RAW FOOD NEWS

Sunday, August 31, 2008

POMEGRANATES - A HEALTHY FRUIT

Pomegranates are considered a fruit, somewhere between a lemon and a grapefruit. The fruit of the pomegranate is actually a berry and can be used in many forms from juicing to making extracts.

Pomegranates are loaded with Vitamin C and B and have antioxidant qualities as well as antiviral and antibacterial effects on dental plaque. It contains an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor which aids in lowering systolic blood pressure and has been found to reduce heart disease risk factors such as your LDL level.

As usual, I am trying to find different things to put in a smoothie and, due to its bitter taste, it would be better to add with other fruits such as banana, pineapple and strawberry. It is another way to easily include healthy fruit in your diet, just add it to your favorite smoothie.

Friday, August 29, 2008

GREAT AMERICAN SEAFOOD COOK-OFF - CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE TO WIN A TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS

As I have mentioned before, I am not a 100% raw foodist and it is interesting to mention that most of the sushi varieties include seafood of some kind so if you are into rawism, sushi and seafood make a nice choice.

For those of you who like your seafood cooked, Louisiana hosts the Great American Seafood Cook-Off once a year in New Orleans. This particular cook off requires the use of domestic, sustainable seafood, available locally which assures freshness and local fresh seafood always tastes better to me. It is also a good thing for your local fishermen when you buy locally.

For the year 2008, one of the five favorite recipes chosen was created by Chef Brian Landry of Louisiana. The name of this recipe is Shrimp and Andouille Cassoulet. The reason I chose this recipe as my favorite is because I love shrimp. I like to have shrimp cooked many different ways and this looked like a new and what looks like delicious way for me to try my favorite seafood item. If when reading a recipe and looking at a picture of the prepared food your mouth waters, you know it is going to be good. It also looks relatively easy to prepare which is another good reason why I think it is the best.

I don’t know what Andouille sausage tastes like as I have never had it and since the recipe suggests a substitute, I would probably use either smoked sausage or bacon. I really like the taste of bacon and shrimp together. If you have ever had bacon-wrapped shrimp on the grill, you know what I am talking about.

Visit the "cook off" web site at www.GreatAmericanSeafoodCookOff.com where you can find this recipe as well as several others. There are five top choices and you can vote for your favorite and enter to win a trip to New Orleans prize package. There is no purchase required, no obligation, just click on your favorite recipe and enter to win, it is that simple.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

RAW FOOD RESTAURANT IN ST. AUGUSTINE FLORIDA

I just had the most incredible meal at a raw food restaurant in St. Augustine, Florida. The name of this restaurant is "The Present Moment Cafe". They boast "fresh organic living food made with love and gratitude".

The ambience is great, there are pillows in the booths and you are immediately provided with a carafe of water that contains lemon and cucumber slices, delicious and healthy, a natural way to flavor your water.

The menu mentions that there is no meat or fish, no dairy products and no processed foods used and nothing is cooked. A haven for raw foodists.

Even if you are not into rawism, you may find this food surprisingly good and filling. There are so many things to choose from including dessert. I ordered the "tacos for life" and nearly licked my plate clean. My mother said she had not seen me eat with such enjoyment in a very long time. I can date that back to when I started taking something for diabetes, my appetite has changed completely. I have started adding fruits and vegetables to my diet, drinking smoothies and green smoothies and have actually started losing my taste for certain foods, bad foods, things I should not eat anyway.

By the way, their corn and cabbage slaw is nothing to sneeze at, I got some of that to go. Mom received it with her veggie burger and it was hard not to keep eating from her plate. The veggie burger was a little iffy, we were not sure we liked that as well but everything else we got was great including the salad and some sprouted flax corn tortilla chips. Those were so good, we bought some of those to bring home too.

They have a little market next door where they sell many things on the raw food list including books, the aforementioned chips, agave nectar and so on. Please visit their website and, if you ever find yourself in St. Augustine, visit their restaurant and store, it is well worth the effort.

Friday, August 22, 2008

VITALICIOUS 100-CALORIE MUFFINS AND BROWNIES

Vitalicious.com has recently joined with PepperjamNetwork...sign up today! to offer delicious 100-calorie muffins and brownies. Vitalicious was featured on Good Morning America for their 100-calorie Vitabrownie and was listed as one of the 125 best packaged foods for women in Women’s Health Magazine.

