Peachy keen...you know what I mean.

Aren't they such majestic beauties! Photo by: commons.wikimedia.org 

Smooches! Love, Peaches.

Delish! Peaches engage many of the senses and make for a wondrous treat ANY time of the day. They are easy to travel with, can be sliced, juiced, mashed or munched, have a soft, supple skin and delicate juicy-ness that even young babes can appreciate. Peaches rarely leave you unsatisfied and yet somehow begging for more. They make a bit of a mess, not too much; just enough to let your sweet sticky fingers gently remind you they were there.

Heart-healthy, skin-smoothing sweet, sticky snack! Photo by: examiner.com 

Peaches have a beautiful coloring ranging from light yellow to deep rouge and range similarly in taste according to the ripeness. They are best eaten when the darker swirling colors are present (the mixture of red and orange and yellow).

Sliced peaches perfect for a tantalizing mid-day snack! Photo by: nyccityeats.com

Filled to the brim with Vitamin A, Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin C, Niacin, and so much more, peaches can be enjoyed year-round and are very easy to can or freeze. They make great companions in smoothies, teas, juice recipes, on salads, in homemade popsicles and even make a delightful summer soup. (If you haven't had peach soup throw you inhibitions to the wind! You will surely be rewarded. I certainly was.)

Tasty, Peachy, Juicy! Photo by: theimprovkitchen.blogspot.com 

Tried peach juice yet? No? Do it. A frothy full-bodied juice that is as refreshing and light as summer salad and a soft kiss, it will leave you wanting just a bit more. And why not? At only 46 calories per peach you can be certain this is a "Weight Watchers" approved treat we can all indulge in!

Peaches come in all sizes, shapes and colors! Just like you and me! Photo by: marigoldmom.com

Let's talk about some of the health benefits! Peach juice can act as a natural laxative to help flush toxins out of the kidneys and bladder to help prevent kidney stones! Peaches are a great source of water and fiber and allow you to get fantastic nutrients, feel "full" longer all with a wonderfully succulent taste and aroma.

Peach Tea Smoothie! Oh my Gawd! Yes. Photo by: eatsimpleloveyoga.com 

Got a bad cough? Have a peach. Peaches are known for their ability to soothe a dry cough, you can even make the juice into a warm soothing tea. Those with rheumatic pains and abdominal colic are also recommended to incorporate peaches into their diets.

Healthy food-combining approved meal: Peaches and Raspberries! Yummo! Photo by: theskinnyonlowcal.org

Peaches help ease digestion and inflammation. They protect nerve cells and if eaten early in the morning can help regulate intestinal infections and maintain alkalinization of the blood due to their low acidity. Regular consumption of peaches can help prevent the onset of many types of cancers and aid in weight loss. Peaches are good for the skin to help regenerate tissue cells; you can even rub peach juice into your skin for that soft peachy glow!

Happy to be here sliced and cored peachy keens! Photo by: inspireandindulge.wordpress.com

Peaches are rich in iron, so very good for those with anemia. Peaches can help treat high blood pressure and facilitate cardiac health due to the potassium found in them. Peaches are helpful in lowering cholesterol in blood and preventing cardiac diseases.

Peachy Mint Puree, perfect for your tiny sweet someone somewhere.
Photo by: theartofcomfortbaking.blogspot.com

Peaches contain Vitamin A,  B1, and B2 which help to strengthen the immune system, balance the nervous system and maintain magnesium levels in the body. Peaches are HIGH IN ENERGY and are great for pregnant women and those wishing to regulate their weight!

Fresh Home-canned Peaches! Makes for easy livin'! Photo by: piccantedolce.blogspot.com

So what do we know about peaches? Peaches even have their own color...Peach. How many other fruits can top that? To follow the suggestions of food combining for maximum digestion...peaches are best eaten with other like fruits: apricots, plums, nectarines, mango, pear, apple, cherries, grapes and other berries.

Fresh, tasty and nutritious! Go get some today! Photo by: statesymbol.usa.org

With health benefits for the whole family, peaches certainly fit the bill when it comes to SIMPLE EATING. That's the motto around here. So many reasons to eat so many peaches!
Moral of the story? Try adding peaches to your diet today! Your whole body will thank you for it!

Live. Love. Well.
~h

Dino Kale...COLOSSAL!

Look at the pretty kale plant! Beautiful AND delicious! Photo by: home.howstuffworks.com

Hmm...Kale. A cruciferous vegetable. Until recently kale was a relatively secret food. Anyone whose family made "greens" knew about kale but they NEVER would have thought about eating it...you guessed it...RAW~!

Perfect for wraps, dips and general munchies! Photo by: rbgsocialclub.wordpress.com (check their site, these guys are the truth!)

I really really like raw kale. I eat it dipped in hummus instead of pita chips...chopped finely (like you would a cabbage) and eaten as a salad with a nice balsamic dressing...left overnight and it turns into a coleslaw of sorts super yummy! I eat it steamed with a squeeze of lemon juice and almond slivers...ooh and use it in place of "bread" for my sandwiches wraps and tacos. I could go on and on!

