Ingredients

• 1 butternut squash (sold already diced and bagged in many produced departments.)
• 1 large onion
• 1 ripe tomato
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 can vegetable stock
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1-2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, or more, to taste)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2-3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil

Pre-cut Butternut Squash

Optional ideas:

1. Add some rice or black beans when blending is complete.
2. For  chunkier soup add additional diced tomato, celery, or whatever vegetables you have on hand.
3. Add 1/2 cup apple juice for Apple Butternut Squash soup.
4. Garnish a dollop of sour cream and chives on top before serving.

Pre-Made Butternut Squash Soup from V8

If you don’t have enough time to cook butternut squash soup you can purchase a healthy version from V8 available in most grocery stores. No artificial flavors. No preservatives. Just the delicious, vibrant taste of a full serving of vegetables with the nutritional goodness that goes along with it.

Even available online through Amazon.

Try it you will love it!

Lose 6 Pounds in One Day!

This Pillow isn’t as Fluffy Anymore

Ready for Summer Heat

We just keep staring at him. Its a hoot. Our new  Shcichon puppies didn’t even recognize Rocky.

Before and after with the puppies.

Hummus is made of garbanzo beans. Studies show people consume less food overall when the diet was supplemented with garbanzo beans.

Health Benefits of Cucumbers

I eat one to two cucumbers each day. The cucumber contains alkaline-forming minerals and is an excellent source of vitamin C and A (anti-oxidants), folate, manganese, molybdenum, potassium, silica, sulfur, and lesser amounts of vitamin B complex, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and chlorine.

The alkalinity of the minerals in cucumber juice effectively helps in regulating the body’s blood pH, neutralizing acidity.  The juice is also soothing for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers. Cucumbers can help regulate blood pressure because of its minerals and traces of sodium. The high amount of vitamin C
and anti-oxidants in cucumber makes it an important ingredient in many beauty creams for treating eczema, psoriasis, acne, etc.

Health Benefits of the Avocado

1. It protects cholesterol related heart diseases. It reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
2. It is used both in prevention and treatment of prostate and breast cancers. Scientists have proved that a toxin in avocado kills the cancer cells. So-called toxin has a great effect on the tissues, particularly heart muscle tissues.
3. Avocado includes necessary minerals like potassium, calcium, vitamin C and K, folic acid, copper, sodium and dietary fibers. These are used to provide the mineral necessity of the body. People who live in hot climates have great mineral and water loss. So, avocado is suggested strongly by the medicals.
4. Oleic acid in avocado can be used to lower cholesterol level in the blood.
5. Potassium in avocado regulates pressure of blood.
6. Sodium reduces the risk of high blood pressure and stoke.
7. It improves the ability of the body to absorb carotenoids.
8. Avocado is used to help people who have sexual problems.
9. It is a good antioxidant.
10. It can be used in the treatment of skin disorders.
11. It is used to heal people who suffer from digestive and circulatory problems.

Health Benefits of Hummus

Whole foods reports, “een valued for their fiber content. Two cups provide the entire Daily Value! But the research news on garbanzos and fiber has recently taken us one step further by suggesting that the fiber benefits of garbanzo beans may go beyond the fiber benefits of other foods. In a recent study, two groups of participants received about 28 grams of fiber per day. But the two groups were very different in terms of their food sources for fiber. One group received dietary fiber primarily from garbanzo beans. The other group obtained dietary fiber from entirely different sources. The garbanzo bean group had better blood fat regulation, including lower levels of LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.” See full article here.

Besides garbanzo beans hummus has Garlic and lemon juice, which are filled with antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress in the body. They also work to improve immune functions and fight of bacteria and viruses.

Let Your Blender Make Your Soup!

When you make soup in a Blendtec or Vitamix blender you pulverize the raw vegetables instead of cooking them down so you retain all the vitamins and nutrients. Soups are filling and very low calorie, therefore they are great for weight loss and super heart healthy!

Blendtec ($377 at Amazon) and Vitamix ($398 at Amazon)  are super blenders most people use to make Green Smoothies.  (I use a Blantec but I think Vitamix is just as good.)

Delicious Raw Living Food Soups: Vegan and Daniel Fast Friendly

Abeba & Anna’s It Is Really Soup!

• 10 to 11 fresh Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 red or yellow onion, peeled and chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled
• fresh basil to taste
• fresh dill to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• Celtic sea salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/8 to 1/4 cup raisins
• 1 to 2 red bell peppers
• 1/4 jalapeno pepper (optional) (i used habenero because i love spicy!)
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped then divided
• 1 avacado cubed
• 1 ear of corn cut from the cob
• 1/2 sweet yellow pepper
• finely chopped parsley for garnish

In a blender combine 6 of the tomatoes with the onion, garlic, basil, dill, lemon juice, sea salt, olive oil, raisins, red bell pepper, jalapeno, and 1/2 cup water. Blend well.

