Finishing the Race

Smoothies Are a Hit!

March 10, 2015

Thank you everyone for sharing your photos as you drink your healthy smoothies and juices. I’ve received photos from Australia, Los Angeles, Orange County, Wisconsin, Chicago, and my home town Rockford, IL. Please continue to post your photos on my Julie-Anne Yuccas Facebook page or my Julie Yuccas Facebook page, as we encourage others to strengthen their health too.

If you do not have a juicer, blender, or extraction blender, buying bottled 100% juices is a good way to start. If you have the luxury of a juice bar close by, even better. Once you are ready to start juicing or making smoothies, be encouraged, practice makes perfect, speed, and efficiency. You can do it! The investment towards your health now will save you hundreds and thousands in the future.

If you don’t have my Quick & Easy Bursting with Nourishment Smoothie recipe, click on this link to join many others in our quest to get healthy. While you are on the site, please click the follow button to receive more easy recipes to help beautify your complexion, strengthen your immune system, and your health.

Blessings to your health!!!

March 8, 2015
Julie Yuccas

no comments

Step it up a Notch – Carrot Cake Muffins

Muffins make a great grab and go breakfast, or a nice treat when you want something on the healthier side. This week, I had some yogurt that was soon to expire, so I decided to make some muffins. I wanted to lean towards high beta-carotene foods, hence, the carrots and sweet potato. I am really happy with the way these delicious muffins turned out. I hope you like them too.

Look at all that beautiful orange representing the beta-carotene. “Typically, when a food is highlighted in articles, it is praised for the vitamin or mineral richest in content. The richer vitamin or mineral in a food item, is a strong player to get a specific job done for your body. For example, carrots and sweet potatoes are rich in carotenoids, also commonly referred to as Vitamin A or precursor to Vitamin A. Vitamin A is an antioxidant, and is good for ‘vision, bone growth, reproduction, cell functions, and immune system.’1 One little vitamin with so many benefits!”2

I juice carrots routinely to strengthen my body and my immune system against cancer and the effects of treatments. Muffins are another way to consume nutrients with a sweet touch.

Step it up a Notch - Carrot Cake Muffins

Servings: 18-20 muffins
Time: Prep: 20 min Baking: 20-22 min
Difficulty: easy
Print

♥ Ingredients ♥

2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup organic vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup cane sugar
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup oats
3 tablespoons wheat germ
2 tablespoons flax seed
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 cups carrots, grated
1 cup raw sweet potato, grated
1 apple, cored and grated
1/2 to 3/4 cup walnuts
Standard size muffin cups

– Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper baking cups.

– Blend together eggs, yogurt, olive oil, and vanilla, then mix in sugar.

– Add flour, oats, wheat germ, flax seed, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and mix.

– Grate vegetables and fruit. Food processors make the job quick and efficient. Blend in grated carrots, sweet potato, and apple.

– Fill muffin cups with 1/4 cup batter for standard size muffin tins/cups. Top muffins with walnuts.

– Bake at 375° for 20-22 minutes. Muffins are done when you press down lightly and they spring back.

Tips:

– If you don’t eat dairy, you could replace the yogurt with apple sauce.
– Flax seeds can be stored in the freezer to prolong their shelf life.

Paper muffin cups make cleanup so much easier! You can usually find plain muffin cups for under $1. Also, I recently found 4lbs of non-GMO cane sugar for $2.99 at Aldi’s grocery store.

Enjoy! Blessings to your health!

1 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vitamina.html

2 Finishing the Race: Dieting Obsessions, Self-Criticism, and Insecurity Eat My Dust! Chapter 26

March 5, 2015
Julie Yuccas

no comments

Chocolate and Women

Laura Padron recently shared the benefits of chocolate on a previous blog. I want to zoom in today on one aspect of why women are naturally drawn to chocolate. As we view chocolate with a healthier perspective, we can selectively practice refining our palate, and step up our game choosing wholesome chocolates.

When my daughter was in high school, I remember her suffering with menstrual cramps. We were going out of town and needed some relief for her discomfort. I knew calcium helps the body regulate muscle contraction and magnesium helps release muscle contraction (including your heart muscle). We needed to get magnesium into her system.

