What kind of person are you?

I heard a long time ago that

there are two kinds of people. 

Those that collect stuff and those

that collect experiences. 

I have always been a stuff kinda gal. 

I don't collect anything in particular
but I do like to decorate. 

I am not your typical shop-aholic. 

I like a bargin and my weekness is anything painted white and chippy, especially if it's French or old. 

My stuff mentality was working until
I adopted the mantra "Simplify"

My life was anything but simple and all
that stuff has not made simplifying any easier. 

I started by decluttering my home and promising not to buy

anything unless it was both beautiful and useful.  

I no longer feel the need for more stuff.  

My new mantra is

"More Experiences and Less Stuff" 

I am sure this has been brought on by the never ending
recession and not by my new simplified life.  

Whatever the reason,

 I am happy to give up the
stuff for more experiences

with my children and husband. 

Are you collecting stuff or experiences?

To Do:

1.  Have Fun!

2.  Grow a garden

3.  Take time to smell the roses!

What to do with all that pulp from juicing???

If you have been juicing then I know you have been wondering what to do with all the left over pulp.  My solution is to make Veggie Burgers!


Save that pulp from all those veggies you juice – I like carrot, celery and red bell peppers. Add some ground flax seeds to the mix as a binder. Season with salt and finely chopped onions. Form into patties and place in your dehydrator at 105 degrees for about 4-5 hours. Smother with chipotle mayo and top it with avocado, tomato and homegrown sprouts.



Chipotle “Mayo”

1 C pine nuts
2 Tbsp olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
1 clove garlic
1/4 C filtered water
1/2 C young coconut meat
3 tsp chipotle seasoning




Once you eat delicious burgers that aren't really cooked and are made of only vegetables and other healthy natural ingredients, you may never go back to the traditional hamburger. And if you already enjoy raw and mostly raw food then this veggie burger recipe can be just another healthy recipe to add to your already healthy lifestyle.





*If you do not have a dehydrator, then you can put your oven on the lowest possible setting.  Just make sure to open the door and release the heat often. 

*Flax seeds in raw veggie burger recipes act as a binding agent (keeps the food together so that it’s not just a big mess)   You can’t leave them out of recipes.

Another great recipe using left over carrot pulp is Cranberry Scones!



2 cups apples, grated
2 cups carrots, pulp (leftover from making carrot juice)
2 cups raisins (or chopped dates)
1 cup cranberries (fresh or dry)
2 cups almonds, ground
1 cup flax seed (blended with 1 cup water)
2 tablespoons agave nectar (raw)
3 tablespoons olive oil



Mix ingredients with hands. Drop by spoonfuls onto dehydrator sheets.
Dehydrate at 105-115 degrees for several hours (approximately 4 hours on one side, then flip and dry for 3 hours on the other side.).


Takes about 10 minutes to make and another 7 hours to dehydrate.  I like to make them before bed so when I get up the next morning I can have warm scones right out of the dehydrator.  Yum!



*You can use fresh blueberries instead of cranberries

 

Happy Valentines Day

My Daily Green Juice

Juicing is the best way to increase your life force energy. When we juice fruits and vegetables (using a juicer not blender) we separate the fiber, leaving the liquid containing live enzymes, chlorophyll, and vitamins and minerals. Removing the fibers, allows the nutrients to be released immediately into your cells and bloodstream in a form that is easy to assimilate.

Try juicing and you won’t turn back! It will help your body heal; it’s a great tool for weight loss, detoxification and maintaining a healthier lifestyle!

Love this combination! So refreshing that I make it every day!

2 bunches of  kale
1 bunch of celery
1 apple
6 carrots
1 cucumber


Let me know what you think!!!

*If you do not own a juicer, then blend in a high speed blender and pour into a nut milk bag to strain it.  You only want the juice.  Nut milk bag can be found at most health food store.

When to Buy Organic

I try to buy organic when possible, but buying all organic gets very expensive. 

 Like most people, I am always looking to save money where ever I can.  

Here is two list showing the produce that you should always buy organic

and then another list where you can save a little by buying non organic.   

Spend/ Always go Organic with these foods:

Imported grapes, celery, strawberries, blueberries, bell peppers, cherries, peaches, apples, nectarines, kale, spinach and potatoes.



Save Money/ Non organic considered clean:

Honeydew melon, onions, avocado, sweet corn, mangoes, pineapple, sweet peas, kiwifruit, asparagus, cabbage, eggplant, sweet potato, cantaloupe, watermelon and grapefruit.


*The non organic list is considered clean foods, they absorb lower levels of pesticides. 

*Always scrub the outside of your produce to remove as much as possible of  the pesticide residue. 

This study was published in the Prevention Magazine July 2010