RECIPE: superfood-infused strawberry-banana smoothie

I know, I know-- I've been severely slacking on my posts here. Please allow me to apologize for those that read this, and please be assured with confidence that I will be making more of an effort to spit out some new content for you soon!  (Trust me, I've got some ideas brewing.)

The truth of the matter is that I haven't exactly been practicing what I preach lately (mindless eating patterns abound along with the totally unkind side-effect of absolutely no effort put towards fitness). I'm not a particular fan of publicized hypocrisy, so I haven't felt the need to write a lot on the subject of healthy, mindful living. Also, that pesky little psychological deterrent of denial has done its damnedest to ensure I don't even come close to THINKING about the subject. (That's how these cyclical descents begin.)

That said, however, this fact in and of itself smacked some sense into me-- this is a blog about transition, a blog about effort towards change. It's not a blog about living as a perfect model of health and wellbeing, but rather the attempt to incorporate elements of that lifestyle into our very human, very happening lives. It appears that I had placed an unnecessary burden of expectation onto myself in writing these entries, and I gotta' say, it feels liberating to break free of that. Any natural transition has its bumps along the way, and I wouldn't be blogging about the experience honestly if I didn't include those in my entries. That said, expect some humbling self-reflective posts in the near future.

And now, onto the promised recipe!

The past two days, I made the most delicious, decadent, and energy-packed breakfast smoothie I've ever created. Seriously, it's not often my body and my brain are able to agree to a single standard of "good"-- or in this case, GREAT-- but somehow this smoothie has encouraged both to come to an enthusiastic agreement. It not only delivers the detoxifying and cleansing kindness of fruits, but it also packs the punch with three of my favorite energy-encouraging superfoods: chia seeds, maca powder, and wheatgrass. May I present:

Superfood-Infused Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

Ingredients: 

• 2 medium-large bananas 
• 5-10 frozen strawberries (no added sugar)
• a single serving of vanilla meal replacement shake powder (I use 2 scoops of Naturade Total Soy Vanilla-- may use any natural vanilla product as a replacement to make recipe vegan) 
• 3 tsp maca powder 
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 2-3 tbsp pure wheatgrass powder
• 2 hand-scoops of ice cubes
• 16 ounces of water.

Directions: Put all ingredients into a blender and blend on high until smooth and frothy. Makes two 16-ish oz smoothies-- perfect for sharing!

For those on Weight Watchers, the whole blender-full is 6 points total on the Points Plus 2012 program. (I've recently rejoined. More on this later.)

I would love to add some greens into this concoction the next time I'm able to pick some up. I have a feeling it would be very easy to blend a bit of spinach, kale, or romaine lettuce in without changing the flavor much. If anyone reading this has any further suggestions or tweaks to up the ante on this smoothie's nutritional density, please share! The great thing about smoothies is that they are completely customizable and open to interpretation; there is never a hard-and-fast in deciding what goes into them.

Based on the energetic rush I get from all the natural ingredients in this smoothie, I feel it could be particularly good for those trying to cut back/cut out their morning coffee intake. Between this (as an energy booster) and some roasted herbal chicory root tea (as a caffeine-free coffee substitute), I have a feeling this could do wonders in easing some of the transitional longing that comes with giving up one's morning coffee. Another plus? The energy that comes from the ingredients in the smoothie will provide a prolonged, even, and natural energy throughout the day-- which stands in stark contrast to the jittery high and subsequent mid-morning crash that comes from coffee. Just a thought. :)

with metta, 

Charlot

to juice or blend? that is the question.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am confident that nothing encourages bodily gratitude and natural energy more than liquid nutrition. In that, I am referring to nutritionally dense fresh homemade fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies (with the given ratio of more than 1/2 green vegetables, and no more than 1/3 fruit for the remainder half of the blend.) I try to ensure that at least two meals a day are drinkable, and I've found it really helps to ensure I get the proper vitamins and minerals my body needs for optimum operation. As an added bonus, it also helps to encourage dialogue about healthy, clean living when people ask you what the heck is in that green goop you bring for lunch everyday. (It actually surprises me how many people-- strangers included--  feel compelled to comment on my liquid meals. However, it gives me a great vehicle to talk about a subject I love, so no complaints here!)

