I know that so many of us struggle with what to eat – and it’s a back and forth game almost most of the time. Beans or no beans. Gluten-free or whole grains – or both. Paleo or Vegetarian? Well I’m glad that you can choose what works for you – and not even the Paleo groups are starting to share how to live Paleo with a vegetarian diet. One of the best starter cookbooks out there is ‘The Vegetarian Paleo Recipe Book which is a great little ebook I found on Amazon.

The reviews say:
“great cookbook. Tasty, unusual, creative and easy“
- Grace Darby

“I’ve downloaded quite a few cookbooks lately and this probably the best one I’ve found for my situation“
- JustAskJulie

“perfect answer to no gluten recipes“
- Kristie

“wonderful vegetarian recipes good for us all“
- Marg Rutan

“good food even if you’re not a vegetarian“
- Sandy Bose

The Vegetarian Paleo Recipe Cookbook features 47 simple and tasty meals free from gluten, grains, dairy, soy and refined sugar starting with breakfast to lunch, dinner and dessert  all are very important to me and being clean and free of soy is also very important to me.

Another great start would be to take the Whole30 Program from the Whole9 Group.

Here are a few Paleo vegetarian meal ideas to get you started on your Paleo journey that I found somewhere when I was looking for vegetarian options.

Wilted spinach surprise – Place a tablespoon of natural oil in a skillet. Sautee a 1/4 cup of sweet onions and sweet red peppers. Add ¼ cup of chopped walnuts, ½ cup of chopped apples. Heat for three minutes. Add a large amount of fresh spinach leaves with a small amount of natural oil. Inlcude any spices you desire. Allow the heat and the steam to wilt the spinach down. Stir and serve very hot.

Lettuce wrap fajitas – Cook a wide variety of peppers and onions in a skillet with a small amount of oil. You can have green peppers, red peppers, jalapenos, yellow, and orange peppers. Add garlic, cumin and chili powder for more flavor. When peppers are to your liking (shorter amount of time peppers will be crisper, longer amount of time they will be sweeter and soft), place a spoonful of peppers in your favorite lettuce leaves, roll up and enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Eating for health, Going Paleo while Vegan, Paleo for Vegetarians

I have a latex allergy, just one of my blissful allergy issues – and that means no bananas, no avocado, no kiwi, no fun. SO when my friend, Jennifer, sent me the link to Chocolate Covered Katie’s Avocado-Free Guacamole… well I just had to try it.

• 8 oz asparagus (34-36 skinny spears, ends trimmed)
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons peas (I used straight frozen Costco peas… didn’t even thaw them)
• 2 tablespoons Grapeseed Veganaise
• 6 drops of Lime Essential Oil
• 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/8 tsp Himalayan salt
• 2 tablespoons diced red onion
• 2 teaspoons Simply Organic fresh pressed cilantro

She has some other alternatives like sweeteners, but I didn’t find that I needed anything more to add it to it. My husband loved it, but he said it didn’t taste like guacamole…lol..

It was super easy to make. You just steam the asparagus just until soft, then combine all ingredients (except onion) and blend in a food processor until very smooth. Stir in onion (you can omit if desired). Then put in the fridge until it’s cooled down. Loved it!!

Technorati Tags: Faux guacamole, HCG guacamole

You need to learn to focus on the bodies ability to be supported in it’s daily cleansing ability and eliminate toxins. Learn more atLifeEssentially.com

Weightloss & Metabolism

I bet that you, or someone that you know has a body under toxic stress. There are three things you can do. Reduce the exposure you have to toxins like foods, cleaners, the environment.

Second, manage your stress with healthy choices and exercise. Do you feel like pulling your hair out? Once you workout you will find that your reactions and your stress are going to be completely different from what you felt like before.

Third, eat a healthy organic nutrients. You need healthy food choices, lots of great plant based organics and lots of water to help flush out these toxins we are talking about.

Technorati Tags: healthy cleansing

Looking to make your own vegetarian protein bars? This is a great one.

• 1 cup brown rice protein powder (can substitute hemp protein powder)
• 1/2 oat bran
• 1 1/2 cup whole grain flour
• 3/4-ounce flaxseed meal
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 raisins
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup dried blueberrie
• 1/2 cup dried apricots
• 1/4 cup tapioca starch
• 1/3 cup coconut yogurt – plain if you can find it
• 1/2 cup unfiltered organic apple juice
• 1/4  cup vegan sugar
• 3/4 tbsp molasses
• 2 large whole pastured eggs, beaten (or egg substitute)
• 2/3 cup natural hemp nut or almond butter
• Coconut oil, for pan

Directions:

