If you are thinking GREEN today, you should definitely try this. I whipped this recipe up in seconds in my new Blendtec and my sister is crunching away on goodness now. This is a raw, vegan recipe, but will please everyone celebrating St. Patrick's day!
Avocado Cucumber Soup
Ingredients Part I
1/2 cup water
1 medium-large ripe avocado
1 large cucumber [regular or English]
3 tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 clove garlic
1 tsp cumin
Himalayan or sea salt to taste
2 springs of cilantro
Part II [for garnish] 1 medium size Roma tomato, diced 1-2 tbs red onions chopped 1/2 avocado, chopped in cubes, if desired
Preparation
Blend Part I ingredients in a blender until creamy smooth
Pour in your favorite pretty bowl
Garnish with Part II ingredients
Enjoy! [Might be enjoyable with some Tortilla chips or a small slice of home made bread!]
Want more green? Try this.
Banana Strawberry Green Smoothie
Ingredients Makes 4 servings • 2 cups filtered water • 2-3 ripe bananas • 16 oz ripe strawberries, including the little greens • 2 large handfuls of spinach
Preparation • Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth. • If you are lacking in sweetness, which you should not, add a couple of pitted dates to the mix.
Before I tell about the product I am reviewing today, let me tell you a little story [you can find an in-depth recount of it on my August 2008 blog entry].
After moving to Washington State a couple of years back I met a young lady at the local nutrition store. Well, it was more like I ambushed her.
Demetrye and I were already vegan when we moved, and in a small town of Longview, where obesity rates soar up to 70%+ vegans and health seekers are a rarity. I quickly found out that there is only ONE health food store for the whole county of 100,000 people, which closes at 6 pm promptly. Forget about a Whole Foods or a vegan group/association or anything like that. It felt a bit lonely!
One day, while at the aforementioned nutrition store, I was informed that there was a raw vegan in town. The owner of the store gave me her name, and I was looking forward to one day meeting her. As I was about to leave the store she was coming in, and someone pointed her out to me. Being me… I went straight to her, all excited, introduced myself and started chatting away. Oops! I think I scared her at first. But… now the rest is history, as our families have befriended and we spent a lot of quality time together.
Darlene, my dear friend, introduced me to a couple of books that really influenced my life/health. One of them was: Green for Life, by V. Boutenko.
Green for Life
The book covers the results of the Roseburg study conducted by Victoria and Dr Fieber. It reveals the unique healing potential of greens, in particular Green Smoothies. This book is illustrated with anecdotes, diagrams and pictures.
Victoria was originally looking for a way to improve her family’s raw food diet, which cured her family of numerous ailments—a diet based on fruit, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and avocados. While this eating regiment helped her family's health tremendously, Boutenko couldn't help but notice something was missing. After extensive research, she came to the conclusion that without a sufficient amount of greens one cannot reach optimal health.
Greens make our body more alkaline, add fiber, and provide a wide spectrum of prime nutrients. Chlorophyll effectively aids in the healing of many human ailments.
Green for Life explains why eating more green leafy vegetables can help normalize the acidity level in the stomach. Greens can give us so much energy we will actually require less sleep.
In addition to Victoria’s recount of her research, Green for Life includes 23 delicious smoothie recipes with ingredients like romaine, strawberries, and bananas, to get you started on drinking your way to a healthier life. Plus, Boutenko shares the testimonies of her research subjects who drank 1 quart of her green smoothie every day with astonishing results.
My Green Smoothie Experiment
Having read the book, although interested, I was a bit skeptical. I knew greens are good for us, but the claims that I read in the book were a bit outlandish even for me. And, being me, I decided to conduct my OWN experiment. I decided to go on a strict regimen of Green Smoothie drinking for 30 Days.
I made a list of things I wanted to observe—one has to have expectations, and kept a journal of my daily food intake. Here is one of the entries:
22 days after doing green smoothies EVERY SINGLE day, at least 16 oz. a day, I checked my foot and the wart fell out right into the palm of my hand!!! No zapping, no freezing and burning... It was OUT!!!
Don’t be alerted at me talking about warts with such enthusiasm. It is not warts that I am really excited about, but the power of God-given nutrition, that we—the human race—are yet to discover with all of our technological and scientific advances.
[and here is a shot of my fridge during my experiment days—being prepared helps to ensure a successful experiment]
So, if you are looking for a good read or a great present for someone you love, grab a copy of Green for Life! [click on the link to be taken directly to it]
Another way you might get a copy of Green for Life is by becoming a member of our on-line vegan forum Back to Eden. I am giving away a copy of this amazing book to one "green" member of our community this week... and maybe more in the future. Simply click on the link to find out more about the community and get your membership.
Best of all to everyone! Happy Tuesday and Happy Green Smoothie Drinking.
Green Smoothie Challenge Continues!
Our Green Smoothie Challenge is going STRONG. We already have a couple of pretty amazing testimonies. One of our members, just a week after starting on Green Smoothies was healed of an exzema on her scalp. Talk about miracles!
