The benefits of lemon drinking water

Starting your day with a cup of warm lemon water has tons of benefits.  The following information is taken from the website/book Hungry for Change.  I highly recommend the book and the documentary.


Lemon is an excellent and rich source of vitamin C, an essential nutrient that protects the body against immune system deficiencies
Lemons contain pectin fiber which is very beneficial for colon health and also serves as a powerful antibacterial.  It balances maintain the pH levels in the body

• Having warm lemon juice early in the morning helps flush out toxins
• It aids digestion and encourages the production of bile
• It is also a great source citric acid, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium
• It helps prevent the growth and multiplication of pathogenic bacteria that cause infections and diseases
• It helps reducing pain and inflammation in joints and knees as it dissolves uric acid
• It helps cure the common cold
• The potassium content in lemon helps nourish brain and nerve cells
• It strengthens the liver by providing energy to the liver enzymes when they are too dilute
• It helps balance the calcium and oxygen levels in the liver In case of a heart burn, taking a glass of concentrated lemon juice can give relief
• It is of immense benefit to the skin and it prevents the formation of wrinkles and acne
•  It helps maintain the health of the eyes and helps fight against eye problems
• Aids in the production of digestive juices
• Lemon juice helps replenish body salts especially after a strenuous workout session

Packed with all the goodness, make it a point to begin your day with a glass of warm lemon juice. Its cleansing and healing effects will have positive effects on your health in the long run. However it is very important to note that lemon juice when comes directly in contact with the teeth, can ruin the enamel on the teeth. Hence, it is advised to consume it diluted and also rinse your mouth thoroughly after drinking lemon juice.

Recipe: Arugula-Cashew Spread

Week 2 of my class on healthy living and whole food, we're talking about getting more greens and plants into our diet.  This is a a lot like pesto but it doesn't have any cheese, and when you taste it you won't even miss it.  We also made home made hummus, with garbanzo beans that we'd soaked and cooked until tender.  This is a link to the recipe I've posted before.  

One day last summer we went to a restaurant in Irvine called Native Foods Cafe for a cooking demonstration, this recipe was one of the things they served.  They called it a crudité but it’s really more of a spread or pesto.  I’ve made it a few times and it’s excellent as a pesto on spaghetti squash or pasta or as a dip for crackers or vegetables.

 

Arugula-Cashew Spread

Ingredients:
3 cups raw cashews
1/2 cup nutritional yeast (I used Braggs)
2 cloves of garlic
6 cups of arugula or baby spinach or a combination of both
1/2 cup olive oil
4 Tbsp lemon juice
pinch of salt
dash of fresh ground pepper
dash of red chili pepper (optional)
Directions:
In a food processor, pulse the cashews, nutritional yeast and garlic, so that the ingredients are mixed but the cashews are still crunchy. Empty into a medium sized bowl and set aside. In the food processor, add the olive oil and lemon juice first, then add the greens. Pulse to blend well. Mix the two together and add salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Serve with vegetables, crackers, or flat bread. Enjoy.

Water and snacks and a Recipe for Cocoa Bites

So, for the first night of our class on healthy living and whole food we're talking about water and snacks.  There's a lot of differing opinions about how much water you should drink each day, 8 glasses for most people is not enough.  I typically drink 5 water bottles a day (23.6 oz) which is almost 120 oz, so that's about an ounce per pound for me.  That's in addition to any tea, coffee, or smoothies that I might have during the day and I still get dehydrated sometimes, especially during the summer.

As for snacks, my friends laugh at me because I always have some kind of a snack in my purse.  I find that most people end up eating something unhealthy or going through a drive through because they're starving and don't have a snack with them.  If I don't have access to a frig my favorite go to's are Kind bars or Larabars.  They're gluten free, have a very short ingredient list and are very convenient.  If you're looking for an easy, home made snack both of these are perfect.  (The picture is of the cocoa bites)

Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients:

1 c oatmeal

2/3 c unsweetened coconut flakes

1/2 c almond butter or peanut butter

1/2 c ground flax seeds or wheat germ

1/2 c chocolate chips

1/3 c honey

1 Tbsp chia seeds

1 tsp vanilla or almond extract

Instructions:

Mix together honey, nut butter, vanilla, and chia seeds.

Add the oatmeal and flax seeds or wheat germ. Roll in coconut or chocolate chips. Enjoy.

Cocao Bites

Ingredients:

1 cup raw seeds or nuts of choice (I used sunflower, flax seeds, and walnuts)

1/4 cup cacao or cocoa powder*

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp sea salt

1 cup medjool dates, pitted and chopped

1-3 tbsp water (I used 3)

1/4 cup cacao nibs or chocolate chips*

cocoa powder, sesame seeds, or shredded coconut, optional for coating

Instructions

Place seeds/nuts in a food processor, and process until finely ground. Pulse in cocoa, vanilla, and salt.

Add in the chopped dates and water, 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together nicely.

Process until all ingredients are distributed evenly.

Pulse in the cacao nibs or chocolate chips.

Roll pieces of the dough into small, tablespoon-sized balls. Optional: roll them in the cocoa powder, shredded coconut, sesame seeds or any other toppings of choice. Refrigerate or freeze for about 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy.

*Cacao powder and cacao nibs are vegan and raw

Fall update and why I haven't blogged in a while...

This past year my blogging has taken a back seat and I mean way back.




My dad suffered 2-3 massive strokes and I’ve become his primary caregiver.
As I watch him slowly slip away,  grief has become a wet blanket over my life.
If you’ve read “The Shack” by William Young you’ll understand what I’m  talking about.
Sure I still go to work, take care of my kids, my house, etc., but I haven’t been inspired by much in a long time.

I'm starting a class on healthy living and whole food next month and I hope to blog my way through it.  Check back for updates :)


Until next time. 
Ciao.

Lovely Advice

Health:
Drink plenty of water.
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
Live with the 3 E’s - Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
Play more games.
Read more books than you did in 2010.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Sleep for 7 hours.
Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Don’t over do. Keep your limits.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
Dream more while you are awake.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Smile and laugh more.
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:
Call your family often.
Each day give something good to others.
Forgive everyone for everything.
Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
Do the right thing!
Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
The best is yet to come.
Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.