Happy Healthy Hormones PM Elixir *Burn fat while you sleep!

Are you going to bed on an empty stomach? Because I was, I thought this was best! But as always there’s new research and articles and information coming out ALL of the time! Now it’s said that this healthy drink has been proven to burn fat while you sleep and that you’ll see noticeable results in a short period of time when consumed regularly aka EVERY NIGHT.

Usually while you’re sleeping your metabolism naturally becomes slower but it doesn’t have to!! You can get your metabolism into hyperdrive and burn calories while you are sleeping! If you’re concerned about it keeping you up late at night..don’t..and if you have problems falling asleep already be sure to ingest additional magnesium before bed. Personally I take 2 Healthful-bone vitamins, spray magnesium oil on the bottom of my feet, meditate and then I’m able to sleep like a baby! (And that wasn’t always the case)

Cucumbers keep you hydrated inside and out, contains minerals for the skin, aids in flushing toxins, aids in weight loss, contains fiber and are low in calories.

Parsley is full of antioxidants and are a good source of Protein, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus and Zinc, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.

Lemon flushes out toxins accumulated in your body melting off fat and increasing metabolism once the impurities are out of the body.

Ginger speeds up metabolism, prevents constipation, is an anti-inflammatory, lowers cholesterol and blood sugar, fights infections, and so much more! (FYI: The more you use the “spicier” it is)

Aloe vera contains natural anti-oxidants that help to delay the growth of free radicals in the body and reduces inflammatory processes going on in the body. It stimulates the metabolic rate which in turn helps for the consumption of more energy. This process stabilizes and reduces the body mass index (BMI)

Blend all the organic ingredients and drink before going to bed:

  • 1 small or 1/2 large cucumber
  • 1  bunch of parsley or cilantro
  • 1 lemon (squeeze juice in, not whole lemon in blender)
  • 1 finger of ginger
  • 1 tbsp. aloe vera juice (you can use real plant if you have)
  • 1/4 cup water

Happy Healthy Hormones AM Elixir

Okay so as you may have noticed there are a lot of great morning ritual “habits” that are all 1st thing in the morning…so after having my morning routine take over an hour and that not being workable I figured out how to combine the morning drinks/eats into 1 delicious beverage! A Happy Healthy Hormones AM Elixir!

All of the ingredients in the Happy Healthy Hormones AM Elixir are so powerfully amazing for your body…I’ve literally written articles on 3 of the 5 of them…and water and turmeric both have

Benefits for warm lemon water: Warm water with lemon in the am…so simple so beneficial


Coconut…seriously one of the most versatile and amazing products that I’ve ever heard of for health and hormones

 

The many benefits of cinnamon: C is for Cinnamon….ABC’s ALL the health BENEFITS of CINNAMON

 

Happy Healthy Hormones AM Elixir Recipe:

1/2 organic lemon I get mine from my tree, store or you can order on amazon if not accessible to you or just because it’s easier. I use a manual lemon squeezer ever morning but you could also juice some in advance and save in a glass jar in the fridge if you’d like.

1 teaspoon Artisana coconut butter

1/3 teaspoon organic ceylon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon organic turmeric

1/3 cup hot water..either just boiled in a put or I’m newly in love with this Bella ceramic kettle

Best to be drank through a glass straw to protect teeth from acid of lemon. 😉

 

happyhealthyhormonesamelixir

Coconut…seriously one of the most versatile and amazing products that I’ve ever heard of for health and hormones

Coconut…it seriously is one of the most versatile and amazing products that I’ve ever heard of for health and hormones. If you’re not already into coconut or decided you don’t “like it” just figure it out, you can learn to like almost anything and coconut is one of those things you really just need to. And let me tell you, at first I would gag eating coconut oil in the am but the benefits for my health were so strong I just kept at it and then actually discovered Artisana Coconut Butter, and HOLY MOLY is it amazing. It’s not only delicious but it’s also the “whole” coconut and has same benefits as you’ve heard or are about to read below.

artisanacoconutbutterjen

Check out my Happy Healthy Hormones AM Elixir Recipe (Coming soon….currently on my Happy Healthy Hormones Instagram)

Honestly I was going to write out a whole article…but then found this one by Dr. Axe and it’s pretty perfect! So here it is:

To date, there are over 1,500 studies proving coconut oil to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Coconut oil benefits and uses go beyond what most people realize.

Research has finally uncovered the secrets to this amazing fruit; namely healthy fats called medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), these unique fats include:

  • Caprylic acid
  • Lauric acid
  • Capric acid

And around 62% of the oils in coconut are made up of these 3 healthy fatty acids and 91% of the fat in coconut oil is healthy saturated fat.

Most of the fats that we consume take longer to digest, but MCFAs found in coconut oil provide the perfect source of energy because they only have to go through a 3 step process to be turned into fuel vs. other fats go through a 26 step process!

Unlike long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) found in plant based oils, MCFAs are:

  • Easier to digest
  • Not readily stored as fat
  • Are anti-microbial and anti-fungal
  • Smaller in size, allowing easier cell permeability for immediate energy
  • Processed by the liver, which means that they are immediately converted to energy instead of being stored as fat

20 Proven Coconut Oil Benefits

According to medical research, coconut oil benefits the body in the following ways:


alzheimers Illustration

1. Proven Alzheimers Disease Natural Treatment

The digestion of MCFA’s by the liver creates ketones which are a readily accessible energy by the brain. Ketones supply energy to the brain without the need of insulin to process glucose into energy.

Recent research has shown that the brain actually creates it’s own insulin to process glucose and power brain cells. As the brain of an Alzheimer’s patient has lost the ability to create it’s own insulin, the ketones from coconut oil could create an alternate source of energy to help repair brain function.


2. Prevents Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure

Coconut oil is high in natural saturated fats. Saturated fats not only increase the healthy cholesterol (known as HDL) in your body, but also help to convert the LDL “bad” cholesterol into good cholesterols.

By Increasing the HDL’s in the body, it helps promote heart health, and lower the risk of heart disease.


Human Kidneys, urinary system 3. Cures UTI and Kidney Infection & Protects the Liver

Coconut oil has been known to clear up and heal urinary (UTI) and kidney infections. The MCFA’s in the oil work as a natural antibiotic by disrupting the lipid coating on bacteria and killing them. Also there is a study showing that coconut oil directly protected the liver from damage.

Coconut water also helps hydrate and support the healing process. Doctors have even injected the coconut water to clear up kidney stones. Coconut is a super powerful food!


4. Reduces Inflammation and Arthritis

 In a study in India, the high levels of antioxidants present in virgin coconut oil reduced inflammation and healing arthritis more effectively than leading medications.

