Think out of the box...RING FINGER REMINDER! NEW CHALLENGE!!

Think Out of the Box!

Hellos ladies,

Anyone who wears nail polish please join me in my quest to THINK OUT OF THE BOX and try things you've never tried before!!!! 

I was inspired today by my friend Missy when we walked into the nail salon and started picking out colors.. I told her that I always go with my staple neutral color and she said NoWAY you're getting something different today!

Of course I obliged and took a bit further in painting my ring fingers a different color as a reminder to think out of the 4 squares!  Everytime I look at my green finger I will remember to buy a shirt I would never usually purchase, order something on the menu I would never order, use a spice I would never pick up, call someone(not text)and tell them they are wonderful! Whatever is going to tickle my fancy and try something new that I may just fall in love with!

LADIES LADIES LADIES here is your challenge...

On your next manicure polish your 4th finger a different color as a reminder to learn something new about yourself and try new things!

Whatever color you choose can serve a different purpose for you personally whether it be a RED 4th nail as a reminder to show more love to people or one certain person.  It can be GREEN to remember to recycle or eat greens everyday.   It can be yellow to remember to give random acts of kindness to people around you.  Maybe it's a bad habit, a new personal goal, or just simply thinking more positive thoughts.

 Whatever it may be please join me in the fun challenge and post a pic on my wall or on your page showing your color and why!  Plus it just looks cool ha ;)))

YAY!

Have a delicious evening and a Happy NEW Year!! xoxo

Love, Melissa  Raw Food Stylist

I WANT MORE...WATERCRESS SALAD

I Want More...Watercress Salad

Watercress is one of the most highly nutritious vegetables out there so I want to incorporate more!! Watercress can be a bit bitter in taste do I decided to sweeten it up with figs and cucumbers.  I found the figs to be pretty cheap in the bulk section at the co-op, only $3.99 a pound.  For the dressing I used raw honey, fresh squeezed lemon, all spice( a good amount) and some sea salt.  I'm trying to stay away from the oil since gaining a few pounds over the holidays!  Usually some lemon and vinegar and sea salt does the trick but this one needed some honey:)

Check out these insane health benefits of watercress!! 

• Watercress contains anticancer properties.
• Watercress helps protect the eyes because it contains a high level of two carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin.
• Watercress helps to normalize cholesterol and blood pressure.
• Watercress increases sexual energy and enhances fertility.
• Watercress can help improved memory, mental function and to retard ageing.
• Watercress is a powerful cleanser of the body, especially the bloodstream.
• Watercress can help increase production of breast milk
• Watercress is low in calories and high in potassium which is valued for weight loss, as its diuretic action draws excess fluid down and out of the body.
• Watercress helps improve digestion by regulating the flow of bile.
• Watercress is valued for clearing and improving the complexion.
• The chlorophyll-rich leaves are chewed to absorb breath odors.
• Chewing raw watercress leaves can cure bleeding gums.
• Watercress leaves are used as a poultice for the relief of enlarged prostate gland. The poultice can also treat swollen feet and sprained ankles.
• Watercress is a good source of iodine, which is important to the function of the thyroid gland.
• Watercress is rich calcium which can strengthen the bones and teeth.

ENOUGH SAID!! I think I have a crush on watercress!   Make healthy choices:)))

I love the color green! Doctrine of signatures and color therapy!

Has anyone ever heard of the doctrine of signatures? Yea me either. Let me tell you how fascinating this is and mostly it just makes sense. Plus major bonus on why the Skinny Green Cleanse is such healthy nutrient dense way to cleanse! Yay whoooo so exciting. Ok so the Doctrine of Signatures is a philosophy that appears in almost every world culture. Basically it’s the concept that EVERY LIVING THING IS MARKED WITH A “SIGNATURE" that tells its use, function, or role in this world. It may be very subtle but every living thing signature is a function of the organisms feature and environment. If you look at a plant really closely and notice the color of its flowers, the shape of its leaf, and how and where it grows, you then can figure out its place in the universal plan and how it may help heal your body.


For example look at the kidney bean, shaped like a human kidney is really good for the kidneys. Celery is shaped like bones and filled with phosphorus which we need for strong bones. Yep! Mother nature is smart! Walnuts are shaped like a brain and good for brain function. Beets with their blood red color are a blood builder. There are so many more foods that their signature tells exactly the role it can play in our health. It's so fun to discover the connection between the plant and effect!!

Ok, something really frightening?!?! I do believe in the doctrine of signatures so now think about the terminology used with cooking food....fried, charred, crispy, baked, burned, scrambled, roasted, smoked, blackened, seared, scorched, grilled, toasted ahhhhhhh I could go on but I won't. These are all terms associated with pain, loss, dried up things, fire, and destruction. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be dried up and disgusting!
Now think about the words associated with the LIFE GIVING RAW foods.... Alive, fresh, juicy, sweet, natural, whole, crisp, vital, active, organic, beautiful color!!! Oh my gosh I want to eat life giving foods right now. Think about sinking your teeth into a juicy white nectarine Ahhhh goodness those are the best! Have you had one? Try one in season fresh at the farmers market and you may just do a little dance!

COLOR THERAPY
Ok moving along onto why the color GREEN has a radiant reflection of luminous energy and its effect on the body and soul. This pertains more to color therapy of food. Do you know what color therapy is? Color therapy has a conscious impact on our well being and healing. Color is a radiant reflection of all different kinds of moods and feelings in various wavelengths. Color really does have a powerful impact on both body and soul!

