Flu Buster Tonic for those in need

Hi Everyone,

I have let some time go between writing (again!), but here I am back in action. I was speaking with a friend who has been struggling with a persistent cold/flu the last couple of weeks which made me think of the "Flu Buster Tonic" from Renee Loux's the Balanced Plate book. I may have posted the recipe for this last year, but I want to do it tonight for those who did n't see it and just in case I didn't!

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1-2 cloves garlic (if you dare)

1/4 cup shredded ginger

2 teaspoons wasabi powder ( I never have this so I skip this ingredient)

1-4 tablespoons raw honey

In blender, combine the vinegar, garlic and ginger and blend until smooth. Pour through a fine strainer and press with the back of a spoon to extract as much juice as possible. Discard pulp.

Whisk in the wasabi, cayenne, and honey. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Serve 2 tablespoons at a time on an empty stomach. Add to 1 cup hot water for a warming tonic.

I usually omit the wasabi and squeeze fresh lemon juice into this tonic as well. I also just put all the ingredients in the blender except the lemon juice (squeeze that in at the end). It really does work wonders if you feel like you are getting sick or if you are sick, it speeds up the process.

The Balanced Plate cookbook is an amazing resource of healthy and delicious recipes, healing tonics, macrobiotic guidelines, healthy cleaning product recommendations and much more!

Good night!

Lysa

Healthy Holiday Treat!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are all are having a fun filled December despite the holiday madness!

I went to a friend's birthday party the other night and she had some "Crispy Kale" on the counter for snacking on. This inspired me to go home and make some for the Board of Education meeting held at our school. It was a great success. All who attended had a bunch and loved it (even those who didn't think they liked kale).

I thought I would share it with you in case you would like to bring it to a holiday party. With kale's cool dark green color it is actually quite a festive dish!

The curly kale seems to work best for this recipe.

You will need one or two bunches of kale (depending on how many people you are making it for)

salt

pepper

olive oil

Preheat oven to 350

1.Wash kale thoroughly and dry well.

2. Remove leaves from stems.

3. Break into large pieces (they will shrink when baked).

4. Place in large bowl.

5. Coat kale leaves well with olive oil.

6. Salt and pepper to your liking.

7. Mix well.

8. Place on baking sheet and put in oven.

9. Let cook between 15-20 minutes. Should be crispy but not over crispy or will get bitter.

I hope you enjoy it!

On another note, now that we are at the end of the year, it's good to take the time to reflect on the past year.

Have you taken the time to nourish yourself with healthy food ( when I say this I mean food for your body, your mind and spirit)?

Everyday is a new opportunity to treat yourself and those around you well.

As we wrap up this year, think about what you feel good about it in your life and what what you might like to improve. Let this be your guide for next year goals. Keep them focused and real.

Wishing you an excellent holiday and a healthy, wealthy, joyous 2011!

Lysa

Thanksgiving

Wow, it's been a long time since I've written.

We've had a busy fall. It started off rough with needing to make the decision to put our 12 year old Golden Retriever to sleep. I miss him and still feel him near us often. It's been a season of feeling our sadness and loss while being able to pick up the pieces of our family and keep on living.

Getting back to the blog. I am renewing commitment to write as weekly as possible. Today, I will share a healthy version of Candied Yams. Sorry, no photo yet. It's on my list of to do's for next month (learn how to take a photo and put it on my blog!). I know it's bad but a gal of technology I am not!!!

Here is the recipe for the yams, I hope you enjoy it!!!

Candied Yams

2lbs garnet yams or sweet potatoes

3 strips of orange zest, white, spongy pith removed

2 cinnamon sticks broken in half

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tsp peeled and finely chopped ginger root

1/2 tsp sea salt

Preheat oven to 375.

Peel and halve the yams crosswise. Cut each half lengthwise into 4 wedges.

Place the yams in a baking dish that will hold them in a snug single layer.

Tuck the orange zest and cinnamon sticks among the yams.

In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, maple syrup, oil, lemon juice, ginger and salt. Pour the mixture over the yams. Bake for 1 1/4 hours, basting every 15 minutes, until the yams are tender and glazed and the pan juices are syrupy. Remove the orange zest and cinnamon sticks before serving.

