Fast Fact Friday #10 - Sugar Effects

Hey, Guys!

Here's to another fast fact Friday. Fast fact Fridays are about sharing quick tips and tricks regarding things that we can do or simply know in order to improve and/or maintain our health.

Today's fact is about sugar and how it relates to cancer and our overall health. So, let's face it, sugar is a silent contributor to the detriments of our health. Why?

Here are three (3) quick reasons:

1. Sugar turns into fat within our bodies. Thus, resulting in obesity.
2. It suppresses our immune system, leaving it vulnerable to diseases of all sorts, and
3. Sugar feeds cancer cells, giving them the juice to grow stronger and excel faster.

Well, take care guys until next time and have a healthy and joyous weekend and life in general.

Happy Holidays to you all! xoxo :-)

The Healthy Eating Food Guide

I know a lot of folks talk about eating healthy, but the question is do we know how to eat healthy. Have we done the proper research to even know where to begin? Probably not, and it may have to do with the fact that you simply don't know what to look for, especially if you've been eating a certain way for the most part of your life to the present now. Well, I totally understand that, and so I took the time to compile a great list, a guide if you will, that you can follow to point you in the right direction.

So, without any further adieu, here's a quick list of foods and/or categories that you want to avoid:

• Unhealthy sugars and sweeteners of all sorts. For example: Equal and Nutrasweet aka aspartame - very deadly and found mostly in sodas by popular brands like Pepsi and Coca Cola (see my blog post, Aspartame: The Skull And Bones Death Delivery Artificial Sweetener for more indepth info on that). Others are high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), refined agave, Saccharin bka SugarTwin and Sweet 'N Low, Sucralose aka Splenda, Neotame, and Acesulfame potassium bka  Sunett and Sweet One to name a few.
• All white/bleached foods, like white sugar, white flour, and white rice. They have all been severely processed and are therefore, depleted and void of all nutrients (vitamin, minerals, fiber, enzymes, etc.). So, they are not of much use and are doing you more harm than good. You'll want to elect for the more natural form of those foods, whole wheat flour, raw honey, stevia,  coconut palm sugar, and whole wheat rice. Most brown sugar is essentially the same as white sugar that's been sprayed with molasses and are welcome party for feeding cancer cells and suppressing your immune system. Nonetheless, the white color of flour, sugar, and rice is indicative of the fact they have been bleached/refined, meaning taken from their natural and whole state of being into a unhealthy one. Rice, flour, and sugar were brown in color or whole wheat or whole grain to best describe them. So, you'll want to reach for them in their natural state when out shopping at the market.
• Additionally, you definitely want to avoid all foods that are labeled refined, processed, and genetically modified ingredients that are GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). Foods labeled as such or that have come to be known as such should be avoided at all cost. For GMOs, they are the worst, as they have been genetically engineered in a laboratory where they crossbred natural food seeds/cells with that of animals, like snakes, scorpions, rats, and all sorts of beasts, etc. Research has been conducted that shows that GMOs are known to cause digestive disorders, cancer, and infertility in many. As for refined foods, they have gone through a rigorous heating process where the cellular structure of the food has been broken down, unrecognizable to the body's digestive system. It's very much like what is done when you microwave your foods. Again, heat processing of foods leaves them void of vital nutrients, maybe not all but definitely some of those nutrients. So, it really all depends on what you're using them for and if the ingredients that make up the products are healthy, then I really don't see a threat with that exception. For example, fractionated coconut oil vs. raw organic and pure virgin coconut oil. The difference of the two is that fractionated coconut has been refined through the process of heating to have a more lighter finish (less oily) to be used in cosmetic products as a carrier oil that has a indefinite shelf life. It is an extraction process where you're now receiving part of the whole coconut, meaning you're not getting all of its benefits and therapeutic properties had it been virgin/raw - cold pressed. It's acutally not bad if used without chemicals or additives during extraction. Remember, heat processing destroy some if not all nutrients within foods. 
• Sodas, sports/energy drinks, juices, and junk foods, like chips made from GMO corn - non organic are detrimental to your health. They are comprised of unhealthy ingredients. Sodas like Pepsi, Coco Cola, Sprite, Mountain Dew, Red Bull, Gatorade, and many other are really bad for you because of the unhealthy sweeteners and ingredients used to make them. If they don't make you fat because you may have a high metabolism, they're sure to leave behind their unhealthy residue from bad ingredients used and that over time from continuous consumption of them, will cause serious damage to your health, and with that, one can develop terminal illnesses/diseases like cancer, tumor, fibers, nervous system issues, etc., etc. The list goes on and on. Energy drinks, like Red Bull are loaded with just that, "bull cr*p" ingredients and artificial sweeteners, like aspartame that are deadly and that can cause your blood sugar levels to spike, and thus, eventually result in some form of diabetes, kidney and/or liver dysfunctions and/or failure, and Gatorade is one of the worst of all the sports and energy drink out there - yah, not good at all. It's loaded with most unhealthiest of all ingredients. One of the main ingredients in energy drinks is caffeine. It's part of the overall formulation that make-up many of the sports/energy drinks out there today. Caffeine is acidic. Therefore, leaving the body prone to all sorts of diseases when in such an acidic state. Not only that, but "Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system giving the body a sense of alertness as well as dilates blood vessels. It raises heart rate and blood pressure and dehydrates the body." As important, most juices and beverages are loaded with sugar and the worst kinds as mentioned above too. So, you'll want to stick with healthy brands that you may be aware of or simply invest in a juicer or blender and make your own juice and beverages - better safe than sorry. Don't you think?
• All GMO infused foods are to be avoided. You simply don't want to fill up and overload your body's system with genetically modified organisms aka genetic engineering (GE) and genetic modification (GM). They are a serious threat to our health. Again, those sort of foods are engineered in labs by mad scientists who've crossbred food gene with that of animals, like scorpions, monkeys, snakes, rats, alligators, swamp things, l o l, but everything that should not be mixed together, they've done it. It's really sick and debased thinking about it - how someone could be so disturbed and cruel in intent to do such a thing - unbelievable, just evil if you ask me. Some well known GMO foods and brands are: U.S. papaya, tomatoes that are non-heirloom, corn for sure, cottonseeds, canola oil, alfalfa, sugar beets, milk, and aspartame, to name a few. The GMO brands are: the monster producer of GMO of course - *Monsanto*, Kraft, Nestle - boo, Enfamil, to name some of them. See here a more comprehensive list of  GMO Companies. Here's also a great link to a resource that can serve as a great guide to buying non-GMO foods, The Non-GMO Project and the The Non-GMO Shopping Guide.
• Certain cooking oils are really bad for you, especially partially hydrogenated and trans fat oil. Why? Because they have been heat processed or refined with harsh chemicals and additives, that leaves the oils depleted of their nutrients and also lowers the level of HDL (good) cholesterol and raises the levels of (bad) cholesterol, LDL. For instance, oils like canola oil are made from GMO corns, that, as we should now know, are really detrimental to our health. Vegetable oil aka partially hydrogenated oil is another poor quality oil and one that you should avoid. Those oils will clog your arteries and pores when they go rancid and subsequently produce free radicals that do further damage, like causing pre-mature aging and heart diseases and diabetes. If you're going to use oils and fry or cook your foods with them, it's best to use organic/raw/virgin coconut oil. It's loaded with many healthy properties and benefits. See my previous posts about coconut oil, Why Coconut Oil & What You Should Be Looking For To Identify It As Being A Good Brand To Buy and Are You Cuckoo For Coconut Yet?. Other oils, such as pumpkin seed oil, flaxseed oil; of course, raw-virgin coconut oil as mentioned before, avocado oil, extra-virgin olive oil, to name some of them that are the better of the bunch out there on the market. Be sure to always look for terms like extra-virgin, unrefined, and/or organic when selecting your oils to use on your body or to cook with.
• Non-Orgnaic Dairy products are so bad for our immune system. It really beats the fight out of our bodies defense stystem. Foods that are known as dairy products are cow's milk and cheese and all foods made from them, like pizza, yogurts, pastries, bread, etc. It's best to find healthy dairy alternatives or substitutes, such as almond, hemp, or coconut milk and non-dairy cheese to make your favorite foods, like pizza and those irresistible pastries: cakes, muffins, cookies, and the likes. If you're having trouble gaining a bloated stomach, yeast or fungus infection, you may want to look more at the dairy and gluten products, like breads that you are perhaps consuming on a regular basis. Making healthier choices with those types of foods will help alleviate any ailments that you might be experiencing. As you may or may not know, dairy products are loaded with growth hormones used to make the cows bigger for greater production, and cheese, comprised of the same harmful hormones, causes inflammation within the body. It pretty much swells and expands while going through the digestive system, never really being fully broken down for proper assimilation through the body's system. If you're going to buy dairy products, you'll want to look for those brands that are labeled organic, free of harmful preservatives and hormones, etc.
• Hormone raised meats of any sort, whether beef, chicken, mutton, lamb, turkey, and/or fish or shell fish. It's utterly important to get the brands that are free of growth hormones, wasn't fed pesticide infested foods, or infused with harmful chemical ingredients and preservatives. Therefore, look for labels that read "Free Range", hormone/pesticide free, etc. The more fresh and pure the meat or fish the healthier it'll be. For fishes, wild caught and deep sea are best, except for shell fishes and shrimps that are loaded with high wattage amounts of cholesterol and they are scavengers of the sea - enough said there - ugh, the things they eat - yuck. You simply don't want to know but maybe you do.
• Last but certainly not least, you'll want to *be cautious* about foods that are labeled "Natural". There are no strict guidelines or regulations by the FDA, like that of Organic (USDA) that ensures that those foods that are labeled natural are actually so, free of pesticides, hormones, harmful preservatives, and GMO ingredients. So, it's wise to conduct your own research before buying a particular non-organic food labeled as natural. Those products with such labeling are often times loaded with harmful ingredients and are deceptively marketed to the public as being in a pure form - natural. 