1. Line the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with parchment paper and lightly coat with coconut oil. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the protein powder, oat bran, flour, flaxseed meal, and salt. Set aside.
3. Coarsely chop the raisins, dried cherries, blueberries and apricots and place in a small bowl and set aside.
4. In a third mixing bowl whisk the coconut milk with the tapioca starch until smooth. Add the apple juice, sugar, molasses, eggs, and hemp nut butter in 1 at a time. Whisk to combine after each addition.
5. Add your mixture to the protein powder mixture and stir well to combine.
6. Fold in the dried fruit.
7. Spread evenly in the prepared baking dish and bake in the oven for 35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 205 degrees F.
8. Remove from the oven and cool completely before cutting into squares.
9. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Technorati Tags: soy-free energy bars, vegan energy bars, vegetarian energy bars

Are you looking to learn about Green Smoothies? Grab your Vitamix and let’s go:

A green smoothie looks so gorgeous! It’s green and fresh—you just know it’s good for you. The sweetness of fruit completely masks the natural bitterness of leafy greens in a green smoothie. The more you add leafy greens to your diet with a green smoothie, the more you’ll crave them. Vitamix processing is the only way to get a consistently smooth, creamy and delicious green smoothie.

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Technorati Tags: great green smoothies, smoothies for kids

Super easy recipe for those chicken lovers out there. I took from a friend and adjusted a little – but I know you are going to love it because it’s just so darn easy!!

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp EVOO
• oregeno to taste
• 12 cups Organic Low Sodium Chicken broth
• Pastured Rotisserie chicken, shredded
• 1 cup rice
• 3 Carrots chopped
• 3 Celery chopped
• 1/2 onion chopped
• 8 drops Lemon Essential Oil

Directions:
1. Saute celery, carrots and onions with olive oil then.
2. Put all ingredients in a pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes and serve.

Makes approx. 8 (2cup) servings
6 Weight watcher points per serving

Technorati Tags: lemon chicken soup

There are a lot of products out there that talk about creating an alkaline or better body ph for you, but I want to share some of the risks associated with these products, as well as give you the suggestion for the product I use.

First a lot of these products contain calcium carbonate. Why? Because when your body is acidic, which it is for most of you that are still eating a heavy standard American diet, it will pull calcium from your bones to neutralize the PH. Recent studies show that a modest increase in myocardial infarction (heart attacks) were reported in those who were taking calcium supplements. This was a meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials of calcium (but not with vitamin D). And taking a calcium supplment, well, some patients find that calcium makes them constipated. FYI, I get 90% of my daily calcium in my morning Shakeology. That’s because I mix it with hemp nut milk and coconut milk. 50% + 30% + 10%… nice and natural. The rest of my calcium I get from healthy foods sources. Here are some healthy food sources of calcium that are well tolerated by the masses:

Additional healthy food sources of calcium include:

• Broths made with vegetables and/or organic bones
• Organic, unpasteurized dairy from healthfully raised goats, cows, or sheep (if you can ingest dairy without experiencing discomfort anywhere in your body)
• Green food powders that contain a variety of organic green vegetables

Another big one, especially in those tummy upset chews you may be using, is Magnesium hydroxide. Magnesium hydroxide should be used with caution in: the elderly or weak (debilitated) patients, children under the age of 3 years, and those with liver or kidney problems. It should not be used in: patients with sudden onset of a gastro-intestinal (stomach or bowel) condition. And even worse, magnesium hydroxide has laxative properties. It may accumulate in patients with renal failure leading to hypermagnesemia, with cardiovascular and neurological complications. Seriously some scary info, right?

Potassium hydroxide, which is also known as potassium lye or caustic potash, is a chemical that is used to manufacture certain types of soap, a chemical used as an ingredient in drain cleaners, and a chemical used to remove fur from an animal’s hide during the leather tanning process. Potassium hydroxide is a strong base, however, and there are a number of dangers associated with its use. And yet I still see companies putting this in their PH balancing products. Some companies revolve their products around this, and that just is so not right!! My husband used to work in a chemical plant, and he can tell you scary stories about this stuff.

In addition, Potassium hydroxide is corrosive and it may cause burns, severe irritation, severe pain, swelling, impaired vision and/or eventually blindness if it comes into contact with an individual’s eyes. It’s extremely toxic so it may cause burns, diarrhea, vomiting, severe stomach pain, shock and/or death if it is ingested. And if you inhale it, it may cause an individual to cough, sneeze, develop breathing problems and/or damage the individual’s lungs if it is inhaled–the amount of damage depends on the amount of exposure. And they are telling you to take this product to balance you PH??? That’s so wrong.

