Please eat more Greens!

Leafy Greens with Balsamic Glaze

Ingredients:
1 bunch of your favorite Dark Leafy Greens (Kale, Swiss chard, Collards, Spinach)
1 tsp Olive Oil
¼ tsp Herbs De Provence (optional)
Raw Parmesan (optional, but highly recommended)
Sea salt
Pepper

Heat olive oil in a cast iron pan (or any Non-Teflon pan, preferably) on medium-high heat for about 3 minutes to allow the oil to fully heat up. Meanwhile, cut off the hard stems of the leafy greens (bottom three inches) so that only the leaves remain (this isn’t necessary for spinach.) Cut up the green leaves into inch wide strips. Place the cut greens into hot pan and sprinkle with Herbs De Provence. Saute in pan only until you see that the greens take on a bright green color and still hold their shape pretty well—approximately 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste (remember that the Parmesan will also be adding a salty flavor) and place on a serving dish. Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze (recipe below) and shave enough Parmesan on the top so it looks like a light coating of snow.



Balsamic Glaze:
½ cup Balsamic vinegar (preferably sulfite free and organic)
½ cup organic-unrefined sugar or raw honey
1 large sprig of Rosemary

Bring all ingredients to a boil while stirring. Turn down the heat to low and stir the mixture together until the sugar is fully dissolved (approximately 3-5 minutes.) Allow the mixture to fully cool before drizzling onto the greens. Enjoy!!

Butter really is BETTER!

Last weekend I decided to venture into a world of making my own butter. Well, only kind of, because some would argue that we don't "make" butter, nature pretty much makes it for us. All we really do is get the right ingredients and shake it up a bit!
So....I did just that!
I'm fortunate enough to live in a state (California) where raw dairy is easily accessible. So, I went to the local co-op and got myself a nice pint of Organic Raw Cream (this means unpasteurized), I'm talking really raw--the kind where it even smells like you're on the farm.

I wanted to see if it could be easily done with our everyday kitchen ware. I didn't really have a butter churn, and I always enjoy bringing traditional foods and dishes to this day and age--this makes it simple for just about anyone and it also mellows the excuses for NOT trying it (including my own.)

Okay, so, I poured the raw cream into my food processor and spun it on high for about 3-5 minutes. Enough time to see the cream thickening...and resembling butter. It's the same look you get when you OVER whip heavy whipping cream.
I took out the thick cream, now resembling butter, and placed it into a strainer over a bowl--to allow any buttermilk to drain from the fat. I allowed it to drain for about an hour.....and POOF, there was butter!! (I must admit that my butter came out looking and tasting more like clotted cream or really thick whipping cream, but I actually preferred this because it resembled whipped butter which is easier to spread. If you prefer more of a butter consistency then just whip it more, or just shake the raw cream in a glass jar until you see the butter separate from the buttermilk liquid.)

When all was said and done, it was so easy and well worth the small amount of work! If you like you can add a little sea salt or fresh herbs to the whipped butter when it is finished.

You may be asking yourself, "this sounds fun and all but I thought butter was bad for you.....and contributed to heart disease?"

So....let's talk butter!!

BUTTER (A dear friend, in moderation):
Butter has been called out as villain especially when it comes to cholesterol (which is not all bad, but that's another article.) However, research does not support the claim that butter causes chronic cholesterol values. In fact, it's important that we dispel this theory that Saturated Fats are "bad" for us. Saturated fats are the most stable of the fats--meaning that they don't often go rancid--and they play a vital role in our body's chemistry. Scientific evidence does not support the theory that "artery clogging" saturated fats cause heart disease. With further evaluation, the fat in artery clogs reveal that ONLY 26 percent is saturated. The rest is unsaturated, mainly in the form of polyunsaturated oils.
Americans are convinced that butter is dangerous when it has in fact been used as a valued component in many cultures and traditional diets, and is a great source of vital nutrients. These nutrients are the Fat Soluble Vitamins: A,D,E,K (all essential, folks!)
In fact, vitamin A is most easily absorbed from butter than from other sources. The most amount of nutrients are received when the butter comes from cows that graze and eat green grass (hence, Organic raw butter.)
After studying isolated traditional peoples around the world, Dr. Weston Price discovered that the healthiest cultures had fats high in fat soluble vitamins--like butter--as one of their primary sources of fat. NEVER did he find that they used Polyunsaturated oils (like canola, soy, or safflower) which can be easily converted to Hydrogenated oils or become rancid.
Furthermore, he discovered that the nutrients in butter actually had a "catalyzing" effect on other foods. For instance, consuming vegetables and other foods WITH butter actually helped the body utilize the minerals in those foods. Without the butter, the minerals are not as bio-available and useful to the body. Dr. Price coined this "catalyst" or "activator" phrase as: Activator X
It is the "Activator X" (from the fat soluble nutrients of the butter) that allows our bodies to easily absorb the vital nutrients we need. A lovely synergistic effect!!