I've noticed that anytime my body is having a particular craving (which, of course, generally triggers my conditioned mind to desire unhealthy, unnatural foods), a fresh batch of green juice or a green smoothie will always do the trick for me. See, a craving generally signifies one of two things: one, that you are legitimately missing something important from your diet and your brain is receiving the signal to your body that it needs fulfillment of the deficiency OR two, that eating whatever said craving leads you to is based purely in the emotional satiation and has very little connection to what the body itself needs. In the case of the former, a smoothie or fresh juice is so densely packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional goodies that they always ensure you hit the mark on what your body is yearning for; for the latter, the time it takes to prepare and drink the juice or smoothie gives the emotionally-based mind-state plenty of time to pass (as all mind-states will because of their impulsive, temporary nature.) Either way, it's a win/win situation.  That has to say something for itself!

In both my reading and chatting with other like-minded people on the subject, I've noticed there are two camps in fans of liquid nutrition-- the juicers and the blenders. There are those than do both (which, in my opinion, really is indicative of the balance and moderation that is so key in this way of eating and living), sure, but in most cases, people generally profess devoted and loyal allegiance to one over the other. As the title of this blog entry suggests, I want to address this age-old question head-on today.

I think there are pros and cons to both methods really, but at the same time, the pros always outweigh the cons by a landslide. Does that make this an arbitrary discussion? In the context of confirming one as 'good' and the other as 'bad', then yeah, kind of-- whether you are getting natural vitamins and minerals from juice or  both immensely good for you, so it all boils down to a personal, subjective preference in determining a 'victor' here. However, in my boundless interest and curiosity on the subject, do not see it as a completely fruitless (no pun intended) topic to discuss, thus my writing about it.

The primary difference between juicing and blending is the fiber content of the final product, which is in the pulp of the fruits and vegetables. When juicing, this fiber content is removed, producing a potent, nutrition-packed liquid. The pulp may then be discarded or used for other purposes (such as composting!) In blending, everything is combined together as-is, producing a thicker, more "smoothie-like" end-product. 


The overarching argument I have heard for juicing over blending is that this method allows you to received a LOT more vitamins and minerals for your body. For those of you who have never juiced, it would absolutely astound you just how many vegetables or pieces of fruit are needed to product a seemingly small portion of juice; it's amazing to think that the nutritional content of multiple pounds of produce can be contained and delivered in a small pitcher of fresh juice! That said, for those who have cut out certain elements of their diets, a bit of strategic juicing can be a great way to ensure your body gets everything it needs and then some (without having to eat pounds upon pounds of produce a day!) This is also a popular method for those sensitive to excessive fiber consumption.

On the other hand, however, proponents for blending state that there is a reason nature has encased these vitamins and minerals with fiber; it slows down the absorption rate in the digestive process, therefore sustaining benefits over a longer period of time.  Blenders also claim that juicing "attacks" the body with an unnatural onslaught of vitamins and minerals, causing intense and rapid spikes in bodily levels. Regarding fiber sensitivity: one of the key deficiencies in the Standard American Diet (SAD) IS fiber, so the body may just take time to adjust to increased consumption of it.

Me? I dig both. I enjoy juicing first thing in the morning because it helps me start the day with a bright, clean, energetic burst (no caffeine necessary!). It's also a GREAT addition to periods of fasting, as it helps to keeps the body happy without taking the energy to digest; this leaves the energy that is present for detoxification and cellular regeneration. However, for meals on a routine day, I stick with smoothies-- primarily because I can add so much to them in addition to fruits and vegetables (chia seeds, powdered wheat grass/barley/alfalfa grass, psyllium husks, spirulina, etc.), and because of the thicker texture, it's all virtually undetectable. Also, I can really detect a more enduring, low-wave frequency of energy with blended smoothies, which really comes in handy when long-term productivity is desires. (Plus cleaning a blender is a lot easier than cleaning a juicer!)


... But again, keep in mind that BOTH methods are great for you. As my friend reminded me last night (Hi Karen!), both juicing and blending should be used in conjunction with one another, and that it's not a case of one vs. the other; primary importance should be placed in listening to your body and its responses to what you are eating, drinking, and doing, and determining what works best for it based on said observations. Ain't that the simple truth?


with metta, 
Charlot

summertime is grillingtime.