Now, that we've talked about the foods we want to avoid. Here are the ones that you'll definitely want to have, and they are: water (alkaline) is the optimum best - not a food. It's a liquid but a good mention here. With that, you'll want to test the PH Levels of the brand(s) that you drink and that of your tap water to ensure that you are indeed drinking PH balanced water at a 7.0 or higher. See my post, Infused Water.... You also want to be sure that you buy foods that are labeled with healthy foods keywords, such as  unrefined, cold and fresh-pressed, extra virgin or virgin, raw or fresh; whole wheat, whole grain, and whole kernel - key term there is "whole" of course, and organic. Those type of labeling terms are ensuring that you're getting the good stuff - free of harmful ingredients of all sorts. As for sweeteners, look for the more healthier brands to go with, like coconut sugar and stevia to name a couple. It's also important to eat more organic fruits and veggies, raw nuts and whole grains. Invest also in a great blender and juicer to make power packed toting smoothies and juices. See here my post about smoothies for more info, Green Smoothie Guide.

Well folks, that's all. Remember, when in doubt, research, research, research, and Google does it best.

Peace + Love + a Long Healthy Life! Take care, until next time. Chow! xoxo :-)


Cited sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/artificial-sweeteners/MY00073
http://action.greenamerica.org/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=7608&gclid=CIfC9p6EursCFeYWMgodzxoA-w
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/08/what-are-gmos-and-why-should-i-care
http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/nutrition/are-cooking-oils-good-for-you-123273
http://www.caffeineinformer.com/energy-drink-ingredients

The Vagilicious D.I.Y. Vaginal Care Guide

For some, talking about the ultimate private word, vagina, that describes and matches the definition of private than anything else out there, somehow seems forbidden and should only be spoken of in private quarters. Well, you know me, I'm breaking all the rules here, stepping outside of the box, being bold and audacious to talk about the most private aspect of our life as women, our vagina and its care. Ok, so, let's get right to it. Our vagina is the most private of all of our body parts, and it's important to care for it in the most healthiest of ways to ensure that it remains smelling good, looking good, tight, and clean. How do we do those things you may ask. Well, for most, we think of a single shower each and every day as doing the trick as well as douching using over-the-counter products after each menstrual cycle per month, but douching is detrimental to the health of the vagina due to the harsh and harmful chemical ingredients used to make them. Hence, douching tends to strip the vagina of its natural oils and friendly bacteria, leaving you susceptible to the more unfriendly ones and promotes dryness. Thus, you frequently find yourself having issues with yeast infection, vaginitis, which by the way is over production of the unfriendly bacteria within your vaginal walls. Therefore, it's best to become your own D.I.Y. vaginal care guru (Yup, I said it, and you can do it) by whipping up some healthy/good stuff on your own.

So, here are three recipes/methods that I came up with and personally use interchangeably as I see fit in ensuring that 1. It smells good. 2. It looks good/healthy. 3. It retains its elasticity/tightness. And 4. Its cleanliness. 

