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10 Amazing Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

May 29, 2014 by Barbara Dolan Leave a Comment

I love the taste of coconut oil!  I could eat it by the spoonful, that’s how much I like it, but I know, everything in moderation.  I am thrilled that it is has some great health benefits and I want to share them with you.

coconut

Remember to look for Organic, unrefined, virgin coconut oil, even if you are only using it topically.  Our skin is a major organ and easily absorbs toxins from pesticides.  The brand that I use and recommend to my customers is Maison Orphee.

coconut oil

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5 Ways to Improve Your Brain Power

May 21, 2014 by Barbara Dolan Leave a Comment

After my recent concussion,  I am now especially interested in my brain and giving it extra special care to bring it back to its normal, healthy state.  Perhaps you have suffered a brain injury, or Alzheimers is a reality in your world or you feel your memory playing tricks on you or you just want to get through your exams with ease. I know that you will take something away from this information that will help you.

There are many ways to improve your brain power.  You can do a lot of research and find a lot of information.  I know.  I have done a lot of research.  For now, I will focus on your diet and things that you can easily add to take care of your noggin’.

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Juicing Versus Blending

May 14, 2014 by Barbara Dolan Leave a Comment

Fresh Vegetable Juice

Fresh Vegetable Juice

I am often asked ‘Why do I want to juice?  Why can’t I just make smoothies?’  So I thought that I would share with you what I know about this.

Don’t get me wrong, juicing is great and blending is great.  You just may want to know the difference so that you can get the most benefit, when you need it.

Juicing

When you juice fresh fruits and vegetables, you, essentially, squeeze the liquid out of the produce and separate it from the pulp (the fibrous part).  You only drink the juice and usually you can use the pulp for other recipes.

The great thing about drinking the pure juice is that your body does not have to work to digest it.  The juice goes straight to the blood stream and all the nutrients are quickly absorbed there.  You could say that it is a liquid supplement!  Juicing breaks down the ‘box’ that some minerals are kept in and allows our body to get at it easier.  Fresh juice is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and oxygen.   It is so wonderfully hydrating for your body as well, especially when you juice greens and sprouts.  Juicing helps our body easily get rid of toxins and other wastes.  A terrific way to start the day or enjoy a ‘pick me up’ or even end the day!

Blending

When you blend fruits and vegetables in a high speed blender, you get a nice smooth consistency and keep all of the fiber intact.  This is beneficial for easy bowel movements.  It is quick to prepare smoothies and for people who have difficulty chewing whole foods this would make eating them much easier.

For some people, juicing takes more time.  The clean up is the issue.  For me, juicing is more beneficial and it is worth it for me to juice and take the time to clean up.  When I drink a glass of green juice, I actually feel my body soaking it up.  It is incredible.

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Simple Raw Pasta with Pesto

May 10, 2014 by Barbara Dolan Leave a Comment

My lunch today was super simple and super delicious!

Simple Pasta with Pesto
I decided on raw pasta with pesto.  Very few ingredients are needed and this can be made in 10 minutes!  So simple!  So delicious! So healthy!  I like it!
Gluten-free?  Yes indeed!

Ingredients:

Choose organic wherever possible.

For the pesto:
2 cloves Garlic or more to taste or none
1 bunch Cilantro
½ cup Hemp seeds
½ Lemon, squeezed
½ tsp Sea salt
Water as needed
Olive oil as desired

1 zucchini (courgette)
Handful of grape tomatoes, sliced
Several raw olives

Procedure:

In a food processor, buzz the garlic into small pieces

  • Add cilantro, lemon and sea salt; buzz into small pieces
  • Add water and olive oil to desired consistency
  • Use a special tool to turn the zucchini into pasta (a spiralizer is a great tool-easy to find online- I bought a spirelli ) or use your potato peeler or julienne slicer to make thin slices and then cut those into strips.
  • Toss the zucchini with your desired amount of pesto, add the grape tomatoes and the olives.

Adventurous Variations:
-use parsley or basil instead of cilantro
-use soaked pumpkin seeds instead of hemp
-zucchini can easily be replaced with yams or carrots
-toss with other vegetables that you like, such as spinach, red onion, small pieces of broccoli, etc.

