Why I don't eat meat....

5 Horrifying Food Additives You've Probably Eaten Today

What would you say about this?

http://www.cracked.com/article_15982_5-horrifying-food-additives-youve-probably-eaten-today.html

Stressed?!? Read it in reverse :)

Just a quick dessert or breakfast....

You need a banana, 4 table spoons of cacao, 2 table spoons of agave, coconut flour and an avocado.
Everything goes in the blender and voila!
How cool is that?

I hope we’ll be a lot more eco friendly in 2019 with the help of new technology developments...

Raw vegan pizza

Everybody loves Italian food. I am not an exception. But I always seek alternative and healthy ways to make pasta and pizza, as well as tiramisu. So I have lots of good recipes and will post them later on. For the pizza it is good to have a dehydrator. I am very happy with my new one, you can use it for so many ideas.

The base is made of buckwheat sprouts, ground seeds (linseed, sesame and sunflower seeds), oregano, and thyme. All this mixture goes in the dehydrator for 6 hours.

For the topping layer, you can put whatever you like. I always improvise and make it different every time.

This time I put homemade tomato pure, ground nuts, ground sesame, dry tomatos, pepper, garlic, onions, olives and mushrooms. Some more oregano on top always goes well with it!

Give it a try!

One way to prevent winter colds

What do you do to prevent winter colds?
I have a suggestion for you... why don't you try make a fresh ginger tea or add ginger in your juice...
The health benefits of ginger are endless. They have properties rich in anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer; providing natural remedy for numerous disorders.
Keep as healthy as you can by taking good care of yourself.
There are sleep, well-being and nutritional considerations to take into account when trying to prevent the onset of a cold or flu.
Keep well hydrated and avoid smoking. Drinking tea is one of the oldest home remedies for treating colds.

How to develop healthy eating habits

Good health is just a matter of new approach of eating and making simple changes

You will need:

·       cooking facilities

·       shopping list

·       healthy foods

·       breakfast

·       healthy snacks

·       water

Optional:

·       books

·       internet access

step 1

- Cook and prepare your own meals as often as you can. This will help you avoid the processed and fast foods which are high on sodium and fat

step 2

- Plan healthy meals and prepare shopping lists. Fill your cart with lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains

step 3

- Read nutrition labels and pay attention to saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. the higher the numbers, the unhealthier they are

step 4

-  Eat breakfast every day (break the fast). Breakfast helps to rev up your metabolism; make it a habit to eat something healthy (fruit) within the first hour of waking up

step 5

- Try to eat small meals every 2 or 3 hours

step 6

- Drink plenty of water every day. Water hydrates the body and aids your digestive system (and it's calorie free)

step 7

- Feel the difference in your body: more energy and stamina, as well as sharper thinking

In Defense of Food

An Eater's Manifesto

Food. There’s plenty of it around, and we all love to eat it. So why should anyone need to defend it?

Because most of what we’re consuming today is not food, and how we’re consuming it — in the car, in front of the TV, and increasingly alone — is not really eating. Instead of food, we’re consuming “edible foodlike substances” — no longer the products of nature but of food science. Many of them come packaged with health claims that should be our first clue they are anything but healthy. In the so-called Western diet, food has been replaced by nutrients, and common sense by confusion. The result is what Michael Pollan calls the American paradox: The more we worry about nutrition, the less healthy we seem to become.

But if real food — the sort of food our great grandmothers would recognize as food — stands in need of defense, from whom does it need defending? From the food industry on one side and nutritional science on the other. Both stand to gain much from widespread confusion about what to eat, a question that for most of human history people have been able to answer without expert help. Yet the professionalization of eating has failed to make Americans healthier. Thirty years of official nutritional advice has only made us sicker and fatter while ruining countless numbers of meals.
Pollan proposes a new (and very old) answer to the question of what we should eat that comes down to seven simple but liberating words: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. By urging us to once again eat food, he challenges the prevailing nutrient-by-nutrient approach — what he calls nutritionism — and proposes an alternative way of eating that is informed by the traditions and ecology of real, well-grown, unprocessed food. Our personal health, he argues, cannot be divorced from the health of the food chains of which we are part.
In Defense of Food shows us how, despite the daunting dietary landscape Americans confront in the modern supermarket, we can escape the Western diet and, by doing so, most of the chronic diseases that diet causes. We can relearn which foods are healthy, develop simple ways to moderate our appetites, and return eating to its proper context — out of the car and back to the table. Michael Pollan’s bracing and eloquent manifesto shows us how we can start making thoughtful food choices that will enrich our lives, enlarge our sense of what it means to be healthy, and bring pleasure back to eating.
Pollan’s last book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, launched a national conversation about the American way of eating; now In Defense of Food shows us how to change it, one meal at a time.