My first recipe is one involving some key ingredients of:

• Organic Apple Cider Vingear (ACV)
• Probiotics Juice/Powder
• Rose Essential Oil
• Organic Cold Pressed/Unrefined Coconut oil (melted)
• Jamaica's Black Castor Oil (the absolute best)
• Distilled or Alkaline Water

1. For this vaginal rinse, I mix three parts water, w/one part apple cider vinegar. I use the Braggs brand. I then melt it in a pot of hot water and mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of coconut oil to that mix. Next, I add one tablespoon of castor oil, rose essential, oil, and probiotic mango or whatever flavor you'd like juice to the whole mix and shake it vigorously. I then place it in a plastic squirt bottle that I bought from a nearby hair salon or that you can get from a dollar store. I use this mix to wash myself after each visit to the bathroom and/or menstrual cycle. For a more economical daily rinse, you can simply use distilled or alkaline water, with rose water and two tablespoons of vinegar. Either of those mixes will keep things fresh and clean every time. It works like a charm too and leave you smelling great from the usage of the rose essential oil. This mix is great for killing unfriendly bacteria and increases the amount of friendly-bacteria to fight any attack against the vagina's health and PH balance. It also lubricates, tightens, and prevent any chances of having any flair ups of yeast infection or over growth of the unfriendly stuff that leads to vaginitis/vaginosis. As you all know by now, coconut oil is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-virus, anti-inflammatory, fights cancer (See my previous post, "Why Coconut Oil & What You Should Be Looking For To Identify It As A Good Brand To Buy"). Castor oil is anti-fungal and great for getting rid of warts; thus, fungal infections such as yeast within the vaginal wall. It's also a great lubricant. Use it moderately. Probiotics replaces the friendly bacteria within your vagina to combat the unfriendly ones. Apple cider vinegar cleanses and also tightens the walls of the vagina. Rose essential oil has been found to be affective in alleviating menopause symptoms and in decreasing severity of menstrual cramps. It's also great for dry and sensitive skin and is perfumery or aromatic, making it an ideal oil for the vaginal area.
2. Secondly, I do a bentonite clay detox mask after each menstrual cycle. It's really simple. Just mix 3 tablespoons of  pure bentonite clay, with equal parts distilled or alkaline water and and a teaspoon of tamanu oil in a plastic bowl designated for this purpose and mix until it comes to a paste like texture. (Be sure to keep the bowl in a storage or cubbard in the bathroom, away from the kitchen). Next, scoop a handful of the paste into your hands and apply it to the outer-skirts of your vaginal opening and areas. Let it sit and dry for about 15 to 30 minutes. The clay will have gone to work, pulling out all the bad stuff, balance your vaginal PH, all while tightening the vaginal walls. Afterwards, you'll want to moisturize it with some coconut oil mixed with rose
   
   essential oil. Measurement for this mix is whatever meets the eye. Fyi, Tamanu oil is great for anti-aging, wound infections, septicemia, pneumonia, abscesses, boils, conjunctivitis, diphtheria, infected burns, urinary tract infections, bladder infections, madura foot - which causes the foot’s skin to swell and split, jock itch, ringworm, athlete's foot, scars, leprosy. It has antimicrobial qualities, contains powerful bactericide and fungicide agents, and can be applied directly to skin, undiluted. On the other hand, bentonite clay is powerful and effective. It absorbs toxins and heavy metals/chemicals from the vaginal walls, inner and outer and promotes healthy bacterial balance; thus, it's of a alkaline state of being - the optimum best. However, there are times when it should not be taken or used: Elderly people and pregnant women shouldn’t take or use bentonite clay, and it should not be taken or used within 2 hours of other medications or supplements.
3. Last, squatting and steam distilling your cat, no, not the furry, four legged creature type, but   the hairy and oh so very private one. You do this by squatting over a metal bowl filled with steaming/hot distilled water filled with epsom salt, tea tree or oil of oregano, peppermint, and rose essential oil. The process involves putting all of those lovely ingredients at the bottom of the bowl and then pouring the hot water over them, dissolving the ingredients there within. There's no real measurement for this formula. It's simply whatever meets the eye and that will do the job just right. The step involves placing the bowl in the tub and squat over (not sit or stoop over), 

whereas the bowl is between your legs as you squat. Be sure not to let any part of your skin touch the outer rim or sides of the bowl, as it can burn or scald you a bit. So, be very careful -easy peasy though. Next, cover your thighs/legs with a towel while seated over the bowl to hold in the steam in order to achieve the greatest effect/results thereof it. Stay in that position for about 10 to 15 minutes. The vaporized steam from all the essential oils and the epsom salt will draw out and detox your vagina, its inner and outer walls and surrounding areas of all toxic buildups or residue. Leaving it super clean and well lubricated. This steam cleanse can be done once per month as you see fit.

Be sure to store all containers/bowls used for cleansing yourself in the bathroom, separate from the kitchen containers for sanitary purposes. You'll also want to clean them thoroughly for next use and then store them away, rinsing them with clean water to wash away any storage residue before each use.

Well, give them all a try. See how they work for you and be sure to let me know how it all went. Here's to a well maintained, smell good, super tight, clean, and flexible vagina for the rest of your life.

Take great care of yourselves until next time. :-)

As always, like, subscribe, comment, and/or share this post. It may be of help to someone you know.

What's In My Smoothie?

The smoothie sensation has definitely been the talk among many and a daily habit for most. It's a fast concoction of all the daily goodness (vitamin/minerals/essential fatty acids, etc.) that we need in one blend. A great way to supercharge our day each and every day. So, What's in my smoothie today? 

Here it is:

• Goji Berries
• Organic Raspberries
• Organic Strawberries
• Organic Mango Chuncks (frozen)
• Organic Blueberries (frozen)
• Organic Kale
• Organic Fully Ripe/Spotted Banana
• Organic Grapes
• Alkaline Water
• Hemp & Almond Milk
• Extra Boost of Super Foods/Organic Greens Powder

Ok, give a try and let me know how you like it. It's definitely loaded with lots of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power and anti-cancer properties. Enjoy and take great care of yourselves until next time.

PS. Don't forget to like, subscribe, share, and/or comment.

Fast Fact Friday #9 - Quality Sleep

Sleep or rest is very important to the proper functions of the brain and the body as a whole. It's vital to our health along side exercise, eating healthy, getting plenty of sunlight, and drinking sufficient amounts of water each day. Quality sleep is achieved when the room is in total darkness, and here's why:

• Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant. It suppresses the growth of cancer cells and tumors.
• It prevents brain damage and alzheimer's disease
• It's known to also influence human growth hormone, which helps the body to burn fats, repair tissues, improve bone density, and enhance immunity.

Therefore, it's best to avoid night lamps, television, mobile phones, computers, tablets/iPads, etc. in your room at night. You should either turn them off completely or place them in a separate room  in order to achieve the best sleep possible, as even the tiniest beam of light can disrupt your sleep altogether. With those guidelines, you will be well on your way to falling asleep in no time and prevent the production disruption of melatonin within your body while sleeping and instead reap the benefits thereof it.

Try it out and let me know how well it worked out for you.

Here's to good night sleeps to come and a happy weekend! Take great care until next time! Chow! :-)

What's In My Smoothie Wednesday

So, today, and like every day of the week. I do whip up a smoothie, with some delightfully great ingredients to tow. I absolutely love smoothies, and I just can't get enough of them. Here's what I had in my smoothie today! Enjoy and take great care until next time! :-)

Fast Fact Friday #8 - Alkaline: Disease Free State of Being

To be disease free, we must achieve and maintain an alkaline state of being. If you'd like more details about how to reach such a state within one's being, leave a comment below, and I'll be more than happy to share with you what I know.

