If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, chances are tomatoes and other vegetables are in season right now. If you can find locally grown veggies, the flavor burst cannot be beat.

There’s nothing as delectable as a red, vine-ripened tomato to dress up a simple salad. Fresh basil from the garden adds additional punch.

I found local organic cherry tomatoes at my health food store.
I brought them home to enjoy in a salad with fresh basil from my mailbox herb garden and Tribe organic hummus that contains no citric acid (most commercially prepared hummus do contain this acid).

Mmm. Amazing flavors.

When you find local tomatoes, take advantage of their “aliveness” and eat them raw as they are highly alkalizing. Once tomatoes are cooked, they become moderately acidic.

See also:
Fresh herbs for flavor and antioxidants
Italian confetti salad

Filed under: Leafy greens, Salad | No Comments »

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 a quinoa and black bean combo.

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.

See also:
Garden harvest of supreme flavors

Filed under: Herbs | No Comments »

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.

Filed under: Detox | No Comments »