Bottling Colorful Creations

I'm basking in the color of the contents of this week's The Veggie Bin items! Ahhh, color bliss! Like the last box, the strawberries are divine! I'm off to add them to some Swiss Chard, Mixed Greens, Cilantro, Water, Coconut Oil, and Honey in the blender...for the result of a healthy smoothie breakfast in about 24 seconds (the time my blender takes to whip it all up).

Colorful Hugs,

Penny

Bottling Tomato Soup-Smoothie

Yesterday, I experimented with making this Tomato Soup-Smoothie for a friend. It turned out well, so I'm planning to make it for my husband and I today. Plus, it's a quick way to use up some tomatoes I have here.

In blender, I put:

~ 3 Tomatoes from The Veggie Bin
~ a handful of Thyme from The Veggie Bin
~ Seasonings: To taste, Himalayan Sea Salt , Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cayenne Pepper (tiny shake), an assorted Spicy Seasoning Blend I had on hand (just a little shake)
~ Juice from 1/2 a Lemon
~ 4 Dates (or, to taste)

I blended on the smoothie setting until the mixture was nice-n-smooth. The consistency, while fairly thick, was still easy enough to just drink.

About the soup-smoothie, my friend replied:

"Oh that Savory Smoothie was the BOMB!! I slurped it all down and sprinkled in a few kale chips."

What a nice way to get more tomatoes into our systems!

Tomato Hugs, :-)

Penny

"Slice of Blueberry Heaven"

I made this delicious raw-vegan blueberry pie today. My friend, Chloe, named it. "Shall we call it a 'slice of blueberry heaven'?" she asked me when she saw a picture of it on my Facebook page. So, Chloe, a "slice of blueberry heaven" it is! :-)

Chloe wanted to know what ingredients, in addition to the obvious blueberries, were used to create this 'cake-ish' pie. Let's see if I can get it all straight in my mind, because I was just winging it. :-)
For the crust, in the food processor, I fully processed (until it basically couldn't spin any longer):
~ Soaked raw almonds, approx. 2 cups
~ Medjool Dates, pitted, 6
~ Honey, approx. 1 tablespoon or to taste
~ Cinnamon, a good shake...a few times :-)
~ Nutmeg, a good shake...a few times :-)
~ Sea Salt, a pinch or two
~ Garden of Life's Coconut Oil, approx. 1 - 2 tablespoons

This basically made enough to create a crust for both the bottom and top of the pie. I made two "balls" with the crust (it was like Play-doh), and then I pressed the first one down on the plate to spread the crust.

For the sauce, in blender, I put:

~ blueberries, approx. 1 cup

~ more of the above mixture made in the food processor. But, the second time using the food processor, I used 5 Medjool dates (pitted) and a little less of the other ingredients, as well.

~ water, approx. 1 cup or so to get it to all mix in the blender.

After blending, I ended up with a thick-texture for the sauce, however, it was easy to pour over the whole blueberries I had spread on top of the bottom crust.

Next, I spread the other Play-doh-like crust on another plate (for size). Thankfully, I was able to lift it up off the plate with a spatula and then place it on top of the blueberries and sauce.

I poured more of the sauce on the top crust, smeared it around like icing, spread more blueberries on top, and then put in the the refrigerator to set. Actually, I first put it in the freezer for about 30 mins and then moved it to the fridge.

So, what did I do with the leftover sauce?

Made a smoothie but added ice to make it more smoothie-like!

So, as you can see, I've been to blueberry heaven today! :-)

Blueberry Hugs,

Penny

A Cruciferous Veggie/Ginger Juice

Who would think all of these ingredients are in this juice: Carrot, Cauliflower, Bok Choy, Kohlrabi, Brussels Sprouts (1/2 of a whole stalk with sprouts), Parsley, and Ginger? You could end up with a little spicy after-taste, but popping a Barhi Date in the mouth so nicely counteracts that!

Cheers,

Penny

The Very Berry Spinach Smoothie

What happens when fresh, local strawberries and spinach from The Veggie Bin meet frozen blueberries picked from Jacksonville's Cardui Organic Farms? Well, here's one possible result:

"It tastes like ice cream," my husband said upon taking his first sip. Moments later, I heard all the slurping going on. Good to the last drop! My teen drank his out of a 12oz mason jar that was filled to the top, so this was one of those treats enjoyed by the whole family!

In blender, put:

~ strawberries, approx. 7 (I leave the green stems on for the iron. Once everything blends up, you can never tell they were even there. If you're using this week's strawberries from The Veggie Bin, do save some to eat whole. Mmm, they are fresh and yummy! I really considered not blending them because of how delicious they taste as is!)

~ frozen blueberries, approx. 1 cup

~ spinach, a couple handfuls (I used the The Veggie Bin's spinach and gathered a nice size handful from the bigger bunch.)

