Great week of "Foodie" shows on Fresh Air

This was one of those weeks I found myself listening to Fresh Air more than usual.

Terri Gross had compelling interviews each day with various characters and heroes of the food world. Yesterday it was Ruth Reichl, former   editor of Gourmet Magazine whose mother was a horrible cook. Her stories were frighteningly hilarious. On Monday she interviewed, world renowned chef Geoff Achtaz. His artistic works can be seen at his restaurants website Alina. Later this week it will be an archived Julia Child interview and on Thursday Harold McGee author of my second Bible "On Food and Cooking" a guide to anything and everything you could ever think to eat or cook with. His scientific approach is fascinating.

Whether is the tragic history of the banana or how to cook the perfect steak, there is something here for everyone.

Thanks NPR.

Cheers.

What's a Shebaldi?

Ricket's Glenn PA, 12 kids, 6 parents, some drizzle, the hand of God and lots of blueberries.

That's part of us. Take a look.

One thing you will quickly notice is how much healthier people are this year! Collectively we have lost over 100 pounds of unwanted, unbecoming weight.
The trick seemed to be pure desire motivated by unwelcoming doctors findings and just plain discomfort. A few people did not intend to lose weight, but found it through adding vegetables - yes VEGGIES, and whole grains to their diets in earnest.
When we add the real food, our bodies shy away from the bad. Our eyes and tastebuds crave pure, light, nutrient rich foods. We learn to move away from heavy, sweet, salty, fake alternatives. The benefits are felt immediately. Bellies don't hurt, our energy remains steady and our minds stay alert.
Congratulations!

31 Day Holiday Warm-up Challenge

The first of October is upon us. It's a beautiful month of change. As the cool weather approaches we sense the end of the year right around the corner. Perhaps this is a good time to take stock before we turn the calendar to 2011.

How has your health been? What happened to those New Year's goals? Maybe this would be the perfect month to really accomplish something great.

For 31 days several of us are starting a Holiday Warm-up Challenge.

Choose one health related thing to change this month. Maybe you want to run every other day, or hit the gym 4 times a week. Maybe it is the time to give up dairy or added salt or sugar. Perhaps you want to see if you can have a month without restaurants or soda, or alcohol. You choose.

Rules? Only 1 rule: Choose ONE thing to change and stick to it.

Write in here, let us know your plans. Join this community of determined friends for 31 days to a new habit. Be curious about yourself. See what happens. Practice great will power, and lean on others for support.

My goal - (This is a hard one, I had to really think it through), no refined sweeteners in anything I eat for the entire month. Sweetness will come from fruit if at all. No honey, sugar, maple syrup etc. Ouch!

Okay. Your turn...

Well Done!

Congratulations on completing the Green Smoothie Challenge!

Many of you have spoken to me over the weeks about your growing addiction to the power of greens. I am encouraged by all the progress.

Here are the top comments:

1. "I can't believe how much I love the taste of these! You cannot taste the greens at all"

2. "I feel so satisfied! I completely gave up by cappuccinos from Wawa"

3. "It is amazing; I don't get hungry for hours after I have one."

4. "My husband is happy - my sexual desire is improving!"

5. "I have so much energy. It is steady too. I don't bottom out like I used to."

6. "This is weird, but I feel addicted."

7. " I really miss it if I can't have my smoothie everyday"

8. " My teenager started drinking little bits, but now she drinks a whole glass on the way to school."

There are many more. Many of you shared recipes and passed them on to friends. Almost everyone increased the amounts of kale, spinach or collards in their blender as the weeks went on.

Keep up the great work! I look forward to hearing from you.

Two Week Sprint

What can happen in 2 weeks?

You can jump start some significant and healthy weight loss!
Smoothies are huge sources of nutrients. They are very satisfying. You can stuff a lot of goodness into the blender pitcher. We often replace breakfast, snacks or lunch with them. Fourteen days focused on fruits, vegetables, whole grains (in moderation), no processed food and lots of smoothies will slim you right down for Memorial Day fun!

You can get healthy, real, sustainable energy!
As your nutrients increase, your body can heal. Toxins move out and healthy chlorophyll-rich molecules zoom into your blood stream ready to juice up those wanting cells. You feel clean, light, even and strong.

You get clearer, fresher skin!
As your cells are fed, your eyes and skin will begin to look clearer and brighter. When you first increase the good and purge the bad, an eruption or two may happen on your face. This is a normal detoxifying function of the skin, that means healing is happening. Keep up the greens. The healing will happen yielding a clear healthy glow.