In another recent study, coconut oil that was harvested with only medium heat was found to suppress inflammatory cells. It worked as both an analgesic and anti-inflammatory.


Fighting cancer

5. Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Coconut oil has two qualities that help it fight cancer. One, because of the ketones produced in it’s digestion. Tumor cells are not able to access the energy in ketones and are glucose dependent. It is believed that a ketogenic diet could be a possible component of helping cancer patients recover.

Two, as the MCFA’s digest the lipid walls of bacteria, they also can kill the helicobacter pylori bacteria that has been known as increasing the risk of stomach cancer. Even in studies where cancer is chemically induced, the introduction of coconut oil prevents cancer from developing!


6. Immune System Boost (antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral)

Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which is known to reduce candida, fight bacteria, and create a hostile environment for viruses. Many diseases today are causes by the overgrowth of bad bacteria, funguses, viruses and parasites in the body.

You can replace grains and sugar in your diet with coconut oil as your natural fuel source when you’re sick. Sugar feeds the growth of bad bacteria. Instead take 1 TBSP of coconut oil 3x daily when sick and consume plenty of vegetables and bone broth as well.


bright ideas lightbulb, memory

7. Improves Memory and Brain Function

In a 2004 study published in the journal of Neurobiology of Aging, they found that the MCFA’s found in coconut oil improved the memory problems in their older subjects.

Across all the patients there was a marked improvement in their recall ability after taking this fatty acid. As the MCFA’s are absorbed easily in the body and can be accessed in the brain without the use of insulin, they are able to fuel brain cells more efficiently.


8. Improves Energy and Endurance

Coconut oil is easy to digest, but also produces a longer sustained energy and increases your metabolism. When taking a quality non-processed coconut oil, you can get the most benefit as it’s MCFA’s are sent directly to the liver to be converted into energy!

Today, many triathletes will use coconut oil as their source of fuels during training and races for long distance events. You can make a homemade energy fuel by mixing coconut oil, raw honey and chia seeds together. Simply put together 1 TBSP of each and consume 30 minutes prior to exercise.


Gastritis, Stomach Ulcers improvement

9. Improves Digestion, Reduces Stomach Ulcers & Ulcerative Colitis

Coconut also improves digestion as it helps the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins, calcium, and magnesium.

If coconut oil is taken at the same time as omega-3 fatty acids, it can make them twice as effective, as they are readily available to be digested and used by the body.

Coconut oil can help improve bacteria and gut health by destroying bad bacteria and candida. Candida imbalance especially can decrease stomach acid which causes inflammation and poor digestion.


10. Reduces Symptoms of Gallbladder Disease & Pancreatitis 

The MCFA’s of coconut oil do not need the pancreatic enzymes to be broken down, so taking coconut oil eases the strain on the pancreas.

Additionally, this super fat is so easy to digest that it has been known to improve the symptoms of gallbladder disease as well. Replace other long-chain fats with coconut oil to improve gallbladder and total body health.


11. Improves Skin Issues (burns, eczema, dandruff, dermatitis, and psoriasis)

Coconut oil is wonderful as a face cleanser, moisturizer and sun screen, but also it can treat many skin disorders. The fatty acids (Caprylic and Lauric) in coconut oil reduce inflammation internally and externally and moisturize making them a great solution for all types of skin conditions.

It protects the skin and has many antioxidants that make it ideal for healing the skin. In addition the antimicrobial properties balance out the candida or fungal sources that can cause many skin conditions.


healthy teeth and gums, bright white smile

12. Prevents Gum Disease and Tooth Decay

Oil pulling with coconut oil has been used for centuries as a way to cleanse the mouth of bacteria and help heal periodontal disease. Coconut oil is one of the most effective oils for oil pulling due to it’s high concentration of antibacterial MCFA’s.

By swishing the oil in your mouth the oil denatures the bacteria and sticks to it. Removing oral bacteria greatly reduces your risk of periodontal disease. If you want to heal your gums and repair your teeth, I recommend coconut oil pulling 3x a week for 20 minutes a day. 


13. Prevents Osteoporosis

Oxidative stress and free radicals are the two biggest culprits of osteoporosis. Since coconut oil has such high levels of antioxidants which help fight free radicals, it is a leading natural treatment for osteoporosis.

Another of the amazing coconut oil benefits is that it increases calcium absorption in the gut. Research with osteoporosis has found that coconut oil not only increases bone volume and structure in subjects, but also decreased bone loss due to osteoporosis.


Man writing Diabetes

14. Improves Type II Diabetes

When cells refuse to respond to insulin and no longer take in glucose for energy, then they are considered insulin resistant. The pancreas then pumps out more insulin to compensate and creates an overproduction cycle. Insulin resistance is the precursor to Type II diabetes.

The MCFA’s in coconut oil helps balance the insulin reactions in the cells and promote healthy digestive process. They take off the strain on the pancreas and give the body a consistent energy source that is not dependent on glucose reactions which can prevent insulin resistance and Type II diabetes.


Weight loss, losing inches

15. Coconut Oil for Weight loss

Because of the energy creating abilities of coconut oil, it is no wonder that it is beneficial in losing weight. It helps to burn fat, decrease appetite and it studies it was especially helpful in losing belly fat!

Coconut’s ability to help you shed fat has been well established. A 1985 study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health proved that a single injection of capric acid resulted in “initially rapid, then gradual decrease in food consumption and a parallel loss of body weight” in male rats.

It might seem counterintuitive to assume that eating coconut oil (a fat) will contribute to fat loss, but it is actually quite logical. The key to understanding this phenomenon lays in the multidimensional ability of the MCFAs to control a variety of physiological processes.

For example, in the 1985 study mentioned above, it was discovered that capric acid shows significant improvements in thyroid function, helps lower resting heart rate, and assists your body in burning fat for energy.

More recently, the Obesity Research Journal published a study from Boston University Medical School that gives us a clue why MCFAs have fat burning ability.

Testing the effects that MFCAs have on fat breakdown, adipose (fatty) cells in rats were pretreated with caprylic acid. They observed that fat breakdown occurred at such a significant level that it literally mimicked the characteristics of fasting.

Fasting, in this sense, is not to be regarded as negative, but positive in that the body uses its energy reserves most effectively and speeds up the breakdown of needless fat reserves.

In the words of the researchers who conducted this study, “Such changes could contribute, in part, to weight loss in animals and humans associated with dietary medium-chain fatty acids.”


man flexing muscle bicep

16. Building Muscle and Losing Body Fat

MCFAs aren’t just good for burning fat; they are also great for building muscle. The MCFAs found in coconut are also used in popular muscle building products like Muscle Milk™.

