Good Health is Gorgeous

I am honored to share with you, My Story!
Thank you to my friend, Maria, for giving me this amazing opportunity to reflect on my journey to wellness through writing my story for her campaign "Good Health is Gorgeous".

Read my story here: 

The Long, Courageous Road to Feeling Gorgeous

 <3

YOU are GORGEOUS

Hello all of your BEAUTIFUL people,

I have a confession to make.  Things are going really well in my life.  I am enjoying my job as a preschool teacher.  My boyfriend and I are so over the top in love (after 7 1/2 years).  He just passed the first part of his CPA exam (whew!). My nutrition program at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition is just invigorating.  And, I just discovered that a local college (Georgian Court University) has a Masters program for Holistic Health (woo hoo!!).

The one problem... all of this celebrating is putting a toll on my ass.

We have all been there, most of us are there at any given minute-- having a low self esteem. Being your worst enemy.  Everything in my life is so wonderful right now, but the one thing that keeps brings me down and keeps me from enjoying this wonderful time of my life is, my stupid insecurity.

My friend Maria, the creator of  Going Down Swinging: A RSD/CRPS Blog recently asked me to write a post for her campaign titled "Good Health is Gorgeous".  After Maria asked me, it took about two weeks for the inspiration to put my story, so to say "on paper" (or on the internet for the world to see).  I know I say this so often, but EVERYTHING happens for a reason.  Maria asked me to write for her right when I was beginning to feel down about my recent weight gain.  While writing my story (which I will repost when available) I was given the opportunity to analyze my past harsh decisions that did harm to my body.  I looked at my story and I thought to myself, "wow, I have come a long way".  Today, I am the healthiest I have ever been.  I eat foods for their nutrients, and I feel amazing.  I no longer have IBS, Acid Reflux, asthma or allergies.  I can easily run 6-miles in the woods, no inhaler or medication necessary. And I can make a delicious vegan meal that will wow the sox off of any herbivore.

Just last night I was feeling down on myself. This morning, I listened to my lecture for the week for IIN.  What, you might ask, is this lecture about? Well of course, you sneaky Universe: Body image. As Harville Hendrix said, negativity is a toxin, just as much of a toxin as fertilizer and pesticides. We absorb negativity from other people (and we feed other people our negativity). Release yourself from negativity and fill your self with something that is so simple... GRATITUDE. Your body will thank you, your health with improve, your relationships will be better, you will experience joy and vitality. Look at life as GRACE! 

A little piece of Heaven... 

Give thanks for that beautiful body you were blessed with! 

Both my lecture and my friend Maria brought an important fact to my attention: as women we are CONSTANTLY bombarded with the unrealistic idealism of the media. The two clips below are a must watch for women of all ages.... (please send these videos along to all of the woman you know).

A Dove Film

Miss Representation

So, the next time you are feeling down about your body-- turn your negativity around with gratitude. At first, it takes some practice, but the more gratitude you fill yourself with, the less room there will be for negativity, and therefore the HAPPIER you will become. 

You are GORGEOUS. Never, ever doubt that.

With love! Xoxo

*Stay tuned for my story which I will share with you when available on Maria's campaign

<3

Give us Something Good to Eat!

Hello There Pumpkins :)


I will have to warn you, I am OBSESSED with the autumn harvest, and as a result, I have been eating as many apple and pumpkins as I can. With the temperatures dropping, it is only instinctual to eat plenty of these harvest items in order to warm our bodies for that dreadful season that follows.... winter. Like Mr. Squirrel, we must take advantage of what is here now, and save some for the winter.  Make soups, chili, pies, and try to freeze them for a later time.


What I love about pumpkin, it is just divine as a tea, in a pie, in pancakes, muffins, soup, smoothies...oh and just about anything.  But best of all, it is darn good for you! With super low calories (26 per 100g), no cholesterol, no saturated fat, but with an abundance of fiber, antioxidant, minerals, and vitamins, everyone should be eating their share of pumpkin.  That decoration you have sitting on your porch can supply the highest amounts of Vitamin A (246% of RDA). Hello good eye sight and good skin!  It is rich in B-complex vitamins, and minerals such as calcium (no cow necessary), copper, potassium, and phosphorus. Eat on!


