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there’s a million reasons to jump on the coconut bandwagon. you’ve probably noticed everything from coconut oil to coconut flour. today I’m going to debunk the mysteries and talk all about the delicious benefits of consuming coconut in as many ways possible.
coconut oil:
this is a product I cannot live without. it has all sorts of uses from the kitchen to the bathroom. since this miracle oil contains lauric acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, when taken orally (by mouth) its a potent anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti parasitic which boosts your immune system — its been known to heal such viruses as; herpes, influenza, and candida. if you don’t want to eat it off a spoon, you can always use coconut oil in oatmeal, smoothies, or as an olive oil replacement.
coconut sugar:
since this all natural sweetener has been touted as being the best sugar alternative, I felt the need to inform everyone about it. coconut sugar comes direct from the flower bud of the coconut tree, there’s no chemical processing nor any additives. it’s also super high in essential minerals and when compared to brown sugar it has twice the iron, 4 times the magnesium and 10 times the zinc. I use coconut sugar as a replacement for everything that calls for white sugar (you can even use it in your tea & coffee)
coconut flour:
this delicious gluten free alternative to regular flour adds a coconutty flavor to all your baked goods. coconut flour has been dried, defatted and ground into a powder with the similar consistency to wheat flour. it’s also amazing for weight loss because its chalked full of dietary fiber which helps keep you full longer, so you eat less.
coconut water:
i love this potassium rich, super hydrating water. best consumed straight from the coconut itself, but since we don’t live in beautiful bora bora we have to buy it from the store. one thing to look at before consuming is the ingredients list. you want to make sure its natural, and there’s no sugar added. if you buy the one that’s flavored and has sugar you will be consuming as much or more sugar than what’s in juice or soft drinks.
coconut milk:
this creamy deliciousness is so versatile, you can bake with it, add it to savory dishes, pour it on cereal or add it to coffee/tea. it’s packed with vitamins c, e, b1, b3, b5 as well as iron. if you don’t want to drink it, you can always slather it on your skin – its super moisturizing if you apply it to your face and leave on for 15 minutes, rinse then pat dry.
love & coconuts!
xo care
today’s blog post is all about my love for magnesium. as I’m sure most of you know, magnesium is responsible for so many essential functions in your body, including: formation of healthy bones, energy production, detoxification, body temperature and stress reduction.
this mineral tops the list for women because it drastically improves pms symptoms, is a lifesaver for migraine sufferers and can also work as a natural tranquilizer for those suffering with insomnia/racing brain.
you might be magnesium deficient if you have any of these symptoms:
these are the main symptoms, but the list is endless. you can check out www.calmnatural.com/magnesium-deficiency for an expanded list of signs and symptoms.
my favorite way to correct this imbalance is through dietary modifications, supplements, and hot epsom salt baths. easy everyday foods that are high in magnesium include; pumpkin seeds, bananas, black beans, brown rice, lentils, oatmeal and quinoa. these are all super easy options to include in your daily routine.
as well, I really love sipping a hot magnesium drink called “natural calm”. the raspberry lemon flavor is my fave- its my evening ritual that relaxes me and lets my brain know its time for bed. if you prefer not to drink or eat your magnesium you can always buy supplements – look for 250mg bottle and follow the directions.
love & tranquility,
xo care
this week gwyneth paltrow released her latest cookbook “its all good”, and I’m absolutely obsessed with it. in it she details how she came to a place in her life where she needed to start eating clean, cut out the junk and start taking care of herself. I can totally relate with her story about pushing your body to the brink of a breakdown, and bringing it back to life with pure, clean, nourishing food.
when I refer to eating clean, it means no processed, fried or high allergenic foods (eggs, wheat, dairy, sugar, gluten). by following this plan you allow your gut to heal, reduce systemic inflammation, and it’s a great way to find out what foods are triggering you to go into a state of imbalance.
a few common imbalances that you can look for are: you’re always in fight and flight mode, your anxiety & depression levels seem to always be skyrocketing, you tend to have headaches, digestive problems and/or get sick a lot. if you’re feeling any of those symptoms, a few things you might want to look at are your adrenal glands (the little glands that sit above your ovaries), possible mineral deficiency, food allergies, a sluggish liver and/or there could be a hormone connection. with a little tweaking of a supplements regime, the right diet and some good quality time with yourself doing yoga, going for a walk and meditating you will feel like a new person!
okay, now on to the yummy stuff!!! today I’m going to highlight one of many delicious recipes from her book. It’s the Banana “ice cream”. she has ice cream in quotations because unlike the regular stuff this one is dairy free, sugar free & guilt free… hurrah!
