March 2017 - Journey With Healthy Me

Turn the Beet Around Juice

I was excited today to try out a new café that opened recently in downtown Joplin. Located at 122 S Main Street, Jasper’s Juicery features freshly prepared juices and smoothies and an assortment of delicious meals. I stopped in to sample a juice.

The cute café has a long counter for ordering and pulling up a stool. And there are tables and chairs in the front section of the restaurant with more seating available in a back room. I browsed the menu while a customer ahead of me placed her order.

I knew I wanted fresh juice, however looking over the menu I was impressed that Jasper’s Juicery uses locally provided ingredients, as much as possible, and that the smoothies are created with almond and coconut milk. I decided on the Turn the Beet Around juice blend, with beets, carrots, celery and apples.

Celery is a powerful anti-inflammatory vegetable that alkalizes the gut. Apples are a true brain food, high in anti-inflammatory properties. Carrots, a great antioxidant root vegetable, are high in vitamins and minerals, aid in digestion and promote healthy skin. And beets, another root vegetable, boost the immune system by providing vitamin C and essential minerals.

I watched as my juice was prepared. The staff was friendly and helpful. The young woman taking my order expressed excitement about my selection, telling me it was her favorite juice. In moments my drink was ready.

I took a sip while still in the café and gave a thumbs up to the staff. The juice was delicious, with a slightly sweet taste, due to the apple. I like beets, so the flavor was mild to me. I took my drink with me to my mom’s, where family members were gathered before a birthday celebration. Everyone bravely tried a sip. Beets are not everyone’s favorite vegetable, to eat or drink, however the consensus was that this was very good!

I love that Joplin has restaurants and grocery stores that offer healthy meal choices. I’m looking forward to trying other juices, and all of the smoothies, at Jasper’s Juicery. Five stars for this great little health conscious café.

Raw Wild Blueberry Pie

This is a great plant based recipe, sugar and gluten free, with no baking required. I’ve wanted to sample this delicious looking pie since seeing it in my Life Changing Foods book by Anthony William.

Wild blueberries are the super food, among super foods. Anthony calls them the world’s most powerful food. They are extremely high in antioxidants, making them effective in preventing and fighting against all diseases, including cancer. Wild blueberries eliminate heavy metals from the body, restore the liver, nourish the brain and they are the most potent prebiotic in existence.

While domesticated blueberries have health benefits too, it’s the wild berries that are most powerful. Buy them frozen at the grocery store, making sure the package has wild blueberries printed on it.

Raw Wild Blueberry Pie

1/3 cup cashews

1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

4 cups pitted dates

20 oz frozen wild blueberries, thawed

1 mango, sliced or 2 cups frozen mango chunks, thawed

For the crust: process cashews, coconut, and 3 cups of dates in food processor until thoroughly combined. Press crust into 9 inch pie dish. Cover and refrigerate while preparing filling.

For the filling: process half the wild blueberries, 1 cup of dates and mango chunks until well blended. Add remaining blueberries. Pour into crust. Allow to set in refrigerator, 40-60 minutes.

I garnished the pie with additional wild blueberries, covered with plastic wrap and placed in the refrigerator.

After a healthy dinner, a slice of this easy to make pie was my special treat. And what a treat it was! Light, fruity and so satisfying, I enjoyed my piece of pie even more, knowing I was receiving health benefits with each delicious bite.

I will be making this pie for special occasions and as a dessert for company. And sometimes, I’ll create one for me, as a celebration of my healthy lifestyle.

Find out more about wild blueberries and 49 other life changing foods, and try out 50 wonderful recipes, by ordering here:

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Make Your Own Deodorant

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The first question you might ask is, why would you want to make your own deodorant? In the US, after all , 95% of the adult population use deodorants and antiperspirants. Why bother to make something that can be so easily purchased?

My answer, my reason for trying this Do It Yourself project, is simple. While I am in the process of increasing my health and well being by changing my diet, fighting viruses with plant based foods, and detoxing from heavy metals, it seems counterproductive to keep using a product that contains unhealthy chemicals and additives.

Make Your Own Deodorant title meme

Unhealthy Ingredients

My research shows that most deodorants and antiperspirants contain these ingredients that are not good for us:

* aluminum-a primary ingredient, this metal has been linked to breast cancer and increased risk of Alzheimer’s. Aluminum clogs the pores to prevent sweat from reaching the skin’s surface.

