Mellow Yellow

As I'm sitting here, writing this post and drinking my ice cold water, my legs are burning...scratch that, throbbing and I am dreading the inevitable.  There can be no doubt that one of the kids will be asking for some form of assistance in the very near future, thus forcing me to endure the excruciating pain of getting up.  The cause of my discomfort stems from working my legs too hard at the gym.  I am now simultaneously suffering and reveling in this agony.  If this is what it takes to firm up that derriere---burn on. 

While I suffer through this discomfort, the one food I find myself craving is a banana.  This mellow yellow, sweet and dense, fruit is a fabulous present for all.  I mean, it comes wrapped up from mother earth.

Bananas are one of the greatest fruit based sources of potassium and vitamin B6.  Vitamin C and manganese are also found in bananas which provide antioxidant protection against free-radical damage to cellular structures.

Why should you care about potassium?

•  Potassium helps your muscles and nerves function properly
•  Helps lower your risk of high blood pressure
•  Maintains the proper electrolyte and acid-base balance in your body  
•  Helps maintain calcium levels

Sweet fact about potassium...Potassium is an electrolyte, which means that it has a magical ability to produce electricity when dissolved in H2O.  Since the body is mostly aqua and many physiological functions are ignited by this energy, potassium fulfills many crucial roles.  The marriage of potassium and sodium is extremely important for maintaining cellular health.  Since I have the sodium part covered in my diet, bananas help me keep my balance. 

Now onto B6...

Why should you care?

• Supports nervous system health
• Promotes proper breakdown of sugars and starches
• Helps prevent homocysteine build-up in your blood
• Alleviates symptoms of irritability and sleeplessness

Nifty fact: if you feel fatigue a lot (who doesn't), suffer from anemia, or have skin problems like eczema and dermatitis, then B6 can help. 

Health benefits of bananas

• Heart Health- bananas are high in fiber and along with their mega dose of potassium content, bananas can actually help lower high cholesterol and help protect and reduce the signs of heart disease
• Stomach Health- excellent food for those suffering with ulcers.  They lower gastric juice level while building a protective coating on the stomach.
• Depression- they contain tryptophan, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which helps your mood and turns your frown upside down.
• Anemia- because they are high in iron
• Constipation and Diarrhea- high in fiber they help restore poop function
• Blood Pressure- since they are high in potassium and low in sodium, they are the perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure

Another fun fact, bananas help with hangovers....not that I have ever had one :)!  Just throw a few in a blender with some yogurt and honey to restore blood sugar levels to normal and you are ready for your next party!

Athletes, sports aficionados, and those on the run love the convenience, portability, and surge of energy brought out by bananas.  They are the gas for your bod.  Because they contain complex carbs and fiber, they supply fuel needed for muscle and central nervous systems activity. Bananas provide a boost coupled with a steady release of energy to help increase your endurance and concentration during sweat seshes, and helps reduce recovery periods as part of a high carb diet (sorry Atkins).  Since they are so high in potassium they help maintain fluid levels in the bod to prevent dreaded muscle cramps that might keep you out of band practice.

Most peeps know about some of the benefits of sweet bananas but have you had a plantain?  When The Husband and I lived in Miami, I had some of the best, most mouth watering plantains at one of our favorite restaurants,  Chispa!  They became one of my favorites, but I have since been too intimidated to cook them.  Shoot, maybe I need to run to the store and pick up some of these bad boys and test my own cooking skills.

Anyway, back on topic.  Now that I have educated you on the perks, you might also want to know the optimal time to knosh on this superfruit.  Bananas offer optimal performance when they are plump and evenly colored with few brown spots.  Try to consume after they lose their green and before they are covered in spots.  I will say that when bananas get a bit more brown and a little too mushy to eat, I find that it's the perfect time to freeze.  Frozen banizies are great in smoothies.  Just peel, chop them in large chunks, slide'em in a freezer safe bag and toss'em in the icebox.  You can also freeze whole, just let them defrost a minute before cutting the skin off with a knife (or -ife like my son E likes to say).  When your ready, take these frozen guys out and throw them in the blender with whatever goodness you adore.  They take the place of ice and add a creamy, mild, and delicious taste.   

Best ways of eating a banana...