Yummy kale salad with blackberries, strawberries, kiwi and a citris dressing! Photo by: nutrition4women.net

I recently put my aunt and uncle on to kale and they were pleasantly surprised at the taste as an alternative to other lettuce options. We mainly eat it as a salad but kale can be blanched (basically quick steamed) also!

You can boil or steam. I personally prefer steaming and using the large leaves as "taco shells" or "bread" and rolling just about anything up in that sucker. YUM! ...recipes at the bottom. :-)

NOTE: Steaming the kale kicks up the fiber-related components and makes them more effective at binding together with bile acid in your digestive tract.

Couldn't get any better than this! Could it? Nah. Photo by: www.karenville.com

Back to our mega dino dose of kale...

Kale! Great for smoothies, dips, patés, pestos, and in place of chips! Photo by: www.alexandracooks.com

Kale makes GREAT SMOOTHIES and the juicing options are seriously endless. This is one of the main reasons why kale is such a staple in my daily food choices, it's just so stinkin' versatile! And yes, I do a green smoothie every* day. (*mostly every day) :-) hey...I'm human too okay.

Kale smoothies for kids (and grown-up kids too!) -Ingredients: (3) Bananas, 12oz. Apple Juice, and 3-4 large pieces of Kale. Blend it, Drink it! EASY! Photo by: www.fortheloveoffoodblog.com

Why do vegans, veggie-tarians and carnivores alike love kale? I could seriously write a mini-series on the benefits of kale there is so much to know, so here we go!

Let me just start by saying KALE CONTAINS: Antioxidants (prevents oxidative stress by boosting our cartenoids and flavonoids), Anti-Inflammatory (prevents chronic inflammation), Cancer-preventing (bladder, breast, colon, ovarian, prostate), detox-activating properties.

Did you catch that? Per Calorie, Kale has more IRON than beef, MORE Calcium than milk AND 10% more Vitamin C than Spinach. Hello! Photo by: fittipdaily.com

Kale also contains crazy amounts of Vitamin K (like somewhere around 1300% of our daily recommended intake!), 354% of our daily Vitamin A intake, 88% of our daily Vitamin C intake and a long list of other vitals like manganese, fiber, copper, calcium, vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B6, vitamin E, iron, potassium, magnesium, protein, omega-3 fats,  folate, phosphorous! ...ALL IN JUST ONE CUP OF COOKED KALE! Which by the way is only roughly 36 calories! Ahem, you do the math here.

Simple, easy and nutritious! Photo by: localfoods.about.com

As a transitioning raw vegan I LOVE KALE for it's yummy taste as an alternative to other lettuces, for its easy preparation and best of all its nutritional content. As someone transitioning to raw veganism it is important to make my meals as nutrient-rich as possible and kale certainly fits the bill!

I hope you will incorporate some kale into your family's diet this week! Just give it a try! Worst case, you steam it and add some toasted almonds, a squeeze of lemon juice and some seasonings...you won't be disappointed.

Vegan mega-salad with all the fixin's! Get it! Photo by: www.thevintagemixer.com

My favorite kale juice recipe to date:
2-3 handfulls of chopped kale, 2 apples (add another one if you need more sweet), and 1 lemon! Easy! 20 more great kale recipes HERE!


Take my advice and eat you some TODAY!

Live. Love. Well.

~h

Holy Apricot!

Holy Apricot! Photo by: anapricot.blogspot.com 

I just love eating apricots. They are the new found object of my desire. They are sweet, a bit tart and just juicy enough. Enjoy them fresh or dried, you will be very  surprised that the velvety skin, smooth and sweet taste, and delicate orange color.

Fresh apricots are generally "in season" from May to October so the time is ripe to get you some APRICOTS! You can typically find canned or dried all year round.

Only 16 calories per apricot!? What's not to love!? Photo by: ybertaud9.wordpress.com

If you like peaches, you will highly enjoy the tiny hands feel of the apricot with a little less mess. Apricots and peaches are cousins, you know. Coming in at only 16....yes that's right...only sixteen calories per apricot...seriously. IDK why I didn't start munching on these little treats sooner!

Apricot nectar (or juice) is SUPER tasty and very filling! Try some today! Photo by: menumanaged.blogspot.com

Apricots have loads of Vitamin A, C, Fiber, Potassium and Tryptophan. These attributes help fight disease (fiber), pack a powerful antioxidant punch (Vitamin A), help protect the heart and the eyes by decreasing the risk for developing cataracts by nearly 40%! and help prevent cholesterol build-up and heart disease (betacarotene).

The average American gets less than 10 grams of fiber per day. Apricots are an easy, simple and tasty way (you know I love that trifecta combo) to add dietary fiber to your day!

"Data reported in a study published in the Archives of Opthamology indicates that eating 3 or more servings of fruit per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, by 36%, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily."