The vast majority of heavily produced supplements however, use processed forms of MCFAs. By eating actual coconuts, however, you get the “real deal.” I recommend adding 3 tbsp of coconut oil to a muscle building shake daily.


17. Coconut Oil Benefits for Hair Care

If you have dandruff or dry hair coconut oil has the perfect fatty acids to help improve these conditions. You can make homemade coconut lavender shampoo to improve your hair and use straight coconut oil as an all natural hair conditioner.

To get rid of dandruff and to thicken hair massage 1 tbsp coconut oil mixed with 10 drops of rosemary essential oil into your scalp for 3 minutes. Then shower 30 minutes later.


18. Candida and Yeast Infections

A study published in the journal of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy found the capric acid and lauric acid in coconut oil were an effective natural treatment for candida albicans and yeast infections.

To effectively kill candida and treat yeast infections remove processed sugar and refined grains from your diet and consume plenty of healthy fats. Take 1 tbsp of coconut oil 3x daily as a supplement.


19. Coconut Oil for Anti-aginganti-aging woman's face

According to research published in the medical journal Food and Function, coconut oil improves antioxidant levels and can slow aging. Coconut oil works by reducing stress on the liver and by lowering oxidative stress.

Also, they found that coconut oil may support detoxification because of how it works with the liver. To naturally slow aging take 1 tbsp of coconut oil with anti-oxidant rich berries for breakfast. You can also apply it directly to skin for additional benefits and smoothing.


20. Coconut Oil for Hormone Balance

Using coconut oil benefits your hormones as well! Coconut oil may help naturally balance hormones because it’s a great source of saturated fat including lauric acid. Studies have found that coconut oil may be an excellent fat to consume during menopause and also may have positives effects on estrogen levels.

In order to naturally balance hormones reduce sugar and grain consumption and load up on healthy fats from coconut, avocado, flax seeds and ghee.


Proven Coconut Oil Health Benefits List infographic


Coconut Oil Side Effects

There are rarely any side effects for coconut oil. Occasionally a contact allergy may occur for certain individuals that are allergic to coconuts. Some of the cleaning products created by coconut oil have been known to cause contact allergies as well, but it is not common.  In fact, coconut oil is known for reducing side effects of many medications.  And in studies, it reduced the symptoms and side effects of cancer treatments!


Coconut OilHow to Take Coconut Oil

I use coconut oil for all of my cooking and baking, and I will often put a tablespoon of it in my morning smoothie. You can also apply it directly to your skin or as a carrier for essential oils or blends.

*WARNING – refined or processed coconut oil can be bleached, over-heated, and chemically processed to increase its shelf-life. Processing the oil changes the chemical makeup and the fats are no longer good for you!

 

C is for Cinnamon…..ABC’s ALL the health BENEFITS of CINNAMON

Seriously All the Benefits of Cinnamon is just mind-blowing to me….you know when you’re like “how come everything that’s so delicious is so bad for me? or everything healthy doesn’t taste good??” Well apparently you get what you seek out…and if you seek out delicious foods that are amazing for you then you find them as well…example being CINNAMON!  Cinnamon even helps make foods that you might not find so flavorful simply amazing.
 
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A through Z benefits of cinnamon: 
Anti-Inflammatory! Inflammation is known to cause so much harm to our short and long term health.
Brain Function-boost alertness..even from just smelling it!
Clears out harmful bacteria out of the digestive system, which can help body absorb oter nutrients more easily.
Degenerative disease prevention, including alzheimer’s
Eliminates acne. (You can make a cinnamon and honey topical mask and apply to affected areas, leave on for a few hours and rinse.)
Fiber and calcium contained in cinnamon help protect the cells of the colon and prevent cancer from forming there.
Gargle some boiled cinnamon stick water to freshen your breath naturally. There is also a wonderful healthy toothpaste by Spry that has cinnamon available on amazon.
Helps with blood sugar levels..stabilizing blood sugar is huge! Especially for hormonal balancing! Literally #1 step!IMG_5655
Increases circulation…aka blood flow…great for so many things..including hair growth.
Jenius approved! Def a great product that is efficient…tastes great, smells great, and has a ton of actual body benefits.
Keeps the colon running smoothly.
Losing weight-cinammon revs up the metabolism.
Mood improvement from just the aroma…helps the body relax/not be stressed.
Naturally reduces insulin resistance, insulin is an important hormone that regulates metabolism and energy.
Outranks all other spices as the top provider of antioxidants which protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
Prevents heart disease..or at least is a great addition to a heart-healthy lifestyle.IMG_6906
Quick remedy to reduce sugar cravings! For reals has been my lifesaver on my “quitting refined sugars and limiting my fruit to 2 per day”
Reduces bad LDL cholesterol while not doing anything to the good cholesterol levels.
Salmonella and listeria bacteria inhibitor….great antibacterial.
Treat respiratory tract infections caused by fungi.
Use Ceylon not Cassia cinnamon..or limit Cassia cinnamon contains high levels of coumarin which is believed to be harmful in large doses.
Vegetables are preserved…cinnamon actually decreases the amount of bacteria that is formed on leftovers.IMG_7590
Women’s hormonal balancing. Lowers the amount of testosterone while increasing the amount of progesterone.
X-terminator of ANTS! Repeals and gets rid of ants. Ants don’t like cinnamon so if you sprinkle their entry points…they won’t find your home as friendly as you.
Yes, cinnamaldehyde, is the main active component of cinnamon, which may help fight various kinds of infections.
Zen enhancer.. through taste or smell…just as a reminder!
 
Organic Ceylon Cinnamon is the best option as there are some possible side effects of other cinnamon “types.”
I really like the fair trade brand Frontier Natural Products Organic Ceylon Cinnamon.
Okay so do you agree with how amazing cinnamon is?? So how to incorporate into your diet….(please note…I realize not all of these are “healthy” items..and most I don’t personally eat..but you do you.)
I use in and on bananas, blueberries, raw cacao brownies, smoothies, soup, steel cut oats, quinoa
Other  coffee, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, tea, toast, tortillas
AND of course tons to amazing actual dish recipes online…any good ones you want to recommend?

Chicken Bone Broth

Chicken Bone Broth….

Chicken bone broth is essentially just some bones and water that heat up in a put for 24 hours to create a broth/stock when you really look at it. But it’s really so much more!! It’s even been coined as a miracle elixir that improves your skin, your gut health, immune system, and a lot more.

