HOW TO DO A JUICE CLEANSE IN ORDER TO START 2014 WITH THE RIGHT FOOT

Many people have been asking about how to do a juice cleanse properly now that we are starting a new year, so I decided to make this post as a guide from personal experience and investigation, sorry it’s a bit long but it needs to be detailed. Many people think it’s complicated and so they buy pre-made cleanses which unless you're traveling or you are an extremely busy person I don’t recommend (not because they are bad but because fresh is always better). Here I provide you with several tips for people who have no idea how to do it.

A detox is tough, and the more toxic your life is, the more difficult it hits you, but after the first two days you start to feel really good, in fact after doing my first detox I was feeling so positive and great that I decided to transfer to a vegan diet.

Are you ready to start? 

MERRY CHRISTMAS! OUR DELICIOUS CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER

First of all, Merry Christmas to all! from the depths of my heart I pray to God that you enjoy a thousand blessings this new year that is about to start, and I wish that you decide to take charge of your health and start introducing small changes that will ultimately improve and lengthen your life. Remember that every decision you make will have a big impact in the future. Set small goals that you can accomplish so you don’t get discouraged by trying to do too much at once. Add a green juice every morning, make green smoothies with fresh fruit, avoid products that come in cans/containers (processed) and prepare your dishes with real wholefoods in which you control the ingredients, stop artificial sweeteners and sugar, using Stevia instead, "move" every day either by doing yoga, dancing, jogging, pilates, jumping rope, climbing stairs, lifting weights…whatever inspires you, try not to eat animal protein in all your meals and substitute for veggies, beans, nuts, seeds and algae (chlorella, spirulina), drink more water, meditate, do what you really love and learn to say no.

We were alone this Christmas (most of our family lives in Venezuela), and my husband is a DJ (works every night of his life), so we decided to make an early, fully vegan dinner filled with super delicious recipes. All I can say is the meal exceeded our expectations (especially the beet ravioli!). I hope you also prepare it and enjoy at home.

EGGPLANT LASAGNA WITH RED LENTILS. (VEGAN)

Every time my mom came to visit me anywhere in the world where I've lived (I’m adventurous so it’s been a few), the first thing I ask her is if she can prepare me her eggplant lasagna. Unfortunately I haven’t seen her for a few months, so I decided to make my vegan version of it. Hopefully I can make it for her next time, and she gets to admit that it’s better than hers…well, maybe not better but equally delicious.

This lasagna is not only amazing (my husband is not vegan and he asked for seconds), but it’s healthy and made with vegetable ingredients only. Low fat, no dairy and of course, no meat.

I feel really satisfied with the result...it’s very creamy, light and full of flavor. Accompany it with a side of salad to balance it out with some refreshing raw veggies.

Here is the recipe!

HEALING TEAS (PART 2)

As promised, here is the second part of the healing teas series. These provide you with wonderful benefits and positively impact your health in an effective and affordable way!

1. Cinnamon: antibacterial , antiviral and anti-fungal. Increases blood flow improving circulation, reduces nausea, stops vomiting, relieves stomach upset, bloating, gas and indigestion, relieves sore throat, reduces cold symptoms and warms the body when suffering from chills. It has compounds that provide anticoagulant effects, but remember that blood clots are a serious (sometimes fatal) condition, and I recommend you to not use herbal remedies without consulting with your doctor first. It’s anti-inflammatory properties are useful for arthritis and other conditions fueled by inflammation. Helps lower blood sugar, because it contains a water soluble polyphenol compound called MHCP that improves how the body uses insulin. The antioxidants present in cinnamon stimulate the immune system and fights off the damage caused by free radicals. It’s aroma stimulates brain activity, resulting in increased cognitive ability, memory and alertness.

REVITALIZING MASKS FOR GORGEOUS SKIN AND HAIR

As I said on an earlier post, everyone needs to have a self love time out, and occasionally indulge in doing simple things that feel amazing, something special that gives us happiness and peace. In addition to that, one of the best things about being a woman (men can join of course), is the need to feel beautiful, delicate and our drive to keep ourselves fresh and healthy...so why not do it naturally?

Of course that going to a professional for a deep skin cleaning, a treatment at the salon or an exquisite massage at the spa is amazing and very necessary, but realistically not all of us have the time or the money to do so as much as we would like. So why deprive ourselves of these delicious and relaxing practices that also transform your skin and hair, in addition to calm your nervous system?

Here I leave you some amazing face and hair masks, plus some beauty tips you can apply at home any day of the week, with simple ingredients you can get at the local supermarket.

10 HEALING TEAS (PART 1)

There is nothing more comforting and tasty than to drink a cup of hot (or cold!) herbal tea, either with a good book, as an afternoon snack, to feel energized in the morning, calm nerves in stressful situations, or to soothe before bedtime. But the best part is that these powerful herbs have profound medicinal and empowering benefits that can aid our health naturally. Tea fascinates me, we have so many different ones at our house and I use them a lot for any discomfort that may arise.

Here are 10 amazing herbs known for their great benefits, which when consumed as tea, provides us with a cup of health and longevity.

OUR THANKSGIVING LUNCH

Thanksgiving is not a holiday that we celebrate in my country Venezuela, but as a compulsive practitioner of thankfulness, I can't pass up the opportunity to join my husband and celebrate the abundance of positive things in our lives (besides taking the time to prepare something delicious to eat...ñum, ñum!).

This special date is usually seen as an opportunity to gather with family which is lovely, but also as the chance to overeat on sometimes not so healthy food, desserts and refined sugars, and exercising the day after out of remorse for the binge eating. In our case, I wanted us to eat deliciously and in a way that we felt satisfied, but with the challenge that all the dishes needed to be vegan, organic, full of nutrients, complex carbs and good fats.

On top of that we decided to add two new traditions to this day, the first, to write a letter each where we specify all the things that have happened to us or that we have experienced this year for which we give thanks, and another letter in which we manifest and ask God for what we want for 2014. This allows us to feel grateful and fulfilled for all the blessings received and yet visualize in detail what we want for the future.

Here are the recipes for the three courses that we delighted in. They are super delicious and can be prepared at any time...your guests will love them too, vegan or not.