Dark chocolate and almonds contain magnesium. Put the two together and you have a greater concentration of magnesium. Pumpkin seeds are very high in magnesium, but harder to find. Before reaching the highway, we found the closest grocery store and bought her a higher quality chocolate and a bag of almonds.

For some women, menstrual cramps can be quite intense and painful. “Cacao contains significant quantities of the essential amino acid tryptophan, a powerful mood-enhancing nutrient. The presence of tryptophan in the diet is critical for the production of serotonin, our primary neurotransmitter. Enhanced serotonin function typically diminishes anxiety and literally improves our neurological and physiological ‘stress-defense shield.'” Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future by David Wolfe.

Chocolate triggers a natural chemical response in your body to help you relax mentally and physically. If you used to feel guilty because you craved chocolate once a month, it’s time to finally release any feelings of guilt! Healthier forms of chocolate are a nutritional benefit and should be eaten with that same mindset. This mindset gives you permission to eat chocolate without the former feelings of shame— I’m bad, I’m doing something wrong, etc..

Now, let’s set some boundaries. Freedom with Responsibility*. Not all chocolate is alike. Eating half a bag of Oreos does not count as chocolate. The majority of common candy bars displayed at the checkout line does not count as quality chocolate either. The sugar may trigger the endorphins, however, I’d rather invest my calorie allotment on foods that give me a better return. Small portions do the job just fine.

Dark chocolate packaging, that indicates a high percentage of the various forms of cacao or cocoa mass, solids, powder, liquor, beans, nibs, or butter is a healthier choice. The higher cacao or cocoa percentage in the 80’s, 90’s, is not sweet and is more of an acquired taste to a newly converted dark chocolate connoisseur. Don’t worry, your taste buds will adjust to this guilt free pleasure.

Cacao or cocoa also has multiple benefits for your heart and vessels. Since my husband has high blood pressure and cholesterol, spurred on by Laura’s reminder of the benefits of chocolate, I add one heaping teaspoon of cacao powder to our smoothies every morning. I don’t believe there is one specific food for the cure-all, however, I do believe that eating various combinations of foods created by God work as a team to benefit my health and yours. The less over processed foods we eat, and daily consume more plant-based foods, the stronger our body and our immune systems will be.

One more thing Laura mentioned was to look for chocolates that do not contain soy lecithin. A couple of weekends ago, we were checking out at Trader Joe’s. I only had time to look at the first bar I picked up, and I found an organic 72% cacao Belgian dark chocolate without soy lecithin.

If you find a dark chocolate without soy lecithin, please take a photo of it with your cell phone and post it to my Facebook page: Julie-Anne Yuccas. Tell us where you found it, and let’s find this healthy pleasure together! Thanks for your help!

Enjoy searching for, savoring, and adding this healthy food to your repertoire.

Blessings to your health!

* From Finishing the Race: Dieting Obsessions, Self-Criticism, and Insecurity Eat My Dust!, Chapter Fifteen.

February 27, 2015
Julie Yuccas

no comments

Sun Dried Tomato Basil Kale Chips

Kale chips is a great way to increase your snacking pleasure using plant-based foods. They are not deep fried, but still have a wonderful flavor like a chip, and the texture and calories are much lighter. These kale chips are a perfect light snack if you get hungry before you make dinner. Enjoy this guilt free, tasty treat knowing each bite is packed with nourishment.

The original recipe comes from Oh She Glows.com, although, the recipe I am posting is my version based on the foods I keep on hand. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do.

Sun Dried Tomato Basil Kale Chips

Time: Preparation: 1hour 15minutes Dehydration: 8-10 hours
Difficulty: easy
Print

♥ Ingredients ♥

2 bunches of kale

1 cup walnuts

1/2 cup, loosely filled, sun dried tomatoes

3 large garlic cloves

4 tablespoons, packed tightly, fresh basil leaves

Juice of 1/2 a lemon

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese or Nutritional Yeast

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

– Walnuts and sun dried tomatoes need to soak for an hour. To make this process easy, use a 2 cup size measuring cup (minimum size if possible). First add 1 cup walnuts, then 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes to the measuring cup. Now add water to the walnuts and tomatoes up to the 1 1/2 cup mark. Let sit for one hour while the nuts and tomatoes absorb water and soften.