They offer a variety of products including Vitatops, Vitamuffins, Vitamixes, sugar-free and carb-free choices and their website lists many recipes. They have gift boxes and samplers, heart-healthy muffins and cakes. There are many flavors to choose from but my favorite is anything with chocolate and they have lots of that but being diabetic I think I will stick with the sugar-free variety, must check to see if it comes in chocolate.

Many people love muffin tops and they sell bakeware to make your own muffin tops using their Vitamixes muffin mix.

New VitaTop flavor

They are offering free shipping over $175 and click here for your Vitalicious Coupon- Get 5% Off. Try these yummy-looking muffins that are healthy and delicious.

TIP FOR TESTING SUGAR IN SO-CALLED DIET PRODUCTS

Did you know that you can use your test strips to see if your "diet" or "sugar-free" products are really what they say they are?

Very important, take a small portion of the product in your mouth, mix it with your saliva, then spit some of it on the test strip. You must mix it with your saliva in order for it to work properly as the salivary enzymes will release the glucose.

Personally, I can't see myself doing this in a restaurant or when attending a meal at someone's house but it is a good way to check things out prior to eating out and such.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

CHOCOLATE HEMP MILK


If you read my Wolfdog Den Blog, you will see a post where I came home today to find that two of my wolfdogs had drank my chocolate hemp milk. This type of milk is not cheap and has a great flavor that I like to sip slowly, savoring it whereas I think they just kind of punctured the container and drank it down without even tasting it. I know it was "partly" my fault as my mother gently reminded me as she was laughing uncontrollably, because I left it within reach.

I am seriously considering "feeding raw" all of my animals, following a completely raw food diet for them. I guess they were getting a head start on the healthy life by drinking some hemp milk; if it is good for us, it must be good for them.

I will be covering the raw food diet for dogs here on my blog and let you know how it goes. I have been doing a lot of research on this and want my dogs to be healthy too. Favorite this blog and check back often for updates.

FLORIDA FLOOD WATER SAFETY ALERT

Florida is currently experiencing Tropical Storm Fay. With Fay have come very high rates of rainfall, record-breaking in many cases. Flood waters are dangerous and the news channels are trying to get the word out there.

Do not drive in flood water, it has the ability to carry off a large SUV and place you and your passengers in the path of imminent danger. The slogan reads "Turn Around, Don't Drown".

If you have children, do not allow them to play in flood water, they can get bitten by snakes, bugs and some have seen alligators in the streets of Florida where flooding has occurred. There is a report where three kids had to be rescued when, playing in flood water, they were washed away. Luckily those kids were all pulled to safety.

In addition, there are numerous bacterial factors to consider. This water is very dirty water, do not let your kids play in it.

If you have need to walk through flood water, if you have kids who have played in flood water, make sure you wash any area of your body that has touched flood water with a lot of soap and water.

In some areas, there is a fear of electric shock. As you know, water and electricity do not mix, please be careful. There are some areas where power is being shut down due to this risk.

In addition, there are boil water alerts in areas where the water treatment plants were shut down due to lack of power either by the storm or utility workers.

Keep your radio or TV on and tuned in to the news channels for more information.

Stay safe.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

ALZHEIMER'S MEMORY WALK - SIGN UP TO BE A TEAM CAPTAIN TODAY

This coming Fall, there will be over 600 communities joining in a 2 to 3 mile walk for Alzheimer’s. If you have Alzheimer’s in your family history or know someone with Alzheimer’s, you can help with research by joining up for a walk today. Go one step better and organize your own team of walkers, sign up to be a team captain, get people motivated.



Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that attacks the brain cells whereby the person eventually forgets how to do things they have been doing for years, they forget family members, can no longer perform even menial tasks and typically need nursing home care with close monitoring.

Alzheimer's disease is a fatal disease. Act now and help stop memory loss that is associated with Alzheimer’s disease and sign up for the Alzheimer's Memory Walk to walk or captain a team today.

Sponsored by Alzheimer's Walk

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE HAS DOUBLE MASTECTOMY

Again, not really related to smoothies and raw food but it is so important that you get your annual mammograms and do your monthly self-breast examinations especially if you have a family history of breast cancer.