Afternoon sweets

No doubt everybody will try this recipe at home because it is one of the easiest!  You just need a few things to make them.

What you need is:

-      200 grams of raw, soaked nuts

-      300 grams of dry dates and apricots

-      2 tablespoons of cacao

-      A pinch of cinnamon and ginger

Everything goes in the blender.

Then you shape the mixture into small balls and roll them up in coconut flour!

 

The story of bottled water

There is no need to talk about the ingredients in the cosmetics - the movie says it all…

Ice cream

Summer is almost gone… but let’s enjoy the last warm days with a ball of ice cream.

This post is for ice cream lovers but the ones who at least sometimes search for alternative, healthy ways.

You can find this recipe in every blog of healthy living so mine will not be an exception. J

There are many variations to make fruity ice cream depending on the fruits you like.

You can make it with:

·       banana only

·       banana and strawberry

·       banana and blueberry

·       banana and cranberry

·       blueberry only

·       strawberry only

·       mango

The variations are so many really, just use fruits that are not so watery like watermelon, apple etc. Choose your favourite ones, better yet – seasonal ones.

Making ice cream turns to be the easiest thing because you just freeze the fruit for few hours and blend it.

Don’t forget to peel the bananas before you freeze them!

It will take 5-10 minutes in the blender depends on how powerful is your blender.

Optional: You can add 1-2 table spoons of honey/agave and/or 1 coffee cup with soya milk, raisins etc.

That’s it!

Voila!

Cow’s milk

Did you know that …

- Lactose intolerance proves cow’s milk not for humans

- Calves stop drinking cow’s milk between the ages of six to eight months

 - Humans are the only species that drink the milk of another animal

- Over half the world’s population is lactose intolerant

-Тhe biggest problem with cow’s milk is that the protein in the cow’s milk damages the human immune system.

- Fruit and vegetables are the best source of calcium.

”Major childhood health concerns related to drinking cow’s milk are the higher risk of developing allergies, iron deficiency anemia, lowered intelligence, milk sensitivities, early atherosclerosis, juvenile diabetes, acne, rheumatoid arthritis, dental decay and infectious diseases.”

After a child is weaned, there is no reason to drink any milk.

We shouldn't drink any liquid with our meals because this dilutes our digestive fluids.

It is best to drink spring water, fruit and veg fresh juices in between the meals.

Another new movie is coming soon just to prove what Hippocrates said ages ago “Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food”

"Forks over knives"

Have you seen the movie Food Inc. yet?

If not, I would recommend you to do it.

You will never look at dinner the same way.

Dishwasher detergent

I already have a post in my blog about the ingredients in toothpaste;

It is time to talk about the contents of commercial dishwasher detergents.

I know it will be a bit too much for most but this is the truth, like it or not, the commercial dishwasher detergents are more harmful than helpful.

Probably I sound crazy and I give in to extremes, but I want to share with you what I know and what I think.

So let’s see what they contain -  Phosphates, Chlorine and petroleum-based ingredients.

“Phosphate residues on dish surface may cause nausea, diarrhea and skin irritations.
Chlorine bleach is added to detergents for its disinfecting properties. As it is highly corrosive, it causes many health troubles like respiratory and skin irritations and stomach disorders. When combined with other cleaners, it produces toxic fumes, which are proved carcinogens and pollutes the environment.
Petroleum based ingredients poses problems in two ways – for health and environment. They contain toxins that create unnecessary health problems. Also, while production of these petroleum products, environment gets polluted.
The residues formed on detergent-cleaned dishes may be too negligible. But each time when we use a dish, these toxins get absorbed into our system. This is more so when hot foods are taken in them. Over a period of time, these toxins accumulate in our bodies causing a variety of serious ailments like cancer, infertility and birth defects.”

http://www.dishwasherdetergentphosphate.com/dishwasher-detergents-are-they-harmful/

Chocolate, my favourite temptation

I lost a lot of weight last two years and people ask me why and how.

I was the same weight when I was 16 years old . And not because I am under stress or I am on a strict diet, exactly the opposite.

I am happier than ever with my new job, personal and social life, and healthy living.

I guess that is the secret. Eating not only healthy but being happy and having an active lifestyle is also important. Actually I eat a lot.

So here is my recipe for my homemade chocolate. I make a lot of sweet, sensational desserts at home. I have a few versions of healthy chocolate but the other recipes I will post later.

So what you have to do is to buy:

Coconut oil or cacao oil (They have it in every organic food shop.)

Agave syrup or honey

Cacao powder

Optional: You can add a pinch of cinnamon and ginger.

 Only these 3 things are needed for the homemade chocolate!

It will be a bit difficult to give you the proportions, just because your taste may vary. Do you prefer it bitter or sweeter?

