Need to Overcome Serious Food Cravings?

I certainly do. I have proven in the past 7 months to myself that there is definitely a deep connection between the mind and body and what we eat and how we feel. This slight struggle is interesting to me because the 1st year raw I absolutely coasted - I ate entirely raw without giving it much thought. And then came the stress, unexpected emotions, and life changes... and one not-so-good food choice in February has cascaded into a pool of more, and of course with that, the emotions (the 'I know better' feelings) that come with it - at least for me. I know when I feel my best.

Eating raw has for the most part been pretty effortless in these past 2 years (w/ the exceptions I'm referring to) and I give the credit to Superfoods because they've been the foundation of my diet. Yet, when I am tempted by something, or have a craving (in times of comfort), AND GIVE IN, I must say I feel like crap for days.. and this, if not halted with full force, can lead into over-eating (even raw food) and produce feelings of guilt and heaviness (mentally and literally). For me, these choices have repercussions much worse than the actual physical ramifications (although I have to admit that I ONLY gain weight when I don't eat 100% raw, and very easily). I have much less clarity (re: life, decisions, daily living), energy (way more of a dragging feeling and sluggishness), and an attitude that could use some improvement.

Is this how the mainstream lives every day? Ugh... I can hardly stand it for a day.

My answer has been to do more green Superfoods powders (you already know if you read my blog regularly that I'm obsessed with Vitamineral Green and ReVitaPhi) to eliminate nutrient deficiencies that result in cravings (greens = alkalize the body). But sometimes, intense times have a way of pushing your good intentions aside and we consume food that we may not otherwise. I'm guilty and am taking on a personal challenge to see what I can do about it. I'm done with this feeling! I want to be back to effortless raw, easy choices, and not swayed for any reason because life gets in the way. Can anyone relate to this?!

As I write this I'm wondering what I should commit to in terms of a personal cleansing challenge. It's obvious to me that I need to do a cleanse - I've actually been craving a juice cleanse (in between mac n' cheese cravings) all summer but I've been happily eating so much raw chocolate that I couldn't imagine my world without it. I know my problems are tough, but a few days (or a week or two?!) without cacao? Sigh. What could be worse? Well, for me the cheese and mac n' cheese cravings are and I have to get rid of them. Now. Well, tomorrow to be exact...

I think what I'll do is have half my usual cacao Superfood (I put double the green powder in it than cacao powder) blendie in the morning (I'll do 16 oz or something) and green vegetable juice and/or smoothie the whole day until I have a small Superfood salad (half my usual) for dinner. But... is that really a 'cleanse'? For me, no. Hmmm. Why am I so hesitant? Because of plans I have, this is what I'll do this week, and beginning next Sunday I'm cutting out the blendies and salads and doing only green juices and green smoothies. Oh my, I have to click 'publish post' NOW before I change my mind.

The Best Superfood for Hormone Balancing

Maca is a Peruvian root that's grown high altitude in the Andes and withstands such intense weather conditions (extreme temperatures, winds, etc) that when you consume it, you naturally become more resilient because of what it endures as it grows in the mountains. Remember, you become what you eat. If you're looking for balance in mood and hormones, with a boost of stamina and endurance (in the bedroom too!), then this ancient healing food is for you. It looks like a radish and is actually a cruciferous vegetable just like broccoli and cauliflower.

Raw Maca Powder is high octane fuel for maximizing physical or emotional performance at home or on the job. You can raise your daily vitality and sense of well being through the roof with this amazing Superfood that restores and revitalizes energy reserves by providing nourishment deep at the core of the body's endocrine system. This amazing and potent Superfood is a gently dried and powdered raw organic root that tastes great can be used creatively in smoothies, desserts, drinks. You'll notice in previous posts that I add it into quite a bit of of my recipes.

The 5 primary benefits of Maca are - Energy, Strength, Healing, Hormones, and Fertility (all of these get thrown off by hormone imbalance and can be easily brought back into balance).