– After washing your kale leaves, dry off excess water. Tear approximately 2″ pieces off the spine of each leaf. Please note if the pieces are too small, once dried in the dehydrator, they shrink into little crumbs.

– After the walnuts and tomatoes have soaked one hour, pour walnuts, tomatoes, and remaining water into a blender or food processor. Add garlic, basil, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese or Nutritional yeast, and salt to the walnuts and tomato. Puree all the ingredients until smooth. If needed, add more water a tablespoon at a time for a smooth consistency—but not a runny consistency.

– Pour mixture on kale leaves and coat well.

– Load coated kale leaves close to each other onto dehydrator trays. Dehydrate until crispy, approximately 8 to 10 hours. Delicious!

Tear off 2″ pieces into a large bowl.

Make sure kale is well coated on each leaf.

Place kale close to each other without layering on top of each other. This mixture is much wetter than the Parmesan Kale chips, so it will take longer to dehydrate. If the leaves are stacked on top of each other, it prevents the airflow from drying the kale in an efficient amount of time.

Of course I had to taste test a few pieces before taking the photo! Notice how the kale shrinks in size as it crisps up.

Store kale chips in a sealed container. Maintain crispness by first adding 1 tablespoon of uncooked rice in the bottom of your container—same concept as drying out a wet cell phone.

I hope you really enjoy the flavor of these chips.

Blessings to your health!

February 25, 2015
Julie Yuccas

1 comment

Feel Good Experiences vs. “Real” Good Experiences – Sneak Peek Chapter 6

Without a Shadow of a Doubt

My next significant awareness that God spoke to my heart was in 1990. Quietly washing the dinner dishes, I heard a gentle voice in my mind just moments before my husband confessed an infatuation with a co-worker. This same caring voice, who five years earlier promised to protect me because of a silly dream I had, was now whispering a warning to my mind that my husband was going to tell me he liked another woman.

God’s spirit kept me incredibly calm as He spoke to me at the kitchen sink and during my husband’s revelation. I figured if God chose to warn me ahead of time, then He planned to take care of me through this trial. I attended church long enough at this point to realize the enemy of my soul was trying to destroy my marriage and precious family of four.

Two anchoring thoughts held me victorious in my marriage. I saw an image in my mind of a bed and all these check marks carved into the headboard—it was the devil’s headboard. I did not want my marriage to be another divorce victory for the devil to scratch into his headboard! Secondly, the adoration I have for my children, I refused at all costs to share my children with another woman and determined to prevent that from ever happening.

All of a sudden, as if my every breath depended on it, I craved reading my Bible, which I also refer to as my Owner’s Manual. Over and over, I opened up to a scripture that confirmed exactly what I felt or experienced, or gave me the strength or comfort I needed for the moment. I wanted to stay close and listen for the quiet, non-anxious voice that felt like it came from deep inside me to comfort me, guide me, and protect my family. Hard to believe the Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, cared about this little speck of a girl here on earth, but He certainly proved otherwise!

Since this experience was so new to me, I doubted and questioned some of the things coming to my mind or scenarios that occurred. Is that me or is that God? Repetition and experience nullified my coincidence theory. Importantly, I used discernment with confirmation by asking myself, “Does this align with God’s character in the New Testament?” This discernment became my plumb line for truth and reality.

Unchanging – Immoveable

When it comes to God, you can only experience so many coincidences and then realize certain things are not a coincidence anymore. God uses many avenues to speak to us, through His Word, through books, other people, movies, music, nature, or gently speaking directly to our heart. Remember to ask yourself to know if it is really from God, does it align with His loving character and what the Bible says?

Still after all these years, no matter how many times I experience these seeming coincidences, I am awe struck because it always feels like a miracle even though it is a regular part of my life. My Owner’s Manual, the Bible, the Living Word of God is real and now a substantiating truth in my life.

When I choose to live by sound, reliable principles, then I truly live a balanced, healthy life mentally, physically, and spiritually. What principles and truths do you live by keeping you healthy and whole? I invite you to also experience the Word of God as a substantiating truth in your life.