But let’s say for every cup of coconut or cacao oil you need at least one cup of cacao powder and 2/3 cup of any kind of sweetener you use.

So melt the oil over a hot water bath and add the cacao and agave while stirring.

Taste it to see if you need more cacao or honey.

You can put the mixture in an ice cube tray to have chocolate candy or in a flat tray to have it as a bar.

Give it an hour and it will be ready to eat.

Bon apetite!

Risotto, my way…

I am not going to explain this recipe in detail because it is too easy to make.

Just to give you an idea to make risotto not only with rice but with rye, quinoa, brown basmati rice etc.

Then add the raw vegetables and the ingredients after the risotto is done. Eating raw is healthier than any kind of cooking.

As “my people” say: Sharing is caring J

Fresh gazpacho soup

The easiest, the quickest and one of the healthiest soups ever J

I have made it a lot this summer.

What you need for one portion:

3-4 tomatoes

1 carrot

3 table spoons of sesame seeds

3 table spoons of grinded nuts

Parsley

Grate the tomatoes, then grate the carrot.

Add the grinded sesame seeds and the nuts. And finally add the parsley.

Of course you can add half of avocado too and other ingredients of your choice.

Voila J

Cashewchino J

I already posted in my blog for coffee addicts healthy version of coffee with soya milk.

Now I will tell my newest passion - cashewchino.

Again like everything I do, it is very easy and very delicious J

What you need:

A cup of coffee (a regular one or a healthy version (rye, barley etc))

30 grams of raw cashew nuts

1 coffee spoon of ginger powder

1 coffee spoon of cinnamon

5 dates

Put in the blender cashew nuts and the dates.

Then add them in the hot coffee and then put the ginger and the cinnamon.

Try it, it is your afternoon coffee with your dessert at the same time J

Things you put in your mouth at least twice a day

Do you read what the ingredients of a toothpaste are?

I bet you don’t but even if you read them just like me, you probably don’t know what most of them mean.

So when I read about what we put in our mouth to have “healthier and better” smile I was rather shocked. So I started to search for alternatives – natural toothpaste which will really help my smile J

Here are the ingredients of the commercial brands:

"Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) - SLS is used to create the foaming action you may expect when brushing your teeth. You'll find it in other cosmetic products (e.g., shampoo, body washes, etc) as well. SLS is a problem because it can damage your cells. It can leave you with canker sores and other skin problems.

Sodium laureth sulfate - This ingredient is known to be an irritant.

Fluoride - This ingredient may be linked to cancer. Some scientists think that it can actually be damaging to your teeth over time.

Petroleum dyes such as FD & C Blue No. 1 - This artificial dye may cause allergic reactions and possibly tumors

Common toothpaste ingredients also include artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives.

The purpose of toothpaste is to clean your teeth and help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Not sure if the commercial brands would do that."

Raw, vegan birthday cake

Hello everybody,

It has been a while since I posted anything on my blog but the summer has been too tempting to stay in front of the computer. The fall is here so I am back on track with new recipes and new ideas for healthy living which I have experimented with during the summer.

I know this recipe from a friend of mine - Desi, who brought it from India.

Thank you Desi J

It is so easy to make and so much more delicious from the cakes you buy from the shops.

Since I tried it I have always made it for special occasions and for me…

Everybody asks every time for the recipe J

I make a big one for birthdays or other occasions and I use half of the portions to have it for me at home.

So here is what you need:

For the base:

300 gr nuts (it could be any kind single or mixed – almonds, walnuts, cashews etc.)

400 gr dry fruits (it is better to use dry apricot and dates, or only dates)

2-3 tea spoons of cinnamon

A bit of rum or cognac, if you want to

For the cream:

2 soft avocados

½ tea cup of Cacao

½ tea cup of honey or agave

And 2 bananas to put between the two layers and different fruits to put on the top for decoration:

Put the nuts in the blender and mix them well.

Soak the dry fruits for half an hour and cut them in small pieces or …again in the blender

Then mix the dry fruits and the nuts and knead them as if it were dough. You can add a little rum or cognac if you want to.

Now you have a mixture like dough and you can split it in 2 for the two bases you need.

Put the first base in the cake tray and push it well to cover the bottom well.

Cut the bananas in circles and cover the first base. Then put the second layer of the “dough” on top and do the same as with the first layer of the cake.

It is time for the cream.

Mash the two soft avocados very well, I do it with a fork or put it in the blender.

Then add the cacao and the honey or agave.

How much honey or agave you will put it really depends on your taste.

Some people prefer it more like a dark chocolate – so you put more cacao and taste; some people prefer it more like a “milk chocolate’’ so you put less cacao and more agave.

At the end, decorate with season fruits….raspberries, strawberries, bananas….

Enjoy! You will impress everyone with this recipe and no one will ever believe how healthy it is. J