Have a wonderful weekend and stay tuned for some ravishing news for next week! :-)

Green Smoothie Guide

Smoothies are the talk of the town! Wait, forget town; they are the talk of the century, and to get in your daily dose of the power packed punch of goodness, you simply must throw in those greens as well. Why? Because leafy greens have more valuable nutrients than any other food group out there. They are loaded with vital minerals and vitamins, powerful antioxidants, the highest in quality of amino acids, and beneficial phytochemicals, which are plant based chemicals also known as phytonutrients.

Smoothies are a definite must-have on a daily and/or weekly basis. Here's why:

1. Provides immune boosting antioxidants that fight free radicals to prevent cellular degeneration that causes pre-mature aging and leaves you susceptible to diseases of all sorts. In receiving those power packed antioxidants, you're sure to receive the defense that your body needs in order to ward off those things, lose weight, nourish your skin - leaving it blemish free, toned, and radiant, and thensome.
2. Boost your energy. So, if you're feeling heavy and sluggish, now is the time to make green smoothies a part of your daily health regime.
3. They are the real fast foods. Not only are smoothies quick to make, but they are a quick dose of the good stuff that'll leave you feeling great, renewed, strong, and super healthy. Hence, this brings me to the mention of super foods that you can add to your smoothies.

A slew of super foods are on the rise. There are a couple that I'm really crazy about, but of course, they're all great for you, as they're loaded with all the healthy stuff that you'd most likely have to get from eating 4 or 5 different fruits and veggies each day.  For example, an avocado is more potent in potassium than banana. Amazing, right? Well, here's the super list of super foods you definitely want to add to your smoothies:

1. CHIA SEEDS - rich in omega fatty acids that increase healthy brain functions; great for your heart in fighting heart disease as well as high cholesterol. Chia seeds are loaded with a handsome variety of nutrients, like amino acids, minerals, vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, calcium, and iron. (1-3 tablespoons will do for your smoothie)
2. ACAI (pronounced Uh-sigh-ee) - found in the Brazilian Amazon. These berries are super rich in antioxidants that contributes to the ability to focus and for amping up your energy. If you're doing a cleanse, acai is a great fruit to have around as a snack as it leaves you feeling full to get you through the hunger urges to cheat and eat what you're not suppose to during a cleanse. Therefore, it'll aid in weight-loss. (1-tablespoon will do the trick when added to your smoothie)
3. FLAX -  is comprised of essential fatty acids and fiber. It's available either as a powder or in whole seed form. The powder, however, plays a powerful part in providing the body with sufficient cardiovascular and immune system health, joint and brain function, softens the skin, and thensome. The seed makes a great hair gel when boiled, which seems to be quite the sensation among many women transitioning from relaxed to natural hair (free of any chemical processing/colors/treatments).  Flax seed is super rich in fiber. Therefore, it's great for eliminating toxins from the body. (Add 1-tablespoon of the powder form to your smoothie or a dash of the whole seeds to add just a small dose of its nutrients). With that, the powder is more potent than the seeds.
4. COCONUT OIL (one of my fav) - see previous post, "Are You Cuckoo For Coconuts Yet?". You'll get why I love this one so much. I must attest to the weight loss function of consuming coconut oil. I've had to do very little workouts and just more eating of the right stuff in shedding unwanted pounds accumulated from some undue stress, and my daily usage of coconut oil has shed those pounds away with very little effort in robust activity or workouts. Why is that? Because coconut oil is super rich in fatty acids, especially lauric acid. Those fatty acids fight body fats by converting them into energy that boost metabolism in contrary to saturated fats that increase body fat. (Just a tablespoon will do). Great way to start your day type of smoothie if you're looking to gain the extra support/aid in knocking off those unwanted pounds.
5. SPIRULINA - is not the tastiest of the bunch, but super rich in chlorophyll that's great for cellular regeneration for disease fighting purposes, youth, and longevity. It's available in powder and liquid form. This super food is derived from pond algae. Sounds frightening, but it's super great for your health. Often times than not, it's the things that taste awful and/or considered gross that are most beneficial to our health and well-being. Spirulina is a power packed punch of all the nutrition that we need. Research has shown that it can actually be used as a food substitute. So, there you have it; it's definitely loaded with all of the daily vitamin and mineral essentials and thensome. Spirulina is best known for protein and omega fatty acids. Therefore, it's heart healthy and great for growing gorgeous hair too. (1-2 teaspoons would be a perfect addition to your smoothie)
6. CAMU POWDER - taken from the Peruvian River regions; these berries are packed with vitamin C - a great way to remember that it starts with "C" and is loaded with the C-Vitamin. They contain more Vitamin C than oranges. As we all know, Vitamin C contributes to a stronger immune system in fighting off viruses, such as those pesky cold and flu types. It's also a great energy booster. So, another great way to start your day is by adding freshly squeezed orange juice to your smoothie. Vitamin C is also known for maintaining healthy, vibrant skin. (Add just 1-teaspoon to your smoothie)
7. CACAO POWDER/NIBS - comes from the beans of the cacao plant and is responsible for the nutritional and flavorful source for all chocolate and cocoa powder. It has a rich supply of antioxidants and is a good source of dietary fiber. It's also known to be the highest dietary source of magnesium, flavanols, and polyphenols. (2-4 tablespoons to smoothie for a nutrient rich and chocolatey flavor or sprinkle some nibs over top for a dash of nutty goodness)
8. HEMP PROTEIN - contains a whopping 50% of protein that our body needs and higher levels of fiber than soy-based protein, which you don't want to consume anyway, as most soy based products are GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), unless stated otherwise and are organic. Hemp is also great for our little ones. It promotes childhood growth through its amino acids building blocks. If you're athletic, you may want to consume this super food. It has the ability to repair muscles. It's available as a powder or in the form of hemp hearts. (Add 1-4 tablespoons to smoothies or sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of the hearts on top of your smoothies or salads for a nutty flavor and crunch)
9. MACA POWDER - is known to deliver stamina, power, drive, and energy. It's derived from the root of the plant that has been grinded into powder form. It's composed of a slew of vitamins, minerals, potassium, plant sterols, etc. So, if you're looking for a charge of stamina or energy, then maca powder is the way to go. (Just a jolt of 2 or more tablespoons will amp up your smoothie for that supercharge that you may need)
10. KALE - is strongly anti-inflammatory, has the ability to lower cholesterol and super rich in fiber, especially when steamed, lowers the risk of hosting cancer cells within your body, comprehensive support for the body's detoxification system, carries over 45 different flavonoids that are credited for its anti-imflammatory and high antioxidant abilities. (Add a leafy stem or two to your smoothie)
11. GOJI BERRIES (my other fav) - is recognized for its healing properties and is quite the tastiest of all the super foods. They are rich in antioxidants and amino acids. However, astonishing too, they have over 20 vitamins and minerals, which have been used for centuries within Asian cultures to strengthen eyesight, balance hormones, fight against viruses, as well as to assist with the longevity of life. (A half [1/2] cup will do when added to your smoothie). Great way to sweeten things up too.