Source 

Tasty treats! Photo by: www.ifood.tv 

TIP: For optimal nutrition (and taste in my opinion) Apricots are best consumed fresh and raw! Dried apricots often contain sulfur (unless organic) and some people should not consume sulfur. (Sulfur is commonly used along with other chemicals to preserve dried fruits, which is why it can be more beneficial to buy organic dried fruits as well which do not contain sulfur)

See how they are almost kind of red-orange color on the inside? That's what we're looking for. Photo by: myhealthmaster.blogspot.com 

ALSO...the darker and more "reddish" the apricot, the higher the antioxidant level.
HOW TO PICK AN APRICOT: They should be rich in orange color. Try to avoid the yellow, pale-looking ones. They should also by slightly soft and not too firm. Typically you can smell a rich sweetness from them as well. This means they are good for the eatin'!

Start your journey with fresh apricots today! Apricots dying in Cappadocia. Photo by: commons.wikimedia.org -

As a transitioning raw vegan, what was once only a "snack" has become a much more intentional nutritious "one-bowl" meal. I LOVE fruits and veggies are that require little to no prep or clean up and provide my body with vital vitamins and minerals that I need!

Eat up! Photo by: sohappytosew.blogspot.com 

Grab you some fresh apricots from your local grocer today! (Trader Joe's often carries them fresh with about 10-15 in a carton for approx. $2.49 and you can even find Apricot juice or "Nectar" at many local Arab, Hispanic or Indian stores, even Whole Foods!)

Peace.
~h

Zip-Zap-SMOOTHIE!

The wonderful carrot-filled rainbow! Photo by: blog.bountifulbaskets.org

While in transition to a raw vegan diet or even just thinking about it...there are alot of easy meal ideas you can use that will be beneficial for your mind and body.


Here is are some great starter recipes to get you on the move! Photo courtesy of  http://douladivinity.tumblr.com/, one of my FAVORITE tumblr page's of all time. :-) Show her some love.

 One of the easiest and dare I say, most nutritious meals a human can feed it's body is JUICE!

Baby's love it, grandparents love it! IT'S EASY TO DIGEST AND GOES DOWN SMOOTH. Great for moms and dads and kids on the GO! I mean, seriously who doesn't like a nice refreshing juice at almost anytime of the day!

Baby's love GREEN SMOOTHIES! Photo by: www.greensmoothiegal.com

What I love about these recipes is they are properly combined for best absorbtion and digestion (yes, your body "digests" juice) and they really taste great.

I have a very basic juicer myself and have been able to enjoy many of the amazingly tasty benefits of juicing and make AT LEAST ONE MEAL A DAY a smoothie or juice feast meal.
*NOTE: This is one of my tips on how to lose 20 pounds in 3 months...stay tuned!

Vitamin A-Z can be found in these suckers! I love eating fruits! Photo by: mr-ginseng.com

As a natural vegan it is IMPERATIVE that I get certain minerals, vitamins and live ingredients in my diet at as many meals as I can. Smoothies/juices do it all.

Love. Love. Yum. Photo by: www.plantpoweredliving.com  

APPLE SNAP
3-4 apples (any sweet or tart variety), 7-8 carrots, 1-2 inches of ginger, 1-2 whole lemons = light sweet JUICE with a little KNUDGE! :-)

If you don't have the time/resources or interest in juicing...start small. Use your blender and try some of these recipes:

A little seedy, tart and summer time sweet! Photo by: www.thedevilwearsparsley.com

BERRY BERRY TASTY SMOOTHIE
1 cup strawberries, 1 cup raspberries, 1 cup blueberries, 1 cup orange juice, 1 banana, 2 tbsp ground flax seed, 1 cup ice (or use frozen fruits) =- YUMM!

Ingredients: Banana, mango, pineapple, spinach. Photo by: dontwastethecrumbs.com

HAPPY GREEN MACHINE SMOOTHIE
1 large banana, 1 can of pineapple with juice (or 1/2 live pineapple sliced), 1 handful of raw spinach, 1-2 large mangoes (to your taste) = my favorite GREEN SMOOTHIE

Ingredients: Kale, almonds, banana. Simple and easy living! Photo by: blog.vellumandvogue.com

ALMOND JOYFUL SMOOTHIE
1 cup almond milk (or coconut or goat's or rice milk whatever you like), 1 banana, 1 handful of kale = TASTY STARTER smoothie

Ahh yes...a staple on the run go to smoothie. Great trusted brand! Photo by: www.tumblr.com

Last but not least...when I'm on the super-go-go and I know I need to get my smoothie or juice in for the day...I breakdown and buy it. I know this may seem not that awesome...but honestly I pay around $6-10 for the average "meal" on the go...so why not spend $5.99 on a 64 oz. Bolthouse Green Goodness smoothie and still have some change to spare for an extra 20 oz juice? Savin' dollars and livin' easy. :-)

I hope you will be inspired to add a smoothie to your day today! Post your very own smoothie/juice recipes below! Good health CAN BE YOURS!

Live. Love. Well.

~h