Thursday, May 10, 2012

Green Juice

I introduce to you one of my favorite things ever. This beautiful green juice is, in my opinion, one of the best tools towards wellness. I try to drink this liquid goodness at least 4-5 times every week. When I go without, I notice. It just makes you feel good. Really good.


After reading "Crazy Sexy Life" by Kris Carr I was inspired. This is her juice recipe and it is truly delicious. Try to use organic veg as much as possible!

The Almighty Green
1-2 organic cucumbers cut in half (I use one during the winter when they are so expensive and then 2 during the summer. Also if you can't get organic just peel it before you juice it.)

4-5 romaine leaves (You can use any green, but I really like romaine.)
4-5 leaves of kale
3-4 celery stalks
1 inch long piece of fresh ginger (Careful here. This is one powerful root.)
1/2 a lemon
1 apple quartered

Broccoli stems can also be used, this is optional. See tip below.

Run all of the veggies through your juicer and presto your on your way to feeling fabulous. Makes a little less than 32 ounces. If you use 2 cucumbers it makes a little over 32 ounces.

*Cool Tip: When I buy broccoli, I don't very often eat the stem (although you can). So instead of just throwing it in the compost, I juice it. They last a long time in the fridge ( I always have some lying around) so you can use them over several weeks.


Now Juice!!!


After juicing regularly for a couple of years now, I can honestly say that I LOVE my juicer. It is a very worthwhile investment and your entire being will thank you. 

Happy juicing everyone!!

Amber H.


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Awesome Custom Made Bag

I present you with my first custom made bag sold on my etsy shop DaffodilHut. I'm really proud of this one so please feel free to admire.

























This bag is fully lined and hand embroidered. I am in love with it.

Check out my etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/DaffodilHut to see the details!

Peace.
Amber H.


Monday, May 7, 2012

Detox Day 7 & First Greens





Oh the joys of gardening! Sunday I spent all day outside, planting, weeding and soaking up the rays. At the end of the day I harvested arugula, lettuce, some broccoli rabe sprouts and then made our first salad from the garden. After baking some marinated tempeh and sweet potato fries, dinner was served. Another detoxifying meal and a great way to wind up detox day 7.

Here are some more fabulous shots from around the yard and in the garden.



Week one of my Spring detox has come to an end. How do I feel? I feel good. Coffee no longer controls my life.  You understand that first cup of coffee in the morning, need I say more? And I am sleeping like a baby every night. Now I drink a delicious mug of hot water with a slice of lemon when I wake up. Don't knock it till you try it people. It's hydrating and alkalizing and actually really delicious.

Enjoy this lovely weather this week, eat some brown rice and guzzle some H2O!

Peace.

Amber H.


Thursday, May 3, 2012

Spring Detox Day 4

Hello to you all! Today is day four of my Spring detox and so far I'd say things are going pretty good. The coffee as predicted has been the most difficult to kick. It is truly amazing how addicting the stuff is. As with most things we are our own worst enemies and even though I know I feel better when I don't drink it, I still want it. Badly.

And so it goes.




What did I do to ease my coffee woes?? I picked some lilacs. Aren't they lovely?


Amber H.


Monday, April 30, 2012

Spring Detox Day 1


 Welcome to day 1 of my Spring detox!

Detoxing or cleansing to me really means returning to a simpler way of eating and taking some time to evaluate things. Examining how your body feels on a daily basis is important and helps us to be more in tune with ourselves. We should be doing these things everyday, but life has a way of butting in on our best intentions.

 I also don't believe in deprivation. That is not what this detox is about. Here is a really great article on one of my favorite blogs "My New Roots" http://mynewroots.blogspot.com/2009/01/simple-detox-for-all.html. Although she is writing this for a New Year detox for the Winter months, I still think it applies here. I have decided not to do any fasting. Instead I will be loading up on tons of fresh veggies, greens, green juice, green smoothies etc...

The first couple days of a detox can be the hardest, especially if you are addicted to caffeine. A good tip is to wean yourself from the caffeine to help prevent those dreaded caffeine withdrawal headaches. To do this you can mix half regular and half decaf and then gradually decrease the amount of regular. Or have a cup of green tea. Soon you won't even notice.

 If you are like me and you actually like the taste of coffee a really great product to buy is called "Teeccino." It is a ground up blend of herbs, grains, fruits and nuts. Sounds weird, but it is actually quite delicious and it has absolutely no caffeine. You can drink it at night or whenever. I like to mix it with some regular coffee beans in the morning, grind it all together and then brew it up in your coffee pot. It does have some gluten in it, so beware if you have any gluten sensitivities.

Also make sure you are getting enough sleep.

And lastly, breathe.

Amber H.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Awesome Toiletry Bag



Just added this very cool toiletry bag to my etsy shop. Enjoy!



Amber H.

Spring Detox


During this time of year it seems we all have the itch to do some Spring cleaning. Most of us take this to mean cleaning out closets, scrubbing nooks and crannies and clearing the cobwebs in our homes. Well, I have decided to take this tradition and apply it to myself. Don't get me wrong, I love my morning coffee and a glass (or two) of wine in the evenings, but seriously sometimes our livers need a break.

So for the next three weeks I will live as a saint. No coffee, alcohol, animal products of any kind and little to no sugar (fruit will be ok as well as the occasional piece of dark chocolate. I am only human after all.). For me the most difficult part will be giving up coffee and wine. Isn't that the most difficult for everyone!!

I will be posting my progress as well as recipes and helpful tips. Feel free to join me and follow along!

Peace Out,

Amber H.