Christina Applegate, the 36-year-old actress recently underwent a double mastectomy. There is a family history of breast cancer in her mother. Luckily, an MRI found the cancer early and she has a very good prognosis. In the coming months, she will be undergoing staged breast reconstruction surgery. I am sure you are with me when we wish her all the best and salute her bravery to go ahead with a double mastectomy which increases her chances of remaining cancer-free.

On September 5, Miss Applegate will be appearing in an hour-long special where a new song will be performed by multiple artists including Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, LeAnne Rimes, and Melissa Etheridge just to name a few.

The name of the song is "Just Stand Up" and will debut on I-Tunes and the radio on September 2. This is a TV event to fund cancer research.

Miss Applegate currently stars in the very popular sitcom "Samatha Who" and was first seen appearing in long-running sitcom, Married With Children" where she played the role of Kelly Bundy.

We wish you well Miss Applegate and hope that women the world over take a leaf out of your book and get checked on a regular basis. You may save a life....your own.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

COCONUT OIL

I remember years ago, seeing coconut oil on many food product labels. But, because of industry decision to remove all saturated fats, especially those originating in the tropics, coconut oil was removed as a result of that even though there is a very small amount of saturated fat in coconut oil. Thinking back, it would seem that "America" started to put on weight soon after this decision was made and continue to do so. In addition, heart disease was on the rise and not just occurring in the elderly, it was being diagnosed in people of much younger ages. Of course, many industry leaders would not be happy with that statement but, I feel it is important to let you know about the health benefits of coconut oil.

Coconut oil has a long shelf-life and even after a prolonged period of time, does not become rancid which leads to the belief that it has antioxidant qualities that keep it from going bad. In addition, it is known to help with high cholesterol levels and heart disease, stimulates the thyroid which can lead to weight loss. Studies have shown that if you use coconut oil rather than saturated oil you are less likely to develop cancer. And lastly, coconut oil has an antiviral effect which makes it a natural antiseptic.

There are many ways to add coconut oil to your diet. Add it to a smoothie, make your own salad dressing and use it as the base and, if you are not a raw foodist, you can substitute it in your favorite recipes.

Coconut oil can be found online or at your local health food store.

JELLY BELLY - SUGAR-FREE

Shop JellyBelly.com Did you know that you can get Jelly Belly® Sugar Free Candies - Buy Online! They have a very large assortment of candies both with sugar and without. They don't just make jelly beans, they have gummy treats, confections, chocolates and gourmet assortments.

Having diabetes is limiting sometimes, especially when you crave something sweet. Again, there are controversial issues over the sweetener (Splenda) used in the sugar-free Jelly Belly candies so this is a personal choice.

Right now, they are offering free shipping for orders $50.00 and over, plus 10% off for orders $75.00 and over. Order some sugar-free chocolate coated raisins or peanuts. Visit their website for prices.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

WHAT IS THAT TAPE OLYMPIAN KERRI WALSH IS WEARING?

I realize this is not related to smoothies and raw food but I thought it worth mentioning as several people have asked this question and, it is health related.

The tape that Kerri Walsh is wearing is kinesiology tape. I note today that her partner Misty May-Treanor is also wearing some. This tape is commonly used for muscle pain or myalgia. When lifting heavy objects or walking a long way, muscles can become inflamed. When that happens, compression of the space between muscle and skin occurs. This results in constriction of normal lymphatic fluid flow. This communicates “pain” to the brain and causes this muscular pain.

Kinesiology tape is used commonly following surgical procedures such as rotator cuff repair, knee replacement, hip replacement, anything that requires the surgeon to cut through muscle layer.

Regular athletic taping and kinesiology taping are different. Elastic tapes are used with at least 150 to 160% elasticity for kinesiology taping.

What happens is, the tape lifts the skin from the muscle and allows better passage of lymphatic fluid, eventually easing the pain that the person is experiencing.

If you experience frequent muscular pain, if you perform regulars tasks that require heavy lifting or anything that puts your muscles to the test or had recent surgery, kinesiology tape may be the way to go. I think I am going to try it for muscular pain I get in my neck due to herniated disks. My situation is severe muscle spasms. I want to see if it works and will write a followup once I start the process and log results. I also read that it helps with muscle cramps. I get calf muscle cramps when walking or standing for any length of time. I am going to try it on my calves to see if it helps.