I can officially say it: summer has begun! Despite what the calender says, my summertime sonar always begins beeping frantically after the first grillout of the season; I am happy to report that, after a stuffy winter indoors, I had the joy of experiencing this very event over this past weekend. My husband and I (and our beagle) decided to take advantage of the recent string of temperate, humidity-free nights and prepared a wonderful meal on the grill Friday night. Bring it on, dog days!

This is my second summer season as an herbivore, and I'm proud to say I'm a little less picky and more creative in the department of coming up with enjoyable vegetarian fare this time around. When I first made the decision to go meat-free, grilling out meant one choice and one choice only: processed soy patties AKA "veggie burgers."* I was still operating in the mindset of a meat-eater, which meant grilled meals had to have a sandwich and/or meat/meat substitute as the main course, with chips/a starchy item and maybe just PERHAPS a vegetable (usually corn on the cob) as sides. 

Over the past year, however, my definition of what makes up a meal has transformed from this tired old standby to one that places nutritional value and varied flavors as the primary objectives. It allows for a lot more experimentation in food preparation, as well as a highly successful vehicle to introduce new items into my diet. As I've mentioned in a past entry, I was a complete stranger to fresh vegetables when I ditched meat, so any way to tiptoe into a more varied plant-based diet (so as to avoid too much overwhelming change at once) was (and still is) highly embraced!


Now, instead of separate items on a plate, I emphasize the mixing of whole grains, protein (usually beans, sometimes tofu), and fresh vegetables into one delicious conglomerate whole. (Generally I try to keep the ratio at a half vegetables and a quarter each of protein and grains, but this rule isn't hard and fast, just a general guideline.) That said, beans and whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, wild rice, barley, millet, etc.-- just to name a few!) can be prepared ahead of time and put together with any combination of vegetables, which can be grilled. As I'm sure you can assume, this leads to a WIDE variety of options for the final product, and it can really be catered to any craving that may present itself! See? Who needs meat to make a satisfying meal anyways? :)

For our first annual grilling, I may have gone a bit overboard on variety, I admit. (But really, is there such a thing?) However, it's that time of year where I'm voracious for the start-up of our local farmer's market, so it was all-too easy to overindulge on fresh spring produce when shopping at a small local grocer offering so many options! For my vegetable medley, I included zucchini, potatoes (creamer and Yukon gold), carrots, okra (a first both my husband and me), summer squash, sweet vidalia onions, green beans, and a few cloves of garlic. I coated the lot in a few tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (just enough so everything was coated evenly) and seasoned with garlic powder (one can never use too much garlic!), red and black pepper, dried tomato, oregano, and a dash of sea salt. Since I'm new to grilling vegetables, I wanted to keep it relatively straightforward to start out, with intentions to increase the spice profile in complexity in the future.

In order to keep the vegetables separated from the grill (which has contact with the meat), I placed them in a grill skillet (as you can see below the bowl in the picture above). We left them uncovered, occasionally flipping them to ensure they were evenly cooked. In total, they were on the grill for about an hour. 


After all was said and done, the flavor was fine (perhaps desiring a bit more, but that is to be expected when simple and straightforward is the initial seasoning goal), though some of the vegetables were bit undercooked for my liking. I think in the future, I will cover the grill skillet with foil to trap heat in and perhaps cut the vegetables smaller. There are plenty of options for improvement here, and after all is said and done (and eaten), I remain hopeful for what this sets the foundation for.


All in all, the experiment was a success. I enjoy projects like this, as it reaffirms that cooking/baking/preparing food isn't some mysterious, inaccessible alchemy; rather, it is based around experiential growth and learning, evaluation and revision. With an open mind and perceptive eye, anyone can do it, no matter how simple or complex the intended outcome. For me, this was the first step outside of the vegetarian-griller's-processed-soy-patty rut I found myself in last summer; it was an active, approachable endeavor that shall kindly segue into many more of the same this summer, I'm sure. 