~ water, 1 1/2 - 2 cups depending on the consistency you want

~ honey, to taste (I used The Veggie Bin's local honey.)

~ optional: ice

Blend well. Perhaps pop a straw in your glass, and enjoy your very berry spinach smoothie with honey!

Yummy!

Smiles,

Penny

HoneyBell Oranges Galore

Heaven rained Honeybell Oranges down on my family!!! Thank you! Thank you! xoxo

"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." Genesis 1:29 KJV

Five of the oranges in the above bin filled up this glass...with a little left over.

Learn about these tasty oranges at http://www.honeybelloranges.net/.

"...You can’t hear or go through something about FL citrus without noticing the phrase Honeybell oranges. They are the sweetest, juiciest, and merely the very best..." ~Honeybell Oranges

Raw Food Creations from The Veggie Bin Stash

In yesterday's post, I talked about the amazingly tasty orange juice I juiced from The Veggie Bin. Today, I've been creating raw food for a friend who sent her bin home with me on Thursday. It has felt like art fun at my dining room table, and the bin from the Veggie Bin housed my "art supplies". :-)

So far, for this friend, I've created:

"Kohlrabi/Cauliflower Pâtés"...that can be turned into:

"Kohlrabi/Cauliflower Pâtés Boats" or "Stuffed Kale Leaves"
What's needed?

~ Kohlrabi. (I used approx. 3/4 of a whole kohlrabi in my veggie bin. Cut up and then drop chunks into food processor.)

~ Cauliflower, approx. half of a full head. Put chunks in food processor.

~ Parsley, a full handful

~ Green Onion, 1 leaf

~ Medjool Dates, approx. 6 or to taste (Be sure to remove the seed from each.)

~ Coconut Oil, approx. 1 1/2 tablespoons. I use this brand from Garden of Life.

~ Kale, as many leaves as "boats" you care to make

~ Optional ~ Sea Salt, to taste

~ Optional ~ Black Pepper, to taste

In food processor, chop-up kohlrabi and cauliflower. Add, parsley, green onion leaf, coconut oil, Medjool dates, sea salt and black pepper, if desired, and process again in food processor. The mixture will now take on more of a wet consistency that can be a dip, a spread, etc.

Fill your big kale leaves with your pâtés, and enjoy!

Green Smoothie

In blender, put:

~Kale, about 4 - 5 of your kale leaves from your this week's veggie bin. Simply break in half or thirds to get the leaves to fit in your blender container.

~ Parsley, small handful. A little parsley will go a long way.

~ Banana, 3 - 4...depends on the sweetness and smoothie consistency you want. (If you use bananas you've frozen, this can serve as your "ice" if you want a cold smoothie.

~ Lemon Juice..from 1/2 of a lemon

~ Coconut Oil, approx. 1 tablespoon. Again, I use this brand. Delicious!

~ Water, approx. 2 cups

~ Optional ~ Honey, approx. 1 tablespoon. The honey serves to provide a tad more sweetness if you desire it. (I used local honey supplied by The Veggie Bin.)

In blender, add all ingredients above and blend well. You should end up with a very smooth, somewhat thick consistency. Use fewer bananas or more water if you want a thinner consistency.

Cheers to your raw-food art!

Coming next: Kohlrabi/Cauliflower Tabouli

Bottling Day 3 of Garden of Life's RAW Cleanse

If you read my yesterday's blog entry, you'll recall the high energy I felt yesterday. Adding on to what I previously shared, I also mowed the lawn in the afternoon in this HOT Florida weather and then went to a high-energy Zumba class that evening. Today is a new day, however, and my body is telling me to REST for the most part. I will be teaching a yoga class this evening, which can complement my take-it-easy feeling today. When we detox our organs, as is the case with this RAW cleanse, it's normal to have these feelings of needing to slow down. So, I will not fight this feeling but rather honor it...and feel blessed that I can.

Regarding Garden of Life's RAW Cleanse, I've previously given some details about the first two daily steps of the program:

1. RAW Cleanse Toxin Defense - Optimal Oral Health and Immune System Support

2. RAW Cleanse Organ Detox - Natural Detoxification of Organs and GI Tract

More info about step 3 is:

RAW Cleanse Digestion & Elimination -- Toxin Capture and Removal is the third and final step in the RAW Cleanse experience, helping to catch and hold undesirable compounds in the digestive tract and facilitate final transport from the body. Digestion & Elimination contains 800mg of RAW Food-Chelated magnesium to draw water into the colon for effective movement of intestinal bulk. RAW organic flax and chia seed act as bulking fibers to absorb toxins and pollutants while RAW organic coconut fiber facilitates intestinal flow and creates a positive microbial balance in the body." ~Garden of Life®

Bottling Day 2 of Garden of Life's RAW Cleanse

Perhaps you read about the probiotic mouth-swishing part of Garden of Life's RAW Cleanse in my yesterday's blog entry. After the 45-second swishing and just prior to yesterday's breakfast -- a freshly made green apple and lemon juice, I took three of the Organ Detox capsules that are designed to naturally detoxify the organs and GI Tract. Then, I took the remaining three capsules for the day with lunch, which was a blueberry, banana, Maca smoothie.