Add 1/2 cup of the sun dried tomatoes, a little at a time. Blend well.

In a large bowl, combine the avocado, remaining fresh and dried tomatoes, corn and the sweet yellow pepper. Pour the blended mixture over the chopped veggies and stir well. Garnish with parsley.

Creamy Tomato-Carrot Soup

• 1 whole carrot
• 2-3 whole plum tomatoes
• 1-2 stalks of celery
• 1 piece of cabbage (about 4 inch x 1 inch)
• 1/4  red or white onion
• 1/2 clove garlic
• 1/4 to 1/2 packet Taco seasoning (or your spices)
• Sea salt and pepper to taste.
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/2 cup hot water

Add ingredients to the blender in order listed and blend on high for about 90 seconds or until blended to a smooth consistency. If you have a Blendtec blender, use the “Soups” button, it will make it warm. If needed heat before serving.

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

This is my new FAVORITE soup! Only the squash is cooked the remaining ingredients are blended raw.

• 1 butternut squash (sold already diced and bagged in many produced departments.)
• 1 large onion
• 1 ripe tomato
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 can vegetable stock
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1-2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, or more, to taste)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2-3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil

Optional ideas:

1. Add some rice or black beans when blending is complete.
2. For  chunkier soup add additional diced tomato, celery, or whatever vegetables you have on hand.

.

The best Green Smoothies are made with 60% fruit and 40% veggies.  The fruit mask the taste of the greens. This creates a vibrant green smoothie that’s surprising tasty, and
extremely good for you.

I drink at least a quart a day. My favorite are made with frozen pineapple, mango, peaches, kale, spinach and parsley.

Did you know you if you consume 5 servings of fruits and 3 vegetables each day you cut your chance of heart disease and cancer by a whopping 75%!!

Typical Breakfast Smoothie

• 1 banana
• 1 cup frozen strawberries or blueberries or mixed berries
• 2 cups organic orange juice
• 1 cup kale (stems removed) or romaine lettuce, or spinach
• 1 handful of parsley
• 1/8 head purple cabbage
• 1/2 to 1 cup ice

If I have broccoli or asparagus I add them too.

FCA Friends Favorite

I make this one for the teaching staff and my daughter’s school– Family Christian Academy. They beg me to make more.

• 1/2 bag frozen  mango chunks
• 2- 3 cups frozen strawberries
• 1 cup pineapple
• 1 banana
• 1 cup spinach
• 2 cups kale
• 1/2 cup parsley
• 2 cups almond milk
• 1 cup ice

Red Green Smoothie

Beets are amazingly sweet. I never need to add steeva when I use beets. Note the beet tops have more nutrients than the root.

• 1 Beet and tops
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 5 leaves kale, stems removed
• 1 handful spinach
• 1/2 to 1 cup ice

Limey Love Shake Recipe

This recipe and video is from PHMiracleLiving.com

• 3 Limes (I only use 1!)
• Baby Spinach
• Mache Greens
• Butter leaf lettuce or Romaine
• Half and Avocado
• English cucumber
• Ice cubes
• Raw green stevia

When I’m out of avocados I use a banana instead.

Tropical Green Smoothie Treat

• 1/2 Apple, Fuji
• 1/2 Banana
• 1/2 Pineapple, fresh, diced
• 1/4 C. Orange Juice
• 1/2 C. Coconut Milk
• 1-2 cups kale (stems removed) or romaine lettuce, or spinach
• 1/2 to 1 cup ice

Detox Smoothie

• 1 1/2 cup of cold water
• 1 cups kale (stems removed) or romaine lettuce, or spinach
• 3 large stalks of celery
• 1/8 head purple cabbage
• 1 banana or apple
• 1 cucumber
• 1/3 bunch of parsley
• Juice of 1/2 a fresh lemon
• 1/2 to 1 cup ice

Pearulicious

• 1 cup green grapes
• 1 orange, peeled
• 1 Bartlett pear
• 1 banana, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup kale (stems removed) or romaine lettuce, or spinach
• 1 handful of parsley
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups ice cubes

Chocolate Mocha Green Smoothie

• 1/2 cup kale (stems removed) or romaine lettuce, or spinach
• 1/2 squash
• 1/2 zucchini
• 1 can Coconut Milk
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee
• 3 tablespoons raw organic cocao nips (http://www.rawcacao.com/)
• 1 packet Steeva
• 1 cup ice

Super Pick Me Up

• 1 Whole Peeled Orange
• 1 Banana
• 1 Stalk Celery
• 1/2 Apple or pear
• 1 cup kale (stems removed) or romaine lettuce, or spinach
• 1 Avocado
• 1/2 to 1 cup ice

Cantaloupe Smoothie

• 1/2 ripe cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks
• 1/2 or 1 banana
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 cup vanilla organic yogurt
• 1 cup crushed ice

This is cantaloupe season. I buy them on the side of the road bring ‘em home, cut them up and freeze them in baggies.