Science has shown that blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate decline when exposed to cool colors such as blue, green and black but increased by warm colors such as red, orange, and yellow. Color therapy has been used for years to encourage well being in schools, hospitals, homes, and work places. COLORS in PLANT FOODS let us know certain nutritional value and when eaten give a vibrational energy that can nourish you physically and emotionally.

Let's eat a wide variety of red, blue, yellow, orange, and GREEN foods. Try to avoid plain, dull, whites and beiges since they probably don’t have much nutritional value. Variety of raw colorful foods = optimal health
Simple science if you ask me. This is all common sense.

Finally I couldn't wait to get to this part to tell you about the color therapy affects Greens have!!!
Green is made by combing yellow (wisdom) and blue (spirituality). Green is in the middle of the color spectrum so neither hot or cold. Green is the color of heart center, healing, balance, compassion, love, transformation, growth, generosity, and peace. Wow, pretty amazing wouldn't ya say.

Green is rejuvenating and an anti-inflammatory. Green can help calm anger and improve memory, paranoia and nervous exhaustion. It has an effect on the lungs, heart, thymus gland, and immune system. Use green for backaches, heart trouble, immune disorders, lupus, allergies, head colds, shock, and trauma and to lower blood pressure. Green color in plants means chlorophyll is present. Chlorophyll is life giving! We see green as clean, crisp, healing, life giving and refreshing! Think green, eat green, live green, love green with me!
Have a green day!

Melissa

Thanks Patricia Bragg for the find ;) Take 5 minutes to brighten your day!

Five minutes. True, it's not a heck of a lot of time. But it's just long enough for you to do one thing -- and maybe that one thing that will turn your day around.

In our busy 24/7 universe, it often seems like there's not enough time to do everything you want in a day. But take five and try these 10 simple ways to lower stress and boost your mood and energy levels. They may just help you find the extra spark you need to meet the challenges of the day.

1. Make your bed. Starting off each day with this small ritual can help create a calm environment for you in your bedroom. Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, writes that many people benefit from making this modest step part of their routines. By checking it off your to-do list first thing, you've got one less thing to worry about for the rest of the day.

2. Pack a snack. Before you head out the door in the morning, go into the kitchen and grab a fruit (like a banana, apple or grapes) or a healthy snack (like unsalted nuts or low-fat cheese). This way, when a case of the munchies strikes later in the afternoon, you won't be reaching for a bag of chips or a candy bar from the vending machine out of convenience. Besides, you know what they say about an apple a day.

3. Clear your desk. You may not be able to overhaul your closet in five minutes, but you can manage to tidy your desk at work. From stray papers to scattered coffee mugs, clutter can make you lose focus and curb productivity. Declutter your outer environment and you may feel lighter on the inside and more motivated to concentrate on the task at hand.

4. Pump up the music. Several studies have found that listening to music can help lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and boost mood. The right music has the power to change your attitude. So load up your MP3 player and create a special playlist that will make you smile -- whether you're working or working out.

5. Sniff a lemon. For a quick de-stressing trick, turn to an underrated sense -- your sense of smell. Japanese researchers found that linalool; a substance found in lemons, has anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce the flight-or-fight stress response. Other scents like basil, juniper, and lavender have also been found to lower stress.  

6. Stretch. You don't have to be a yogi to benefit from light stretching. Lift your arms above your head at your desk. Or better yet, stretch your legs by walking outside. Stretching can help improve your circulation and flexibility, and may help ease the tight muscles that accompany stress.

7. Meditate. Try meditation and deep breathing to relax and turn your mind off. You don't need any special equipment to practice meditation. Find a comfortable position in a chair or on the floor. Meditating on a daily basis, even just for a few minutes, has been shown to fight depression and ease stress.

8. Keep a gratitude diary. Take a minute every day to write down several things you're thankful for, whether they're big or small things. It's easy to vent about weather, traffic, or job woes, but complaining brings negative energy along with it. Being thankful for what you have can make you appreciate all the positives in your life.

9. Turn off your electronics. Just because we live in a wired world doesn't mean you need to stay connected every minute of every single day. Staring at computer screens and electronics all day long can zap your energy and encourage inactivity. So log off your email, phones, and Internet (yes, social networking web sites count, too). This is especially important to allow you to unwind and relax before bed.

10. Prioritize. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you have multiple tasks crowding your mind. Make a list and finish your most dreaded duties first to avoid the anxiety caused by procrastination. Make a list and check off each task as you complete it. At the end of the day, a list of accomplishments is a great visual reminder of how productive you were.

Recipes for raw party food!

recipes for raw party food!

Golden Apricot Salad

Ok, this is really different and a fun party food.   I took organic golden raisins, dried apricot(raw and sulfate free), raw cashews, organic frozen peas, coconut butter, and I put this spice on it I found at the spice store in Santa Monica.  The spice is called Balti Seasoning and it's amazing!! The ingredients in the Balti seasoning are coriander,garlic, ginger, cumin, dundicut, chilies, ceylon, cinnamon, mustard, cardamom, clove, fennel, fenugreek, charnushka, star anise, ajwain, black cardamom, cilantro, anise seed, and bat leaf!  OMG!, How crazy is that?!?!  The flavor is outstanding and something like you've never tasted before! You can order it at http://www.penzeys.com/.  

Let's get to the health benefits...

Apricots are very low in calories and and have a smooth and sweet taste! 