So what do I use, Ormus Greens. The company says, “Sunwarrior Ormus greens are grown in a pristine ancient sea bed in a volcanic region of Utah and Arizona. This paramagnetic soil is loaded with platinum, gold, silver and ormus trace minerals that give the greens a magnetic property. This magnetic property increases the Vibration and Frequency of those who consume it.” I don’t know about my vibrations…lol… but I really do feel better when I drink it.

Vigor and vitality is exactly what youll get after one drink of the raw and organic ORMUS Greens. Made from probiotic greens, grown in high altitude volcanic-rich soil and preserved through a cold-drying process,ORMUS Greens are rich in essential vitamins, minerals and enzymes to make the ultimate healthy beverage. The supergreens contain platinum, gold and nano minerals increasing your vibration and frequency while natural ingredients such as alfalfa, wheatgrass and spinach provide you with the nutritious mixture needed to maintain a strong body and mind.

ORMUS Greens combine 10 healthy ingredients including parsley, peppermint and stevia, to offer a beneficial boost of vitamins A, B1, B6, C, E, K, essential amino acids and superoxide dismutase as well as magnese, magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron. Additionally, this unique combination of ingredients offers the benefits of a strengthened nervous system and bone structure, improved vision and increased energy levels. With these supergeens, theres no doubt a healthy life begins with the raw and organic plants of the earth. I just add it to my water bottle and go. It’s just that easy. Probably the easiest step you could take in creating an alkaline body PH for health.

Technorati Tags: Body PH, Ormus Greens

When Dr. Oz has a patient that really needs to lose weight to save their lives, he sends them to the Dr. Fuhrman, the creator of the “Eat To Live” diet plan. Alanis Morissette lost 20lbs on Dr. Fuhrman’s plan. She also is a fan of two other of my favorite things: Kickboxing and working with light weights like I do with Les Mills Pump.

A big part of the diet is a salad every day, and this dressing is one of my favorites. It’s even great on a grain-based salad like quinoa with vegetables.

Put all into your Vitamix, food processor or blender:

1 bunch of cilantro, rinsed well, stems removed (just cut off the top with scissors)
4 stems of basil, rinsed, stems removed.
1 Tbsp Agave Nectar (to taste)
½ cup Rice Vinegar
¼ cup Red wine vinegar
2 Artichoke hearts or bottoms, diced (for thickening)
8 drops of Lime Essential Oil

Taste and adjust with more vinegar, agave or lime oil, and Himalayan sea salt to taste (optional).

Technorati Tags: Alanis Morissette diet, Dr. Fuhrman diet plan, Eat To Live recipes

Are you ready to take four amazing little ingredients and make a delectable treat? Take these wonderous naturally sweet berries and create a healthy dessert. Their seeds provide excellent fiber with a variety of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Creamy rich coconut milk fights bacteria and viruses and gives Vegans their daily B12!!

Ingredients

• 1 cup organic frozen mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries,blackberries)
• 1/4 cup organic berry spreadable fruit
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup unsweetened coconut milk

Directions:

1. Whip all ingredients in a Vitamix, blender or food processor — that’s it!
2. Spoon the slush into 2 dessert dishes. If you like it more like sorbet, just put the dishes in the freezer until firm but not hard, about fifteen minutes.

Serves 2

Technorati Tags: healthy berry treat, healthy dessert

We found the most amazing little butcher shop just 2 minutes from our house. We are in love. All of the meats are pastured, grass-fed from local ranchers. And they offer raw milk from our favorite local ranch. So of course, my husband being home sick for the Christmas Eve family gathering at his dad and mom’s home, I had to help him out. We got a lovely prime rib roast and used the very easy and basic recipe from Simply Recipes to make it. Once we had it in the oven we started with the rest of the dinner.

Of course if you read my earlier blog you saw that I had lobster, which yes, isn’t technically vegetarian, but I haven’t had a meat dinner for over a year – and as good as the roast was going to be couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Now of course, if you are having meat, you need potatoes – so we make a nice Coconut Garlic Mashed Potatoes for any meal like this.

1 (5) bag organic potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-in (21⁄2-cm) cubes
8 cloves garlic, peeled
8 cloves garlic, diced
1 1/2 cup unsweetend coconut milk
2 tablespoons unsalted goats butter
11⁄2 teaspoons sea salt
1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Place the potatoes and full cloves of garlic into a large pot of water. There should be enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring the pot to a boil and cook for 20 to 30 minutes until the potatoes and garlic are very tender when pierced with a fork. Pour the potatoes into a strainer to drain completely.
2. Add the potatoes into your KitchenAid mixer or into a large bowl to mix.
3. Add the coconut milk, butter, diced garlic, salt, and pepper to the potatoes, folding all the ingredients together so that they are well blended.