Cashew Nut Fruit Apple

Carrot Juice and Bentonite Clay

After the vacation, I was feeling sluggish and off balance. I needed a boost. So I decided to go grocery shopping, and I got my usual fruits and veggies. Food City also had large bags of zucchini, peppers and bananas on clearance. I got a bag or two, of course. I made vegan banana and zucchini bread muffins and this for my morning breakfast:

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Tasty Carrot Juice my way:

3 carrots

1 large cucumber

1 nectarine

2tbs raw ginger

juice of 1 lemon

1/2 cup water

Inspired by: http://rawgirltoxicworld.com/2012/07/13/carrot-juice-for-glowing-skin-juice-spicy-carrot/

 

 

My skin was a little dry on the return; probably do to stress, lack of sleep, and exposure to lots of car, truck, bus, and boat exhaust. LOL! Bentonite clay came to the rescue! After applying the clay and taking a warm shower with it on, my skin felt so soft all day long. I didn’t use any soaps to cleanse or lotions for moisture; the clay removed all impurities and left my face moisturized:)

 

Chickpea and Eggplant Burger…kind of

As usual, I needed to use my eggplant, which was going bad too soon. I also had a taste for a lettuce-wrapped burger, so my search for dinner recipes began. I found this video. The woman in the video is quite annoying, but the burgers she made looked really good. I didn’t have all of the ingredients that she used, and I am not eating soy or sugar or dairy, so some things that she used I left out. Now that I think about it, my recipe was nothing like hers. I just used it as inspiration. 🙂  I hope the pictures explain what I did well enough.

 

Eggplant 1.00 cup, raw 82.00 grams 19.68 calories
Nutrient	Amount	DV (%)	Nutrient Density	World’s Healthiest Foods Rating
fiber	2.76 g	11.0	10.1	excellent
manganese	0.20 mg	10.0	9.1	excellent
molybdenum	4.10 mcg	5.5	5.0	very good
potassium	188.60 mg	5.4	4.9	very good
folate	18.04 mcg	4.5	4.1	good
vitamin K	2.87 mcg	3.6	3.3	good
copper	0.07 mg	3.5	3.2	good
vitamin B6	0.07 mg	3.5	3.2	good
tryptophan	0.01 g	3.1	2.9	good
vitamin C	1.80 mg	3.0	2.7	good
magnesium	11.48 mg	2.9	2.6	good
vitamin B3	0.53 mg	2.6	2.4	good

The “kind of” in the tile means that the burgers didn’t come out as firm as an actual burger (meat, veggie or bean). They were soft, and a little crumbly. it may be a good idea to add something like oatmeal to absorb the liquid and hold the burger together. I added some brown rice flour (as you’ll see in the picture) to make the burgers a little dryer. They were still really good on the lettuce!

Thanks for reading!

 

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Food on my Mind

You may be wondering why I have been posting so many food blog entries…

or not…

Well I’ll tell you anyway, 

I have been trying to find the right foods that are easy to digest for my sensitive stomach. I cut out red meat a long time ago, and dairy even longer ago. Now I am a vegetarian (since around December, 2011). I thought this would really help my digestion woes, but I still had bubbles in my stomach after eating certain meals. I kept on eating things without trying to pin point the culprits.

Enough is enough! 

I have decided to cut out soy and gluten (think I am gluten-sensitive).

Goodness! What can I eat???

Basically, fruits and veggies, and rice. 

I am also trying to find what foods trigger the inability to control high stress levels. I have lately been experiencing high anxiety, and riding an emotional roller coaster! I am almost certain is has a lot to do with sugar (all refined types)! So no more of that either, I have now cut back about 90%. It would have been 100% if I looked closer at my cereal ingredients, which read brown sugar. I have honey and agave nectar; I wonder if these are digested and metabolized the same as refined sugar??? I’ll go easy on these too. 

Anyway, there you go, now you know why my mind has been on food lately. This food trip also relates to my hair, big time! I’ll be making a hair video soon; I have seen some changes in my scalp that I must rant about! 

