Friday, October 7, 2011

Garlic and Potato Soup...

My Daughter made this one up in her head and made it I have not tried it but I always trust her because she is such a great cook...here is her newest creation..and it is NOT Vegan...

1 yellow onion diced
1 and 1/2 heads of garlic peeled and chopped and roasted in the oven.
1 cup of dry white wine
1small carrot peeled and diced
1 celery stalk diced
Evoo 2 tbs
Salt and pepper
1 can of cream of chicken
5 or 6 smaller white potatoes peeled and diced
1 box of organic cage free chicken stock

Roast your garlic in a little olive oil til about golden.
Meanwhile sauté onion in evoo in a pot, when onion is turning soft add celery and carrots and sauté gently. Add white wine salt and pepper. Add potatoes and chicken stock plus another half box of water or just enough to cover potatoes and veggies. Simmer about 20 min then add roasted garlic and can of cream of chicken. Simmer until potatoes are done. With an immersion blender gently blend soup leaving it however chunky or smooth you'd prefer.

Roasting Garlic....peel the paper off the garlic as much as you can then cut the pointy bottom part off exposing the gloves but they stay in tact because of the root, place in a small dish drizzle olive oil and sprinkle with Kosher salt then cover with foil ,place in a 350 degree oven for at least 30 minutes...they should just pop right out of their skins ready to be used.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Mother knows best....

Yesterday my Mom sent Doug and I this chart of healthy Fruits and Veggies and the healthy ways they work for us...


  Apples
Protects your heart
Prevents constipation
Blocks diarrhea
Improves lung capacity
Cushions joints
Apricots
Combats cancer
Controls blood pressure
Saves your eyesight
Shields against Alzheimer's
Slows aging process
Artichokes
Aids digestion
Lowers cholesterol
Protects your heart
Stabilizes blood sugar
Guards against liver disease
Avocados
Battles diabetes
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
Controls blood pressure
Smoothes skin
Bananas
Protects your heart
Quiets a cough
Strengthens bones
Controls blood pressure
Blocks diarrhea
Beans
Prevents constipation
Helps hemorrhoids
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Stabilizes blood sugar
Beets
Controls blood pressure
Combats cancer
Strengthens bones
Protects your heart
Aids weight loss
Blueberries
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Stabilizes blood sugar
Boosts memory
Prevents constipation
Broccoli
Strengthens bones
Saves eyesight
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Controls blood pressure
Cabbage
Combats cancer
Prevents constipation
Promotes weight loss
Protects your heart
Helps hemorrhoids
Cantaloupe
Saves eyesight
Controls blood pressure
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Supports immune system
Carrots
Saves eyesight
Protects your heart
Prevents constipation
Combats cancer
Promotes weight loss
Cauliflower
Protects against Prostate Cancer
Combats Breast Cancer
Strengthens bones
Banishes bruises
Guards against heart disease
Cherries
Protects your heart
Combats Cancer
Ends insomnia
Slows aging process
Shields against Alzheimer's
Chestnuts
Promotes weight loss
Protects your heart
Lowers cholesterol
Combats Cancer
Controls blood pressure
Chili peppers
Aids digestion
Soothes sore throat
Clears sinuses
Combats Cancer
Boosts immune system
Figs
Promotes weight loss
Helps stops strokes
Lowers cholesterol
Combats Cancer
Controls blood pressure
Fish
Protects your heart
Boosts memory
Protects your heart
Combats Cancer
Supports immune system
Flax
Aids digestion
Battles diabetes
Protects your heart
Improves mental health
Boosts immune system
Garlic
Lowers cholesterol
Controls blood pressure
Combats cancer
Kills bacteria
Fights fungus
Grapefruit
Protects against heart attacks
Promotes Weight loss
Helps stops strokes
Combats Prostate Cancer
Lowers cholesterol
Grapes
Saves eyesight
Conquers kidney stones
Combats cancer
Enhances blood flow
Protects your heart
Green tea
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Helps stops strokes
Promotes Weight loss
Kills bacteria
Honey
Heals wounds
Aids digestion
Guards against ulcers
Increases energy
Fights allergies
Lemons
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Controls blood pressure
Smoothes skin
Stops scurvy
Limes
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Controls blood pressure
Smoothes skin
Stops scurvy
Mangoes
Combats cancer
Boosts memory
Regulates thyroid
Aids digestion
Shields against Alzheimer's
Mushrooms
Controls blood pressure
Lowers cholesterol
Kills bacteria
Combats cancer
Strengthens bones
Oats
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Battles diabetes
Prevents constipation
Smoothes skin
Olive oil
Protects your heart
Promotes Weight loss
Combats cancer
Battles diabetes
Smoothes skin
Onions
Reduce risk of heart attack
Combats cancer
Kills bacteria
Lowers cholesterol
Fights fungus
Oranges
Supports immune systems
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Straightens respiration