While we're on the topic of sweetening things up. Let's explore some foods that we can add to our smoothies to give them a much better taste than to cause us to puke or shy away from making them altogether. The list of all natural smoothie sweeteners are bananas, pitted dates, mangoes, apples, pears, and pineapples. 

Though fruits and vegetables already have their own water content, you'll still want to add some of your own to liquify it to your liking, depending on how thick you want it or not. Water is always a good addition, but you can also use almond milk, fresh squeezed juices - such as orange juice, pomegranate,  coconut water, hemp, coconut, or flax milk. 

What will you need to construct your smoothies? A great blender for sure, and the top two on the market today that is widely and highly spoken of are Vitamix and BlendTec. Of course, there are more budget friendly others, like the Nutribullet or the "Ninja" Mega Kitchen System.

Last, to be sure that you're getting quality, non-GMO, pesticide and hormone free fruits and veggies that are nutrient rich, you'll want to be sure that the labels read organic, non-GMO, fresh and/or cold pressed. I've gone a bit further to compose and provide you with the EWG list of the dirty dozen-plus, suggesting that you pay particular attention to those few listed below and to buy them organic to be on the safe side.

To conclude, beginning next Wednesday, November 20th, I will be starting a "What's In My Smoothie Wednesday?"for each and every Wednesday thereafter too. So, be on the lookout for some truly delicious green smoothie recipes.

OK. Take care and remember that the greens and herbs of the land is meant for the healing of our bodies and as a nation as a whole. Chow! :-)

Fast Fact Friday #7 - The Truth About Cholesterol

Today's fast fact is about cholesterol, both good and bad that comprises of its overall effects on the body. You'll learn also the importance of why our body need cholesterol - the good one of course. See fast fact Friday frame below for some pertinent need-to-know, highlighted points that you may want to remember.

So, whats the truth about cholesterol? The truth is that our bodies need it. Cholesterol aids in a number of important body functions, like producing bile acids that supports fat metabolism - see FFF frame above for more on those functions. Moreover, there are two types of cholesterol. You have the "good" one aka HDL (High-Density Lyproprotein). The second one is the "bad" cholesterol aka LDL (Low-Density Lyproprotein). 

"Cholesterol also contributes to the formation of your memories and is crucial for your neurological function. Cholesterol also affects the formation of serotonin, a hormone that is involved in your mood regulation".

"Studies have found that people with insufficient levels of cholesterol have a higher chance of developing depression and suicidal thoughts, while others may experience an increased capacity for violence and aggression. In extreme cases, low cholesterol can raise your risk of cancer and Parkinson’s disease".

"A rise in cholesterol levels, on the other hand, occurs in response to damaged cells. A high amount of this substance in your bloodstream just proves that your body is working to repair or create new cells." 

As important, "Having elevated levels of cholesterol (unless you are suffering from a genetic defect called familial hypercholesterolemia) is not a disease that requires *statins* (a pharmaceutical drug/SW), yet, millions are taking them as we speak. It is unfortunate that Americans are led to believe that this class of cholesterol-lowering drugs is the answer to normalizing cholesterol levels, when there over 900 studies documenting their adverse effects."

"For instance, statins also deplete your CoQ10 levels. CoQ10 or Coenzyme Q10 is a substance that plays a crucial role in the creation of your ATP molecules needed for cellular energy production. Other than the side effects brought by statins, CoQ10 deficiency can also yield to a number of complications, including heart failure."

"Unfortunately, conventional doctors oftentimes immediately base judgment on numbers and prescribe dangerous statins, which ironically puts your heart health at risk. Did you know that cholesterol is not necessarily a precursor to poor health?" In Dr. Mercola's years of practice, he's "Seen people whose total cholesterol levels were over 250 but had a low risk of developing heart disease." He's also "encountered patients who were highly at risk for heart disease despite low cholesterol levels (under 200)." Conventional doctors neglect to tell you the truth: your body NEEDS cholesterol. And there are far better indicators of your heart health than just your total cholesterol level."

Hence, those are the reasons why it's important  to be well-informed, as for sometime now, the public has been misled in thinking that cholesterol is actually an overall bad thing, when in actuality the body needs it for certain functions to be carried out. See chart below to learn more about the positive and negative effects of cholesterol. You'll become more educated on this all-out-important body substance as you gain a clearer understand of it all.

Ok, take awesome care of yourselves until next time! Cheers to long life and healthy living! Have fun enjoying your weekend too! xoxo :-)

Cited source: Dr. Mercola, "How To Make Sense of Your Cholesterol Levels Infographic"

Healing Begins On A *Whole* Other Level

When we think of sickness or become sick, most are quick to flock to the doctor's office (nothing wrong with that btw), be diagnosed, and then pop a toxic pill in (very wrong) to cure them of whatever ailment, illness, and/or disease as prescribed by their health profession, which by the way does quite the opposite if you're privy to the harmful ingredients that make up those pharmaceutical drugs. It's more of a deceptively great way of continuing to tread the mouse wheel of being a scientific experiment that only allows the dysfunction to progress silently and show up and show out elsewhere within the body's system.

The truth is that healing begins from within. It starts in the mind and then extends throughout the body. You can change and/or heal yourself by altering the way that you think, feel, and perceive life and self. It is the more wholesome and guaranteed approach and aspect to healing oneself and becoming better on every level related to your existence.

I know this is a highly controversial topic, but too often we've been programmed to focus on this and that being the problems of our lives, when the answer is really simple as soon as you begin to understand the power of the mind and the way in which it actually affects the body. It is best known as the principle of cause and effect. 

Should something go wrong within the body, there's a signal that is sent straight to the brain and in which the master mind now kicks in to guide us to healing ourselves should you listen carefully and promptly follow what comes to mind, meaning buying this or that herbs, foods, etc. in order to aid the process. The Divine mind knows exactly what the body needs in order to heal itself. It is highly intelligent and possesses wisdom that's connected to the Universal God of all there is within time and space. Just follow its lead, and you'll surely be led to being well again in a wholesome perspective.

Often times than not, the answer may be as simple as meditation and drinking more water, etc., that'll set your body's functions back into balance, as obviously, the reason why you may be experiencing whatever illness or sickness thereof is because there has been a disrupt or dis-ease within the body via the mind's transmitting energy fields that's tied into certain areas of your body - the negative polarity of the pole will affect the balance and functions of the others. It is why you cannot heal a illness, disease until you find the root of the problem that gain its feet from within the mind, and practicing channeling that energy will assist you to bringing it all back into balance. It's been proven over and over again.