I hope you enjoy the food entries, more to come…

Are Strawberries in Season?

I don’t know, but I just bought 4 pounds for $5 at Sunflower Market!

Smoothie time!

4 large strawberries

a few slices of fresh pineapple

1 banana

a handful of whole flax seeds

a squirt of Holy Basil leaf liquid herb

3 ice cubes

about 3/4 cup rice milk

100 Best Health Foods #4: Figs

Figs are high in Vitamin B6 and are a great source of soluble fiber! Dried figs have lots more nutrients, and are “easier” to come by and keep compared to fresh figs. Also high in potassium, beta-carotene and calcium.

Fig Salad

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1 1/2 sprigs rosemary, stems discarded
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons sherry wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 6 ounces arugula
• 6 white dried figs, stems removed
• 4 tablespoons goat cheese

 

Toast walnuts on a baking sheet in the oven at 300 degrees until they are just fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.

2 In a food processor, or metal bowl, combine rosemary, honey, vinegar, water, mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly blend in the oil.

3 Combine arugula, figs and walnuts in a salad bowl. Give the dressing a final whisk and toss with salad. Divide salad onto four plates and garnish with one tablespoon of goat cheese.

Vi-ta-mins…continued

ok. so I am still taking Biotin, but just in a different “form” I got a prenatal vitamin…yes it is for pregnant women, and no I am not prego! It was recommended to me by a health professional. This is basically a multivitamin with everything you can imagine, but also with probiotics. 30 tablet for 10 bucks. From Whole Foods. On sale. Take one per day. There are mixed views on prenatal vitamins, so more on that to come maybe.

I really got this so that I could combine Vitamin D, biotin and B vitamins in one pill. It is really all about Vitamin D. I am really interested in how important it really is. Maybe this article will help. Also, when doing research on particular nutrients, or vitamins, try to look up some SCIENTIFIC papers on the subject, don’t just go with whatever I say. lol!

Foods for that Hair!

I used to take lots of different vitamins, and they seemed to work after a long (at least 6 months) time. I used to take Borage oil, Fish oil, Vitamin E, Echinacea, Biotin, and Zinc. I have discontinued (I ran out, and did not buy anymore) taking all of these except… Biotin. But I did buy some B12. I heard that along with Biotin, B12 is supposed to help with hair strength and growth. But of course no vitamins can substitute for the nutrients that you can and should get in a healthy diet! So here is a list of the benefits of certain vitamins and what foods these nutrients can be found in that will really help your hair do what it do, baby! Thanks to “The Worlds Healthiest Foods”  

1. Biotin

Biotin Found in:	Biotin Benefits
almonds	Healthy skin due to proper fat production
cabbage	Sugar and fat metabolism
carrots	Maintain energy supply to nerve cells
cauliflower
Chard (mega source)
chicken eggs
cow’s milk
cucumber
goat’s milk
halibut
oats
onions
raspberries
romaine lettuce
strawberries
tomatoes
walnuts

Interesting tidbits:

• Biotin is required for function of an enzyme in the body called acetyl Co-A carboxylase. This enzyme puts together the building blocks for the production of fat in the body. Fat production is critical for all cells in the body since the membranes of all cells must contain the correct fat components to function properly. Fat production is especially critical for skin cells since they die and must be replaced very rapidly, and also because they are in contact with the outside environment and must serve as a selective barrier.
• The U.S. Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Science’s Institute of Medicine recommends a daily Adequate Intake (AI) of 30 micrograms in adults 19 years and older

 

 

2. Omega 3- fatty acids

 

Omega- 3 Found in:	Omega- 3 Benefits:
Salmon	Promote healthy cell membranes (especially skin cells)
flax seeds	Anti-inflammatory
walnuts	Prostaglandin production
scallops
cauliflower
cabbage
cloves
mustard seeds
halibut
shrimp
cod
tuna
soybeans
tofu
kale
collard greens
Brussels sprouts

Interesting tidbits:

• Because cell membranes are made up of fat, the integrity and fluidity of our cell membranes is determined in large part by the type of fat we eat. Remember that saturated fats are solid at room temperature, while omega 3 fats are liquid at room temperature. Researchers believe that diets containing large amounts of saturated or hydrogenated fats produce cell membranes that are hard and lack fluidity. On the other hand, diets rich in omega 3 fats produce cell membranes with a high degree of fluidity.
• Omega-3 fatty acids aren’t a part of your hair’s composition, but they are a part of the scalp cells that are responsible for generating the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. We would emphasize the fact that omega-3 fatty acids will not help you grow hair. They can, however, improve the integrity of your skin cells, including the cells of your scalp. The health of your hair depends in part upon the health of these cells.

 

 

3. Vitamin A

 

Vitamin A Found in:	Vitamin A Benefits:
Calf liver	Vision (retinal)
Cow’s milk	Epithelia and mucosal cell maintenance
eggs	Growth
Carrots	Reproduction
Apricots
mangoes
squash
Sweet potatoes
Spinach
Kale
Collard greens
Shell fish
Cayenne pepper
Chili pepper

Interesting tidbits:

• Vitamin A deficiency primarily affects the health of the skin, hair, eyes, and immune system, though loss of appetite, bone abnormalities, and growth retardation are also associated with inadequate intake of this vitamin.
• A tell-tale sign of vitamin A deficiency is hyperkeratosis, a goose bump-like appearance of the skin caused by excessive production of keratin (a protein found in skin) that blocks hair follicles. In initial stages, hyperkeratosis is found on the forearms and thighs, where the skin becomes dry, scaly, and rough. In advances stages, hyperkeratosis affects the whole body, causing hair loss.

 

 

World’s Healthiest Foods ranked as quality sources of: biotin
Food	Serving Size	Cals	Amount (mcg)	DV (%)	Nutrient Density	World’s Healthiest Foods Rating
Swiss chard, boiled	1 cup	35.0	10.50	3.5	1.8	good

 

 

World’s Healthiest Foods ranked as quality sources of: omega 3 fatty acids
Food	Serving Size	Cals	Amount (g)	DV (%)	Nutrient Density	World’s Healthiest Foods Rating
Flaxseeds	2 tbs	95.3	3.51	146.3	27.6	excellent
Cloves, dried, ground	2 tsp	14.2	0.20	8.3	10.6	very good
Walnuts	0.25 cup	163.5	2.27	94.6	10.4	excellent
Oregano, dried, ground	2 tsp	9.2	0.12	5.0	9.8	very good
Salmon, chinook, baked/broiled	4 oz-wt	261.9	2.09	87.1	6.0	excellent
Cauliflower, boiled	1 cup	28.5	0.21	8.8	5.5	very good
Mustard seeds	2 tsp	35.0	0.20	8.3	4.3	very good
Cabbage, shredded, boiled	1 cup	33.0	0.17	7.1	3.9	very good
Romaine lettuce	2 cup	15.7	0.08	3.3	3.8	good
Broccoli, steamed	1 cup	43.7	0.20	8.3	3.4	very good
Brussel sprouts, boiled	1 cup	60.8	0.26	10.8	3.2	good
Winter squash, baked, cubes	1 cup	80.0	0.34	14.2	3.2	good
Tofu, raw	4 oz-wt	86.2	0.36	15.0	3.1	good
Summer squash, cooked, slices	1 cup	36.0	0.15	6.3	3.1	good
Halibut, baked/broiled	4 oz-wt	158.8	0.62	25.8	2.9	good
Collard greens, boiled	1 cup	49.4	0.18	7.5	2.7	good
Spinach, boiled	1 cup	41.4	0.15	6.3	2.7	good
Kale, boiled	1 cup	36.4	0.13	5.4	2.7	good
Soybeans, cooked	1 cup	297.6	1.03	42.9	2.6	good
Shrimp, steamed/boiled	4 oz-wt	112.3	0.37	15.4	2.5	good
Turnip greens, cooked	1 cup	28.8	0.09	3.8	2.3	good
Cod, baked/broiled	4 oz-wt	119.1	0.32	13.3	2.0	good
Strawberries	1 cup	43.2	0.11	4.6	1.9	good
Green beans, boiled	1 cup	43.8	0.11	4.6	1.9	good
Snapper, baked/broiled	4 oz-wt	145.2	0.36	15.0	1.9	good
Scallops, baked/broiled	4 oz-wt	151.7	0.35	14.6	1.7	good
Tuna, yellowfin, baked/broiled	4 oz-wt	157.6	0.33	13.8	1.6	good
Raspberries	1 cup	60.3	0.12	5.0	1.5	good
Miso	1 oz	70.8	0.14	5.8	1.5	good