"Organ Detox is the second step in the RAW Cleanse experience, supporting normal removal of environmental toxins and pollutants from the body, as well as internally generated waste by-products.....This antioxidant, enzyme and amino acid rich formula supports healthy liver biotransformation and excretion of environmental toxins (and their metabolites) normally introduced into the body in small amounts." ~Garden of Life®

After taking the final three capsules at lunch, the next RAW Cleanse step wasn't until about an hour before bed. While that stage is my least favorite part of the cleanse, it's oh so good for the body, because it's the Digestion & Elimination stage. The only reason I say it's my least favorite part is because of the taste of the green powder that needs to be mixed with water or a low-sweet juice. HOWEVER, thanks to Charlie's tip to hold my nose and chug, well, there's no taste at all until I let go of my nose. Then, I just quickly grab some water to wash away that final taste. (Hmmh, maybe Garden of Life can turn this powder into capsules. I think I will suggest this to them. :-)) In any event, the result of this daily stage of the cleanse is well worth the not-so-good taste, because it's nothing like starting the day with a great release of toxins. :-) It really helps set the tone for the day, because the fresher and lighter the body feels, well, the fresher and lighter the day.

For instance, it's still early this morning...my husband and son are still asleep...and already I've done my probiotic swishing, had some wonderfully cleansing quiet prayer time with prayers from PrayerGoddess.com, done a bit of yoga (including my favorite headstand to refresh the brain), written a thank-you note inside of a card and delivered it to an associate, worked on an idea for The Vegetarian Muse, did some produce shopping and have unpacked the mangoes, avocados, papaya, cucumber, coconut, kiwi, strawberries and bananas I purchased. I know my son will awake asking for his favorite strawberry, banana smoothie, so now I'm prepared. Plus, yesterday, we had the sweetest mango we've ever tasted, and I'm thinking he's going to want that today, too, since he says he's upping his raw eating today. At 14, he's well aware of when his body needs a bit of cleansing, so he takes some all-raw or mostly raw days here and there. I wish he'd take more of 'em, but I'm happy and proud of his conscious efforts.

Okay, folks, I still need to take the first three Organ Detox capsules for the day with breakfast. So, off I go to do that. What's for breakfast? Cucumber, green apple, lemon juice.

Talk to you tomorrow!

Happy Cleansing,

Penny

Photo: Me pictured for Life's Journey Yoga & Wellness

Bottling the 45-second Probiotic Swish

RAW Cleanse™
The Ultimate Standard in Cleansing & Detoxification
For those looking for the ultimate cleanse experience, RAW has always represented the standard. RAW Cleanse from Garden of Life features uncooked, untreated and unadulterated ingredients that are designed to support your body’s natural digestive and detoxification systems.† ~ Garden of Life®

When I first did Garden of Life's 7-Day Raw Cleanse, I had planned to document the journey, but other tasks and such apparently took the place of that intended journaling. Today, however, I'm kicking off a new month repeating this cleanse, so here's my second chance to share some notes along the way.

The cleanse kicked off this Sunday, August 1 morning with swishing Toxin Defense in my mouth for about 45 minutes. This powder-like substance part of the cleanse is "a unique combination of oral and intestinal probiotics that work in the mouth to help inhibit harmful toxins from traveling further into the body." In the cleansing kit pictured above, there are seven packages of Toxin Defense to be taken each morning....for seven days. I shake the package a few times to be sure all of the mixture is collected at the bottom, and then I cut the package's top, pour into my mouth, add a good sip of water, and get to swishing. You may feel a few chunky parts at first, but the swishing quickly helps break it all down. Once you swallow, you'll notice a fresher-feeling mouth blended with that healthy feeling of knowing that deeper health started brewing beyond the mouth once the Toxin Defense was swallowed.

"This 'point-of-entry' defense contributes to overall immune function and promotes microbial balance in the gastrointestinal tract for proper digestion and elimination. The clinically studied intestinal probiotic contained in Toxin Defense helps to support healthy bowel function, elimination and a health gut-associated immune system." ~Garden of Life®

The Garden of Life's "suggestions while cleansing" are:

•Drink at least the recommended 64 ounces of filtered water each day.
•Eat fresh fruit, vegetables particularly crucifers and bitter greens (such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, endive and radicchio), seeds, nuts and lean protein- organic whenever possible, with wild caught fish. Note: I'll be doing all or mostly raw-vegan food.
•Increase your healthy fat intake by adding 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon each of organic coconut oil, flaxseed oil, cod liver oil and olive oil per day to your diet.
•Keep high allergen foods, such as dairy and wheat products to a bare minimum.
•Eliminate caffeine, tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages.
•Eliminate added sugar, refined flour, processed foods and fatty food with trans fats.
•Eliminate skin care products with ingredients you can’t pronounce.
•Use natural cleaning products.