Thank you once more for reading, and feel free to comment/e-mail with some of your favorite recipes for the grill! Happy start of summer to you all.


with metta, 
Charlot

*I don't want to put forth the impression that I think badly of veggie burgers-- in fact, I usually keep some in my freezer for those pop-up grilling get-togethers summer is so notorious for. However, when meals are given the opportunity for premeditation, I now try to think outside the box a bit, as I've learned that processed soy (tofu, veggie burgers, any other "fake meat" products) should be indulged in only on occasion. While they are a FANTASTIC and tasty alternative to meat-based burgers (great for the transitioning vegetarian), the fact still stands that they are incredibly processed and lacking in the nutrition any whole food product could offer.

in the face of perfection and cheese

I have an admission to make: I love cheese. I have fought against my affinity for this delicious dairy product for years now, but I have only found myself slain time and time again by its creamy, gooey deliciousness. Sure, there are vegan soy and tofu-based cheese substitutes out there, but when my body wants a solid slice of colby jack, salsa queso, or mozzarella topping, the fires of hell couldn’t keep me from needing exactly that to satiate my craving. There’s no substitute.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t make a habit of eating cheese, as I am well aware of the effects processed dairy products have on the body-- and the cost never outweighs the benefit. As such, I limit my consumption to no more than once or twice a week, allowing it only to make an occasional cameo appearance in my diet. It’s never given the chance to shine as the star of the mealtime show, and I put great effort into moderating the amount and frequency which I eat it.

I mention this because today I want to write about standards of perfection (in the context of any diet.) I know when I’ve initiated any new diet goal, I’ve stringently attempted to keep myself within the set parameters, and any deviation from the given guidelines made me feel guilty, like a failure, like I didn’t have the willpower, motivation, etc.-- what a negative, self-sabotaging cycle!

Ultimately, the redundant process often resulted in admitting defeat and coming out with my head hung low, self-esteem and confidence in myself slammed against the wall-- and who wants or needs that in his/her life? To add, who would EVER want to attempt a plan for healthy, conscious eating if this is the consistent end result?! Not I, said the Charlot.

Listen, I know as well as anyone that when you have certain goals for yourself, having the means for achieving them written out in a specific, black and white guide seems like a godsend. All of a sudden, you have an eruption of hope that shatters the insecurities you once had. You have a PLAN now. A plan that has worked for other people. It’s surefire, right? You build up your aspirations sky-high and don’t even stop to consider that you may not have the inner tools to climb to the top.

Following a diet (or any plan for life change, for that matter) is an interactive process; it’s easy to open your hand and accept the how-to manual, but you’ve got to have the self-discipline, patience, time, and gumption in line first for everything to work according to plan. While I know many of you out there likely have most of these aforementioned ducks in a row in your lives, no one has them all!

So why do we continually hold ourselves to the standard of perfection in approaching these major life changes? I don’t know about you, but I’m beyond the point of being okay with feeling guilty, blaming only myself when yet another diet plan fails. Why? Because that sense of emotional defeat doesn’t just go away once I’ve settled back into old patterns; it continues to infect and bleed into other areas of life, distorting and eroding my self image. It discourages me from putting myself out there to pursue other positive life changes, and ultimately forces me to accept the conditions I am unhappy with as “the way things have to be.” It’s a surefire way of becoming a victim to circumstance, which is one of the most disempowering and depressing states of being to invite into your life. It’s something that we should all be aware of and actively avoid if positive life change is every to be achieved.

In the past few months, I have tried to take a kinder, gentler approach to diet/making life changes, as I feel it’s the only way any of these new attitudes and behaviors will stick around for the long haul (and so far, so good!). The best thing I have found to escape that negative cycle of emotional sabotage is by disengaging from expectations of perfection completely.

By giving ourselves a little wiggle room to mess up, we’re not lowering our standards for ourselves, making excuses, or justifying bad behavior-- we’re simply allowing space for our innate human nature to surface (which is inevitable). The truth of the matter is that plans attempting to incite personal change are not always one-size-fits-all, and they will only work when we tweak them in a way that makes them functional for our lives. It doesn’t make us anything less than our lovely, as-is selves for doing so, and the attitude that it needs to be frowned upon should end now!

That said, even though I may try to eat a mostly raw, sugar-free vegan diet, I’m not going to beat myself up for the occasional bit of cheese. Or cookie. Or wine. As long as it’s regarded as an occasional treat and is not indulged in on a regular basis, ain’t no shame! Think of it like this: as long as you are on the mark 90% of the time, you’ve got no reason to feel badly for the incidental indulgence the remaining 10% of the time.