So now that  you know you should be taking full advantage of this harvest, and you have no reason NOT to eat pumpkin in fall... here is some food porn and recipes to make your mouth water :)

Pumpkin-Banana Pancakes (Gluten free and vegan), with baked apples:

1 1/2 c. of Bob Red Mill Gluten Free Pancake Mix
1 tbs. ground flax seed + 2 tbs. water (or an egg if you are not vegan)
3/4 c. Non-sweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1 tbs. Safflower oil (or another vegetable oil)
1/2 c. pumpkin puree (Organic canned in perfect and easy :)
1 banana
cinnamon (about 2 tsp)
To taste: ground clove, all spice, nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice
Optional: walnuts!


Blend together and cook on a skillet (don't ruin these health bomb pancakes by cooking them on non-stick pans that will release chemicals into the food and the air... rather use a stainless steal pan or even better, cast iron pan to bump up your natural animal free iron consumption :)


Baked apples:
Cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and ground clove with agave, baked at about 300 degrees until softened 






Now you can't just carve your pumpkin, save the pulp, and chuck the seeds-- these babies may be the best part!  Pumpkin seeds are a good source of the lovely fiber so many are trying to obtain, protein (again, no cows, pigs, or chickies are harmed :), iron, niacin, selenium, zinc, the heart healthy mono-unsaturated fatty acids, AND the brain fuel, tryptophan. I even made these again this week with my students-- add some agave or Stevia, and the kids will LOVE them, especially when they helped make them.

Cinnamon-Agave seeds and Salty seeds

Preheat oven to about 300 degrees

bake with seasonings on cookie sheet until golden brown

Enjoy as a perfect, healthy, nutrient packed snack :)

And lastly, my "You Wouldn't Believe it's not Meat-Chili" with, you guessed it: Pumpkin!

I pretty much throw things into my chili, and taste it ever few hours to see what it is missing, but here is the gist:

about 3 cups of beans (I use kidney, black, and pinto)

A lot of peppers (about 4-5) chopped

1-2 jalapeño peppers (depends on your desired spice)

About 1 whole onion

Approx.. 1 cup of sweet Jersey corn

1- 1/2 cans of crushed tomatoes

about 2-3 tbs chili powder

1-2 tbs. ground cumin

1 cup of pureed pumpkin 

* If using cans (which I often do) spend the extra money and buy organic.  Preferably Eden Organic beans which make you less musical... ;)

Pumpkin carving by Julianne :)

Pumpkin can and certainly should become your new favorite food-- you can slip it into SO many meals, without your pain in the neck "picky" eaters even knowing it (not that I do that... ever ;)  Their hearts, brain, skin, eyes, etc. will thank you for it!


If you have a pumpkin recipe you that you love, please share below!

Happy Almost-Halloween!

Deliciously Gluten Free: Tips on facing your intolerances and surviving Gluten Free in a gluttonous world

Hello Pumpkins!

One of the worst things you can do for your health is consume food that you are allergic or intolerant to. I for one (and like most of us) have a gluten intolerance.  As I have mentioned in a previous blog, I have a really tough time staying away from gluten.  I gave up meat... easy. I gave up dairy... not too bad. I gave up sugar... noooo problem.  Gluten, WHY!? I am an Italian girl who was raised with the understanding that NO meal is complete with out a loaf of Italian Bread (dipped in olive oil) along side of my lasagna.

Your body will let you know when what you are consuming, is toxic... The body does this in many ways: A possible belly ache, or worst.  Hives. bloating. lethargy... or in my case, teenage ACNE. I, knowing I have this intolerance of gluten, and regardless (under stressful situations) I aloud myself to indulge in the bread basket.  One night, it's okay, blame temptation! A second night, silly, silly, silly... a third night- Terrible, terrible!  As a result my body decided to teach me a lesson in what I would consider the worst possible way: on my face in the form of  "teenage acne"... something I thankfully never dealt with as a teenager, and am now dealing with in my mid twenties (ugh!).

With the help of my two favorite homeopathic remidies: Sepia and Adrenal Drops, I got my body back on track.  The next time that bread basket came around (we ate out a lot this past week, family was visiting), I reminded myself the effects this (delicious) bread would have on my face. And then I got creative....


Tips to eating well without gluten:

1.) Breakfast: discover Cherry Brook Farms and/or Bob's Red Mill and/or Van's
     We are BIG breakfast people.  For a while, after I began eating a vegan diet, I gave up our Saturday Morning Breakfasts... and unfortunately, so did everyone else.  Since giving up gluten, I have come to find some fabulous alternatives that are not just gluten free, but dairy free too.  Now, Saturday Morning Breakfasts are back.  I don't feel deprived or left out, and still feel great after eating a delicious meal:

Cherry Brook Farms Pancake Mix + banana and Pure Maple Syrup

2.) Eating out:
      Many places now have delicious GF alternatives.  One of our favorite bars in Sea Bright is the Mad Hatter.  The Hatter has the most delicious pizza, AND the most delicious GF pizza.

