Fresh herbs are a flavor and antioxidant powerhorse. They provide an exciting spin to even the most mundane meal. Consume them live to benefit from their natural antioxidants.

Add them to any mixed veg salad. Toss them into a morning green smoothie. Throw them into a grain pilaf. You won’t believe what they do for the flavor.

Go easy on the sage as a leaf or two will go a long way.
Throw in stevia leaves for sweetness.
Add lemon balm instead of lemon juice.
Cilantro works well with quinoa and black bean dishes or in millet polenta.
Mint turns a green smoothie into ambrosia for the gods, or spikes up a Middle Eastern tabouli salad.
Rosemary perks up the blandest of roasted red-skin potatoes.
Tarragon adds an unexpected twist to any sauce.

Simply experiment with herbs to your heart’s content. I guarantee you’ll be delighted with the results.

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Although some health practitioners believe that “feeling worse before you feel better” is unavoidable when doing an internal body cleanse or detox, I am not a member of that camp. As a result of my personal and professional experience, I am convinced that an effective detox need not include even the temporary discomfort of extreme fatigue, brain fog, headache, skin rashes, or heavy limbs.

Doing a successful detox means that the body releases toxins – particularly yeast, mold, parasites, and bacteria - commonly known as “die-off.” Die-off is unpleasant, and most individuals find it difficult to function as they normally would in their daily life. Die-off can last anywhere from a few days to two weeks.

The Gentle Detox Program that I do with clients ensures, by its very structure, that an extreme die-off reaction does not occur. How?

First of all, we structure the detox program so that the individual eases gradually into a full detox rather than charging ahead.  A pre-detox of several weeks begins to cleanse the body and prepares it for the full detox. Secondly we make sure that the individual supports the body’s four channels of elimination – defecation, urination, perspiration and respiration. With this support, the body is encouraged to release toxins quickly and efficiently without any adverse reaction. When the full-detox is complete after 14-21 days, the individual transitions off the strict detox to a post-detox, which means mindful preparation for a cleaner everyday life. 

With the Gentle Detox Program structured in stages, including a pre-detox, a full detox, and a post-detox, the individual avoids a die-off reaction so they can go about normal activities without interruption, feeling an increased sense of well-being and energy.

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Italian confetti salad makes me think wistfully about summer trips to Italy, particularly to the Venice beach. I would bet that one of the skimpily-clad beach bronzers would enjoy this salad with a cool glass of San Pelligrino or local vino at an informal garden trattoria.

Italian Confetti Salad
(serves 4)

4 cups dark organic romaine lettuce leaves, torn
1 cup fresh basil leaves
½ cup radicchio, torn into small pieces
1 large local, organic vine-ripened tomato, sliced
½ cup rinsed and drained, canned organic chick peas
3 cauliflower florets, chopped fine
¼ cup mixed sunflower and pumpkin seeds

Salad dressing

1/4 cup organic hemp oil
1 tsp. lemon juice
Squirt of glycerine, agave nectar or honey

1. Whisk together dressing ingredients
2. Arrange romaine, basil and radicchio on individual plates
3. Place tomatoes and chickpeas on top of the leaves
4. Sprinkle chopped cauliflower and seeds on top.
5. Drizzle dressing over all.

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For Enzymes
Most of the enzymes we need to digest the food we eat are present in that food and are destroyed by temperatures of over 118 degrees. These enzymes occur naturally and are necessary for a fruit or vegetable to ripen. The ability to properly digest your food is critical for proper nutrition. When you eat raw plant foods which keep their enzymes intact, you give a rest to your pancreas, which is the workhorse that produces enzymes. By eating raw plant foods, you also allow the pancreas to produce enzymes for many other cellular functions.

For Easily Digested Protein
Every vegetable, fruit, nut, and seed that can be eaten whole, fresh, and raw provides the body with protein, containing all eight of the essential amino acids. A random mix of plant foods will provide approximately five times the RDA of protein per calorie consumed. Raw vegetables are the best source of amino acids and some have more amino acids per calorie than animal protein. Nuts and seeds are high in fat and should be consumed in moderation.

Learn more:
Enzymes for health and vitality
Gingery golden beet salad recipe

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