The Winner of the 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge Kickoff is... Anna! Anna watched the video and was able to precisely list all of my suggestions to the participants of the challenge. Anna, your invitation to the forum is on the way! Welcome to Back to Eden. I am looking forward to having you in our Green Country!
Congratulations, Betsy [and the kids]! Betsy, please e-mail me your mailing address to claim your prize.
Congratulations to the both of you, ladies!
The rest of you, wonderful people, stay tuned for more recipes, health tips, product reviews, giveaways... and MORE OF ME, of course :)! Have an amazing Sunday!
Good morning loves! As a part of our Vegan on-line Forum celebration, we at Back to Eden are kicking off a 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge. I will lead Back to Eden [B2E] participants week by week with simple green smoothie recipes that will enhance our health and even aid some in weight loss... I would like to invite the readers of Eat Healthy! Be Happy! Vegan Recipes blog to participate as well.
Every week I will post a video that will outline our plan of action for that week. B2E members will also get a detailed list of recipes and ingredient list for that week.
Watch the video, get involved also!
B2E members will get a lot of one-on-one attention, so, if you wish, jump on over to the Forum page and join us. If not, you can still follow along. You can find green smoothie recipes on my blog under Green Smoothie and Drinks categories. And make sure to interact with us too by leaving comments under blog posts.
For now, watch this video, take notes, and then read instructions under the video.
You know me, I can hardly do anything without giving something away anymore.This time is no different. If you watched the video intently you would have seen certain suggestions I made to the Back to Eden members. The first person to list them in order [and it has to be the correct number] who wants to get into Back to Eden, will get 1 months access to the forum for FREE! Yes! All you have to do is, list the suggestions I made in order [and it has to be just right], leave your name and e-mail address and tomorrow, after 2 pm I will announce a winner. Deal? If you come to the post to make suggestions and see other responses, don't let it stop you, because it is all about having the RIGHT answer!
A few weeks ago, cool folks at http://www.cookware.com/ contacted me and asked to do a review of their Tribest Automatic Sprouter. I was excited! I had seen a Tribest Sprouter at a friend’s house once and the sprouts growing in it looked beautiful, so, naturally, I wanted to try the sprouter myself.
At the same time I have been thinking about doing a post on teaching folks how to sprout seeds at home, without having to spend too much time on it, or spend too much money at a local grocery store on buying sprouts.
It was only logical to combine the two things together, so I decided to do a Side by Side review of home [jar] sprouting and sprouting using Tribest Automatic Sprouter.
Watch the video [I literally took over 5 days to do the comparison and draw conclusions], and then read about the Benefits of Sprouting below it.
[Warning :) in the first few frames you will see a shot “How to Sprou”—it was not an intentional mistake—I actually did type SPROUT [I have a proof], but somehow, during the creation of the video, Windows Movie Maker squeezed the “t” out and I was too tired to go back and fix it. I am not illiterate… really ;)].
Now you have seen it for yourself that sprouting is easy and painless, and will take no more than 5 minutes of your time per day for up to 5 days. All you need is a jar, a breathable top [paper towel or a coffee filter will do] and a rubber band; or an Automatic Sprouter. That is it! If you rinse your seeds at least three times a day you won’t have to worry about bad bacteria or molding. It has worked for me and I am sure it will work for you.
If you are wondering about which method is my favorite, I will satisfy your curiosity: Jar Sprouting! I found it to be painless, takes little space and little time. It might be different for everyone, and once I in a while I might even pull out the sprouter that CSNstores.com sent me [yes, I got to keep it, but my opinion, as you can see is absolutely unbiased].
Now, let’s move on to the benefits of sprouting. Why should we eat sprouted seeds as opposed to waiting for a fully grown fruit/vegetable/legume, etc.?
Sprouted Seeds have been knows as the Ultimate Food
OVERVIEW
Sprouts are one of the most alkalizing, nutritious and easily digestible foods. Through the process of sprouting a seed releases all of its energy, vitamins and nutrients to transform into a strong plant.
Before sprouting the seed/nut is in a dormant state, covered with naturally protective shield knows as enzyme inhibitor to keep its core intact, preserving the life within, and making it hard for us to digest it [because of those enzyme inhibitors]. During the sprouting process new and higher quality proteins and other nutrients are produced, breaking and replacing the protective enzymes.
The endosperm of the seed is the storehouse of carbohydrates, protein, and oil. When the seed germinates, these become predigested amino acids and natural sugars on which the plant embryo feeds as it grows. At the stage of sprouting the seed’s nutritional value is at its height. Tests have shown that the nutrients in seeds and nuts are anywhere from 50% to 400% greater after sprouting or soaking. For example, lettuce sprouts contain up to 400% more protein than lettuce and over 3900% more beta-carotine. Another example, according to Rita Romano in her book Dining in the Raw, millet and wheat contain over 5 times the vitamin C when sprouted.
Sprouts contain a greater amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins, enzymes, phytochemicals, anti-oxidants, nitrosmines, trace minerals, bioflavinoids and chemo-protectants (such as sulphoraphane and isoflavone) which work against toxins, build our immune system, resist cell mutation than at any other point in the plant’s life.
