Island Paradise Smoothie Recipe

Not your typical smoothie recipe. This is called a green smoothie because you will be adding leafy greens which are vital to increasing our energy and overall well being. Great for sustaining energy levels over a long period of time. Please don't let the color turn you off, green is good, green is life!

Research has shown that in order to digest the nutrients in the leafy greens they need to be chewed to a consistency of 1-2mm. This is because of the tough cellulose fiber which needs to be broken open to release the nutrients. Now that's a lot of chewing! Since most folks don't even chew properly anymore because of the food they're eating is predominately cooked, it doesn't allow them to exercise their jaw muscles which in turn helps to keep them strong and in shape. This is where the blender comes in, it basically does most of the chewing for you. Green smoothies are also fantastic because they can last for up to 3 days refrigerated and have all of the fiber intact which is important for elimination.

A few tips to get the most out of consuming green smoothies:

• Drink within 20 minutes or so after making and be sure to swish your mouth with water afterwards so that the sugar isn't just sitting on your teeth.

• Chew the smoothie each time before swallowing. This will help to produce saliva that whitens the teeth and allows you to digest it better.

• Always use variety. Meaning-don't drink the same exact concoction of greens for more than 30 days at a time. Each particular green has a way of protecting it's species in nature and releases a small amount of toxins that if consumed for a prolonged period of time in massive quantities, isn't so hot for you.

• I always find that most people do well adding more fruit in the beginning than greens, until the body becomes acclimated to the taste and naturally craves more greens than fruit.

Island Paradise Smoothie

Ingredients:

* 2 cups filtered water

* 2 ripe bananas

* 1 handful stemmed strawberries

* 1 mango of your choice, chopped and

* 3-4 pitted and soaked medjool dates, any dates will do but these taste best

* 2 collard leaves (stemmed)

* 2 kale leaves (stemmed)

Directions:

There are two ways to make this depending on which type of blender you have. The first set of directions is for high speed commercial blenders only. Pour the water, a few ice cubes (optional), and place the rest of the ingredients into the blender and turn on high for 30 seconds. Pour and enjoy.

For department store blenders. Because the motors on most department store models are not that strong you will need to do it in steps. First pour the water, a few ice cubes (optional), and the chopped banana and dates and blend on high speed till creamy. Next add the chopped mango and strawberries and blend again on high speed. Lastly, add the collards and kale but be sure to chop the leaves finely before adding. This will help to take the strain off of the motor and make the smoothie creamy.

Suggestions: Pour into a beautiful glass and garnish with a slice of fruit like pineapple, strawberry, or mango. Sit out in the sun, sip, and enjoy.

What to do now?

1. Make the recipe and try it out for yourself.

2. Please leave a comment, I LOVE hearing from you!

3. Share this post with someone you know that would enjoy it.

Atiya Ola's Spirit First Foods

Hidden out on the 4500 block of Baltimore Ave. is a warm cafe nicely outfitted in African decor. The cafe opened up back in September of 2008 and prior to that, owner Atiya Ola says it was a typical cafe that served coffee, steaks, and eggs. When asked what inspired her to open a cafe serving healthy food she said, "it was divine timing and just seemed right." The woman who ran the store before her asked if she wanted to take over and left everything in the store for her to use. The only thing Atiya had to supply was a food stand. "Even the plants were donated by the local Drexel girls," she says. Talk about a sweet deal!

When asked what sparked her interest in raw food she said, "people have always loved my food, it has always been with me. Raw food nutrition rang a logic bell in my head." Their goal is to provide nutritious and delicious raw food while educating the local community about eating less processed foods. "Keeping it simple and good is the way we like it," she says.

On the menu you can start with a tasty drink like fresh plantain milk, strawberry moss, or an energizing green juice. Their entrees consist of slaws, salads, sprouted beans, and mixed veggies. For dessert they offer raw vegan apple and sweet potato pie and chocolate souffle. It's light on the wallet as you can grab a meal and a drink for ten dollars. Spirit first foods also caters to vegetarians and vegans with additional items on the menu that are cooked.

The store is still in the early stages of expanding and will be holding educational and preparation classes in the future. Be sure to bring cash as that's all they except at this time. Atiya says, "Come on down! I want you to feel comfortable like you're in your own kitchen."

For more info: Atiya Ola's Spirit First Foods 4505 Baltimore Ave. Philadelphia, PA 215-939-3298 Closed Mondays. Tuesday-Saturday 8am-8pm and Sunday 8am-4pm. Website coming soon.

Coconut Cream Pudding Recipe

In sanskrit the word for coconut palm is known as kalpa vriksha, which means "the tree which provides all the necessities of life." Used widely for food and drink, this is a guilt free healthy treat you're sure to enjoy on a hot summer day.

Coconut Cream Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 young coconut
• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked 1-4 hours (optional)
  
• 1 Tablespoon non gmo soy lecithin
• 1/2 fresh vanilla bean scraped or dash of vanilla extract
• raw agave nectar to taste
• pinch sea salt

Directions:

Crack open the young coconut and pour the water into the blender. Not sure how to? Then watch this short clip. Scoop out the white coconut jelly inside and add that to the blender too. Sweeten with the agave nectar, vanilla, and sea salt. Turn the blender on high speed for about 30 seconds or until creamy.

Take the lid off and add the cashews and soy lecithin (this is not raw) to the mixture and blend once more until creamy.

Pour into cups or desired dishware and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set. It should be of a gelatinous consistency and chilled before serving.

Eat it as is or top with fresh fruit such as berries for a sweet treat!