Labels like ‘vegan’,’raw,’ ‘vegetarian,’ etc. are simply descriptive terms-- why some people internalize them so deeply as all-or-nothing identities I shall never understand. Sure, I get it if a person chooses to be on a strict, 100%-compliant raw/vegan/vegetarian/etc. diet for his/her personal reasons-- and I respect that decision wholeheartedly. However, I don’t believe any single person should be judged if he/she doesn’t “follow the rules” of the diet choice to a T. Food is personal, and we should never condemn one another simply for existing somewhere else on the continuum of what we choose to put into our bodies. Leave and let be, loves.

Making ANY effort towards healthy, conscious living should be encouraged, no matter what degree it is to. It’s a shame that so many out there are discouraged to experiment with veganism or vegetarianism because of they can’t commit to the all-or-nothing mentality; even one day a week devoted to a meat-free, plant-based diet makes an impact on our health and the environment-- which is certainly something to celebrate indeed!

So, to conclude, be gentle and give yourself a bit of leeway when making any life changes. If you deviate a bit on occasion, shrug it off and move on. Find a reason to laugh and keep your heart light. The key source of life in positive change is positivity itself; ensure that runs deep and steady through your life and you’re destined to be met with success.

with metta,
Charlot

igniting the fire

Hello all, and welcome to my very first blog entry! It's taken me slightly longer than I'd like to admit to start this baby up, but better late than never, right? I'm just excited to be sinking my scissors into the ribbon of potential this blog has the opportunity to become. An outlet for expression! A medium for creativity! A space for sharing, exchange, and dialogue (oh my)! Sends a spirited shiver up the spine, doesn't it?

That said, keeping with the theme of inspired beginnings, I want to discuss my own foray into the world of healthy living (particularly in contrast to the careless unhealthy free-for-all I engaged in before!) Up until about a year and a half ago, I put very little thought into how I treated my body. Basically, the thought process behind my disgression went something like this: "Am I craving it? Is it edible? Can it be covered in cheese? LET'S DO THIS. (And then let's take a nap!)"

Needless to say, I was not taking a conscious approach in eating or general wellness, and it began to catch up with me. Nothing catastrophic or dramatic was happening to me, mind you, but the decline of my general state of being was enough to get my attention; the lethargy, digestive woes, weight gain, mental cloudiness, and moodiness was undeniable at this point. Being ever-enthusiastic about any form of positive, personal change, I made the decision right then and there to do something big, something dramatic-- take responsibility of my own health!

A radical concept, I know-- especially in a culture that so enthusiastically and willingly encourages "a pill for every ill." I myself had been a blind and ignorant participant in this cycle for too long, and once that light bulb of empowerment began to blink in my head, there was no going back to being the passenger in a vehicle driven by big pharma greed. It was at least worth the shot, right? Even if I only found minimal benefits from the shift in approach, a benefit is still a positive shift in being, and an experience is still an opportunity for learning. I went into it with an open and soft mind, body, and spirit, and now over a year later, I am continuing on the path with nothing but zeal for what's next on this journey.

What I have found in talking with people about my personal transition is that so many out there are aware that such a potent and direct life change would be propitious, but the deeply ingrained habits of the past are an ominous and dismaying factor that bullies them into not even trying. Trust me, I get that! Change ain't easy, folks, and the thought of evoking and implementing EFFORT can be downright daunting. Just because I've managed to peek my head onto the other side of transformation doesn't mean I didn't have to battle a boatload of my own demons along the way. It's all part of the process. It's taken a lot of self-prompted motivation to get to this point, and I STILL find days when all of those tightly-wound patterns win me over. One of the pesky little annoyances of our evident humanity, yes? The important thing is to accept the temporary detour and encourage a response of forgiveness and patience towards ourselves; perfection is a harsh and unrealistic standard to hold ourselves up to. (But that is a subject for another post!)

