Day 4 - May GSC

Papaya brings a lovely fruity taste to a GS, a banana makes it creamy because of its soluble fibre, apple which makes it separate because of its insoluble fibre adds sweetness, and a slice of lemon adds a tangy zing.

GS #1 - Papaya GS
2 cups water
1/2 papaya, peeled and seeded
1 banana, peeled
1 apple, stem removed
1 slice of lemon with skin, seeds removed
1 cup Arugula
1 cup Spinach

• If using a high speed blender just remove stem from the apple - otherwise remove apple core
• Add all ingredients and mix until smooth

Nutri-Tips:  Papaya contains antioxidant nutrients like carotenes, vitamin C and flavonoids; B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid; and minerals, potassium and magnesium; and fiber that promote the health of the cardiovascular system and also provide protection against colon cancer. Papaya also contains the digestive enzyme, papain, which is used like bromelain, a similar enzyme found in pineapple, for sports injuries, other causes of trauma, and allergies.

The coconut water, pear, and Romaine lettuce are a nice balance to the more intense flavour of Cilantro.

GS #2 - Cilantro Coconut GS
2 cups young Thai coconut water
3 Kiwi fruit, peeled
1 pear, stem removed
1 bunch Cilantro, stems removed
1 cup Romaine lettuce

• Add all ingredients  to blender and mix until smooth

Nutri-Tips:  Cilantro, well known for its anti-inflammatory and detoxification power, has long been used for digestive disorders, and also the ability to bind with toxic heavy metals, which can accumulate in tissues, and remove them from the body. 

Day 3 - May GSC

I have posted this recipe before, but felt like welcoming the day with this refreshing version of a GS.

GS #1 - Double Orange GS
2 cups water
2 oranges, peeled and seeded
1 banana, peeled
1 cup Arugula
1 cup Spinach
1 large chunk Ginger, peeled
1-1/2 Tbsp Chia seeds

• Adding the water, oranges, and banana to the blender first makes for easier blending if you are using a regular blender - I use a Vitamix
• To this liquid blend, add the arugula, spinach and ginger, and blend again until smooth and creamy
• Add Chia seeds last and only blend for a few seconds to keep seeds whole
• Let GS sit in blender for 10 minutes while the Chia seeds absorb liquid and swell up to thicken the GS

Nutri-Tip:  Arugula is packed full of many vitamins and minerals including calcium, iron, potassium and vitamins A, C and K and folic acid just to name a few. Another great benefit of arugula is its aid in cancer prevention due to various properties. And it is also a great source of chlorophyll which helps to cleanse and energize the blood.
What have I noticed so far:  All I can say is that today I felt alive and ready to embrace life!

I love the taste and texture of young Thai coconut water in Green Smoothies. If you have never experienced it, try this!

GS #2 - Cool Collards GS
4 leaves Collard greens, stem removed
1 banana, peeled
1 mango, peeled and seeded
2 cups fresh young Thai coconut water

• With the heel of a large knife, remove the top from a young Thai coconut and pour the liquid into a blender. If less than 2 cups, just add water to make up the difference
• Add remaining ingredients and blend
• Using a spoon, remove the white meat from the coconut, and either use it right away or store in the freezer for future use

Nutri-Tip:  Collard greens are packed with nutrition and provide anticancer properties.  An excellent source of vitamins B6 and C, carotenes, chlorophyll, and manganese, one cup of collard greens provides more than 70 percent of the RDA for vitamin C. Also a very good source of fiber, and several minerals, including iron, copper, and calcium, with vitamins B1, B2, and E. 

Day 2 - May GSC

If you like your GS on the sweeter side, then this combination with orange and mixed berries will make your taste buds smile.