Note: If you have a high speed blender and are in a rush or just plain lazy, you do not need to soak the cashews. Soaking nuts prior to use is beneficial though because it helps to release the enzyme inhibitors and also make the pudding creamy. Wondering how to soak your nuts? Place them in a bowl and cover with water. Depending on which nuts you use they have different lenghts of time. See this page here to learn more.

What to do now?

1. Make the recipe and try it out for yourself.

2. Please leave a comment, I LOVE hearing from you!

3. Share this post with someone you know that would enjoy it.

How to Make Fresh and Delicious Almond Milk Recipe

Many people have developed severe allergies to cow's milk and soy milk, making almond milk a great alternative to both. I'm highly allergic to pasteurized cow's milk and suffered for a number of years from chronic sinus infections and eczema. You can purchase almond milk already packaged in your local health food store, but it is pasteurized and a great deal of the nutrients are diminished in the process. You can easily make your own fresh batch at home with a nut milk bag, cheese cloth, or a personal favorite of mine, 1 gallon nylon mesh paint strainer bag. A commercial blender like a Vita-Mix is ideal but a half way decent department store model will do for the time being. I do recommend purchasing a Vita-Mix as it lasts a long time and can make everything to raw ice creams, soups, dressings, pâtés, smoothies, juices and much more. And it's very easy to clean!

You can use the almond milk as a base for your favorite smoothies, soups and even as creamer for teas. It's sure to sweeten things up and add variety which is key to succeeding with eating more living foods. Almond milk is cholesterol free and contains high levels of omega fatty acids and protein. Almonds also contain a rich source of vitamin E, zinc, magnesium, potassium, fiber, phosphorus, iron, and calcium are among the other vitamins and minerals in this powerhouse of a drink, helping aid everything from your bones to your blood. Be sure to soak your almonds overnight to allow the enzyme inhibitors to be released. Also make sure to discard of the water they were soaking in and use fresh instead. Please enjoy a personal recipe of mine below.

Fresh and delicious almond milk

1 cup raw almonds soaked

3 cups filtered water

raw agave nectar to taste

sea salt to taste
______________________

1. Place 1 cup raw almonds in bowl and soak at least 6 hours or overnight in water.

2. Blend 3 cups water and soaked almonds (drained of soaking water) until thoroughly blended.

3. Strain the milk through a nutbag or cheesecloth into a large pitcher.

4. Rinse blender and put the strained milk with the agave and sea salt back in the blender. Blend once more and enjoy!

Optional: Add fresh vanilla bean or extract to jazz things up. Try experimenting with other flavors for a change. Add 3 Tablespoons of cacao powder for chocolate milk or a pint of strawberries for strawberry milk.

What to do now?

1. Make the recipe and try it out for yourself.

2. Please leave a comment, I LOVE hearing from you!

3. Share this post with someone you know that would enjoy it.

Arnolds Way Raw Food Cafe

Finding a good raw food meal is few and far between in the city. There are not many places to grab a bite to eat on your lunch break or enjoy a nice evening out with friends-or at least not yet. The only option you're generally left with is a salad and you never know if it's going to be flavorsome or the usual two pieces of iceberg lettuce garnished with a bland tomato. So if you're tired of the same ol' same ol' when you go out to eat and are up for a fun trip, then I've got the perfect place for you. Arnolds Way raw food cafe has been open in Lansdale for eight years serving the local community fresh raw and organic vegan food. Owner Arnold Kauffman started his business eighteen years ago in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia operating as a vegetarian cafe. After ten years in that location he decided to shift gears and moved out to Lansdale and has been there ever since passionately spreading the word about the raw food lifestyle.

When it comes to the menu the place is known for it's delicious banana whips and green smoothies. You can pick and choose your favorite toppings for the famous banana whips. The green smoothies taste just like a refreshing fruit smoothie but with leafy greens added hence the name green smoothie. When trying a whip your first time I suggest going for the cashew dates topping. It's lip smacking good and satisfying to the taste buds!

Every month guest speakers come from all over the country to lecture and educate on the topic of the raw food diet. Various classes are offered throughout the month focusing on easy preparation and there is even a movie night showing the film "Simply Raw:Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days" which plays the second Saturday of every month. Arnold also has a new month long series taught by him titled "The 7 Steps to Becoming Younger" with the focus on reversing the aging process, the protein myth, food combining, fasting, and restoring vital energy.

Monthly potlucks are held every third Saturday which feature a guest speaker who has usually overcome a huge health obstacle or an educator in the field. The next potluck event is scheduled for Saturday June 20th at 6:30pm with guest speaker Dr. Melinda Q. Toney who will be speaking on "Dancing with Medicine, Taking Steps of Empowerment Out of the Chaos". Dr. Toney specializes in integrative medicine and is the Founder of the Center of Family Health in Catasauqua, PA. Cost is $12 per person or bring a raw vegan dish and just pay $2. Be sure if you bring a dish that the ingredients used are listed on an index card and that your dish feeds 6 people. Reservations are required as this will be a sell out event. If you have any questions or would like to register you can call the store. These events are a fantastic way to chat with other raw foodies or just dabble into the scene.

I must say this place is truly a diamond in the ruff and is definitely worth the 45 minute drive from Center City. You can make it an educational day trip with family or friends. You're sure to run into some folks with incredible stories of how they healed themselves with raw foods and in fact there are so many of them that Arnold has filmed over 200 testimonials posted on YouTube! The store is stocked with rare and old books, natural cosmetics, supplements, and plenty of interesting people. Their mission statement is,"Our mission is to create an energetic movement for the transformation of a disease-free World."

For more info: Arnolds Way, 319 West Main St., Lansdale. 215-361-0116. Please call for store hours of operation as they vary from day to day.


Have you ever been to Arnolds Way?