Healthy Fudge Recipe

Two weeks ago I attended a sampling at a local kids center geared towards children with sensory needs. I offered free samples of my products' chewables made from 25 fruits, vegetables, grains, berries and grapes. My product helps kids get more of their recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. I had also prepared a healthy version of what my community likes to call fudge. It's a fun, easy and healthy recipe! You can definitely get the kids involved as there is no cooking. I would recommend children ages 3 and up. 


Ingredients: 
Cooking non-stick spray of your choice, Juice Plus+ Complete protein powder (or your choice of protein powder), walnuts, dried cranberries, peanut butter (or almond butter), hemp plus granola, and maple syrup. Here are the ingredients I used:

Instructions: 
Mix together dry ingredients then stir in wet ingredients. (You may need some elbow grease at this point.) Press mixture into 9 x 13 pan.  Cover top with a layer of shredded coconut or sesame seeds (I omitted these); press into the surface of the mixture.  Refrigerate.  Cut into bars when mixture is solid.  Keep refrigerated between servings.


Allergens: 
gluten, nuts, milk


Benefits: 
1 cup Chocolate Juice Plus+ Complete powder (non-GMO soy protein)

2 cups Nature’s Path Organic Hemp Plus Granola (Omega 3s/6s)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (improves cholesterol)

1/2 cup dried cranberries (antioxidants - protects cells from free radicals)

1 cup maple syrup (amino acids – essential to cell maintenance, function and regeneration)

1 cup creamy peanut butter (non-hydrogenated; source of protein used to rebuild muscles)

Results: 

I handed out a sample of the fudge to all the parents of the children who attended the Early Bird special at the children's center. All but one refused. The mother who refused said since her children couldn't have gluten she didn't want to sample. Everyone who ate a piece commented on how surprisingly delicious it tasted after hearing the ingredients. Try them for yourself! 

Be well.

Estrogen Dominance, Balancing Hormones Naturally (for women)

I attended a free health lecture at Sprout's last month on Balancing Hormones. These are my notes.

In our industrialized nation, 90% of everything we consume to eat/drink (everything that is non-organic has estrogen in it) and to put on our bodies – lotions, shampoos, detergents, clothing, etc has either petroleum or a byproduct of petroleum in it (if it lists parabens, it has estrogen in it). Estrogen is found in petroleum. 

We are dealing with an estrogen dominated society. This is not good. This means that from every direction we are getting estrogen but LOSING progesterone unless it’s being replaced by a pregnancy, a menstrual cycle, or progesterone in its natural form. For women, the receptor sites are located in our breasts and in our uterus. The estrogen is being absorbed by these sites hence reasons in infertility and breast cancer among many other health issues.

Estrogen dominance leads to diabetes, osteoporosis, and breast cancer. It was said that by the age of 50 we will start to lose bone mass. However, this age is decreasing due to the estrogen dominance in our society. The age is about 35!!

The #1 way to tell if women are estrogen dominated is fat around breasts and waist that does not go away even with exercise.

Hormones rule over our endocrine system. Progesterone is an important hormone and we need it for our entire life.

Progesterone the hormone found in women is responsible for making cells for hair, nails, and bones.

The best way to get the progesterone is through a trans-dermal (topical) cream that is applied to the fatty tissue on our bodies – for women, it’s our inner thighs, our arms near our pits, and stomach. 

Progesterone cream from Wild Yam plant is touted as the best.

Progesterone is wonderful for combating dry skin and wrinkles. Are you experiencing migraines? What about incontinence? What about libido and motivation? Terrible sleep?  Can’t lose some problem area weight? Having fertility issues? Etc. 

It’s the balance of hormones, i.e., progesterone, in our body that keeps us healthy. 

Be well.

Antioxidants and Free Radicals and their roles

Information found herein is an online collaboration from several sources. All fully cited and credit attributed to the source from which it was gathered.   


Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Examples of antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins C and E, and other substances. Many of these antioxidant substances come from fruits and vegetables (Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention: Fact Sheet, National Cancer Institute dot com).

The brain is especially vulnerable to damage from free radicals (Robert Lee Hotz, LA Times, Autism Today dot com).

Glutathione - levels of this protective antioxidant were abnormally low in many autistic children (Robert Lee Hotz, LA Times, "Research yields autism clues", Apr 2005).

Many autistic children share a chronic flaw in the body's natural defenses against oxygen free radicals - corrosive molecules in the body that can severely damage developing brain cells (Robert Lee Hotz, LA Times, "Study Links Free Radicals to the Spectrum of Autism", Apr 2005).

Antioxidants act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and disease (The Biggest Loser dot com (Australia), "What are antioxidants?").

Antioxidants, present in many foods, are molecules that prevent free radicals from harming healthy tissue (http://www.weight-loss-diet-tips-4-life.com/free-radicals.html).

You can also get free radicals from external environmental factors, such as cigarette smoke, radiation, ultraviolet light, certain drugs, exercise, pesticides and industrial solvents (E How dot com, Health, Nick Ng, "What are free radicals?", April 2011).

Free radical accumulation in your body causes many diseases including heart disease, cancer and arthritis, as well as premature aging  (E How dot com, Health, Nick Ng, "What are free radicals?", April 2011). 

It is already known that children with autism are likely to have more oxidative stress, or difficulty in managing free radicals, than children who do not have autism. It is also known that children with autism have unusual blood circulation  (Healing Thresholds, Correlation with Oxidative Stress, Arch Neurol., by Yao, Y., Walsh WJ, McGinnis WR, and Pratico D., published in 2006, summarized Oct 21, 2006).