Do the same with bananas when they get old– freeze them. Using frozen fruit mean less ice needed.

Why Kale?

I don’t like kale but I know it is one of the more nutritious foods. If I hide the kale taste with fruits I don’t know it is there.

This chart is by Dr. Joel Furhman, author of Eat to Live, classifying the nutrient density in a variety of foods with 1000 being a perfect score. This is a great reference for
the most nutritious foods. Kale is 1000–10x more than beans!

Click for Larger View

Your turn. Share your favorite recipes!

To be successful at any diet you need easy, quick, on-the-go handy snacks.

This wrap a mainstay on my food plan, especially now while I’m on a 21 day Daniel Fast.  I learned it years ago from the authors of the book The pH Miracle: Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health. It is amazingly delicious.

I make a Rainbow Salad that I use as my “Base” for a week stored in the fridge to make quick salads and wraps. I usually make 4 or 5 wraps and pop them into the fridge for on the run eating.

Step 1. Gather your Ingredients

• Rainbow Salad
  (or Spinach or Romain or Broccoli Slaw, etc.)
• Flat Bread
• Hummus
• Avocado

Step 2. Prepare Your Bread

Begin by putting a piece of  flat bread and Saran Wrap or Cling Wrap.

Step 3. Spread

Spread on your favorite spread. I use hummus  buy prepared or make your own e (garbanzo beans, line, garlic in a blender). Vegonnaise is good too.

Step 4. Fill

This is my handy, dandy Rainbow Salad base. It contains all the dry items in a salad (no tomatoes or things that could get mushy)  stores well in airtight container in the fridge for one full week.

Add Rainbow Salad and avocado (or your choice of veggies, tomato, cucumbers, spring onions, whatever.

5. Wrap & Store

Wrap the bread around the filling and the plastic wrap around the bread. Fold over on both ends. Place 3 tooth picks through all layers to keep it together. You can serve on a plat or eat it like a banana, peeling the plastic wrap as you eat.

Store in fridge until you are ready to serve.

Easy to grab and eat. And YUMMY! As many years as I have eaten these wraps I’m steel surprised they are good for you because they taste is so incredibly good.

Join our Facebook “Eating God’s Way” Group
for healthy eating support.

I make it when I get home from the grocery store. Store it in the same airtight bowl and it stays good for a full week.

It consist of mainly lettuces, spinach, and lots of shredded veggies (no tomatoes or foods that would get mushy).

Step 1: Gather Ingredients

• Lettuces (Romain, ice burg, spring mix, etc)
• Cabbage
• Peppers (red, yellow, green)
• Carrots
• Celery
• Beets
• Cauliflower
• Radishes
• Asparagus

Step 2. Fill Bowl 3/4 full of Lettuces

Step 3.  Chop & Add Veggies

Step 4 Keep Adding One Color at a time

TaDa!

Salad for a week.

Add tomatoes, meats, cheese etc.

Click here to see how I use this to make an
Easy On -the-Go Snack

Join our Facebook “Eating God’s Way” Group
for healthy eating support.

]]> http://heartofwisdom.com/heartathome/2011/01/19/rainbow-salad-prepare-once-use-for-a-week/feed/ 5 http://heartofwisdom.com/heartathome/2011/01/19/ph-balance-green-smoothie/ http://heartofwisdom.com/heartathome/2011/01/19/ph-balance-green-smoothie/#comments Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:09:55 +0000 admin http://www.heartofwisdom.com/heartathome/?p=2547

I’m currently on a 21 Day Daniel Fast choosing plant based foods that are mostly alkaline. A regular Green Smoothie has 60% fruit. This smoothie has mostly vegetables making it more alkaline.

When you get plenty of greens on a daily basis, you’re able to better maintain a good alkaline pH balance.

Limey Love Shake Recipe

This recipe and video is from PHMiracleLiving.com

• 3 Limes
• Baby Spinach
• Mache Greens
• Butter leaf lettuce or Romaine
• Half and Avocado
• English cucumber
• Ice cubes
• Raw green stevia

When I’m out of avocados I use a banana instead.

Read more about Eating God’s Way Facebook Group, Daniel Fast and PH Balance here.

I will document my personal progress on this blog (instead of my homeschool blog). I will be posting my food plan and recipes. Subscribe to this blog in a Reader or via email to receive email updates.

Anyone is welcome to join that wants to focus on eating a plant based, whole foods plan.