~an excellent source of vitamin A, C, and E

~high in potassium and iron

~in 2-3 apricots you will get nearly 50%of your daily value of vitamin A

~plus apricot is a great source of trace minerals such as sodium, sulphur, phosphorus, cobalt, bromine

~rich in vitamin riboflavin (B2) and niacin(B3)

~the nutrition in apricots help with anemia, constipation, digestion, eyes(vision), fever, and skin problems

Now if everybody knew what healthy food you were bringing to the party, they would love you!  I'm sure they already do so have fun with your raw party food!  I hope you have a delicious evening!

~

HAVE YOU EATEN YOUR SEAWEED TODAY??

Arame Seaweed Beauty Salad

I'm calling this the beauty salad because it's so good for your skin, hair, and nails and much much more!

Arame is a brown sea vegetable or brown algae and just one of the many sea species out there.  Ok, I know it sounds gross, the name and plus the word algae!!  The Japanese and Koreans use it excessively in their diets and look amazing!  Arame has so many health benefits that we should be eating a ton of it!
~Arame contains calcium, iron, zinc, manganese, folate, vit A & K, and iodine.
~it boost the immune system
~helps provide a clear complexion, soft, wrinkle free skin
~promotes strong nails
~beneficial in the treatment and prevention of cancer due to lignans in it
~boost libido in men and women....wooo hoooo
~gives you healthy hair and may prevent hair loss!!!
OK right there alone is reason to eat it!
The Sunflower sprouts in the salad are an excellent source of nutrition.  The condensed energy is hidden within the seed and released in the form of a sprout!  When the seeds are germinated ( sprouted) the nutritional  value can multiply..  Yea I said multiply, not double..SO RAD!
Sunflower Sprouts-vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, essential fatty acid, dietary fiber, amino acids, and disease fighting phytosterols.
I mean can we get any healthier..OH my
HAVE YOU EATEN YOUR SEAWEED TODAY???

Dairy is GROSS!

Sure dairy products may have a little calcium left after they are pasteurized but they still have hard to digest animal proteins, lactose sugar, growth hormones, antibiotic, and other contaminants. The best source of absorbable calcium are leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, Swiss chard, dandelion. Plus in order to have calcium absorbed it needs magnesium with it which dairy products lack.
Dark leafy greens contain both calcium and magnesium in perfect amounts for optimal calcium absorption.

Milk is one of the most MUCUS forming foods on the planet.  The casein found in milk is the material used to make the glue for woodwork.  Cabinet producers use it all the time.  Now do we really want glue(mucus) in our body?  Mucus holds toxins all over the body leading to asthma, allergies, ear infections, colds, compromised immune systems.
Try not using milk or dairy and replacing it with almond milk, hemp milk, fresh carrot juice, fresh vegetable juice, dark green leafy vegetables and watch colds disappear and your body become stronger and healthier.

The growth hormones and antibiotics that are injected into the cows to produce milk fast, enter directly into our blood stream!  So unhealthy!

Dairy can block the absorption of iron resulting in a reduced red blood count leading to anemia!
Not to mention the FAT in dairy...
Don't have any dairy tomorrow. #onedayatatime
Night :)

Part one..throwing out the junk party!

Fridge and pantry rehab!

     Ok it's time to gut the fridge and pantry of old, dusty, fat filled, chemical laden, body slowing, heart stopping food and remodel with pure whole life giving food! It's time for a makeover and no better place to start than where we spend most of our time.. the kitchen. Let's make it up to date with a variety of colorful foods, gluten free crackers, raw nuts, organic dried fruit, the latest trend is organic natural food. We will have a reading label and throwing out junk food party! Fun! How many times do you go in and out of the pantry or open and close the cabinets, can't make a decision? Maybe deep down you know nothing in those cabinets is going to give you nutrients and energy your body needs. It’s just shelf fillers and does nothing but slow the body down. Let’s move along, so you may find yourself throwing out 50% of all the packaged and canned food after reading the labels. Its great though since you will never nourish and regenerate your body with old dead, stomach filler food. We want to eat alive colorful food that we were designed to eat.  I know in the past in the old decor of the pantry it was cool to have artificial flavors, toxic preservatives, chemical food dyes, saturated fats, addictive sugars, calories, artery clogging hydrogenated oils. The house our body lives in will never be vibrant, shiny, or skinny putting junk in it. Throw it out! It has no place on the shelf anymore or in your body for the new you or anyone you love.  Some words over our head are butylated hydroxyamisole (bha) and butylated hydroxytoluene (bbt) which are chemical preservatives that are either put in food or into the packaging. The FDA does not require food and packaging companys to announce using these hazards if they're used in packaging, which we may be injesting. Well the food in the pantry can live forever its preserved, but its junk in the trunk for our bodies. Now it's really time for a pantry gut job so that the packaged food in there doesn't out live you!
This may be tough to hear but yes fat-free and sugar-free foods need to go probably more than the other junk! Those words mean fake chemical substitutes, headaches, fatigue, clogged colon and a fat tush! One sweetener they use in sugar free is aspartame which has been linked to arthritis, birth defects, fibromyalgia, alzheimer, lupus, and diabetes. Aspartame contains methyl alcohol and when that enters your body it turns to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can make you sick, it's toxic and carcinogenic. You’re tired of being sick, right? Throw out any package or canned diet soda that has aspartame in it!! Save your life and feel much better along the way.  It's garbage, trash, waste, old rotting dull pantry decor! We will be remolding those shelves with acceptable gluten free crackers and healthy snacks. Like Mary’s Gone Crackers, they're out of this world! No need for chemicals or gluten ever again. Remember the old saying garbage in; garbage out?! Same goes for what you put in your mouth, be conscious! If you don’t have the options of junk sitting on the shelves, you will have no other choice than to reach for a juicy, sweet, delicious piece of fruit.  The bonus is besides it making your mouth water its cleansing the body, giving you a natural sugar boost, and takes no time to digest. Fruit with the seeds is much more cleansing than fruits with pits. Cleansing fruits to have on the counter are grapes, apples, oranges, figs, and kiwis.

