One of my daily commitments to my well being, is this whole body supporting elixir. I haven't quite mastered it coming before my morning coffee EVERY day yet (hey...it's a practice, right?). However, it does make it into my day everyday.

Why? Well, first the obvious - it's sooo yummy!  AND it's packed with all sorts of goodness...




Recipe
In a mug add...
Juice of half a lemon (lemon - great source of vitamin C, promotes hydration, cancer fighting flavonoids, reduces occurrence of kidney stones, aids in digestion)

1 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar (ACV - can help relieve heartburn, improve nutrient absorption and supports healthy blood sugar levels in the body... great to look for raw, unfiltered, organic ACV which also contains the "mother" to also rake in the friendly bacteria benefits)

Half inch piece of fresh ginger peeled and finely sliced (ginger - a anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powerhouse with anti-inflammatory properties, improves digestion, lowers blood sugar levels)

1 Tsp of raw honey with bee pollen (honey - anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, reduces cough and throat irritation... bee pollen - anti-inflammatory, boosts the immune system, improves blood supply to nervous tissue)

Fill mug with freshly boiled water. Stir and allow to sit for until the temperature feels right for sipping and allowing the ginger to more fully infuse the water. (hot water - supports the body in natural detoxification, enhances blood circulation, aids in digestion)

Sip and savour. xx

Spring is here! The change in season makes me so very happy! The light, the longer days, the budding flowers...I feel like I'm coming back to life along with all of mumma nature around me.

This long weekend, many families will come together and share a meal... perhaps brunch before the bunny delivered treats?

Here is a little nutrient dense, delicious inspiration from my kitchen...to get you through until the chocolately main course ;)

• Cut a large, ripe avocado in half lengthwise and remove the pit.
  
• Scoop out a little bit of the inner part of the avocado if there is a small pit, so that you have a small well slightly bigger than an egg yolk. (Devour the scooped out avocado without anyone seeing...chefs treat;)
  

• Option: Place a tiny bit of yellow mustard in the well and gently spread throughout the well.
• Sprinkle the inner part of the avocado with a pinch of fresh cracked sea salt, paprika, cayenne pepper and fresh cracked pepper.
• Crack two eggs into a small dish being mindful not to break the yolks.
• Scoop out the yolk and gently place into each avocado well. Scoop as much of the egg white in as fits the well without spilling over. (you can save any extra egg white to add to baking or up coming meals with eggie goodness.)
• Option: Sprinkle with goat milk feta cheese.
• Place in 400C oven and watch like a hawk! There is a small window where the cheese is perfectly brown, the egg white is cooked and the yolk is still butter smooth. All ovens are slightly different, but my window is about 11 to 13 minutes of cooking time.
• Option: Garnish with fresh chives.
• Serve with a light cucumber tomato salad and you'll be at the front of the pack during the search for the goodies!
  

Try not to drool on yourself too much, m-kay?
~ Liz xx

Did you know that with the old shower heads use up to 5 gallons of water per minute, and water­ saving shower heads produce about 2 gallons per minute? So those "leave in for 2 minutes before rinsing" conditioners could use over 10 gallons of extra wasted water!

Did you know that rosemary oil helps to stimulate hail follicles, making hair grow longer and stronger?

Did you know that lavender oil can help to keep your scalp hydrated, moisturized and provides much needed nourishment preventing dandruff and dry scalp?

All true.

You can nourish your hair, heal your scalp, and be gentle with the planet all in one swoop with this leave-in conditioner recipe. Plus it smells incredible!!! 

Comb through wet hair a blend of:

• a couple teaspoons of a carrier oil (such as jojoba, sweet almond or melted coconut oil)
• 5­-10 drops of lavender or rosemary essential oils (which both possess amazing hair rejuvenating properties).

Be sure to start at the ends and use sparingly as you learn how much your unique hair needs to be most nourished.

Enjoy!

A creamy, delicious, vegan Mac & Cheese recipe that is sure to please all crowds. Instead of a sauce filled with cheese, flour and cream, this one is loaded with beta-carotene rich carrots, protein packed cashews and potassium filled potatoes...and yumminess!

Boil until all veggies are cooked and soft, but not falling apart in the water. Drain veggies and RESERVE water. Not only does that water hold lots of flavour (simular to a weak veggie stock), it is also loaded with nutrients from the cooking veggies.

Boil fresh water and cook desired noodles following the instructions on the package (as cooking instructions vary between size and types of pasta. Be sure to drain pasta as soon as noodles are al dente.

In the blender or food processor add:

• 1 cup raw unsalted cashew nuts
• 2 cloves crushed/minced garlic
• cooked veggies
  
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  
• 1/4 tsp paprika
  
• salt and pepper to taste

Blend on medium/low adding reserved veggie water until you reach desired constancy (approx 2 cups). Once all ingredients are combined, blend on medium/high for 2 minutes until sauce is really smooth and creamy. Pour sauce over drained noodles in pot and heat on low.

Plate and garnish with any of the following:

• nutritional yeast (lends a nice cheesy taste with a powerful nutritional punch)
• dash of paprika
• finely chopped fresh chives

*If you are not a practicing vegan, and are choosing an option like this solely looking for a healthier option than grandma's traditional Mac & Cheese, you could always place the mixed pasta and sauce in an oven proof dish, sprinkle with a little Parmesan cheese and bake at 375 degrees C uncovered until the cheese is lightly browned...no one will ever know it's carrots and cashews instead of cheese on the inside! #sneakymomtrick

Enjoy!

In an effort to detoxify all area's of my life I have been playing around with recipes not only in the kitchen for consumption, but also in skin care clearing out the chemical laden products more and more. This one is one of my favourites!

