Superfood Ice Popsicles

Don't be intimidated by the color, these are sweet and refreshing on a sunny day. What makes these popsicles so great is spirulina powder. Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is super nutrient dense. It contains protein, vitamins, and minerals that provide great benefit to your health. Spirulina is good for the skin (eczema, acne, rashes), boosts energy, supports the immune system, helps fight depression, lowers bad cholesterol, and helps prevent diseases such as diabetes and cancer. When purchasing spirulina, make sure to buy organic and from a trusted brand.

Ingredients

1/2 cup greek yogurt (I used full-fat)

2 Medjool dates, pitted

2 tsp spirulina powder

1/3 cup almond milk

2 tsp chia seeds

Procedure

1. Place all ingredients except chia seeds in a blender and blend until smooth (make sure dates are fully blended or you'll have chunks).
2. Place 1 teaspoon of chia seeds into each mold (you can also mix it in the mixture but I chose to put it at the bottom for the visual effect). Pour the yogurt mixture into molds and freeze for at least 4 hours.

Makes 2

Raw Brownies

These raw brownies are simple and delicious. They are gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. They are sweetened with natural sugar from fresh dates. Dates are high in sugar and should be consumed in moderation, but they are a great alternative to refined sugars. Just one is enough to curb a sweet craving, they are a great afternoon snack. Besides their sweetness, they are also a good source of fiber, some B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, and copper.

This is a simple recipe that you can use as a base and add toppings/spices/flavors of your liking. I almost never make the same recipe. I'm always experimenting with different ingredients. My favorites are grated ginger, lemon zest and juice, vanilla extract, protein powder, orange zest, spices, and different nuts and seeds. Anything goes. Get creative.

Ingredients

1 cup medjool dates, pitted

1 cups raw nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans)

1/4 cup raw cacao powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, optional

pinch of sea salt

Procedure

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor (can use blender but you will have to move things around with a spatula throughout the process) until dates are finely chopped and mixture sticks together when pressed with fingers. If mixture doesn't stick and is too dry, add more dates.
2. Press into a parchment-lined baking dish and place in freezer for about 20 minutes.
3. Cut into 2 x 2 inch squares and enjoy!

Store in refrigerator.

12 Reasons to Love Chia Seeds

Superfood: Chia Seeds Chia seeds are very small seeds full of nutrition and health benefits. They don't have much flavor so they're easy to incorporate into meals and often help enhance the flavor of other foods.

12 Reasons to Love Chia Seeds:

1. Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids -anti-inflammatory
2. High in protein
3. Provide energy -improve memory and mood
4. High in fiber
5. Keep you full longer -resulting in eating less which can lead to weight loss
6. High in antioxidants
7. Balance blood sugar
8. High in calcium -3x more calcium than milk
9. High in iron - 3x more iron than spinach
10. Help rid the liver of toxins -great for detox and cleansing
11. Lower cholesterol and blood pressure
12. Improve skin, nail, and hair health

Only 1 teaspoon of chia seeds a day is enough to give you benefits.

When soaked in liquid for a few minutes, chia seeds form a gel. You can eat the gel or you can eat the seeds raw. Add them to yogurt, water, smoothies, salads, baked goods, or make pudding.

9 Natural Ways to Keep the Flu Away

The immune system is what helps us fight virus and bacteria and keeps us from getting sick. During this flu season and cold weather, it's important to give our immune system a boost. Here are 9 natural ways to keep the flu away:

1. Drink ginger tea. Ginger is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, relieves pain, and aids digestion. To make tea, simmer a 1-inch strip in 2 cups filtered water for about 10 min and then enjoy with some lemon juice. 
2. Load up on Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that boosts the immune system. It helps to prevent a cold/flu and also helps get rid of it. Foods high in vitamin C include dark leafy greens (kale, collard greens, chard), citrus fruits, brussels sprouts, and broccoli. 
3. Garlic. Garlic is strongly an anti-bacterial and anti-virus ingredient. Eating it raw (uncooked) provides the most health benefits, but cooking with it is also good. If you can take the strong raw taste, chop it up and throw it on your salads, cooked vegetables, cooked meats, and even smoothies. Otherwise, add to pan towards the end of cooking to expose to heat for only a short period of time.  
4. Get enough sleep and manage stress. Lack of sleep puts stress on our body and stress weakens our immune system. Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night without interruptions. Things you can do to help deal with stress are: take a walk/hike, drink tea, listen to calming music, read a book, yoga, exercise, meditate, take deep breaths, draw/write, take a hot bath, and prioritize your life. 
5. Cook with spices. Spices like cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne pepper are anti-inflammatory and help relieve pain and fight health problems. 
6. Eat probiotics. Probiotics are live cultures that live mostly in our gut. These are good bacteria that help fight off the bad bacteria. Feeding the gut with good bacteria helps heal it and strengthens our immune system. Get probiotics by eating fermented foods such as raw sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir(lactose-free), and kim chi. 
7. Avoid refined sugar and dairy. Refined sugar (including alcohol) is what feeds the bad bacteria in our gut and allows it to replicate. Refined sugar also weakens our immune system and causes inflammation in the body. Let your sugar come from natural sources such as fresh fruit, honey (good for sore throat and cough), dates, and root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, squash/pumpkin, and beets. Dairy is also something you might want to avoid if having symptoms of a cold/flu because it creates mucus in the body and only makes things worse. 
8. Drink unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is great for many things. Some benefits are detoxifying the body, feeding the gut with good bacteria, and curing a sore throats, sinus infections, headaches, and the flu. Mix 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with some filtered water and drink slowly. For a sore throat, gargle apple cider vinegar in the back of your throat then spit out and repeat a few more times. 
9. My favorite remedy - "Voo-doo Juice." I learned this tea from my mom and it's what I immediately go to if I feel a cold approaching. It is packed with immune supporting ingredients and it really does the trick. I add 2 cloves crushed garlic, 2-inch piece of ginger, about 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (or more if you can take it), and 4 cups filtered water to a small pot and simmer for about 10 minutes. Filter tea into a mug and enjoy with a bit of raw honey. 

Don't forget to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and get lots of fluids from water, hot tea, and chicken or vegetable soup. 

 

Stay healthy. 

Kale and Walnut Pesto

I love pesto. Pesto is a great way to incorporate healthy fats, greens, and herbs into an every day diet. It is high in protein and pairs well with almost any type of vegetable or meat. I use it as a spread, dip, marinade, or dressing. There are many different recipes and types of pesto. Here is a recipe that I recently came up with and I eat with absolutely everything! 

Ingredients

1/2 cup walnuts, toasted

8 small kale leaves (about 2 cups), stemmed

2 Tablespoons thyme leaves

1 clove garlic

Juice of one lemon

3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 + 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 300 F.
2. Place walnuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and toast in oven until fragrant, about 8 minutes. 
3. Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Taste and adjust with sea salt or lemon juice. If pesto is too thick, add more olive oil. 

Notes

• Toasting of nuts is not necessary, but it will enhance their flavor. 

Alternative Sweeteners

Refined sugar is in everything these days. It's amazing how many products contain it without us realizing. It's in sauces, dressings, nuts, tea, coffee, smoothies, granola, cereals, and most other packaged foods. You'd think it would be easy to point out and eliminate these foods from our diet, but the problem is that we don't even know it's there because it's hidden with names such as sucrose, fructose, dextrose, glucose, maltodextrin, Sucralose, sorbitol, agave nectar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, and many others that I can't even pronounce. These sugars and artificial sweeteners are highly processed and harmful for our health. They don't provide any health benefits and just keep us wanting more and more. It's natural to have sugar cravings and although sugar can be addicting, completely depriving ourselves from it is not always the best option because it can lead to increased cravings. It's okay to satisfy your sweet tooth every once in a while if doing so with high-quality, unprocessed ingredients. Here is a list of natural sweeteners that actually support our health and can be used as alternatives for refined sugar:

• Dates/date sugar
• Dried figs
• Palm/coconut sugar (doesn't give a blood sugar spike like others do)
• Raw honey
• Grade B Maple Syrup
• Fresh fruit
• Stevia

* Purchase organic products whenever possible

These alternative sweeteners are natural but should still be consumed in moderation as they still do raise blood sugar levels. Other natural ways to reduce sugar cravings include drinking more water, eating more fruits and vegetables, eating more fermented foods (sauerkraut, kombucha, kefir), getting more sleep, yoga, and meditation.

Stay healthy!

