Liver Flush Cocktail




I love a good cocktail, don't you?! Well, if you are a non-alcoholic drinker, this might be right up your alley, just pretend its cranberry and vodka for the fun of it!

Our bodies are cleansed by a myriad of ways and one of the most important ways to rid ourselves of toxins is via the liver. I post of liver cleanse recipes often, but this is a new one that I wanted to share. It is very energizing, so I would recommend drinking at least 1 glass per day for at least a week or two.

Quick Liver Flush Cocktail Recipe:
  • 4 oz of raw cranberries. You can juice these yourself for added nutrition or you can purchase the purest, unsweetened glass bottle of Cranberry juice you can find. Typically a $5-$9 price tag.
  • 4 oz of water
  • 1 tbs of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (see my old post here on the brand to purchase)
  • 1/2 of a Lemon juiced or freshly squeezed
  • 10 drops of B-12
  • Mix all of the above ingredients together, serve over ice & enjoy!
This cocktail is not your average cocktail, it is very tart to the taste. Hopefully your taste buds will become acclimated the more that you continue to consume it.

Kombucha!!!!




I absolutely could NOT wait to post about Kombucha! I remember in 2012 when I first tried the vinegar-like tasting drink, I had just left Central Market in Houston and I wanted to gag! LOL! It took me almost another year before I circled back around to try it again. This time, it was homemade and I fell in love!! So of course, you know that it quickly became an obsession, right? Well, as with most things that I obsess over (not men), I have to be mindful to remain consistent, Kombucha took a backseat to my freshly pressed organic juices. This was until I got settled in my juicing business and quite frankly, did not want juice on a daily basis. In walks Kombucha, for the third and final time! It is guaranteed to be a staple for the long haul, especially GT's Kombucha.

So what is Kombucha? You might be asking yourself this question or perhaps, you already know. And if you already know, I hope you know what I know and incorporate it in your nutritional regime quite often. My sister is not a fan of it, so I will say that it is an acquired taste. I will also say to be present with the health benefits and try to pay the above "acquired taste" comment no mind and drink it anyways!

Kombucha, in layman's terms is fermented tea. It is made with a kombucha culture mushroom, cane sugar and green or black tea. Due to the fermentation process, you will find that most organic kombucha's have a certain percentage of alcohol. Very little, but if you drink it first thing in the morning (like me) or on an empty stomach, you are sure to experience a mini buzz! Kombucha is a healthier alternative to soda, due to its carbonation - it bubbles and fizzes like a Coca-Cola! I promise, it is much healthier for your overall health and well-being though.

So what benefits have I noticed about drinking kombucha? I have been consuming it 7 days a week for the past four months now and so far, I have more energy (as if I need it), clearer skin and a very healthy and happy gut (due to all of the yummy probiotics). Kombucha contains Vitamin C, B Vitamins, Probiotics, Polyphenols, Organic Enzymes, and Amino Acids.

Depending on where you live, you can find this brand at Whole Foods, Sprouts (they usually have it discounted at $2), and Publix.

As mentioned above, you can brew kombucha at home. I would suggest that you research it. If your personal items are not sterile, you can become extremely sick. You want to make sure that you know exactly what you are doing before making a homemade batch.

Wellness Break: Natural Products Part VI


I am a product junkie fanatic! I swear, if I see a product that I love (especially at TJX Stores), I never hesitate to purchase it!

Dr. Bronner's products have been a staple in my mostly shower routine, so I was eager to try the toothpaste ($4 cheaper than Whole Foods at TJMaxx). I actually enjoy all of the fragrances/flavors, except the Anise, as I do not care for licorice anything.

Here are some uses for the all natural Castile Soap:
  • Showering
  • Hand Washing
  • Face Washing
  • Shampoo
  • House Cleaner
  • Dish Washing
  • Vegetable Washing
  • Laundry Soap
  • & more!
As for the toothpaste, I really like it! I have been using it in between my Auromere toothpaste since November 2015. I like that Dr. Bronner's reformulated their toothpaste last year and removed carrageenan. You will find that their toothpaste doesn't foam - I don't mind this, but if you need the foam, I would not suggest it. They do not use synthetic foaming detergents, so you know you can extend the same health and wellness to your oral care.

