Coo-Coo for Coconuts!

Meet your new best friend… The coconut! This friendly nut has nothing but goodness in store for you and your body. Let me start you off with a few fabulous facts on what coconut can do for you to get you interested in this rich, buttery, tropical oil that can change your health:

• · They improve digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and amino acids.
• · They are valuable to the immune system as they contain healthy antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial saturated fatty acids, helping to naturally fight off viruses, bacteria, and fungal overgrowth (more about this below).
• · They improve the utilization of blood sugar and can lessen the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
• · They improve the absorption of the right kinds of calcium and magnesium ions.
• · They consist of 90+ percent raw saturated fat – a rare and important building block of every cell in the human body. Unlike long-chain saturated animal fats (that have been associated with creating poor health), the saturated fat in coconut oil is in the form of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). MCFAs support the immune system, the thyroid gland, the nervous system, the skin, and provide fast energy.
• · They contain powerful antioxidants in the form of raw saturated fats and oils. Coconut oil contains the most lauric acid (a powerful antiviral substance) of any plant source (the closest second is palm kernel oil).
• · They help the body use the essential fatty acids (omega-3, omega-6) and other fatty acids and phospholipids (e.g. choline, lecithin, etc.) more efficiently (coconut oil and omega-3 fatty acids are twice as effective when taken simultaneously).
• · They help regulate and support healthy hormone production.
• · They are a nutritional precursor to the anti-aging hormone compound known as pregnenolone.
• · They increase the speed of the thyroid, thus allowing the body to drop excess weight and accumulated toxins. Contrary to some previously held beliefs, coconut cannot be stored in the body as fat; it actually needs to be burned up on the spot, which helps fire up our excess fat-burning metabolism instantly!!!
• · They help displace toxic hydrogenated trans-fatty acids (e.g., partially hydrogenated soybean oil).
• · They restore natural saturated fat levels to the skin, subcutaneous fat layers, and to the individual cell membranes. The saturated fats in coconut products are also vital for the health of growing nervous systems in children… so eat up pregnant/breastfeeding Mama’s!).
• · They increase metabolism and help with weight loss due to the presence of medium-chain saturated fatty acids. Farm animals fed coconuts and coconut oil never become obese. When fed partially hydrogenated soybean oil and other rancid fats, the animals gain weight rapidly.
• · They contain no appreciable levels of cholesterol and actually support cardiovascular health.
• · They support healthy cholesterol formation in the liver. This high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the kind of cholesterol we want and that is essential to healthy hormone production.

Interested in my friendly little nut yet? You should be! And all these benefits above are just from coconut oil! I’m not going to get into coconut water in this blog, but let me give you a couple of highlights from the benefits of coconut water here:

• · An excellent nutrition source for infants.
• · Great for rehydration.
• · Contains organic compounds possessing growth-promoting properties- coconut is excellent for improving muscle size and general physical growth in children.
• · Helps to calm urinary tract infections (struggling with these in your pregnancy?)
• · Effective in helping to alleviate the pain of kidney and urethral stones. Coconut water helps to fight nanobacteria and the production of bad calcium in the kidneys.
• · Used as blood plasma substitute because it is sterile, does not produce heat, does not destroy red blood cells, and is readily accepted by the body.

So how does this all work? Well the part I’m super interested is the effects against all kinds of viruses and bacteria for our immune system. The part of coconut oil mainly responsible for this is Lauric Acid. According to Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D. in his book, The Coconut Oil Miracle (I highly recommend this read! It is responsible for most of the info in this blog) our bodies convert the coconut oil into a form that is “deadly to troublesome microbes yet remains harmless to us.” He goes on to explain that the triglycerides in coconut oil are nothing more than three fatty acids hooked together to a glycerol molecule. When we ingest the oil, the triglycerides break apart into diglycerides, monoglycerides, and free fatty acids. It is the monoglycerides and free fatty acids that have the antimicrobial properties. The most active being lauric acid and capric acid and their monoglycerides –monolaurin and monocaprin., The monoglycerides and free fatty acids are active, and the diglycerides and triglycerides are inactive. The antimicrobial properties of coconut oil (which consists of tryglercides), therefore, become active ONLY when ingested or otherwise converted into free fatty acids or monoglycerides. Lauric acid is amazing! “When coconut oil is consumed, the body makes the disease fighting monolaurin, the monoglyceride of lauric acid. Kabara and co-workers have shown as early as 1966 that lipophilic compounds had an adverse effect on lipid coated viruses. Later it was found that simple lipids could inactivate bacteria, yeast, fungi and enveloped viruses by disrupting the lipid membranes of the organisms. The antimicrobial effects of added and endogenous fatty acids and monoglycerides are additive and total concentration is critical for inactivating viruses. Among the saturated fatty acids, lauric acid has the maximum antiviral activity.

Kabara, although a professor emeritus from Michigan State University, continues to promote the practical aspects and the potential benefit of nutritional support regimen for individuals infected with genital herpes and other herpetic viral problems using medium chain lipids.”[i]

Here are some examples of lipid-coated microorganisms that lauric acid is effective at fighting off (according to Fife; Note –It is not suggested that lauric acid alone will “cure” any of these diseases):

Lipid-Coated Viruses:

• · HIV
• · Measles virus
• · Herbpes simplex virus
• · Herpes viridae
• · Sarcoma virus
• · Syncytial virus
• · Human lymphotropic virus (Type 1)
• · Vesicular stomatitius virus (VSV)
• · Visna virus
• · Cytomegalovirus
• · Epstein-Barr virus
• · Influenza virus
• · Leukemia virus
• · Pneumonovirus
• · Hepatisis C virus

Lipid-Coated Bacteria:

• · Listeria monocytogenes
• · Helicobacter pylori
• · Hemophilus influenza
• · Chlamydia pneumonia
• · Staphylococcus aureus
• · Streptococcus agalactiae
• · Groups A, B, F, and G streptococci
• · Gram-posistve organisms
• · Gram-negative organisms (if pretreated with chelator)

(These bacteria are responsible for such illnesses such as stomach ulcers, throat infections, pneumonia, sinusitis, earache, rheumatic fever, dental cavities, food poisoning, UTI’s, TSS, ringworm, Candida, thrush and giardiasis.)