Of special importance: Eating butter from raw dairy has an additional complement to the body in that it contains a substance that protects humans and animals from calcification of the joints. It has been coined: The Wulzen Factor by Researcher Rosalind Wulzen. It works as a buffer and lubricant between your joints, and has also been found to protect against hardening of arteries, cataracts, and calcification of the pineal gland.

If you'd like to read more on the effects of raw dairy versus pasteurized, please check out the following link: http://www.realmilk.com/healthbenefits.html

I personally subscribe to a diet with a varied amount of different beneficial fats. As I personally believe that variety is the key for health! Of the varied fats, I use raw butter and olive oil the most, as I find that they benefit my body the best. However, there are other great fat sources like Coconut oil and even Lard (yes, I said lard) so please explore and keep your options open.

My purpose of this article was to educate more on the beneficial and more stable fats like butter, and keep us away from the more dangerous fats like margarine, hydrogenated oils, and even polyunsaturated oils like canola, soy, safflower, sunflower, etc. (If interested, my next article will be on Hydrogenated and Polyunsaturated Oils.)

Is this testing everything you've learned that was "good" or "bad" for you? Does it seem reversed or confusing? If the answer is yes, then I am doing my job...which is to have you question what you think you know. Dig deeper, ask more questions, and find the truth that really speaks to you. Empower yourself by educating, asking, and trying new things!
Maybe the French really do know something that we are just starting to explore?
Perhaps, there is no "French Paradox" after all?

Love and Butter~




Sources: Sally Fallon (with Mary G. Enig, Ph.D) Nourishing Traditions:1999,2000

Soothing Tea for Sore Throat

My husband woke up this morning with the worst sore throat and a "funky (as my husband calls it) fever."
So I jumped to make a tea that could soothe the throat and kill the bacterial beasts that might be causing it. The key is to treat this at the onset of symptoms!
Firstly, it's important to note that we rarely look at being ill or "under the weather" as a good thing. However, it is a time to celebrate my friends, because it indicates that the body is indeed WORKING!
The immune system is doing exactly what it geared to do in the most perfect way!! So, just help it along with rest, care, and good nutrients.

Here is a nice tea that tastes great and works wonders (and you probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen!) He is now sore-throat free and has found that he loves this tea, as well. Incidentally, the fever has reduced also!

Ingredients: 4 bags of herbal tea infused with fruit and citrus (I used Red Zinger)
Juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 tsp of RAW honey (please make sure it is raw and unfiltered)
1/4 tsp of cayenne

Take a sauce pan and boil water (enough for 4-5 cups.) Take the sauce pan off the heat and add the tea bags, and steep for about 8 minutes-or longer if you prefer a stronger taste-with the lid on. Remove the tea bags and stir in the additional ingredients! Enjoy HOT!

The key here is drinking it while it's still pretty hot (not too hot to burn your mouth) but hot enough to help kill the bacteria.

Please enjoy with lots of LOVE!!

Today

Just for today, don't make EXCUSES to NOT do what your heart begs you to do!
Take this moment, this very second (that's right, RIGHT NOW!) to do what you've been putting off!
Go on that Hike
Sign up for that Dance class
Call that sign that offered Surfing lessons
Apply for that job that you feel less than qualified to take, but want anyway.
Call that person that you've wanted to connect with, but fear you might not get the "right" response.

Take the time NOW, because I'll tell you a little secret, there is NO OTHER TIME!
Ready.....GO!

The Power of 3

I often use this technique with many of clients and I find it extremely useful for myself as well!
Ask 3 of your dearest friends to write down 3 things they love about your character, and 3 things they dislike.

After receiving the results. Spend time soaking it in and feeling the positive comments, and then spend time really reflecting and thinking about the "negative" comments.
Do your best not to make excuses or rationalizations at those not-so-favorable comments (and try your best not to get mad at your dear friends who have the courage to do this great favor for you.)
Instead, allow yourself to distant from the comments themselves, and stay closer to the feeling this motivates within you.
How can changing these qualities improve your life?

Can you imagine your life without these qualities?

Do any of the 3 friends see the same "poor" qualities?

Is there a common theme?