Bottling Cleansing & Detoxing

I've found the perfect topic to reawake my Bottling Health blog with! And since I haven't blogged here in a long while -- be warned, folks...I've got lots to say! :-)

As I wait for Grassroots Natural Market in Fleming Island to open today so that I can go there and purchase a "health gem" that I learned about last night, I'm feeling like the excited child at Christmas. I even awoke at about 5:00 this morning, propped my head up and glanced over at the clock with the hope that it was almost time for Grassroots to open...only to later learn that the one closest to me is actually closed today! :-(

In any event, the "gift" that has my cells jumping for joy is the news I discovered last night in Extraordinary health™ magazine about "the world's first RAW cleansing and detoxification program" created by Garden of Life®. I mean -- I know, I know -- if we eat a 100 percent and largely varied raw-vegan food diet the way my dear friends, Jinjee and Storm do at TheGardenDiet.com, the food, alone, could be our overall cleansing and detox program. This couple and their children maintain optimum health with no supplements or supplemental cleansing programs; however, I'm still on my journey to Jinjee and Storm's level of raw eating. But, since I try to eat a high amount of raw food, I would say that for the most part, I stay aligned with cleansing and detoxing on certain levels.

I get many compliments about my skin, so I'd say that my body is doing a pretty good job with its cleansing process. However, I would also say that the last time I DEEPLY detoxed -- I mean, taking-wheat-grass-shots-daily-for-10-days-and-colonics type of deep -- was when I did the 10-Day Healthy Lifestyle program at The Living Foods Institute in Atlanta three years ago. I just haven't detoxed to that degree since then and am sure that I am not covering ALL of the detoxing bases with my food. So, just as I was feeling it's time for a major cleansing and detox experience again, I came upon the information about the Garden of Life's RAW program. Doesn't God ALWAYS deliver right on time?!

And to think I wasn't even going to bring home the literature that had been placed in shopping baskets for customers at Grassroots. After unloading my basket the day I recently shopped there, I had planned on leaving the reading material at the bottom of the basket as to not bring additional paper into my home. (I'm striving to be a minimalist with paper and things.) In any event, at the checkout counter, I suddenly remembered I needed one more food item (God's timing again!), and when I darted to the isle to collect it, Lance, the manager at Grassroots who was tallying up my goods and packing them, put the literature in my shopping bag.

So, last night, of the three magazines that Lance sent home with me, I decided to first peruse Extraordinary health™. Once I began seeing the words "raw" this and "raw" that, well, those who know me well will know that I began delving more deeply into the text. I soon fell "in love" with this resource for various reasons, including finding the Garden of Life's 3-in-1 cleansing and detoxification program well-explained on two full pages. Intuitively, I knew this was to be the 7-day cleansing and detoxing journey I was to do. Now!!! As the saying goes, "Don't put a question mark where God puts a period," so I'm not questioning it but rather....just doing it.

***So, stop by this blog over the course of the next 7 days to find out how the 7-days cleanse is going for me.

Which companies will you support?

I realize that more and more companies are popping up these days with convenient raw food and products. Sounds like a good thing, right? But, so I'm told, even the integrity of some of these companies is questionable (so beware!). However, there was an intuitive feeling I got about the energy and effort that the Garden of Life® is putting into their RAW offerings...AND...I like that they even take the time to produce a magazine loaded with varied insights about their business...AND...I see that a friend of mine, Paul Nison, raw food educator, is part of the Garden of Life® team, so that also helps make me trust this company even more. The editor of Garden Life's Extraordinary health™ magazine, Jordan Rubin, also founder and CEO of Garden Life®, comes across like the friendly neighbor next door. I read his words and trust what he's telling me/us about his company that wants to transition us from average health to EXTRAORDINARY health™.

Now that's the type of health I want. Don't you? And, even through my flaws, I believe I can attain it. And, you can, too!

On that note, a few more hours before the Grassroots in Five Points opens today (about 30 mins from me), and then I'm there, to get this "1-2-3" cleansing program that I'll be kicking off tomorrow with! I love that this program first focuses on oral health via the oral probiotic, S. salivarius, and then organ detox via ingredients such as raw chlorella (a green algae), and then digestion and elimination via ingredients such as "RAW food-chelated magnesium" that allows for naturally moving bulk from the intestines as opposed to forcing it out as some other products do. The "RAW Digestion & Elimination" powder product in this RAW program also provides omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, and some of you will know I've been promoting that via Mila, another all-raw product I love.