Oxidative stress, defined as a disturbance in the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and antioxidant defenses (Pub Med dot gov, "What is oxidative stress?", Betteridge, DJ, Feb 2000).

One of the alternative medications currently used to fight autism is the coQ10, also known as the Coenzyme Q10. The CoQ10 protects the brain from free radicals (The Free Library dot com, CoQIO and Its Role in the Fight Against Autism", May 2009). 
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Quick, healthy and delicious meal

One of my favorite quick meals of all time is veggie stuffed pitas. 


I pick up pita bread from Baba's Mediterranean Foods at the local Farmer's Market and their Artichoke and Feta hummus along with their 3 layer feta, sun dried tomato and pesto appetizer. Buy any 3 for $10. The pitas are large and come 5-in a pack. They're also made fresh the morning of the Farmer's Market and last about 5-7 days in the fridge.


I made a heirloom tomato, english cucumber and onion mixed with the juice of one lemon and Herbes de Provence (straight from France). 

I let the veggies soak up the juices while I spread some EVOO on the pita bread and add it the oven at 350 degrees for about 7 minutes. Once it comes out I let it cool for about 3 minutes and I spread the hummus over in a light layer

 followed by the 3 layer pesto spread 

and top with the veggies. 

Fold it and eat. Buon Appetito. 

Delaney's Scavenger Hunt Meal

It's been over a month since the Scavenger Hunt at Delaney's in Old Town Temecula. 


Last Wednesday, I met up with the gal who won the basket valued at over $100!! and she roasted the chicken according to the recipe and cooked quinoa on the stove top. With the grain we chose to eat it warm. I brought over some treats that I picked up from Delaney's to support another local mom, Vlada Vladic with Cooking and Kids, who has her items for sale in the refrigerated section. I brought with me the "World's Healthiest Cookie" made with raw honey, flax and walnuts - no SUGAR added! 


We were hungry and the aromas from the kitchen were enticing. We prepared the plates for ourselves and our children. Everything was delicious. We got so wrapped up in eating that we forgot to pause and take a picture of the food before it was dug into! However, I still captured a picture of the last few pieces of chicken and the rest of the quinoa. Hopefully you'll still get a general idea of how yummy it was. Do check out the recipes above and make this for you and your family! (Very easy recipe.) BTW it was a whole chicken (and organic). It weighed about 3.5 lbs. 

Organic product great for curly hair

I want to share my experience with a wonderful product, Original Sprout, it truly works miracles in my son's hair. 


We learned and first tried the Miracle Detangler about two years ago and have been loyal customers ever since! We have increased our product usage to the Leave in Conditioner, the Hair & Body Wash, and the Deep Conditioner. 


I shampoo and condition my son's hair about 2-3x a week during his bath time at night. I comb and apply the Leave In Conditioner to help decrease the amount of tangles the next morning.


Here are some pictures of his bed head:

Our morning regimen requires a wide toothed comb, a spray bottle with water, miracle detangler and the leave in conditioner. I wet his hair completely with the water then add the miracle detangler. This allows me to get the comb through without hurting his head. After combing out the "rats", what we can tangles, I then add the leave in conditioner and then shape his hair back into his natural curls. It's a process that takes about 3 minutes. Once his hair is done it stays looking nice all day. 


Here are the after shots:

The product encourages his hair to "lay down" - or, soft and flatter than his TWA (teeny weeny afro). He's got one big curl in the front of his head ... that takes me back to his "superman" days. When he was born, he had a nice head of straight hair but with one big curl in the front. =)


I think you ought to try the product if you have curly hair, hard to manage hair, or ethnically mixed hair. 


Here's to "worry free" hair products (what's in and not in the products) and most importantly, safe and effective. BTW it smells great!


Be well. 

Delaney's Raffles off a CSA valued at $2K

Wow! Did you read the title correctly? I'll give you a second. Go back and read it again. Triple read to make sure you captured the value at $2,000!! Wow!!! 


Jordan Stone, the owner and founder of Delaney's located in Old Town Temecula, sold raffle tickets for $5 each through this past week. The drawing was held Saturday, June 4th at 5:00 p.m. One lucky person would be the winner of a 3-month basket/ CSA membership receiving grass-fed meat and organic vegetable produce among other items.  


In case you don't know, CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. From the Local Harvest site it is defined as: "a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season."


The winner of this fantastic raffle was Kelly Green. Although I don't know her personally, I wish her well and as a matter of fact, she will be well with the freshest produce and beef around.  


You may visit the link (CSA membership) above or here are the details on the basket:

YOUR WEEKLY BASKET WILL INCLUDE:

• 1 Fresh Whole Chicken, 2.5-3.5lb.

• 1 Dozen Eggs, (Seasonal, we will substitute with extra meat, off season)

• 2.0 lbs - 3.0 lbs Beef, (farm choice) different cuts each week. - Please do not request specific cuts, each basket you will contain various cuts.

• 1 Gallon Organic Raw Cow's Milk

• 1 lb Raw Organic Cheddar Cow's Cheese

• 1 Organic or Artisan condiment

• 1 organic fresh herb

• 1 organic bag of fruit

• 1 organic bag vegetables

• 1 organic bag root vegetables

• 1 loaf artisan handmade bread

• 1 bulb organic garlic

• 2 organic onions

• herb packs  (thyme, rosemary, sage)

• Baskets are available for pick-up at the store, Pick-Up Price: $155