This recipe is taken from Peter Berley's "The Modern Vegetarian Kitchen".

Wishing you a heart full of content and peace of mind for this Thanksgiving!

with my love,

Lysa

Hi Everyone,

Yes, I am writing again. Short and sweet this time! If you are having sugar cravings, try this sweet sensation dish. Recipe is from Linda Page's "Cooking for Healthy Healing".

Julienne 6 carrots, cover in salted water until just tender. Drain and set aside. Melt 1 tbsn butter in pan, add 1 tbsn maple syrup, 1 tbsn orange zest. Simmer until a fragrant sauce forms. Then add carrots and 4 tbsn slivered almonds. Enjoy! Write soon! Lysa

Summer

Hi Everyone,

Feels like a while since I've written. I have a set a page up on facebook so I need to figure out how to keep both up consistently but not spend all time on the computer.

Today was HOT! All I could think of was how to cool down. I made the kids frozen fruit smoothies. It seemed to help them so I will share the recipe (sorry if you are on facebook too and this is a repeat).

Frozen black cherries (handful)

Banana

plain yogurt

1 tbsp almond butter

1 tsp wheat germ

1/2 cup milk of your choice

3 ice cube

Put all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

Has protein, fat, vitamins & minerals! You could add some flax seed and have the benefits of the Omega oils and fiber! That's a power drink for sure!

Goodnight,

Lysa

Inspired!

Hi Everyone,

It's a beautiful, very warm May day out today. I am feeling inspired after going to a fantastic spin class this morning and getting a great book that I ordered called "The Diet Cure" by Julia Ross. She has some great insights she shares in this book and some wonderful recipes too.

Here are some of her suggestions on how to "undiet":

1. Do not skip meals.

2. Eat at least 25% of the day's calories at breakfast.

3. Do not undereat.

4. Start your meals with plenty of protein. (She recommends twenty grams or more).

5. Eat unlimited amounts of green veggies with your protein. Eat some red and yellow ones too. (My favorite suggestion).

6. For snacking, eat fruit and vegetables with proteins ( for example, nuts, seeds, or cheese), not sweets or starches (like bagels or pretzels).

7. Be sure to include some good fats in each meal.

8. Stop counting calories and fat grams.

Here's a yummy recipe for a frittata from the Diet Cure book:

Egg and Vegetable Frittata:

1/4 red onion, chopped

1 cup kale or 1/2 cup other vegetables, chopped

2 tsp butter

3 whole eggs, well beaten

2 tbsp crumbled sheep milk feta

Saute onions and veggies in the butter in a small ovenproof skillet. Add the eggs and the cheese and cook without stirring, tilting the skillet while lifting the edge of the cooked egg with a spatula, allowing uncooked egg to flow underneath. When no more uncooked egg will flow, put under a broiler and broil until top begins to brown, 1-2 minutes.

Closing thought for the day:

Find one thing to inspire you today!

Lysa

Hi Everyone,

I have been thinking a lot about eating locally lately. I realized that this is an area of healthy eating that I haven't brought up yet on my blog. So, I would like to encourage you all to buy your food locally as much as possible. Why? Because it is better for you. Think about it, the nutrients in food that was picked yesterday and eaten today is going to be higher than the food picked a week or two ago and eaten today. Other reasons? Think about the fuel being used to transport the food, the fumes that are going into the air from the truck that is transporting, and I am sure there are a lot of other environmental factors that come into play. Most importantly, the best reason to eat locally? It tastes better!!! Support your local farmers and visit your farmer's market. It's a feast for your eyes and your tummy. Also, if you don't have a veggie garden (yet), try growing some tomatoes in a pot. Also, grow some herbs, they are wonderful to cook with and it's a lot cheaper to grow your own rather than buying them fresh every time you need them.

I would like to share a site with you that lists the most eco-best fish & the worst. It also lists which are the best regarding containing the least amount of mercury/PCB's. The site is EDF.org/seafood ( Environmental Defense Fund). It's a really great site and you can print their "seafood selector" chart that you can take with you to the market.