Broth can be purchased or you can make yourself at home.(Below are directions on making your own!) If you’re going to purchase it be sure to get it from someone who puts love into it and uses all organic chickens and ingredients. Before I started making it myself I LOVED Soupure’s and Probiotic Boosts’ http://www.probioticboost.com (which I bought from my Studio City Farmers Market)

 

Why Chicken Bone Broths are good for you?

Broth is an exceptional source of minerals and also is understood to improve the immune system and improve digestion. Its high calcium, magnesium, and also phosphorus material make it essential for the bones as well as the teeth.

Broth is also a kidney tonic that directly supports adrenal function, helping us make the shift from surviving to thriving.

 

How is Chicken Bone Broth related to beauty?

If you don’t know about this top beauty secret yet, now you will!
Bone broth is a perfect source for collagen. When you cook down bones, it breaks down the collagen so it comes to be more quickly absorbable.

Real collagen is a good source of stock’s immune-boosting resources. You have actually most likely seen this wiggling layer atop the broth in your cooling roasting pan and didn’t bother about it, but think again! This is actually the part that gives the many bone broth benefits available.

Collagen is the protein located in connective tissue of vertebrate animals. It’s found most particularly in bones, marrow, cartilage material, tendons and also ligaments. Bone broth benefits your skin for the fact that it makes it flexible and it can reduce cellulite! Cellulite originates from a lack of connective tissue. If someone has very smooth skin, it’s because the skin is high in connective cells. The collagen produced from bone broth helps to minimize wrinkles. Consuming collagen-rich bone broth can lower cellulite and tighten your skin, making you look younger and more radiant.

 

What are the other benefits of Bone Broth?

Once you’ve cooked down bones, it produces a nutrient-rich fluid called gelatin. It gives off the following wonderful benefits:

  • Helps individuals when it comes to food allergies and also sensitivities endure those foods, including cow’s milk and gluten.
  • Collagen protects and soothes the lining of the digestive tract and can aid in healing IBS, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis as well as heartburn symptoms.
  • Because gelatin helps damage down healthy proteins as well as calms the gut cellular lining, it may prove valuable for leaking gut disorder and other autoimmune conditions that accompany it.
  • Gelatin supplies bone-building minerals in easily absorbable means, preventing bone loss as well as lowering joint pain and inflammation.

 

What kind of Broth you should be looking for?

Homemade, nutritious thick bone broth is exceptionally very easy and affordable to make. There is no contrast to the store-bought versions which often include MSG or other chemicals, and which do not have gelatin as well as other health-boosting properties of homemade broth.

In choosing the bones for broth, look for first class bones from lawn fed livestocks or bison, pastured fowl, or wild captured fish. Given that you’ll be drawing out the minerals and consuming them in concentrated type, make sure that the animal is healthy.

There are a number of locations to find excellent bones for stock:

  • Conserve leftovers from when you roast organic chicken
  • From a local butcher, preferably one that butchers the whole animal.
  • From local farmers who raise grass-fed chicken

I assume you are now convinced on the healthy and beautiful benefits of regular Bone Broth consumption. So here is a simple Chicken Broth recipe I am happily sharing with you.

Healthy Chicken Bone Broth Recipe

The initial step in making broth is to gather excellent quality bones. As I said, you could discover them from sources listed above or save them when you cook. I eat a chicken a week, and then conserve the carcass by sticking in the freezer until I compile enough bones for making broth. I don’t defrost the chickens for use..just throw them in the pot.

Ingredients for a small batch of Chicken Bone Broth: ( I personally make quadruple this at a time)

  • 2 plus pounds of bones from a healthy organic source + feet & knuckles for more gelatin (Optional)
  • 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Cold filtered water 
  • 1 onion
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 stalks of celery
  • 1 bunch of parsley, 1 tablespoon or more of sea salt, 1 teaspoon peppercorns, rosemary or other spices to taste. (Optional)
  • Large stock pot
  • Strainer to remove the pieces
  • Bowl with lip to strain into and then to pour into storing container
  • Storing containers

IMG_6597stock pot

 

Instructions:

Before preparing to make broth is to gather high quality bones. As I said, you can find them from sources listed above or save them when you cook.

I usually aim for 2 pounds of bones per gallon of water I’m using to make broth. If possible I’ll also add 2 chicken feet per gallon of water.

I also add, per batch, a handful of parsley. Since I make in bulk, I usually use about 4 times the amount of each of these. You can make in any amount, just multiply or divide the recipe up or down.

  1. Place the bones in a large stock pot (I use a 10 gallon pot). Pour (filtered) water over the bones (enough to cover chicken) and add the vinegar. Let sit for an hour in the cold water. (The acid helps make the nutrients in the bones more available.)  
  2. Rough chop and add the vegetables (except the parsley and garlic, if using) as well as additional water to the pot. Add any salt, pepper, spices, or herbs.
  3. Bring to a boil. Once it has reached a vigorous boil, reduce to a simmer and simmer until done.
  4. Simmer chicken broth for 24 hours (sometimes I do longer.)

At some point you’ll need to remove the impurities that float to the surface. A frothy/foamy layer most likely form and it can be easily scooped off with a big spoon and then disposed of. I generally check for it the first 2 hours. Grass-fed and healthy animals will produce much less of this than conventional animals.

  1. During the last hour, add the garlic and parsley.
  2. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Strain into a lipped bowl if you have using a fine metal strainer to remove all the bits of bone and vegetable. It makes it easier to pour into storage bottles or containers.  Once cool store in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for later use. IMG_6628

Storing the Broth?

Bone broth can be saved in the refrigerator for no more than a week. I like to pour into 12 or 16 oz glass bottles so I can easily pour into a pot daily to drink as my mid morning snack as well as into a gallon jug to make some chicken quinoa soup with. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays or resealable freezer bags for upto 6 months.

 

So there you go…

Now that you have the necessary knowledge you have to learn about the amazing benefits of Bone Broth, why not start including it in your regular healthy routine from now on? It’s inexpensive, nutritious, convenient and very delicious as well!  

Warm water with lemon in the am…so simple..so beneficial

Lemons…they’re not just an amazing antibacterial and refreshing smell…they’re SOOOO much more!

Lemons are rich in calcium, potassium, pectin fiber and of course Vitamin C as well as traces of iron and vitamin A. This bright yellow fruit has medicinal, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. What?Nutritional-Facts-lemons

Okay so why lemon and warm water you might ask??? For starters warm water with lemon in the morning on an empty stomach is a feel-good panacea. It is also VERY helpful for those coming off of Tea or Coffee as well as just amazing for everyone else.

