Midsummer Berry Dreams, and Happy Father’s Day Daddy!

Hello again friend.

Back from a short hiatus, I hope this post finds you well. I will continue to post juice recipes throughout the next few months, and thank you for the feedback!

First order of business, I want to wish my Daddy a Happy Father’s Day. He’s the most amazing man I know, and I’m incredibly blessed to have him. Thank you for keeping me close, for shining the light when I couldn’t see, for talking me down out of the tree, for always catching me, for never saying ‘I told you so’, for hugging me, for encouraging me, for believing in me, for reminding me, for cheering me on and sometimes for carrying me across the finish. My life is the masterpiece mosaic it is, because you are one half the pair of hands that made it so. Thank you for choosing her, and for making me and for setting me free. I love you so much. xoxox

Summer as we know it in the States officially begins today, with the 21st of June marking the ‘maximum’ or the longest day, more commonly known as the Summer Solstice. The firstborn joy of my world celebrates his 11th birthday tomorrow, wow does time ever fly…

We were lucky enough to have a sky full of sunshine last Saturday, and the Larriland Farm fruit fields offered up their bounty in thanks. The strawberries are on their last push, but we found fruit enough to fill a small basket and they were, by far, sweeter than candy and juicier than any sterile mass-produced counterpart you will find in your local grocer mart. It was my guess that the sunshine plus the length of time on the plant concentrated the fruit’s sugars – lucky me!  The depth of flavor was intense, brought to mind a good balsamic vingear. Amazing. Amazing.

The stars of Saturday’s fruit show though, were undoubtedly the tart cherries that dotted the treescape up and down the rolling farm hills. The boy’s faces squinched up with every bite, although I don’t think they were too tart – the final count was more eating than picking! This trip to Larriland was extra special for us because Mema(1) and Grandpa I were visting from New York and were there to get in on the action, it wasn’t long before a cherry picking contest was well underway. To my surprise my young men were ousted by the newcomers, beaten by 1 pound. Wow! Good show!

I will probably turn over some tart cherry preserves this week, might even have enough for some fruit leather (Baby Girl would LOVE that!).

Blueberries also made their debut, and I have to say that this fruit is probably my family’s favorite farm treat. Oldest son says he hates blueberries, UNLESS they’re Larriland blueberries straight off the bush. Youngest son picked a whopping two handfuls for taking home, after that he was too busy scouting for the ripest bites that went straight to his tummy. Blueish purple when ripe with a flared crown at the top, these berries are mildly sweet with a tart finish. Something like the taste of kiwi. After our adventures in the field, we gulped down ice-cold blueberry tea and tart cherry cider that we bought at the Farm barn (definitely making a batch or two of these at home). These summer drinks were made just perfectly, few ingredients and packed with delicious fresh fruit flavor.

Some of the other goods available down on the farm:

*Spinach

*Black Raspberries

*Red Raspberries

*Variety of seedlings, edible flowers, local cheese, young garlic…and more.

Enjoy yourself a bowl of sunshine today, drink it all in!

Papaya + Fruit Friends = Detoxification

Day 3.

Morning detox juice:

1 Grapefruit

6 Strawberries, hulled

1/2 Papaya (seeds removed)

2 Granny Smith Apples

2 Fuji Apples

1 Bunch fresh mint

Wash the apples and slice in quarters. **Do not juice the seeds of an apple, they contain trace amounts of naturally occuring cyanide.

Peel the grapefruit and slice it in half.

Rinse the berries.

Rinse the mint bunch, and trim the stems off.

Slice the papaya into quarters, leave the skin on.

Juice the papaya, strawberries, grapefruit, apples and mint.

Drink immediately, or store in an airtight container – refrigerated for up to 2 days.

If you don’t like the bitter taste of grapefruit – you can easily omit it and still have a delicious and ‘good for you’ juice.

Enjoy!