Halibut, which is among my favorite got the thumbs up for health wise and eco-best wise ( from the pacific). Here is a recipe for halibut from the Whole Foods newsletter:

Halibut Tacos with Creamy Corn and Tomato Slaw:

3/4lb boneless, halibut fillet

2 tsp olive oil

1/4 tsp each salt and pepper or to taste

4 cups shredded cabbage

3/ cup chopped tomatoes

2 tbsp veganaise

2 tbsp lime juice

2 ears of corn kernels removed or 1 cup frozen corn

tortillas

1/3 cup salsa

Brush halibut all over with oil, season with salt & pepper. Cook in a large skillet or on grill over medium heat. Flip once until golden brown and cooked through, about 10 minutes. In a large bowl, toss together cabbage, tomatoes, mayonnaise, lime juice, and corn to make a slaw. Remove and discard skin from halibut and flake into bite-size pieces. Fill tortillas with slaw and fish. Serve with salsa. Enjoy! Let me know if you try them and how you like them.

Okay, we are finally at the end of Dr. Phil's 10 step renewal plan:

#10 What is one thing you can do for yourself everyday? It could be as simple as finding 2o minutes to take a bath. Everyday is a new opportunity to pay attention to your own needs and make choices you feel good about. This decade, claim the right to minister to yourself.

I love that one too. I think his last two are my favorites!

Goodnight,

Lysa

Take time for rest and relaxation

Hi Everyone,

Tonight my message is to take time to rest and relax your mind & body. Allow yourself to get into bed early and read a book or just snuggle with your lovie. This is a busy season, especially for parents with all the sports & school activities. Making time for recharging is essential! Here are some ways to recharge yourself, I encourage you to pick one:

walk your dog or yourself

read a great book (yes, it has to be great to make it worth it)

take a bath

stretch

breathe

unplug your phone, turn your computer off, turn your iphone off

get a massage

drink some herbal tea

go to sleep an hour earlier than usual

get out in nature. Lie down on your lawn or at a park & look up at the trees.

Okay, here's Dr. Phil's 9th step on his renewal plan and it's a powerful one:

#9 Who is standing in your way? The answer may be you. Reject self-loathing and treat yourself with the kindness and respect you would show your best friend. ( I think that may be my personal favorite).

Here's a yummy turkey burger recipe:

Noel's Tasty Turkey Burger:

1 package of Plainville natural turkey

1/2 red onion chopped

1 tsp cumin

1 tbsp tamari

1 handful of chopped parsley

slices of cheese of your liking

slices of avocado

In a large bowl, mix the turkey meat, onion, cumin, tamari, & parsley together.

You can either place them on a grill or cook them on the stove top in a skillet. If on grill, should take about 10-12 minutes. On stove top will take longer, cook on one side for about 8 minutes and then turn over and cook another 8 minutes.

Coming out of my body's natural cleanse

Hi Everyone,

I am sorry I haven't written for a few days. My body decided to its own little cleanse over the weekend. Another name for that would be "the stomach bug". A mild one luckily, but nonetheless uncomfortable and a bummer that it fell on Mother's day weekend. I am already feeling so much better. Tomorrow I will exercise for the first time in a few days. I can't wait because one of my Mother's day presents was a pair of bike shoes that have clips for my spinning class! Can't wait to try them out!!!!

Here's a quick, fun, easy & tasty bite:

Artichoke, cannellini,lemon dip:

1 jar of artichoke hearts in water ( if you can only find them in oil, that's okay too)

1 can of cannellini beans (Eden is a good company to get)

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tbsp of oil

sea salt

pepper
can also add a handful of chopped parsley

2 tbsp water

Put all the ingredients in blender and press puree. You will have to stop and mix it a few times. When done it will have a hummus like consistency. It is super flavorful. Good for dipping in or inside a wrap or even sandwich.

Dr. Phil's 8th step on his Life Renewal Plan:

What are your goals? Define specific goals with measurable outcomes and assign yourself a timeline. Passion and willpower alone won't cut it- you need a strategy.

Okay, what about exercise? Have you done any lately? Remember that eating well & exercising are like a happily married couple. They compliment eachother. Even it's a brisk walk, some stretching, weight lifting, dancing in your house. Do something to move your beautiful body.