* parabens-a synthetic preservative that can disrupt hormonal balance. This chemical has been linked to birth defects and organ toxicity.

* propylene glycol-a petroleum based material that can cause damage to the central nervous system, heart and liver.

* phthalates-another chemical that has been linked to health issues, including birth defects.

* triclsoan-a substance classified as a pesticide that is a known carcinogen.

As I am seeking improved health, I have made the decision to stop using products that can compromise my well being. When I ran out of the antiperspirant I have used for years, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to switch to a healthier version. I felt inspired to make my own!

Make Your Own Deodorant

I used this simple recipe, from Thank Your Body:

1/3 cup arrowroot starch (available from health food stores or click link below)

2 tablespoons baking soda

1/3 cup coconut oil

10-15 drops of essential oil (optional)

Combine arrowroot starch and baking soda in a small bowl. (You can substitute pure cornstarch if you want. Just make sure it doesn’t have aluminum in it.) Add coconut oil (I softened the oil for 20 seconds in the microwave) and blend, using a spoon. Add essential oil, if desired. I added 10 drops of orange oil and 5 drops of rosemary, creating a light, clean scent. Combine, pressing mixture with back of spoon, until well mixed and smooth. Use by smoothing small amount on underarms with fingertips.

Make Your Own Deodorant

Does It Work?

Making my own deodorant only took a few minutes. I tried a dab on my inner wrist and tested it under my right arm. I have been using this DIY deodorant for a couple of months now, and it is working wonderfully!

I feel good about this unique creative endeavor, and good about further eliminating my body’s contact with chemicals and toxins. Healthy living, for me, involves more than diet and exercise, although those are crucial. What I don’t allow to interact with my body is important too, even if it puts me in a category considered outside the norm.

The second question you might ask, and I get this one frequently, is…are you a hippie? That’s a simple answer as well.

Yes…yes I am!

Make Your Own Deodorant

You can order arrowroot starch below:

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Dandelion Tea

Warm temperatures today and the arrival of spring tomorrow lured me outdoors this afternoon. I enjoyed the meditative task of transferring young flowering plants to clay pots, and strolling through my awakening gardens. One of the harbingers of spring is the appearance of bright yellow dandelions. For the first time, I gathered tender green dandelion leaves, and the sunny blooms, and created a healthy tea.

Most people consider the dandelion to be an obnoxious weed. However every part of the plant is edible and there are many health benefits associated with this spring flower.

According to Anthony William, in his book Life Changing Foods, the dandelion’s defining characteristic is bitterness, and it is that very property that is restorative to the body. Says Anthony, “Dandelions shake you out of hibernation, getting your blood pumping and your organs cleaning house from radiation, toxic heavy metals, DDT, and other poisons.”

The dandelion flower, which is mildly bitter, cleanses the hollow organs such as the stomach, intestinal tract, gallbladder, bladder, lungs, uterus and heart. The leaves, being slightly more bitter, purify the blood and cleanse the lymphatic system.

The stem, more bitter still, cleanses dense organs such as the spleen, liver and brain. And the root, which is the most bitter part of the plant, purifies those dense organs at a deep level.

These cleansing properties make dandelion helpful for conditions such as lymphoma, kidney stones, obesity, blood disorders, inflammation, infections, liver disorders, digestive problems and fluid retention.

I was excited to try a healing tea, made from the tender young plants popping up in the backyard. I plucked six yellow blossoms and four leaves to make dandelion tea. I soaked the flowers and leaves in cold water while I heated a cup of water, and then rinsed them well.

I have found that using a mesh wire basket in a tea mug is a great way to brew fresh herbs. You can pick up your own handy set through the link below. I steeped the flowers and leaves for 20 minutes, covering the mug with its lid.

Curious about the degree of bitterness, I chewed on a dandelion leaf, and then popped a whole flower into my mouth, while the tea brewed. Although the blossom was slightly sweeter, both were fairly bitter, and yet entirely edible. I didn’t mind the taste at all.

After 20 minutes, I cautiously sipped my hot tea. What a wonderful surprise! The tea wasn’t nearly as bitter as the fresh leaves and flowers. Light and refreshing, the tea had an earthly taste that was pleasing and grounding. I didn’t add raw honey, choosing to drink it without.

In the past, I have been diligent about removing dandelions from my yard and garden. I will still remove them. But what a bountiful harvest I will have, for soups, salads and the healthy and cleansing dandelion tea. It is the perfect spring drink.