"Since many people chose to incorporate cleansing in their lives, you would think there would be a raw cleansing supplement for those embarking on a raw food-cleansing program, "says Rubin in Extraordinary health™. "The fact of the matter, however," he continues, "is that for many nutritional companies, cost and availability of effective raw ingredients is an issue. Sourcing all of the raw ingredients necessary to create a raw cleanse product is undeniably costly and time-consuming. Raw should be the ultimate standard for cleanse ingredients, but it hasn't been that way. That's about to change, thanks to a new breakthrough formula, Garden of Life RAW Cleanse."

Here's to Bottling Cleansing & Detoxing...Here's to Bottling YOUR Health!

Penny

Bottling Fall Restoration Retreat

Here's a fun Fall Restoration Retreat that Bottling Health is doing with Life's Journey Yoga & Wellness. A weekend full of living food, yoga, relaxation in nature, walking, and journaling.

Bottling Beauty, Health and Pleasure

Hello, Wonderful People:

Want to eat for Beauty, Health AND Pleasure? If so, this resource is a must because of its simple step-by-step approach to improving diet at such a comfortable pace. It's......

Eating For Beauty, Health & Pleasure:
A Raw Food Quick-Start Program by Shannon Leone

available for $20 at:

http://www.bottlinghealth.com/books.htm
(Review and pictures available there)

No matter what your diet or belief about food, Shannon Leone's book is sure to enhance your journey and lead you to better health! The book will be sent directly to your inbox! How convenient is that!!! :-)

Special offer: For those of you in the Orange Park area, once you purchase the e-book, e-mail me at penny@bottlinghealth.com to let me know and then receive one of my Ladies-only yoga classes for FREE!

In Health & Happy Friday!

Penny

Bottling a Terrific Tuesday

Step out of the darkness and into the light by loving the life you live and living the life you love...

I'm claiming a Terrific Tuesday!!! While my son will be in summer bliss of his own at a birthday party for one of his close friends, I'll be basking in Tuesday bliss, too:

(1) Participating in a Skype raw-food coaching call with Ka Sundance from TheRawFoodFamily.com

(2) Getting a holistic health session with Yelena Chizhik


Stay tuned for Pear Magazine Online articles and blog entries here about both! Also in the August issue of Pear Magazine will be details about my Nutri-Energetics System subtle-body energy scan with Orlando-based Fran Edwards.

As Bob Marley says: "Love the life you live, live the life you love." And, I loovvee holistic health with my friends above and others! :-)

As amazing as the human body is, it's no surprise that our bodies were created to be self-healing -- if "fed" the right tools, such as raw food and holistic therapies...

In Health,

Penny

Bottling the Generosity of a Friend

Last Friday, I went to a friend's house to assist her with a computer project she was working on. I entered her home planning to get straight to work, but she said, "No, you have to eat first," as she generously placed a tray on her table, beautifully arranged with a bowl of strawberries, apples and oranges next to a square plate holding a scoop of hummus, a few thin slices of Manna Bread, later followed by a few Go Raw Spirulina cookies. A pot of tea was also on the tray. The camera on my cell phone didn't do the presentation of this lunch justice, but it was the thought and love behind this act of kindness that really mattered -- thus this post!

This meal was compliments of the friend, whom, about year after I had shared many things with her about raw food, really began adopting a raw-vegan lifestyle and then just watched the weight fall off of her. One day, she recently called asking for a raw or close-to-raw bread she could easily to get her hands on to spread a little avocado or hummus on. That's how Manna bread entered her home. Although Manna Bread, baked at a low temperature, is the bread suggested as a transition bread for those new to eating mostly raw food, I still enjoy a few slices every now and then. I smear a little avocado over a slice or two, top it with sprouts and tomato, and enjoy! ;-)

According to Encyclopedia.com, Manna Bread is "said to be a recipe of the Essenes who lived by the Dead Sea around the beginning of the Christian era."

Thank you for your warm hospitality, Cynthia! Continued Blessings to you! ;-) As I mentioned, you definitely have a Bed & Breakfast business in the making! ;-) The food, outside view, fresh breeze blowing through the window, sincere hospitality, etc., were all just delightful. Thank you so very much!

Hugs,

Penny

Mama Mia -- I'm Bottling Some Mila!

Heartfelt readings to every raw foodist I know personally (or not) and ANY one else who is reading this at this moment. Thanks so much for stopping by! I am totally honored that you took a few moments to be here! I am so grateful for your time!