And..... while you are moving your body, remember to thank it for all it does everyday. I was realizing this weekend when my body wanted to do NOTHING, how incredibly lucky I am that my body does SO MUCH every single day. We need to remember to thank our bodies for what they do and be grateful for them.

On that note, it's time for me to say goodnight.

Goodnight!

Lysa

Refreshed

Hi Out There,

I am so happy to report that I am feeling energized again after a wiped out yesterday!
My best guess is that I took the time to go to the "fusion" class and I got a decent night of sleep last night.

Today is our "peace pack" project at school which I am thrilled about. The kids are decorating canvas bags & filling them with school supplies, toys & letters that they have written about themselves for the children we are sending the packs to in Haiti. It is part of a bigger project that we are involved with a local group called the "Haitian People's Support Project". This group has been helping out in Haiti for the last 20 years. They have been helping out a few different orphanages in Haiti and these packs will go to one of the orpahanges.

This is the second project we have done to help the people in Haiti in our own little way. It feels good to do. The coolest part is that the school community came out the first time and we have many kids signed up for today as well!

Here's a little recipe for you to try:

Ume Pumpkin Seeds: taken from one of my favorite books "the Balanced Plate", Renee Loux

2 cups raw pumpkin seeds
2-3 tsp ume vinegar

Toast the pumpkin seeds in a heavy skillet over low heat, stirring regularly. It is worth being patient and toasting slowly for the best flavor. After about 5 minutes, the seeds will swell and become fragrant, but they should not pop or the heat is too high.

Add the vinegar and stir constantly with a wooden spoon for about 1 minute, toasting until dry.

Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container or bag in a cool, dry place.

Special note: Ume vinegar is a plum vinegar that can be found at health food stores and I am guessing Asian markets. It is super salty, so keep it to a minimum when you use it.

Here's a cool quote: " The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star". Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (also taken from Renee's "balanced plate" book).

It is a beautiful day, get out and enjoy it!!!!!

I have a super busy weekend coming up, so in case I don't write until Monday, have a great weekend! Also, to all the Moms out there, "Happy Mother's Day"!!!!!!

Be well,
Lysa

Eating for Energy & Weight Loss class day.

Hi Everyone,

Today was a great day! I started it with going to a fantastic spin class. Then my son & I spent the afternoon together playing, cooking, me running after him as he biked on our street worried he was going to fall ( he's 3 and is very new to bike riding).

Tonight I led my "Eating for Energy & Weight Loss" class at our school. It was truly wonderful to spend the evening with a group of women who are wanting to make their health and happiness a priority! I look forward to doing more of these classes and maybe even doing some kind of monthly wellness support group.

Here's a recipe that I made a variation of tonight.

Marcello's Collard Greens with Chickpeas

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 small onion

1 lb. collards

sea salt

1 tbs. fennel seed

2 tbs wine vinegar ( I used apple cider vinegar)

1 can chickpeas

1-2 tsp canola oil ( I used olive oil)

Saute garlic and onions over medium heat until onions are translucent. Add chopped collards until they wilt. Add salt and fennel seed. Put chickpeas in. Add vinegar and salt. Serve immediately. If it sits, it will need a tiny bit more vinegar.

This recipe is from the Chakra, Mantra cookbook by Patricia Stein

Be well,

Lysa

Hi Everyone,

Here is the link for the ABC news coverage on the amazing 73 old female body- builder I was telling you about yesterday. You can thank my husband for this. He copied and pasted it for me and voila, here you go! Hope it works! Let me know what you think....

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/mess-ernestine-shepherd-body-building-grandma-benches-150/story?id=10480184

Okay, day #23 of #24. I feel kind of like a high school kid is going to graduate but doesn't really want to move on! I am happy not having sugar or alcohol and staying away from flour in general but especially white & wheat flour. I feel so good, I don't have a reason to go back. We'll see what happens. I also don't want to go over the top and start cutting everything out of my diet either so I become someone who obsesses about what I am going to eat ( no, I don't do that now, unless of course I am away and don't have my normal staples).

How are you doing? Has anyone started to implement my suggestions? I need some more comments from those who are reading. Let me know what's helpful so I can go more in that direction. This blog is for you really. It's fun for me too, but I am really doing it to inspire you to take care of yourselves and to believe that you can change your diet and that has the power to change your life. If you have the energy you need to do what you want to do, it will be that much easier. Makes sense doesn't it?