Now you Mom’s must be wondering why I am fixated on coconut as it pertains to us… well, we all know about how important breastfeeding is, so let me share with you one of the components of breast milk that is so crucial for our little ones!
The fatty acids that make coconut oil so effective against germs are the same ones nature has put into breast milk to protect children. Human breast milk (and the milk of other mammals) all contain small amounts of MCFAs (medium-chain fatty acids). These MCFAs are what protect the newborn baby from harmful germs at his/hers most vulnerable time in life –just after birth, while their immune systems are still developing. This is exactly why (if you look at the ingredients list of your infant formula, if you use it) these MCFAs are added to infant formula. Unfortunately most brands add a substitute, not actual coconut oil. They ad MCT oil which is more cost effective for them, and although it is not as good as coconut oil, it is still okay. MCT oil contains about 75% caprylic acid and 25% capric acid, with little or no lauric acid, which we know to be the most important antimicrobial MCFA. As a mother, if you consume coconut oil, you will have even more MCFAs in your milk to help add protection and nourish your baby even better. MCFA’s not only help infants with the absorption of much needed fats, but it increases their ability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins, minerals and protein.
The most important component once again is lauric acid. This is the primary saturated fatty acid found in coconut oil as well as breast milk. Lauric acid is the most abundant MCFA found naturally in mother’s milk, so if you are breast feeding, baby is getting plenty. The ration of lauric acid to other MCFAs in coconut is closest to that in mother’s milk than any other source. Our bodies naturally do not produce a large amount of MCFAs. However, if you begin to add MCFAs to your diet, you will consequently begin producing breast milk richer in MCFAs as well. “When nursing mother’s eat coconut products (shredded coconut, coconut milk, coconut oil, etc.) the levels of MCFAs in their milk increase significantly. For instance, eating 40 grams (3 Tbsp) of coconut oil in one meal can temporarily increase the lauric acid in the milk of a nursing mother from 3.9% to 9.6% after 14 hours. The content of caprylic and capric acids is also increased. If the mother consumes coconut oil every day while nursing, the MCFA content will be even greater.”

Ladies, this is why I am so strongly advocating the consumption of coconut oil!!! I personally consume anywhere between 3-6 Tbsp per day. In addition I drink coconut oil, eat lots coconut in my superfood snacks, and my favorite “take-out” is Thai food, because I can order coconut curry dishes with vegetables. There are so many great ways to ingest coconut, but don’t get carried away and think that by ordering a case of Almond Joy’s from Costco is going to do the trick. Get organic, raw, coconut oil and consume that (www.sunfood.com; www.nutsonline.com; www.ultimatesuperfoods.com) and use organic, unsweetened shredded coconut in all your recipes. Buy organic, raw coconut milk (when possible) and purchase pure, unsweetened coconut water. These products are a sure-fire way to get the right kind of MCFAs into your diet. I use only coconut oil in all of my cooking and baking. I use it as a spread on my gf toast (when I am eating grains) instead of butter, with a little bit of raw honey. I put it into my smoothies, and warm beverages. If the day is closing and I realize I haven’t had enough, I just take a tablespoon of it. Either way, I get it in, and you can too.
Coconut oil is not only safe for us it is safe enough for a newborn baby. It is so complex that it can kill off all kinds of bacteria, microbes, viruses and germs, yet is gentle enough for the newborn digestive system. How amazing!
Nature made MCFAs to nourish and protect us against infections illnesses. Coconut oil is much better than riddling our bodies with synthetic drugs that come with so many negative side effects and toxins, right? Coconut oil is nature’s own antimicrobial weapon. Regularly ingesting coconut oil will greatly reduce your chances of being infected with so many illnesses and diseases. What a simple thing we can do for our bodies and our babies.
If you are not a pregnant or breastfeeding Mom, you still need coconut products! Men, women, children, we all need to up our intake. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, start now with the coconut products. The kind of fats you consume and store in your body now are the same ones that will be used later in the making of your breast milk. These stored fats along with whatever fats you consume daily are what will be used to nourish your baby. “If you ingest plenty of MCFAs, especially lauric acid and capric acid (coconut products), your milk will be at its maximum nourishment level for your baby. You can have as much as 18% of the saturated fatty acids in your milk in the form of lauric and capric acids” if you do so. Mothers who do not ingest these MFCAs will only produce approximately 3% lauric acid and 1% capric acid.