Simple...peel and eat :)

Cut up into little triangle for little ones

Sliced into rounds on a piece of toast topped with peanut butter (you can always sprinkle a little of chia seeds for a extra boost of nutrients)

Treat: Frozen in a smoothie with almond milk and dark chocolate

Power Breakfast: Frozen in a smoothie with Amazing Grass Chocolate Amazing Meal, pitted cherries, kale, cacao nibs, and almond milk

So, if you are feeling muscle weakness, confusion, irritability,  fatigue, have heart problems, chronic diarrhea, or partake in regular, intense exercise- a banana is worth going apes for ;) 

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Shop at www.livinthegreenboutique.com 

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Peace.

My Rebirth

My heart is heavy.  A friend sent an email about a woman, Diane*, whom I met last year.  She just passed from breast cancer.  I hardly new her.  Met her a few times at Komen events and she was always smiling.  She had an amazing amount of positive energy radiating from her, the type of person you just wanted to chill with.  The news of her passing, or any person with cancer passing, puts a heavy weight on my heart.  I think about the struggles she had to endure, her kids' heartaches, and the hole her husband must feel.      

Diane and I hugging it out with Baby M before the Race.

I am a 15 month survivor.  At times, it still shocks me that I "got it".  Thankfully, I was a fortunate case; but don't think for one day that I don't question whether I will have a recurrence.  Cancer has wrapped it's deathly arms around me once, who knows if it will come back for seconds.  I know it is pointless to think like that and truthfully, I don't dwell.  I am too busy with my screaming kids, laundry, dirty casa, baby-doll Husband, and trying not to forget what day it is or what is happening in the week (writing things down would be waaaay to easy).  By the way, I am grateful that that is the extent of my worries at present. 

Trust me.

I try to be as healthy and fit as I can but really, I kinda was before cancer.  Hearing about Diane brings me back to why I started this blog to begin with.  I started it  as a rebirth, to try to change my life and my families so that we try to eliminate as many toxins as we can from our lifestyle.  It is something I can actively do and have control of--a way to protect myself.  It is not just trying to be "green" or super healthy, but it also a big F U to the many companies and corporations that feed, strive, and get rich off making us sick.  Who do they think they are? 

What causes cancer and why some people get it and others don't is a ginormous mystery.  I am not pretending to have it figured out but I know what doesn't help breast cancer:     

Parabens- used as preservatives in many, many cosmetic products

BPA- found in plastic and canned goods

Pesticides- sprayed on fruit and veggies

More in this ah-mazing video.  Watch it.

So along with this journey, finding cosmetic/beauty products was a biggie for me.  To people that know me, it is no surprise that I am a product whore.  Whore I say!  I can't get enough and I will spend every cent of my money to buy more products that make me happy.  I am on a continuous prowl for the best eco/green/natural beauty/skin/soul glowing products and I hoard with no shame.

In this quest, I have learned a great deal about organic, natural companies. 

1.  Many greenwash.  They say they are healthy but they trick you and use not so healthy ingredients.  For example, I bought a self-tanner from Sun not too long ago on the internet that said it was paraben free.  When I got it, I look on the back under ingredients and there are three different parabens listed.  Really!?!?  On the front of the bottle it said PARABEN FREE!

2.  Many are fabulous but have a hard time growing because it can be difficult to get the purist ingredients at mass quantities that keep within their shelf life (remember, we don't want nasty preservatives like parabens).  This makes it hard for a little company to supply at many boutiques, Whole Foods, etc.

3.  Many are useless.  Plain and simple.  They don't work.

4.  Many have started because of loved ones with cancer, diseases, or sickness.  Why does it take people or those close to us to get sick for us to examine our environment?  I don't know if I ever would have switched if I hadn't gotten cancer.    

So what it comes down to is who do I trust and how do I get the purist green product that works? 

I first heard about alex+von from another natural cosmetic company.  They sent an email about the benefits of working for this new and upcoming company, alex+von.  I was immediately intrigued.  It is funny because I was currently in discussion with The Husband about wanting to find a company or brand I can get behind and try to help grow and share.  It was kismet, clearly. 

Anyway I can feed my addiction with companies I believe in, I am game.  alex+von is my dealer and supplier (I write laughingly, Husband has complete opposite reaction).  It is a company that represents organic, natural, eco brands.  Consultants have the choice to represent one line or as many as they would like.  Ahhhhh freedom! It is perfect partnership for smaller companies as well and a great way for them to get their product info out.