This will be continued! I will talk more about what to look for on the labels...

Have a fruit filled Saturday!! xoxo 

Michael just finished the cleanse, his letter to me!

Hi Melissa,

I wanted to give you my sincerest thanks for the Skinny Green cleanse. I've been looking to try a detox cleanse for the longest time as I felt that I needed to rid my system of the unhealthy foods I have been eating in abundance lately. I came across your company through a blog from a wonderful trainer named Jenna Phillips, who gave this her enthusiastic seal of approval. I decided to give it a try.
Right off the bat you were very accomodating in making the shakes right away and sending them to me over night. I was impressed with your dedication to your clients.
Day 1, first shake...I was surprised at how delicious this actually was. It gave me a great boost to start off my day.
Shake #2 & the first test of my willpower..my coworkers were eating their take out lunches as I sat there drinking my shake. They gave me a hard time for trying one of those "diet shakes" so I tried to explain to them that I was taking in vital nutrients and living foods to aid in my digestion. And jokingly said "you guys enjoy you dead food haha".
The hardest part of the day as usual was the afternoon rush at work and the stress it brings. I usually reach for the candy dish that was strategically placed in front of my desk to satisfy my sweet tooth. Instead I drank shake #3 which was actually naturally sweet and filling to both satisfy my sweet tooth and get me through the day with plenty of energy to spare.
I got home and decided to do an hour yoga session instead of my usual weights routine. I finished off by using a foam roller and then using my powerbreathe device to strengthen muscles used in breathing and improve my cardio. I followed that up with shake#4 and some herbal tea. Then went to bed at a decent hour.
I woke up the next day feeling lighter and ready to go. Day #2 was very similar and even a bit easier. I didn't even have the food cravings I usually get after seeing all those fast food ads on tv.
I gotta tell you, this was great. After finishing the cleanse I immediately felt and looked lighter. My waist shrank and I was leaner in my face. My digestion vastly improved as I didn't feel bloated after a regular meal. What I loved most about Melissa's product was that it helped me cleanse my system without depriving it of nutrients like so many other products do. It helped me reset my eating habits and state of mind.
I would recommend this to anybody no matter what your current fitness level is, even if you loved eating fast food and sweets like I did, because everyone can learn to make better choices in their diet.
Thank you so much Melissa for being a great ambassador to healthy living!

Sincerely,
Michael Melicor

Great results from Skinny Green cleanse!!

Melissa, your 3 day cleanse rocked! I felt so great after I completed it. The smoothies were delicious, filling, and your delivery/service and follow up was awesome! I know I will be doing these once a month! After I completed the 3 days, I felt clear headed, refreshed, recharged, and energetic. Thank you for introducing me to how important detoxing and cleaning out my body is. By the way I have been 90%vegan and feeling great ever since!
Thank you!!!
Missy S.

Pure Joy Thanksgiving Dinner...

with raw living food! I'm delivering the living thanksgiving box from Nov 11-24th!
Call me, you won't believe it's raw!!

LIVING THANKSGIVING DINNER…starch free, gluten free, sugar free
True Vanity Health Food

Turkey-
Portobello(dark meat), Coconut flesh (white meat), almond, walnuts, orange juice, wheat free tamari, sesame oil, olive oil, parsley, rosemary, garlic

Savory Stuffing-
Almonds, walnuts, corn, red onion, red pepper, celery, garlic, sage, rosemary, sea salt

“Yams”-
Persimmons, coconut oil, olive oil, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, sea salt

Mashed Potatoes-
Cauliflower, macadamia nuts, parsley, black pepper, lemon, miso, sea salt, garlic, herbs
Gravy-
Cashews, nutritional yeast, black pepper, marinated onions, wheat free tamari, sea salt

Cranberries-
Cranberries, coconut butter, orange juice, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove


Pumpkin Cheesecake-
Almonds, pecan, cacao, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, honey, pumpkin, cashews, coconut oil, sea salt

Lose weight on Thanksgiving with this alive, light, fresh, flavorful food!!

Change your food>> change your life!

Raw living organic whole foods.. Pratically digest itself!
Living foods are packed with their own digestive enzymes. Cooking your food above 115 degrees cooks out 100% of the live enzymes we need and it takes way longer to move through our bodies. When we eat lifeless, cooked, no enzyme food our bodies must create digestive enzymes on its own grabbing energy from other organs and areas of our body. This leaves you feeling tired, lethargic, and stuffed feeling like you want to take a nap. I feel so light and refreshed after I eat my raw meals! Some people are worried they won’t have that full feeling after. Like they’re still hungry, but the food is so nutrient dense that you aren’t as hungry when you feed your body the right thing. A lot of processed food, packaged food or food on the inside isles of the store are filled with empty calories and most vitamins and minerals and 100% of the enzymes are cooked out! You want to feel good and have maximum energy try eating 50% raw. It’s a good start; maybe a salad everyday for lunch and some lightly steamed veggies and quinoa for dinner!