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Ephesians 3:19 NLT

February 18, 2015
Julie Yuccas

no comments

Benefits of Chocolate

Healing Pathways of Rockford, IL recently offered a community program called The Benefits of Chocolate: Love Your Heart presented by registered nurse Laura Padron. Dark chocolate is another one of nature’s foods that has so many health benefits. To help you enjoy dark chocolate guilt free, I invited Laura to share some wisdom with you.

The word chocolate comes from the Aztec word Xocolatl, which means bitter water. Chocolate is made from the fruit pods and beans of the cacao tree—available in many varieties, flavors, and forms.

Cacao is an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. Cacao can lower bad cholesterol or LDL and increase good cholesterol HDL. Cacao contains many beneficial minerals and augments serotonin excretion, making it known as nature’s anti-depressant. 70% or greater for dark chocolate is best for you.

Be mindful of the dark chocolate you purchase. Look for a brand that does not have artificial soy lecithin, artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. One to two ounces per day is a heart healthy and soulful nutritional treat. My favorite is TAZA. Enjoy!

Laura Padron RN, MS, BSN, CCRN has over thirty years of bedside nursing experience and continues to practice Critical Care and ED Nursing. Laura founded AeBn-Advanced Education in 1999. AeBn offers CPR, ACLS and PALS Courses for all healthcare providers. AeBn also offers CPR and AED Training for non-healthcare providers. Laura is a keynote speaker, providing courses and lectures on Basic Dysrhythmia Interpretation, 12 Lead Interpretation, Care of the Cardiac Patient, and Creating and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments. Laura is on the speaker’s bureau for Hospira and lectures across the nation on the drug Precedex.

Healing Pathways is an independent organization committed to offering free supportive services to those touched by cancer. Through education, inspiration, and complementary therapies, Healing Pathway encourages individuals to discover their own healing pathway.

February 12, 2015
Julie Yuccas

no comments

Quick & Easy Plant-based Chili

My purpose is to share high quality nourishment for the health of your body, so you might notice that I often refer to plant-based foods.

When I gradually converted to healthier eating, my success level improved when:

I prepared a grocery list, so I had somewhat of a plan as to what to buy. A crowded grocery store or shopping in a hurry increased my chances of forgetting something!
I chose convenient meals to make, and use kitchen tools that make my job faster and easier.
I found meals that taste good.

As I started to eat less and less hamburger and fries, my taste buds had to readjust. Yes, it is true, some meals are an acquired taste or texture adjustment. However as time passes, our taste buds start to gravitate towards the healthier way of eating. And the old ways, well, sometimes become not so agreeable to our tummy anymore.

Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.” Genesis 1:29 NLT

Vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are referred to as plant-based foods. These foods were created for our optimal health. Doctor’s Ornish, Esselstyn, Barnard, Campbell and Gerson have proved that plant-based diets improve health and even reverse disease.

The documentary Forks Over Knives on Netflix, about 50 minutes into the documentary, has a great visual for showing inflammation and plaque buildup in our blood vessels based on diet. However, consuming a whole food plant-based diet not only stops the harm, but starts to reverse any damage. How wonderful it is to see patients get off expensive prescription drugs, because their body is so healthy they don’t need them anymore!

Now I am not here to sway your decision whether to become vegetarian, vegan…to eat eggs, dairy, or fish…or not to eat eggs, dairy, or fish. But, we can learn from the professionals who are having consistent success by eating in a more natural manner. We take the information and see what fits into our lifestyle. Hear my heart when I say, I too, am personally experiencing health benefits by eating a diet filled with healing, energizing, immune building plant-based foods. I want to share this wisdom with you.

Mealtime

I like my meal selections to be easy to prepare. I am more apt to stick to healthier eating when it fits into my lifestyle. I enjoy cooking, but I don’t like to spend too much time in the kitchen. That’s why I hope you will enjoy this chili recipe. It is quick and easy to make. Lastly, it tastes really good.

The original recipe comes from The Cancer Survivor’s Guide by Neal D. Barnard, MD and Jenifer K. Reilly, RD. Although, what I am posting is my version, based on the foods that I keep on hand. Lots of nutrients are packed into this beautiful, warm bowl of chili! Enjoy!