The clay is firming and detoxing for the skin. The honey is naturally soothing and cleansing. It is also naturally antibacterial and is great for the skins healing. Lavender is great for treating acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammatory skin conditions. It is also a natural antibacterial and antiviral.  Rosemary oil has cell regeneration properties re-hydrating and toning your skin. Finally, Rose oil has an astringent property resulting in toning and lifting skin improving the skins health and texture.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1 teaspoon of water
  
• 2 drops of lavender essential oil
• 2 drops of rosemary essential oil
• 2 drops of rose essential oil
  

What to Do:

1. Mix the bentonite clay with the honey and mix to form a thick paste.
2. Add enough warm water to form a thin paste.
   
3. Add lavender, rose and rosemary essential oils and mix in.
4. Immediately apply to face and neck. Gently massage onto face in an upward circular motion, avoiding the eyes.
5. Leave on for 10-15 minutes.
6. Wash off with a very wet wash cloth.
   
7. Gently pat skin dry.
   
8. Apply a couple drops of avocado oil.
   

Enjoy!
Namaste ❤

Soy Free. Dairy Free. Gluten Free. Salt Free. No Added Sugar. High in Protein. And OH. SO. GOOD!

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Spread out on a baking sheet and bake until lightly golden brown:

• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Spread out evenly on a flat plate and place to the side to cool.

Put in the food processor and pulse until finely ground:

• 1 cup raw unsalted Almonds
• 2/3 cup pitted Dates
• 3 tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Pulse in until mixture becomes sticky:

• 2-3 tbsp Water

Form balls about 1 tbsp of mixture in size and roll in the toasted coconut until completely coated.








Place in the fridge to set for as long as you can hold off. Savour the deliciousness!

Namaste.

Step 1...spend the afternoon in the berry field with munchkins running around, babies sleeping and two mumma's visiting all the while filling baskets full of beautiful red raspberries.

Step 2...taste test said raspberries in the field. then on the drive home. then again once getting home. if any are left, proceed to step 3.

Step 3...make scrumptious Lemon Raspberry Muffins:)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl beat together until fully emulsified:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup honey

Beat into mixture:

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/4 cup unsweetened Almond milk

Gently add (mixing only until combined):

• 2 1/2 cups whole grain spelt flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder

Fold in (being mindful not to crush the berries):

• 1 cup fresh raspberries

Spoon into muffin tins and back for approximately 25 minutes (depending on the oven). You are looking for a golden colour and if you gently touch the top, it will spring back.

Place on cooling rack and cool completely before storing in an air tight container...if they aren't eaten before getting there!

Makes 20 muffins.

enJOY!

Namaste

Makes 16 truffles.

Did you know that the selenium in Brazil nuts supports proper functioning of the thyroid gland which is responsible for a healthy metabolism? True story!

Put in the food processor and pulse until finely ground:

• 1/2 cup raw unsalted pecans
• 1/2 cup raw unsalted Brazil nuts
• 2/3 cup pitted dates
• 1/3 cup unsweetened dried cherries
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 cup raw shelled hemp hearts
• 1/8 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

Pulse in until mixture becomes sticky:

• 1/4 cup unrefined coconut oil
• 1/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Form balls about 1 tbsp of mixture in size.

For an optional added health and flavour boost, roll the balls in 1/2 cup of toasted unsweetened shredded coconut...just like with our Cocoa Bliss Truffles

Place in the fridge to set for as long as you can hold off. Savour the deliciousness!

Namaste.

As some of you know, due to a severe allergy from my nursing babe, I am exploring a soy and dairy free existence. Because of the severity of his allergy it means no soy or dairy right down to soybean oil, soy sauce (which by the way are in EVERYTHING!)...which means everything right down to bread and sauces must be homemade from scratch. One delicious find that Santa stuffed in my stocking, were Vanilla Orange Almonds and I have been on a mission ever since to re-create these tasty treats! I have also found that this recipe is even better using a variety of mixed nuts (almonds, pecans, macadamia and hazelnuts are my current fav's).

After multiple tries and tweaks of the recipe, plus tireless taste tests (mmmmm....) I thought this yumminess was too good not to share!

Vanilla Orange Almonds  (or Mixed Nuts as the case may be)
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine:

• 2 egg whites
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• juice of half an orange (remove the rind and put to the side before juicing)

Beat mixture until top half is white and frothy, but bottom half remains liquid. Stir in and mix until covered in mixture:

• 1 lbs almonds (or mixed nuts)

Gently fold in:

• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
• rind of one full orange
• pinch of sea salt

Stir until all nuts are thoroughly coated. Spread the nuts evenly onto a baking sheet lined with parchement paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 mins to 1 hour, thoroughly stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven, stir once more and let cool on tray. When cool, pack in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

Namaste.

A staple in our house with MANY variations, this green smoothie is not only delish, it also comes with a nutrient dense punch! Easy to make. Easy to clean up after. Easy to digest. Easy to boost your fresh greens intake. Why not celebrate the day by drinking green to your health...and nourishing your body at the same time?!?

St. Patrick's Day Green Smoothie

Place in a blender and blend until smooth:

• 1-2 cups of raw spinach leaves (a great green to start out with as it has the mildest flavour...you won't even taste it in a smoothie! and neither will little leprechauns either!)
• one banana
• 1-2 cups of frozen berries (the amount depends on how think you like your smoothies... more berries = thicker)
• 1 cup 100% carrot juice
• 1/2 cup pineapple or orange juice (NOT from concentrate)

other optional additions to add even more of a nutrient punch...

• add some omega oils
• add a scoop of greens+
• add a tbsp of freshly ground flax or chia seeds

other greens to try...

• kale
• parsley
• lettuce (romaine, red lettuce)
• chard

Sip and Savour!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Namaste