GF "Healthy" Pie with no cheese= Divine!

Of course, not all restaurants have GF options (those who are unfortunately stuck in the stone age of no-allergies)... In these common cases, you can always BRING YOUR OWN! There is this restaurant called Angelica's, again in Sea Bright- which our family LOVES. Just straight up delicious and fresh Italian cuisine (and byob!) Unfortunately, this restaurant does not have Gluten Free option, however I have found that as long as you are sweet and honest about your allergies, anyone will cook that GF pasta that you brought. Yes, you can bring your own pasta! When I was in high school working at an Italian restaurant called Michael Angelo's (Monmouth Beach, NJ), I had quite a few customers who would byop (bring your own pasta). You can still enjoy a delicious meal, minus the regret later on.  My favorite is the Quinoa pasta...

3.) Family cooked meals:
      Family members are not always as understanding as we would like of our intolerances or allergies.  in which case, you must cook your own food.  I suggest making something similar to what everyone else is eating (don't cook Italian when everyone else is eating Chinese, I promise you, you will want what they are eating :)  If possible, make the same thing, just a GF (and vegan) version.  Being Italian, my family eats a lot of lasagna, eggplant parm, and bread... so, I take those recipes that I have adopted from my Naunee, and substitute those allergen triggers for good quality versions that I can tolerate.

Check out my Vegan, gluten free Lasagna recipe that was featured as the "Recipe of the Week" at Crazysexylife.com

Using the same "cheese" found in the lasagna recipe, I just recently invented my "Italian Girl's Vegan Gluten Free Eggplant Parm" using Gillian's GF bread crumbs :) Fortunately for me, unfortunately for you (and my gluten eating family members), this was SO delicious that I did not stop eating to take a picture.

BREAD... now this is a tough topic, because I love bread so, so, so much.... I have yet to find the GF bread that I love, but I have found an okay alternative: Millet Bread

Here is a tip: This bread comes frozen, with all frozen breads, you must bake them, and then toast them. DO NOT use that vicious microwave (for so many reasons that I will soon share with you :).  Another delicious super healthy and vegan-ish tip-- In place of butter, and instead of using "soy" butters, spread on some delicious, nutritious avocado with a dash of Himalayan Sea Salt.

Gluten allergies and intolerances have become increasingly prevalent over the past decade.  You, like me, may not think that you have an intolerance or an allergy to gluten, or to dairy, soy, etc.  In order to find out if you do, I suggest you try an elimination diet.  Remove that substance from your diet completely. Record how you feel after a week, two, and then three weeks without the substance.  If you feel better, then chances are you are in the same boat as I am and have an intolerance.  You can try to slowly add the gluten, soy, dairy, back into your diet in small amounts.  Record how your body reacts.  If you begin feeling icky again, then chances are you have an intolerance and should avoid that substance. If you are fine, well than, lucky you :)


Next up: Tip #3, GF Dessert-- Pumpkin picking, apple picking, and all the yummy autumn vegan and gluten free desserts you can handle :)

With much love and deliciously thriving health <3

Just Dream...

Hello Angels!


As I promised, this post is a continuation of The Fall IINto Action Health Conference that I attended a few weeks ago in New York City.  I admire Deepak Chopra so much.  He has instilled so much faith, trust, and peace in so many people, including myself.  What I love best is the concept that what you think you can't do, you can't. What you think you can do, you can. In other words, it is all in your head, you have created your present, and you have the power to create your ideal future.


Now, I hope I don't sound too crazy for you in this post. I know when I first started to explore my spirituality a few years ago, I thought it was all a little weird too. Of course that was until I realized how powerful thinking is, and I had no other choice but to believe. It is crazy to me how there are so many different religions, yet, they are all the same.  They all believe that there is one "God" or whatever you call that power (I like to say the Universe), who is looking over each and everyone of us, assuring we take the correct path. That power is putting things in place to help guide us in the right direction. There are omens everywhere! I was raised Roman Catholic, I grew up, I went to college, and I started to move away from my religion, into a dark place of non-belief.  I am so grateful for my religious up bringing, but I have now created my own spirituality outside of the strict walls called religion. My body is my temple and I trust that when I believe in this power, things always work out.


