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

Delicious Blueberry kisses!

Fresh hand-picked blueberries! Yummo! Photo by: thecolleyhouse.org

If you're anything like I was as a kid...I hated blueberries! They were weird, tasted funny and were too mushy. Nowadays...you'd have to tie my hands to keep from eating them right off the stand! (and even then I'll still sneak in a few handfuls!)

I super love blueberries, but I understand that our tastes change as we change, and our preferences evolve as we evolve...thus...we must be ever vigilant and patience with ourselves and others...and our food choices.

Back to these little blue nuggets of wonder...

Whole body antioxidant support! Get you some! Photo by: health.usnews.com

You know the name of the game: "Raw or nothing at all!" and blueberries carefully fit the bill around here! They are actually best eaten raw as that is when they taste yummiest AND provide the highest nutritional value to your growing (and changing) body.

Berry berry delicious! Photo by: erasedisease.com

Where else can one find cognitive, cardiovascular, blood sugar, anti-cancer, and eye support all in one superfood?! At only 84 calories per 1 cup serving...how much better can it get!

Known for high antioxidant properties, we can thank Anthocyanins for their rich red, blue and even purple color. Many of the phytonutrients we find in blueberries explain this fruit's instant claim to fame among top superstar foods. We see this in the ways blueberries keep free radicals in the blood stream at bay and function as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in the body.

Don't they just look like little sunshines? Love! Photo by: breakingmuscle.com

These tiny tots pack loads of Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Manganese, and Fiber!

The truth is one should readily consume at least three (3) cups of fruit EVERYDAY and blueberries should certainly be welcomed at the party 3-4 times per week or every single day. Also nice to know is most studies suggest that, though best eaten fresh and raw, blueberries are one of the few fruits that do NOT lose a significant amount of nutritional value when frozen! You know what that means!

I fall berry hard for these tasty treats! Photo by: rollingout.com 

Stock up and enjoy them all year round!

BONUS: Raw Blueberry Smoothie Recipe!

1/2 banana
1 1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup blackberries
1 cup almond milk
1 cup spinach leaves
Blend, add a bit of water if too thick or more berries if too thin! Enjoy!
More superb recipes here!

As a transitioning raw vegan I LOVE easy foods, rich in nutrients and even simpler to prepare! Pick up some blueberries in your neighborhood today!

Live. Love. Well.
~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