Check out Life Changing Foods for more incredile heslth information. And get your own tea brewing mug. I love the ease of creating teas from freshly picked herbs and plants.

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National Pi Day…Celebrating Without Pie

Today, 3.14, is National Pi Day! March 14 is celebrated around the world in honor of the Greek letter pi, representing the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. The mathematical constant begins 3.14159 or, more commonly, 3.14, and as an irrational number, extends to an infinite number of decimal places. Congress made this date a national holiday in March of 2009, to show support for the National Science Foundation and to give teachers a reason to encourage students to have fun with pi.

My grandson brought the holiday to my attention years ago. And of course, one of the ways to celebrate pi day, is with pi(e)! I used to eat a slice coconut cream pie, or some other decadent pie from Big R’s. However, since I now adhere to a plant based lifestyle, pie is no longer an option!

Several years ago, browsing through a cookbook of Dr. Hyman’s that I had just purchased, I found a solution! Using a recipe in The Blood Sugar Solution Cookbook, I created my own mini “pie”….a Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Cup. Okay, it’s not a pie! But it’s round, and that stayed with the pi theme.

Best of all, although it looks like it’s full of all the wrong things, it is a healthy alternative. This little taste of heaven has NO sugar, flour, gluten, eggs or dairy. Using organic ingredients makes it even better. The cups were quick and easy to make and set up in the freezer. Sometimes, food that looks good and is good for you, tastes terrible! But when I sampled a peanut butter chocolate cup, they were wonderful! Creamy, not very sweet, yet very satisfying as a treat.

Here is the easy recipe:

Today is also Albert Einstein’s birthday. Pi day seems like the perfect birth date for this mathematical and scientific genius. Happy Pi Day…and happy birthday Albert Einstein…and good health to all!

Check out this cookbook from Dr Mark Hyman, with 175 recipes:

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Morning Smoothies

I never used to be a breakfast eater. If I did break my fast, after a night’s rest, it was with a sugar laden breakfast bar or a quick trip through a fast food drive through. I knew breakfast was considered the most important meal of the day. I just never felt very hungry in the mornings.

When I started a plant based lifestyle, I quickly found a morning solution. Before noon, I only drink liquids. After a mug of warm lemon water, followed by a glass of freshly pressed celery juice, it is time to drink my fruit!

While veggies can be added to morning smoothies, I prefer to stick with fresh or frozen fruit, for several reasons.

The natural fructose found in fruit is totally different from refined sugar, and fights disease, rather than feeding it.
Fruit is easily digested.
Fruit sugar leaves the stomach and enters the bloodstream within minutes of consumption, bypassing the intestinal tract.

Dark leafy greens and other fresh vegetables can be added to lunch or dinner smoothies.

Morning smoothies are so quick and easy to prepare. All that is needed is a blender and an assortment of fresh and frozen fruits.

Here are some of my favorite morning smoothie recipes:

Banana, Pear, Orange Smoothie

Combine in blender: 1 banana cut into chunks, 1 orange divided into segments, 2 pears cut into chunks, 3/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, optional. Blend until smooth.

Bananas, which are full of fiber and vitamins, are a powerful antiviral food that makes the perfect base for a smoothie. This naturally sweet tasting fruit thickens the smoothie while alleviating digestive disorders and stabalizing blood sugar.

Smoothies are a great way to include pears to the diet. This fiber dense fruit soothes the whole digestive tract while helping to expell toxins from the body.

Chia seeds are high in omega 3 fatty acids, for heart health, and deliver massive amounts of nutrients.

Banana, Wild Blueberry, Mango Smoothie

Combine in blender: 1 banana cut into chunks, 1 cup frozen wild blueberries, 1 cup frozen or fresh mango, 3/4 cup of water. Blend until smooth.

Mangoes are wonderful for relieving stress and providing viral protection. They strengthen and support the skin, help to reverse diabetes, and calm the nervous system. I buy frozen mangoes, no sugar added, because I find fresh ones difficult to cut up!

Wild blueberries are considered to be the world’s most powerful food. These little berries are extremely high in antioxidants, effective in detoxing the body and removing heavy metals, and prevent a host of diseases. Buy bags of wild blueberries in the frozen food section. Cultivated blueberries only have a fraction of the health benefits.

I have fallen in love with blood oranges this winter, and Cara Cara oranges. They have a dark pink or red flesh and a sweet, tangy flavor. During allergy season, or when it feels like a cold is coming on, try this vitamin C packed smoothie.