Something I have found to be a great help is to have a clearly-defined set of motivating factors. It's always easier to stick with a goal when we can be reminded of why we're doing it! In today's entry, I want to share some of the reasons why I initially decided put forth effort into the upheaval of past attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. This list also keeps me motivated whenever I may struggle to keep within the boundaries of the path I've chosen. So, without further adieu, please allow me to present the so-elegantly titled first entry of Viva la Verdure: 

WHY I DO WHAT I DO! (TA-DA!)

1. It allows me an opportunity to reintroduce myself to that reserve of natural, innate energy I once knew.

... and you all knew it once too, I bet. Think back to your childhood, way before you needed a pot of coffee and this-condition or that-condition to feel revved up for each new day. Back when you ran around in the sunshine singing your favorite songs simply because it felt good to do so. When you greeted new experiences and challenges with fervent curiosity and interest.That natural inclination is still residing within us all, and I know for a fact that when I eat well, avoid excessive caffeine, and treat myself right with gentle physical activity, meditation, and general positivity, it begins to emerge in such a glorious, kind way. Rather than scatter myself across the dramatic jittery highs and shot-down lows of a life relying on external sources for operation, I much rather prefer the gentle hum of life lived on a lower vibrational frequency. Om...

2. An opportunity to crawl outside of my box of imagined comfort and TRY NEW THINGS!

Would you believe me if I told you that before making this change, I'd never had a salad, and the only vegetables I would eat could be counted on one hand? As ashamed as I am to admit it, it's completely true. I was as picky as they come when I was engaged in the SAD (Standard American Diet) -laden lifestyle. If I hadn't pushed myself to make this change, I would have never discovered the joy of butternut squash! Or the energizing effect of green smoothies! or spinach or lentil soup or KALE! The chaotic enthusiasm could go on, but I'll spare you all for now. Just know that transition is an infectious little flame that can easily bring about an unexpected uproar of joyful new experiences to your life.

3. A decrease in suffering.
 
Okay, while I will never advocate one spiritual belief over another, let it be known that in general, I find myself vibing along to the groove of Buddhist philosophy-- this will likely come up in future entries, so it's important to know. Part of that philosophy, quite simply put, acknowledges that yes, suffering exists in this world. There are direct causes which lead to suffering, and there are actions and approaches we can decide to adopt in order to opt out from said suffering. (Four noble truths, yo.) That said, being mindful of what I eat and how I live has not only decreased the physical suffering I was enduring, but letting go of the emotional attachments held to previous conditions and patterns has decreased suffering on a far deeper level. In a way, this has all been and continues to be an extension of my spiritual practice, and the continual liberation I have experienced as a result encourages me to go forth with these new life changes on a daily basis.

4. I do not, under any circumstances, support unnatural, unnecessary animal cruelty.

This is a bit of an extension of my previous reason. Without spelling out the intricacies of animal suffering that is encouraged in the processing and preparation of animal meat and animal byproducts (I don't believe in scare tactics or coercion to encourage change in others, and I respect the right of those potentially reading to make up their minds about how to eat on their own), let it just be stated that I, in and of my own skin and mind, sleep better at night knowing I am not contributing to it. I love animals so dearly and embrace the fact that this is their world, too. 

5. I aspire to be a positive influence for those I love and care about.

'Nuff said. I try to live a life I would want to encourage others to live. As stated previously, I completely respect the decisions my loved ones make for their own lives, but, in my love for them, want to encourage only them best for them.

6. Finally, conscious eating contributes to conscious living, which, over time, has a sneaky little way of improving one's quality of life in general.

This is my "big picture" reason. When our awareness of the world is limited to the confines of our own experience, a certain hopelessness and sense of personal minimality ("Nothing I do really matters much in the grand scheme of things") emerges. By putting effort into becoming more conscious about what we are eating, where it comes from, how it is made, and how it impacts other living beings and the world, we're able to make the decisions that play a definite contributing role in making a difference-- and who doesn't want to do that?! It allows us to feel good about what we're doing for both ourselves, others, and the planet we share, which gives life a whole new dimension of meaning.

I'm sure I could come up with an infinite number of other reasons if I tried, but this covers the main bases. I hope you've enjoyed reading my very first blog entry as much as I've enjoyed writing it, and I am certainly looking forward to providing more content in the future. PLEASE feel free to share any thoughts or suggestions you may have in an email or as a comment!

with metta,
Charlot