* Increase Physical Energy and Daily Stamina
* Key Nutrients to Support Libido and Peak Sexual Functioning
* Helps Promote Physical & Emotional Well Being by Providing Key Nutrients for Hormonal Balance For Men/Women of All Ages
* Nutritional Support for Healthy Menopause Transition
* Increase Mental Clarity and Focus

To bring yourself into balance and improve skin conditions, add a spoonful of raw maca powder into your kitchen creations and you'll notice an immediate difference. A majority of skin inflammation, acne, and rosacea are caused by hormone fluctuations and imbalance that maca has the potential to address entirely. Maca is one where you don't have to wait too long to feel the effects, which is likely why most everyone loves it.

This malty-tasting Superfood is a FOOD, not a supplement, so there is no toxicity. The typical dosage is 1 tsp - 1 tbsp, depending on if you're using it as maintenance (as sustained energy for active people) or therapeutically (for skin problems, etc). We want results... remarkable results... and we want them now! You want to make sure you get RAW Maca, not roasted, so that the nutrients haven't been cooked right out of the root. The 2 companies I get mine from are Elements for Life and HealthForce - they provide the highest integrity and quality products you can find.

Raw Chocolate Dream Nuggets

This recipe is hands-down, without question, the most scrumptious dessert I've ever made in my life. It's OUTSTANDING. If you don't try it, you're nutz. It's so absurdly decadent, creamy, and rich that I'm on my 4th nugget (cube) as I write this, wondering how to slow it down so I have some for the next few days. I have no problem spending $10 on a raw chocolate bar (my favorite are the Sacred Heart bars - Immuno Mushroom) especially since their made with such wholehearted chocolately good mojo - the kind that only Steve Adler (aka: the raw Willy Wonka) can provide. Yet, after making my own, I find it to be so rewarding and over the top tasty (a bit surprised at my ability to pull this one off), that it's now mandatory that there is always some waiting for me in the freezer.

These chocolate nuggets are raw, vegan, organic and absolutely mouth-watering (oh, and super nutritious, did I mention that?). One nugget will not be enough.

Raw Chocolate Dream Nuggets
1 cup raw cacao butter
1 cup raw cacao powder
1-3 spoonfuls raw almond butter (I used 3 just because)
1/2 cup agave nectar or honey
spoonful raw cacao nibs (not necessary but they add a nice chip texture)
pinch Himalayan Crystal Salt
pinch white stevia extract powder
pinch wild blue green algae or crystal or blue manna (or both, as a true Superfoodist would)
pinch vitamin E tocotrienols

Makes 1.5 ice cube trays.

Taste and modify to your liking (like I said though, if you don't like this, you're nutz!). You can add those cacao nibs (or even homemade raw chocolate chips), goji berries, and/or any other addition that sounds appealing to you. Pour into ice cube trays (or cute mold shapes if you want to have even more fun) and freeze. Please comment and tell me how you like the nuggets, your variation of them, and if you're as hooked on this creamy perfection as I am! No chocolate lover should be without this recipe!

HealthForce Superfoods: Class & Demo Recipes

For today's class at Granola's in Mill Creek, I served up a variety of tasty Superfoods: Vitamineral Green, Fruits of the Earth, and Earth. To read what's in each of them, click on their highlighted link below and it will bring you right to HealthForce's website where you can read all about them, the benefits, and all ingredients. These are basic recipes that are simple enough to get started with right away, and still therapeutic. You'll feel a remarkable difference when you consume these Superfoods on a consistent basis - the key is to find the most palatable ways that will leave you wanting more.

Green Goodness:
2/3 coconut water (if you can get the real thing, great, if not, I use the ONE brand)
1/3 spring water
spoonful of Vitamineral Green

* Shake vigorously in a mason jar (16 oz) and feel the nourishing infusion of nutrients!