Cooked food
If we always consume processed foods and excess grains, meat, and dairy products, our lymphatic system becomes overloaded and congested, leaving extra toxins in the blood and digestive system where they can cause chronic disease and colon problems. Raw foods help our digestive tract to heal and discharge toxins and have become famous for helping heal people from discomfort and disease. Raw vegan foods are beneficial for losing weight (maximize fiber, low calories, enzymes for energy). Plus the high fiber content allows for a cleaner colon and then better absorption of vitamins for every cell!

I feel great and wake up early feeling good everyday and that’s why I want everyone to try some raw foods! The proof is in the Chocolate PUDDING! Try my raw chocolate pudding..I named it Addictive Chocolate Pudding. It’s guilt free food, made with mostly avocados which are a great source of vitamin e, excellent for GLOWING skin!!!
CHANGE YOUR FOOD >>>>CHANGE YOUR LIFE
<3
Melissa H.

my thoughts when going through cleanse!

So I'm going to be honest with you, cleansing is not the easiest thing in the world. But the results are nothing short of amazing which makes it soooo worth it. I always relate it to when I ran the marathon. You hit a wall about 18 miles and it literally feels like you just ran into a BRICK wall and you can’t move! You have to pick yourself up mentally and work through it. Mind over matter at this point. You train and prepare but the last 6 miles of the race are all heart! You just want it so bad nothing will stop you. You set out to run a marathon and you're going to finish! When you cross that finish line it's a feeling like you've never had before! The feeling of accomplishing your goal is so rewarding!! You're so proud of yourself it's worth every bit of struggle along the way. The quote I always like from the marathon is "Nobody said it would be easy they just said it would be worth it"

Day 1- During the cleanse you may hit a wall where you think you are starving and tired and can't get through, but you CAN!! That is only a temporary feeling that goes away quickly and most of it is mental. Just tell yourself you are letting your body clean itself and the only way is not overloading it with food! Believe me day 2 is much easier, the stomach shrinks a little each day and you will be so thankful in the morning you stuck with it! You will wake up feeling lighter and more refreshed already.

Day 2- Will go by pretty easy with the smoothies. At night again talk yourself through it. If you can have self control and discipline with your eating, you will in other areas of life too. This is good practice! You are investing in your future by keeping your body healthy and toxin free now. Go for a walk, do some deep breathing, call a friend, or take a hot bath. You can drink decaf herbal tea!

Day 3- This is simple, you are on the home stretch! Drink your smoothies and fill up on water and tea. My favorite Starbucks order when on the cleanse is a Venti double bag red rooibus tea (its caffeine free and a great antioxidant)!
If you're absolutely starving by night time you can have cut up cucumber and celery only! Chew very slowly! Then go to sleep early if still tempted to eat! You will wake up so happy and positive, ready to take on the world with your healthy lean machine! Most people want to keep going because they feel so great that's why I highly recommend a couple days of raw food to ease off the cleanse. It's amazing how your cravings stop and you want to exercise more, it really does jumpstart good health habits!
Ok well this is what I experienced when I did the Skinny Green Smoothie cleanse and cant wait to do it again! I hope you have incredible results too! I will be here along the way for support and encouragement. I just want you to have healthy insides ;) it radiates through the outside when people are clean on the inside.

This is an investment in your health! Maybe one of the best ones you can make:)

the new... Skinny Green Cleanse!

Hey guys,
I really feel people just aren't getting enough greens in their diets. Greens have so many nutrients they should have their own food group. So I created a way to cleanse and get your dose of vital greens in a 3 day cleanse. Some cleanses out there are practically starvation, getting not many nutrients and detoxifying way too fast. This is an easy, healthy, and safe way to rid toxins and built up materials quickly from your body. Cleansing is important to do as regular maintenance on your body. You shower daily right? We wash away daily the dirt, germs, odors and keep the outside clean. Think about what is built up on the inside from years of over eating processed, fatty, dead foods. Cleansing and not eating past 6pm is the most effective way to clean the buildup of toxins and waste. Plus you really have to practice self control and discipline when not eating for 3 days, just drinking. After the cleanse you feel and look amazing, lighter, fresher. You have a sense of accomplishment and feel like you cleansed your mind too, clearer thoughts! You may lose a few pounds and have tons of energy due to your giving your body and organs a rest from digesting for 3 days. Plus the amounts of greens is so cleansing to the blood. The dark greens are loaded with chlorophyll, which is the "blood" of all the plant life. . Ad greens to your diet daily and receive age-extending nutrients. Drink you way to REAL health.

The cleanse is 3 days of drinking green smoothies, you get 4 jars a day to drink. You can drink decaffeinated tea and alkaline water too. I provide you with 9.5ph alkaline water.
The smoothies are made of Kale, Chard, Collard, Parsley, Cilantro, Spinach, Cucumber, Celery, apple, Banana, Pear, and Stevia. I add 4 super foods that I will tell you about later….

This cleanse is giving the digestive system a chance to rest and take all that energy wasted on digesting cooked food and using it to heal and cleanse organs. The smoothies when blended are 50% predigested. So for 3 days you are taking the densest amount of green plant nutrients plus super foods in and pushing out toxic, diseased waste. By blending and not juicing all the fiber is left in the smoothie. Fiber is the bulk that helps push waste out. It's living food, alive with enzymes. Enzymes are the most important in all your bodily functions, especially digestion. We were designed to eat living raw foods to feel alive and vibrant. We are alive and it only makes sense to eat living food. YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT RIGHT?! I believe if we have a toxic or acidic body or colon that is the main cause for bad health and a breeding ground for disease.
So another thing about the cleanse is its 3- 5 days of alkalinizing the body through the smoothies and the 9.5ph Kangen water I drop off with it. It is vital to keep the body Alkaline. When we eat or drink clean whole foods and keep the body alkaline we are no longer a breeding ground for bacteria, fungus, mold, viruses, and disease. 90% of modern disease is linked to the colon. We need to give it a rest and our organs a break.