  1. Reduces heavy periods (it that’s a concern for you, it’s 1 of the most natural solutions.)
  2. Helps our hormones! 🙂 Harmful estrogens from cleaners, cosmetics, pesticides, and plastics (BPA) can disrupt the delicate balance of our hormones – but not if we start each day off with a tall glass of lemon water!!!
  3. Alkalizing! Lemons once metabolized by the body create an alkaline environment. More alkalinity helps decrease inflammation, boost metabolism, and reduces cravings! YES!!
  4. Detoxifying. Lemons contain Citrate which acts as gentle diuretic to help flush out any toxins in the body as well as helps to purify and stimulate the liver.
  5. Improved digestion. Lemons contain Citrus Flavonoids, a digestive aid that helps to assimilate food, as well as act as a mild appetite suppressant.
  6. Boosts both Immune system as well a MOOD! Anxiety and depression sometimes result from potassium deficiency in the blood. Lemons have a high potassium content which helps with deficiencies as well as  the central nervous system function.
  7. Helps prevent the common cold & increase immune system. Potassium and Vitamin C also help to prevent the common cold, and Vitamin C protects the body against immune system deficiencies.

So what’s your WHY?! To create a habit it’s always good to know the why, that’s what helps your habits stick! That and when things are super easy to do…which drinking warm lemon water is of course!

What you’ll Need:

-1 cup of filtered, purified, or spring water.

Tea kettle or pan to boil water.

-Half of a lemon. (a lemon squeezer is nice as well)

-Mug or glass.

-Knife. (to cut the lemon)

-Straw (to drink water with…so you don’t damage your teeth) GLASS straw is ideal

IMG_5115

How To:

– In the morning, first thing (most beneficial first thing in the morning on an empty stomach)

– Heat filtered, purified, or spring water in tea kettle or sauce pan.

– Cut lemon in half.

– Squeeze half of the lemon into half cup of the warm water.

– Take a deep inhale and enjoy your warm lemon water.

Water Boiling

LemonCutInHalf

LemonWaterPouredtoGlass

Lemon Squeezing into water

 

JENIUS TIP: AFTER you’re done with your lemon you can throw in your garbage disposal and run the water for a nice, clean, refreshing sink/kitchen. I even rub around the lemon in my sink before I throw it in the disposal to clean all the germs..lemon is a great antibacterial! 🙂

Another fun, useful thing you can do with the lemon after is

EGGS! How to Boil Eggs & Their Health Benefits….EASY & Delicious!

Do you want eggs that look like this??

ENJOY your nutritous, delicious egg!

How To Boil Eggs:

  1. Fill sauce pan a little more then half way. (I use my filtered water)
  2. Cover pot and bring to a rapid boil.
  3. Use a large spoon or wooden ladle to gently set your eggs, one at a time into the pot. I usually set up the spoon in the pot and then add one egg after another, without removing the spoon and the eggs just move down and around. Just get them in the pot without cracking them, however you do! 🙂
  4. Set timer for 6 minutes. (after ALL eggs are in…it’s okay to go to 6:30 not to be less then 6:00)IMG_4816
  5. After 6 minutes remove from heat, drain the water, add ice and cold water, if the water quickly becomes hot, drain the water and add more ice. (VERY IMPORTANT to cool IMMEDIATELY or they will still be cooking)
  6. Eggs are perfectly soft boiled with a little bit of runny yolk! mmmm…my favorite!
  7. Enjoy eggs or store them for later. I put my eggs back in the carton and label it appropriately so you know which ones are soft boiled.

 

IMG_4821

Eggs are amongst one of the most nutritious foods and I personally find them delicious.

What Are The Health Benefits Of EGGS???

1. Eggs Are Incredibly Nutritious

A whole egg contains all the nutrients required to turn a single cell into a baby chicken.

A single large boiled egg contains:

  • Vitamin A: 6% of the RDA.
  • Folate: 5% of the RDA.
  • Vitamin B5: 7% of the RDA.
  • Vitamin B12: 9% of the RDA.
  • Vitamin B2: 15% of the RDA.
  • Phosphorus: 9% of the RDA.
  • Selenium: 22% of the RDA.
  • Eggs also contain decent amounts of Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Calcium and Zinc.

This is coming with 77 calories, 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of healthy fats.

Eggs also contain various other trace nutrients that are important for health.

Really… eggs are pretty much the perfect food, they contain a little bit of almost every nutrient we need.

If you can get your hands on pastured or Omega-3 enriched eggs, then these are even better. They have more Omega-3s and are much higher in Vitamin A and E.

Bottom Line: Whole eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet, containing a little bit of almost every nutrient we need. Omega-3 enriched and/or pastured eggs are even healthier.

2. Eggs Are High in Cholesterol, But Don’t Adversely Affect Blood Cholesterol

It is true that eggs are high in cholesterol.

In fact, a single egg contains 212 mg, which is over half of the recommended daily intake of 300 mg.

However… it’s important to keep in mind that cholesterol in the diet doesn’t necessarily raise cholesterol in the blood.

The liver actually produces large amounts of cholesterol every single day. When we eat more eggs, the liver just produces less cholesterol instead, so it evens out .

The response to egg consumption varies between individual:

  • In 70% of people, eggs don’t raise cholesterol at all.
  • In the other 30% (termed “hyper responders”), eggs can mildly raise Total and LDL cholesterol.

However, as I will outline later in the article, the situation is a bit more complicated than that and these changes are actually beneficial.

(Exceptions… people with genetic disorders like familial hypercholesterolemia or a gene type called ApoE4 may want to minimize or avoid eggs.)

Bottom Line: Eggs are high in cholesterol, but eating eggs does not have adverse effects on cholesterol in the blood for the majority of people.

3. Eggs Raise HDL (The “Good”) Cholesterol

HDL stands for High Density Lipoprotein. It is often known as the “good” cholesterol.

People who have higher levels of HDL usually have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke and various health problems

Eating eggs is a great way to increase HDL.

In one study, 2 eggs per day for 6 weeks increased HDL levels by 10% .

Bottom Line: Egg consumption consistently leads to elevated levels of HDL (the “good”) cholesterol, which is linked to a reduced risk of many diseases.

4. Eggs Contain Choline – an Important Nutrient That Most People Don’t Get Enough of

Choline is a nutrient that most people don’t even know exists.

Yet, it is an incredibly important substance and is often grouped with the B vitamins.

Choline is used to build cell membranes and has a role in producing signaling molecules in the brain, along with various other functions.

Dietary surveys have shown that about 90% of people in the U.S. are getting less than the recommended amount of choline.

Whole eggs are an excellent source of choline. A single egg contains more than 100 mg of this very important nutrient.

Bottom Line: Eggs are among the best dietary sources of choline, a nutrient that is incredibly important but most people aren’t getting enough of.