 

 

World’s Healthiest Foods ranked as quality sources of: vitamin A
Food	Serving Size	Cals	Amount (IU)	DV (%)	Nutrient Density	World’s Healthiest Foods Rating
Carrots, raw	1 cup	52.5	34317.40	686.3	235.5	excellent
Spinach, boiled	1 cup	41.4	18865.80	377.3	164.1	excellent
Turnip greens, cooked	1 cup	28.8	7917.12	158.3	99.0	excellent
Kale, boiled	1 cup	36.4	9620.00	192.4	95.1	excellent
Parsley, fresh	2 tbs	2.7	631.80	12.6	84.2	excellent
Bell peppers, red, raw, slices	1 cup	24.8	5244.00	104.9	76.0	excellent
Mustard greens, boiled	1 cup	21.0	4243.40	84.9	72.7	excellent
Romaine lettuce	2 cup	15.7	2912.00	58.2	66.9	excellent
Calf’s liver, braised	4 oz-wt	187.1	30485.26	609.7	58.7	excellent
Swiss chard, boiled	1 cup	35.0	5493.25	109.9	56.5	excellent
Sweet potato, baked, with skin	1 each	95.4	13107.70	262.2	49.5	excellent
Cayenne pepper, dried	2 tsp	11.2	1470.24	29.4	47.3	excellent
Collard greens, boiled	1 cup	49.4	5945.10	118.9	43.3	excellent
Cantaloupe, cubes	1 cup	56.0	5158.40	103.2	33.2	excellent
Winter squash, baked, cubes	1 cup	80.0	7291.85	145.8	32.8	excellent
Apricots	1 each	16.8	914.20	18.3	19.6	excellent
Broccoli, steamed	1 cup	43.7	2280.72	45.6	18.8	excellent
Basil, dried, ground	2 tsp	7.5	281.24	5.6	13.5	very good
Tomato, ripe	1 cup	37.8	1121.40	22.4	10.7	excellent
Oregano, dried, ground	2 tsp	9.2	207.08	4.1	8.1	good
Asparagus, boiled	1 cup	43.2	970.20	19.4	8.1	excellent
Chili pepper, dried	2 tsp	25.5	531.60	10.6	7.5	very good
Green beans, boiled	1 cup	43.8	832.50	16.6	6.9	very good
Brussel sprouts, boiled	1 cup	60.8	1121.64	22.4	6.6	very good
Cucumbers, slices, with peel	1 cup	13.5	223.60	4.5	6.0	good
Summer squash, cooked, slices	1 cup	36.0	516.60	10.3	5.2	very good
Watermelon, diced	1 cup	48.6	556.32	11.1	4.1	very good
Grapefruit	0.50 each	36.9	318.57	6.4	3.1	good
Celery, raw	1 cup	19.2	160.80	3.2	3.0	good
Prunes	0.25 cup	101.6	844.48	16.9	3.0	good
Papaya	1 each	118.6	863.36	17.3	2.6	good
Green peas, boiled	1 cup	134.4	955.20	19.1	2.6	good
Cabbage, shredded, boiled	1 cup	33.0	198.00	4.0	2.2	good
Plum	1 each	36.3	213.18	4.3	2.1	good
Oranges	1 each	61.6	268.55	5.4	1.6	good
Cow’s milk, 2%	1 cup	121.2	500.20	10.0	1.5	good