 
Peaches
Prevents constipation
Combats cancer
Helps stops strokes
Aids digestion
Helps hemorrhoids
Peanuts
Protects against heart disease
Promotes Weight loss
Combats Prostate Cancer
Lowers cholesterol
Aggravates
Diverticulitis
Pineapple
Strengthens bones
Relieves colds
Aids digestion
Dissolves warts
Blocks diarrhea
Prunes
Slows aging process
Prevents constipation
Boosts memory
Lowers cholesterol
Protects against heart disease
Rice
Protects your heart
Battles diabetes
Conquers kidney stones
Combats cancer
Helps stops strokes
Strawberries
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Boosts memory
Calms stress

 
Sweet potatoes
Saves your eyesight
Lifts mood
Combats cancer
Strengthens bones

 
Tomatoes
Protects prostate
Combats cancer
Lowers cholesterol
Protects your heart

 
Walnuts
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Boosts memory
Lifts mood
Protects against heart disease
Water
Promotes Weight loss
Combats cancer
Conquers kidney stones
Smoothes skin

 
Watermelon
Protects prostate
Promotes Weight loss
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
Controls blood pressure
Wheat germ
Combats Colon Cancer
Prevents constipation
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
Improves digestion
Wheat bran
Combats Colon Cancer
Prevents constipation
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
Improves digestion
Yogurt
Guards against ulcers
Strengthens bones
Lowers cholesterol
Supports immune systems
Aids digestion

Skin Brushing and the health benefits...

I learned something very interesting today about the benefits of brushing our skin with a natural bristle brush, I've been doing this for a few years but had no idea of how good this is for the inside of our bodies as well as the outside let me share a few things with you....I purchased my brush from Target for a very reasonable price...make sure it is an all natural bristle..


  • Stimulates blood and lymph flow. The lymphatic system is an important part of your cleansing and immune system. White blood cells called lymphocytes carry nutrients to cells and remove waste. The lymph flows outside of the circulatory system to bathe, cleanse and restore all of our cells, but it must be returned to the blood vessels to dump its waste. It does this through tiny lymph vessels with one-way valves to the heart. If we don’t move the lymph quickly enough we end up with swollen tissues, particularly in the ankles. Exercise, massage and skin brushing help to speed the process and clear the lymphatic system.
  • Removes dead skin cells. Dry skin is a sign of detoxification. It is important to remove the dead cells to keep from clogging the system. This will also improve skin texture and renew the skin cells.
  • Stimulates the hormone and oil glands. With daily brushing and bathing, the skin can produce the oil needed to stay healthy. Sweating is an important part of detoxification but when your system is clogged, you may experience foul body odor and extra work is put onto the bladder, kidneys and liver. With regular exercise and cleansing the skin, you will notice that your sweat no longer smells. However, with increased detoxing on your whole body cleanse, you may find it gets worse before it gets better.
  • Reduces cellulite. I (Cindy) had no idea that skin brushing would lessen cellulite until I started to see it in myself! It requires daily brushing for several months to start to see results. When you massage and stimulate the skin it begins to break up the toxic deposits of stored fatty tissues that pucker the overlying skin into cellulite. Connective tissue massage and releasing stored emotions are also good treatments for cellulite.
  • Strengthens the immune system. Dry skin brushing can reduce the length of infections and illness by moving the toxins more quickly through the system and stimulating the lymph to move waste matter out.
  • Stimulates the nervous system, tones the muscles, tightens the skin. By stimulating nerve endings in the skin, this technique will rejuvenate your nerves and activate individual muscle fibers, resulting in toner muscles. The increased blood flow to skin, and removing of dead cells, stimulates the creation of new skin cells which tightens and regenerates overall skin health.
  • Nurtures your body. Maybe one of the most important benefits of this practice is purely the pleasure of nurturing your body. Learning to love your body is essential for weight loss and the healing of any bodily “dis-ease.” Spend this time, 5-15 minutes per day, giving your body the attention it craves and deserves. It works hard to support you. Giving it superior support will reward you many times over.