We will begin with a 21 day plan and follow where the Lord leads starting Wednesday, Jan 29, 2011.

This is fellowship and prayer focused more than diet focused. These are a few food plans the group members are using:

• Dr. Axe’s Healing Diet
• The Daniel Fast
• Dr. Joel Furhman’s “Eat to Live”
• The Lord’s Table
• Gerson Therapy

What the Group Members Will Do

1. Pray for one another daily
2. Share your eating plan.
3. Post your goals. Be as general or specific as you wish.
4. Each day post what you ate and how much you exercised.
5. Encourage, share burdens, etc.
6. Share recipes, books, links, etc.
7. We will begin with a 21 day plan and see where the Lord leads.

My Food Plan

I created my food plan based on:

• Dr. Axe’s Healing Food Plan (long term goal)
• 21 Day Daniel Fast (21 Day Fast kick off)
• PH Balanced (for healing)
• Green Smoothies (for healing)

Dr Axe’s Healing Food Plan

Dr Axe is my doctor. My long term goal is to stay on Dr. Axe’s Healing Plan (plant based, whole organic food plan). Here he explain we need to ask Why we want to get healthy.

Why vs. What from Dr. Josh Axe on Vimeo.

Dr Axe recommends going on a Daniel Fast to detox and to reverse heart disease (which I have).

• The Best Way to Detox
• You Body is a Garbage Bucket
• Reversing Heart Disease (Video)
• Why is PH Balance Critical to Health?

I preparing for my 21 Daniel Fast with Dr. Axe special yummy drink. It doesn’t sound good but it is! (Begin with 1T vinegar not 2T). This drink should help balance my blood sugar and make withdrawals easier.

The Daniel Fast

For the next 21 days I will be on the The Daniel Fast: Feed Your Soul, Strengthen Your Spirit, and Renew Your Body. See Food List Here.

The Daniel Fast is based on the fasting experiences of the prophet Daniel from the Old Testament in the Bible. It’s a partial fast where a group of foods are restricted for a spiritual purpose.

It consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and beans (no meats, no sweets, no dairy). The book is great and there is a blog with lots of encouragement at Daniel Fast Blog.

The Daniel Fast is so much more than food! Fasting should be a regular part of a Christian’s life. Christians not only need to study and pray, but also need to fast to fortify and maintain a close relationship with God.

Fasting helps us seek God’s righteousness, His wisdom, His will, and His strength in a world that is overcome with evil. God commands Christians to fast, and true Christians will desire to fast for God’s righteousness in their lives.

PH Balanced Miracle

Daniel was eating a PH Balanced Diet 4000 years before the PH Balance was discovered to be the healthiest eating plan. Disease thrives in acidity. Disease cannot grow in a PH Balanced body.

Many of our beverages and foods today are very acidic, fast foods, sodas, coffee, etc. So as a result of poor diets, degraded food, water, and air, consequently we’ve become too acidic. Research has shown that the body in an alkaline state doesn’t support bacterial growth, viral growth, nor cancer growth.

Since I have health issues but I will be choosing the most alkaline foods from the far right on this PH chart. I will aim to balance each meal with 80% alkaline to 20% acidic to help my body heal.

You can read more about the PH Balanced Diet here. This site has wonderful recipes listed here.

Green Smoothies

Did you know you if you consume 5 servings of fruits and 3 vegetables each day you cut your chance of heart disease and cancer by a whopping 75%!! A green smoothie is a delicious drink made with green leafy vegetables and fruit. With one green smoothie you can consume 5-8 servings of fruits and vegetables!

Transform Your Kitchen-Episode #8-Kale Shake from Dr. Josh Axe on Vimeo.

I have been drinking a daily kale or spinach Green Smoothie since May. I will continue drinking Green Smoothies however during the 21 Day Daniel Fast time I will use more veggies and less fruit to aim for PH Balance. The PH Balance has a great recipe with avocados, cucumbers, and lime that tastes like a Lime Slurpee. Read more about Green Smoothies here.

Books

Our Group Prayer

Facebook has a place where we can print out all the members photos and names. I have asked each member to print this list out and hang it on their refrigerator as a prayer list.

• Ask God to bless us and give us wisdom as we prepare our homes and pantries for the fast.
• Pray we will follow His plan, grow closer to Him and learn to take care of these temples He has given us.
• Ask God to guide us through His Holy Spirit guide us every step of the way as we enter into this experience of fasting.
• Ask that He will remind us of our complete dependence on Him and His grace.
• Ask that this discipline of fasting will help us to grow in love, patience, humility, generosity, and compassion for others.
• Ask that He will open our eyes to His ways and His will.
• Thank Him that He is answering all these request for each of us.

Click Eating God’s Way to join our group. Hope to see you there!