Here's a recipe for you to try, it's from the May/June Vegetarian Times from 2007

It's called "Flash Cooked Greens with Garlic and Lime"

2 tbs olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp red pepper flakes

8 cups baby spinach

4 cups arugula leaves

2 tsp lime juice

1 tsp red wine vinegar ( or apple cider vinegar, which is the healthier option)

Heat oil, garlic and pepper flakes in large skillet over medium heat. Cook 2 minutes, or until browned. Add spinach and arugula, and cook 1 minute, or until barely wilted and heated through, tossing with tongs. Remove from heat, and stir in lime juice and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

I'm sorry, I can't remember which Dr. Phil step we are on. I think it's step 4, so I am going to share that one with you. If it's repeat , forgive me. I'll check to make sure later that it's a new one. Here it is and remember it's part of his 10 step renewal plan.

#4 Who should be in your life? Phase out any so-called friends who offer only criticism and negative energy. Surround yourself with people you admire, who believe in you and want you to succeed.

I love that one! That's it for tonight!

Good night....

Lysa

Day # 22

Hi There,

Today is day #22 out of #24 and I am feeling good. Already thinking what I will focus on next. It seems only right that when I complete this phase that the "Restoration" phase should begin. More on that later. You'll have to tune in on Friday to get the skinny on that!

For now, here's some inspiration: My husband showed me the ABC news clip of a 72 year fitness instructor/ body builder who teaches fitness classes to middle aged women & up. The instructor's body looked like that of a 30 year and I am not exaggerating. It was incredible. So keep up your exercise routine! If you are not exercising, start now! This woman provides great inspiration to all of her students who felt that they were too old to get started at their age. They see her and throw all of that thinking out the window.

If you are wanting to change your life for the better, start today. Take a few steps.

Improve your diet by adding more water & fresh greens ( cooked & raw).

Get more sleep.

Exercise: walk, run, bike, lift weights, do yoga, pilates, stretch, aerobics, treadmill, stairclimber, dance, just move your body and sweat!!!

Laugh and enjoy the moment!

Chew your food as many times as possible before swallowing.

Decrease your sugar, white flour & alcohol intake.

Practice :"kind mind"

Start with that and see how you feel.

Here's a super simple recipe for roasting almonds which provide a good source of calcium, protein and fat:

Preheat your oven to 400.

Lay your almonds on a cookie sheet and if you would like to spray some Bragg's amino acids on them or some natural soy sauce ( tamari 1 tbsp should do the trick)you can for extra flavor or keep them simple. When oven reaches 400 put the almonds in. Set timer for 5 minutes ( don't rely on your mind because almonds are expensive and life happens).

Almonds are done when they browned and fragrant. If they look and taste done, remove them from tray. If not, put back in for another 2 minutes and check again. They should be done after this round. Take them off of cookie tray as they will continue to cook if you leave them in.

Good night!

Lysa

Spring Cleanse Day #15

Hi Out There!

I'm on day #15 of 21 on this spring liver cleanse. I have been gaining speed with this cleanse. Feeling more energized and able to tackle the tasks I need to during the day. For instance, instead of looking at something that needs to get done & thinking "I need to do that later", I am taking the minute to do it in the moment. It really helps alleviate the stress of worrying about what I need to get done. Does that make sense? I guess I am saying I am procrastinating less and doing more!

Made a Good Will run today of clothes & bedding that we were ready to let go of.

My food intake was pretty simple today but did manage to get a nice amount of greens in.

Here's a salad dressing I like to make as an alternative to a Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Lysa' Light & Spunky Salad Dressing

(this will be enough for a large salad able to feed 8 or so people)

1/2 cup olive oil

a little less than 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

juice of 1/2 of a grapefruit

sea salt to taste

pepper

fresh chopped cilantro or parsley ( if you have it, if not your favorite herbs)

1 teaspoon veganaise ( can be found in refrigerator section in the health food store, great alternative to mayonnaise.

2 pinches of stevia or 1/2 tsp maple syrup or raw honey your choice. ( I know these are not protocol when doing a liver cleanse because of the sugar, but I think this small amount is acceptable or skip it).