Here is a link to all of Dr. Bronner's products. Be sure to check your local TJX stores to save a few extra bucks!

To take you back in time, here are links to my series of finding Natural Products: I, II, III, IV, & V.

Be well, folks!

Fancy Veggie Ramen Recipe




I contemplated posting this recipe for some time now. I think it was for the sheer fact that it is a packaged item and then I thought, "Who the hell doesn't like a fancy Ramen"?! If you don't, then exit stage left. I kid, I kid. But seriously guys, it's so good! Plus, I make it lower in sodium, by tossing the packet and creating my own seasoning blend. So here's an ode to your not-so-memorable college days, just a little spruced up!

Fancy Veggie Ramen Recipe:
  • 1 packet of Ramen, break the ramen in 4 and toss the seasoning packet
  • 5 Mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 2 Green Onions
  • 2 cups of Veggie Broth
  • 1 Handful of Spinach
  • 1 tbs of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Sriracha Hot Sauce
  • Seasonings: Cayenne Pepper (I like it hot!), Garlic Salt, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Himalayan Pink Salt. - please only season to taste. You know your taste buds and I hate measurements!
In a small pot, heat up your olive oil and lightly sauté (do not overcook) your mushrooms, garlic, and onions. Season them to taste. Add your broth and bring to a boil. Once your broth is at a rolling boil, add your ramen noodles and spinach. Cooking until the noodles are done. Serve in a bowl and if you are daring like me, add Sriracha...I put that #$^& on everything!!

Enjoy!!

Health Benefits of Pure Cranberry Juice



I don't think I know of anyone who actually enjoys the taste of raw cranberries. This juice is super beneficial for your urinary tract and kidneys. If you have ever had a UTI, I would highly recommend consuming cranberries, preferably juiced, but supplement form works as well.

Here are 8 reasons why cranberry juice is good for your health:
  1. Prevents Kidney Stones
  2. Reduces Risk of Stomach Ulcers
  3. Helps Avoid Respiratory Infections
  4. Cures Sore Throats and Colds
  5. Prevents Scurvy and Tooth Decay
  6. Aids in Heart and Cardiovascular Health
  7. UTI Relief
  8. Combats Inflammation of the Lungs

Stay Hydrated with FIJI!




Thanks to my brother, I have been geeking out on all things mineral and artesian water! My latest obsession has been FIJI water. Someone who is not a water connoisseur, may not even notice a difference in the plethora of bottled waters housed in your local grocery store, but I happen to not be that person. As I shared with you in this post a few years ago, I absolutely loathed drinking water as a child. Now that I can think back, I grew up in the 80's and there was not as many issues with tap water then as there are now NOR could you go to the grocery store and select from a variety of bottled water brands. But I think for someone who was inclined to go into the field of wellness, I could tell the difference early on, that tap water was not my friend! :-)

So far, I am not able to speak on how I feel by drinking this fairly expensive water. However, what I can tell you is that it has become increasingly easy for me to drink plain water. I am known for adding ACV, Aloe Vera, fruits, etc. to liven my water drinking experience. I like the fact that FIJI is extremely smooth tasting, which according to their website, is attributed to its electrolytes and minerals.

What's your favorite bottled water? BPA free, of course! 

Magnesium Boost!



As I am known to be an almost "random" person, I was getting a manicure and attempted to recall the reasons for my nails having almost zero half moons. You know the one that sits at your cuticle bed? Well, I only have 3 out of 10! As well, some nails are rigid. So the possibility of having mineral deficiencies began to plague my mind!

After I got home from the nail shop, I took to the net and found two supplements that I just know that I could use more of. The first was Magnesium, which I so conveniently had these packets in my pantry. It was midday and I poured half a packet into my 26 fl oz water thermal. Within the next couple of hours, I felt as though I was a lot calmer and relaxed to the point of wanting to do absolutely nothing. Once I finished racking my mind at why I was so "chill" all of a sudden, I knew that it had been the Magnesium!