Monthly maintenance is key. If you think about working out and staying fit. You wouldn't work out all the time and train to look and feel great and then stop! Working out becomes a daily routine in your lifestyle or you’ll lose the benefits from it like feeling great, staying trim, and having tons of energy. Same thing goes for cleansing; you should cleanse your body regularly for an ongoing healthy disease free lifestyle. Some people even vegetable-juice fast once a week and others once a month. Just like changing the oil filters in your car from buildup, our colon accumulates decaying material that needs to be cleaned out. Doesn't it make sense to clean your bodys filter???

WHY SHOULD WE CLEANSE AND DETOX?
-clean the inside of body from toxins and built up waste
-monthly maintenance on body that we work at to keep healthy
-stop cravings for sugar and processed foods
-give organs a chance to rest and heal
-sense of accomplishment and practice self control
-post holidays, vacation, seasonally
-jumpstart weight loss

CLEANSE = RESTART BUTTON


GO GREEN OR GO HOME!
Believe me when I tell you no supplement can provide you with the balance of nutrient that raw green plants contain naturally. Greens are the most nutritionally precise food to meet the needs of humans and we don’t get enough! They keep the body lean, nourish every cell, and keep you strong and energized. They are a powerhouse of LIVE ENZYMES, FIBER, CHLOROPHYLL, PROTEIN, FOLIC ACID, CALCIUM, ALKALINE PH, MINERALS, VITAMINS, AND OXGYEN…basically life food!

SUPERFOODS added to smoothies
Aloe Vera----b 12, immune boost, anti inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti fungal properties
Bee Pollen------ increases energy, natural weight loss, stimulates metabolism, improves sexual performance, slows aging and prevents cancerous tumors from developing.
Ginger-----powerful anti-inflammatory, aids digestive function, stimulates blood circulation, anti nausea properties
Lemon-------antioxidant, vitamin A, C, natural cleanser
Maca------ sustains energy and endurance, balances hormones

Basically this is a like pressing a restart button on your health. Words from my friend Jenna Phillips(the founder of Mission Possible)that just came off the cleanse and feels incredible. I would check out her blog and how she talks about the process and how it was doable for her. It's on my page! If you are intersted in trying the cleanse, you can check it out on my website, call me, or message me, whatever is easier. I personally coach you through it everyday for some we are texting every hour because they literally want to eat their arm off but I work them through it!!
I sometimes on day 3 have to bring them cut up cucumber and celery, that is all I will allow:)
Ok, everyone have a great night and eat your greens tomorrow, preferably uncooked;)
Night

Healthy and Happy

People on a high quality food diet of raw, ripe, fresh, whole, living foods, their bodies become an amazingly efficient biological machine. Try it!
I cater a box of raw meals to may folks that want to bring raw living food into their diets!!

Who is the box for and who eats this food?

-busy working professionals that want food when returning from long day
-people who want food that will give them the most energy during their day
-people who would like to lose weight while eating food that taste great and is filling
-those who want to cleanse and detox
-healthy people that are seeking a little variety in their daily meals
-new moms that have no time to cook and want to lose weight
-those who want to get the most vitamins, minerals, and live enzymes out of what they're eating
-folks that want to eat food that regenerates and alkalinizes the body
-incorporate eating raw food and look and feel amazing

Eat Seasonal

Cantaloupe is in season from May - Sept, but PEAK IN JULY!!!!!

When you're picking your cantaloupe look at the rind and it should be golden in color, not green. The stem should have a slight indentation. The blossom of the melon should be soft and have a sweet smell.

Cantoaloupe has tons of vitamin A and vitamin C. Vitamin C protects our immune system from free radicals and it helps stimulate white blood cells to fight infection.

QUICK AND EASY HEALTHY RECIPE!!!
Cucumber and Melon Salad

1 medium cucumber peeled(when cutting, cut out seeds)
3 cups cantaloupe chunks(about 1/2 medium size cantaloupe)
10 large fresh mint leaves, torn
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon ground chile pepper powder

mix everything in bowl, add a few pinches of sea salt if desired. Serve chilled and sprinkle chile powder on right before serving:)
Have fun and make healthy choices today!!
Love One Another!

new Rockin raw recipe

I just made up a new Rockin raw recipe..
Banana Buckwheat Maca Balls
2 T dried banana(Erewhon's or Whole foods)
1 cup sprouted buckwheat(soaked for 8 hours, sprouted 24 hours in sprouting jar)
(I dehydrated the buckwheat to dry out after soaking for 2 hours)
1 t maca powder
1 heaping T almond butter(whole foods)
2 T cacoa nibs
6 pitted dates
2 T honey

I blended the dates and dried pineapples. Then in bowl I mixed dates, banana, buckwheat, maca, honey, cacoa nibs, and almond butter. I kneaded the mixture really good with my hands and then rolled into balls. Put in freezer for 1 hour and enjoy!!
You could roll in agave powder if desire.