The abundant enzymes in sprouts make them easily digestible. Living enzymes makes sprouts easily assimilated and metabolized by the body.
Studies have also shown that sprouts in general, and specifically sprouts of cruciferous vegetables contain exceptionally high levels of a natural cancer fighting compound called sulforaphane, which helps support antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E.
Research has show that ingesting seeds and nuts with the enzyme inhibitors intact can actually be harmful to us, resulting in gastrointestinal problems, enlarged pancreas and a condition that leads to the excretion and therefore loss of needed enzymes. Sprouting helps us avoid such problems, and on the contrary, heals our bodies from within.
As you have seen in the video, sprouting is EASY and can be done by anyone, nearly anywhere. The benefits of sprouting are too great to list [although I will take a stab at it] and too important to ignore. When the seed releases its life to produce a sprout it generates new healthy cells, and through ingestion of sprouts our bodies can do the same.
Sprouts do not only help our bodies fight cancerous invaders, but also retard the aging process, by helping our bodies to balance male and female hormones alike.
Based on all of this information it should be concluded that sprouts should occupy a prominent place in our diet [in fact, at this very moment I am sprouting a jarful of mixed seeds, which will be ready for eating in a day or two :)]. Organic seeds do not cost much, can be easily stored, and, as you have seen it, easily grown.
Equipment Needed
As you have seen, you need very little: a jar, a paper towel and a rubber band, or an automatic sprouter.
[I use clean, filtered water for sprouting, just as I do for drinking.]
What to Sprout
SEEDS: alfalfa, celery, clover, oats, radish, fenugreek, and sunflower.
Soak the desired amount of seeds for 5-12 hours or overnight, covering the top with a breathable cover and securing with a rubber band. Place the jar in a dark area, at room temperature. After soaking, drain, rinse. Lay the jar on a side to give seeds more room to spread and grow. Rinse 3 times a day, draining water through a strainer. Rinse seeds with lukewarm water.
For the next 5 days repeat the process, keeping sprouts at room temperature in place away from direct sunlight. If desired, on the last day, place sprouts in the light to increase their chlorophyll content.
At the end of last day, separate seeds and place into containers [preferably glass] or bags, and refrigerate. Remember that seeds will keep expending, although very slowly.
GRAINS: rye, wheat, buckwheat, barley, millet, and rice. Same directions as for the seeds.
LEGUMES: lentils, mung beans, and soy beans. Due to the hardness the initial soaking time should be increased to 12-15 hours.
Note: Sunflower and lentil sprouts should not be larger than the seed itself in order to be palatable. Sunflower and lentil seeds take only 2-3 days to sprout.
Sprouts can be refrigerated for up to two weeks. However, it is better to sprouts small amounts frequently since seeds and sprouts tend to become rancid when held for too long.
Where to buy Organic Seeds
Your local health food store should be your first stop. If you have a Whole Foods near you, your will find a variety of seeds there, and even seeds blends, like the one I used in the video.
Nutritional Value
All LEGUMES are In both protein and starch and are acid-forming unless sprouted.
Maintain a diet diverse with greens, seeds, nuts, vegetables, to maintain a proper balance of acidity and alkalinity. Diets heavy in protein result in excessive acidity. Sprouting helps to reduce the acid-alkaline imbalance.
Mung beans are rich in vitamins A, C, and B complex.
Most SEEDS contain a lot of phosphorous—mineral that increases alertness and mental abilities. Phosphorous is also necessary for healthy bones and teeth, which makes sprouted seeds desirable food for babies and children.
Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamins B and D and all the essential amino acids.
Sesame seeds are a rich source of calcium, iron, phosphorous, niacin, and protein.
Alfalfa contains much chlorophyll, and vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E, G. K, and U. It also has large amounts of iron, calcium, phosphorous, and sulphur.
GRAINS: Sprouted wheat contains vitamins C, E, B complex, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, protein, enzymes, chlorophyll, and possibly B-17. While in its cooked form, wheat is unacceptable to some individuals, causing mucus congestion, allergic reaction, and constipation, whe sprouted, a large portion of starch is converted to simple sugars, making it a wholesome food acceptable to many who would otherwise need to eliminate wheat as a food source.
Buckwheat is rich in lecithin and rutin.
Eating Sprouts
Having read the benefits of sprouting you must realize that sprouts are most beneficial when eaten raw. Cooking will kill the precious enzymes that make sprouts the most digestible source or protein and various minerals and vitamins.
You can include sprouts on sandwiches, add to salads, and soups [again, without being cooked].
Sprouts can be blended for baby food, sauces, and dressings.
Conclusion
Sprouts are a God given powerhouse and should take a prominent place in our diet.
So, don’t wait any longer, get out, get seeds, find a big jar and get to sprouting!
I hope you have found this tutorial and review to be of a great value.
Happy Sprouting!
Disclaimer: Although I got to keep the product I reviewed, my opinion is completely unbiased and depended on the outcome of my experiment. I did NOT get paid to do this review and get no further perks for having it on my blog.
You can find Tribest Automatic Sprouter at cookware.com [linked] or at Amazon [my affiliate link on the left--not visible in RSS].