You are the creator of your life, you have the "power" to do anything and have anything you want.... Read The Secret.  When you do, you will realize that you have always know this concept-- how many times have you created your reality? My favorite is creating parking spots :) Ask my boyfriend or any of my friends... they will tell you that when I say I am going to get a perfect front row parking spot, I will. Works nearly every time. This is The Law of Attraction.

What is the "soul" you speak about, Dr. Deepak Chopra? Such a confusing concept! WHAT is the soul? Well,"it cannot be found in the body... nor measurable in space or time.  It is our core consciousness."  I believe that everybody has a "soul purpose" in life. There is a reason you are here, and you are faced with your circumstances because of that reason. There are lessons to learn, and service to be paid.


Deepak Chopra said that in order to establish the soul's profile you must ask yourself a series of questions.:

1. Who am I? 
2. What do I want? 
3. What is a peak experience for me?
4. What is my life's purpose? 
5. What contribution can I make to the world? 
6. What meaningful relationships do I have? 
7. How can I give to those relationships? 
8. What unique skills and talents do I have, and how can I use them to serve?
9. Who are my architypes?
10. What is my story?

"The world is our projection, you can change it."-- Deepak Chopra

What I found to be the most important message in this presentation was Dr. Deepak Chopra's "D" and the "S" of the L.E.A.D.E.R.S.

• D- Dare to dream now and DO IT, transform your reality
• S- Stretch for your dreams
• M- Measure your dreams
• A- Agree on the measurement
• R- Record the progress
• T- Time limit for your dreams
• S-Synchronicity with the Universe, there is a linear cause and effect. 
• The soul is synchronic
• There are karmic patterns, what you give out, you will receive
• Opportunity meets preparedness

I know that life throws curve balls, and that life is not always easy... Which is why it is important to find time to dream and to create those dreams.  Many of us are stuck in situations that zap our energy and rid us of happiness... You need to remember that YOU create your reality, YOU have the ability to change that reality. YOU have the right to dream and the right to succeed.


The Universe (or God, or whatever you prefer to call it), works in beautiful ways.  JUST when you need something to give you a boost, you will receive it... All you have to do is believe. I (and most of the world) have been dealing with stress around that power called money. There are so many things I want to do at the young and ripe age of 24, but I can't do because a.) I have to work b.) I have to pay my bills and c.) I need to save.  I was feeling as though I was trapped in this depressing cycle of work, eat, sleep.  As of last night I felt I had hit a wall... I was drained of not only money, but energy.  I went to bed stressed out of my mind.  Woke up before the crack of dawn, and sat down to listen to my Meditation.  It was day 11 (11 is my lucky number) of the Chopra Center's Summer Meditation Challenge (which I purchased to MAKE myself meditate) and what was this guided meditation about? MONEY. I just laughed... thanked the Universe, and after my meditation I felt SO much better.  Lunch time, I sit to eat and read my email... check out Facebook, lo and behold, my favorite doctor, Dr. Mark Hyman, posted a link to a blog via my role model Kris Carr... what was the topic of the blog? MONEY.

Just remember the Universe (God, whoever!) works in beautiful ways.  You can have whatever you want in life, you just have to believe in yourself, and trust that (from the amazing artist, Bob Marley) "Every little thing is gonna be all right."

With happy thoughts, BIG dreams, and much love <3

Still feeling the energy from the BIGGEST Health Conference in the world...

Hello Sunshines!

Have you ever been in a room filled with so many people, whom you feed off of their powerful energy?  One that makes you feel so high, that regardless of how sleepy you may be, you have this twinge of excitement? I felt this for this first time last weekend when I attended the largest Health Conference in the world, hosted by the school I am studying at, the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I have never been surrounded by so many like-minded people (3,500 of them!!). I felt so motivated, inspired, and energized! I found my purpose here...The best part is... a week later, I am still feeling it!

This past month has not been the easiest...  As a teacher, September never is.  So, I will admit that I began loosing motivation and confidence in my career as a Health Counselor.  The Universe works in particular ways... I know when things are meant to happen, they will. The Universe will assure that everything works out as planned.  So, the conference happened to occur when I needed it the most.  I was so exhausted that I even debated going!  I am so grateful.

