Tis' the season of citrus! Goodbye winter cold and hello liquid power boost! Bitter grapefruit, sweet oranges and spicy ginger are what make this vibrant winter juice a favorite of mine. Relax with a sip, a good book and a warm blanket. 

Grapefruit is an awesome detoxifier. Not only does it aid digestion, but it also can help the body rid itself of unwanted toxins. Alike other citrus fruits grapefruit contains a healthy dose of vitamins A and C, making it a perfect way to fight off those winter blues. Recent studies have shown that grapefruit juice ranks among the highest in antioxidant activity, even similar to cranberry juice. Additionally, grapefruit contains phytonutrients called limonoids, which can help inhibit tumor formations, thus fighting early forms of cancer. 

Ginger is one of my favorite ingredients, it can add a punch to almost anything sweet or savory. For decades ginger has been used to prevent motion sickness, stomach aches, vomiting, dizziness and morning sickness during pregnancy. Furthermore, ginger's anti-inflammatory benefits might just be the most important. Studies involving arthritis patients have found that 75% of patients experienced relief from both pain and swelling. I can also vouch for this remarkable characteristic of ginger. After the removal of my wisdom teeth, I experienced prolonged pain and swelling near my jaw. Fortunately I found that a ginger paste (made by mashing fresh ginger in a mortar and pestle) worked better than any chemical medicine I had previously taken. 

Gluten Free, Vegan, Nut Free, Raw

Ingredients:

2 - 3 lemons (I used meyer lemons)

3 large red or pink grapefruit

2 navel oranges

3 blood oranges 

1 inch peeled fresh ginger (more or less to taste) 

Instructions:

Peel and seed all fruits, then toss them in a blender (or juicer) along with the ginger. I usually try to get as much white peel off as possible, but it is okay if you do not. Blend on high for about 3 seconds. Be careful not to over blend or your juice will become very bitter due to the excess pulp. 

Next, pour the juice through a cheese cloth or a nut milk bag (over a large bowl) in order to remove all the bitter pulp. You can skip this step if you choose to use a juicer.

Store the juice in a glass bottle for about 2 days. To serve, garnish with fresh rosemary and bee pollen. Enjoy the power boost!

Post by: Rebecca 

Well, summer is almost over, but that does not mean all the fun is over! The last few weeks of summer are always the best, the air becomes chilly, the apple harvest begins and the leaves only slightly begin to change! If you cannot tell fall is my favorite season, not that I do not like fresh summer fruit also. Fall just has that feel about it, like a warm cozy sweater, but enough about that for now. You know that moment when you are so thirsty, when you are looking for something aside from just plain water? Well, instead of downing another soft drink, whip up a fresh mojito. This recipe boasts a fresh summer taste while still lacking the extra sugar! 

Traditionally the mojito consisted of five ingredients including sparkling water, rum, sugar, lime and mint. This Cuban drink has come along way since its birth, and is now offered in many restaurants. Though many flavors have been experimented with along the way, tart hints of citrus have remained the key ingredient. I tried a (virgin) mojito at a local restaurant a few months ago and was so delighted that I had to recreate my own. My version contains quite a bit less sugar than most, but I found that it still tastes just as refreshing! 

Limes are not seasonal, but I find that they are best enjoyed during the spring and summer months! Although these little beauties house many health benefits, limes are usually only thought of as a garnish. In addition to their vitamin C content, limes contain limonins. Not only do limonins help prevent cancer cells from forming, but they also aid in the digestion and breaking down of sugar/glucose molecules. Limes also contain many antibiotic effects, which in turn help build a strong immune system. 

Gluten Free, Vegan, Low Carb, Nut Free 

Ingredients:

about 1 liter good quality sparking water (such as san pellegrino)  

1/3 cup raw honey or agave 

6 - 8 large limes (for juice) 

3 large limes, sliced 

about 1 cup loosely packed mint leaves, bruised and chopped + some whole for garnish*

1 pinch sea salt

about 2 cups ice cubes 

Instructions:

Boil about 1/3 cup filtered water in a pot. Remove the pot from the heat and add in the raw honey and salt then stir to dissolve. Afterwards, place this in the refrigerator for about 10-20 minutes to cool. 

Once your honey mixture has cooled, add in the chopped mint leaves and lightly mash to combine. Now, pour your sparkling water into a large serving pitcher and gently stir in the lime juice (squeezing out some of the lime pulp as well) and honey mixture. To finish it off add in a few whole mint leaves, ice cubes and lime slices. 

To serve, pour the desired amount into glasses and garnish with fresh mint leaves, a sprinkle of salt and lime slices. Serve immediately. Enjoy! 

*Bruising the mint leaves really allows their flavors to blend easily. I like to use the back of a spoon to lightly press the leaves before chopping. 

Post by: Rebecca

Beautiful blueberry season is in full swing! They are probably the main thing I love about summer. There is nothing like picking fresh (and free) blueberries ripe off the branch. I especially love putting blueberries in smoothies since they tend to give that brilliant blue hue! This simple recipe is easy enough for a busy morning, but spectacular enough for a late night dessert. 

Blueberries have a rather short growing season so when they do ripen, they do it all at once. The best way to preserve blueberries is to freeze them. The freezing process does not hinder the amount of antioxidants within the berries. Freezing fruit also allows for easy smoothie additions. Ever since I can remember, we have always had blueberry bushes. Although I only enjoyed berries inside muffins or cakes back then, I still had a certain appreciation for them. Now, on the other hand, I just cannot get enough of these nutritious berries. I find myself adding blueberries to smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, desserts and more! 