Are you WILLING to look closely at what those dear to you feel and see, or does your Ego shove it away pridefully?

I have often found this exercise to be one of the greatest catalysts to deep change within us. I find great solace in knowing that our dear friends can mirror such greatness in us, as well as reflect to us some of our divine "opportunities."

It might be interesting to do this with people you only kind-of-know, or maybe with co-workers that interact with you on more of a surface level. Do you think it would be similar or different to the comments made by your close friends?

To your greatest self~

Tips for keeping your resolutions in 2009

At the start of every year we all get so excited and "moved" to begin a new program, begin a regimen, or to just better our lives with goals/resolutions.
We usually all start off with great motivation and excitement for these new plans, and then after some months we sometimes find that our motivation has waned.
Here are some tips that I thought I'd share to help you in keeping true to your resolutions.

1.)Keep your resolutions aligned with your values
I highly recommend writing down your top 5 values (what you value in your life most.) For example: Family, Health, Spirit, Helping others, Honesty
We are more likely to follow through on the goals or resolutions that are aligned with our value system-because we remain passionate about what we value most. Check out your resolution list and see if it aligns with your values.

2.) Be Specific
Write down specifically what you would like, rather than generalizing.
For example: "I am going to pilates 3 days a week, and am substituting water for soda", rather than, "I want to lose weight."
Neither the Universe nor anyone else can know what we really want unless we are specific with our desires. Our mind has no choice but to picture and create our desired outcome when we specify this way.
Try it: Speak the first goal I wrote out loud and watch how the mind jumps to visualize it.

3.) Narrow It Down
Narrow down your resolutions to your top 3! We sometimes get carried away with all the new things to change and when we finally look at our list, there's 52 items! Hence, feeling overwhelmed and almost discouraged before we begin. So, choose the top 3 resolutions (that align with your values, and are specific) and place all of your energy into seeing those through. Our mind is sometimes like a 3 year old child, so we must give it some designed focus in order for it to stay in the game.
You might be pleasantly surprised that other things on your list get accomplished by default just by staying focused on the top 3! Funny how life works out that way!

4.) Keep It Positive
Write your resolutions/goals in a positive light by not using negative word statements.
For example: "I AM CHOOSING healthier foods like dark greens", rather than, "I am NOT eating junk food."
Research has found that our minds and bodies respond to goals that are stated with a positive flare, rather than with a negative word statement.

5.) Tangible Technique (Temporal Tapping)
Sometimes we need a little something tangible to assist the goal along.
Here is a great "Energy Therapy" technique that I use with many of my clients (and myself) in helping with goals. The technique simply "taps" into our psyche and our nervous system.
Step 1: BREATHE (this clears the mind temporarily of expectation and addiction.)

Step 2: Temporal Tapping Sequence: Tap the left side of the head (starting at your temple) around the ear from the front to the back with the three middle fingers of your left hand.

Step 3: State your desired outcome with a negative worded statement, in rhythm as you tap. For example: "I no longer crave sweets." (say this as you tap)

Step 4: Tap hard enough to feel a firm contact and a bit of a bounce. Tap from front to back about five times repeating your statement with each pass.

Step 5: Repeat the technique on the right side, tapping with your right hand, with a positive word statement. For example: "I eat healthily, I am in choice of what I eat."

Step 6: Tap hard enough to feel a firm contact and a bit of a bounce. Tap from front to back about five times repeating your statement with each pass.

Repeat this procedure several times per day. The more you tap in the affirmation, the quicker and stronger the effect is on your nervous system.

Quick note: I have found that this works wonders right before going to the grocery store, where cravings sneak up the most.
For individuals with strong cravings to sweets; I use this technique in conjunction with stirring 1 tsp of baking soda into 5oz. of water and swishing in the mouth (please don't drink it!) and then spitting it out. For some reason, the alkalizing effect of the baking soda calms the craving.

Please remember that when we "get rid" of things in our life...even if they are not useful to us. We sometimes feel depravity or lack simply by default. In order or to free our minds of this feeling, I usually recommend adding something-or substituting- for everything we "take away."
For example: "I am substituting white tea for the caffeinated black tea."
Or "I am giving up refined sugar and adding more sweetness from friends in my life."

In long and short, enjoy and celebrate this precious life!! Try to think about what will really matter in those last few moments left on earth....this might give you a better idea as to what means the most to you. All of a sudden, your goals for a year turn into goals for life! As you focus on what you might release physically, I'd also invite you to think about what you'd like to add emotionally to your life, also.
BE WELL!

With Love and Health,
Christy~