(Natural Wellness Cleanse)

Papaya is an excellent cleansing fruit that is loaded with antioxidants.  Papaya packs more vitamin C than an orange and is a good source of folate, potassium, and vitamins A, E, and K.  It is also an excellent source of fiber.  If you have issues with constipation, a papaya a day will keep the constipation away!  It should be included as part of any natural colon cleanse.

Papaya also contains papain, an enzyme that digests protein, decreases inflammation, and increases healing due to burns.  If you eat meat, adding papaya to your diet will certainly help clean out your colon due to its papain and fiber content.  For these reasons, papaya is a food that helps protect against colon cancer.  It binds toxins and removes them through the bowels.

Due to its high concentration of antioxidants, papaya helps protect against cardiovascular disease.  It prevents the oxidation of cholesterol, which prevents cholesterol from sticking together and forming plaques in your arteries.  Papaya’s fiber content also helps lower cholesterol by binding cholesterol in the digestive tract.

Papaya is ripe when you can squeeze the fruit and leave a mark with your thumb.

Celery + Pear = Clean

I’m full into Day 2 of my fast. The first day didn’t go as planned – what ever does? I broke fast with cafeteria food (of all things), while on chaperone duty for my oldest son’s year-end school trip. Ergh.

But, part of this fast for me is walking head first into my AUTHENTICITY. Not buying the trickster idea that we have to hide our stumbling, falling. Today, I am learning not to beat myself up or agree with the self-sabotaging thoughts. Keep the good, discard the rubbish. We are exactly where we’re supposed to be. We are exactly who we are intended to be, and nothing we do or say can destroy that. It just IS. We are a beautiful tapestry of works in progress. Be gentle with that. I’m told ‘life is easy, not hard’. I think I might believe this novel new idea, we’ll see what shakes out.

Today is good. Juiced first thing this morning, kept the mind steady and nourished myself with affirming thoughts. Followed with tea, replenishing the inner warmth. Cleansing, a 16 oz glass of pure filtered water.

🙂

Spring cleanser juice.

4 stalks of celery, washed and ends trimmed

4 pears, firm

1/4 knob of ginger (optional)

Slice the pears into quarters, and peel the ginger (if you’re using it).

Juice the celery, pears and ginger into a large glass – or mason jar.

Drink immediately. The enzymes begin to break down as soon as your fruit/veg is juiced.

*If you store the juice for later, seal in an airtight container and refrigerate.

(NaturalNews)

Celery juice is highly nutritious. Because it is incredibly alkalizing, it equalizes the body’s PH, which is vital for peak health. In ancient times, it was considered a medicinal herb used to treat a variety of health complaints. The minerals and vitamins and nutrients are in perfect harmony with each other. Celery leaves are high in vitamin A, whilst the stems are an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and C and dense in potassium, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and essential amino acids.

This super food also contains important concentrations of plant hormones and the very special essential oils that give celery its characteristic smell. These oils help to regulate the nervous system, and are very calming.

*Celery is also useful as diuretic, which is helpful when detoxifying the body – make sure to replenish your system with at least 10 glasses of pure water per day throughout the period of your fasting.

Celery is rich in sodium, which is very different to table salt. Normal table salt is composed of insoluble inorganic compounds which lead to the development of varicose veins, hardening of the arteries and other aliments. If salt, including sea salt is white, then it has been processed and all minerals and nutrients have been destroyed.

On the other hand, the sodium that is available in celery is soluble and organic (live), and is essential for the body. Organic salt allows the body to use the other nutrients that are taken into the body. Every cell in our body is constantly bathed in a salt solution, and if the salt level is not in balance, dehydration occurs.

(Prescription for Dietary Wellness) 

Pears can be useful in treating inflammation of mucous membranes, colitis, chronic gallbladder disorders, arthritis, and gout. Pears can also be beneficial in lowering high blood pressure, controlling blood cholesterol levels, and increasing urine acidity.

Most of the fiber is insoluble, making pears a good laxative. The gritty fiber content may cut down on the number of cancerous colon polyps. Most of the vitamin C, as well as the dietary fiber, is contained within the skin of the fruit.

