Homeade Cashew Mylk

You know that adage old saying: "put your health into your own hands"? Well, I often take that quite literal. This is one of the main reasons why I prefer preparing my own foods, over buying them in convenience stores. My dairy-free nut milks are no different, especially being that I suffer from IBS. To avoid having to read labels, creating a homemade version will ensure that your health is actually in your hands.

If interested in making this quick and easy homemade cashew mylk, all you will need is 5 ingredients (as shown above).

• 1 cup of Cashews. Be sure to cover them in water and soak between 6-12 hours. The longer they soak, the better for processing.
• 8 Medjool Dates
• 1 tbs of Vanilla Extract
• 1 pinch of Sea Salt
• 4 cups of water

Once you have allowed your cashews to soak overnight, gather all of your ingredients and blend for roughly two minutes. As you can see below, I was able to produce roughly 56 ounces of my homemade cashew mylk. Be sure to place in the fridge to chill prior to consuming.

It should be no secret that cashews are high in mood-boosting benefits. In fact, "just two handfuls of cashews is the therapeutic equivalent of a prescription dose of prozac, (FoodMatters). Go figure! I like cashews because I can not only chew them raw, but drink AND use as a non-dairy base to various sauce/cream recipes, such as Alfredo.

*Please do not consume, if you have a nut allergy.*

Green Protein Smoothie

It has been a long while since I have posted a Green Smoothie recipe. I still make them daily, however, as of late, I have had to increase my protein intake. As apart of my focus on my "body" for 2016, I have decided to train as if I were going to be in a bikini competition. In other words, be more consistent with my workouts, to see the results that I seek. Anywho, more on that later. :-)

This green smoothie is packed with protein to repair my post-workout muscles. 

• handful of Spinach (Popeye has huge muscles, right?)
• 1 Banana
• 1 cup Mango chunks
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 scoop of Almond Butter
• 1 tbsp Maca powder
• 1 tbsp Vitamineral Green powder - still my "go to" green powder
• 1 tbsp Hemp Hearts
• 1 tbsp Chia Seeds
• 1 tbsp Sunfood Superfood Smoothie Mix
• 1 tsp of Matcha Powder

What's in your green smoothie?

Happy 2016!

I am late to the party, but still made it here within January! So far, 2016 has been good to me. How about you? In new years past, I had set many goals to accomplish. This year, I really just want to focus on being better at 3 essentials: mind, body and spirit. I spent so much of the past several years focused on goals, that I simple forgot to BE. You never want to spend all of your efforts on "doing" that you neglect your "being". 

So cheers to investing in yourself for 2016! Many wishes for an abundance in your health, happiness, finances, wisdom and last (but definitely not least)...your self-love!

with lots of love,

Jennifer

Artichoke Benefits

I have always enjoyed my meals with artichoke, but was never a true fan. This may have been in part due to my intimidation of this lovely veggie. If you are wondering how to prep an artichoke, here's a video to show you exactly how to trim them to get to the goodness. And if you are considering adding artichokes to your dishes, I have listed some health benefits to help persuade you. :-)

10 Health Benefits of Artichokes:

• Reduces bad cholesterol
• Good for liver health
• High in anti-oxidants
• High in fiber
• Maintains a healthy heart
• Anti-cancer
• Diuretic
• Improves digestion
• Glucose stabilizer
• Relieves hypertension

While living in Houston, TX, I frequented a restaurant called Baby Barnaby's and they make a killer Green Eggs dish, with artichokes. If you are ever in the Houston area, it is definitely worth checking out!