Breakfast On The Go

We've all heard it before, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It really is! This is where you have the chance to get important nutrients in and set the stage for the rest of the day. Do you want to start your day off with a good quality, balanced meal or with a blood sugar spike, followed by a crash? Most American breakfast foods are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, high in caffeine, low in nutrients, and don't provide sufficient energy to sustain us through the morning. A good breakfast should be nutrient-dense and should balance blood sugar. A protein-based breakfast is key in order to sustain energy and stay full longer. Protein sources include: eggs, plain yogurt, cheese, nuts, nut butters, seeds, meats, and protein powders (Without genetically modified ingredients or sugar additives. If it contains soy-lecithin, look for "non-GMO").  Breakfast can be anything you want it to be as long as it has the right ingredients. Try having left overs for breakfast (keeping portion size in mind) if you're not big on "breakfast foods." For example, a green salad with fish or chicken is a great option. My favorite way to start the day is with a high nutrient smoothie. It's the fastest and easiest way for me to get everything I need in the morning. I choose a source of protein and throw in some herbs, vegetables, fruit, and spices to make a delicious meal. Liquids are also easier to digest than solid foods, so it's not a bad idea to give your digestive system a break every now and then.  Below are some smoothie recipes to try. Don't be afraid to play with ingredients and get creative to accommodate your tastebuds.  Strawberry, Spinach, and Chia Smoothie

Ingredients 1/2 cup kefir or yogurt 1/4 - 1/2 cup almond milk or water 5 ice cubes 1 cup spinach 3/4 cup strawberries 1/2 cup cilantro 1 large hard boiled egg 1 Tablespoon chia seeds 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 Tablespoon ground flax seeds pinch sea salt Procedure

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Almond Butter, Cacao, and Kale Smoothie Ingredients 1/2 cup yogurt or kefir 1/2 cup almond milk or water (less for a thicker smoothie) 5 ice cubes 1/2 cup berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries) 1 cup kale 2 celery stalks 1 1/2 Tablespoon almond butter 1 Tablespoon raw cacao powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract pinch sea salt Procedure

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. 

 Beet, Cucumber, and Avocado Smoothie  (Tastes better than it sounds, I promise)

 

Ingredients

3/4-1 cup almond milk or water

4-5 ice cubes

1/2 cup steamed beets

1 cup leafy greens (kale, spinach, arugula, chard, dandelion) 1/2 cucumber 1 scoop protein powder (protein powder of choice: pea, hemp, brown rice, whey) 1/4 avocado

1 teaspoon vanilla extract, more to taste 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon pinch sea salt Procedure

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. 

Whole Foods Pantry Essentials

In order to cook healthy you need to have healthy ingredients to choose from. I've created a table to help. Eating a variety of these foods every day will ensure that you are getting all the nutrients your body needs. Purchase foods organic when possible for the highest nutritional value. Organic unrefined ingredients might cost more, but investing in your health now will prevent having to invest in medical bills later.  All the ingredients I use in my recipes are found in this list. Feel free to print this out and keep it somewhere handy for when you go to the grocery store. Happy shopping!