Monday, August 11, 2008

AGAVE - LOW GLYCEMIC SUGAR SUBSTITUTE


Being diabetic, I try to find ways to sweeten certain foods to make it palatable. I have found Agave to be a great substitute for sugar and honey. It is sold in three different forms; light, amber and raw. The raw is only heated up to 113 degrees so for those of you on a strict raw food diet, you can add Agave to your diet without going off your diet plan. In addition, it is organic, vegan and kosher so it should fit right into your lifestyle.

Agave comes in plant form and blossoms at the end of its life cycle and the blossom is the part they use to make Agave.

It is easy to use, you can add it to your smoothies, cereal, fruit and beverages such as tea.

I get mine at the health food store, have not noticed it at any of the local supermarkets.

Try some today, it is a much safer alternative substitute sweetener.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

MY FAVORITE FOOD

I was asked “what is your favorite food”? That is a difficult question. Food is my favorite food which has played havoc with my weight over the years. But to narrow it down to just one food, I would have to say Japanese food with chocolate mousse (I found a new sugar-free recipe) coming in a close second.

I love Japanese food because of the diversity of it. It does not have to be a fattening food if you make good choices. Some of the vegetable sushi is delicious. If you choose to visit a Japanese steak house and enjoy having your food cooked for you and all the while being entertained, Japanese food can be a lot of fun. So it looks like they are cooking with a lot of oil and margarine, save it for a treat for yourself or a special occasion without feeling guilty.

CINAMMON AS A HEALTH BENEFIT


Cinammon has many health benefits, the most important to me is the ability to regulate blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics.

In one lab study, the team said it found that cinnamon contains polyphenols, or antioxidants, that boost proteins that are important in activating insulin, transporting glucose and responding to inflammation, Web site WebMD reported.

Cinammon can be added to your diet in many different ways. You can make your own cinammon tea by breaking up a cinammon stick in a cup of boiling water, let it steep for several minutes and you have a delicious, healthy tea. It also tastes really good. Try making your own ground cinammon using cinammon sticks, then sprinkle some on your toast or put some in your coffee. You can even make cinammon toothpicks by using cinammon oil and a jar with a lid, perhaps a mason jar. Don't over-soak the toothpicks because they will get very hot and possibly burn your mouth, 24 hours is considered ample time to soak. You can also suck on a cinammon toothpick to sweeten your breath.

Other health benefits include a study showing that 1/2 teaspoon of cinammon per day has the ability to lower the LDL cholesterol level, it also has an anti-clotting effect. It is also good for the control of yeast infections and is considered a natural preservative and sniffing a little cinammon can increase your memory.

The more and more I read about cinammon, I wonder why I have not added this to my diet a long time ago. It even has the ability to curb arthritis pain when you use cinammon powder combined with honey. Just combine 1/2 teaspoon of cinammon powder with one tablespoon of honey and you are good to go.

There are many health benefits of cinammon so do yourself a favor and add it to your diet today, it is very easy to use and most of us already have it available in our pantry.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

CHOCOLATE IS REALLY OKAY


Chocolate is really okay for you to eat but portion control is important and reading labels is a must. Dark chocolate has more cacao and more cacao means less sugar and other additives. One square after your evening meal is a nice treat and that is exactly how you should think of it, a treat. Don't think of chocolate as a meal or gobble down a couple of candy bars in lieu of a balanced lunch. You only need 30 calories to satisfy your craving and that is a legal amount if you are trying to keep the weight off. Enjoy your little piece of chocolate guilt-free.

FAT-BURNING FOOD

My brother's doctor advised my brother to eat a lot of fish. Fish is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids and reduces the essential fatty acid, Leptin. Leptin is known to cause slower metabolism that leads to obesity.

Pectin can be found in all fruits but more so in apples and berries. It is felt to lessen the amount of fat your body absorbs. It is easy to add berries and apples to your diet, just throw them in a salad or blend them in with your smoothie.

Eating a lot of beans can provide you with fiber and protein. Protein lessens your hunger by balancing your blood sugar. We all know what fiber does for us. Beans also contain iron. I am not a 100% raw foodist by any means so cooked beans are okay for me. Soybeans are especially good because you don't get hungry again an hour later, they help to maintain stable digestion.

