There are plenty of reasons to add cranberries to your diet, but most people only think about cranberries around the holidays. I plead guilty on this count, too, since I’m writing this at the end of October, just as fresh organic cranberries are making themselves available for the taking. Make a pact with yourself this year. Don’t forget them after the holidays. Stock up on fresh organic cranberries now, freeze them in glass mason jars, and enjoy them year round because cranberries are the gift that keeps on giving.
Pomegranate Treasure Chest
In the Greek myth of Persephone, the pomegranate is called the fruit of the underworld. This legend tells the story that Persephone was bound to hell because she ate a pomegranate seed(s) from Hades. I don’t know about you, but a pomegranate might just be worth it…to me they’re glamorous and sensuous. Cutting into a pomegranate is like opening a treasure chest…inside you find brilliantly sparkling, sweet-tart flavored ruby-like seeds.
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Spicy Sunrise Smoothie – Carrot Anyone?
I was making my smoothie today and saw carrots in my refrigerator. I thought, why not? It was a delicious and wonderful variation to my smoothie routine . I know…you’re thinking, “Kristen Suzanne, your smoothie routine is anything but routine.” I’m calling it Spicy Sunrise Smoothie (staying true to my spicy life, you can omit the heat if you can’t handle it, but you’re missing out on those lovely endorphins).
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Sweating Tongue, Nori Rolls & Exercise
I woke up today wanting more fun with hot peppers. After nibbling on a habanero pepper while driving to the gym, I swear my tongue was sweating. Holy s–t! It was so hot and literally felt as if my tongue was perspiring…seriously. Here is what I’ve learned about foods giving off natural heat…the trick is to embrace the heat. Once you accept that your tongue is burning and on fire, it’s not so bad. I mean, afterall, we’re talking about habanero peppers. Once the lovely endorphins kick in, it’s a walk in the park.
Later in the day I made nori rolls for my boyfriend (not a fan of nori, myself – too “fishy” tasting), while I feasted on various fantastic smoothie concoctions (bananas, apples, celery, jalapeno peppers, sprouts, fresh mint, spinach and raw chocolate – not all in one smoothie. I made a couple using the aforementioned ingredients). I finished the day with a huge salad (the produce section was truly lacking at Wild Oats and Whole Foods today – wtf?). Oh well, my salad consisted of spinach, pea sprouts, carrots and celery topped with delicious Raw Italian Dressing. It doesn’t really matter how simple a salad is when you have a fabulous dressing to go with it. I wanted to slurp up the leftover dressing that glazed the bamboo bowl. So good. And, the more simple a meal, the more properly the food combined. See? The glass is half-full in my mind when the store is lacking produce variety.
Exercise
I was definitely jazzed once I arrived at the gym…after all, my tongue had a head start in the perspiration department and I was eager for my body to follow (nothing like the reward of a good sweat – and since I’m Raw, my sweat smells lovely if I do say so myself. Uh-oh, is this TMI?). Anyway, the endorphins kicked in and I was all too happy to be at the gym; quite giddy actually. I started doing a little dance between weight lifting sets (making anyone laugh who happened to watch, I’m sure). I was pulling out all of the old moves (the sprinkler, running man, cheese grater and a few I made up). I don’t think anyone regarded me as too crazy. I was sure to laugh while dancing and I had a Reebok step near me so I could hop on between moves. They probably thought it was some fantastic new routine.
Weights
Back and biceps (overhead wide-grip pull down, close grip row, overhead rope row, barbell curls, hammer curls). I finished up my weight routine by doing 15 minutes on the eliptical while watching Larry King. (Is the eliptical machine really supposed to be exercise? I have to laugh…I think it’s pretty hard to get a “hard” workout on one of those. It’s adequate for a moderate level of exercise I suppose, which is better than nothing.)
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Yin Yang Smoothie, Exercise & Food
Today was another super day in my life even though I awoke quite late again. How can I help it? Saturday night started with a party (yep, I had wine). Then, I came home and stayed up watching the Firefly TV Series on DVD followed by the movie, Serenity until 5am – they are both fantastic, clever, and addicting (clearly…since I stayed up all night watching them).
Yin Yang Smoothie
1 – 2 cups water
3 frozen bananas
3 tablespoons organic raw chocolate powder
3/4 – 1 red jalapeno pepper
Blend all of the ingredients until thick and creamy. Enjoy.
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Green Smoothie Au Chocolat
I’m a Raw chocolate fan. Period. I was thinking of new smoothie recipes and figured…why not add chocolate to my green smoothie? It is delicious. But, it’s not pretty. I’m trying to come up with a romantic name for it (I think making it French with “au chocolat” should do the trick). It does look like mud (although this is the kind of thing that would be fun to drink around other people). I’m sure I’ll get questions and stares (something with which I can definitely have fun).
Here is the recipe for those looking to add more chocolate to their lives.
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups spinach, packed
3 medium bananas
2 tablespoons raw chocolate powder
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Blend and enjoy as you take in all of those antioxidants.
I’m sure you know what I’ll be adding to my chocolate smoothie tomorrow…habanero pepper. I love spicy chocolate recipes (there’s a great recipe in my dessert ebook called, Sexed Up Spicy Chocolate Mousse). If you’re interested in my favorite brand of organic raw chocolate powder, check out my website here.