Thanks for reading!  If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe and join me on Facebook.

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Simple Raw Pasta with Pesto
Author: Barbara Dolan
Recipe type: Pasta
Cuisine: Raw Vegan
Prep time:  15 mins
Total time:  15 mins
Serves: Serves 1
 
Choose organic wherever possible.
Ingredients
  • 2 cloves Garlic or more to taste or none
  • 1 bunch Cilantro
  • ½ cup Hemp seeds
  • ½ Lemon, squeezed
  • ½ tsp Sea salt
  • Water as needed
  • Olive oil as desired
  • 1 zucchini (courgette)
  • Handful of grape tomatoes, sliced
  • Several raw olives
Instructions
  1. In a food processor, buzz the garlic into small pieces
  2. Add cilantro, lemon and sea salt; buzz into small pieces
  3. Add water and olive oil to desired consistency
  4. Use a special tool to turn the zucchini into pasta (a spiralizer is a great tool-easy to find online- I bought a spirelli ) or use your potato peeler or julienne slicer to make thin slices and then cut those into strips.
  5. Toss the zucchini with your desired amount of pesto, add the grape tomatoes and the olives.
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Morning Elixir

May 7, 2014 by Barbara Dolan Leave a Comment

lamai

I woke up this morning with a scratchy throat and a runny nose.  Not fun!  When this happens, I reach for my go-to morning elixir.  Super easy and excellent results!

Take the largest glass that you have and add the following:

  • juice from 1 or 2 organic lemons
  • cold water (fill to half)
  • boiled water that has cooled a little (fill the remaining half)
  • 1 teaspoon unpasteurized honey
  • 1 teaspoon Vitamin C crystals (1000mg), optional

Drink this fairly quickly, while it is still warm.  Drink another glass of warm water soon after.

I usually start to feel quite warm and often I start to sweat.  I get back in to bed and stay as warm as possible for about 30 minutes…or more, if you can.  At this point, I feel much, much better and continue with my day.

Of course, I ensure that I am drinking a lot of water, eating mostly fresh fruits and vegetables the rest of the day.  I will often repeat this drink later in the day.

Thanks for reading!  If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe and join me on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Chocolate Green Delight

May 6, 2014 by Barbara Dolan Leave a Comment

020-375x5001CHOCOLATE GREEN DELIGHT

Ingredients:
1 large mango
Several handfuls of fresh spinach or kale
2T raw cacao powder
1 tsp chia seeds or ground flax seeds(optional)
water as needed or fresh almond mylk

Procedure:

  •  In a blender, place items in order; mango, cacao, chia (if  using), and spinach
  •  Blend until smooth, adding water as needed or fresh almond  mylk
  •  Serve immediately
  •  Serves 1

Adventurous Variations:
-use pineapple instead of mango
-add fresh blueberries or raspberries
-add ½ tsp vanilla
-add 1 tsp maca powder
-add your favourite protein powder

Thanks for reading!  If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe and join me on Facebook and Twitter.

Print
Chocolate Green Delight
Author: Barbara Dolan
Recipe type: Drinks
Cuisine: Vegan
Prep time:  5 mins
Total time:  5 mins
Serves: 1 serving
 
CHOCOLATE GREEN DELIGHT
Ingredients
  • 1 large mango
  • Several handfuls of fresh spinach or kale
  • 2T raw cacao powder
  • 1 tsp chia seeds or ground flax seeds(optional)
  • water as needed or fresh almond mylk
Instructions
  1. In a blender, place items in order; mango, cacao, chia (if  using), and spinach
  2. Blend until smooth, adding water as needed or fresh almond  mylk
  3. Serve immediately
  4. Serves 1
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The Powers of Sea Vegetables

May 1, 2014 by Barbara Dolan Leave a Comment

seaveggiesFor thousands of years, the  powers of sea vegetables have been used for happier and longer lives by prolonging life, preventing disease and granting beauty and health.  An excellent source for food and medicine, sea vegetables contain 10-20 times more minerals than land plants as well as plenty of vitamins that are important for our metabolism.  Some even remove radioactive and toxic metal wastes from our bodies.

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