Quick & Easy Plant-based Chili

Time: Prep: 20-30 minutes Cooking: 30 minutes
Difficulty: easy
Print

♥ Ingredients ♥

1 cup vegetable broth: 1/2 cup for sauteing and 1/2 cup to add later

1 small onion – diced

1/2 of a green bell pepper – diced

1/2 of a red, yellow, or orange bell pepper – diced

4 large garlic cloves – minced or pressed

1 heaping teaspoon dried or fresh oregano

1 heaping teaspoon dried cumin

1 – 15oz can kidney beans – rinsed

1 – 15oz can black beans – rinsed

1 – 28oz can diced tomatoes, or turn up the heat a little by using 1 – 15oz can diced tomatoes and 1 – 15oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles

1/2 of a 16oz bag organic frozen corn

2 jalapeños – seeds and white ribs removed

1 teaspoon Ancho chili powder or chili powder

Cooking Instructions

– In a large pot, saute onion, peppers, garlic, oregano, and cumin in 1/2 cup vegetable broth for approximately 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

– Add the remaining ingredients including 1/2 cup vegetable broth.

– Heat to slight bubbling on sides, then reduce heat to low simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.

– Keep covered while cooking. Stir occasionally.

Tips

– This recipe can also be made in a crock pot, just follow manufacture’s cooking times.

– Chopped cilantro makes a nice garnish for the chili.

– Because this chili is not full of liquid, it makes a nice filling for burritos or wraps.

– A heaping portion of this chili tastes great over a baked potato.

Enjoy! To Your Health!

February 11, 2015
Julie Yuccas

4 comments

Depression Is Not Forever – Sneak Peek Chapter 37

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression
Proverbs 12:25 NKJV

Losing my mother so soon in life was difficult. There are so many more events in life I wanted to share with her. I had never been depressed before, but after my mom’s death I crawled up in the fetal position at one end of the couch. When I was awake, I watched one movie after another, show after show subconsciously trying to feel better inside. I felt mentally overwhelmed all the time, exhausted, frustrated, and continually looking for sweets and visual stimulation through TV hoping it would make me feel better. The heartache of losing my mom was an intensity I had never experienced before.

I was horrified that my family frequently saw me curled up on the couch after I came home from work. The former energetic businesswoman, mother, and wife was gone. I desperately wanted her back. Everyday, I made myself take a shower, put on makeup, and get dressed. The gentle, warm pounding of the shower on my spent body was therapeutic. That simple, but difficult task was so healing to me. With makeup on, when I looked in the mirror, restorative power came to my mind because I didn’t look as bad as I felt. I made sure to cut myself some slack if I needed sleep. I gave my body as much sleep as needed, understanding the importance of sleep for my mental and physical well-being.

Of course I did various things to try and shake off the depression. Even more surprising was the one thing that rescued me through all my other trials in life was the one thing I could not go to…my prayer time with God. I was so afraid in my alone time with God the soft tender spots in my heart would be touched, and I would feel pain and anguish all over again. I did not want to feel pain or sadness anymore. I avoided it at all costs.

Pushing God at arms length, I held onto my pain. Thank goodness I previously experienced the gentle, loving, and patient nature of God. He faithfully stands by me even when I do not have the strength to stand by Him. I was confident that even though I could not religiously perform or give anything into our relationship, He was always right there with me no matter how I felt. I knew even though I did not have the strength, nor the will to pray for any length of time, He understandingly carried me through this season. There was nothing I felt, or could have done, or not done that would have changed God’s love, care, and protection over me.

Depression is Not Forever

Do not allow condemnation to pressure you if you are in a season of depression. But be encouraged, depression is not forever because God loves you so much He does not want you to stay in a depressed state. He knows the times when you need human support and He sends those people your way. He is patient and knows how much you can handle at a time. He knows all the secret places in your heart. Remember He created you. He knows your thoughts. “You know my every thought…You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord…You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body…” (Psalm 139:2,4,13 NLT). He knows best how to meet your needs.

Those delicate inner parts of your body, soul, and spirit are precious to Him. He wants everything about you healthy and whole. He purposes to make that happen because all the promises in His Word are yes for your life. (Referenced from 2 Corinthians 1:20) May God heal all the places in your heart that hurt, are anxious, or feel broken. May you have the mind of Christ which brings life, healing, and hope. You are worth it.

Blessings to the health of your body, mind, and spirit!