Traditionally pears have been used to help with bladder problems, liver cleansing, constipation, and toxin elimination. Pears are also known as a good source of Phosphorus, Potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin B–1 & 2, Vitamin C, Folic Acid and Pectin.

I let the kids try this juice, they liked the flavor but not the pulp. Next batch I may strain through cheescloth. I thought it was a delicious way to start my day-it might have been a bit sweet for my tastes. Might throw some spinach in next time too just to balance it out.

I followed this up with a mug of Echinacea Complete Care Tea (Echinacea, Peppermint, Licorice, Roasted Chicory, Lavender and Star Anise). I also have Yogi Fasting Tea (ingredients too long to list, but REALLY GOOD!).

I’ll be following the plan of alternating tea and filtered water (16 oz glass) throughout the day with juicing for breakfast and dinner.

Wish me well!

Detox. ‘Empty yourself and let the Universe fill you.’ ~Yogi Tea

Life.

One tiny four letter word. For most, the word bears the weight of one hundred thousand things. Sometimes the noise of those things becomes so loud, it drowns every other sensible thing out.

Today, I find myself clamoring for silence and moments more quiet than my mind. I go to the well that is always full, the law that is always abundant. The one safest place. I am not a religious person, by any persuasion. I am however, a student of my truth. There is a still and quiet water that flows with the path of least resistance. A fountain to drink from, whose waters are always pure. After all, the trees don’t think about growing – they just do. The flowers don’t cry when no rain falls, they still grow until they just don’t.

Day 0 of this fast begins with taking inventory. Detailing the things that stand to be absolved. That part is done in private, what I will share is the physical process by which I detoxify my body and clear my mind.

Maybe you feel like you’ve been down the same road. Welcome then, let’s walk together.

Please note, that this post does not constitute medical advice – it is for informational purposes only. Consult your physician for any questions or concerns you may have regarding dieting or fasting.

(Source: Dr. Foster’s Essential Guide) Juice fasting is a type of fasting and detox diet in which a person consumes only fruit and vegetable juices. Being available only in digestible carbohydrates, these foods are digested rapidly as the juice digestion process expends only a small amount of energy. People choose to undergo juice fasts for various reasons and via various methods. Juice fasts are often marketed together with supplies, supplements and support groups.

Additional reasons for undergoing juice fasts include spiritual or religious reasons, losing weight and attempting to wean oneself from unhealthy habits, e.g., smoking, drinking soda, overeating, caffeine addiction, etc. Some more serious participants use juice fasting as an alternative to conventional medical practices, i.e., as a healing technique for pain, cancer, depression, arthritis, severe infections that failed antibiotics, autoimmune diseases and many other incurable diseases.

Some fruits commonly used in juice fasts:

Vegetables – celery, cucumber, red or bell pepper
Greens – parsley, kale, beet greens, chard, spinach, dandelion leaf
Cruciferous vegetables – broccoli, cabbage
Root vegetables – carrots, beets, sweet potatoes
Fruits – dark grapes, apples, lemon, Açai berry
Herbs – yucca root, fennel, spearmint, peppermint, basil, ginger, garlic, green onion, chilli pepper, fresh turmeric root, milk thistle
Wheatgrass juice, spirulina (a blue-green sea algae)

Because pure juice contains little to no fiber, juice fasters often use an enema or a herbal or saltwater laxative during the time of fasting to efficiently expel waste from the intestines and colon. Another method is mixing psyllium husks in with the juice. Because psyllium is not absorbed by the body but increases in volume greatly upon absorbing water, it creates the bulk necessary to keep the bowels moving.

One option is to fast one day a week. Another option is to fast for three to five days per month. Some people do long fasts – sometimes up to a month of juice fasting, once a year. These options are all good for maintenance and for some extra housecleaning of the body.  If needed for severe toxicity, the juice fast can be extended until it is felt that it is time to stop. The body usually lets us know when it is time to stop.  

I will be fasting for 5 days, longer if my body thinks I need to. For your informational use I will post the juice recipes I use. Enjoy!

Just. Because.