Moreover, I've witnessed folks go from being healthy to unhealthy and vice versa in one instance to the next. The cause was a shift in emotions that were bearing feelings of extreme negativity of hate, grudge, envy, resentment, and the likes. Thus, the effect was a disruption within the body's balance, which ultimately produced tumors, cysts, fibroids - which can all become very cancerous and most times do than not, plus the bulging belly syndrome. Why? Because you're carrying around in the emotional pit of your lower, 2nd to 3rd chakras, a baggage of  negative vibes and/or energies. It may throw you as to why it's happening, especially if you're eating healthy and working out often, yet, you're experiencing hiccups within your health. It may, at that point, seem impossible to think of the reason why and how if you've been so long conditioned to look outside of yourself for the answer instead of within, but if for one Divinely intuitive inclination had you thought to look inside yourself, meaning into the vibratory realms of your mind, therein lies the answer to all of your issues. It is there that you'll truly begin to understand and heal.

Take for instance, medical experts have stated and made very clear that the mind has a powerful effect on the body. Hence, it can cause you to have a false sense of being ill or bringing about such illnesses, and thus, can also bring about its healing. Therefore, this is definitely not placebo effect or theory talk that I'm giving here. It's simply the truth that often times goes unnoticed - almost unknown, as folks are so used to doing and thinking the way that majority of the world do today and have been doing in error for far too long now. So, to take back your health, you simply must alter the way you think - go within first and foremost always - "Seek and ye shall find" the way to turn it all around for a better and more healthier you.

To start you on this conscious and wholesome journey to improving one's health, I've attached hereto a chakra chart that shows you just how connected our mind is to the body and its functions thereof, and how it ultimately affects us when our energy fields within are blocked, out of whack and imbalanced.

Study this chart, and thereafter, channel your light energy to where it hurts the most, and no, for some of you, do put away the silly thinking - it's not taboo. It's simply the wholesome way of life in which they call "Alternative" - pretty ironic being that it was here first and not after. Don't you think? Anyhoo, meditate and enter within and feel the flow of light and life filling you with peace, power, and wisdom to heal thyself in the absolute most wholesome way when you connect self to mind, body, and foods - centering and balancing your life energy flow.

Well, my friends, as always, take great care of yourselves on all levels (mind, body, and soul), so that you can truly be and live *Of The Green Life* - feeling fully alive and existing in a wholesome and well way.

Chow until next time! :-)

Fast Fact Friday #6 - Avocado Baby!

It's fast fact Friday, and today's fact tidbit is regarding avocado. It's also one of my absolute favorite to include in my salads, smoothies, for making my delicious avocado dip, etc. I also use it as a hair and face mask, which by the way, came as a surprise one day, as I decided to scrape away with my fingers, the remaining flesh that was left on the skin of the avocado (I must say that I'm not big on wasting things :-). So, I scraped the remaining bit into my hands, rubbed the palm of my hands together until the avocado became creamy and smooth, and then I applied it all over my face. In under five minutes, the avocado began to constrict and tightened the skin on my face, that I could barely smile and/or talk - now that's a really good pull. Therefore, I presume that it also draws out impurities from the skin. Now,  mind you, I'm no skin care scientist or expert, but I'm just going by the light of my intuition that tells me so, and it's yet to be wrong when I listen to its gentle guide and conscious truths from the All there is in the Universe, and the proof is always in the pudding as the end result. It really was a sweet discovery that got my wheels spinning creatively towards some fabulous concoctions, which I'll soon share with you. ;-)

Even as important, whenever I see avocados, I think of all the fruity goodies I'm used to eating from I was a child on the island and often miss dearly. Hence, there, in Jamaica, we call avocado "pear" - understandable, right and pretty smart too I believe, in remembering that it's actually a fruit. You'll understand more about why it was named pear via Harvest of the Month. It is there you'll also find some additional pertinent facts about avocado and a recipe too - nice. :-). To emphasize, I'm sure most people think that avocado is a vegetable, but it's very much a fruit. It is grown on a tree, especially on the islands; ripens quickly in the dark - for example, in a brown paper bag; can last for up to a week after being cut and placed in the refrigerator, especially when coated with fresh lemon juice. It's also rich in cartenoids, essential fatty acids, like Omega-3 and 6, as well as vital minerals for the body, which leads it to being high in heart-healthy monounsaturates with powerful plant sterols that make avocado the world's healthiest fruit, as it consists of vitamin E, beta sitosterol, and lutein. Studies also show that it helps in destroying dangerous free radicals in the body and is the highest plant source of CoQ10.

Well, enjoy this bit of fast and factful Friday. As always, be sure to share this info with others. You simply just never know whose life it could change or save - woohoo - let's be health heroes, one to the other, for together we can. :-)

Have an awesome weekend, guys! Take great care of yourselves until next time! Chow!

Peace + Love + Healthy Living "Of The Green Life" too! :-)

Food Combos To Avoid

Over the years, I've informed many relatives and friends to not drink liquids with their meals, etc. Did they believe me or listen? No, not necessarily so, as they were probably wondering if the things that I was sharing with them were actually true, or they thought maybe I was just too young to have such a broad knowledge foundation. Moreover, back then, being so young with such information and understanding, and as it seemed - controversial topics and advice against the norm, was a bit off-putting for many and may have had me looking like a "Miss Know-It-All"; however, not the case, not as far as I was thinking.  I quickly realized that being well informed simply wasn't a common attribute of many in the community in which I lived - sad but true. However, the thing with knowing is that I started reading and researching at a very early age. In fact, I was once a pre-med student right after high school. So, of course, eating and staying healthy peaked my interest. It's something that was introduced to me, as I was born and raised on the island of Jamaica, where we had nothing but healthy and fresh foods, that we would harvest each day from the backyard in preparing our meals. Healthy living was and is something I've always been curious in knowing more about. So, I would either join forces with people of like mind to discuss such topics and then conduct my own research to validate it all.

Well, ever heard the saying, "Each one teaches one"? It's true, because I learned a lot over the years from observing and listening to others, and I not only took in the information, but I also applied it to my daily life routines. I became very disciplined at doing what I know is best for me, and I was more than happy, actually overjoyed, to go and share it with my loved ones, as I wanted to be sure that they'd also be able to partake in the enlightening journey that I was and still is on to living a healthier and wholesome life in fullness thereof it. I knew how it made me feel when I discovered and/or learned something new, and I felt even more compelled in letting them in on it. It's what love does - share, for sharing is caring. Right? I do hope you agree with me on that and have made it a habitual part of your life. :-)

Anyhoo, I chose this topic today while browsing through the pages of a very reliable and credible magazine, "Experience Life", which was a subscribed bonus through my gym membership. So, most of the info on the attached chart I put together came from the magazine article itself, titled "Healthy Eating: Nutrients". While reading it, it was like one of those "Ah ha moments" that Oprah Winfrey often speaks about and that clicked in my head as being pertinent need-to-know info and also as a way of now going back to my fam and friends and saying, see, I told you so...lots of laugh - nah, just kidding. :-) Though, that would be a feel-good-moment, but I'm not the type to rub dirt in peoples face in wanting to make them feel bad or small in anyway in order to sing praises unto myself. So, the truth is simply that I find information like this as one of the most common mishap-misinformed habit that has been formed over time, and now, while we're in the period of renewal of Earth and mind, body, and spirit, it's a great time to definitely undo the errors done and make it right - set it straight for the record so to speak. How else will we evolve as people? It is the absolute truth that is required to do so. Therefore, read and be liberated and be sure to pass this vital info on for a long healthy living to your friends and family, etc. within your social circle by clicking on one or all of the social media widgets at the bottom of this post.