GS #1 - Mizuna GS
2 cups Mizuna greens
1 banana, peeled
1 orange, peeled and seeded
1 cup frozen mixed berries
1-1/2 Tbsp Chia seeds
2 cups water 

• Blending is easier if you add fruit and water to the blender first with the greens added last
• Blend all together (except Chia seeds) until smooth and creamy
• Add Chia seeds after everything is blended, pulsing for a few seconds only
• Let the GS sit about 10 minutes before drinking to allow the seeds to puff up and thicken your GS
• Chia seeds that are blended and broken up will feel like grit in your throat when drinking your GS

Nutri-Tip:  Banana and blueberries have soluble fibre to keep your GS from separating (like when you add citrus or apple). Insoluble fibre passes through our intestines largely intact - while soluble fibre prolongs stomach emptying time and may affect blood sugar levels as sugar is released and absorbed more slowly. Mizuna which has a slightly spicy flavour, is high in immune-boosting vitamin C, folate and iron. It also contains powerful glucosinolates (antioxidants said to be linked to decreased cancer risk).

GS #2 - Kale Blue GS
4 leaves Kale, stem removed
1" chunk of fresh pineapple
1 pear, stem removed
1 cup frozen blueberries
2 cups water

• Add fruit and water to the blender first with the greens added last
• Blend until smooth and creamy

What have I noticed so far? I feel good with more clarity! My digestive system is doing its job and bowels are cleaning house. Yesterday at mealtime I missed the sensation of chewing on food. But with the second blender full of GS at dinnertime, those thoughts disappeared and I was satisfied right through to bedtime.

What can you expect? If you are not used to consuming large quantities of raw organic fruit and greens, it is possible you may feel worse to begin with. This is a sign that your body recognizes, and is taking advantage of, this time to do some house cleaning. Stored toxins are being released into your bloodstream and bowels and can, sometimes but not always, create headaches, rashes, nausea, runny noses, night sweats etc as they are flushed out of your body. If this happens, make sure you drink plenty of pure water, 2-3 litres a day. These cleansing reactions usually only last for 1-4 days and are cause to celebrate that you are on the road to better health!

Day 1 - May GSC

What a lovely way to start off my morning - and Day 1 of this 4-Day Green Smoothie Challenge! To use up the leftover Sesame seed mylk (since I won't be eating cereal for the next 4 days) I simply added the mylk to this GS.

GS #1 Strawberry Milkshake GS 
2 cups Arugula/Spinach mixture
2 frozen bananas
1 cup strawberries
2 cups Sesame seed milk

• In a blender, mix together until thick and creamy
• Using frozen bananas results in a thicker milkshake effect
• Strawberries can be fresh or frozen
• Use any nut or seed milk

Nutri-Tip:  Sesame seeds are a good source of calcium - and are gluten-free


When you feel like sitting down to enjoy a meal, make your GS into a thick rich pudding that you eat in a bowl with a spoon!

GS #2 Parsley Pudding GS 
1 large bunch Italian Parsley
2 large Mango, peeled and seeded
1 large Pear, stem removed
2 cups water

• In a blender mix all ingredients together
• The result will be very thick
• For a pudding that is less sweet simply use one mango
• Pour into a bowl and serve with a spoon - very filling

Nutri-Tip:  Parsley is good for the heart, as it contains folic acid, is beneficial for lowering blood pressure, is good for the healthy functioning of the kidneys as it aids the excretion of sodium and water through these organs, and is also good for strengthening the urinary bladder and preventing kidney stones. Parsley has high levels of vitamin C, as well as antioxidants and flavonoids, and contains chlorophyll to ward off bad breath or halitosis.

Recipe - Creamy Italian Dressing

This dressing is adapted from The Complete Book of Raw Food - and here is my modified version for you to try.

Creamy Italian Dressing
1/2 cup sunflower seeds, dry to soak
1 red pepper, chopped
1/3 cup fresh basil
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
2 tsp kelp powder
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning, dry
3/4 tsp Himalayan salt
Dash of Cayenne powder

• Soak sunflower seeds first - I soaked for 1 hour
• Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender
• Blend until creamy and smooth
• Taste test and adjust seasonings to taste

Salad
Mixed greens
1/4 red cabbage, shredded
1/2 carrot, peeled

• Wash and dry mixed greens
• Shred cabbage or thinly slice - I used a Mandoline slicer
• Shred carrot with a vegetable peeler
• Place salad ingredients and dressing into a bowl and toss to mix

4-Day Green Smoothie Challenge

May 24 to May 27, 2012
Time for another Green Smoothie Challenge!

You have most likely heard of people doing a detox or a fast -to clean out the body and get rid of toxins. Well here is a different twist on that theme!