Your pipes will do their job!
The increased levels of nutrients and fiber will help your digestive track preform beautifully. Wastes will move through and out as they should allowing for your body to detoxify with more efficiency.

The fourteen days will go by fast. Focus, explore recipes, and search out new vegetables to try. Let those sweets, heavy meats, cheeses and breads stay away for these two short weeks. The results will catapult you to even greater success!

Keep in touch. Let's really inspire and support each other through this two week sprint!

Green Jump Start

It is great to hear about so many people joining us this month. Lots of you have asked about recipes and ideas. Here you go.

The Smoothie Toolkit:
A blender that chops ice
Chopped frozen bananas - Keep a Zip-Lock bag of them in the freezer.
Other frozen fruit
Clean fresh fruit
Non-dairy milks - almond, rice, soy, coconut, hemp
Dark greens - kale, collard, Swiss chard, spinach, wheat grass
A nice big glass!!!

Recipes:

Use any combination of the fruits above and plenty of shredded greens - stems and all.
Add about 1/2 cup 'milk' to 3/4 cup water.
Use ice cubes if you want real coldness or are not using any frozen fruit.

For example:
1 rough cup frozen bananas
1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup kale
1/2 cup almond milk
3/4 cup water

Set on 'ice crusher' mode first, then blend until very smooth. Let it rest a minute so as not to ingest all bubbles. Enjoy!

Additions:
Try some unsweetened cocoa or carob powder to make a chocolate smoothie!
Add 2 dates (pitted) to sweeten.
Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla for a vanilla shake feel
Add peanut or almond butter
Add shredded coconut

Please log on and share your ideas/fears/feelings etc.

Have a green day!!!

Green Smoothie Challenge

With Summer just around the corner the desire for cleanness, life and energy is everywhere. Whether it is the birds vigorously chirping at 5:00am or all the sudden bikers, joggers and dog walkers, life is happening all around us. What better time to rev up our own engines, than the lovey month of May!!!

This month join in the fun as we embark on the Green Smoothie Challenge.

Beginning Saturday May 1st, drink at least 16 ounces (1 pint) of your favorite smoothie each day. Use additional nutrient packed greens. You can use whatever you want. The greens add very little taste but a ton of tremendous benefits! Use collards, kale, Swiss chard, spinach - you name it. The only rule is NO DAIRY. Use plant based milks like almond, coconut, hemp or rice. Use water or juice, but no dairy in the smoothies.

Still not a believer? Watch this video (copy and paste this address into your address bar): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW5LUkeVA6s

We will use this blog to exchange recipes, tips, and results! Write in and share what you are learning, how you are feeling, and what is changing as the month progresses.

The results will blow your mind!

Spread the word...

Veggin' It Up In State College

Revive, Refresh and Renew were the themes for the PA Women's Retreat this weekend in State College. It was all that and more!

Well over 300 women came together for classes and workshops that inspired body, mind and spirit. I was honored to partner with Sheryl Glover and talk about beautiful God given food. Sheryl shared her personal health journey focusing a lot on diabetes. She made us stop and really think about ourselves - what we are doing/not doing to take care of the life God has given us. With gentleness and deep conviction she really inspired us.

After an introductory shower of Spring Mix Confetti, I was able to do my usual plant push while letting the women try some delicious concoctions. Enjoying lots of audience participation, we learned about incorporating FAR MORE whole plant foods into our daily diets.

I look forward to the Embrace Health Seasonal Supper this Saturday night,7:00pm at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Glenside. It is another night of inspiration, education, support and delicious real food! I hope a lot of you will come and bring friends. (By the way ladies these are great for guys. We will have several men sharing. Somehow forums like this seem to move the men way more than hearing it from their wives!!)

Simple Life Saving

Don't miss this fantastic and post on food and aging.

There is a lot of very useful information in a short easy to understand package. Pass it on!

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/four-food-habits-that-age-you

Starving

It amazes me how many people are literally starving due to the 'food' choices they are making. While many are teenagers - kids with a few dollars enticed by cheap edible substances bombarding them everyday, too many are poor women and young children without access to good food. The New York Times recently had an article on kids starving in the Bronx. (You can read the whole article here.) They are eating, but not being fed. Their bodies grow larger but not better. Their health is poor and they are at great risk for the diseases that are costing us billions.

We say, "How can I help? I don't live in the inner city." As the fantastic movie "Food Inc." points out - every dollar we spend is a vote. Those of us who do have grocery stores close by, and can get non-processed foods should. The definition of 'food', needs to change, the paradigm, shift. Every choice you make counts. Our "votes" will help advocate not only for education for those in need, but also for access.