Last week, I had the privilege of meeting the ladies behind alex+von.  They wanted me to come and test new makeup brands they were thinking of signing.  Oh my gawd was I excited.  Giddy to be exact.  My passion, eco makeup smooshed with meeting brilliant ground breaking ladies was galactic.  Meeting them just made me more ecstatic about this growing company that I am so stoked to be a part of.       

Now, I can't divulge in any secrets.  I am a master secret holder (not in the slightest) but I am professional.  Nuff said. 

What I can tell you is that they just signed with Original Moxie, a fierce, amazing natural company that specializes in hair products.  We will sell shampoo, conditioners, and styling products.  Being the product whore that I am, I ordered every sample I could when I heard about the possible partnership.  I wouldn't be exaggerating when I say that their products are like pixie dust to a fairy.  I am incredibly impressed thus far.  My whole family now uses it and it makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside knowing I have some styling products I feel good about putting in my mane and my boys hair. 

More to come with Original Moxie.  alex+von is still trying to work out a few things with them.  I will let you know when they are up and running on my website.

Right now my focus in on 100% Pure and Suki.  These companies couldn't be more different except that they both strive to be as natural and pure as possible. 

Inspired by her garden, product developer Susie Wang created 100% Pure Cosmetics to complement her healthy lifestyle. Made with pigments from fruits and vegetables along with natural food-grade ingredients, 100% Pure marries all-natural ingredients with high-end cosmetic formulas to create beauty products in a class of its own. 100% Pure develops highly concentrated formulas without the use of synthetic or toxic ingredients, water, thickeners, or other fillers. 100% Pure products are never tested on animals and it is the company's mission to help and save animals.

100% Pure cosmetics are the first and only company colored from antioxidant rich fruit and vegetable pigments.  While other color cosmetics are colored with either synthetic dyes or minerals, 100% Pure uses fruit and vegetable pigments.  All the antioxidants and vitamins are in the pigments so you will be applying the healthy nutrients of the fruits directly on your skin.

100% Pure makes products that compliments your everyday routine and helps maintain and enhance your skin.  Pure offers an amazingly huge variety of bath and body products in many tantalizing scents. 

On a side note, the newest reports on lead in major name brand lipsticks is no bueno.  Just another reason to be extra cautious of what we put on.  I love that 100% Pure has only fruit and vegetable pigmented makeup.  The colors are beautiful and the makeup is stunning.

Suki is the other dope line I love to sell.  According to Suki, "there clinically-proven natural solutions® is the first & only synthetic-free cosmetical solution that integrates advanced technology with clinically proven results. Each product is tested to work in unison with your skin, delivering a clear, youthful & healthy complexion. There "evolutionary skin care science™" philosophy grew from Suki's mission to develop a completely new way of formulating skin care - immersing high potency natural cosmeceuticals in synthetic-free bases. There product integrity is backed up by Suki's organic innovation lab™ & held to the highest standards in manufacturing, ingredients, packaging & shipping - all with a positive impact on the environment & quality of life in mind."

Because Suki uses the highest, purist ingredients possible the price point is higher.  All of the products are in beautiful glass containers.  Suki is a fabulous line that is proven to work. 

Everyone falls into two categories.  

Nourishing 

• for dry and/or mature skin
• uses hydrators, vitamins, and antioxidants
• to strengthen and protect skin's integrity

 Balancing

•  for oily and/or problematic skin (acne, rosacea, eczema)
• uses anti-inflammatory, bacteria-fighting and resurfacing
• agents to bring skin back to health

Another reason I love Suki is because of their involvement in Breast Cancer Action.  They are a safe cosmetic company that gives back to such an important cause.  Read more here.

My collection of 100% Pure and Suki have grown so much.  I love to share my passion and these fab products.  If you are interested in hanging out with some great peeps and learning more about 100% Pure and Suki at an open house -or- if you want to host an informal fun get together and reap some of the hosting benefits then email me livinthegreenblogg@aol.com and I can hook you up.  I have parties coming up that need your fabulousness.

As my gift to you, my dear readers, I would love to giveaway two of my favorite products.  The oh-so-famous-bestseller 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream and the Organic Chocolate Body Scrub. Divine! 

Who doesn't love a Coffee Mocha in the am?

Giveaway ends on March 8, 2012 at 12:01 am est.

I have Rafflecopter to help out.  Just log in with Facebook or email and it will guide you from there.

