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The Journey Begins: Organic Juice Fast

March 25, 2013 7

Last week, the mister and I watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead a documentary following Joe Cross as he drinks only juice for 60 days to reboot his health and jump start his new healthy lifestyle.

Then, we spent some time checking out a blog written by a our good friend, Collin. Collin and his wife gave the juice fast a try, and experienced great success. Doesn’t he look fantastic? (He says he feels amazing too!)

While the mister and I (for the most part) eat really well (maybe too well), we have both gained weight since moving back to Florida and haven’t felt our best. I have been feeling sluggish in the afternoons and haven’t been sleeping as well as I use to. The mister has been struggling with a skin rash that comes and goes on his hands and also suffers from hypertension. After consulting with our health care provider, picking up a juicer, and purchasing a huge amount of produce – we started on this juice journey together yesterday.

Our goals pretty much align:

  • Feel more energy
  • Have clearer skin (no skin rash for the mister)
  • Sleep better
  • Jump start a healthier, more active lifestyle
  • Lose weight
  • Be more conscious of what (or how much) we eat
  • Detox
  • Avoid Diabetes (no hypertension for the mister)
  • Look and feel our best

We are committing to the 60 days – however, I most likely will have to stop well before that since it won’t take me 60 days to lose the amount of weight that I want to.

Last night and this morning have been tough for me, I have a massive headache, is that because I am missing my morning cup of Joe, or the sugar I put in it! 🙂 The mister has had a small headache but felt really hungry yesterday – the hunger hasn’t really bothered me so far. Either way it isn’t miserable, only a little uncomfortable. That is the reason we decided to do it together, while he is home for spring break – we are supporting each other.

Have you ever done a juice fast?
For how long? What were your results? 

Organic Vegan Seasonal Pasta Salad Recipe

March 22, 2013 2

This is one of my favorite vegan seasonal pasta salads – I always make it when we have a lot of tomatoes on hand, because they are so yummy in this recipe! You can add any vegetables you want, your favorite pasta (I prefer whole-wheat) and your favorite vegan Italian dressing or mine below. 

Ingredients:

  • organic spiral pasta
  • organic tomatoes
  • organic rainbow carrots
  • organic broccoli
  • organic olives
  • organic vegan Parmesan (optional)

Dressing:

  • 1 organic tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 organic tbsp onion powder
  • 1 organic tbsp sugar
  • 2 organic tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 organic tsp black pepper
  • 1 organic tsp salt
  • 1/4 organic tsp dried thyme
  • 1 organic tbsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 organic tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 organic cup red wine vinegar
  • 2/3 organic cup olive oil

Cook the pasta, rinse with cool water add your chopped vegetables and dressing, mix well and enjoy.

    Banana Vanilla Almond Acai Bowl Recipe

    March 21, 2013 2

    I took a pouch of my favorite frozen acai and mixed it with my favorite Cascadian Farm granola and a few other healthy ingredients to make a breakfast acai bowl that everyone in your family will gobble up – even the little ones!

    Ever wondered what Acai (ah-sigh-ee) is? Acai is a fantastic purple superfruit from the Amazon. It is perfect for a healthy heart diet and is packed with antioxidants, amino acids and omega-3s. An acai bowl is a combination of acai, fresh fruit, granola and other yummy ingredients, mixed together into a powerhouse breakfast perfect for the start of any day. I took a pouch of my favorite frozen acai and mixed it with my favorite Cascadian Farm granola and a few other healthy ingredients to make a breakfast acai bowl that everyone in your family will gobble up – even the little ones! Jump over to Cascadian Farm for the super easy Banana Vanilla Almond Acai bowl recipe.

    How to Make an Organic, Vegan Fruit Pizza Dessert

    March 19, 2013 6

    Spring officially starts tomorrow, to celebrate let’s all make organic, vegan fruit pizza! The mister and I made one over the weekend to celebrate his grandfather’s 98th birthday. It is the perfect treat for the kiddos, a perfect mixture of sweetness with the added benefits of organic fruit. This recipe is super simple to make and will be enjoyed by everyone – read on for the recipe. (I used organic eggs that I had on hand – however, you can use vegan egg replacers instead.)

    #1: Gather the Ingredients

    For the sugar cookie Crust:

    • 3/4 cup organic vegan butter
    • 3 cups organic sugar
    • 3 organic eggs (or egg replacers)
    • 3 cups organic flour
    • 3/4 tsp. organic salt
    • 3/4 tsp. organic baking soda
    • 3/4 tsp. organic baking powder 

    For the Frosting:

    •  8 ounces vegan cream cheese
    • 1/4 cup organic soy condensed milk 
    • 2 cups organic powdered sugar  
    • selection of organic fruit

    #2: Make the Sugar Cookie Crust
    Cream the vegan butter, sugar and eggs or egg replacers together until combined well. Mix the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder together in a separate bowl, then add slowly to the creamed mixture. Press the sugar cookie crust into your baking dish. Bake at 375° for about 16 minutes or until the crust begins to brown. Let it cool while you make the frosting.

    #3: Make the Frosting
     Cream the cream cheese, condensed milk and powdered sugar together until thick and creamy.
      
    #4: Add the Toppings and Enjoy
    Frost the entire sugar cookie crust and then arrange your fresh fruit to the top in any design that you like. Enjoy!

    How to Make Vegan, Organic Marshmallow Peeps for Easter

    March 18, 2013 2

    If there’s one sweet treat the screams Easter, it’s Peeps. Those cute little brightly colored birds do look adorable peeking out of an Easter basket. However, since they are loaded with artificial colors, flavors and questionable ingredients, and packaged in plastic, they aren’t exactly good for your children or the environment. You can grab a few organic, vegan ingredients and make your own Peeps, to surprise and delight your little ones on Easter morning. Or better yet, jump over to Inhabitots for my vegan Peeps recipe and enjoy it with your kids as an Easter activity, along with decorating your Easter eggs!

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