2-Day GSC - Afterthoughts

Did you participate in the Green Smoothie Challenge? Well I did my part, and as usual, the past 2 days have been enlightening for me (both physically and spiritually).

If you did take the challenge - remember to let Clive of RawBC know so he can track the numbers participating. Simply send an email to info@rawbc.org - with "I DID IT" your name and city in the subject line.

But if you didn't join us this time, just by following the GSC you may be preparing yourself to take it in the future. The next Monthly GSC will be August 27 and 28 - mark the dates on your calendar!

During these 2 days I gave myself the gift of time to do anything. One of which was watch "The Gerson Miracle" on DVD (picked up a copy at the Library). It is about Dr. Max Gerson's vision for natural healing. The DVD cover states "More than 75 years ago he developed a therapy that has proven to cure cancer and most other chronic and degenerative diseases". To say his work was astounding is an understatement. That it was based on eating living food shows me I am on the right path, and so my research continues! Here is their website  http://gerson.org/gerpress/the-gerson-therapy/

Physically - I felt good and maybe dropped a pound or two. I find it refreshing to not eat for a couple of days a month, and feel my body welcomes this much needed break. My tongue changes colour each time I take a GSC - did you look at your tongue after the GSC? Check out the tongue chart above.

Spiritually - I always experience an opening during GSC's. This morning my dreams were vivid, and thought provoking - bringing forth some answers to my questions (and believe me I have many).

Each Green Smoothie Challenge reminds me to be grateful and brings me to a place of clarity. It is from this place I notice that the relationships between food, thoughts, environment, society, and people - is a balancing act. So just catching a glimpse of the intertwoven nature of all the parts, helps me to understand - we do create the lifestyle we experience! The choice is mine!

Day 2 - July 2012 Green Smoothie Challenge

Berry Blue GS

Yield:  1 quart

1 to 1-1/2 cups frozen blueberries

1 orange, peeled and seeded

2 cups spinach, tightly packed

1 banana, peeled

1/2” chunk ginger (peeled if not organic)

1-1/2 cups filtered water

2 Tbsp Chia seeds

• Add first 6 ingredients (to underline) into your blender and give it a whirl
• When blended add Chia seeds last to the blender and pulse for 10 seconds only
• You just want to lightly mix seeds into the GS - not enough to break up the seeds
• Let sit for 10 minutes to thicken and enjoy!

Nutri-Tips:
Blueberries have sky-high levels of antioxidants, which combat the damage done by inflammation. Anthocyanins, the natural plant compounds that give blueberries their deep colour, may have antidiabetic effects as well. And new research suggests blueberries might protect the heart muscle from damage.

___________________

Minty Peachy GS
Yield:  1 quart

2 small peaches, peeled and seeded
1/2 Bosc pear, stem removed
1 banana, peeled
1/2 Romaine lettuce (this was a very large bunch)
20 leaves of fresh mint
2 cups water

• Blend all together in a blender until thick and creamy

Nutri-Tips:
Romaine lettuce has 7.7 grams of protein per head and is considered a complete protein since it includes all 8 essential amino acids. With lots of calcium and omega-3s, it also has more vitamin C than an orange. Romaine lettuce is always a good choice because it is rich in iron, B-vitamins, minerals and vitamins.

Day 1 - July 2012 GSC

Let's start off this month's Green Smoothie Challenge by opening a fresh young Thai coconut (they are the white coconuts that have been shaved to a point and are wrapped in clear plastic).

When buying coconuts always shake them! If you hear liquid sloshing around - put it down and select a different one. The sound of liquid sloshing means the coconut is older and fermentation is taking place inside - you only want the young ones packed full of the precious liquid!

After removing the lid and pouring approximately 2 cups coconut water into the blender, the meat is removed from the coconut with a heavy spoon, put into a bag, and stored in the freezer for later use in recipes.

Coconut Dandelion GS

2 cups coconut water
1 mango, peeled and seeded
1 banana, peeled
1 apple, cut in cubes
1 bunch Dandelion greens, lower stems removed
1/2 lemon, juiced - or peeled and seeded

• Placing the water and fruit in the blender first makes for easier blending
• After blending the fruit, add the torn or chopped greens
• Blend again and taste
• Adding either juice alone or 1/2 peeled and seeded lemon will counter the stronger taste of the Dandelion greens

Nutri-Tips:
When in season, I enjoy Dandelion greens once a week. They are powerhouse greens, high in calcium and rich in iron, minerals, and vitamins. These greens are loaded with antioxidants, help cleanse the liver, and have more protein than spinach. Another wonderful benefit is that Dandelion greens are anti-inflammatory!

__________________

Let's finish off Day 1 with a thick and creamy pudding that is both filling and delish. The recipe and the picture both come to us from the archives of the Green Queen - Victoria Boutenko!

Wild Green Pudding

1 large mango, peeled and seeded
1 ripe peach, peeled and seeded
Handful strawberries
1 bunch lambsquarters
No water needed

• Blend all ingredients together - you will need a tamper for this recipe

Nutri-Tips:
Lambsquarters (or White Goosefoot) is an annual that grows 8-39" tall and is found in fields. Leaves have a mealy or scaly covering, but they can be eaten raw or boiled. A relative of the spinach family, it is an excellent source of iron. The seeds can be used as a seasoning or coffee substitute, or ground and dried as a flour substitute. It is said that Napoleon relied on the ground seeds to make black bread for his troops.