Well, I have got some news that I am absolutely thrilled to share...(Can you feel my heart beating with excitement? I just took a deep breath to slow it down!) ;-)

Have you heard of Mila? If not, I am sooooooo excited to introduce you to this highest quality all-raw chia seed that has:

"700% MORE OMEGA-3’s than Salmon
500% MORE CALCIUM Than Whole Milk
200% MORE IRON Than Spinach
100% MORE POTASSIUM Than Bananas
1400% MORE MAGNESIUM Than Broccoli
100% MORE FIBER Than Bran Flakes
500% MORE PROTEIN Than Kidney Beans
300% MORE SELENIUM Than Flax Seed
800% MORE PHOSPHORUS Than Whole Milk
MORE ANTIOXIDANTS Than Blueberries
MORE FOLATE Than Asparagus
MORE LIGNANS Than Flax Seed
MORE DIETARY FIBER than Flax Seed"

I know that chia is quite popular in the raw-food community and is often added to smoothies and such, but how many are aware that not all chia is created equal?

So, when using a less-than-optimum quality of chia, it's not surprising that we're not getting the level of Omega-3s that we think we're nourishing our bodies with! However, Mila -- also referred to as "The Miracle Seed" and "chia rediscovered" -- is the best of the best, hands down, when it comes to chia.

Thanks to Dr. Wayne Coates and his tireless chia research efforts for about the past 18 years, we have come to learn all of this amazing information about the benefits of Mila. To provide the body with OPTIMUM benefits, Mila is grown "within a band approximately 23 degrees north and south of the equator, that is, from The Tropic of Cancer to The Tropic of Capricorn," Dr. Coates explains in the November 2008 issue of "Your Business At Home" magazine.

Another question that Dr. Coates answers in that interview is: "Besides the amount of Omega-3, how does generic chia seed differ from Mila?" He explains: "Generic chia is generally a lower-quality seed. Where it is produced, how it's produced and how it is cleaned are all aspects that must be considered when judging the chia quality. There are generic chia seeds out there that are quite dirty, which means they contain weed seeds or plant parts, both of which degrade the quality of the overall product."

I tell you, having this optimum quality chia (Mila) in my home seems to be making my kitchen (and me) vibrate at another level. I LOVE Mila!!! And I love that it's great for anyone! It has universal appeal, so to speak, and inspired me to come up with my own slogan for it: -- "Changing Health In America" (and beyond) is what Chia has become to mean to me!

If you are wondering if Mila is truly raw, well, let me let the Mila guru, Dr. Coates, answer that for you. He explains: "Traditional grinding methods heat the seed through friction, which produces oxidation. Oxidation causes oil seed rancidity, decreasing the shelf life of the ground seed. Mila is not exposed to heat and can be kept unopened for years without becoming rancid, since naturally occurring antioxidants in chia make it last longer. The ancient Aztecs knew this and traded in both whole seeds and ground chia," says Dr. Coates.

Mila can be mixed in with just about any food and it doesn't alter the taste because of how virtually tasteless it is! For instance, my husband, who ordinarily quickly detects any addition I've blended into his favorite kale/banana smoothie has not at all picked up on the addition of Mila to his green drinks. He simply sees the pretty bag of Mila sitting on the kitchen counter, but he has no idea that a scoop of the finely sliced chia in the bag is ending up in his daily smoothies. Shhh! Don't tell him. (He'll find out soon enough, though, when he reads this.) ;-)

I quickly decided that I didn't just want to purchase Mila to nourish my family, but I also wanted to very much be hands-on with LifeMax, the company with "vision" that has blessed us with Mila by way of Dr. Coates' research. LifeMax is convinced that the Omega-3s, protein, fiber and the many forms of goodness in Mila will change health, globally.

LifeMax is also interested in helping folks reach financial health and has, therefore, created a very easy-to-operate direct-sales system for Mila distribution. You can create a wonderful home business on the 'shoulders' of LifeMax, and the company will ship the product for you, so you certainly don't have to be worried about that. You'll get your own website with a non-complicated tracking system and so much more! Basically, you'll spread the word about the benefits of Mila and the backend of the "office" will do the rest.)

With all of my heart, I believe in Mila -- and I believe in LifeMax -- and I believe Mila is an optimum whole raw-food product that health educators and such should strongly consider educating themselves and others about while adding it to home kitchens, web sites, retreats, restaurants, stores, etc. Mila needs to be everywhere! Every home needs a bag of Mila. Mama Mia, let's bottle some Mila, folks! ;-)

For more information about sampling a bag of Mila, click here. Then, click on "Order Product Now" at the top right of the page. Or, if like me, you clearly know you want to be a Mila distributor, visit the "Become A Distributor" section which is also located on the top right.

Let's take this next and wonderful step to making this world even healthier -- one bag of Mila at a time! By the way, a bag of Mila is designed to last about a month -- you only need a scoop a day (the scooper is provided in the bag)!