5. Eggs Turn LDL Cholesterol From Small, Dense to Large, Linked to a Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

LDL cholesterol is generally known as the “bad” cholesterol.

It is well known that having high levels of LDL is linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

But what many people don’t realize is that there are subypes of LDL that have to do with the size of the particles.

There are small, dense LDL particles and then there arelarge LDL particles.

Many studies have shown that people who have predominantly small, dense LDL particles have a higher risk of heart disease than people who have mostly large LDL particles.

Even if eggs tend to mildly raise LDL cholesterol in some people, studies show that the particles change from small, dense to large LDL… which is a good thing.

Bottom Line: Egg consumption appears to change the pattern of LDL particles from small, dense LDL (bad) to large LDL, which is linked to a reduced heart disease risk.

6. Eggs Contain Lutein and Zeaxanthin, Antioxidants That Have Major Benefits For Eye Health

One of the consequences of ageing is that eyesight tends to get worse.

There are several nutrients that help counteract some of the degenerative processes that can affect our eyes.

Two of these are called Lutein and Zeaxanthin, powerful antioxidants that tend to build up in the retina of the eye.

Studies show that consuming adequate amounts of these nutrients can significantly reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, two very common eye disorders.

Egg yolks actually contain large amounts of both Lutein and Zeaxanthin.

In one controlled trial, eating just 1.3 egg yolks per day for 4.5 weeks increased blood levels of Lutein by 28-50% and Zeaxanthin by 114-142%.

Eggs are also high in Vitamin A, which deserves another mention here. Vitamin A deficiency is the most common cause of blindness in the world.

Bottom Line: The antioxidants Lutein and Zeaxanthin are very important for eye health and can help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. Eggs are high in both of them.

7. In the Case of Omega-3 or Pastured Eggs, They Lower Triglycerides as Well

Of course, it doesn’t just matter what we eat… it also matters what the foods that we eat, ate.

In this regard, not all eggs are created equal. Their nutrient composition varies depending on how the hens were fed and raised.

Eggs from hens that are raised on pasture and/or fed Omega-3 enriched feeds tend to be much higher in Omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce blood levels of triglycerides, a well known risk factor for heart disease .

Studies show that consuming Omega-3 enriched eggs is a very effective way to reduce triglycerides in the blood. In one of the studies, just 5 omega-3 enriched eggs per week for 3 weeks reduced triglycerides by 16-18%.

Bottom Line: Omega-3 enriched and pastured eggs contain significant amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids. Eating these types of eggs is an effective way to reduce blood triglycerides.

8. Eggs Are High in Quality Protein, With All The Essential Amino Acids in The Right Ratios

Proteins are the main building blocks of the human body.

They’re used to make all sorts of tissues and molecules that serve both structural and functional purposes.

Getting enough protein in the diet is very important and studies show that currently recommended amounts may be too low.

Well… eggs are an excellent source of protein, with a single large egg containing 6 grams.

Eggs contain all the essential amino acids in the right ratios, so our bodies are well equipped to make full use of the protein in them.

Eating adequate protein can help with weight loss increase muscle mass, lower blood pressure and optimize bone health… to name a few

Bottom Line: Eggs are fairly high in quality animal protein and contain all the essential amino acids that humans need.

9. Eggs do NOT Raise Your Risk of Heart Disease and May Reduce The Risk of Stroke

For many decades, eggs have been unfairly demonized.

It has been claimed that because of the cholesterol in them, they must be bad for the heart.

Many studies published in recent years have examined the relationship between egg consumption and the risk of heart disease.

In one review of 17 studies with a total of 263,938 participants, no association was found between egg consumption and heart disease or stroke.

Many other studies have led to the same conclusion.

However… some studies have found that people with diabetes who eat eggs have an increased risk of heart disease.

Whether the eggs are actually causing the increased risk isn’t known, because these types of studies can only show statistical association. They can not prove that eggs caused anything.

It is possible that diabetics who eat eggs are less health conscious, on average.

On a low-carb diet, which is by far the best diet for diabetics, eating eggs leads to improvements in risk factors for heart disease. However, there are lots of other things diabetics can eat so if a diabetic wanted to avoid eggs in their diet, they could quite easily.

Bottom Line: Many studies have looked at egg consumption and the risk of heart disease and found no association. However, some studies have found an increased risk in people with type 2 diabetes.

10. Eggs Are Highly Fulfilling and Tend to Make You Eat Fewer Calories, Helping You to Lose Weight

Eggs are incredibly fulfilling.

They are a high protein food… but protein is by far the most fulfilling macronutrient.

Eggs score high on a scale called the satiety index, which measures the ability of foods to induce feelings of fullness and reduce subsequent calorie intake.

In one study of 30 overweight women, eating eggs instead of bagels for breakfast increased feelings of fullness and made them automatically eat fewer calories for the next 36 hours.

In another study, replacing a bagel breakfast with an egg breakfast caused significant weight loss over a period of 8 weeks.

How Many Eggs Can Safely Be Eaten?

The studies clearly show that eating up to 3 whole eggs per day is perfectly safe.

There is no evidence that going beyond that is harmful, it is just “uncharted territory” as it hasn’t been studied.

Nutrition facts from http://authoritynutrition.com/10-proven-health-benefits-of-eggs/

Delicious, Healthy, AND Easy to Make “Superfood” Raw Cacao Brownies!

Are you ready to make the most delicious raw cacao brownies from scratch in only 10 minutes??

If no, please scroll down and read  the AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS of ALL the ingredients in these Superfood no bake brownies.

If yes then bam here’s the recipe:

Raw Cacao Brownie (Jenius Style) Recipe: (10  minutes-TOTAL)

2 cups of organic walnuts (Because walnuts have a lot of pest issues and as such are saturated with pesticides and                                                       more chemicals than any other nut.  Their fat content allows them to absorb these                                                                 chemicals..so ORGANIC is very important when it comes to buying walnuts.)

1/2 cup of raw cacao power

**1/3 cup of maca***add in

pinch of  real salt

1 cup of de-pitted dates or date paste

(Yes only 4 ingredients unless you add maca and cinnamon..which are both new additions!) **Note you could add some cinnamon as well for some additional health benefits….what ever amount you want..the more you add the more it taste like gingerbread cookie.**

You will also need a food processor..and that’s it!

1. Put 2 cups of walnuts into food processor and grind until fine.

2. Add 1/2 cup of raw cacao powder (maca if adding) & pinch of salt into food processor….30 seconds or until blended. If not blending properly then use a spoon along the side to loosen. (while food processor is OFF of course.)

3. De-pit 1 cup of dates and slowly add them into the food processor..between each addition wait for food processor to “calm down.”