Anti-oxidant Powerhouse:
2/3 apple juice (freshly juiced is best!)
1/3 spring water
spoonful of Fruits of the Earth

* Shake vigorously in a mason jar (16 oz) and feel the surge of immune boosting!


Cacao Superfood Blendie (5 servings at 12 oz servings each - you can adjust & make smaller amounts, but this will keep in the fridge for a day and you can share it too!):
32 oz unsweetened vanilla hemp milk (I used the Living Harvest brand)
dilute with water (approx 1-2 cups - according to taste)
2 frozen bananas
2 spoonfuls of raw cacao powder
spoonful of Truly Vitamin C (acerola cherry powder)
spoonful of Vanilla Spice MacaForce
spoonful of Earth
1-2 pitted dates
pinch stevia extract powder (white powder)
swirl of agave if desired (I used vanilla bean infused agave)
ice to chill

* Blend, ideally in a Vita-Mix, and drink knowing that you're getting superior (and highly bio-available) nutrition!

Leafy Greens Salad - how to Superfood it up

What do you eat for dinner? We all get asked that question from time to time, no matter what type of nutritional plan you follow. I personally never used to understand how someone could be happy with just salads, but now I've found a way to make them much more exciting and definitely more filling. This has been my dinner for just about every night for the past 2 months (with some variation, yes - just play with it and see what you like):

For the Superfood Style Salad:
* handful of spinach
* handful mixed salad greens
* veggies from the farmer's market (cukes, pepper, tomato, squash - I'll eat anything local & organic)
* spoonful of ReVitaPhi
* spoonful of tahini
* few drops of Marine Phytoplankton (even better than crumpled nori sheets)
* sometimes I add 1/2 an avocado
* I like to add Lydia's Organics Seasoning or Living Intentions Superfood Synergy Salad Booster (sooo yummy!)

And the Superhero Dressing:
* equal parts of organic extra virgin olive oil and apple cider vinegar - I don't measure (sorry!), I make small servings good for a couple days, so I'd estimate I'm using 1/4 cup of each
* couple tbsp hemp seeds
* couple cloves of garlic
* spoonful of Spirulina (I'm crazy over HealthForce's Manna Spirulina)
* 1/2 tsp turmeric
* snip some parsley/rosemary/sage/herb into this if you've got it fresh!

Blend the dressing on high for 30 seconds (Vita-Mix), turn it down, and add 1/2 an avocado & turn it back up on high for 10-20 seconds - this makes the dressing! It's the best ever super green (it will be a beautiful GREEN) dressing and I call it the Creamy Dreamy Green Goddess Dressing, because it is! Keep some in a small jar in the fridge & have it ready to dip some veggies in, layer in to your collard or nori wraps, or put over whatever floats your raw boat.

Upcoming Class: Using Superfoods to Unleash the Edible Goddess Within

Have you ever wondered where to begin with Superfoods or how to consume them? Did you know that by using them you can reach entirely new levels of health? This FREE class will be an introduction to HealthForce Nutritionals Superfoods and the most palatable ways to include them in your nutritional program.

Come hungry - this class is also a Superfood tasting for you to experience a handful of these nutrient-dense medicinal foods and you will absolutely feel the immediate benefits and leave with a super high (with no crash)! My homemade Superfood Cacao Magic Blendie will also be served (recipe will be provided for you to take home).

Everyone will receive 1 sample bottle of Superfoods of choice PLUS tastes of WIldBar, the raw cacao & wild blue green algae energy bar - (http://www.Wildbar.info) and two articles that will greatly inspire action. I'll share the conscious decisions you can make to take control and responsibility and live an abundantly thriving future of health. Are you ready to live your best life ever?

Saturday, August 15, 2009
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location: Granola's Mill Creek
Street: 15506 Main St., Suite 101
City/Town: Mill Creek (North Seattle), WA
No Limit - ALL Are Welcome