choose to live healthy [5]: glowing green monster smoothie

This radical blend of spinach, nut milk, banana, ground flax seeds, and nut butter (optional) is a creamy, delicious, and nutritious breakfast alternative that helps curb cravings for sweets and gives you A TON of energy to glow and get things done throughout your beautiful day! 

Don't let the green scare you! You'll be happy to know that no matter how many handfuls you add, you won't be able to taste the spinach. The other ingredients do a really realllllllly good job at masking the taste.  If you add just one cup of spinach (I usually add two big handfuls) you'll be getting 20% of your daily dose of fiber. Remember, fiber's our friend! It aids in digestion, prevents constipation, maintains low blood sugar, and curbs overeating (source). 

Flax seed is also a nutritional powerhouse for your body. Flax seeds fight cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, constipation, menopausal symptoms,  heart disease, and "The Blues" (source). One tablespoon a day. That's it! 

Banana benefits? We all know bananas contain pure powerful potassium. Bananas also contain fiber as well as natural sugars, which make them ideal for an immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy. A banana a day keeps your muscle cramps away!!

Nut milk makes the smoothie creamy and is an excellent source of protein and essential vitamins and minerals such as A, E, phosphorous, potassium, essential fatty acids, and fiber (source). If you have a choice, choose almond milk over soy milk. Almond milk has less fat and is less processed. 

Overall benefits of green smoothies (ready for it?!): 

- natural weight loss

- increased consumption of fruits and vegetables (particularly greens)

- easier digestibility and nutrient assimilation

- antioxidants

- increased energy

- mental clarity and focus

- increased fiber intake

- clearer skin

- cravings reduction

- rich with chlorophyll 

- alkalizing 

(source)

What you'll need:

 (feel free to change the quantities based on your preference)

- 2 cups organic spinach, rinsed 

- 1 to 1 1/4 cup nut milk

- 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds

- 1 medium banana, sliced

- 1 tablespoon nut butter (optional)

Do it!:

1. Place the ingredients into the blender in the following order: 1) Flax, 2) spinach, 3) banana, 4) milk, 5) nut butter. The reason for this order is so the heavier ingredients weigh down the flax and spinach and keep it from flying up around the blender and sticking to the side. 

2. Blend everything on the highest setting for 1 minute or so. 

3. Pour in a glass and enjoy! 

Cheers to being green!!!

documentary fat, sick, and nearly dead + juice FEASTing

Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead is an INSPIRING documentary following two men whose bodies have been trashed by steroids, obesity and illness. This film chronicles the rigorous healing path - including a two-month diet of fruits and vegetables - that both attempt in a bid to rescue their health. Their results of their juice feast are nothing short of amazing.

I came across this documentary as I was researching the health benefits of juice fasts, or what I like to call "juice feasts." I say juice FEAST because one gets all the calories one would normally get in a day from at least 1 gallon of fresh juice. Often when people fast they take in very small amounts of liquid/calories, the metabolism slows, their energy slumps, and they may feel quite ‘dysfunctional’. Juice Feasting works differently, supporting the feaster to be very functional in daily life and meeting all calorie needs, while experiencing massive cleansing on a cellular level (source).

I've heard from multiple people how extraordinary and full of energy they feel during and after juice feasts, but I've never really been serious about trying it myself because a) I don't own a juicer and b) I guess I've always thought I was getting enough nutrients through plant-based diet. But, its 2012 and I'm sticking to my resolution of trying new things that support a balanced and creative life! 

After watching Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead I am way intrigued and motivated to try a juice feast for 10 days in order to detoxify and cleanse my system. What I like about the juice fast is that it is designed to assist the body in detoxing through a simple and easy process that allows you to go on with your everyday life. I view myself as a healthy individual but I'm going to be even MORE healthy by juicing for 10 days straight!

*This particular feast is a good proving point to a lot of people that you can make very radical lifestyle changes without having to have surgery, medicine, or a quick fix. The results of a juice fast is going to be longer lasting because you completely change how you eat and everything about the way you live your life.

That's something to take to the bank!

This documentary is streaming live on Netflix. Check it out!!!

once a vegan, now a seagan

[artwork made for onelifeinstills]

Since I can no longer truly identify as being Vegan (because I added fish to my diet January 1st), I'm trying to find a new title for what I am when it comes to my dietary lifestyle. I know I'm not Pescatarian because Pescatarians are vegetarians that consume dairy and eggs and I still do not eat those things. I know I 
technically can't say I'm a vegan that still eats fish because vegans don't consume any animal products...

So what am I?

I did a little research and, for now, when I must explain to people what my dietary title is, the closest answer would be that I am "Macrobiotic." More specifically, the macrobiotic diet, revered by some for its healthy and healing qualities, includes unprocessed vegan foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and allows the occasional consumption of fish. Sugar and refined oils are avoided. Perhaps the most unique qualifier of the macrobiotic diet is its emphasis on the consumption of Asian vegetables, such as daikon, and sea vegetables, such as seaweed.


or a term that's gaining more recognition ...

a "Seagan." A Seagan is a modified vegan who also eats seafood. Yep. That's me to a T! I am going to continue to abstain from eating all meat and animal flesh with the exception of fish (so long as its wild caught as opposed to farm raised).

  

"Vegan" is out the window and "Seagan" is the new 2012 me! Hello Mr. Fish, it's nice to see you again :)