If you are struggling with weight loss postpartum, then coconut oil is your ticket out. Farmers began feeding their livestock coconut oil at one point to promote fast weight gain for economical purposes. But what they discovered is that the livestock began losing weight while maintaining muscle mass! What?! Yes! The farmers found that “the high polyunsaturated oil content of corn and soybean quickly did what the coconut oil couldn’t. Animals fed corn and soybeans packed on the pounds quickly and easily. The reason these oils worked so well is that their oils suppressed thyroid function, decreasing the animals’ metabolic rate (soybeans are particularly bad because of the goitrogens [antithyroid chemicals] they contain). They could east less food and gain more weight. How awful! Many people are in a similar situation. Every time we eat polyunsaturated oils (soybean and other vegetable oils), our thyroid gland is assaulted and loses its ability to function normally. Weight gain is the unhappy consequence.” Coconut oil is amazing because the instant your body digests it is used to produce energy and stimulate your metabolism vs. sabotaging it. Many athletes therefore use coconut oil to enhance their performance. The thermogenic effect of coconut oil doesn’t last a mere hour or two after ingesting it, studies show that after eating a single meal containing these MCFAs, metabolism remains elevated for at leaset 24 hours! During this time you will have a higher energy level and will be burning calories at an accelerated rate. I could go on and on here, or you could just buy the books… I’ve already had to edit this blog down significantly, ha! Either way, who doesn’t want all of these amazing benefits from this seemingly unreal nut?!

Scientists are jumping all over coconut oil in their research against these diseases, weight loss and more, and you should be too! There is nothing but goodness in store for you in adding coconut oil to your daily diet. Prevention is always the best medicine, and coconut oil can certainly help prevent so many illnesses, promote healthy weight, and optimally nourish our infants and more. I don’t have enough room to get into all the details of coconut oil and its beneficial properties here, but I am available for questions if you have them, feel free to email me. Also, I would strongly encourage you to read David Wolfe’s book, Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future, Bruce Fife, N.D.’s book, The Coconut Oil Miracle, and the report on coconut oil published by Dr. Kabara, for more information on this amazing little nut. That is where I have gleaned most of my knowledge which I have regurgitated in small part here for you.

Namaste,

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[i] HEALTH OILS FROM THE TREE OF LIFE (NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH ASPECTS OF COCONUT OIL) By Jon J. Kabara, Ph.D.

Other sources for blog information:
The Coconut Oil Miracle, by Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D.
Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future, by David Wolfe

Recipes: Super {food} Peppermint Mocha

Starbucks hasn't got a thing on this delicious, so incredibly good for you steaming hot drink. Perfect for a morning accompaniment to your newspaper reading or email checking, or a warm drink to make your latest read even better.

Aside from tasting amazing, this warm chocolaty beverage will help you focus, reduce your appetite cravings, calm your growling stomach, curb your sweet tooth, fill you up and help you lose weight (the coconut oil & cacao!!!) "HA!" you must be thinking, but oh no, I assure... would I drink it otherwise? Come on now ;)

I created this recipe specifically because the holiday season is upon us, I am craving my traditional Starbucks Holiday Latte's, and just don't want to make room for that kind of sugar calorie in my diet, nor do I want to risk lowering my immune system while breastfeeding. So here you go. Taste and see that the drink is good!

12 oz Silk (or other brand) Almond Milk (I use original flavor, but its up to you)

3 Tbsp (rounded) Organic Raw Cacao Powder

2 Tbsp Grade B Maple Syrup (you must use grade B for the nutrients, the other is just sugar with no benefits)

1-6 drops of Stevia (I love the dark chocolate flavor of stevia for this OR the pepermint flavor! Note: I use the stevia if I need it sweeter -I usually do, but don't want to add more calories from the maple syrup, so I just sub stevia drop by drop until I'm happy with the sweetness)

1 tsp Organic, Gluten-Free Peppermint extract

1 heaping Tbsp. Raw Organic Coconut Oil

Heat the almond milk on the stove in a saucepan until you reach desired heat. Try to avoid boiling. Remove from heat. In your mug, mix the raw cacao powder with the grade B maple syrup until a chocolate syrup consistency. Add in the stevia drops and the coconut oil. The coconut oil will probably be solid, don't worry about mixing it together with the chocolate syrup.

Add the heated almond milk to your mug with other ingredients, mix until all ingredients are dissolved, including coconut oil. Avoid reheating if possible.

***Note: If you want to turn this into a genuine mocha beverage, which I commonly do in the wee small hours of the morning ;) then simply add 6 oz coffee to 6 oz almond milk, or 8-10 oz off coffee and less almond milk depending on your preference; and there you have it. If you are not a coffee person, this is also delicious with caffeine free peppermint tea, or a plain black tea like Tazo.

Please try and make ALL the coffee/tea you drink organic (and fair trade!!!). Organic coffee isn't treated with the same awful pesticides that regular coffee is. Those pesticides are extremely hard on your body's organs of detoxification; your skin, liver, kidney, etc.

Enjoy!

Namaste,

Recipe: Decadent Chocolate Layered Nut Bars

So there I was craving a decadent desert the other night... and since I am on my 100% grain free kick (usually just gluten free, and I'll eat corn, rice and quinoa, but I've eliminated those for 30 days) I had to come up with something delicious that would make me forget about the big fat gluten free cupcakes I wanted.

This is how the process works girls! You have to think of the ingredients you want, and find substitutes and stay within your range of eating style. Especially if you have dietary restrictions like I do, or are simply trying to lose that baby weight, keep from putting on the baby weight, or just want something you can devour without feeling guilty about it. =)

I was craving the flavors of chocolate, nuts and coconut. So here is what I came up with; mix, press, refrigerate, and enjoy!

1 Cup Organic Raw Cashews

1/2 Cup Organic Raw Almonds, slivered

1 Cup Organic Raw Coconut, shredded

1 Cup Organic Dates, chopped

2 Tbsp Organic Raw Coconut Oil

1 Tbsp Organic Raw Honey

1/4-1/2 tsp Sea Salt

1 tsp Organic, Gluten Free Vanilla (or inside of 2 vanilla beans)

1 Heaping Scoop Raw Maca Powder

Chop ingredients in food processor (depending on size of food processor you may have to do it in two batches).