Simple.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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If you are on Facebook, please, please help get the word out and share this giveaway!

For more healthy living tips and recipes, please subscribe to my blog on the top right hand corner.

Shop at www.livinthegreenboutique.com 

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Peace.

 *Name was changed in respect for her family.

Step Aside Marijuana...There's a New Drug On the Block

You have had your spotlight.  We get it, you're not the big, dangerous, evil, monster herb that you have been portrayed as.    

Step aside so I can introduce the new bad boy on the block.  Easy to score, light on the benjamins, and totally legal.   No smoking, no snorting, no needles, no popping pills.  No joke.  I'm on it and yes, I do it in front of the kids.  I even do it with the kids.    

The brilliant FDA had declared walnuts a drug.  You read right, a DRUG.  Walnuts.

 

Just another reason to trust the FDA.  They are always looking out for our best interest.  That and Big Pharma.

Get ready for the war on walnuts.  Doesn't really sound as catchy.

The FDA in a warning letter to Diamond Foods, says that "Based on claims made on your firm's website, we have determined that your walnut products are promoted for conditions that cause them to be drugs because these products are intended for use in the prevention, mitigation, and treatment of diseases."

The nut company has been selling its products with packaging which states the omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer. 

Let me tell you more about this "drug".

Research from the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pa, compared the amount of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols in nine types of nuts.  They also tested just how effective the antioxidants in the nuts are in regard to heart health using fancy lab tests.  Walnuts were the big winners. 

These polyphenols that walnuts are loaded with, are believed to reduce heart disease risk by lowering levels of blood cholesterol, improving blood flow, and cooling the inflammation that has been linked to heart disease. 

Since they are very high in Omega-3s, they help power your thinker.  One serving provides 91% of your daily value for Omega-3 essential fatty acid.  Omegas are known to protect our heart, promote cognitive development, and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.  Plus, Omegas make sick watches.

More benefits of taking this drug:

They power your immune system. 

Lower cholesterol. 

Help you snooze.

Shrinks that gut. 

Just two handful of walnuts a day may keep breast cancer away (especially if you are a mouse).  If you have breast cancer, walnuts may help curb tumor growth based on recent studies. 

Researcher W. Elain Hardman, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry at Marshall University School of Medicine in Huntington, W. Va., credits the disease fighting Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and in particular, phytosterols in walnuts.

"Phytosterols bind to estrogen receptors, so they would be expected to slow growth of breast cancers."  Since many breast cancers are estrogen fueling this would help. 

Favorite ways to get my fix:

Breakfast- in my oatmeal with banana, in greek yogurt with agave syrup, banana walnut smoothie

Lunch- sprinkled on salad, any salad

Snack- my healing bars, plain, with apples, in trail mix

In a nut shell. This is one drug I'm not giving up. I'm a junkie.

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I Heart You

Here is a sneak peak of my Valentine's Day menu.  Because Tuesday night Valentine's Day with three boys is soooooo romantic, I am choosing to celebrate in a G-rated fashion.   

Breakfast- fast, easy, and healthy.  Yes, you can do pancakes and waffles but my kiddos will be getting enough sugar from the preschool Valentine's Day party, grandparents and yours truly.  

 Healthy snack.

 Lunch or dinner.

 Dessert or fun school snack.

 Love at first sight.

 Spidey helped keep things under control.

Matcha Woman

While I was gettin' my cleanse on, I discovered gold.  Liquid gold that is called matcha.  What is matcha you might ask?  Well, I will let you in on my secret.  It could potentially be my new coffee.  The upside – It’s matcha better.  The only drawback I have found thus far, is that it comes with a cost upfront (hence the liquid gold reference). 

I had read blurbs about this "matcha tea" in the past, but I never really got it (or cared to).  That was then. 

Here is what I discovered about Matcha

What is it?

It is finely milled powdered green tea traditionally reserved for the Japanese Tea Ceremony.  It’s the gold standard; luckily, you don’t need to wait for a special ceremony.  You can drink it anytime. 

The leaves are carefully steamed to prevent the nutrients from oxidation and keep the tea fresh and green.  Then, all the rough fibers (i.e. stems and veins) are removed to assure a fine powdery consistency and the sweet flavor typical for a great Matcha.  -according to DoMatcha

Why should you drink it?

Because I said so and...