Banana, Orange, Pineapple Smoothie

Combine in blender: 1 banana cut into chunks, 1-2 oranges divided into segments, 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks, no sugar added, 3/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon hemp seeds, optional. Blend until smooth.

Besides being high in vitamin C, oranges are a rich source of bioactive calcium, flavonoids and limonoids. This fruit fights off viruses and deactivates heavy metals in the body.

Pineapple is anti-inflammatory, supports the immune system and protects the eyes, bones and digestive system.

Hemp seeds, purchased in the baking section at the grocery store or in health food stores, are an excellent source of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which are important to heart health. They are considered the perfect protein and they are full of vitamins and minerals.

This tropical smoothie has been my favorite all winter. And on cold, gray mornings the bright yellow/orange color is like sunshine in a cup!

There are endless ways to combine fruits for morning smoothies. I’ve shared only a few possibilities. Start with a banana, and then add any combination of fresh and frozen fruit.

It’s fun, and tasty too, to try out new combinations, such as watermelon, banana, blackberry. Or pear, peach, banana. If using all fresh fruit, add crushed ice to the blender to chill the smoothie.

As we approach spring and summer, when fresh fruit is abundant, it is so easy to awaken our bodies with delicious fruit smoothies, and jumpstart our day with healthy benefits.

Good mornings begin with good health…and breakfast smoothies!

Learn more about the many health benefits found in fruits and vegetables with this information packed book!

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10 Herbal Teas that Will Boost Your Health

I have enjoyed drinking hot tea for years. When I visited Scotland in 2014, I adopted the custom of afternoon tea, which I still practice at home as often as I can. And what’s even better than indulging in afternoon tea? Boosting my health with one of these delicious and good for me herbal teas!

1. Cat’s Claw

This herb is one of the most powerful substances for reversing today’s epidemic of chronic and mystery illnesses. Cat’s Claw can aid in alleviating symptoms from neurological to digestive. The herb fights the pathogens that cause inflammation, including bacteria, patasites, and viruses. For the best effect, drink this tea in the evening, and avoid Cat’s Claw if you are pregnant.

2. Lemon Balm

This herb is essential for calming nerves, especially those involved with digestion. Lemon Balm’s soothing properties calm the nerve receptors along the digestive tract so that nerves become less sensitive and inflammation reduces. Antiviral, antibacterial and anti-parasitic, Lemon Balm fights viruses such as Epstein Barr, shingles and other herpetic varieties. Plus the herb detoxifies the liver, spleen and kidneys and reduces bladder inflammation. Lemon Balm is extremely easy to grow, in the garden or in a container. Drink right before bed for a great night’s sleep.

3. Licorice Root

Anthony William, the Medical Medium, calls Licorice Root one of the most important herbs in the world. Why? Because it is the ultimate weapon against viral infections. Herpetic viruses, including Epstein Barr, HHV-6, and shingles, are often behind mystery illnesses and autoimmune disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Licorice Root also helps with low blood pressure, soothes the liver and supports the adrenals. Drink this powerful tea plain, or combine with cinnamon and cloves for a warm, fragrant treat.

4. Raspberry Leaf

This herb is ideal for women. It protects the reproductive system and balances hormones. In addition, Raspberry Leaf supports the adrenals, and the production of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. In fact, this crucial plant supports the entire endocrine system. For women in the child bearing years, Raspberry Leaf aids in fertility, helps to prevent miscarriage and addresses exhaustion and postpartum depression after childbirth. It also enhances the prodction of breast milk. For men Raspberry Leaf acts as a blood cleanser and an overall detoxifier.

5. Nettle Leaf

This herb supports the body during times of stress. It also contains a vast amount of phytochemicals, making Nettle Leaf life giving, life extending and extremely anti-inflammatory. Nettle is a potent pain reliever and with more than 40 trace minerals, it is also bone building and bone protecting. For its effects to be most powerful, drink Nettle Leaf tea in the afternoon, or before meditation, as it is a very centering herb.

6. Red Clover

Red clover is very common, and considered a weed by many. However, this herb offers powerful support to the lymphatic system, cleansing the lymph fluid. It is effective against cancer, and is a diuretic and the ultimate blood builder. Red Clover is full of nutrients and disease fighting alkaloids and it aids in breaking up and reducing stored up, unnecessary fat. This herb has an energizing effect, making a great tea when feeling exhausted, fatigued or depleted. Drink this tea in the evening so that the cleansing properties can work overnight.