Food	Types	Servings	Nutritional Benefits
Healthy Fats/Oils and Nuts/Seeds (raw or dry roasted)	Walnuts Pecans Almonds Hazelnuts Brazil nuts Cashews Pistachios Sesame seeds Chia seeds Sunflower seeds Flax seeds Hemp seeds Pumpkin seeds Nut butters Tahini Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Extra Virgin Olive Oil Unrefined sesame oil	2-3 servings per day A serving of nuts and seeds is 2 Tablespoons  A serving of fats/oils is 1 Tablespoon	Nuts and seeds are good sources of essential fats (Omega-3 and Omega-6), vitamin E, protein, B vitamin, beta carotene, minerals, and folic acid Soaking nuts and seeds helps digest them better and increases nutrient availability Coconut oil reduces inflammation, aids digestion and metabolism, and decreases risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer
Whole Grains	Gluten-Free: Quinoa Millet Amaranth Buckwheat Teff Rice (Brown, Jasmine, Short grain, Long grain, Wild, black) Contain Gluten: Wheat Rye Spelt Barley Oats (oats don't contain gluten, but are usually always cross-contaminated with other gluten containing grains unless gluten-free certified)	1-3 servings per day A serving is 1/2 cup cooked	Whole grains provide complex carbohydrates and fiber Gluten-free grains are hypoallergenic and provide B vitamins and magnesium to help with digestion and balance blood sugar Gluten-containing grains can be inflammatory and hard on digestion Soaking or rinsing grains before cooking helps their digestion
Spices, Condiments, Supplements, and Natural Sweeteners	Unrefined sea salt Peppercorns Tamari, low salt Vanilla, pure  Miso Nutritional yeast Dijon Mustard Apple Cider vinegar Balsamic vinegar Sea Vegetables (Nori, Sea Palm, Dulse, Agar flakes, Kombu, Wakame, Hijiki, Arame) Dried herb/spices: Bay leaves Cinnamon Nutmeg Coriander Cumin Oregano Pepper (Paprika, Cayenne)  Turmeric Fresh herbs: Basil Thyme Cilantro Dill Ginger root Parsley Rosemary Mint Powders/Supplements: Raw cacao powder Maca powder Spirulina powder Chlorella powder Protein powder (vegan, sugar-free) Mesquite powder Natural Sweeteners: Raw honey Grade B maple syrup Coconut sugar Maple sugar	2-4 servings per day A serving is 1 teaspoon - 1 Tablespoon	Spices and herbs add flavor and boost metabolism Sea vegetables provide amino acids (building blocks of protein), vitamin E, B vitamins, fiber, and minerals Nutritional yeast provides B vitamins, amino acids, and minerals Powders and supplements are ingredients that contain high nutrient value in small amounts Natural sweeteners are unrefined and provide more nutrients than white sugar or artificial sweeteners, but should still be consumed in moderation
Dairy (Choose organic and grass-fed. Choose whole, low-, or non- fat without any additives)	Raw dairy Yogurt Goat cheese or yogurt  Cottage cheese Kefir Mozzarella Parmesan Romano Feta	1-2 servings per day A serving of cheese is 1 ounce A serving of yogurt is about 4-6 ounces	Dairy are a great source of protein and calcium Calcium-rich foods help immune system, fat metabolism, and protect against bone damage and breast cancer
Dried Legumes and Soy (Choose soy products that are fermented and non-GMO)	Garbanzo beans Black beans Pinto beans Adzuki beans Mung beans Kidney beans Navy beans Cannellini beans Fava beans Lima beans Split peas Lentils Soy beans (Edamame) Tempeh Tofu	1-2 servings per day A serving is 1/2 cup cooked	Legumes are rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates 25% of their calories come from protein Darker legumes contain antioxidants Soak legumes overnight before cooking to reduce gas
Meats (Choose organic, pasture-raised [grass-fed, not grain-fed] lean meat and poultry; free of hormones, antibiotics, and nitrates)	Chicken Turkey Lamb Beef Eggs (organic and pasture-raised)	1-3 servings per week A serving is 3-4 ounces	Animal foods are a very good source of protein and also provide some vitamins and minerals  Eggs boost brain health, reduce inflammation, and provide heart health
Cold-Water Fish (Choose high in Omega-3, low mercury)	Salmon (wild caught) Scallops Tilapia Ahi Tuna Cod, Halibut Sole Tilapia (farmed in the U.S.) Trout	1-3 servings per week A serving is 3-4 ounces	Seafood is rich in protein, minerals, and essential fats (Omega-3)
Vegetables (Choose fresh, organic, seasonal, and locally grown)	Leafy: Arugula Bok choy Kale Collards Napa cabbage Cabbage, red/green Broccoli sprouts Brussels sprouts Mustard greens Chard, Swiss Leaf lettuce Spinach Mesclun salad mix Romaine lettuce Watercress Crunchy and Starchy: Broccoli Radish Daikon Cauliflower Beets Carrots Pumpkin Bell pepper, green/red/yellow Cucumber Celery Zucchini Summer squash Green beans Yam Sweet potatoes Mushrooms (button, crimini, enoki, maitake, oyster, portobello, shiitake) Burdock Asparagus  Artichoke Parsnip Peas, sugar snap Peas, green Tomatoes Fennel Jicama Onions, red/yellow Garlic Leeks Scallions	5-6 servings per day A serving is 1 cup raw or 1/2 cup cooked	Vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals that aid digestion, immune system, growth and development, and bone health Vegetables with the highest pesticide contamination (should be purchased organic) are: Bell peppers Celery Spinach Lettuce Potatoes
Fruits (Choose fresh, ripe, organic, and in season)	Blueberries Blackberries Cherimoya Cherries Cranberries Currants Figs Nectarines Grape, dark skin Plums Pomegranate Prunes Raisins Raspberries Rhubarb Strawberries Apricot Papaya Cantaloupe Kiwi Mango Nectarines Peach Persimmon Watermelon Oranges Kumquat Lemon Lime Grapefruit, pink Tangerine Apples Banana Pear Pineapple Plantain Quince	2-3 servings per day A serving is 1/2 cup or 1 medium piece of fruit	Fruits provide complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals Fruits with the highest pesticide contamination (should be purchased organic) are: Peaches Apples Nectarines Strawberries Cherries Pears Grapes
Beverages	Filtered water Herbal tea Green tea Chai Vegetable juice Nut milk	Filtered water: 8-10 cups per day   Herbal tea: 2-4 cups per day	Beverages provide hydration and help detoxify

 

Sources

 

Natural Chef Textbook, Bauman College

www.whfoods.com 

Tips for Healthy Eating

Hello everyone. Here are some tips for choosing healthy foods to eat. 

