Beetroot Juice.....And the Beet Goes On....Holistic Juicing...

The Beets of our Forefathers:

Just a snip of history because I can't resist! The wild beet root has been around since prehistoric times and is believed to have originated in North Africa..  Initially, only the beet greens were consumed.  It wasn't until the Romans discovered the beet root was good to eat that it became popular.  The Romans spread the popularity of the beet root to the many territories that they conquered during the height of their empire. 

During the 19th Century, people would discover that the beet root was a concentrated source of sugar and the first sugar factory would open in Poland! Napoleon helped to bring the beet factories along and it was at this point that the beet root would come to the US! Very exciting, I know...

Beauty of Beets:

Beets are in season now and it is a good time to use them for juicing.  Beet Root Juice is popular for its health benefits.  It is very potent so you only need drink a small amount at a time. One small beet per glass of juice is recommended.

Beet Brain Benefits:

 The beet juice, in combination with the juice of carrot and cucumber, is one of the finest cleansing material for kidneys and gall bladder. It is highly beneficial in all disorders relating to these two organs. I like to add ginger root to give it a kick and increase the detoxification power.

 

Beat Aging with Beetroot Juice:

Recent studies have shown that beet root juice increases blood flow to the brain, improving cognition & preventing degeneration that leads to dementia. Incorporating beet root juice into your life can help you now and prevent disorder later in life.  It is never too late to start!

Many other benefits of Beets:

• detox  the blood
• lower blood pressure
• improve circulation
• have a calming effect
• clean the intestines
• fight cancer
• improve menstrual problems
• cure anemia 

Beet Juice Recipe:

One fresh cucumber, peeled.

2 carrots, peeled.

1 1 inch chunk of ginger root, peeled

1 small beet

I sometimes add some fresh greens and celery when I have them in the garden as well.

Juice these ingredients and enjoy!!

I hope that you have found this information useful. Your mind, body and spirit can be lifted with a healthy diet and all of the bounty that this earth has given us.  Take the time to honor yourself with healthy living today.

Wishing You Well Today and Always

Bodacious Basil Cream Sauce and Zucchini Pasta DInner.......

Bodacious Basil!!

Basil is not only delicious, but also an amazing herb when many beneficial qualities!

Did you know that Basil is a known anti-depressant and thought to be emotionally uplifting?

Basil can also be put into a steaming pot an inhaled to clear sinuses and head colds!!

So, while you are busy making a great dinner, you will also be reaping the additional mind, spirit and body benefits of the bodacious basil!!

Recipe:

One Fresh Medium Size Zucchini
A Handful of Fresh Basil (wash the dirt off first!)
2 Garlic Cloves
Dash of Olive Oil
Low Fat Organic Milk (or whatever you have)
Walnuts, a handfullish
A few pinches of Wheat Flour
One scoop of Butter/Margarine etc.
Parm Cheese

Get your wheat pasta started so it will be ready when the sauce is done...

I used my Magic Bullet to process the Basil, and Garlic but I am sure you can use a regular food processor. I added a dash of olive oil once the basil and garlic were pureed. 

Start heating up the walnuts in a sauce pan.

You can start warming up the tiny scoop of butter and add the few pinches of wheat flour to that, then pour in the milk and stir constantly.

Once it is warmed up, add as much parm cheese as you can stand. I like a lot!

You can add some of the sauce to the basil/garlic mixture and then reprocess it, once that is done add it all back into the sauce pan.

Dip the Zucchini in the sauce and saute them in their own pan with some additional walnuts.

Once they are cooked, pour the sauce on top of them, then add in your Wheat Pasta.......

 And Voila!! A Bodacious Basil Cream Sauce and Zucchini Pasta Dinner!!

I knew when I started making this that it would be awesome or a total flop.. It was shockingly delicious!!

Wishing You Well Today and Always.

Mind, Body, Berry Bread.....Strawberry season recipe...holistic health

Mind, Body, Berry Bread......Strawberry Season....

Sad But True.......

Did you know that strawberry season is only about 6 weeks long? Sad but true. And this year because of the unseasonably warm weather, it is even shorter.  

Brain Berries.....

Studies have shown that berries such as strawberries, blueberries and blackberries are highly protective to the brain! Not only are they delicious, but they also work as anti-oxidants, have anti-inflamatory properties and positively effect the part of the brain that helps to off-set stress!! For these reason, we love berries!!

While the berries are in season, it is a good idea to make as much as you can with them!! Try baking and freezing this bread recipe to enjoy later in the season for continued health and well being!!