Cleanse in the AM with Lemon Water

Morning, Today I woke up and Squeezed the juice of one whole lemon in my water! It taste refreshing and clean. I recommend always having fresh lemons on your counter in your kitchen ready to use. Just cut one in half and squeeze in your water whenever you think of it or have time! Have a healthy positive day!


Lemon is an inexpensive, easily available citrus fruit, popular for its culinary and medicinal uses. Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C. It also contains vitamins like vitamin B, riboflavin and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium as well as proteins and carbohydrates. Lemon is generally consumed in the form of lemon juice or lemon water. Lemon water makes a healthy drink, especially when taken in the morning. Daily consumption of lemon water provides a number of health benefits like:

1.Good for stomach

Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.

2.Excellent for Skin Care

Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.

3.Aids in Dental Care

Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums.

4.Cures Throat Infections

Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently.

5.Good for Weight Loss

One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.

6.Controls High Blood Pressure

Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.

7.Assist in curing Respiratory Disorders

Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma.

8.Good for treating Rheumatism

Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body.

9.Reduces Fever

Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration.

10.Acts as a blood purifier

The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it can act as a blood purifier.

The RAW Health Box

Rawfoodstylist
by:Melissa Henig
-Health counselor
-Healthy kitchen makeover
-Personal chef
-Catering
-Private raw/vegan food classes
-The RAW Health Food Box delivery

-Fuel for the good life
melissahenig@yahoo.com
I look forward to working with you


Raw food diet is uncooked, unprocessed foods not heated over 105-118 degrees. Cooking destroys vital nutrients and live enzymes which the body needs.
-cooking food diminishes live enzymes which forces the body to work harder when digesting
-live enzymes = energy
-poor digestion can lead to a toxic body and many diseases
-you have optimal health, energy, vitality, a clear mind, glowing skin and maintain weight
-eat whole natural foods
-you are what you eat...true story
-feel good and look great
-life is a gift

The new menu!!!
The RAW Health Box

3 entrees, 3 sides, 2 soups, 2 desserts, flax crackers...$115
2 entrees, 2 sides, 2 soups, 2 desserts, flax crackers $75
Delivery $1.50 a mile

Choose any.....
Soups
Lemon Zucchini Bisque
Tomato Tarragon
Curry Carrot
Butter Nut Squash soup
Lentil Soup

Entrees
Chow Mein
Sunflower Tomato Sandwich
Sun Dried Zucchinili Pasta
Squashi Alfredo Noodles
Cheezy Garlic Kale Salad
Cilantro Tacos
Nori Rolls(ginger or horseradish)
Tuna but Not Wrap

Sides
Mashed potato(cauliflower)
Spinach dip
Mung Bean Salad
Zesty Hummus
Brussel Sprout Salad
Quinao Heaven
Veggie Salad
Mixed Green Salad

Desserts
Orange Whip pudding
Oat Raisin Cookies
Carob truffles
Peanut Butter Balls
Cherry Crunch Brownies
Donut Holes
Lemon Fruit Tart
Banana Bread

Red Pepper Flax crackers
Herb Flax Crackers

New sandwich on menu!!

I just came up with a new sandwich for my menu..yay!
I couldn't sleep I was so excited to try it:)

Sunflower Tomato Sandwich

-sunflower bread
-cheeze(cashews, cilantro, paprika,lemon)
-sun dried tomato
-basil leaf
-tomato


Cilantro-removes heavy metals in the body,the oil in cilantro stimulates inner digestive tract, powerful anti-inflammatory, protective agentsagainst bacterial infection, eases hormone mood swings, iron, helps promote heralthy liver function...
Eat it..tons of it...so good for you!!!

Tomato-lycopene, a vital antioxidant that fights against cancerous cell formation, lycopene flushes free radicals from the body, no other fruit or veggie has the high concentration of lycopene that the tomato has.

Sunflower seeds-power packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber, minerals, vitamin E, and phytochemicals.

Basil-digestive aid, anti-bacterial in your body, mild sedative, treatment of headaches, aids in circulation, anti-cancer benefits!

EAT THIS SANDWICH....YEEEESSSSS! Who wants to try it?? It's sooo good!!!

What does a raw food diet mean?

Raw food diet is uncooked, unprocessed, and mostly organic whole foods
Cooking destroys vital nutrients and enzymes, so to feed your cells nutrients you need a diet at least 75% raw and 100% whole organic foods.

Enzymes = Energy

You have more energy and require less sleep at night when your body is not digesting food. Plus if you stop eating before 7pm it gives your body the ability to cleanse at night.

-cooked foods destroy digestive enzymes which forces your body to work harder when digesting
-poor digestation leads to a toxic body and many dis-eases
-heat kills live enzymes
-digesting cooked or man made food will drain your energy..hence the phrase "food coma"
-if you continue a lifestyle of eating cooked foods, you will end up getting diseases and live an unhappy, dull life.
-cooked food is dead and unnatural
-you are what you eat
-true story

daily feel good shout outs to yourself!

Before sleeping and upon waking say these words!!! Do it!

-I create extraordinary energy
-I experience excellent health
-Everyday I'm getting healthier and healthier
-I have outrageous vitality, energy, joy, and happiness
-my body gets younger everyday
-I believe health is my ticket to enjoy the great beauty nature has to offer

Cheesetart Kale Salad!!!!!

Today I made new salad at Elderberries on Sunset!!!!