{banana “ice cream” with sweet- and – salty roasted almonds}
4 ripe bananas peeled and sliced into thin rounds
¼ cup finely chopped roasted almonds
2 tsp. plus 2 tbsp. good quality maple syrup divided
pinch of sea salt
½ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
freeze bananas on a single layer tray or plate with parchment paper till frozen. meanwhile in a small bowl combine the almonds, maple syrup, and sea salt set aside mixture.
combine frozen bananas the almond milk the remaining maple syrup and vanilla in food processor and pulse till mixture is like soft serve ice cream. immediately serve in bowls with almond topping!
love & clean eating!
xo care
after recovering from a weekend full of eating, drinking, and eating some more you’re all probably craving a healthy alternative to your weekly snack craving. today’s recipe is all about chocolate & nuts done in the food processor and rolled into a ball. yum!!
one of my favorite ingredients in this little ball is dates. you will have a new found obsession for them after you make this recipe. they’re super high in fibre
{great way to improve your transit time}, minerals, and tons of vitamins. you can also add them to smoothies, cookies or banana bread!
{recipe} makes 24 balls
1 cup walnuts raw and unsalted
1 cup almond raw and unsalted
1 cup dates soaked in warm water for 5 min and pit removed
¼ cup cocoa powder {use carob powder or raw cocoa powder to make these truly raw}
2 tbsp real maple syrup
pinch of sea salt
½ tsp vanilla powder or extract
I cup shredded unsweetened coconut
optional ingredients: orange/lime zest, almond extract, dried banana chips, dried cherries… the list is endless!
Directions:
1. place the walnuts into a food processor and pulse until fine meal is made.
2. discard the water from the dates and add the dates to the food processor. Pulse until walnuts and dates are combined.
3. add the cocoa powder, syrup, salt, and vanilla.
4. when a uniform paste is made add the almonds and pulse until almonds are lightly crushed. You want to have some crunch in the balls.
5. roll 1 tbsp of dough into a ball. roll the balls in coconut and place on a plate. Once all the dough has been made into balls, place in the freezer to firm. Store the balls in an air tight container in the fridge.
love & bliss,
xo care
its been a fantastic easter long weekend full of decorating, a lot of cooking and several visitors. we hosted a dinner on good friday with hubs family and had mine for sunday brunch. i spent a lot of time in the kitchen but loved every minute of it. at times i could use to make life easier on myself and not do everything from scratch but it is really incredible when you can embrace the cooking process. i had music playing, candles burning and tried a few new things. all turned out great and most importantly, my home was full of love and laughter. kiddies were completely smitten with the goodies the easter bunny had delivered. missed my mom this weekend since she is moving in to her new home but lots of chats kept her seemingly close by.
sloane was a big help decorating the easter eggs, the table and helping her dad with little chores around the house. she has grown in to this incredible little leader, so independent.
hubby and i escaped for a little date night on saturday. it was so great to do something just for us. we were well rested and ready to take on the day today with our second round of visitors. everyone left with very full bellies and a relaxing visit together. i snuggled up with my family feeling full of gratitude for the tremendous love in my life.
i hope each of you had equally lovely weekends, oodles of treats and embracing the spring ahead!
x, m
happy spring everyone! caroline here from cook with care to share with you a super simple and delicious spring/summer salad. there’s 3 things i love about this salad.
first off the ingredients are totally interchangeable — if you don’t feel like carrots or edamame, feel free to swap them with your veggie of choice, ie: mushrooms, zucchini, cucumber, peppers.
secondly the health benefits of the salad are spot on, you’ve got your fermented miso paste in the dressing which is full of live enzymes similar to what you would get in kefir {your gut will thank you}. then there’s wild rice which is a gluten free nutritional powerhouse – its packed full of fiber, antioxidants and has twice as much protein as brown rice. then there’s cilantro, which has the added benefit of helping with nausea, gas, and is a powerful anti-inflammatory!
third – the miso dressing is to die for… I use it on everything from coleslaw to kale. warning: you might get addicted!
{recipe}
1 cup wild rice or rice of your choice
1 cup of carrots thinly sliced
1 cup organic frozen shelled edamame
1 large handful of cilantro chopped
4 stalks of asparagus chopped small
1 tbsp. sesame seeds
** optional protein:
½ block of extra firm organic tofu {if using this please wrap in paper towel for 10min}, chicken breast, salmon fillet, organic sustainable canned tuna or tempeh.