Spoon nut mixture into an 8x8 or 9x9 pan or glass baking dish greased with 1 tsp. raw coconut oil. Using a piece of parchment paper (or wax paper works too) press mixture firmly into the pan, pressing on the top and edges with the palm of your hand until solid. Set aside.

Using a double broiler (a glass bowl on top of a sauce pan with a cup or two of boiling water works), slowly melt approximately 1 1/2 - 2 cups organic raw cacao butter. You will need to shave the block of cacao butter so that it melts quicker and doesn't over-heat, losing it's raw properties.

Slowly stir in:

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. stevia powder

1 Scoop (approx. 1 heaping tbsp) either Lacuma or Mesquite powder

3-4 Heaping Tbsp. of Raw Cacao Powder

I always have to play around a bit with the amounts of cacao and sweetener... Add the sweetener and cacao powder to your liking, there is no "wrong" with raw chocolate, unless it tastes awful, ha ha. But just keep playing around with your sweeteners! Sometimes I like to add a dash of cayenne pepper or cinnamon!

As soon as all the ingredients are mixed thoroughly and clumps are dissolved, remove from heat (as quickly as possible) and set aside. Allow to cool for about 3-5 minutes.

Pour chocolate evenly over the pressed nut mixture. Place in refrigerator and allow to cool for 45-90 minutes.

Some tasty twists include spreading Nutella on top of the cooled bars (if you have no milk allergies and aren't avoiding sugar) or sprinkling shredded coconut on top of the cacao prior to cooling. Both are fun and yummy, and the bars 'naked' are my fav. =)

Enjoy your raw, gluten free, superfood packed sweet treat with zero guilt, and share with family and friends to really impress ;)

Namaste,

Recipe: Grain Free Granola Squares

These super chewy goodies will keep you full and satisfied while on the go, during a road trip, or a handy grab 'n nosh for the diaper bag. My husband loves them, and they don't stay in the fridge for long! I can't seem to keep them stock!

(Use organic whenever possible!)

1/2 Cup Raw Cashews

1/2 Cup Raw Almonds

1 Cup Dried Apricots, chopped

1 Cup Dates, chopped

1/4 Cup Chia Seeds

2 Scoops Raw Maca Powder

1 Tbsp. Raw Honey

2 tsp. Gluten Free Vanilla

1/2 Cup Raw Coconut, shredded

1/4 Cup Raw Sesame Seeds

1/2 Cup of dried Currants, dried Blueberries, or dried Cherries

2 Tbsp. Raw Coconut Oil

1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a food processor, possibly in 2 batches. Place mixture on a large piece of parchment paper, oil a rolling pin with raw coconut oil, and roll 'dough' out to about a 1/2 inch or so.

Cut bars into the size of square or rectangle that you desire, place in container and refrigerate. Mmmm!

Namaste,

Keeping It Together On The Road

So how do you keep up with your healthy diet and lifestyle when you are traveling with tots? It isn’t easy, so I’m not going to sell you on the idea that it will be, but it IS possible!

Our little family just got back from a wonderful 9 days on the road in the beautiful state of Washington. We've traveled with Mia twice before, but those were just weekend trips. This was going to be a true test to my new mommy skills and determination to keep myself feeling energized, healthy and fit while traveling. Mia is getting so big, and starting to be very busy, so I knew this was going to be a challenge!

We had to do a ‘meet the baby tour’ for all of my husband’s family and some of my own. Landing in Seattle, we rented a car and drove to Aberdeen, where we spent a few days with Steve’s grandparents, brother and sister –in-law and Mia’s cousin Fritz, who is 2 months older than Mia. Aberdeen certainly isn’t a Mecca for healthy lifestyle with gym’s on every block and a local Whole Foods or yoga studio, but if you can keep it up in Aberdeen, you can keep it up anywhere, let me tell you.

Step 1: You let your kindest host/hostess know about your “special dietary needs” meaning, you don’t eat…. (fill in the blanks). For me, I am gluten intolerant, and eat primarily “raw”, so when they asked what to have in the house, I offered a few simple suggestions such as any fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as raw almonds. They asked if I ate any meat or anything similar, and I let them know that I occasionally eat eggs, and fish. These are simple things that anyone has access to, and if they are in the house you are staying at, you can maintain your healthy diet in that environment. If you are on the road and are eating out, this is even easier! It may not feel easier, but it is. First of all you MUST make your own snacks to bring on the road. This is non-optional ladies. Even if it takes you a WEEK to slowly make the snacks and keep them in the fridge so that you have enough to last your trip, you must do this. What you need to buy you can buy, but nothing can replace the homemade treats you will bring for yourself. These will tide you over in between meals, and help you fill up prior to meals so if you are eating at your favorite restaurant in Seattle (or San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago, New York City or Atlanta), you won’t completely fall off the wagon. Decide at the beginning of your trip what your 3 biggest indulgences will be. These can be treats from your favorite restaurants, wine from your favorite vineyards, ice cream from your favorite seaside shop, or that ooey-gooey yummy pizza place (pre-gluten free, my fav spot was Blondies in San Francisco). Those are going to be your premeditated indulgences. Other than that, you are going to do your best to stick to your snacks, your healthy meals along the way, and your daily exercise routines. I love Bethenny Frankel, and one of her sayings that I’ve adopted is, “Taste everything, eat nothing.” Meaning, have a taste of anything and everything you want but don’t eat the whole thing… if you absolutely cannot ignore those perfectly seasoned, hot steak fries in front of you, go ahead and have 3 or 4, or even 5 or 6, but don’t eat the whole basket. If you “need” that chocolate, have some, just not the whole box.