1. Color your plate.

Make sure to include a variety of colors on your plate throughout the day by trying different fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains. Eating a variety of all of these natural foods will ensure that you are getting all the nutrients your body needs daily. 

2. Eat fresh foods.

Although snacking on a handful of raisins is better than a handful of chips, choosing fresh fruits and vegetables is always best. Most dried foods are packed with added sweeteners and preservatives. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible but if eating dried fruits, make sure to choose ones that don't have any additives. These are hard to find, but are refrigerated in health food stores due to the lack of preservatives.

3. Only buy food in a package if it's something you could make yourself.
I'm talking about foods such as breads and crackers that can be made at home but we don't always have the time and energy to make. These are okay to buy in a package, just make sure you read the ingredient list. If a packaged food has too many ingredients and/or ingredients that you can't even pronounce, then it is full of preservatives and additives that are not good for you. Check out my post on reading a food package for more detailed information: http://apurifiedlife.blogspot.com/2012/05/whats-in-your-food-reading-food-package.html


4. Don't be fooled by the packaging.
Reading labels is important. Marketing is everywhere and words like "All-natural," "organic," "hormone free," and "no additives" on packages are just a way to get you to buy the product. Make sure to read everything on the package. Look for the USDA Organic label and read the ingredient list carefully to really know whether there are additives or not. Always know where your food comes from.


5. Eat seasonal and local.
Nature knows best. Our body needs to be nourished differently during every season of the year. Seasonal fruits and vegetables provide us with the nutrients we need. Due to food processing, all types of fruits and vegetables are available year round at the grocery store but it doesn't mean that they are in season or have good nutritional value. Foods in season are fresher, have more flavor, and have a higher nutritional value. Ideally, the best place to shop at is at your local Farmer's Market. Farmer's Market only provides what's in season. If you don't have one close by, make sure you opt to buy organic and seasonal from your health food store (ask if you don't know which ones are in season).


6. If something can last months or years in your pantry, it's not real food.
Natural/whole food is meant to be eaten fresh and spoils easily. If you have food in your pantry or refrigerator that lasts forever, then it's not natural and you shouldn't eat it. Just think of all the chemicals that are added to a food in order for it to last months or years without spoiling, not very appealing if you ask me.

7. Eat whole foods.

Whole foods provide the most nutrients and are meant to nourish the body. Most foods available are broken down and are not in their original form. Eating whole foods means eating the most natural form. A lot of times when something is fat free or low fat means that it is substituted with other ingredients like sugar or artificial sweeteners. It is important to read the labels (especially for dairy products) and make sure that there are no added sugars, otherwise, it is better to get the whole food form. Fat is a very important nutrient for the body and it is okay to consume natural whole fat products such as eating a whole egg (egg white and yolk) or eating full fat yogurt and cheese as long as portions sizes are kept small and there is awareness of other fat containing foods in the diet such as nuts/seeds, oils, and avocado. Everything in moderation. I used to be scared of full fat dairy products, but now that I am learning more about whole food and how important it is for health I'm no longer in a fat-free craze and am able to enjoy a whole egg or piece of cheese without thinking I'm eating something bad. I opt for choosing the best quality fats and if I decide to buy low-fat yogurt for example, I make sure it only has the live cultures and no additives. Also, make sure to get organic dairy and look for pasture-raised eggs and meats for the best quality. 

8. Balance your meals.

Take a look at your plate once you've served it. There should be a balance between carbohydrates, protein, and fat. If you're eating a bowl of oats with fruit, all you have there are carbohydrates and small amounts of protein from the oats, try adding dairy or nuts to get more protein and some fat. Keep in mind that fruits and vegetables are sources of carbohydrates also.

9. Plan ahead.
Eating healthy is not easy and takes a lot of planning. Planning ahead is good for both snacks and meals. Have a healthy snack with you at all times to avoid going for something out of a vending machine when you're stuck at work/school. Small amounts of a left over meal is also a good snack to have. For meal planning, I usually cook my grains and/or legumes on Sunday night to have ready for the rest of the week and be able to prepare my meals faster. All I have to worry about then is chopping up my vegetables and cooking a piece of fish or chicken which usually takes no more than 20 minutes to prepare. Check out my post on healthy snacks for some ideas: http://apurifiedlife.blogspot.com/2012/04/happy-snacking.html


Sources


The World's Healthiest Foods http://whfoods.com
Balanced bites http://balancedbites.com
Natural Chef Training Program, Bauman College