My way is to feed and refuel my body while refreshing my senses by taking a few days off from food and just drinking Green Smoothie blender drinks.

I never feel deprived because drinking an entire blender containing all the fibre from the fruit and greens is very filling. And as this abundance of organic nutrient-dense dark leafy greens, fruits, and water is slowly assimilated - the body receives what it needs to do its job without stress or interference.

During these 4 days, I am ONLY drinking Green Smoothies and eating fruit! YOU'RE WELCOME TO JOIN ME!

4-DAY GSC - Thursday May 24 thru Sunday May 27:

• Regenerate, Reactivate, and Restore the body, mind, and spirit NOW!
• Allow yourself this time to disconnect from cable TV, newspapers, radio, outside opinions, and material things
• Connect with nature, feel the movement of energy, the Universe within, and what is truly important to you
• Get rid of brain fog and discover clarity. (By the way, my current tools of inspiration are Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself - Dr Joe Dispenza, and Essence - Don Campbell.)
• Allow the digestive system to receive a well deserved rest. Since drinking a blended drink requires much less energy - more energy is now available for regeneration!

4-DAY GSC - How To:

• A basic Green Smoothie is usually 60% organic fruit, 40% organic dark leafy greens (no starchy vegetables or additives), and 2 cups water (or young Thai coconut water) mixed together in a blender. You will find recipes on this blog to get you started.
• Be aware that combining starchy vegetables with fruits can cause gas in the intestines - so do not use root vegetables. Dark leafy greens are the only food group that helps digest other foods through stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes - so greens can be combined with any other foods.
• And if you are not used to consuming large quantities of raw organic fruit and dark leafy greens, it is possible you may feel worse to begin with - which is a good sign that your body is doing some house cleaning!
• From May 24 to May 27, drink as many blenders full of Green Smoothie as you want, and supplement by eating fresh fruit only, that is if you feel the need
• Each day I will post my Green Smoothie recipes, let you know how I am feeling, and share new awarenesses as they come
• Final note to consider: Instead of relying on the words of others (myself included), why not have your own personal experience of Green Smoothies with this Challenge? Join me starting Thursday May 24 - pay close attention to how your body responds - and discover if drinking Green Smoothies is the right fit for you!
• Questions? Need support? Want to share your recipes or experiences? Email ezrawliving@earthanimals.ca to contact me

Local Summer Markets

Don't forget to visit the outdoor farmers market in your area - your source for Locally Grown Organic Greens, Fruits, Vegetables - and so much more!

Abbotsford Farm and Country Market

• Open from May 12 to October 13, 2012
• Saturday 9 am - 1 pm
• Trinity Memorial United Church
• 33737 George Ferguson Way
• http://www.abbotsfordfarmandcountrymarket.com/index.htm

Chilliwack Farmers Market

• Open from June 23 to September 15, 2012
• Saturday 9 am to 2 pm
• 10015 Young Road North
• North end of Chilliwack in the front parking lot of Minter Country Garden Store.
• http://www.chilliwackfarmersmarket.com/

Langley Community Farmers Market

• Open from May 23 to October 3, 2012
• Wednesday 2 pm to 6 pm
• Langley Campus, Kwantlen Polytechnic University
• on Glover Rd side near intersection with Langley Bypass
• http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org/markets/marketdetails.asp?marketID=150

Raw Food Cafe Review - Victoria BC

When visiting Victoria BC, you might want to check out a raw food cafe on Pandora Avenue called Cafe Bliss. Raw food cafes are fun to explore when travelling - you never know what new taste sensations are awaiting!

Even though it is a small cafe maybe seating 10-12, it seems to be a popular place for the raw foodies in town. You can view their menu online at www.cafebliss.ca

Since I was there at lunchtime I tried their Miso soup served with a multi seed cracker. The soup was good, but the cracker was the star of the meal.

Next up desserts! I really enjoyed their Bliss Bar - it lived up to its name. Although the Medicinal Fudge was good with a very dark chocolate taste, it is not something I would try again. But the highlight for me was a Nori sheet wrapped around a hot n' spicy carrot pate that had been dehydrated - I loved these!

Next time in Victoria, I'll be sure to visit Cafe Bliss again - and try out more of their goodies!