Habit Forming - Forming Habits

image by Ron Leishman: http://www.toonclipart.com/

I have always found replacing “bad” habits to be much more feasible than quitting anything. Quitting just leaves a void. Want, need, longing, fury, agitation, frustration - just to name a few - were my new companions in the void. Why not just find something I enjoy to replace the thing I enjoyed but found to be detrimental in some way.  It isn’t so much a question of will power as of energy.  Energy constantly transforms, but it doesn’t go away.  A habit is a pattern of energy.  It is constructive to work with it, creating change and transformation.

During the holidays I found myself inundated with ambivalence about all the sweets and treats I was confronted with constantly at that time of year. What should I do? I was tortured by the ice cream, chocolates, and egg nog. They made me suffer! - I want! I shouldn’t! I mustn’t! I want I want!

Ice cream was always one of my greatest addictions. Great in quality and size and challenge. Recently I have found a substitution which I find full-filling and delightful, leaving me without cravings. I make a shake. Not a milk shake! Young coconut banana shake. Delectable.

1 young coconut - water and meat
1 banana
6 pieces of ice
Blend all ingredients in a blender or vitamix

For instructions on how to open a young coconut, you can search youtube.com or google.com. If you are a beginner, just be very careful!
The consistency of the shake will vary depending on the youth of the coconut - but I find all variations to be yummy.

Good luck and please post questions!

Salsa Verde - Delicious and Raw

9 medium to large tomatillos (16 - 18 tiny or small) OR 2 medium zucchini*
1 large bunch cilantro
juice of 1 lime
1 tsp salt (or as desired)
1 or more jalapeños (cut seeds out of some or all to decrease the spicy heat: start with 1 jalapeño, seeded, and taste the mixture, then add more chiles as desired.)
1 bunch green onions (optional)

Pulse until in very small pieces
Taste your mixture before serving and adjust the flavors to your liking. Remember, it is easier to add than to subtract when dialing in a recipe.

I made this spicy dish for a Christmas party and it was the belle of the ball. Although it is one of my raw recipes, the omnivores at the party put it on anything and everything - from chips to mashed potatoes to turkey.

This low calorie recipe can really spice up a meal, especially for those struggling with weight loss who find low fat often means low flavor!

*For those who aren’t partial to tomatillos(small green and tomato like), a substitution of zucchini works fine - 2 medium or 3 small should do the trick.

Raw Recipes - Avocado Soup

Avocado soup is served cold - it is spicy, full of vitamins and fiber, and it is low in calories.

1 1/2 large ripe avocados
2 tsp salt
2 medium carrots
1 stalk celery
1 bunch cilantro or parsley
Juice from 1 lime
1-2 jalapeño chiles (adjust for your preference - remove seeds to reduce piquancy)
2 cups water

Chop vegetables into a few large pieces. In a food processor or a high speed blender (like a Vitamix) process the carrots first, then add celery. Add water as needed to get the vegetables to blend. Add the lime juice, jalapeño, cilantro or parsley, salt, remaining water and blend until smooth. Add the avocado and blend until well mixed.

Garnish with some sprigs of parsley or cilantro and minced red bell pepper.

For more information on avocados and recipe ideas (not raw) http://www.herbalhouseholdremedies.com/salsa-plus-avocado-equals-lower-cancer-risk-and-other-healthy-pairs/
“While salsa alone is super healthy, this pairing helps you soak up four times more cancer-fighting lycopene and almost three times more immune-boosting beta-carotene, finds an Ohio State University study.”

“Avocado is rich in magnesium that reduces risk of excess belly fat, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar.” Read more and find a delicious Avocado Smoothie recipe at www.bewellbuzz.com