4. Once well mixed remove and shape as desired. I like to make small balls (the size of a whole date.)

5. Eat! Try not to eat all of them…SHARE!!

(6.) If you don’t eat them all, put them in a sealed container and put them in the refrigerator, then when wanting to eat again, remove from refrigerator and sealed container for 1-2 hours. FYI: They’ll never be as good as they were when first created but pretty close!

Health benefits of these easy to make, raw cacao brownies:

Walnuts

1. They’re packed with omega-3 fatty acids. A diet rich in omega-3s is beneficial in reducing depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cancer and Alzheimer’s disease and there’s also strong evidence that omega-3s counter inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease.

2. They can reduce risk of diabetes Women who reported eating one ounce (30 g) of nuts at least five times per week reduced their risk of type 2 diabetes by almost 30 percent compared to those who rarely or never ate nuts, say researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health. The mono- and polyunsaturated fats in nuts are good for insulin sensitivity.

3. They contain antioxidants that boost heart health. A new study from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania shows walnuts have higher quality antioxidants and a mix of more healthful antioxidants than any other nut.

4. They can help you deal with stress. A diet rich in walnuts and walnut oil may help the body deal better with stress. Research published last year in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that walnuts and walnut oil lowered both resting blood pressure and blood pressure responses to stress in the laboratory. The researchers said the study shows that a dietary change could help our bodies better respond to stress.

5. They can reduce the risk of breast cancer. Eating about 28 walnut halves a day provides antioxidants and phytosterols that may help reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to a study at the Marshall University School of Medicine in West Virginia. Mice were fed a daily diet with the human equivalent of two ounces (60 g) of walnuts. Compared to mice fed a control diet, the walnut eaters had significantly decreased breast tumor incidence and a slower rate of tumor growth.

Raw Cacao Powder

1. Raw chocolate can lower blood pressure & improve circulation. Flavanols, theobromine, and other components found in cacao may lower blood pressure and enhance circulation by promoting dilation, strength, and health of blood vessels

2. Raw chocolate can promote cardiovascular function & health. The antioxidant power of flavonoids and essential minerals and vitamins found in cacao can support healthy heart functioning5 by lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, lowering LDL cholesterol, and reducing plaque buildup on artery walls.6

3. Raw chocolate Can Neutralize free radicals/ Shields nerve cells from damage. High levels of antioxidants protect the body from a buildup of free radicals from sun exposure, pollution, cigarette smoking, etc., which may damage healthy body tissue giving rise to cancer and cardiovascular disease. So basically cacao also reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease & stroke.

4. Raw Chocolate can improve digestion. A sufficient amount of fiber delivered with each serving of cacao supports digestion while cacao stimulates the body’s production of digestive enzymes.

5. Raw chocolate can enhance physical and mental well-being. There are many components of cacao including alkaloids, proteins, beta-carotene, leucine, linoleic, lipase, lysine, and theobromine, that all work together to improve physical and mental health.  For example, theombromine helps to stimulate the central nervous system, relax smooth muscles, and dilate blood vessels, giving the body a boost of energy;  “bliss” chemicals found in cacao help to increase circulation and availability of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in brain, improving mood and combating depression. Cacao can increase levels of certain neurotransmitters that promote a sense of well-being, which is the same brain chemical that is released when we experience deep feelings of love – phenylethylamine.

6. Lowers insulin resistance (great for diabetics)

7. Protects your nervous system: Cacao is high in resveratrol, a potent antioxidant also found in red wine, known for its ability to cross your blood-brain barrier to help protect your nervous system

8. Reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease: The antioxidants found in cacao help to maintain healthy levels of Nitric Oxide in the body. Although Nitric Oxide has heart benefiting qualities, such as relaxing blood vessels and reducing blood pressure, it also produces toxins. The antioxidants in cacao neutralizes these toxins, protecting your heart and preventing against disease.

9. Guards against toxins: as a potent antioxidant, cacao can repair the damage caused by free radicals and may reduce the risk of certain cancers. In fact cacao contains far more antioxidants per 100g than acai, goji berries and blueberries. Antioxidants are responsible for 10% of the weight of raw cacao.

10. It is rich in minerals: magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, copper and manganese.

 

Real Salt or himalayan sea salt or any health salt (but NOT table salt)

Real Salt® brand sea salt comes from an ancient sea bed in Central Utah, where for more than 30 years we’ve delivered completely natural sea salt — nothing added, nothing taken away. That means you get more than 60 trace minerals in a delicious, healthy salt that is never chemically treated, bleached, or kiln dried.

Dates

1. Promotes Digestive Health, Relieving Constipation – Fiber is essential for promoting colon health and making for regular bowel movements. The insoluble and soluble fiber found in dates help to clean out the gastrointestinal system, allowing the colon to work at greater levels of efficiency. Some other benefits relating to fiber and colon health are reduced risks of colitis, colon cancer, and hemorrhoids. (Dates could even be coupled with other home remedies for hemorrhoids.)

2. Boosting Heart Health – In addition to promoting colon health, fiber is also known to boost heart health.

3. Anti-Inflammatory – Dates are rich in magnesium – a mineral known for its anti-inflammatory benefits. One study found that “inflammatory indicators in the body such as CRP (C-reactive protein), TNF (tumor necrosis factor alpha), and IL6 (interleukin 6) were all reduced when magnesium intake was increased.” Further, inflammation in the arterial walls was also reduced with magnesium intake. Based on magnesium’s anti-inflammatory properties and the findings of this study, magnesium can effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and other inflammation-related health ailments.

4. Reduced Blood Pressure – Magnesium has been shown to help lower blood pressure – and again, dates are full of the mineral. Additionally, potassium is another mineral in dates that has several functions within the body, aiding with the proper workings of the heart and helping to reduce blood pressure.

5. Reduced Stroke Risk – After evaluating 7 studies published over a 14 year time period, researchers found stroke risk was reduced by 9% for every every 100 milligrams of magnesium a person consumes per day. The research can be found in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

6. A Healthy Pregnancy and Delivery – Further adding to the health benefits of dates, one study performed by researchers at the University of Science and Technology set out to discover how the date fruit impacted labor parameters and delivery outcomes. After studying 69 women for a year and 1 month, the researchers found that “the consumption of date fruit in the last 4 weeks before labour significantly reduced the need for induction and augmentation of labor, and produced a more favorable, but non-significant, delivery outcome. The results warrant a randomized controlled trial.”

7. Boosting Brain Health – Some studies, such as one found in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that sufficient vitamin B6 levels are associated with improved brain performance and better test scores.