7. Rose Hips

Rose Hips contain the most bioidentical, bioavailable form of vitamin C, in a form most usable for our bodies. They are not only anti-inflammatory, they also increase our blood’s white blood count and boost our immune system. Rose Hips are helpful for battling virtually any type of infection, and brings relief to those who suffer from irregular heartbeats. They alleviate urinary tract infections and heal skin conditions.

8. Oregano

One of a group of powerful aromatic herbs, Oregano kills off unproductive bacteria such as H pylori, Strep and E coli, which minimizes the possibility of SIBO, peptic ulcers, strep throat, sinusitis and ear infections. Long considered an important herb for cooking, Oregano makes a flavorful tea as well.

9. Rosemary

Another antibacterial, this herb specializes in fighting antibiotic resistant bacteria, such as those found in hospitals. It is effective against C difficile and MRSA.

10. Thyme

This herb is antiviral, enabling it to destroy viruses such as the flu, and herpetic viruses that are responsible for autoimmune diseases. Thyme has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, making it effective against viruses that have started to attack the brain or spinal cord, resulting in neurological conditions.

Regularly consuming these extraordinary herbal teas will boost the immune system and fight viruses and diseases. Many of these herbs can easily be grown in backyard gardens or containers. Fresh herbs may be purchased in the produce section at the grocery store or dried herbs can be found at health food stores.

Add dried or fresh herbs to a diffuser and steep in hot water for 5-10 minutes. I often drop fresh herbs from my garden directly into the cup of hot water and cover the mug with a saucer while it steeps.

The next time you crave a hot drink, reach for one of these health boosters instead of a coffee or hot chocolate. Your body will flourish and benefit from your healthy choice!

Please check out Life Changing Foods, by Anthony William. I rely on the info in this amazing book every day!

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Health Benefits of Celery Juice

One of the first shifts I made in my health routine was the inclusion of freshly prepared celery juice in the mornings. One year ago this month, after reading a post by the Medical Medium, Anthony William, I hauled out my juicer and ran a bunch of celery through it (literally one bunch of the green stalks, also called a head of celery), eager to try out this amazing juice.

According to the book, Life Changing Foods, by Anthony William, celery is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory foods because it starves unproductive bacteria, yeast, mold, fungus and viruses that are present in the body, and flushes their toxins and debris out of the liver and intestinal tract.

These pathogens are the underlying cause of inflammation in the body. Without the pathogens, the body is better able to handle the other stresses life often presents. Celery also helps good bacteria to thrive and alkalizes the gut. At the same time, celery raises hydrochloric acid in the stomach so that food digests easier and doesn’t putrefy. This prevents a multitude of gastrointestinal disorders and allows for restoration of the entire digestive system.

Additionally, celery, which is technically an herb, not a vegetable, improves kidney function, restores the adrenals, and eases the mind by supporting neuron function. This in turn helps with brain fog and memory loss. Celery hydrates at a deep cellular level, lessening migraines and stress, and it helps to repair DNA.

No other juice brings the pure healing power of simple celery juice. While it makes a great additional to other green juice recipes, drinking freshly prepared celery juice has the most health benefits.

And it couldn’t be easier to prepare. Wash one bunch of celery, trim the base from the stalks, and run through a juicer. One bunch makes about 20 ounces of juice. I like the taste of celery. The juice is light and refreshing to me. Anthony suggests running half an apple through the juicer, along with the celery stalks, if you don’t care for the taste of celery. And then gradually use less and less apple, to gain the most benefits from the celery.

Drink celery juice on an empty stomach to raise hydrochloric acid levels. I start the day with a mug of warm lemon water and then follow it with celery juice. A breakfast smoothie follows later in the morning.

I love how my body responds to drinking celery juice. I feel better. My energy vibrations begin rising while I am making the juice. It’s that powerful. Unfortunately, when I have a busy day ahead, it is the part of my morning routine that I am most likely to skip. No more. Even if this post doesn’t encourage anyone else to improve his or her health through drinking celery juice, it reminds me of what I am missing if I don’t.

Greater health is worth the few extra minutes that it takes to make fresh celery juice every morning. I am worth it…and so are you. So….Cheers! Here’s to our health, wellness and vitality.

Read more about the benefits of celery, and 49 other life changing foods:

And try out this juicer, to make your own celery juice and other delicious healthy blends:

I am an Amazon Affiliate and may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for considering making a purchase of these products, or any other items, through my Amazon links!