2-Day Green Smoothie Challenge

July 23 and July 24, 2012
Monthly Green Smoothie Challenge!

EZ Raw Living and RawBC have partnered in hosting regular monthly 2-day Green Smoothie Challenges on the 3rd Monday of each month!

Once you have completed the first 2-day GS Challenge, please contact RawBC with "I did it & your name and town/city" in the subject line at info@rawbc.org so that we get a total number for those having participated.

Each month RawBC will continue to promote the GS Challenge, and record the numbers of people participating in the GS Challenge. Help spread the word...........

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! Why not feed and refuel your body while refreshing your senses by taking a couple of days off from food and just drinking Green Smoothie blender drinks?

It is hard to 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.

STARTING Monday July 23 in the morning - This is a wonderful opportunity to experience more vibrant health and energy! YOU'RE WELCOME TO JOIN US!

2-DAY GSC - Monday July 23 and Tuesday July 24:

• 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
• My choice is to catch up on reading "The Reconnection by Dr Eric Pearl", and "Earthing by Clinton Ober" - are my current tools of inspiration. 
• 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
• 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!

2-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!
• For July 23 and July 24, 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 Monday July 23 - 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

Omega Pudding

This is my dessert today - thought I would post the recipe again for you to enjoy!

• Chia seeds contain 20% protein, 34% oil, 25% dietary fibre (mostly soluble that binds with fatty acids and prolongs stomach emptying time so that sugar is released and absorbed more slowly)
• The oil from Chia seeds contains a very high concentration of Omega-3 fatty acid - approximately 64% - and Chia is gluten-free!

OMEGA PUDDING

Yield:  3/4 cup

1 Tbsp Chia seeds

1/4 cup water
2 large Calimyrna Figs, chopped
1 banana

• Soak Chia seeds in 1/4 cup water for 15 minutes - till it thickens into a gel
• Soak Figs separately in enough water to cover for 15 minutes, and save soak water
• Blend banana and figs in a blender, adding a bit of fit soak water if necessary
• Stir blender mixture into the gelled Chia seeds, mixing thoroughly - and enjoy!

Abbotsford Farmer's Market

2 LOCATIONS  now open - WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY
Your Abbotsford 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
• WEDNESDAY 4 pm - 7 pm
• Clearbrook Library parking lot
• George Ferguson Way and Trethewey
• SATURDAY 9 am - 1 pm
• Trinity Memorial United Church
• 33737 George Ferguson Way
• http://www.abbotsfordfarmandcountrymarket.com/index.htm

Recipe - Chia Crackers

Chia Crackers
Yield:  1 small tray crackers

1/2 cup Chia seeds, dry
pinch Himalayan salt
1 cup water

• The seed to water ratio is 1 part Chia seeds to 2 parts water - It can easily be doubled to 1 cup Chia to 2 cups water - or tripled
• Mix Chia, salt and water together in a glass container
• Let stand for 1/2 hour to 1 hour until it thickens into a heavy gel
• Spread mixture onto 1 mesh dehydrator tray covered with a Paraflexx sheet
• Dehydrate for 3 hours at 105˚ F
• Flip crackers over to other side, and remove the Paraflexx sheet
• With a firm spatula, score 6 lines across and 6 lines down to make 36 crackers
• Return to dehydrator at 105˚ F for another 2-3 hours
• Since Chia crackers are neutral tasting, they partner well with Almond Butter, spicy dips, or even cheeze spreads

What are Chia Seeds?

Top:  Seeds Soaking
Bottom:  Ready to go in Dehydrator

• Chia seeds are small ovals with a diameter of about one millimeter, mottle-coloured with brown, gray, black and white
• Chia seeds typically contain 20% protein, 34% oil, 25% dietary fiber (mostly soluble with high molecular weight), and significant levels of antioxidants (chlorogenic and caffeic acids, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol flavonols)
• Soluble fibre binds with fatty acids and prolongs stomach emptying time so that sugar is released and absorbed more slowly
• The oil from chia seeds contains a very high concentration of omega-3 fatty acid — approximately 64%
• Chia seeds contain no gluten and trace levels of sodium
• Chia seeds when mixed with water create a mucilaginous gel that helps heal the stomach lining 
• There are no known toxic components of Chia!

Jin Shin Jyutsu Studies: Cancer Patients and Brain Injuries

Study #1: Cancer Patients with Side Effects Might Find Relief

The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center has published the results from a study of cancer patients using Jin Shin Jyutsu!

If you are interested in Jin Shin Jyutsu and what it can offer, you can follow this link to read more: http://uknow.uky.edu/content/study-suggests-touch-therapy-helps-reduce-pain-nausea-cancer-patients

Study #2: Traumatic Brain Injuries

A new University of Colorado Boulder study indicates an ancient form of complementary medicine may be effective in helping to treat people with mild traumatic brain injury, a finding that may have implications for some U.S. war veterans returning home.

Follow this link to read more: http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2011/02/28/new-cu-study-shows-acupressure-effective-helping-treat-traumatic-brain

As someone who has been practicing Jin Shin Jyutsu for a few years now, I was overjoyed to read about both of these studies. Finally, media assistance to help spread the word on this simple yet powerful Art of harmonizing the life energy in the body!

FYI - There are three differing schools of Jin Shin:  Jin Shin Jyutsu, High Touch Jin Shin, and Jin Shin Do. My training has been in Jin Shin Jyutsu and High Touch Jin Shin.