To clarify, you can simply order Mila for your home AND/OR sign up to get it distributed into the home of your readers, customers, family, friends, etc. What a great way to spread health and wealth.

A Big Mila Hug to you!

Feel free to post a comment or question here or e-mail me at penny@BottlingHealth.com

Much Love,

Penny
http://www.bottlinghealth.lifemax.net/

"Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others." Habakkuk 2:2

Bottling Raw Food at Shakti Life Kitchen

On Wednesday, I had a meeting at Shakti Life Kitchen and blissfully enjoyed a most delicious raw and living foods lunch while there! With Love and Gratitude for all of the community energy that goes into the food and service there! I LOVED my day with you, Shakti Life staff...











Yes, that's a RAW-VEGAN burger topped with nothing but goodness! YUM...YUM...

Here's an article -- "Raw Deal" -- that Jacksonville's Folio magazine published with great quotes from my dear friend, Yvette Schindler from the Present Moment Cafe in St. Augustine, and my new friend, Valerie Herrmann from Shakti Life Kitchen in Atlantic Beach. At this link, scroll down to the article Raw Deal. I'm sure you'll enjoy every word of it...such a fun spin the writer, Danny Kelly, put on it!

Bottling Simple, Smooth Summer Lunches

*Here is a version of an article written for Jax4Kids.com's Summer Camp Expo Guide that was published in EU newspaper!

Nutritious, fun, easy-to-make ideas for your summer camper’s lunch box

by Penny Powell

While summer typically inspires simpler meals, knowing just what nutritious lunch to send off to summer camp with their children is not so simple for many parents.

"I have been meeting more and more women who are curious how to feed their children healthy and tasty food," says Carrie Zarka Dooley, owner of Shakti Life Kitchen located at 51 Pine Street in Atlantic Beach. Dooley opened this organic, live food cafe with “a vision of creating a different food culture” for the children of Jacksonville, so she is on a mission to help area parents rethink the food choices they serve their kids and learn about some other kid-friendly options. Shakti Life Kitchen has begun offering weekly classes for students enrolled in the after-school program at Atlantic Beach Elementary.

If your child is headed off to summer camp this year or simply "camping" at home, here are some easy and 'smooth' ideas to consider -- for lunching or snacking -- that are sure to nourish your children while pleasing their palettes. Plus, these foods are just fun for families to prepare together.

Smoothies

Who doesn't like a cold, refreshing smoothie during the summer? Not only are smoothies filling, but they’re so simple to prepare and a quick way to get nutrition into your children. You can simply put a few combinations of your children's favorite fruits in the blender, mix with some water and perhaps a little Honey or Agave Nectar (derived from the Agave Cactus plant) for an extra sweetener, and viola, there goes some good nutrition hydrating those growing bodies.

How will I keep the smoothie cold and fresh when I send it off to camp with my child? you might be wondering. It's simple. Invest in some Mason Jars that will preserve the ingredients; they’re inexpensive and can be purchased at places such as Wal-Mart and Publix. Get some ice packs, too. Place enough frozen ice packs in your child's lunch bag to keep the jar cold. You can also freeze the fruits before you blend them. This often takes away the need to add ice, therefore, doesn’t water down the smoothie. For instance, after purchasing the bananas for my son’s favorite Banana/Strawberry smoothie, I peel the bananas, cut them in half, place in a large zip-lock bag, and freeze them. When it comes to smoothie-making time, the beverage turns out quite icy.

Remind your child to shake the smoothie jar before opening it at summer camp in order to remix the ingredients that will have been ‘sitting’ for a while. My son, Caleb, enjoys drinking his smoothies with a straw, so don't forget to also send those along, if desired.

After-Camp Smoothies

I often make a smoothie for Caleb before I pick him up from school; at that time of day he’s really ready to slurp up the goodness. Your drive home from camp can also be an ideal time for smoothie time.

Banana/Strawberry Smoothie Recipe

~ 3 frozen Bananas (more or less depending on the texture and sweetness you want)
~ approx. 5 Strawberries
~ approx. 1 cup of Water (varies depending on the texture you are after)
~ approx. 1 tablespoon of Honey or Agave Nectar for added sweetness, optional.

The Smoothie Wheel

Smoothie options are endless as demonstrated by 14-year-old Raven Talifero from Ojai, CA. Her creativity prompted her to create a Smoothie Wheel as a Christmas present for her 4-year-old brother to increase his smoothie choices. Little did Talifero know that she would also be helping parents out as far as Jacksonville, FL.

On the Smoothies/Juices section of BotlingHealth.com, a site I’ve created with Jacksonville parents in mind, you can spin Raven's Smoothie Wheel for smoothie choices or print it to store in your kitchen. Your child will be spinning up new smoothie choices daily. Imagine just how much healthier your children will be by the end of summer? I'm already visualizing every child in Jacksonville just glowing with health. And remember, healthier children make healthier choices and healthier children are happier children; it all works together. Good health inspires all good things.