Garlic has always been considered a good thing to add to your diet. So you have garlic breath, but at least you are moderating your insulin levels and increasing your metabolism which can aid in fat-burning.

Other items that increase your metabolism are spicy foods, ginger, green tea and start cooking your food using olive oil. Carbohydrates are important but be sure to choose whole grains.

Oh, my mother keeps telling me that if I have hunger pangs, to drink a big glass of water.

If you will notice, a lot of these items are listed in the Mediterranean Diet. If you follow that, you may be on your way to a healthier you.

As always, check with your physician before starting any new diet or exercise program.

BEAT THE HEAT WITH COOL FRUITS AND VEGGIES


I live in Florida and right now it is very hot and humid. A great way to "beat the heat" is to eat lots of cooled fruit and chilled veggies. Many fruits are high in water content and whether you eat them chilled and cut up or drink them in a smoothie, you are getting the nutritional value, the diuretic value and a nice cool feeling when it enters your body. I don't know about you but, sometimes just looking at a nice dish of fruit makes me feel a little cooler.

Chill your veggies. There are numerous raw veggies loaded with nutrition and, when chilled, can help you feel more hydrated and cooler.

A good choice of fruit and veggies are oranges and other citrus fruits, kiwi, strawberries, melons such as watermelon and honeydew, nice cool peaches and apples. Veggie choices include chilled celery sticks, tomatoes, carrots, radishes, and cucumbers along with some leafy greens such as kale, spinach and arugula. Sounds like a great salad doesn't it. If you want a cool drink, use these ingredients to make a delicious smoothie, throw in some ice cubes or cold water and cool off. Visit your favorite produce market today and "beat the heat" in a healthy way.

MAKE YOUR OWN HEMP MILK


Mom e-mailed this information to me. Check below for some additional recipes. This is very good information about hemp.

HEMP MILK

Hemp milk contains 33 percent protein and Canadian studies point to hemp protein as being the highest quality found in any plant. Hemp also offers well-balanced essential fatty acids that our bodies require and don’t make themselves. The key for making quick and easy hemp milk is to buy shelled hemp seeds. I called four local natural food stores and all carried shelled hemp seeds, so it is easy to go this route. Otherwise you have to take extra measures to strain out the shells. Check the dates on your seeds to make sure that you buy the freshest seeds possible. Store in a dark place. Sunlight will destroy the oils’ benefits and make the seeds rancid.

¼ cup shelled hemp seeds
1 cup warm water
Flavoring (vanilla, honey, etc.)

Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Enjoy!

SYNDROME X

I have been a medical transcriptionist for 30 years and have never heard of Syndrome X. It is also known as Insulin Resistant Syndrome as well as Metabolic Syndrome. As I stated in my "about me" section, I suffered a massive heart attack at the age of 47. In addition, I have recently, in the past six months, been started on type 2 diabetes treatment. I also fight constantly to keep my good cholesterol level within an acceptable range and keep my triglycerides down. I am also taking several medications for hypertension (high blood pressure).

I had followup recently with my cardiologist and I mentioned to him that I have occasional spasms under my left breast. He told me that I am a perfect candidate for Syndrome X. He said the chest pain I am feeling is as a result of small-vessel disease in relation to my diabetic condition.

Since being diagnosed with this syndrome, I have been researching it and have found a lot of answers to why I feel so tired all of the time, why I had tremendous weight gain over the last 3 to 4 years, especially in the mid-section and why I sometimes feel like I am "sick and tired of being sick and tired".

With all of the research that I have done, I have found that leading a stressful life is detrimental to your health, especially if you want to develop metabolic problems in the future. If you already have these issues, removing stress from your life is essential.

If any of the above applies to you in addition to needing a lot of caffeine and sugar to keep going, you could have a metabolic situation. This type of thing creeps up on you and is often missed in diagnosis. As a patient, you have a voice, use it. If you feel any of the symptoms I described above, as your doctor about it, it can't hurt and it certainly may prove to save your life.

If you would like more information about Syndrome X, Total Health Breakthroughs is a great place to get started. As I continue to research this syndrome, I will be adding some links for your convenience.