Selecting a Dry Skin Brush

Choose a brush that has natural fiber bristles and a long handle for reaching all of your back. Some have a removable handle and strap for using the brush without the handle. The bristles may feel too firm at first, but your skin will acclimate to this over time. If you have very sensitive skin, you may want to start with a softer brush or use a dry towel in the beginning. We've discovered a great selection of bath brushes with great prices at From Nature With Love. Our favorite is the one with the detachable long handle. They also make a lovely cellulite reducing brush that has soft pegs to help break up the cellulite.
To get a variety of products at once, check out our great selection of skin brushes and other detox tools in our Whole Body Detox Diet Store.

How to Use Your Dry Skin Brush

  1. Brush your dry body before you shower or bathe, preferably in the morning.
  2. Start at your feet and always brush toward your heart. Use brisk circular motions or long, even strokes.
  3. Brush all the way up your legs, then over your abdomen, buttocks, and back. If you have cellulite on your hips and thighs, concentrate their a little longer. For complete dissolving of cellulite, brush for 10 minutes daily for several months.
  4. Brush lightly on sensitive areas like breasts and more firmly on areas like soles of the feet.
  5. When you reach your arms, begin at your fingers and brush up your arms, toward your heart. Brush your shoulders and chest down, always toward your heart.
  6. Avoid brushing anywhere the skin is broken or where you have a rash, infection, cut or wound.
  7. Finish by taking a shower and if you choose, use cold/hot therapy to further stimulate the lymphatic system and improve circulation.
  8. Dry off vigorously and massage pure plant oils into your skin such as almond, sesame, avocado, coconut, olive or cacoa butter.

The Hot Towel Alternative

A hot towel scrub is an easy and absolutely free way to support your detox plan and experience similar benefits to dry skin brushing. All you need is a sink, hot water and a wash cloth. Daily hot towel scrubbing helps to open your pores, promote circulation and release stored toxins. This simple technique also encourages fat, mucous, cellulite and toxins to discharge through your skin rather than accumulating around deeper vital organs. Wipe your skin first with a dry towel to remove dead cells, then use the hot wet towel to stimulate and rejuvenate your skin and organs. Scrubbing your underarms and groin will especially activate your lymphatic system.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Kara's Veggie Soup...

I walked into my Daughter's house this evening and I was just amazed at the smell coming from her kitchen and on her stove top was her big soup pot on simmer and coming from it was the best smelling soup...so with her permission I am going to share it with you all...


Sauté red and white onions, 5 cloves of garlic in a little evoo. Then add a cup of white wine. Add veggie broth and water and Parmesan cheese rind and bring to a boil. Boil about 10 min then remove rinds. Simmer broth for an hour then add diced/peeled potatoes, lentils, and diced carrots. Simmer another hour and then add green beans, zucchini, diced tomatoes and salt and pepper. Simmer another hour and serve! Yum yum

this is not a total Vegan recipe but if you are a very strict Vegan then just omit the Parmesan Cheese rind...this is the most delicious and nutritious soup for the cooler days we have ahead, your house will smell amazing to...