Happy New Year Pineapple Basil Smoothie

Happy New Year!

A new year often comes with resolutions and commitments in hope of success and joy. Many people want to improve different spheres of life, like our career, finances, health, love life, ect… it is often difficult to know where to begin. We often get overwhelmed and within a few weeks we are back to our old habits, which can be very frustrating.

To start the New Year off on the right foot and move us through this powerful time in our lives I propose instead of making New Years Resolutions, take time to make an inspiration board.

What is an Inspiration Board? Its anything you want it to be! Ha! It is a photo collage that inspires you and drives you to help you reach your goals, to stay focused, organized and makes you happy. It’s a two dimensional art project that YOU create to inspire you to live the best life possible! There are no rules, guidelines or limits. Dream BIG and see what you can do!

I am working on my inspiration board today, will post more about it later!

basil

In the mean time, I offer this recipe for you to protect you from the negative tendencies of the past, to push through to a new level of health and wellbeing. Power packed with enzymes and anti-oxidants its the perfect smoothie to start 2013 off right.

Pineapple Basil

  • 1 cup pineapple
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil
  • 1Tbs green powder
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups almond milk or tea

Place all ingredients in blender and blend! Enjoy your delicious and pleasantly power packed smoothie!

pineapple plant

Basil is an amazing herb that protects cell structures as well as our chromosomes from radiation and oxygen damage. Basil also helps the body get rid of unwanted bacterial growth and has many other positive benefits for the body.

  • Anti-Inflammatory – helps relieve inflammatory health problems related to rheumatoid arthritis & inflammatory bowel conditions.
  • Anti-Bacterial – helps to provide protection against unwanted bacterial growth.
  • Nutrients Essential for Cardiovascular Health – Basil is a very good source of vitamin A that helps protect cells from free radical damage and helps prevent free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol in the bloodstream. (Only after it has been oxidized does cholesterol build up on the walls of the blood vessels, initiating the development of atherosclerosis, whose end result can be heart attack or stroke.)
  • Basil is a Good Source of Magnesium – which promotes cardiovascular health by prompting muscles and blood vessels to relax, and therefore improving blood flow and lessening the risk of irregular heart rhythms.
  • Good Source of Vitamin C, Iron, Potassium and Calcium.

Pineapple has many amazing benefits as well:

  • Anti-Inflammatory – Bromelain is a proteolitic enzyme (an enzyme that digests proteins) found in fresh pineapple. It is often used to treat muscle injuries and when applied topically it helps speed up wound healing.
  • Digestive Benefits – Bromelain enhances the effects of the digestive enzymes and helps prevent heartburn and ease diarrhea that may be caused by a deficiency of digestive enzymes.
  • Anti-Aging – Bromelain is a natural anticoagulant that works by breaking down the blood-clotting protein fibrin.
  • Improve Immune Function – Bromelain triggers beneficial changes in white blood cells, thinning mucus and is therefore effective in treating chronic bronchitis and asthma. Bromelain also enhances the effect of antibiotics (see basil above).
  • Protects Against Macular Degeneration – Everyone has heard that carrots are good for your eyes? Well, pineapple is even better!

Here is to a healthy and happy New Year!

In love and light,

Michelle

Raw Pasta with Tapenade

Raw Pasta with Tapenade

Rawsta with Tapenade & Rawmesan is the best! Its so delicious most people don’t even realize they are eating raw and nourishing their bodies with optimum nutrition!

To make Rawsta:
Spiralize or julienne 3 or 4 medium zucchini.
If you would like you could make it the consistency of cooked pasta by adding a touch of olive oil and salt.

Rawsta

Marinara:
  • 1/2 cup strawberries
  • 2 cups tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tsp. ginger
  • 2 Tbsp. garlic
  • 1 tsp. jalapeno pepper
  • 1/3 cup basil
  • 1/3 cup red bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup oregano, fresh chopped
  • 1/4 cup nama shoyu
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 green olives
  • 1/4 cup red wine
  • 1/4 cup shallots
  • 2-4 dates, soaked
Place in food processor, blend until you reach desired consistency.
Tapenade: Chop up Olives, Red peppers & Mushrooms. Marinate in tamari & olive brine… serve on Rawsta or crackers…. its such a good savory topping!
Rawmesan: Nutritional yeast, ground up sunflower seeds, and herbs and salt to taste.
Garnish Rawsata with oregano or parsley and serve!
Rawsta with Tapenade Enjoy this day & this recipe!
Love,
Michelle

White Balsamic – Pear Dressing

Here is a great salad dressing recipe for the holidays…..
The gentle, smooth and well-balanced flavor of the white balsamic vinegar is perfect to be used with the light sweetness of the pear.

In ancient Greece, pears were used to treat nausea.

Today, pears can be useful in treating inflammation and lowering high blood pressure.

Pears are a good source of fiber and a good source of vitamin C.
White Balsamic-Pear Dressing
1/2 Pear — seeds removed — skin left on
1/2 cup white balsamic dressing
1/3 cup Hemp oil or Flax oil (or any oil that can go into the fridge without hardening)
1/4 cup organic apple juice
2 Tbs apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sole or a dash himalayan or celtic salt to taste
Blend together and enjoy on to of your favorite bed of greens! I like to add a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg for some extra warmth.
Remember, there are no mistakes, only lessons. Love yourself, trust your choices, and everything is possible.
~Cherie-Carter Scotts
Have a beautiful day!
Love,
Michelle