, fill up your belly, ribs and chest.
2. Hold the breath for a second.
3. Exhale slowly and fully through the mouth, letting the breath touch the back of your throat.
4. Okay...now smile.

Doesn't that feel good? Goddamn, that's how I feel right now!

I woke up early, went to yoga...and sweat, alot. I came home and got 3 burners going.

Burner #1: Steamed Broccoli.

Burner #2: Bialetti.

Burner #3: Brown Rice.

When my Bialetti was finished percolating I added a big scoop of sweetened condensed milk and let it sit and cool down. While my coffee was cooling I drained my huge head of steamed broccoli and drizzled it with some fabulous Extra Virgin Olive Oil and fresh squeezed lemon juice. Then I sprinkled some salt on top, fresh ground pepper, and a dash of cayenne pepper for some "pow". MMMMMM. I love broccoli. Love, love, love it....it's definitely my favorite vegetable and dressed with those simple ingredients I listed above, well..how could you go wrong? So, I was eating my broccoli, letting my coffee cool, and let the rice do it's thing. In a blender I made a super smoothie:

• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 cup coconut water
• flesh of 1/2 a coconut
• a dozen raw almonds
• 1 teaspoon raw Maca powder
• 1 teaspoon raw Cacao powder
• a lil bit of almond milk {unsweetened}
• a lil splash of cranberry juice
• and a couple goji berries

blend blend blend and mmmmmmmmmm, epic.

When I finished my broccoli and super smoothie, I poured my cooled coffee over lots of ice, shook it like mad, and enjoyed the most delightful Vietnamese Iced Coffee. Stripped down and jumped into the hot tub {104 degrees} and let the jets and hot water work their magic. Upstairs now, I'm listening to my iTunes on shuffle. The first song that played? Nina Simone: Feelin' Good. How appropriate. The lyrics are going to be my mantra for the day:

Birds flying high you know how I feel Sun in the sky you know how I feel Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel (refrain:) It's a new dawn It's a new day It's a new life For me And I'm feeling good Fish in the sea you know how I feel River running free you know how I feel Blossom on the tree you know how I feel (refrain) Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean Sleep in peace when day is done That's what I mean And this old world is a new world And a bold world For me Stars when you shine you know how I feel Scent of the pine you know how I feel Oh freedom is mine And I know how I feel

WIKI SAYS about Broccoli:

Broccoli is high in vitamins C, K, and A, as well as dietary fiber; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium.^[9] A single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C.^[10] The 3,3'-Diindolylmethane found in broccoli is a potent modulator of the innate immune response system with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity.^[11][12] Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which can be processed into an anti-cancer compound sulforaphane, though the benefits of broccoli are greatly reduced if the vegetable is boiled.^[7] Broccoli is also an excellent source of indole-3-carbinol, a chemical which boosts DNA repair in cells and appears to block the growth of cancer cells.^[13][14] Broccoli has the highest levels of carotenoids in the brassica family.^[15] It is particularly rich in lutein and also provides beta-carotene.^[15]

A high intake of broccoli has been found to reduce the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.^[16] Broccoli consumption has also been shown to be beneficial in the prevention of heart disease.^[17]

The Moral of the Story? When you eat well and treat your body well...you feel pretty damn good!!