So here, my friends, are Dr. Axe's "9 Important Magnesium Benefits":
  • Calms Nerves
  • Helps You Fall Asleep & Treat Insomnia
  • Helps Increase Energy (I'm assuming you should take it at night, so it can help you re-energize once you awaken - verdict is still out for me)
  • Helps With Digestion By Relieving Constipation
  • Relieves Muscle Aches & Spasms
  • Regulates Levels of Calcium & Potassium
  • Important for Heart Health
  • Prevents Migraine Headaches
  • Helps Prevent Osteoporosis
Here is also a link to Dr. Axe's page, where he discusses being able to recognize signs of Magnesium deficiency.

Parasites...yikes!

What if I told you that your body is the home of tiny living intestinal parasites that feed off of certain foods that you consume? Would you be totally grossed out? Well, I MUST warn you to not research how they depart from their beloved home (your GI tract), after conducting a parasite cleanse.

I will not write an entire blog post on parasites and all of the fun stuff that I enjoy discussing when speaking on colon health. I will just urge you to do research on human parasites and how EVERYONE is affected (yes, even you!).

Below is a list of ways that parasites enter your body:
  • Contaminated water and food supplies (including fruits and vegetables)
  • Raw/undercooked meats
  • Walking BAREFOOT outside. Yes, I said it! I do enjoy it too. Or think of the beach or pool that you walk on when on vacation. Human parasites enter in and travel through the bottom of your foot. Not just walking around, but swimming in the ocean and the pool.
  • Having pets!
  • Traveling overseas
  • Improper hand washing or lack of
  • & more! yikes!!
So now that I've gotten your attention. It is not a matter of IF you have parasites, but what you can do to rid your body of them on a routine basis.  Parastroy is one product that I invest in, to cleanse my body. I only utilize a parasite cleanse every 6 months, so that is twice per year. I enjoy Parastroy the most because it has been extremely gentle on my system. The only con is that there are so many pills that you have to take daily (4) and the length of time to finish is 20+. There are other options and it comes in liquid form and most can be completed within a couple of weeks.


Also, there are some other holistic colon cleansing methods that you can use on a continuum, that will kill parasites and I have listed those below:
  • Tea Tree Oil
  • Wormwood
  • Cloves
  • Raw Pumpkin Seeds (a handful a few times per week)
  • Black Walnut Hull

Easy Acorn Squash Recipe






Ever met a vegetable you did not like? Well, sheesh, me either! Well, except for Sauerkraut, but come to think of it, I LOVE cabbage - so never mind! :-)

Since becoming certified in 2013, I have tried my best to not be intimidated by trying new fruits and vegetables. With that being noted, the acorn squash was one vegetable that has always scared me a little, mostly based on its external and my lack of wanting to be disappointed by its taste. I am happy to report that the flavor and texture were both amazingly delicious! Keep reading to see how I made a simple and easy Acorn Squash recipe.

Ingredients:
  • 1 Acorn Squash
  • 2 tsp of Raw/Organic Honey
  • 2 tsp of Coconut Palm Sugar (or Brown Sugar)
  • 1 tsp of Vanilla Extract
  • 1 tsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Cooking Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Safely slice your squash in half. Scoop out the inside guts (mostly seeds), until it is smooth. Gently poke holes in the squash to prepare it for absorption.
- In a bowl, mix together the honey, sugar, vanilla and olive oil. Then carefully spoon the mixture and coat the insides of your squash.
- In a baking dish, pour a little water in the base, to avoid the squash burning in the oven. Then place the squash halves in the baking dish.
- Bake for about an hour. Do check on it after about 45 minutes to ensure that neither your pan or squash are burning. Be sure to not undercook the squash, by simply checking its texture with a fork.


Hello!

Today is June 8, 2016 and it is exactly 1 month since my 35th birthday! My couple of months away from my blog has not been without thought. I actually missed blogging, but I have been working and more importantly LIVING! *big smile*

Anywho, just thought I'd say hello! I have a ton of posts that will begin Friday and will post 3x per week this month, so bookmark the site and check back soon!

Be well!! xo
Jen