Alright then, I hope this information reaches you in great health. If not, be sure to start on the journey of taking a more wholesome approach of being absolutely good to yourself and your loved ones.

Take care until next time. Chow! :-)

Here's a bit more added info about each category of food combos to avoid:

1. FRUIT WITH OR AFTER MEAL: "Sugars are actually not easy to digest, according to Ayurveda (alternative healing practice), because they are heavy and require good fire to process. That is why fruits should be eaten alone. Fruits (especially fresh, seasonal fruits) are also energetically purifying foods and complete foods, and to combine them with proteins and carbs takes away their pure energy". Additionally, "Water rinses and hydrates the tract, fiber sweeps and cleanses it, and enzymes activate the chemical process of digestion. It is why eating fruit first makes the digestive tract more capable of absorbing nutrition." So, "It's best to eat most fruits on their own - especially melons, because they are high in sugar and enzymes specific to each melon. If you want to experiment with food combining, eating fruit alone is a great first step."
2. ANIMAL PROTEIN PLUS STARCH: "Adding protein enzymes and carb enzymes into the same space and time basically makes everything *unclean*." Though,"Many people's bodies are suited to traditional foods like rice and sushi, and, yes, meat and potatoes. And combinations like beans and rice, which make a healthy, complete protein, don't apply to this bad combo category. Rice and beans have a synergistic effect, promoting better assimilation of each when they are together."
3. FATS WITH WRONG FOODS: "Fats and oils need to be combined according to the digestive fire of the person eating them. When combined with foods properly, fats build a little fire and induce foods to be carried to the liver better. Fats are to be avoided when the fire is too low in the gut, as they douse the fire." Moreover, "Protein fats like avocados, seeds, and nuts should be combined only with non-starchy vegetables." Also, be sure to "Always include a raw leafy green vegetable when eating fats."
4. LIQUID WITH MEALS: there's no additional info to mention for this category.
5. TWO CONCENTRATED SOURCES OF PROTEIN: "Combination of different meats with fish is to be avoided." In addition, "Meats should be the last course, as digestive fire and enzymes are at their peak."

Cited sources: Experience Life magazine, "Healthy Eating: Nutrients", November 2013 - Drs. Battacharya and Alder

Fast Fact Friday #5 - Avocado vs. Banana

Hey, Awesomes!

It's another fast fact Friday! Please be sure to share this bit of info with your circle. It may save or improve one's health/life. You just never know. Click on any of the social media widget share buttons below this post to share it with others. Have a wonderful weekend and take great care of yourselves until next time! Chow! :-)

Aspartame: The Skull & Bones Death Delivery Artificial Sweetener

If ever you've seen the skull and bones symbol over a label on a product, it's a sure warning and danger sign that it's a toxic and poisonous substance that is guaranteed to deliver you to either a quick or slow but sure death. Sadly though, that is not the transparent case for most products on the market today that are comprised of harmful ingredients. You really have to be educated or well informed to be aware of the things that are detrimental to your health in order to avoid them at all cost, and this is where this sort of information comes in  very handy, as people who truly cares about the health and well-being of others are and have been conducting extensive research over the years and here and now, to be sure that you know the truth about the make-up ingredients of the foods and liquids that you consume on a daily basis. Hence, the topic of aspartame. Aspartame is also known as NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure. It is a highly toxic ingredient comprised of 10% methanol, which is a wood alcohol, and when excessive levels are reached within the blood stream, it can kill neurons and lead to chronic neurological diseases; 40% aspartic acid, which breaks down into formaldehyde - a deadly neurotoxin that wreaks havoc on sensitive proteins and DNA; and 50% phenylalanine, which causes depression and emotional disorders when high levels are present within the blood and brain. Therefore, if you've noticed that your child may be acting a bit strange, moody, and have out of control and hyperactivity behaviors, then look to the beverages that he/she may be consuming, including that of sodas, especially diet sodas and products where aspartame is commonly used and found, in addition to sweeteners that may be used around your house for coffee, teas, baking, especially those used to produce public school meals. It would be highly recommended to discontinue the usage of those sweeteners containing aspartame, and if you simply can't do without a sweetener, then at least be sure to replace it with ones that are overall natural and safe, like stevia and luohan, etc. See my post on "Quick Facts: Agave vs. Stevia" to learn more about stevia being a healthier choice, and as with any sweetener, you want to be sure that you use them in moderation.

Nonetheless, there have been over 10,000 reported adverse side effects complaints to the FDA regarding aspartame, with over 91 different symptoms reported due to its consumption. Some of those symptoms are migraine headaches, dizziness, seizures, depression, death, memory loss, weight gain, and mood swings to name a few. Aspartame is highly toxic and deadly artificial sweetener that is being marketed as being healthy by the Coca Cola Company and Pepsi , that uses aspartame in their sodas and diet sodas. See attached chart and video for more in-depth details on this super toxic and deadly ingredient.

Cited sources: Dr. Mercola - "Artificial Sweeteners Gaining Increasingly Bad Press—and for Good Reason" and Healthy Holistic Living - "Aspartame Poison: The Silent Killer"

Why Coconut Oil & What You Should Be Looking For To Identify It As Being A Good Brand To Buy

I could go over a dozen or more reasons why you should use coconut oil, and as you can see from my previous posts about it, I'm pretty wild about coconut oil, and no, it's not because I'm from the island of Jamaica, where coconut grows abundantly and to which we had one growing in our front yard. It has more to do with the fact that I use it every single day in my foods when cooking and all over my skin, so much that my skin now has an even more youthful complexion and a silky smooth feel to it all. It's been absolutely a miracle oil for me. However, it's important to know what to look for when purchasing coconut oil. The key terms that you should look for and that are of the most importance on the label in selecting a truly healthy brand are:

• Unrefined
• Organic
• Whole Kernel
• Cold and/or Fresh Pressed Virgin
• Island Fresh Flavor or Aroma

Those terms simply states that it's been produced in a quality way, without any chemical treatment or artificial processing. Therefore, allowing it to retain it's naturally derived nutrients that's extracted from the flesh of the coconut.

Coconut oil is specifically rich in medium chain fatty acids (MCFs), like caprylic and capric and is especially high in lauric, the powerhouse of the three. Lauric acid is what makes coconut oil so super potent and especially beneficial to our health in curing a slew of skin/body ailments, viruses, bacterias, funguses, etc. Lauric acid is unique to coconut oil and breast milk. It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-virus, and anti-imflammatory. It protects against cancer, supports and boosts our immune system, simulates metabolic activities, lowers the risk of heart disease by increasing our HDL - another name for good cholesterol, great for the skin and hair, as it leaves them both looking absolutely amazing.