1 garlic clove just slightly crushed to let out flavor but still in one piece.

Put all the ingredients in a glass jar, mix up and let sit for a bit. When ready, shake again and serve.

Now, more from Dr. Phil: ( I am surprised to find how much I like his insights and suggestions).

Does your Blackberry ( 0r IPhone, laptop, etc.) get more attention than your family and friends? Resolve to switch off your gadgets during private moments so you can nourish personal connections with complete focus.

That's all for tonight, eat well & be well!

Lysa

Day #14 of 21 on this cleanse. It is getting easier & easier I have to say. Now that my body is used to life without sugar & alcohol it feels more level & calm. I should preface this with saying that I am not a big sugar head anyway (although I was for years) and I don't consume alcohol on a very regular basis. But something has changed in the way I feel for sure.

Today, my cleanse focused on physical cleansing. I took a spin class which was excellent, I sweat like crazy eliminating lots of toxins from my system. Then my 3 year old son and I went to the dump and got rid of stuff that has been hanging out on the side of our house for the last 6 months or so. My neighbors will be thrilled that they won't have to stare at that junk anymore! Later in the afternoon I had the pleasure of attending a Yoga/Pilates class which was excellent. It's been a long time since I have taken the time to stretch and then do the core strengthening that yoga and pilates offer. I have been focusing more on cardio & weights.

Cleansing foods I ate today:

Started with my liver flush, interesting enough it seems to be bringing up some mucus for me now (sorry that's kind of yucky to share but it's true. If it happens to you, you'll know it's normal).

I made a delicious raw kale salad for lunch with olive oil, brown rice vinegar, salt, shredded carrots, celery, cukes, red onion & raisins. To get the kale soft enough to chew comfortably you need to add the salt and oil and then massage the greens. It only takes a few moments to break down the cellular membrane of the kale to make it softer. Also, chopping the kale into bite size pieces really makes a difference too.

I also made some fresh ginger tea by just chopping up some ginger and putting it just boiled water. I let it sit for about a half an hour before drinking it. Really nice flavor.

I want to respond to a comment that my friend Jacki wrote. Adding greens is one of the best things you can do for your body. Greens offer so much in the way of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and life. They are cleansing, the chlorophyll in them provides nutrients for our blood. There is a book called "Glorious Greens". I love this name because that is how I think of greens.

Also, being aware of the sugar in foods is super important. Reading labels and staying away from foods that have added sugar is huge. Why do they have to put sugar in food? Because it's a cheap way of flavoring food. Another great reason to keep your diet full of whole foods that are not heavily processed. Thank you so much for sharing Jacki. Don't be afraid to start your cleanse. You can do it for as short as you want to. It's your choice. Keep up the good work and thanks for the words of encouragement.

Until tomorrow,

Lysa

Hi Out There,

Day #13 of 21 on my spring liver cleanse. Feeling good today. I want to share that after I slipped last eve with some homemade ice cream sweetened with maple syrup, I was starving at 11pm and needed a snack. I was amazed because even though I had all those extra calories from the heavy cream and milk, my sugar must have peeked with the maple syrup and then dipped to make me hungry. I am sharing this because I haven't been hungry at night at all since I've been doing this cleanse and last night I was famished only 3 hours after eating this dessert. The theory that sugar makes you eat more is true (at least for my body).

Okay, I promised you some more cleansing foods. I figured it might be helpful to have a recipe for practicality. This is taken from Linda Page's "Cooking for Healthy Healing".

Evergreen Salad: this is good for skin, hair & eyes, digestive disorders, & liver power.

Good for 2 salads.

Mix 2 cups chopped mixed ( romaine, endive, chicory, spinach) 1 handful of each: watercress, parsley, and chives minced, and 2 cups green onions, minced.

Dressing: mix together juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 TB Dijon mustard, 1 TB sesame seeds, and 1 TB toasted sesame oil. Pour over salad.

Here's something to think about (taken from O magazine, from Dr. Phil):

Does the way you spend your time reflect what's important to you? Make a list of your top five priorities- marriage, children, work, volunteer work, etc. and track how many hours you devote to each in a week. If any numbers are too low, recalculate your time budget so you can live according to who you want to be.