Step 2: So what kind of “snacks” do you make to bring? What can you realistically transport? I’ll simply tell you what I do. First and foremost you pack a giant baggie of raw almonds. These will save you. Secondly, you pack your container of green powder. This you can mix with water or juice anytime, anywhere, and it’s a dry powder, so if it spills, ah well. After that, you can either make (I prefer) or buy things to pack into this extra special duffle bag or small carry-on that will be your go-to for the entire trip. There are a couple of items that are gluten free out there that I love. The first are my Two Mom’s in the Raw snacks/bars: http://www.twomomsintheraw.com/ These products are fantastic, you will love them as much as I do. Their recipes are simple and easy to make, but if you simply don’t have the time to make your own, but you have the resources to spend on purchasing some of the most high-quality, raw, superfood snacks out there, then spend your money on these products. Starbucks (leave it to ‘em) have actually cashed in on these and are carrying them as well (long after superfoodies like myself have been ordering them online and cheered when Whole Foods finally started carrying them).

Second are the KIND bars. They actually sell these at Starbucks all of a sudden, so you can grab them there while you’re on the road, or you can load up prior. http://kindsnacks.com/ Perhaps you have another favorite snack or bar you like to take around with you, and if that is the case, stock up!

If you do want to make your own snacks, I highly recommend it! My three go-to snacks are all recipes on my blog here; the Figalicious Fun Bars, the Cashew Cookies and the Spirulina/Cacao balls (“Little Black Balls”). I also like to make my own trail mix. I use goji berries, raw almonds, raw cacao nibs, and a variation of other dried fruits and nuts such as cashews, pumpkin and/or sesame seeds, diced and dried apricots, etc. You can make your own granola clusters and “candy” (peanut butter, gluten free oats and raw honey mixed and flattened onto some wax paper, cut into squares and rolled). These are just a few suggestions, but there are a million and then some recipes out there for granola bars, trail mixes and other on-the-go snacks you can prepare. If you want something other than just your green powder, you can make individual plastic baggies of smoothie powders (I typically will portion out raw cacao and maca powders, spirulina, chia seeds etc.) to add to a smoothie when/if you get the chance to. The point is, there are always options.

Step 3: Let them know about your “schedule.” You can start by explaining any kids/baby’s schedules, followed by... “and when they have their first nap, I will leave so and so with you, and go for my run. I then do 20 minutes of stretching (100/100/100) when I get back, shower, and then I am free to do what you would like for the rest of the day!” This gives them warning that you have a couple priorities for your visit, and as long as you have the allotted time to complete those, you will be a happy camper. Remember, vacations aren’t just for the family, they are for you too. And if you aren’t able to maintain your healthy sense of being, no one will be having a good time. If you are staying in a hotel, or going form hotel to hotel, this will be even easier. All you have to do is ACTUALLY GO AND USE the workout facilities that they have. As nice or as simple as they may be; all it takes is a treadmill, and a few hand weights. If those aren’t available, take in the local sights as you hit the pavement, then follow up with your stretches and 100/100/100 on your hotel room floor on a towel or sheet. Shower, and enjoy your day and any special treats guilt-free. If leaving the baby isn’t an option (relatives are great if you are staying with them, they love this time alone with the kiddies to babysit) you can always pack them up in the stroller and hit the pavement just as well. If you need to make up a kiddie boot camp and have your kids doing a mock 100/100/100, do it! Kids love “boot camp” type activities. Anything organized that you can make seem fun. If you have just one baby so far like I do, then the stroller is your option, or probably a relative hungry for baby time will be happy to take them off your hands for an hour.

Step 4: Utilize the resources around you. When I went running (all but 2 days of our 9 day trip) I would pick the delicious and wonderful blackberries on the bushes along the trails I chose. I hit up every single farmer’s market I could and purchased enough fruits and easy-to-eat/clean veggies to last a couple of days. I ate gorgeous organic honey crisp apples (my personal favorite!), peaches, purple bell peppers, sweet carrots and golden raspberries. I was in heaven!

Pikes Public Marketplace put me into absolute Nirvana, as it usually does. There is a fantastic bakery that serves up a variety of the most delicious gluten free treats, such as The Monster Cookie, an oatmeal raisin cookie that is TO DIE for, as well as banana bread, muffins, cinnamon rolls and more. I make sure to stop there each trip, this is one of my “indulgences” that I totally plan for and look forward to.

There is an endless variety of fresh, organic fruits, vegetables and seafood which we took full advantage of, and it was key that almost everywhere we went we walked there.

If there is fruit or other healthy snacks available complimentary at your hotel, use them. If you are staying with friends, load up on plenty of groceries that are healthy and offer to cook a meal or two for them so you can stick to your healthy eating. Ask to keep whatever foods or snacks you need in their fridge, I’m sure they’ll be more than happy to allow you.