Coconut oil is also a saturated fat and a stable oil great for cooking, but it's the healthy kind that our body needs, as its saturated fat, is the real whole foods fat that does not change composition when heated. They don't oxidate easily and go rancid, nor produces free radical within the body when heated, unlike that of extra virgin olive oil and some others. It actually handles heat really well. So, it's super great for stir frying, baking, sauteing, as a spread for toast too - so delicious I must say, and such a versatile oil! It's a lowfat fat. It has nearly 2.2 less calories per gram than any other fat out there. Coconut oil also melts at 76 degree fahrenheit and begins to solidify below that degree. A good note to remember is that if the brand you're buying is without the smell or flavor of the coconut, it has definitely been bleached or refined, which means it's depleted of all or some of its nutrient. Therefore, the beneficial value of it has been reduced and can be harmful if chemically processed and infused with harmful additives.

Here are a few of the brands that I use for cooking and for skin, Dr. Bronner's and Whole Foods very own - 365. Their labels show those keywords that I mentioned above being specific to ensuring that it's the authentically good stuff, and I can assure you that they both hold the scent and taste of a coconut. Therefore, it has not been refined. See also the label showing how powerfully packed coconut oil is in its lauric acid content - a antioxidant powerhouse!

Ok - enjoy! Take great care of yourselves until next time. Chow! :-)

Fast Fact Friday #4 - Metabolism Boosters

Hey There!

Hope you are having a fantastic day!

Today's fact is about boosting one's metabolism, and in order to burn those unwanted or excess fat and calories, it requires us to eat foods or drink fluids that'll aid the body in this process. We also want to stay away from foods and liquids that may inhibit the body from doing what it's meant to do, take care of us,  when we do our part in caring for it too. So, it's a win-win situation if done diligently and correctly, and while there are many foods, etc. out there for boosting one's metabolism, like citrus fruits, hot peppers, foods high in omega-3s, green tea, just to name a few, here are two that are super important in my opinion, and since I consume on a regular basis, for breakfast - whole wheat oatmeal, I find that it works absolutely well when it comes to amping up the metabolism of the body. It works and fast too! Of course, water is a must as well, and a sufficient amount of it on a daily basis is absolutely necessary to get things moving the right way. Well, enjoy this tidbit of info, and remember, take great care of yourselves until next time! Have a wonderful weekend too! Chow! :-)

Herb - Savor Pod by Prepara

Hey, Guys!

Hope your week has been lovely thus far!

Anyhoo, I found this extremely, really cool gadget that is a definite must have for the kitchen. It keeps your herbs, like parsley, basil, cilantro, rosemary, etc., even asparagus fresh for up to three weeks. Who couldn't use a cool little gadget like this? I know I could and just about everyone I believe, as I know we all would like our foods to last longer, the natural way of course, and voila, here it is, the "Herb-Savor Pod". I guess we weren't alone on that thought.  While I'm on the subject of being thoughtful, I solemnly believe it would also make a great gift for the food lovers and green lifestyle folks out there. See more details about this neat little gadget at Prepara. See also video demonstrations for more info about this neat little kitchen/refrigerator gadget, that I'm sure will be very useful for all of you. Alright, enjoy and take care great care of yourselves until next time! Chow! :-)                                                                                   

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A Vegan's Delight!

Hey, Guys!

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend thus far! As for me, I'm enjoying every creative moment of it, as I love being hands-on and making the things that are beautiful in my eyes, whether it's jewelry, designing/writing a book, editing a photo to be posted, and/or cooking a truly delightful meal - it's all a joy and fun for me! Here's to one that I whipped up today. It's definitely vegan, as I'm more a vegan type of gal than not, and when I'm not, I'm a vegetarian - still no dairy though. I've dropped dairy altogether early on upon my move here to the States, and that's over twenty something years ago.

Anyhoo, this meal was truly delicious! It's made up of Indian madras lentils, organic carrots, avocado, and red potatoes, as well as sweet potatoes! I pretty much came up with this carrot, plus mash potato blend when I was having a hard time deciding what to eat for lunch one day. At a whim's decision, I concluded to boiling some potatoes and carrots. Well, after they were cooked, while pulling them from the pot and onto my plate, it came to me suddenly to just mash the two together w/a tad bit of vegan butter and topped it off with some crackled pepper, and it was an instant hit! It was so darn delicious! My taste buds were having a grand ol' time...laughing hilariously :-), but it was so delectable!  So, here we are. I made it again and decided to post it for you to see. Enjoy! Be sure to do something creative each day. Fire up your imagination! You may just be surprised with what it may deliver to you.

Alright, please subscribe to my blog and share it with your circle of friends, acquaintances, and family members too. Also, would you be so kind and let me know what you think about it all. Stay tuned for more of my healthy meal concoctions! Take great care until next time! Chow! xoxo

Fast Fact Friday #3 - Cucumbers

Hey, Guys!

Here's to another Fast Fact Friday! I find these bits of information to be very helpful and valuable upon discovering them. I hope they're of some sort of value for you too. Please feel free to leave me a comment and/or feedback about your thoughts on it all. Btw, I absolutely love cucumbers. It's been one of my favorite veggies from when I was a girl growing up on the island of Jamaica. I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but my grandma used to, she passed on some ten years ago, may God - our Creator continue to bless her beautiful and generous soul, but she used to grow them, among many other fruits, veggies, etc. in our backyard, and up to today, cucumber is still a favorite must have in my salads and smoothies/juicing too! Anyhoo, have a wonderful weekend! Take great care of yourselves until next time! Chow! xoxo!!! :-) 

The Wonderful Facts About Coconut Oil

Hey, Guys!

Here are some amazing facts you need to know about coconut oil and all its glorious properties. I know I've written about this topic before, and of course, I'm nuts about everything coconut, but I want to share some more pertinent details about it outside of my personal experience from it all. Ok, here it is! Take great care of yourselves until next time! Chow! xoxo!!! :-)

Fast Fact Friday #2 - Lemon Water

Hi All! Here's to another fast fact friday! Wishing all of you a wonderful weekend! Enjoy! :-)

"InLIVEN" PROBIOTICS: - Optimal Health Benefits!

I've done my due diligence and stumbled upon a     truly superior company that is ethically and with much integrity, concerned with sustainability of our planet and superior organic products that'll promote your health and that of your family's in a very safe way - certified organic in its purest form!

So, enrich your life with vitality and the proper nutrients that it needs to function optimally! Now is the time to check out Miessence's "Probiotics Superfood" - **InLIVEN** that is super beneficial to your health!!! You can get it and so much more truly quality and pure "Orgnanic" products from an award-winning company, backed with 20+ years of extensive *expert* research within the field at Miessence via http://ofthegreenlife.miessence.com

Learn more! Watch the attached video this moment - priceless information that can lead to a healthier you if you act right now! Enjoy and take great care of yourselves until next time! Chow! xoxo! :-)