Bye for now,

Lysa

Hi Everyone,

Today is day #11 of 21 on my spring liver cleanse. So just to recap, here's what I have been doing:

1.Staying away from all sugar & alcohol ( am having some fruit).

2.Adding more greens to my daily food.

3.Doing a liver flush every morning. Juice of one lemon, preferably organic, 1 tsp olive oil, pinch of cayenne pepper. I have it first thing when I go downstairs before any water or food.

4.Taking an herbal liver support supplement that contains, milk thistle, tumeric rhizome, Ch. Skullcap root & licorice root (if you have high blood pressure you should not take licorice).

5.Doing my best to redirect & deconstruct negative thinking with helpful, useful thinking.

6. Watching and being aware of the irritability that comes up and trying to let it go.

Yesterday I was inspired to make a soup with some leeks, potatoes, carrots, & asparagus. It came out really delicious so I would like to share it with you.

Spring Medley Soup:

1 tablespoon butter

3 leeks chopped

3 potatoes

3 carrots

3 cloves of garlic

1 bunch of asparagus chopped with end removed

Fresh herbs of your choice ( I had on hand cilantro, basil & rosemary)

shitake mushrooms washed & sliced

4 cups of water or stock

lemon

In a soup pot heat the butter and add leeks. Let cook for a few moment and then add potatoes. Let potatoes cook and then add carrots & garlic. Stir to make sure the contents don't get stuck to bottom of pot. After about 5 minutes add stock or water. Add salt & pepper. Let potatoes get soft and then add fresh herbs. While this is simmering, in another pan heat some butter and add the shitake mushrooms. Let get brown and then remove and add to soup. Add the asparagus to the soup pot. When asparagus is bright green, turn off soup and serve. If you like the zesty flavor of lemon, add a squeeze of fresh lemon to each bowl.

If you try this recipes, please let me know if you like it!

Hi Everyone,

I am now at the end of day #6 of my 21 day cleanse. Today I tried a "liver flush" which is super easy to make and incorporate into my day. It is taken from a book called "The Chakra Mantra Cookbook" by Patricia Stein. It's a sweet cookbook filled with yummy vegetarian recipes, wonderful artwork and prayers.

Here is "Guru Nam's Liver Flush:

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1 tbs. cold pressed olive oil

pinch of cayenne pepper

Mix and drink. Great for cleansing the liver of excess bile. Our liver works hard to rid our system of toxins and metabolize fat. Whatever we can do to support it, is a good thing.

Today, I focused on adding a bunch of greens to my meals, which felt really good.

Until tomorrow!

Lysa

April 11th, 2010

Hi Out There!

This week I finally summoned up the strength to start my spring liver cleanse. I have been keeping it basic, no sugar, no alcohol, some herbs and lots of greens! I feel good, for the most part, I haven't missed either too much. Just was hard when my husband opened up a nice bottle of red wine the other evening and today when my daughter wanted an ice cream cone at Taco Juan's. I just reminded myself that I am committed to this cleanse for 21 days and know that my body will be the healthier for it.

Noticed that I was a little more susceptible to feeling anxious or irritable in the first days, but it has already lifted a bit. I am at the end of day 5 and plan to go to day 21. I will keep writing to share what my experience is like in case anyone out there would like to join me.

For now, I have a recipe I would like to share with you all. The other night my friend Noel was over. We love to cook together and the other night came up with a great taco recipe. Here it is:

Kale, Black Bean, Goat Cheese, Japanese Yam, Cilantro Tacos!!!

ingredients:

kale, blanched with sliced red onions ( 1 bunch of kale and 1/2 red onion)

juice of a lime

cooked black beans (2 cups)

1/4 cup goat cheese

1 japanese yam baked to perfection (needs about 1 hour in oven at 350)

1 handful chopped cilantro

olive oil

6 tacos

1 avocado cubed

Blanche kale and red onions. Pour lime juice and one count of olive oil on kale. Set aside.

Fill taco shells with mashed yams, beans, goat cheese and kale, then heat to until goat cheese and all the taco fillings are warm.

Add cilantro and avocado.

Eat & enjoy!