In essence my favorite speakers, Dr. Joel Furman, Dr. David Katz, and Dr. Mark Hyman, sent a similar message: EAT MORE VEGETABLES... and less animal products and processed food. Such a simple idea, but in America we are constantly bombarded with advertisement for processed food, and the ease of eating such foods, that we often fail to make the right food choices.  Our country is fat and sick... We need to spread the message: Eat Kale Chips, not corn chips ;)

Dr. Joel Furman is the author is Eat, Drink, to Live, and Supper Immunity (which I bought as soon as I got home). He spoke about how our bodies are self-healing... think about that.  He used a similar metaphor-- a bear out in the wild doesn't go to the doctor, and then to the pharmacy and pops a pill every time he gets ill.  He rests... and naturally his body heals. No antibiotics necessary.

Why are we fat and sick? Well, 62% of the food consumed in America is that of processed CRAP (pardon my language, but there is no other word that can describe what we eat). We are lacking in micronutrients that are vital for fighting off and resisting infection. Here is a scary thought: CHILDHOOD diets are a major cause of ADULT CANCERS... so, we should blame our parents? Not really, but as parents ourselves we need to make the right food choices for your babies.  As teachers, we can make the right choices for our students when they are under our care.

So according to Furman, the best thing you can do for yourself is eat more green cruciferous vegetables.  When we do not eat such vegetables the most important natural defence systems in the cells does not function... Wow!  Eat cabbage, bok choy, and turnips to decrease breast cancer. Eat mushrooms, drink green tea, onions... be what he called a "Naturaltarian".  When you eat more vegetables and less CRAP, you naturally eat less calories... nix the animal products (I can help with you that :), and avoid soy products.

I (and 3,000 other women at the conference) am officially in love with a married man... Dr. David Katz.  His poetic voice was like (vegan) butter... His call to action influenced me greatly.

"Diseases are not causes, the diseases are effects..."

Did you know that there are 10 behaviors that cause premature death?  Tabaco used to be the leader by far... but today the gap between tobacco and diet is narrowing.  So, eating processed crap is nearly as bad for you as smoking cigarets.

What inspired me most about Dr. Katz's lecture is children.  As a preschool teacher I see it all the time.... children do not know how to eat.  Their pallets are so weak, that they prefer to eat a processed cereal bar (with a million ingredients, half being various forms of sugar) over a fresh juicy apple... As 3-year-olds they are already growing bellies, by the time they are 4, they are already overweight and on the brink of diabetes. In my classroom I provide rewards for children when they eat fruit and vegetables at snack and lunch.  What can you do in your classroom or homes to motivate children to want to eat better? 

Exercise enhances academics for children.  "Recess not Ridalin".... we must teach our children how to move, and to love doing it.  Today children are stuck inside, watching TV, playing video games... what ever happened to going on an outside adventure and running around until dusk? At 24-years-old I still LOVE and need to go outside on a daily basis, and run around... It is what I did as a kid, which is why I love it so much as an adult.

As adults we must take initiative and teach our children how to be healthy... like Dr. Joel Furman said, "Childhood diets are a major cause of adult cancers..."

Three and a half TRILLION dollars is spent in the country on what Dr. Mark Hyman calls, "Diabesity". Fifty million servings of soda A DAY is purchased with food stamps... Hm, and we are wondering how to cut spending! Well in America there is a PILL for that, and it will help your diabetes....while promoting other diseases and various ailments... Maybe we should just eat better...

According to Hyman, disease goes away as a side effect of EATING HEALTHY. Food is what he calls, "Farma-cology" It is what you put on your fork that has the ability to hurt or heal.

Hymans 10+ rules:

1. Avoid food with labels
2. If eating food with labels, make sure it has less than 5 ingredients, and that you recognize what those five are
3. Avoid the WHITE powders (white sugar, white flour...)
4. High Fructose Corn Syrup puts holes in our guts and has high levels of mercury- AVOID
5. Avoid shortening and oils
6. Avoid food additives
7. Artificial sweeteners alter your brain and your hormones causing you to GAIN WEIGHT regardless of it being 0 calories...
8. If it is plant, eat it, if it is grown IN a plant, avoid it.
9. Don't drink your calories
10. Begin your day with protein, this increases your metabolic burn (my green protein smoothie is a great nutritious start!)
11. Don't eat 3 hours before bed (have a cup of decaf tea with stevia to satisfy that sweet tooth)

This a lot of fantastic, lifesaving information, so I will leave you with this: Your body is a temple, and you only have ONE.  Be grateful for what you have been given, and nourish it.  There is no miracle pill that will save you from getting sick or cure your illness.  There is no miracle pill to make you skinny. The miracle lies in eating a whole natural diet. Once you start eating this way, your body will crave more of the goodness and less of the processed.  You will be healthier, happier, and energized... cut out the crap and go eat your veggies, your body and mind (and family) will thank you<3

I am saving my next blog to talk about my 4th most inspirational speaker-- you may have heard of him, you may have read his many best-seller books, may have done his 21-Day meditation challenges, and if you don't know him yet, I suggest you check him out: Dr. Deepak Chopra.  I will share with you what I learned from this spiritual guru, and my struggle with meditation :)

With Love and Veggies,
Namaste <3

Boulder, Blackouts, and Great Old Friends

Hello Everybody!


