Spring Cleaning for your Colon

I am very fascinated with my innards. I think I have always been this way. Since the days when it was cute to play with my poop. Yes I said poop. I have an enthralling curiosity by what goes in, and most importantly by what goes out of me. And yes I have been known to inspect the porcelain throne with scientific obsession. And so should you. Embrace it. (Well not literally.) Embrace what's swirling around in there. It could teach you a thing or two about what is going on with your internal health. With why you are feeling a certain way. With how you're digesting or not digesting foods. With knowing when it is time to do a little cleansing. A little love for your intestines. For your colon. It works so hard for you each day. Why not take some time to give it a massage. Give it a cleaning.

I am a strong believer in doing colon cleanses. I try to do them 4 times a year. Around the change of the seasons or if I'm feeling a little sluggish or ate something funky or if I'm a wee bit stopped up. Doing these cleanses have completely healed my digestion, stomach issues, acne and food allergies which I had for many years of my life. It's really amazing how we can really heal ourselves of ailments we have through what we consume. I am also a believer in doing a colon cleanse before you start any kind of fast. It helps your body get ready. Eases you into it. Now. The products you choose are obviously extremely important. And what might work well for me might not be good for you. So I am gonna share with you 3 Organic Snob Approved products I have used and loved. I am actually using one of them right now which has inspired me to write this post.

Dr. Schulze Intestinal Formula #1 and #2.

This is my staple and one that I stand by and have used many time thoughout the years. I sometime use #1 if I am stopped up and need a little friendly help and also use #2 when ever I have eaten something bad or have ingestion or tummy trouble. It works wonders. You must must be near a toilet though when you are on formula #1 cause this is definitely an intense roto rooter for your colon and when you gotta go you really gotta go. I am just warning you. Go to there website as they explain all you need to know about what's in it and how it works. These products are under digestion & elimination: https://www.herbdoc.com

Quantum Herbal Intestinal Cleansing Formula #1 and #2

I am using these products right now. It's my first time trying and I'm digging them. They are much gentler then Schulze and you don't always have to be near a toilet which is good when you are walking the streets of the city. I found them in the health food store. Check out there website for info: http://www.quantumherbalproducts.com/

Health Force Intestinal Drawing Formula

I love this company. They have some wonderful products. And delicious Superfoods to put into your smoothies. However there Intestinal movement formula didn't work that well for me so I use this Intestinal Drawing formula with one of the above #1 formula. This Drawing formula is also a very soothing powder and helps relieve any sort of after dining discomfort. Check out website: http://healthforce.com/

So there you go. The colon cleanse usually lasts about 2 to 3 weeks. Give or take. Try to eat more simple foods while you do it. Trying to avoid processed foods, gluten, fried foods, red meat, dairy, sugar and excess salt. A week into it you will probably want to eat lightly anyway cause you are getting rid of a lot of crap and you will hopefully feel clearer and cleaner. Slow and steady win the race so remember that. Eat as many raw foods as possible. It will help with the cleansing process. Below are a list of foods to avoid and enjoy. Do what you can. I still drink my green tea. Don't be takin' that away from me. Oh no... :)

Foods to AVOID when you are cleansing:

Alcohol
Wheat and Gluten
Canned and frozen food
Chocolate
Cigarettes
Coffee
Complaining
Cooked grains, except Millet and Quinoa
Dairy
Distilled vinegar
Eggs
Foods cooked with oils
Fruits that have been glazed or sulfured
Meat, fish, birds, shellfish
Nuts, seeds and legumes that have not been soaked or sprouted
Popcorn
Processed cereals
Processed milks (soy, rice, almond)
Salt
Soft drinks
Sugar
Tea (except herbal, caffeine free tea)
Tofu and soy products

Foods to ENJOY when you are cleansing:

All fresh fruits
All raw vegetables
All salad greens
All sprouts — beans, seeds, nuts
Apple cider vinegar (raw)
Dried apricots
Dried figs
Appreciation

Seaweed
Fresh or dried seasoning herbs
Fresh, raw juice
Fun
Grapefruit

Lemon

Garlic

Ginger
Herbal Teas — no caffeine
Joy
Millet
Quinoa
Raw, cold-pressed, organic olive oil, flax seed oil and coconut oil

Dark Chocolate Cookies with Dried Dark Cherries and Crystallized Ginger

I was invited to a Oscar party last week and was asked to bring something sweet. Ummmmmm-- I needed something easily transportable and easily nibbable. Something with a little glimmer. A little sparkle. A little pazazz. Decisions decisions decisions. For me, that’s the hardest part with cooking-- or baking-- or blending—or shopping—or-- I guess you could say that about anything really. To make that ‘perfect’ decision. My mind races. I become obsessive. Some would probably classify me as a wee bit OCD. But when that choice comes to light and I have made my final decision I am at ease. At one with the universe. Complete. Happy. At least for a little while anyway…

1 cup dried dark organic cherries

½ cup brandy

1 ½ cup gluten free all purpose flour

¼ heaping teaspoon xantham gum *

3 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder

1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¾ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon coarse sea salt

½ cup organic jungle vegan shortening, softened

¾ cup organic palm sugar

½ cup agave syrup

6 ounces dark chocolate, cut into ½ inch pieces

1/2 cup crystallized ginger, chopped

Bring cherries and brandy to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, and let stand for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together flour, xantham gum, cocoa, cinnamon, the baking soda, and salt.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Beat shortening and palm sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add agave, and beat until creamy. Reduce speed to low, add flour mixture, and beat until combined. Drain cherries; discard liquid. Add cherries, chocolate and crystallized ginger to dough. Mix to combine.

Scoop 1 tablespoons dough to parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart, as you work. Bake until just set and starting to crack, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool on sheets.

*Xanthan Gum is used by people who are allergic to gluten to add volume and viscosity to bread and other gluten-free baked goods. It helps replace the gluten in a recipe and aid in binding and thickening recipes. It is an essential ingredient in gluten free baking.

Homemade Hemp Milk

I have been on a seed milk kick these days. Yes. I said seed. Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, Sesame Seeds and finally Hemp seeds. They are one of the easiest thing to make. When it comes to 'milk substitution' most people reach for the Soy milk over and over and over again. This is kinda no bueno. A little Soy is good but I am sure that if you take a look into how much you consume on a daily basis you may wanna ease up and try an alternative with your morning cereal or shake. It's very important to mix things up at bit. In and out of the kitchen.

Hemp seeds are considered to be one of the most nutritious food sources on the plants. They are packed with 33 percent pure digestible protein, rich in iron, omega-3, GLA and contains three times the amount of vitamin E found in flaxseeds. Hemp protein contains all 20 known amino acids including the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs) our bodies cannot produce. It also is free of the tryspin inhibitors which block protein absorption and free of oligosaccharides found in soy, which cause stomach upset and gas. So drink up and be merry!

1/4 cup hemp seeds

4 cups filtered water

4 TB raw agave

dash of sea salt

Put everything in a high speed blender. Blend for about a minute then pour the 'milk' slowly through a nut milk bag. This is a must have. I bought mine here: http://www.oneluckyduck.com/store/product-details.php?id=124&cat=26

However, if you don't have a nut milk bag yet do not fret. Just line a fine mesh strainer with multiple layers of cheesecloth, pour milk, strain and squeeze - making sure all the liquid is out. Boom. You are done. That's it! You now have your easy breezy homemade hemp milk.

Pour into a glass pitcher and refrigerate. Lasts about 3 days. Remember stir or shake to combine before use.

P.S. Use this milk in it's raw state. Some say heating Hemp can make it toxic.