Packed with antioxidants and bursting with color, blueberries have been a popular fruit for ages. Being native to North America and Europe blueberries are the second most popular berry behind strawberries! Recent studies have shown that blueberries may provide benefits for the brain, nervous system and memory. Blueberries are also thought to help slow the process of aging! 

I only eat tofu on occasion, but when I do it is most likely in the form of a smoothie! While tofu might seem like an odd addition for your morning blend, it truly does add something unique in of itself. Tofu provides a cheesecake-like taste while also serving as a thickening agent. Additionally, tofu adds a substantial amount of protein and vitamin D. Recent studies have found that tofu, in moderation, might help balance hormones, therefore healing hot flashes. I usually try to buy sprouted tofu since it is much easier for the body to digest. You also want to stay away from processed soy products since they will not provide the benefits stated above, but more likely reverse them. 

Gluten Free, Vegan

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana, cut into chunks

3/4 cup fresh blueberries*

1/4 block firm sprouted tofu*

1 cup crushed ice

1/3 - 1/2 cup almond or coconut milk

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Add more liquid for desired thickness (I like mine thick)! Garnish with fresh blueberries and mint, enjoy! 

*You may also use frozen blueberries but I would add in a little bit more liquid to compensate. 
*If you do not like to eat tofu, try adding about 2 tbs coconut butter instead. The outcome may not be as thick, but delicious none the less! 

Post by: Rebecca 

Smoothies seem to be getting more and more popular recently and its not just because of the taste! Smoothies provide so much nutrition in a small yet delicious package! Need a boost every morning? Need just a moment to restore and get yourself together? Well, set down the coffee and throw together a refreshing and revitalizing green smoothie! 

Now, lets fill you in on the true goodness within this powerful drink. You might not always feel like sitting yourself down and chowing on a huge bowl of greens, but with this smoothie you can't even taste the greens at all! If you have been to the farmer's market lately, than you know just how many beautiful leafy greens are out there. Since it can be quite overwhelming, I tend to stick to several specific greens when making smoothies. I use kale, in the winter time, chard, in the spring time and spinach in the summer time. 

Spinach, full of bone healthy vitamin K, eye healthy vitamin A and cancer fighting phytonutrients. Spinach is easy to plant and fun to harvest feel free to add it to your spring garden! Chard, one of the prettiest greens out there, can help decrease high blood sugar, support bone health and reduce stress! Kale, a winter's own wonder veggie, not only contains metabolism boosting antioxidants but also an array of cancer preventing properties. Kale is also one of my favorite garden greens, and should be planted in every home garden! 

Frozen banana is a must when making smoothies, it provides an creamy milkshake like texture while also acting as a natural sweetener. Bananas are usually taken for granted in most households, but these sweet treats are more than meets the eye. Electrolytes, potassium, fiber and vitamin B6 are just some nutrients found in these common fruits. Bananas also promote healthy bones, vision and digestive health. 

Grapefruit, a slightly underused fruit, might just be key when searching for a boost of energy. Citrus fruits contain a healthy amount of vitamin C which makes for an excellent power packed breakfast item. Red grapefruit in particular contains lycopene, due to its beautiful red color! Grapefruit is also plays a key role in detoxification, which in turn helps get the body powered up again!

Gluten Free, Vegan, Nut Free, Low Carb

Ingredients:

juice of 1 red grapefruit

1/2 - 1 cup coconut water

2 small frozen bananas, cut into chunks

1 cup frozen peaches

1/2 large ripe avocado

1 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp ginger

1 large handful fresh spinach, chard or kale

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until smooth (If you do not have a high speed blender just add more coconut water until it comes together). Serves two. Enjoy! 

Post by: Rebecca 

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Have you ever wanted some creamy and rich hot chocolate and thought, I really need to make some from scratch, but it just seems too complicated? Well, this is the recipe for you! I tried to keep this hot chocolate simple so that the flavors would really stand out. 

In this unique drink, I combined the rich taste of dark chocolate with creamy almond milk, spices and malty maca powder. Dark chocolate, as many know, contains more antioxidants than milk chocolate. It also increases blood flow and puts you in a positive mood. Maca powder, is ground from the maca root which is part of the cruciferous family, like cabbage and kale. This wonderful root has the ability to balance the bodies hormonal system, and stabilize the cardiovascular system. Maca can even help the body cope with stress, which plagues many people's day to day lives. Cinnamon, although often thought of as just another spice, is a energizing vitamin power house! Cinnamon contains many antioxidants, along with anti-inflammatory properties. This unique bark can also help lower blood sugar, and aid the body in fighting decease. Ginger, similar to cinnamon, provides a boost of energy along with important antioxidant properties. Ginger also can aid the body in detoxing, which can help you get rid of that sluggishness. So feel free to have this for breakfast, I won't tell if you won't. 

Gluten Free, Vegan, Low Carb

Ingredients:

3 cups almond milk

3/4 cup coconut water

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup dark cocoa powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

1/4 - 1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp raw maca powder

2-4 tbs raw honey or brown rice syrup (to taste, I left mine a bit bitter with 2 tbs) 

1 tsp vanilla extract (optional I actually didn't use any) 

Instructions:

Add the almond milk, coconut water, spices, cocoa powder, and maca powder to a medium pot. Bring the mixture to a slight boil whisking frequently. Then continue to simmer until all the dry ingredients are incorporated and no lumps remain. 

Remove the pot from the heat and then whisk in the vanilla, if using, and honey to taste. Serve in mugs beside a warm fire, close to a fuzzy friend. Serves two. Enjoy! 

                                                                                                                                                          Post by: Rebecca

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