Step 5: Drink water. It’s as simple as that. We tend to be so busy, flustered, keeping up with this kid and that or the 15 bags you somehow ended up lugging through the airport for just your one baby, making flights on time, getting oriented once you actually got to the rental car, driving here and there, make sure you stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to increased appetite, headaches, constipation and sugar cravings. I don’t know about you, but all of the above sound like they make a nightmare of a time. Get yourself a huge water bottle before you get in your car (for a road trip) or after you get through security (at the airport) and keep it with you. Reuse it, fill it up at every stop. And if you are staying at a hotel, they usually have a water cooler in the workout room, where you can refill your water bottles without paying $8 for the bottle of Fiji Water in your room. If you need to stop at a local grocery store and buy a few bottles of SmartWater to stay hydrated, do so. That is what I usually do, especially as a breastfeeding Mom. Staying hydrated and keeping my electrolytes stocked is crucial.

So there you have it. This is what’s worked for me, and my sweet Mia, who stayed fabulously on her schedule, right along with Mommy.

Recipes: Figalicious Fun Bars

These Fig-Fantastic Bars are a great addition to any errand running day, road trip, shopping snack or just to have around as an in-between-meals munchie.

They are packed full of fiber, protein, PEA from the raw cacao, and hormone balancing properties from the maca, not to mention calcium and protein from the almonds, a little boost of energy from the raw honey, and viral-fighting properties in the coconut oil. So eat to your health! And let your taste buds revel in these chewy little wonders. Enjoy!

Recipe: Figalicious Fun Bars

1 cup raw, chopped Almonds

25 dried Mission Figs (approx. 1 package, give or take a few)

1 scoop raw Cacao Powder

1 scoop raw Maca Powder

1/4 tsp Sea Salt

1 tsp Organic, Gluten Free Vanilla

1 Tbsp Chia Seeds

2 tsp raw Coconut Oil

1-2 tsp organic, Raw Honey (start with one, and if your mixture still seems a bit lose, add more)

Put all ingredients into the food processor, pulse thoroughly. Form into medium sized balls, roll into mini logs, then shape into bars. Refrigerate and enjoy!

Namaste,

Chlorella Boot Camp

What is chlorella? Chlorella is a type of green, freshwater algae packed with immediately available very large amounts of chlorophyll, which is a vital nutrient when it comes to our health and bodies. It is a whole food, extremely rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, polysaccharides, and a ton of other beneficial compounds. Chlorella contains a whopping 60% of pure, easily digestible protein, and therefore is ranked as one of the highest sources of protein on earth. Chlorella contains more chlorophyll per gram than any other plant source.

The fibrous outer shell of the chlorella nucleus acts as a blood detoxifier by binding to pesticides and heavy metals, eliminating them completely from the body. Hilary Jacobson, in her book, "Mother Food for Breastfeeding Mothers," showed that chlorella can also help remove any mercury deposits in the body. Mercury can come from eating certain fish known to contain mercury, such as tuna, or from amalgam dental fillings as well as other environmental sources. Mercury is a heavy metal that destroys the nervous system over time. There’s more on this below…

Chlorella supports the optimum functioning and cleansing of the liver, which is the organ chiefly responsible for the general day-to-day body detoxification. A Japanese study showed that taking 4-6g of chlorella before consuming alcohol can prevent hangovers 96% of the time, even after a night of heavy drinking (* a note to my breastfeeding mommies: If you are planning on consuming or do currently consume a responsible amount of alcohol while breastfeeding, I highly recommend taking 10-15 chlorella tabs before having your weekly/bi-weekly glass of wine or beer!!! If you are a pregnant mom who has personally chosen to sip wine here and there during your pregnancy, which I am not suggesting, condoning, encouraging or otherwise supporting here, I would strongly encourage you to consider taking 10-15 chlorella tabs (or 3-6 grams) prior to consuming your wine.)
Since we’re on the note of breastfeeding, let me tell you new mommies how important chlorella is for you specifically. Breastfeeding provides your baby with a huge extra load of nutrients and boosts his/her immunity. The exact composition of breast milk changes with each feeding to adapt to your individual baby's needs. A study in Japan followed 35 breast-feeding mothers. Eighteen of them took chlorella supplements and were compared to the rest. Breast milk from mothers who supplemented with chlorella had higher concentrations of Immunoglobulin A (IgA), which is an antibody. These antibodies help prevent viruses, bacteria and fungus from creating infections (very important if you are doing an alternative vaccine schedule, or choosing not to vaccinate at this time). IgA, in particular, helps protect the surfaces of the body that are exposed to foreign substances like the nose, digestive tract, eyes, ears, saliva and tears. This is a big advantage to young babies. This same Japanese study showed that dioxins, a toxin that is prevalent in all modern human environments, is excreted to the baby through breast milk. The mother absorbs the toxin from her environment through her skin, respirations and diet. Chlorella supplementation actually decreased the dioxin amounts in the breast milk, making the milk safer for babies. Some people do have trouble tolerating chlorella. If this is you, then consider supplementing with an AFA blue-green or spirulina algae, or marine phytoplankton.

Chlorella rejuvenates the blood, cleanses the bowls and liver. Chlorella helps to protect against radiation, relieves inflammation, supports healthy weight loss via digestion and elimination (my postpartum mommies!), reinforces the immune system, and accelerates the healing process. For digestive detoxification and weight loss, chlorella can absorb toxins from the intestines, and in combination with its ability to favorably alter the bacterial flora content of the bowels, it is able to help relieve chronic constipation and eliminate intestinal gas. “Chlorella causes the lactobacilli bacteria in our intestines to multiply at four times the normal rate. Taken with meals, chlorella helps provide great digestion and more importantly, better assimilation of nutrients.” However, be warned that when you initially begin taking chlorella, you may experience some gas, cramping, constipation and/or diarrhea. Therefore I recommend slowly introducing chlorella into your diet, to avoid these side effects. And as with any supplement or superfood that I suggest and/or talk about, never over do anything. Take the recommend amounts found on packages or in your own personal research. Be your own educator! And please talk to your Naturopath, Pediatrician or General Practitioner before starting any new supplements.

