Latest Creations & Thoughts...

Here are some photos of my latest creations and modifications to some of my traditional favorite recipes and a couple of ideas:

Kale Salad: 

beginning stage of a modified version from last postings recipe :o)

Coconut Mousse: 

just like it sounds, light and delicious!

 Coconut Meese (inside joke)

Spaghetti squash with meat (turkey) sauce:

 no need for noodles here, SO GOOD and so easy!

Ingredients:                                                                                                

•  1/2 pound ground turkey thigh (this is good for 2 modest servings, adjust accordingly). Brown with a little garlic powder and fresh ground pepper
• 1 can tomato sauce (or several fresh tomatoes,  rough chop and simmer with garlic any other spices like Italian seasoning or oregano and a little oil, simmer 10 minutes, then blend)
• 1 roasted spaghetti squash (wipe or rinse squash, poke holes in squash all around so steam can let out. Bake on a cookie sheet for about 50 minutes, depending on size at 350-400. Make adjustments as necessary. Scoop out the seeds and "guts". Scrape cleaned squash with a fork and put the "noodles" in a bowl with a little olive oil while still warm. This helps them to not dry out., set aside
• Fresh veggies: I used one zucchini and 1/2 heirloom tomato, diced.
• Fresh parsley, about a 1/4 cup minced (I put a little in the sauce, mix in a little with the noodles, while they're waiting ;o) and save a little for garnish)

 "Fake" cleanse vs. Juicing

Sometimes I want to do a cleanse but I'm just not into it, not even a "fake" one (see earlier posting), or I forgot my lunch/ didn't have time to prepare one... so I juice.
Note: the purpose (for me anyway) of juicing is to nourish the body without overwhelming it with food to digest. Juicing will replace one meal and I usually will wait about 4-6 hours or so before eating again (just to get the maximum benefits as it helps to detoxify the body).

There are a couple ways to do this; At home or from a fresh (organic) juice place (sorry Jamba I usually get these at the farmer's market- instead of the chocolates or pastries). 

I have to be honest the best results come from fresh juiced greens and fruit juice (for me about a 60veggie/40fruit ratio) that is probably too green for most but mixed with fruit juice they really can taste delicious. Start 50/50 and when your ready experiment!

This is how I do it:

Method 1: Use a blender and a nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer (and maybe a bowl depending on what you have at home):for the "green juice" then blend with your favorite fresh fruits.Keep the ratio at least 50/50 to start and include one ground veggie like chopped beets and or a carrot (these are best juiced because they're so sweet but you decide).

Method 2: use a juicer. Slice, peel (some juicers you can skip this step) and juice

Method 3: buy it but only if it's fresh (aka you can watch or hear them juice it)

TIME SAVER: Plan ahead!

One trick I use to stay on track is to make two or extra of whatever I'm preparing so I have some food "ready made" on those days you are running late or just don't have time to prepare food.