February 5, 2015
Julie Yuccas

no comments

Winter Blend Smoothie

Well my Winter Blend Smoothie is a hit! Those of you that have tried it really like it. Time to share the recipe with you.

I’d love for you to help me encourage others to try fruit and vegetable juicing or smoothies by posting a selfie of yourself drinking a nutritious juice or smoothie. Click on this link to post: https://www.facebook.com/jyuccasfinishingtherace. If you haven’t been able to make them at home yet, but you found a fresh juice establishment for your nutrition—please post your picture too. Thank you!

If you are new to this website, about eleven blogs earlier I posted: Quick & Easy – Bursting with Nourishment – Smoothie. This recipe drew over 900 viewers through Facebook! Thank you for visiting! On that post I shared the base recipe for my smoothie, the grocery list, and the approximate cost each week compared to one chemo treatment. Approximately $22 for immune system protecting foods as opposed to $20,000 for one chemo treatment—seems like a better offer!

Now back in the 80’s, there was a liquid fad diet going around. It was even praised on TV. Lots of people lost weight, but when they started eating food again—they gained weight. Because of that disastrous outcome, I am not a fan of liquid diets or meal replacements, unless it is medically prescribed for health reasons.

For those of you that are not familiar with juicing or smoothies, juicing and smoothies are not liquid diets, instead, it a great way to cram lots of fresh whole food nutrients into a convenient package. I believe food grown from this earth is the best way to nourish our bodies. Now before you categorize me in the tree hugging group, I’m really not. However, when death knocks at your door with a disease in hand, it is time to step it up a notch and change what you were doing in order to gain a result you desire—strong health.

If you look at all the foods contained in the smoothies I make, it would be difficult to eat the quantity of food necessary to gain so many powerhouse nutrients in one sitting. However, concentrating them into a juice or smoothie is the perfect solution! Juicing or making smoothies is a great way to help the body heal itself−loading up on nutrients in a convenient manner. Especially in this busy society, we are always looking for convenience and need healthy ways to combat the stresses on our body.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, my niece recommended information on The Gerson Therapy. I believe we can always learn from others medical successes; take the information and apply it in a way that works for our current situation. So for the last three years, once a week: I juice 5 to 6 pounds of carrots (sorry last blog I wrote 4 – 5 by mistake), one clump of beets, two limes, and 3 to 6 pounds of apples (whichever variety is the least expensive that week), and store it in sealed glass pitchers in my refrigerator. The whole process only takes me thirty minutes to juice and cleanup.

I want to cram as much healing nutrients as I can, so I draw from this concentrated carrot/apple/beet juice supply as the extra liquid to make my smoothie. Using these fruits and vegetables in juice form reduces the pulp in my smoothie. I get enough fiber from all the other produce I put straight into the blender. If you are not able to make juice with a juicer and you don’t want to use water, use a favorite organic juice to thin out your smoothie. Organic apple juice or orange juice works well with this recipe.

Please note: Not all smoothie blender containers are the same size, so you may have to reduce some of the portion sizes I use to determine the perfect amount of fruits and vegetables to add for your blender.

Winter Blend Smoothie

Servings: Makes approximately 8 cups
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: easy
Print

♥ Ingredients ♥

– Apple* (1) (If whole, remove core)

– Avocado (1/4 to 1/2)

– Banana (1)

– Beets* (1 small or divide large in ¼ or thirds) (If whole, peel skin)

– Blueberries fresh or frozen (1/4 to 1/3 cup)

– Carrots* (2) (If whole, wash skin)

– Chard (1 leaf)

– Cranberries fresh or frozen (1/3 cup)

– Kale (2 large leaves)

– Kiwi (1)

– Oranges (2) (Cut skin off, right under the white pith)

– Pineapple (1/2 cup or one handful)

– Red Cabbage (1″ wedge)

– Ginger (1 inch piece) (If fresh, peel skin)

– Ground Cinnamon (4 shakes)

– Ice (one handful)

Tips:

– This increase of fruits compared to the Quick & Easy – Bursting with Nourishment – Smoothie does increase your volume. Adjust portions to fit your blender.

– Avocado, besides being high in potassium, reduces the amount of foam.