DEFINITION OF RAW FOOD

As I stated in an earlier post, not everyone is aware exactly what raw food consists of. Raw foodism or Rawism is uncooked and, more often than not, organic food. There are also varying degrees of rawism, depending on each person's lifestyle.

You can achieve a raw food diet in many ways. You can eat a lot of raw fruit and vegetables, salads are a great way to maintain a healthy raw food diet. Nuts, whole grains and seeds also play a large part in this type of diet. My mom has started sprouting many types of sprouts, wheatgrass and barley grass and has a very informative and educational blog which describes methods of sprouting and also a variety of ways to use your wheatgrass, barley grass and sprouts.

There are many naysayers regarding raw food diets, some say that it leads to various health issues but, to me, the benefits far outweigh the risks. For me, it means weight loss and more nutritional value by far than when you cook your food. Cooking has been known to take a lot of the nutrients out of your food.

As with any diet, check with your physician before embarking on this new adventure in raw foods. Go online and see if you can find a local raw food cafe or restaurant, you will be glad you did.

RAW FOOD IS NOT JUST RAW SEAFOOD UNLESS YOU LIKE SUSHI


When I mention the Raw Food Diet, the first response is not a good one. People think you are going to the local fish market and chow down on the displays of various fish products, shellfish, and sea urchins. This is not the case. Many raw foodists state that anything that does not reach a maximum temperature of 118 degrees is considered legal on the raw food diet. Many of them use a dehydrator to make their snacks. The dehydrator does not go above 118 degrees so this is a completely appropriate way to get healthy snack.

I happen to like sushi but only certain types. I am not going to come right out and eat a piece of tuna or salmon that has not been cooked which is considered to be sashimi so I tend to settle for the rice and seaweed-wrapped veggie type of sushi.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

HEART HEALTHY DIET AS INSTRUCTED BY MY BROTHER'S CARDIOLOGIST

As you know, I had a heart attack a little over a year ago. I was only 47 at the time. Last May, my brother came very close to having a heart attack with two blocked arteries, he now has a stent in one of them. His cardiologist made some recommendations that I want to share with you.

He gave my brother some papers on the Mediterranean Diet. He also recommended that my brother eat 2 to 3 servings of fish per week, fish high in Omega 3. He also suggested that my brother take 2 tablespoons of Canola Oil every day.

I have found several products that I use on a regular basis that contain Canola Oil. A lot of mayonnaise products are being made with Canola Oil and Olive Oil which is good for you too.

Please read the section I have on my right sidebar regarding this diet and recommendations made to my brother. Keep your heart healthy because it is not always something that happens to other people, it really can happen to you.

Monday, August 4, 2008

GROW YOUR OWN WHEATGRASS BLOG


There is a great new blog out there called "Grow Your Own Wheatgrass". It is a very interesting blog about growing things, from sprouting to barley grass and wheatgrass. I am a little biased, it is my mom's blog. She is new at the blogging thing and could use some encouragement. Please stop by and leave a comment or something. I appreciate it.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

ACAI BERRY


Acai berries are considered an "energizer" and is listed as the #1 Super Food. Acai berry can be found in juices, yogurts, and sorbets. They are loaded with antioxidants which is the first line of defense for the body.

Freshly harvested, they have a short shelf life and are quickly frozen using a specialized freeze-dried method and also made into powder to be used in a variety of things. They have the appearance of a grape but with less pulp.

Acai berries are great in a smoothie, just toss some in like you would any other fruit that you like in your smoothies. This is a great way to get those much needed antioxidants in your system.

HEMP SEED MILK RECIPES


HEMP SEED MILK: (watch the video) CLICK YOUR BROWSERS BACK BUTTON TO COME BACK TO THIS PAGE

1 cup of hemp seeds
1 litre of mineral/filtered water

Soak the hemp seeds overnight. Drain and rinse. Place in a blender and gradually add the water while blending on maximum speed. Pour mixture through a fine sieve (or squeeze through some muslin/cheesecloth for a smoother milk) into a jug or suitable container and enjoy.

For a creamier milk, use more hemp seeds or less water. Also try blending in 1 or 2 large bananas with the finished milk to thicken and sweeten it.

To make a delicious and uplifting chocolate milk, just add 1/3rd of a cup of Cacao pieces to soak with the hemp seeds and proceed as above.

