Loss for words

Not sure what to post to end this week because it hasn't been the greatest of weeks and I'm not one to promote negativity so I will end with FOOD.  It can bring you down or Cheer you Up so here are a couple sauces I made today.

Last night I made an oil free pesto sauce  and put over steamed broccoli.  It was delicious and light.  Unfortunately I may have chipped a tooth on the first bite on a peppercorn.. yikes!  But was still yummy.

Oil-Free Vegan Pesto
makes about 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients:

1 cup diced zucchini
1 handful fresh basil leaves (about 3/4 oz.)
4 garlic cloves (I love garlic, but feel free to use less)
½ cup raw walnuts
1/4 cup water
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

Directions:

Throw all of the ingredients to a food processor or blender, and blend away!

Tonight I made cilantro garlic sauce and had on top of steamed brussels sprouts.  Yum again!

Here’s the recipe:

• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 small/medium cloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp tamari (soy sauce)
• juice of 1 fresh lemon (about 1/4 cup)
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger
• Pinch of cayenne (optional)

Put all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. Pour over your favorite dish – brown rice, lentils, beans, veggies, tempeh, tofu, meat, eggs, whatever you want!!  Enjoy!

And don't waste the left over sauce.  Simply put into ice cube trays and freeze for later!  Add a couple cubes to your favorite dish when ever you are in a crunch for time.  Brilliant!

So enjoy these easy healthy sauces and share with friends.  I'm winding down tonight with a glass of wine and the end of the Oscars.  Did you guys watch??  

Music to listen to!!! Check it out.  Her voice is mesmerizing! xoxo

February Starts off like Spring!

So it feels like spring in Seattle and it's been awesome!  People are out enjoying the weather and always hoping that it will last  As we all know who live here though know that it won't, we enjoy it while we can. I have come down with a nasty little cold however that is trying to slow me down but I'm fighting it with two fists up!  POW take that!

I am happy to say I will have a couple things I can mark off my list! 

FIRST off is I went to the Hot House, a bath house spa for women only, on Capital Hill.  I loved it!  I wasn't sure how I would feel with the all nude in a public place but it was fine.  Everyone is in their own little world and it's a very cozy and relaxing vibe.  I went back and forth from the steam room, sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub.  Ahhhhh I can get used to that and I Will go back!  Two thumbs up for the Hot House!

SECOND off is I'm am proud to announce I am going to ICELAND!  I got an amazing deal and will be heading off to the mysterious wonderland in March.  Can't wait!

So to conclude this week I hope you all are enjoying your February so far and do you have anything to cross off your list yet?  Or some exciting news you want to share??  

Listening to New Model Army

Juicing and Juicers

So I have been juicing a ton lately and loving it!  My big question of the day though is...  Which juicer produces the most juice?  I feel like from reading other blogs and books that I may want to invest in a new juicer but then I think well I have one already and it works fine so do I really NEED another juicer?  I have a Jack Lalanne and really have no major problem with it other than yes it can be a pain to clean sometimes, I don't have a dishwasher, and if it produces the most bang for the buck?  As you know juicing can get expensive at times with buying fresh fruits and vegetables but trust me..  It is worth it!  Juicing is so healthy for you and if I had more time right now I would babble on and on and tell you why.  Or you can watch Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.

So for all of you juicers, cleansers, and anyone with an opinion...  What is your favorite juicer and why and what is your favorite juice recipe?

Happy Juicing!

Snow = Stay warm inside = movies and teatime

Well the predictions came true.  We have snow in Seattle.  Some might be excited, others not so much, and I am perfectly content looking outside how pretty and white it looks while I stay inside keeping dry, warm, and cozy.

Things I like when I'm stuck inside.. Movies, Tea, cuddles, and if I had a fireplace I'd be in heaven but I don't so I pretend with candles.  So for those of you who are possibly cleansing or dieting for a new years resolution I HIGHLY recommend watch this excellent documentary http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/.  Of coarse I had to make me some juice about half way through because I know already how tasty it is!  So watch Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead on a cold winter day.