Mind, Body, Berry Bread Recipe:

2 Farm Fresh Eggs

1/2 c. berry flavored apple sauce

1/4 c. coconut oil

3/4 c. Organic Brown Sugar 

1 tsp. Vanilla 

4 bananas

2 c. Locally grown and milled Organic Wheat Flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 c. Fresh, Local strawberries

1. c. blueberries

1 packet of Strawberries and cream instant Oatmeal (my not so secret ingredient)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F . 
2. Use a non-stick Bread Pan.
3. With my Kitchen-Aid mixer (thanks Herbie and Carrie!), beat together the eggs, applesauce, oil, brown sugar, vanilla and bananas. Combine the flour, baking soda and cinnamon.
4.  Gently mix in the oatmeal
5. Stir in the strawberries and blueberries.
6. Bake for 50-60 minutes in the preheated oven, cooking times may vary....keep an eye on it and bake until a fork comes out clean!!

Using Fresh, Local and organic ingredients benefits the body which will in turn benefit the mind and spirit.  Make this bread and enjoy the entire experience that it will bring into your day.  I hope that you will enjoy it and remember, til the season for mind, for body and for berry......

Wishing You Well Today And Always.

This recipe was adapted from a recipe on allrecipes.com.

Crystal Blog...Healing Life Energy

Crystal Journey........

I have recently started as a guest blogger, sharing my knowledge of the Metaphysical properties of crystals.  For over ten years I  have been working with crystals and have learned a lot of amazing things over that time. I am always learning new ways to use the healing energy that comes from the ancient crystal world.  I have always shared the information I have on crystals via my jewelry designs. I find that this has been the best way to be reminded of the healing powers that are withing the stones.  By wearing them, we create a connection with the energy and promote healing within ourselves.  I am happy to be able to share what I have learned with you and hope that you will find the blog posts as exciting as I do!!

The Power of Lapis Lazuli:

http://tigerlilyholisticwellness.com/crystals-the-power-of-lapis-lazuli/

Amethyst for fighting Addictions:

http://tigerlilyholisticwellness.com/crystals-pure-loving-energy-of-amethyst/

Wishing You Well Today And Always....

Look for a new Crystal Blog post every Wednesday on the Tigerlily Website!

Sara Martine Designs Healing Jewelry :

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SaraMartineDesigns?ref=pr_shop_more

Fight off Sunburn with Grilled Broccoli.........Holistic Health

Amazingly Healthy....

Broccoli is not only delicious, but also an amazing tool in caring for your overall health.  It is known for many of its health benefits including boosting the immune system and fighting off cancer.  

Beach and then Broccoli!

During the summer months, Broccoli is an excellent choice for grilling.  It has a  high concentration of sulforaphane which helps to boost the liver and skin's detoxification abilities. It also helps the skin to repair damages from over-exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays.

The Warm weather is upon us and I always have trouble figuring out a healthy side to go with all of my other BBQ delights! I love to be able to throw some veggies on a skewer and grill them up! This is a twist on a grilled broccoli recipe that is light, healthy and delicious!

Grilled Broccoli with EVOO and Lemon:

I use an entire head of broccoli and break it up into large chunks.  The bigger the pieces, the easier they are to skewer.

 

Next, Mix together a cup of Evoo, juice from 2 lemons and some salt and pepper.......

 

Skewer the broccoli so they are ready to dip and grill...... Drizzle or dip the skewered broccoli into the mixture, but be sure to save some to add when you are done grilling .....

 

I prepare them early and they put them in a bag in the fridge until I am ready to grill them.....Once you are ready, just lay them on the grill for a few minutes.....you will see they are done when they start to get crispy and brown on the edges.....

 

Finally, I add some fresh Parmesan cheese and the leftover oil/lemon mixture..........Delicious!!

 

Wishing You Well Today and Always.

Stomach Ease Tea.......Holistic Indigestion Remedy.......

 It is important to remember that trouble with the stomach has much to do with a troubled mind.  Often times it is hard to treat ailments of the body without taking the time to treat the mind and spirit. Indigestion or intestinal problems can be a direct result of unresolved conflict in the spirit.  The end result can be trouble after meals, food allergies or an imbalanced digestive system.   Worry and fear can be big trouble for your digestion.

 In times of high stress and anxiety it is important to take time to be still and be with ones self.  Resisting the temptation to run off to the next activity can have a positive influence on the outcome of your day and your overall health.  Taking a few minutes to have a cup of tea after a meal can be very beneficial.

The mind and spirit must be treated to allow the  body to heal.  I have often turned to tea as the band-aid for my physical discomforts.  This tea recipe is a twist on an Ayurvedic remedy.  I use this concoction when I am feeling discomfort after meals.  It works like a charm after a hearty meal to help the food settle and digest.  

 

1 pinch of Baking Soda

One half of a Fresh Lemon

Fresh Ginger or Ginger Powder

Warm a cup of filtered water, add ginger powder, baking soda and squeeze lemon in........sip and enjoy.....

This tea works to aid in digestion and to ease the stomach.

Wishing You Well Today and Always.