Social Workout

Elixirs

Five Ways to Manage Holiday Sugar Cravings

The holidays tempt us to let down our guard. It's a challenge to say no to homemade goodies. But those darling things can seriously throw you off balance. The sweets hit some harder than others. Be honest with yourself. Can you handle the gingerbread, or is it a trigger food that you should aviod at all costs?

Food is powerful. Know your body and take care of it. For me, it's important to be mindful of my portions and the quality or type of sugar I intake. I try to stay away from the killer combo of refined flour and sugar. I've learned I can get more pleasure without the side effects (bloating, zapped energy, headache, dehydration, weight gain, digestive issues, increased cycles of sugary carb/quick fix cravings, moodiness, dull eyes, and dry skin!) from healthier sugars such as stevia, raw honey, and grade B maple syrup.

Here's some tips that will do anyone some good, regardless of your sweet tooth status....

Elixirs

My New Breville and Your First Green Juice

I finally bought my own juicer. I've been putting it off as I wanted to get the absolute best juicer that costs the most money so that everything in my world would be perfect!

Well...that just meant that I never got the juicer. For years now. And, also, that I kept $10 juices made for me on someone else's juicer. As wonderful as it is to have great juice options around town, there's something deeply nourishing about making your own. Also, it's practical: You save money in the long run; your veggies don't go bad since you can just throw them in the juicer; and, for some reason, it just tastes better. If you've been putting it off like me, just go for it! I got the Breville and am totally happy with it.

Elixirs

Blended Tea Nirvana

Blending teas is the new black. My go-to tea hybrid is a mix of green tea and fresh mint leaves,  and/or a peppermint tea bag. This melange produces an invigorating, tummy-soothing lift. The Chinese have been drinking green tea for 4,000 years, and for just as long they have extolled its effectiveness as a remedy for various health problems. (There are claims that green tea will stabilize your cholesterol levels, help with weight loss, and generally remove nasty toxins from your body.) Meanwhile, peppermint soothes the digestive tract, alleviates nausea, and it smells and tastes great. So, that's the strategy, but what are the tactics?

Elixirs

Warm, Simple, Sweet Squash!

Today, it's not about elixirs, it's about squash. Beautiful, colorful squash are everywhere just now, and they pair nicely with just about anything. Like, say, steamed kale and a serving of goat cheese. 

Elixirs

Superfood Hot Chocolate Time!

Yes, this one is spectacular in taste and in feel. You may be buzzed after this drink, ready to focus on your next book, or to take over the world. And your taste buds will be cheering for more. You will be warmed from the inside out and maybe feel a little fuzzy, in a good way. It's getting cold outside and it's time to bring warming elixirs into the mix. This is one of my faves!

Elixirs

Get Your Green Fix With Curried Kale Salad

If I go more than one day without a decent load of greens I can feel it. A day is okay. But after that, especially for us city slickers who don't have enough green around us, it's time to load up. My number one way is guzzling a green juice, which you can get anywhere in the city these days or easily make yourself with one of my green juice recipes. Another great way, especially when you're in the mood to chew, is to make a hearty beautiful salad loaded with greens and other colorful veggies.

You can replace the kale in this recipe with your other favorite greens, but kale is super hearty and particularly good for you in the colder seasons. I've given the option for cooked or raw for those of you who prefer one over the other. I love them both!

Elixirs

Chia Seed Vanilla Energy Smoothie

It's getting cold! But that doesn't mean you have to stop your morning smoothie or mid-day health snack rituals. No matter what time of year it is, I must blend. I'm a dedicated elixir/smoothie maker and have actually found great peace throwing my favorite items into a blender and whirling them into a healing potion. Sometimes when it's cold, I'll use warm teas as a base. In addition to wanting something warm, when it gets a little colder, your body may be a little hungrier. Today's Chia Seed Vanilla Energy Smoothie is one of my cold-weather favorites because the protein-packed chia seeds make it totally satiating. 

Elixirs

Lemon Grapefruit Thirst Quencher

I woke up this morning totally parched. And since I just moved into a new place less than a week ago, I've yet to hook up all my gadgets, including my water filter. I'm not big on drinking straight from the tap so instead grabbed 2 grapefruits, one lemon and a big fresh aloe leaf. I'm just finishing my last sip now actually, and I have to say, I'm feeling way more awake and hydrated. This combo of ingredients just happened by chance one day when it was all I had and as I've mentioned in many of these recipes, the more you play the stronger your intuition will become about what is best to combine for your body. All the details on the recipe and the marvelous benefits of grapefruit, lemon, and aloe after the jump.

Elixirs

A love Letter to Dairy from a Sometimes Vegan Girl

I've been in an on-again-off-again relationship with dairy since 1992. The big break up first happened in high school. There was a kindred soul boyfriend in the picture then, and together we worried about the planet and our affect on it. We read Diet for a New America by John Robbins, and from there Vegan Nutrition: Pure and Simple by Michael Klaper, M.D. We were not into factory farming — who is? — and soon we dumped dairy, and delved deeply into nuts and seeds.

It's been an awesome journey. I've grown, morphed, and pulsed through various diets and lifestyles, and I'm still learning everyday. Success, I feel, is when I listen to my body's fluctuations and respond accordingly — putting dogma and philosophy aside and consuming high quality foods that are produced with integrity.

Re-enter milk....

Elixirs

Buzz Your Way to Health & Energy

Has the buzz on bee pollen and raw honey got you wondering if you too should be trying these sweet, energizing goodies? Or maybe adding them to just about everything like I do? The benefits of bee pollen and raw honey date way back. I've even heard from various sources that bee pollen is a 'perfect food' and contains all the nutrients you need to live. This may not work for all of us, yet it's made up of 40% protein and has a high concentration of the B vitamin complex, making it a powerful food. It's also great for the immune system with vitamins C, D, E, beta-carotene, magnesium, selenium, and lecithin all at play.