What else should I watch today?  Any recommendations?  Well I'm off to make some tea:)

Monday Inspiration

As Monday is nearly over I feel the need to share a couple of sites that have inspired me recently.  This time of year it seems that we all want to start fresh and cleanse our bodies, mind, and souls.  I came across a way of eating recently through some of the following blogs and decided to do the Detox for women for 30 days.  Natalia Rose - Books - Detox 4 Women  Are any of you cleansing or feeling the same after the holidays?  Share your comments or ideas please:)

So I came across the rose cleanse above through another new favorite and local blogista...  The Vegetable Centric Kitchen | For the Love of Veggies

Do any of you currently use or have heard of Stevia? I want to share with you my new favorite site to order vitamins and herbs from.  It's called iHerb and it's the cheapest I have found for all.  Cheaper than amazon or local vitamin or co-ops or grocery stores.  Something I highly recommend for all of you to start using is Stevia.  The species Stevia rebaudiana, commonly known as sweetleaf, sweet leaf, sugarleaf, or simply stevia, is widely grown for its sweet leaves.  Use it as a sweetener or sugar substitute and is all natural derived from a plant.

NuNaturals, Pure Liquid, Alcohol Free Stevia, 2 fl oz (59 ml) - iHerb.com

So order stevia or vanilla stevia and all your health products from here and enter my coupon code BEM483  to receive $5.00 off your first order!

Another lady I want to mention who led me to a new favorite dish of healthy roasted vegetables is http://lindawagner.net/blog/  Super easy and so good in the winter you must try!

So please check them out and be inspired!  And fall in love with Stevia for a healthier sweet tooth!!

To close I am on Day 3 of my cleanse and feel great!  I will try and post some pics and more posts on that subject next.  

To Yoga in Bali?

I have just finished reading a charming book by a local author here in Seattle Yoga Bitch.  It's about a one woman show and her journey through inner self life emotions and yes yoga.  She travels to Bali and studies for 2 months to become a yoga teacher and hopefully find herself a little along the way.

As you know I will be traveling here in two short weeks to the beautiful lands of Thailand and Indonesia on my own path to enlightenment or as I'd like to say sunshine tropical paradise!  I do dabble a tiny in yoga from time to time but I've mostly been biased to Bikram yoga.  And frankly one thing with yoga is that I am not flexible so that is one reason I like the heat in bikram style.  Of coarse if anyone knows me I like a challenge and I like something new and out of the ordinary.  Not to say I've never tried other styles because yes I have but I'm limited to my trials and my curiosity is starting to peak a little more on the idea.

So yes I will be going to Bali and do I yoga or not in Bali??

Sweet beginning to a perfect ending

To start my day today I made a yummy juice... First I've had other than my lemonade drink from the cleans.  Tasted so good since I've been craving fruits and veggies like mad since being on the cleanse.

Recipe

- 4-6 celery sticks

- 1/2 cucumber

- 1 whole lemon

- 1 apple

- 1-2 slices of ginger

- 6 kale leaves (I alternated 3 chard leaves and 3 lettuce leaves for this)

- stevia to taste (optional)

Picture is before shaken and mixed to drink and Enjoy!

Then while at work a friend brought me goodies to have fun playing with my new sewing machine!  Thanks Tyler..  Check out her blog Baby lux!

Last I get home to package in mail from a friend of more goodies!!  Books, post cards, and scented oil perfume:)  Thanks Abby... Check out her blog Abby normal!

My friends know me well.  Both included a little El dia de los Muertos because I love Mexico!!  I love my friends and the thoughtfulness given to me today has made me one incredibly happy girl.  Reminds oneself that giving is so much better than taking and a little random gift can bring more joy to ones life than they may realize.  Live... Love... Life

Spring clean Your body, Mind, and soul

 I am nearing the end of day 5 of "The Master Cleanse" with 5 more days to go. This is not my first time doing the cleanse and will not be my last.  After my first time with the cleanse I felt so amazing I thought I'm doing this every season.. 4 times a year!  Since then I have changed my mind because it's not always the easiest to be in the right mind set to do the cleanse.  That said 1-2 times a year is a more likely accomplishment.  It might not be for everyone but I find it simple to follow yet so satisfying that I highly recommend it!  And I do believe that in order to truly be able to endure the full cleanse that you need to be in the right mind set and it helps a great deal by reading the book.

The Master Cleanse Recipe - How To Make The Lemonade

Here's the recipe for making the Master Cleanse lemonade:

 * 2 Tablespoons of organic lemon juice

 * 2 Tablespoons of organic grade B maple syrup

 * 1/10 Teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

 * 10 oz of filtered water

That recipe is for a single serving of lemonade, and you should drink 6-12 servings a day. 
  
So get motivated and spring clean your body to jump start that summer swimming suit body! Do it!