“Chlorella has even been known to reduce some side effects (like fatigue) from chemotherapy treatment. It is able to do this because research suggests that chlorella is able to accelerate the recovery of developing immune system cells and restores the population of mature white blood cells (WBC’s). And there is a newly available strain of chlorella which contains a significant portion of the blue pigment phycocyanin (found in high amounts in AFA blue-green algae and spirulina) which helps the body produce more stem cells. When superfoods containing phycocyanin are consumed with superherbs such as reishi, maitake or chaga mushrooms, the immune response is significantly improved.”

As far as detoxification, chlorella is capable of removing alcohol from the liver in addition to the cleaning out of heavy metals, certain pesticides, herbicides and polychlorbiphenyls (PCB’s) from human tissue (which is why it is so strongly recommended for breastfeeding mothers, above).
Numerous research projects here in the US and in Europe indicate that chlorella can aid the body in breaking down persistent hydrocarbon and metallic toxins, specifically mercury (have you been vaccinated? Are you vaccinating your baby/children?), as well as the cadmium, arsenic, lead and DDT in addition to PCB. Complete elimination and detoxification of heavy metals or other chemical toxins in the blood can take anywhere from 3-6 months or more, depending on how much chlorella you are taking, and how contaminated your blood is.

Yet another amazing benefit of chlorella is its ability to increase our resistance to viral infections (are you choosing not to vaccinate your baby at this time? Or did you have your baby prematurely? Are you doing a delayed vaccine schedule?) and enhance our body’s ability to kill bacteria. For example: “Cytomegalovirus is a herpes-type virus that can cause serious illness in patients treated with immune-suppressing drugs. Mice treated with chlorella extract prior to introduction of this virus survived lethal infection doses. Chlorella extract decreased virus replication in the organs by 58-65% and the extract increased the activity of gamma interferon, which stimulated the NK (natural killer) cells to attack the virus.”

Lastly for now, I’ll mention the CGF (chlorella growth factor) that David Wolfe talks about. This is an amazing property which has scientists baffled around the world. “Chlorella is able to quadruple itself every twenty hours, growing faster than any food crop known to man. When chlorella is ingested by the human body, it dramatically increases the rate of rebuilding and healing in tissues, multiples the growth rate of the lactobacillus (good flora/bacteria) in the bowel, boosts the immune system, and fights free-radical damage. Chlorella also helps rebuild nerve tissue damage throughout the body and is excellent for treating degenerative brain and nerve disorders. This superfood is being used to help treat patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.”

There you have it. Chlorella is a must for our diets. Especially us pregnant and lactation women! What a rich and easily accessible source for so many good nutrients that provides such an outstanding array of benefits to our bodies and support immune system, not to mention its amazing detoxifying properites. Chlorella is super easy to find… You can order it online, find it in your local health food store, or in powder form to mix into your smoothies and superfood treats. I add it in wherever I can; smoothies, a pinch in superfood or raw treats I am making, you can even add a pinch to salad dressings, or just take the tabs (pretty easy). Now that you know, you have to do!

One of the most reasonable sources for Chlorella online:

http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWK002/ItemDetail?n=0

References & Resources:

Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future –David Wolfe

http://www.naturalnews.com/chlorella.html

http://www.klinghardtacademy.com/images/stories/Heavy_Metal_Toxicity/Chlorella/chlorella%20powerpoint%20into%20pdf.pdf?chakra_shop=bd2597ed07b242e829a092c5abd86f9d

http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news-1/Study-Shows-Mothers-Who-Take-Chlorella-Boost-Babies-Antibodies-During-Breast-Feeding-22182-1/

http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Breastfeeding-Mothers-Hilary-Jacobson/dp/1589612299

Mornings Reinvented!

Forget coffee! After drinking this smoothie, you won't need it!

Some days I start with my Incan Warrior Hot Chocolate, but due to the extreme AZ summer heat, terribly hot even at 6am when I start my day, I've been switching it up with this ice blended velvety nectar. Here is the recipe; I go back and forth between this and my green smoothie. I have my green smoothie daily, but sometimes not until mid-morning.

I find this Nana-Cacao smoothie gives me the boost I need to get in a quick morning workout. I drink it about 30+ minutes before my exercise routine or yoga… I follow up my workout with a pinch of local bee pollen, and 1-2 oz of raw aloe vera gel, from my plant, or from the store, whichever I have time for that morning. Enjoy!

Recipe: Raw Nana-Cacao Smoothie

1 Organic Banana
2 Scoops Raw Maca Powder
2 Scoops Raw Cacao Powder
1 Scoop Amazing Grass Powder, Cacao Flavor
1 Tbsp Chia Seeds (more if desired)
2 Cups Almond Milk
Ice Cubes
(As an occasional twist you can add a scoop of Organic Raw Almond/Peanut Butter!)

Blend and enjoy the massive energy boost for breakfast!

Cha-Cha-Cha-Chia!

Chia seeds that is, which yes, comes from that fun little “Chia Pet” we all had or saw back in the 80’s. Who knew it was actually not just a lovely eyesore, but an amazing power food for our diets? Not me, until the past several months I had no idea just how amazing Chia seeds are for your health. The benefits are outstanding, and worth a second glance!

Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) are extremely high in Omega 3 and are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber! 30% of Chia seed oil is Omega 3, 10% is Omega 6, which is the perfect balance of essential fatty acids for our bodies. These vital fats help protect our bodies against inflammation (such as arthritis and heart disease), and actually contain more Omega 3 than salmon! Chia is the richest non-marine whole food source of Omega-3 and dietary fiber currently known to man.

There is also evidence (scientist are researching, but I’m going to consider it fact) that Chia seeds help in reducing blood pressure (have you had a previous pregnancy where preeclampsia was an issue? Eat more Chia!) According to the American Heart Association, Omega-3 fatty acids can normalize blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels, while helping promote healthy heart and blood vessels.

Chia seeds are highly hydrophilic (can absorb large amounts of water) and can hold a whopping 10-12x their weight in water (flax seeds only absorb approximately 6-8x their weight in water)! This makes them a great enhancer in hydrating our bodies (especially for athletes, and those who practice Bikram yoga, like me!) With six times more calcium than milk, and with greater amounts of high-quality protein than the one found in soy, Chia also helps strengthen muscles and bones.

Eating Chia seeds can actually slow down how fast our bodies convert carb calories into simple sugars, which scientist are researching as having great benefits for diabetics especially… there are studies indicating that Chia seeds can control blood sugar! Therefore they are excellent for those looking to drop a few pounds in a healthy way. How does this work? The Chia seeds actually turn into a gel-like substance once they enter our digestive system, which causes some of the food (calories) we eat from getting completely absorbed into our system. This also makes you feel full faster, reducing your appetite. Chia´s insoluble fiber reduces digestive transit time and removes toxins as it passes through the digestive tract. This assists our bodies in flushing out digestive waste faster than almost anything I’ve seen! It acts like a magnet to toxins as it moves through our intestines, it is really amazing. They are an excellent source of raw dietary fiber.

Chia seeds are an excellent replacement for flax seeds, for those who have an allergy or are otherwise sensitive to flax seeds, such as myself (usually accompanies a gluten allergy/intolerance and/or Celiac Disease). Flax seeds, although good in their own right, are often difficult to digest.

Now for my Chia seed soap-box moment; if you are pregnant, Chia seeds are a MUST for your diet. I say MUST and I mean non-negotiable! Your developing baby desperately needs the Omega's in Chia seeds to facilitate optimal neurological development and more. Eating Chia seeds is an excellent alternative for my Vegan and Vegetarian friends, and even if you are a self-proclaimed carnivore, you still need these little wonders to flush out all the toxins and waste from your carnivorous diet. For my pregnant mommies, these little seeds will help you to banish pregnancy water retention, as they absorb, absorb and absorb water and toxic build up in your body. They will provide you with the proper fats you need as you begin to build and produce colostrom, and a healthy placenta.
For my postpartum mommies, Chia seeds are amazing at helping to shed those pregnancy pounds! Just watch as they flush out your body of excess fluid and toxins, and the benefits from the fiber will speak for themselves. If you have had trouble with constipation or those pesky hemorrhoids, these little seeds will be a lifesaver. Add Chia seeds into your diet to lose the baby weight, while nourishing your body at the same time with antioxidants, Omega's, fiber, calcium, protein and more. I love Chia seeds. I eat them constantly. I would venture to say that in any given day I eat a 1/2-1 cup of Chia seeds, sometimes more or less, depending.

So how do you use Chia seeds? How can you incorporate them into your daily diet? It’s so easy! I eat them all day, every day, and LOVE them. Chia seeds have a completely neutral flavor and color, and therefore integrates seamlessly into almost any recipe. In Mexico, Chia seeds are soaked in fruit juices, and they call it Chia Fresca!

I enjoy toasting a slice of gluten free bread, spreading some organic almond or peanut butter on top with a little bit of raw honey, then sprinkling a load of Chia seeds over the top. It is crunchy, sweet and gives you a HUGE energy boost. I also sprinkle them on top of half an apple with a tablespoon of peanut/almond butter. They are yummy in a yogurt (if you eat dairy), and can be added to fruit salad with some slivered almonds, SO tasty.

Toss a tablespoon or so into nearly every smoothie, and after a little while the seeds turn to gel, and you don’t even notice they are in the smoothie. Especially if you blend them with a berry smoothie; the seeds are so tiny, you can’t differentiate them from the berry seeds!

Daily I try to incorporate Chia seeds into almost every raw snack that I make, including my superfood bars, balls and squares. I sprinkle the seeds on top of my gluten free granola, add them to my quinoa and any other gluten free snacks or baked goods I make.

Here are a couple fantastic recipes to try, I love them and use them frequently! And if you haven't already figured it out, Chia seeds are 100% gluten free!

Recipe: Chia Trail Mix Squares

1/2 Cup Raw Almonds
1 Cup Organic dried Apricots
1/2 Cup Dates
1 Tbsp Lemon Zest
1 tsp Organic/Gluten Free Vanilla
1/2 Tbsp Organic Chia Seeds

Put everything into the food processor, adding the lemon zest and vanilla at the very end. Form into little balls, squares or any other shape you like, and refrigerate!

Recipe: Strawberry Chia Pudding 2 Tsp Organic Chia Seeds 1 Scoop Raw Organic Maca Powder 2 oz Almond Milk 1 Tbsp Raw Almond Butter Basket of Fresh Strawberries Grind Chia seeds up in a blender or food processor along with chopped strawberries. Mix together with the other ingredients in a bowl, serve chilled! This is a great summer "desert" or you can eat with gluten free (or other) granola in the morning for breakfast! Enjoy!

Where can you find Chia Seeds? www.nutsonline.com www.navitasnaturals.com www.therawfoodworld.com