Cheesetart Kale Salad

bunch of kale washed and stemmed
carrots
granny smith apples

dressing
1/2 lemon, zested and juiced
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
shot of liquid braggs
4 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
dash of black pepper
filtered water as necessary

tear the kale leaves in small pieces
blend dressing in blender
MASSAGE the kale!!!!(put your love and energy into it)
pour dressing on and massage again and add shredded carrots and tart apple
let sit 30m min and marinate

It taste so yummy!!! Big seller today!!
Elderberries Vegan restaurant
7564 W. Sunset Blvd.
90046

olive oil is not healthy, I'm using lemon and tiny bit of vinegar from now on

Surgeon discovers how to defeat heart disease as the No. 1 killer without surgery or drugs.
Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr., M.D., a renowned Cleveland Clinic surgeon, has devised a diet that not only prevents heart disease, but also reverses it by actually unclogging arteries that have narrowed, largely due to excessive amounts of cholesterol that have accumulated, resulting in arterial plaque buildup ("clogged arteries" or atherosclerosis).

While dedicating the last 20 of his 40+ years in medicine to nutritional study, Dr. Esselstyn conducted one particular study involving 17 patients who had collectively suffered 49 cardiac events (heart attacks, strokes, etc.) prior to the study, necessitating aggressive treatments, including multiple bypass operations, according to Dr. Esselstyn in his 2007 book "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease."

These 17 study participants faithfully followed a "heart healthy" plant-based, lowfat diet formulated by Dr. Esselstyn. The results were impressive. There were zero cardiac events in the group within the 12-year study period.

It is commonly known that high cholesterol leads to clogged arteries (atherosclerosis), which leads to heart attacks, strokes, and other severe conditions. Animal-based foods contain cholesterol. This includes meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Plant-based foods (fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds) contain zero cholesterol. Thus, eating a plant-based diet ensures that one is not consuming any cholesterol at all, which usually helps to keep cholesterol levels down without drugs.

In discussing his zero-cholesterol, plant-based diet, Dr. Esselstyn warns us that "moderation kills," meaning that eating moderate amounts of cholesterol-containing foods can prevent us from maintaining a low enough cholesterol level (below 150) to avoid athersclerosis. Dr. Esselstyn says that cholesterol levels below 150 are commonly found in cultures where heart disease is very rare. This is lower than the popular cholesterol "safety" threshold of 200, which allows the progression of atherosclerosis.

"Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease" further points out that eating a strict plant-based diet is not always enough to reverse atherosclerosis. In addition, vegetable oils must often be eliminated from the diet. It is a well-known fact that saturated fats (even from a cholesterol-free source) lead to atherosclerosis. Dr. Esselstyn instructs his patients that all processed oils need to be eliminated from one's diet in order to reverse heart disease. Even monounsaturated vegetable oils caused triglycerides (a component of cholesterol) and blood sugar levels to elevate in a 1997 study conducted by Shuhei Kobayashi, Director, of the National Institute of Health and Nutrition.

In fact, Dr. Esselstyn writes that moderate to heavy use of olive oil, which is 14% to 17% saturated fat, can cause atherosclerosis.

Olive oil was dubbed "healthy" in the 1990's on the basis of the Lyon Diet Heart Study, headed by Dr. Michel de Lorgeril of Joseph Fourier University in Grenoble. The study involved 605 participants, all of whom had survived a heart attack. The group was divided into two parts. Approximately half of the participants, 302, were instructed to follow a Mediterranean-style diet high in fruits, vegetables, bread, cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts, and seeds. Also included in the Mediterranean diet were olive oil, low to moderate amounts of dairy products, fish, and poultry, only a small amount of red meat, eggs zero to four times weekly, and wine in low to moderate amounts.

The remaining 203 study participants became the control group and were given no particular diet to follow, except that they were asked to eat prudently. About a year later, study results indicated that those following the Mediterranean diet fared better than the control group. Four years later, the numbers were even more pronounced, indicating that those on the Mediterranean diet were 50% to 70% less likely to experience the cardiac problems encountered by the control group.

These impressive results brought worldwide attention to the Lyon Diet Heart Study, and olive oil was hailed as a health-giving food. What the study did not brag about was the fact that by the end of the study, 25% of the Mediterranean-diet participants either died or suffered a cardiovascular event (heart attack, stroke, etc.). Needless to say, the control group was even worse off than the Mediterranean diet group. The Mediterranean diet did not stop or reverse heart disease. It only slowed down its progress. The Mediterranean diet, while lowering cholesterol levels somewhat, still allowed high enough cholesterol levels to worsen the participants' heart disease because it included saturated fat (olive oil) and cholesterol-containing foods: low to moderate amounts of dairy products, fish, and poultry, small amounts of red meat, and zero to four eggs per week.

The average diet-compliant patient of Dr. Esselstyn experiences a dramatic drop in total cholesterol, from 246 down to 137.

The physical proof that Dr. Esselstyn's plant-based diet actually unclogs arteries lies in the angiograms taken of the study participants before and after, showing a widening of the coronary arteries, and thus a reversal of heart disease.

Raw Pomagranate Fennell Salad

Stop in Elderberries Vegan Restaurant on Sunset to sample my Pomagranate Fennel salad..
It's outstanding!!! Light, fresh, flavor for your taste buds..mmmmmmm

-apple(1 fugi)
-fennell(1 bulb)
-pomagranate seeds
-pecans( handfull)
-rough chop in food processor

dressing
-1/4 cup olive oil
-1/4cup fresh lemon juice
-1 red onion diced
-salt/pepper
-1 table spoon pomagranate juice
blend in high speed blender

lay over arugala and enjoy...
GET IT BEFORE IT'S GONE:) Have a healthy evening...