The Green Smoothie

Have you heard about the Green Smoothie? News about this highly-nutritious, easy-to-digest, easy-to-make drink is spreading fast and furious, and parents are using this beverage as a tool to get more greens into their children. I can't tell you how many people I've served a green smoothie to who have been totally surprised that they only tasted the fruit in the smoothie and not the greens. My husband asks for one every day.

With any fruit smoothie you make, you would simply add a handful or two of greens, such as spinach or kale, to arrive at the Green Smoothie. I typically blend the greens first with water and then add the fruit. Remember to add Honey or Agave Nectar for additional sweetness, if necessary. I've seen a tablespoon or two of Agave immediately transform a green smoothie for the better. Agave can be found at local health food stores.

Even though the fruit in this smoothie overpowers the taste of the greens, if your child is like mine and is hesitant about the color of the drink (which is beautiful, in my opinion), then you might have to disguise a little further. Throw in some blueberries, and not only will you have added more nutrition but a color changer, too. Now the smoothie should take on a dark purple color!

Smooth Pudding

Talking about purple and blueberries, Shannon Leone, nutritionist and author of the soon-to-be published e-book "The Healthy Lunchbox" (to be published at RawMom.com), shares her very-filling Blueberry Pudding recipe with Jacksonville parents. Chia seeds are included in this recipe, which Leone says are “a great source of fiber, protein and EFA’s (essential fatty acids).”

Blueberry Pudding Recipe

~ 4 cups fresh Blueberries
~ 1 cup Chia Seeds -- ground or flax
~ 1 tablespoon Honey, optional

“In a dry container (such as that of a food processor), blend the chia seeds so they are powdered. Add the blueberries -- and sweetener if using -- and lightly blend so the berries break down but do not liquefy totally. Pour into your child’s airtight containers and sprinkle a few berries on top, perhaps with some shredded coconut for added appeal. The chia or flax ground will firm it up so they can eat it with a spoon and not a straw!”

Smooth Foods That Crunch Or Not!

Your child may, understandably, want something crunchy or chewy to eat with the smoothie. How about adding carrots or other crunchy veggies and fruits, or watermelon, pineapple, and/or trail mix or granola to your camper's lunch box? How about a salad with a tasty, healthy dressing?

Last summer, my 8-year-old nephew, Zuhri, got hooked on salads when he spent six weeks with my family. Salad had not been a regular staple in his diet, but when Zuhri returned home to Bermuda and school started, his mom informed that he had begun taking salads for lunch. "I love it," she said, "because they're so simple to make." Zuhri and Caleb both enjoy a simple salad made with Romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, and grapes. Colorful and tasty!

Some healthy foods that Juliann Gaus-Graeser from Atlantic Beach sends off to school with her 8-year-old son, Maxwell, are "Ants on a Log" -- cut-up celery sticks spread with a healthy nut butter and lined with raisins. If your child enjoys cucumbers, Ants on a Circle is another variation of this idea. Apples and nut butter also find their way into Maxwell's lunch box. "I cut the apple with an apple slicer," Gaus-Graeser explained, "and then I put the pieces back together, wrap the apple tightly, and then send the nut butter in a container." At lunchtime, Maxwell enjoys spreading the nut butter over apple slices. To prevent apples from turning brown once they have been cut and must 'sit', pour a little lemon juice over the slices. However, Juliann said that simply putting the apple back together and sealing it helps limit the color change, too. "Sometimes it turns a little," she said, "but my son doesn't care."

Smooth Sandwiches

If your child wants traditional sandwiches, wraps or pita pockets, try healthier bread choices, such as Ezekiel Bread found in your neighborhood grocery store or Health Food store. After introducing Orange Park mom, Cynthia Leadbetter, to this line of bread, it became a hit in her home. For breakfast one morning, she spread mashed avocado on toasted Cinnamon/Raisin Ezekiel Bread, and her son “loved it” she said with delight.

About learning to add healthier options to your child’s lunch box, Leone says: “Enjoy the process. Include your kids whenever possible. Learning to eat healthy and make healthy choices is a skill for life they can really use. They may not always thank you now, but they will later. In the meantime, you can walk a little taller just knowing you are doing all you can for your healthy family, and it’s a good feeling, Mom!”


Penny Powell lives in Orange Park, FL. The "Summer Camp" she attended last summer was the 10-Day Healthy Lifestyle Course at The Living Foods Institute in Atlanta, GA -- where she ate healthy lunches every day! This summer, Penny is committed to growing her site, BottlingHealth.com, as a means of connecting with Jacksonville parents who may also be interested in "bottling" health for themselves and their children. Penny can be contacted at penny@BottlingHealth.com.