It is 10xs more nutrient dense than regular green tea.  It is rich in antioxidants, fiber, nutrients, and chlorophyll.  Chlorophyll is the stuff that makes plants green; it’s liquid sunshine.  Chlorophyll strengthens the immune system, improves circulation, eases inflammation, and counteracts harmful free radicals.   

Matcha is packed with crazy good antioxidants.  Using the testing method known as ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), experts at Tufts University discovered that matcha possesses an amazing twenty times more antioxidants than pomegranates or blueberries. 

Matcha may: 

• raise you energy level for up to 4 hours-- a recent study found that matcha even improved physical endurance by 24%.  Hells ya.  I will be giving the kids a run for their money
• create a state of relaxed yet calm mental alertness---amazingness!  Monks relied on this for mediation.  It gave them the ability to remain calm yet alert. 
• boost metabolism by up to 40% in regular consumers and burn fat.
• contain up to 137 times more EGCG (the compound found uniquely in green teas which has shown to possess unbelievable anti-cancer, anti-aging, and overall health benefits) antioxidant than steeped green tea.
• help regulate healthy blood sugar levels.
• support healthy cholesterol levels within a normal range.
• act as a strong blood detoxifier and alkalizer--thanks chlorophyll.
• support healthy teeth and gums.

 How could they possibly charge around $35 for tea?

Matcha Source says, "The pricing of matcha in Japan is directly related to which leaves are used, where they were grown and which farmers cultivated it.  When you look to buy matcha, you'll find the most expensive ones are the greenest color, and softest in texture.  This denotes that only the youngest leaves were used and de-spined (all coarse fibers, i.e. the stems, removed).  Matcha is made in relatively limited quantities, and because it is so popular in Japan, relatively little remains for export."   

Please do not try to save money on matcha.  There is a reason for this price.  It is called quality.  You want a bright green powder.  A 2.8oz can has 33 half teaspoons in it.  That is about 33 cups of matcha. Now, I am no math genius but I am pretty sure that is a whole lot cheaper than coffee.  

Does it taste like earth, grass, worms and mud?

Honestly: kinda.  Not really the worms and mud but it definitely has a mild earthy taste.  Think a full bodied green tea.  There are ways to slightly sweeten it.  Truth be told, it wasn’t love at first taste.  But, me and match kinda built a relationship based on truth and respect and I won’t be letting this good thing go.

Is there caffeine?

Yes.  The caffeine content is similar to a cup of Jo.  But it’s not the jittery, jumpy, makes you want to die kind.  No crashes with matcha.  It contains smaller dosages of caffeine that release over time and can provide sustained energy for up to 6-8 hours.  Because it contains L-Theanine (an amino acid that works as a calming influence), you will be relaxed and still…like a quiet alert monk. 

A bit more about L-Theanine:  this bad boy is truly amazing. 

According to DoMatcha:

“The effects of L-Theanine are truly amazing.  It has the unique ability to stimulate the production of alpha waves in the brain.  A state otherwise mostly achieved by meditation and characterized by a calm alertness and relaxed mental clarity.  No wonder Zen monks appreciated a good cup of matcha before their hours-long meditation session. 

The relaxing effects of L-Theanine act antagonistically against the stimulatory effects of caffeine thus leading to an experience of calm alertness.”

What do you do with it?

Drink it of course. 

Matcha Tea

Put ½ to 1 teaspoon of matcha in a mug.  Put a little bit of warm water to make a paste.  Then add hot (not boiling water) to the mixture.  Stir or whisk.  Simple.

Apple Matcha Smoothie

2 apples, peeled and cored

1 cup of vanilla almond milk

1 teaspoon of matcha green powder

4 ice cubes

*option- a dash of agave syrup

**tomorrow I am going to add my Chocolate Amazing Grass Amazing Meal to my smoothie for a boost

Matcha Latte

This is my favorite way to start the morning.  It is amazing.  

Follow the recipe for Matcha Tea and then froth (with a hand mixer) 1/3 or ¼ cup of warm vanilla almond milk. 

Combine and enjoy!

Where do I find it?

Whole Foods, but I got a much better price on Amazon.  I like the DoMatcha (pronounced doe matcha).  I started with their second harvest but now that I know I love it I will probably get the first harvest next.  You can purchase right here: 

I highly recommend matcha.  Do yourself a favor.  Get it.

Just another way I am livin' the green :)

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