Try this for a tasty treat

1/3rd cup of cacao pieces
1 cup of hemp seeds
1 tablespoon maple syrup/honey
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 litre of mineral/filtered water

Make the chocolate milk as above - by adding the cacao pieces in to soak with the hemp seeds.

Pour one pint into a small saucepan and warm very gently. Add the maple syrup/honey and cinnamon and stir well. Remove the pan from the heat while the milk is warm (but not hot) and enjoy.

NOTE: Hemp seed milk will separate and taste unpleasant if it is heated too much.


RAW CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIE:

4 heaped tsp raw chocolate powder
1 tblsp virgin coconut butter/hemp oil
1/2 tsp maca
3 bananas
1/2 avocado
hemp seed milk

Chop the banana and avocado into pieces, place in a blender with other ingredients and slowly pour in the desired amount of hemp seed milk while blending.

For a delicious basic chocolate smoothy just blend the cacao powder, banana and avocado with the hemp seed milk.

SUPER GREEN SMOOTHIE:

1 level tsp spirulina
1/2 tsp maca
3 bananas
1/2 avocado
hemp seed milk

Chop the banana and avocado into pieces, place in a blender with other ingredients and slowly pour in the desired amount of hemp seed milk while blending.

For a delicious basic green smoothy just blend the spirulina, banana and avocado with the hemp seed milk.

SESAME SMOOTHIE:

75g sesame seeds
3 bananas
1 tblsp coconut butter/hemp oil
1/2 tsp maca
1 heaped tsp cacao powder
1 - 2 tsp maple syrup/honey
hemp seed milk

Soak the sesame seeds in (filtered) water for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Drain and rinse, then blend the seeds on high speed with just enough hemp milk to keep them moving. When the seeds are blended to a paste add a little more hemp milk and the other ingredients and blend thoroughly, adding more hemp seed milk to achieve the desired consistency.

For a delicious basic sesame smoothie just blend the sesame seeds with the hemp milk, banana and coconut butter/hemp oil.

BEST CHOCOLATE MILK MAY NOT COME FROM COW

This is an article taken from http://wesh.com/ where a panel tested various chocolate milk varieties. Silk chocolate milk received a rating of 95 out of 100 and Promised Land got a whopping 100. Please keep in mind that many of the varieties tested were high in sugar and if you are diabetic like myself, you will need to take that into consideration when choosing chocolate milk.

Best Chocolate Milk May Not Come From Cow
Soy Milk Surprises Testers
J. Scott Wilson, Staff writer

One of the scariest moments in my parenting life came when I asked my 3-year-old what he wanted to drink with his dinner, and he replied, "Chocolate milk!"Who had told him about the stuff? Was there a Nestle pusher hiding in the bushes outside? Had that danged rabbit hopped in through an unguarded window? Was there a brown cow nearby?

I still haven't found the guilty party, but I suspect it's one of his day care pals, maybe the one who also turned him on to the concept of monsters under the bed.

In any case, chocolate milk has not yet been added to the drink menu at our house. However, after tasting the new breed of chocolate milks made with low- or non-fat milk, I just might have to consider it as an occasional treat. There's some good stuff out there and, of course, a few that dropped the ball.
This comparison covers ready-to-drink chocolate milk, as there's really a dearth of competition in the powdered stir-in category. It's pretty much either Nesquik or Ovaltine there. All the brands tested, unless otherwise specified, are made with non- or low-fat milk. Pay attention to the calorie counts and you might be surprised -- although the sugar counts, included here, might make you feel a bit woozy.
My usual five-person tasting panel ranked each milk, awarding a total of 20 points for mouth feel and flavor, for a possible perfect score of 100. Nutritional information is provided for each one.

PET Chocolate Milk: 210 calories, 8 grams fat, 35 mg cholesterol, 230 mg sodium, 27 grams carbs, 25 grams sugar.

This whole-milk drink was one of the cheaper ones on the shelf, but it sure didn't taste that way. It had a rich, velvety mouth feel and good flavor. The chocolate could have been a touch richer to stand up to the extra milkfat, but overall our control scored it a lofty 94.

Yoohoo Chocolate Drink: 130 calories, 1 gram fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 170 mg sodium, 29 grams carbs, 20 grams sugar.