Basically these are the best thing ever and good for diabetics, pregnant women, and pretty much everyone! ENJOY!!

Love, US!

Ashley & Jenius

@ashleyiocco & @jeniuslife

@shopashleylove & @jeniushealth

Does Size Matter?

….when it comes to cucumbers??

Well I guess it depends what you’re wanting out of it…the bigger the cucumber the more water it has..so if you’re eating it for hydration then YES! If you’re eating for nutrition then NO but make sure you eat the peel!!! The peel doesn’t have all the nutrients but it has the most.

I also think it’s important to BUY ORGANIC CUCUMBERS..they are a part of the “dirty dozen” which basically means that non organic cucumbers have a high chance of having a lot of pesticides which are harmful to your health.

More info on what other fruits/vegetables you should buy organic. 

Personally I’ve loved cucumbers for many years…I’m usually made fun of in social situations because I just eat a cucumber like it’s an apple..wash it off and bite! So refreshing! So good! If you don’t like cucumbers it’s one of those foods that are worth ‘learning” to like! If at first you don’t love cucumber…try it again, and again, and again…eventually you’ll love them! 🙂 I pretty much do that with all foods that have amazing health benefits. You all learned to like alcohol that way right? I mean who naturally loves alcohol??? YUCK! Obviously cucumbers are WAY better for you!

Here are some of the proven benefits of cucumbers:

Helps digestion. Cucumbers actually have fiber which is great for digestion.

Contains a compound called sterols that help reduce bad cholesterol.

Flushes out toxins. All that water in cucumber acts as a virtual broom, sweeping waste products out of your system. With regular use, cucumber is known to dissolve kidney stones.

Keeps you hydrated. Cucumbers are 96% water!

Reduces your risk of several cancers. Several studies have shown that cucumbers have cancer-fighting properties.

Stabilizes blood pressure. Whether yours is too high or too low.

Cucumber juice helps to heal diseased gums…or just keeps them healthy, refreshed, even smelling good!

Fights heat, both inside and out. Eat cucumber, and your body gets relief from heartburn. Apply cucumber on your skin, and you get relief from sunburn.

Soothes muscle and joint pain. All those vitamins and minerals in cucumber make it a powerful enemy of muscle and joint pain.

Keeps kidneys in shape. Cucumber lowers uric acid levels in your system, keeping the kidneys happy.

Good for diabetics. Patients of diabetes can enjoy cucumber while also reaping its health benefits: cucumber contains a hormone needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin.

Beauty Benefits:

Contains Silica, which is the wonder mineral in cucumber that makes your hair and nails stronger and shinier. YES!

Enriches you with vitamins. A, B, and C, which boost immunity, give you energy, and keeps you radiant.

Supplies skin-friendly minerals: magnesium, potassium, silicon.

Revives the eyes. Placing chilled slices of cucumber on the eyes is a clichéd beauty visual, but it really helps reduce under-eye bags and puffiness.

How I eat my cucumbers:

Like I said up top..raw..just wash and bite! But if that’s not what your into(yet) they are great sliced with greek dill dip(recipe coming soon.)

-in morning smoothie ( I ususally put half a cucumber)

-cut up and added to salads

-cucumber salad (sliced cucumber with squeeze of lemon or apple cider vinager

 

Jenius SUPER Green Smoothie

(1 serving)
 greensmoothie
Organic Cucumber (half) great for the skin! Hydrates & moderate sources of vitamin A, iron, and potassium. Cucumbers also contain sterols, which reduce cholesterol.
+
Organic Banana (half to whole) good source of potassium and vitamin B6 and helps to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems.
+
Organic Turmeric (knuckle) “the worlds healthiest food” high in manganese, iron, vitamin B6, fiber. Is best for anti-inflammation, preventing cancers, improved liver function, pain, much more.
+
Organic Ginger (knuckle) good for SOOO many things you can fill books with all of the things it helps with.
+
Organic Parsley (10+sprigs) rich with chlorophyll, vitamin A, B, C, and K, folate and SO much more!
 parsley
(THIS much)
sometimes
Organic Mint (5-10 leaves)  adds sweet flavor as well as a decongestant  can help relieve indigestion, IBS, and seasonal allergies.
sometimes
Cayenne Pepper (pinch or how much spicy you can handle ::I don’t tolerate spicy well::) helps stimulate blood circulation, purifies the blood, promotes fluid elimination & sweating AKA gets your metabolism rev’d up..helps to eliminate last night’s ‘mistakes.’ *Don’t use if you have irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or are pregnant as it can be irritate your insides.
+
Chia Seeds (1 tbsp) source of calcium, iron, omega-3s good for your brain. They are also a good source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants.
sometimes
Flax Seed Oil (1 tbsp) best vegetable source of essential omega-3 fatty acids, which help lubricate the joints and prevent absorption of toxins by stimulating digestion. *Don’t add if you have acne prone skin*
+
Organic Suja Cucumber Chill or other similar liquid (1/2 to 1 cup) helps to make smoothie more liquid. Be sure not to use a juice with high sugar content.
Organic Good Belly Tropical Green juice (1/2 cup) great added probiotic and adds great flavor.
+
Organic Leafy Greens (2 handfuls) good source of vitamin A & C, chlorophyll and also contain iron, folic acid, calcium, and potassium. Leafy Greens are a known antioxidant and anticancer as well. I buy this 1.5 pound bag of Earthbound Farm Organic Power greens from Costco for $5.00.
earthbound farms organic power greens
I put all of the ingredients in my Vitamix blender with the leafy greens last(on top) so the chia seeds can gel in the liquid.
TIP: Put in all the ingredients and leave in blender for 15 min so the chia seeds can gel and become easier to digest.
ALSO: If you’d like your smoothie colder add 4 or so pieces of ice after you have mixed, then blend until ice is blended.
vitamix
To add additional vitamin C and for those who need a little more sweetness squeeze a quarter of an Organic Lemon in the bottom of your glass and then pour smoothie in.
I love that everyday that I make this smoothie I’ve already eaten equivalent of an entire salad worth of veggies. It really starts me on the right path for my day.
 SO my JENIUS TIP: Personally I make 3-4 smoothies per day by tripling up on most of this… only 2 bananas though..I then bottle them and put them in the fridge for the future day(s.) Saves a lot of time and makes me feel more efficient! ON TOP OF THAT I cut up, prepare additional veggie/herb ingredients in a large baggie so that I can just dump that all in the blender and add the liquid the next time I make. SO basically I only have to get out, wash, cut up, prepare all of this once a week…VERY EFFICIENT! 🙂
Big idea:
One drink a day has incredible transformative power
Incredible new possibilities open up when you get healthy