– I add my homemade Apple/Carrot/Beet juice to make a more thinner consistency and to boost the nutrition value.

– For your favorite drinkable consistency add: ice, water, or fresh juice.

*Apples, Carrots, and Beets can either be whole or from a previously juiced supply.

What makes this different from the base ingredients in the Quick & Easy – Bursting with Nourishment – Smoothie is I have been adding avocado, cranberries, kiwi, and pineapple for a wonderful addition and flavor.

Reminder: There are many varieties of juicers and blenders that do a wonderful job. I use a Vitamix Blender to make my smoothies. The pitcher is large enough for me to make up to 8 cups at a time. If you make too much in any given day, it will still taste great the next day, just stir well.

Enjoy and Cheers to your health!

February 3, 2015
Julie Yuccas

no comments

Insecurity Bah Humbug! – Sneak Peek Chapter 32

Insecurity Lies to You

Rejection has two good friends named insecurity and shame. Once rejection spits its slime at you, insecurity and shame is close by breathing down your neck. Our past experiences do have an impact on us, however, we have the power to choose how it is going to affect us and for how long. It is in our power. Yes, we are human and we have feelings. Pain is painful, but how long are we going to let it have control over us?

God sent a man of the cloth to reveal truth to me (Chapter 3 – Skinny and Fatty), to remind me of God’s immeasurable love for me, and how important it is to love myself. It had to be a choice I made. I could have told him no and that opportunity would have been lost forever, swallowed up in my insecurities.

I hated the prison of insecurity and self-hate so much more than my fear of revealing my weaknesses, that I let him escort me out of my prison. It was a choice, an opportunity to be set free, and my choice to make. I can share truth with you, but ultimately once you know the truth, the ball is in your court. What are you going to do with it? I hope and pray you chose the truth that you are a cherished woman, a woman of dignity, and worthy to be loved and respected. Chose to let go of the familiar lies of the past that steal, kill, and destroy your well-being and how you feel about yourself. Those lies are not yours; don’t keep them.

Pain and Humiliation Exposed

A husband cheating on his wife is definitely the manure to cultivate a woman’s insecurity. I know rejection. I know the humiliation that tags along with rejection and insecurity. During my husband’s indiscretion, we were invited to a work party at a coworker’s home. Although, I did not see the other woman, I knew she was there. My husband left me for some length of time as he rendezvoused in the basement with the woman who wanted my life. Graciously trying to keep face, I continued to socialize with my husband’s coworkers until his return.

Ladies, I can’t change or reverse the pain or the shame felt in your past. But, I do know each and every one of us has a secure future when we set our eyes on God, and the truths He lovingly pours out in His Word. We can be healed from the past. We may not forget, but when we choose to forgive, the junk from the past does not have a grip on us anymore. Yes, life should be easier. It always seems like work. However, we win when we don’t give up, and we do the right thing.

Now some of you may be thinking, why didn’t I just divorce him? The Bible gave me permission to do that, but remember in Chapter Six (Feel Good Experiences vs “Real” Good Experiences) my driving force to save my marriage was that I was not going to let the enemy of my soul or some other woman take my family. I was willing to fight the battle the right way and determined to win. Everyone is different, has different backgrounds, experiences, and tolerance levels. Do not condemn or shame yourself if you had a different outcome.

God Calling, May 13, Never Judge

Never judge. The heart of man is so delicate, so complex, only its Maker can know it. Each heart is so different, actuated by different motives, controlled by different circumstances, influenced by different sufferings.

How can one judge of another? Leave to Me the unraveling of the puzzles of life. Leave to Me the teachings of understanding. Bring each heart to Me, its Maker, and leave it with Me. Secure in the certainty that all that is wrong I can set right.

freedom

Blessings to your health!!!

Step it up a Notch - Carrot Cake Muffins

Enjoy! Blessings to your health!

Blessings to your health!

Sun Dried Tomato Basil Kale Chips

Blessings to your health!

Without a Shadow of a Doubt

Unchanging – Immoveable

Mealtime

Quick & Easy Plant-based Chili

Depression is Not Forever

Blessings to the health of your body, mind, and spirit!

Winter Blend Smoothie

Enjoy and Cheers to your health!

Insecurity Lies to You

Pain and Humiliation Exposed