And here we have the opposite end of the spectrum. While Yoohoo isn't technically chocolate milk, it does contain nonfat milk and is sold in the refrigerated case next to the milk. Once you open the container, though, all similarity vanishes. The mouth feel was exceedingly watery, and the chocolate flavor was faint and muddled.

One tester quoted Peanuts, pronouncing it, "Water with a brown crayon dipped in it." Final score: 56.

Nesquik Milkshake: 180 calories, 5 grams fat, 20 mg cholesterol, 180 mg sodium, 26 grams carbs, 24 grams sugar.

This is one of two Nesquik entries, and the name was rather misleading. You'd think a "milkshake" would be richer than regular chocolate milk. That wasn't true. The chocolate flavor was weak, and the mouth feel was average but not as rich as the standard Nesquik flavor. Final score: 78.

Nesquik: 200 calories, 5 grams fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 150 mg sodium, 32 grams carbs, 30 grams sugar.

This one has the same fat as its Milkshake cousin and a bit more sugar, and it goes to good use. The sweetness is well-balanced and the mouth feel is fairly rich. The chocolate flavor is fairly strong, but not terribly complex, like a low-priced milk chocolate bar. Final score: 82.

Organic Valley 1% Milkfat: 160 calories, 2.5 grams fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 290 mg sodium, 27 grams carbs, 25 grams sugar.

The chocolate flavor here was good, but the mouth feel was a bit watery. The sodium content in this entry was pretty high, and that could explain the chocolaty impact, as salty will often make sweet stand out. Final score: 88.

Silk Soymilk Chocolate: 140 calories, 3.5 grams fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 100 mg sodium, 23 grams carbs, 19 grams sugar.

No one on the planet was more surprised to find this as our clear winner. I've tried soymilk before, and while it wasn't actively repugnant it certainly wasn't my drink of choice. The Silk, however, has a rich, smooth mouth feel and an undeniably stout chocolate flavor. The testers agreed, awarding the Silk our top score of 95.

The Ultimate Chocolate Milk?

There is, however, just one more chocolate milk that you need to know about. This is not your everyday drink. It's far from the cheapest one on the grocer's shelf, and it's definitely not low-impact in the fat or the calories department.

But it's quite simply the best chocolate milk available in a grocery store, in the panel's opinion.

Promised Land: 240 calories, 10 grams fat, 35 mg cholesterol, 230 mg sodium, 33 grams carbs, 31 grams sugar.

I defy you to take a gulp of this milk. It is so rich, so thick that you have to sip it. The chocolate flavor will linger on your tongue long after the glass is empty. Eight ounces of this a week will satisfy you as much as a serving of any of the others every day. Final score: 100.

While the low-fat versions may not satisfy the way the Promised Land does, there is still some good sipping to be had. You might even find yourself with soymilk in your refrigerator on a permanent basis.

MOM'S STRAWBERRY AND BANANA GREEN SMOOTHIE

1 or 2 bananas (frozen is good)
1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
Add 1 or 2 handfuls of kale or spinach
2 cups of water

Blend in your favorite blender (I use Blendtec Blender)

Note: If this is your first try at making a green smoothie start with a small amount of greens and then add more greens to taste.

Optional:
1. Try blending a few carob or cacao nibs for you chocolate lovers.
2. You can add other fruits of choice.
3. Try adding organic shelled hemp seeds for a little protein.
4. Also try adding wheat grass juice for extra nutrient value.

MOM'S TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE WITH CHOCOLATE

MOM'S TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE WITH CHOCOLATE

1 cup young coconut juice with pulp
1 cup frozen or fresh mango juice with pulp
1/2 cup fresh or frozen pineapple
1 banana
1 small handful of organic goji berries
1 small handful of grain-sweetened chocolate chips (a little goes a long way)
1/2 juice of one lime or to taste
2 large handfuls of kale
1 cup water

Blend well and enjoy

Note: Chocolate chips can be added to taste

GOJI BERRY SMOOTHIE RECIPE

GOJI BERRY SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS
1 cup orange juice (may use rice milk)
5 ice cubes
1 cup dried goji berry
2 ripe bananas

DIRECTIONS
Combine ingredients in blender and serve.