Vivacious Variety: Vegetables and More Vegetables

Here is a delicious and substantial salad you can have as a side dish to supplement meals, or as a snack when those late night munchies hit. Vegetables balance meals to the alkaline side and contribute vitamins, minerals, fiber. You will find you can use this basic recipe with all sorts of variations.

1 large or 2 small zucchini
1 red bell pepper
4 medium or 2 large kale leaves
1 green onion
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cayenne
juice of 1/2 lime
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Chop the vegetables in to large pieces (Chopping for a food processor should take only a moment - you just want to get the pieces to a manageable size. For example, cut the zucchini into 4 pieces, the bell pepper into 4-6 pieces.)
Put all the ingredients into a food processor and pulse about 10 times - or until the veggies are of a uniform size.  I prefer chunky chunks, though some folks like closer to salsa sized bits.

Variation suggestions: Use snap peas, snow peas, green beans, celery, save your broccoli stems - peel them and add to the melange. Add parsley, watercress, or cilantro. Use fresh herbs: thyme, basil, dill or oregano.

Having a simple basic recipe that you can change up to keep variety in your meals helps stay healthy and stimulated.

I’m Cuckoo for Coconuts

I adore young coconuts.  There is nothing in the world so refreshing to me as young coconut water - the light, almost clear water that forms inside (not to be confused with coconut milk).

Coconuts have health benefits far greater than most of us are aware of, so I have included below the highlights from an article at:
http://www.living-foods.com/articles/coconutwater.html

‘Here is some information about Coconut Water:

“It’s a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It’s the fluid of life, so to speak.” In fact, during the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water - siphoned directly from the nut - to give emergency plasma trasfusions to wounded soldiers.

Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas - once exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics, and begins to ferment.

• Coconut Water is More Nutritious than whole milk - Less fat and NO cholesterol!
• Coconut Water is More Healthy than Orange Juice - Much lower calories
• Coconut Water is Better than processed baby milk- It contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother’s milk
• Coconut water is naturally sterile — Water permeates though the filtering husk!
• Coconut water is a universal donor– Its identical to human blook plasma
• Coconut Water is a Natural Isotonic Beverage - The same level we have in our blood.
• Coconut water has saved lives in 3rd world countries thru Coconut IV.

“Coconut water is the very stuff of Nature, biologically Pure, full of Natural Sugars, Salts, and Vitamins to ward off fatigue… and is the next wave of energy drinks BUT natural!”, according to Mortin Satin, Chielf of the United Nation’s Food & Agriculture Organization.

Coconut water contains more potassium (at about 294 mg) than most sports drinks (117 mg) and most energy drinks.

Coconut water has less sodium (25mg) where sports drinks have around 41mg and energy drinks have about 200 mg!

Coconut water has 5mg of Natural Sugars where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25mg of Altered Sugars.

Coconut water is very high in Chloride at 118mg, compared to sports drinks at about 39mg.’

Chia is more than a pet

Chia growing

My dear friend Angie can’t eat wheat, dairy, soy,
Nor can she eat foods containing, flax, tomatoes, macademia nuts, peanuts, drink beverages containing acai, and host of other things.
But Angie likes Chia.
I introduced her to Chia the other day.  She had missed it when Dr. Oz talked about the health benefits of chia seeds on “Oprah.” Now Angie says the song from the commercial for Chia Pets goes through her head all the time.

What makes the Chia Seed the super food that many claim it to be?
*Great source of Omega 3 and 6 oils
*You don’t need to grind Chia seeds to get benefits
*Hydrophilic: Chia seeds absorb the water we drink, holding it in our system longer
*Studies show they slow the rate at which our bodies convert carbohydrate calories into simple sugars - may have benefits for diabetics.
*Using a dose of Chia in water can help dieters feel fuller, so fewer calories are ingested
*High in fiber and healthy oils - Chia can be a great addition to a detoxification program.

100 grams of Chia or 3.5 oz. are:

*A source of magnesium equivalent to 53 oz of Broccoli•
*A source of iron equivalent to 10 oz of Spinach
• A source of foliate equivalent to 2 oz of Asparagus
• A source of fiber equivalent to 4 oz of bran
• A source of calcium equivalent to 23 oz of Milk
• A source of potassium equivalent to 6 oz of Bananas
• A source of omega 3 fatty acids equivalent to 28 oz of Atlantic Salmon
• A source of antioxidants equivalent to roughly 10 oz of blueberries

CHIA facts

• Is a complete, whole and natural food not a supplement.
• Has thousands of years of Safe historical human consumption (Chia seeds)
• Is 100% Cholesterol free and Trans Fat free
• Is Not Genetically Modified (GMO)
• Contains significant amounts of quercetin antioxidants that aid in reducing inflammation
• Is one of the highest overall antioxidant containing foods (ORAC 1680 pr 22g) more thanblueberries and prunes
• Is gluten free, and can be eaten by people suffering from celiac disease.
• Is certified Kosher
• Is a perfect digestive aid, creating better assimilation of food and excess stomach acids
• Is A Dieters Dream – Fat replacement- food extender and creates a full satiated feeling.
• Encourages healthy and gentle bowel elimination
• Enhances energy levels and extends endurance
• Prevents dehydration and aids in electrolyte balance
from: http://www.culinarycaregiver.com/page/1267702

To take as supplement…..
Mix 15g (1.5 Tbsp) Chia seed with 8oz water in a clean jar.  Close the lid, and let stand, shaking periodicaly for a few minutes until the chia seed becomes evenly suspended, then drink.
(from “Greens+” brand Chia supplement)

To take in food…….
There are a host of recipes for incorporating Chia seeds into your diet.  A search on google will yield ample results.  I go for the “Chia raw recipes” such as are found at: http://www.naturalnews.com/022468.html