I must apologize for my long absence.  My last post was right before I went to Boulder, Colorado to visit a dear friend of mine.  Unfortunately I came home to days of no power, and then jumped into the hectic first days of school.  With that said, I would like to dedicate this post to old friends.  Just last week my friends and I lost a dear friend.  It was a terrible week, one that none of us would have gotten through without each other... 


As we grow up, friendship often gets put on the back burner for other things.  We become these stressful adults who only have time for our career and our family.  Some of us are trying to enjoy our time off while taking care of ourselves through exercise and eating healthy.  What we forget is that friendship is so important for our integral health, and should be focused on as much as if not more than the food we put into our mouth.  With friends, we can catch the curve balls life throws our way...  In addition, with the tenth year anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11/2001,  I think we can all agree that life is too short... If you do one thing today, call a friend and tell them you love them.

From the beautiful words of Adele: 

‎"You know how the time flies

Only yesterday

It was the time of our lives

We were born and raised

In a summer haze

Bound by the surprise

Of our glory days..."

I was fortunate to have spent the previous week with one of my dearest friends in her current home, Boulder Colorado. Jacq and I have been friends since we worked together in the town's pizzeria.  We were about 15... making deli sandwiches together (ekk!). Now, at 25, we are both vegans (no wonder!) and Bikram hot yoga buddies.

Jacq and I in Breckenridge, after a gondola ride to the top where we enjoy delicious homemade salads :)

Now traveling is not always easy, and even though I was going to Boulder and visiting a friend who had a juicer and a blender (that was my gift to her!), I still needed to pack appropriately.... 

Smoothie and vitamins all packed for the suitcase. Each in individual bags, labeled. I always pack like this, and it never fails!

The snacks that saved my life during my 2-hour delay on the plane ride there, and my almost-stuck-in-Kansas City (my dinner that terrible emotional night...)  I LOVE Whole Food's Waste Friendly mix (on the far left), Gogi Berries- perfect!, and out of the three bars, the Yogi Raw Banana and Nuts tasted like fresh banana bread... easily my favorite!

 and with my garden spitting out too many cucumbers to stuff an army, I had to bring some along for the ride....

Being in Boulder made me understand my purpose for being a born and raised, and never leaving- Jersey Girl.  I LOVED Boulder, but I understand that I need to do my part to make Jersey more Boulder-ish...  in other words, a healthy haven! Here is a sneak peak at this terribly healthy-green vacation:

Jacque makes her very own Komucha!! I will be starting my own soon :)

Striking a pose at a beautiful spot outside of Breckenridge

One of my many delicious salads from Whole Foods (we really, really, like that place)

Dessert at the Tonic Oxygen Bar... Raw Vegan Cake, and a delicious, refreshing Kombucha

And of course, our daily green smoothies :)

When I came home to a dark house (THANK YOU IRENE... I am sure many of you feel my pain) I needed to improvise.  The thought of not having my juice and smoothie in the morning, especially before my first week of work, was devastating.  So, this is what I did....

These "Shake and Go" Smoothies are so delicious! They are packed with nutrients and made up for the mornings that I did not have electricity to run my beloved bullet blender but needed the energy to plow through a day of a teacher.  In addition, I bought some Kombucha-- New addiction, thanks to Jacque and her homemade one :)

Blackouts and Colorado are just a mere memory now... the latter, being one that I will cherish forever.  A perfect weekend with a great old friend.  

I hope you all have enjoyed your end of the summer, back to school, work, what have you, and are ready for a delicious, harvest filled season (I LOVE the Fall!).  Just before that harvest begins... this was the last of our summer pickings (btw, the deer indulged in our garden right before the storm... they knew I was in Boulder... or that Irene was coming! Nooo more broccoli :(

43 HUGE cucumbers, about 2 1/2 dozen cherry tomatoes (which are still growing!), a few peppers, jalopenos, and eggplant... Whew!

If you do one thing today, send an old friend some love <3

Peace, Love, and Happiness, Xox

Amanda