{dressing: done in separate bowl}
2 tbsp organic miso paste – always make sure soy products are organic to ensure they’re not GMO
3 tbsp rice vinegar
juice from a small orange or half large orange including a bit of pulp
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp grated ginger
2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
1 shallot
{how to}
cook rice according to directions, if you’re choosing to go with a protein I would suggest baking it in the oven with pepper, a light sprinkle of tamari or soy sauce and a bit of olive oil. please refrain from adding salt to this recipe as the tamari and miso are salty enough. add asparagus & edamame to a pot of boiling water and cook for no more than 4-5min. now you’re ready to assemble. add rice in a bowl at the bottom, then add remaining ingredients, the dressing — toss and serve.
happy cooking!
xo care
when life hands you almonds… make almond milk! these nutty little morsels are super high in magnesium, potassium and vitamin E. but if that’s not enough to convince you to make your own almond milk – its also lower in calories than cows milk, 100 % dairy free, and super easy to make.
homemade almond milk has a creamy sweetness to it. I love using it in everything from baking to smoothies – and compared to other dairy alternatives like soy milk, it doesn’t have excess estrogen-like components.
the almond milk process starts at the store 2 days prior to making, make sure to buy:
{day 1}
Soak 1 cup of raw almonds in fresh filtered water for 12-24hrs
{day two}
* if you don’t like vanilla & date flavoured almond milk, you can use cinnamon, cocoa, maple syrup, almond extract, raw honey – the world is your almond!
enjoy!
xo care
see more of caroline here
okay all you veggie and non veggie lovers…caroline here! this post is sure to get your inner green goddess revved up, and since the blahs of february have most likely set up shop affecting your mood and body, why not get into a new habit of juicing your greens. and if you’re one who has already jumped on the bandwagon {your skin is thanking you} maybe i can inspire you with a few new recipe ideas!!
since buying a juicer is a hefty investment, you can always put the greens directly into a blender or vitamix. if that’s not an option head on over to your local whole foods market to try a bottle of cold pressed juice {same great benefits but the method of cold pressing doesn’t oxidize the fruit/vegetables, which helps to keep the enzymes in tact}.
now, I know you’re all wondering how you’ll look and feel during this beautiful transformation. things to expect: drastically improved digestion, faster transit time {… if you know what I mean}, more energy, potential weight loss and smooth, beautiful, glowing skin!!
convinced?…
here are a few simple rules to follow when getting started.
1. fresh is best: using fresh ingredients ensures you are putting the best that there is into your body – you wouldn’t eat moldy food, so don’t juice it.
2. go green: try juicing the greenest veggies available. think kale, spinach, romaine, and cilantro.
3. look for organic: if its not feasible I suggest following the dirty dozen and clean 15 chart to see what your best options are.
4. drink asap –the longer the juice sits, the less likely you’ll benefit from all the beautiful enzymatic activity inside the greens. this rule applies to blending as well.
craving a little sweetness? juice a green apple, ginger, or pear. if you’ve gone the blender route I love adding ½ banana, ½ avocado, berries or mango.
{beat the blahs green juice}
1 bunch of spinach or baby spinach
3 large kale leaves
½ cucumber skin removed
1-2 green apples
1 knob of ginger
3 stalks of celery
* if you want to make it more of a meal, add the juice to the blender with 1 banana and a handful of blueberries.
{blueberry bliss green smoothie}
½ cup blueberries
½ tbsp. almond butter
½ banana
1 tsp. chia seeds
1 tsp. flax seeds
handful of spinach leaves
2 leaves of kale stems removed
pinch of cinnamon
3 ice cubes
unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk until desired consistency
* blend until smooth, drink immediately!
- caroline -
http://www.youtube.com/cookwithcare
http://facebook.com/cookwithcare
http://twitter.com/cookwithcare
if you follow me on twitter or instagram you would have seen a little something a while back…it was a little sneak peek in to what was going to come for 2013 and well the time has come! i could not be more excited to open up my heart, my passion and my love for design, food and fashion with two people whom i completely adore and who are the best at what they do.
milk and cotton has two new contributors!
we started this process with a day full of laughter, love and a tremendous amount of pride for our accomplishments at a shoot along lake ontario. the sweet, talented heather of peekaboo studios snapped all the photos you see here. i owe this young lady a lot. she was the first to put her hand out to help me get my business started and has never failed me when it comes to going the extra mile. thank you heather- from the bottom of my heart for being so incredibly generous.
let me start by saying that i have had several people ask me about contributing to this blog and i was extremely particular about who i chose to write here. these two ladies are smart, talented and accountable and more importantly- they believe and love all the things that i do. i know that anything they choose to share with you will be something i would equally love to share. so- i could go on and on about the super crazy fantastic-ness of these beautiful girls but i will start by introducing them with more about what makes them tick and there backgrounds.
Meet Caroline
Caroline is a passionate cook, shopper and eater. As a lover of all that’s local, seasonal and organic, her creations range from vegan & gluten-free dishes to a healthy take on traditional fave’s. After a long career in fashion, she finally followed her heart into becoming a Holistic Nutritionist. Caroline is infatuated with her rescue mutt Moose, exotic escapes with her husband Matt and leaving a lasting impression on her beautiful life.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Driving to Florida with my family. You would think spending 24hrs in the car with your older brother would be a drag, but not for me — -I’m super close with them and would do anything to re-live those carefree moments again.
Your last meal would be?
Homemade spaghetti & meatballs (with quinoa pasta and organic grass fed beef of course J)
An item in your wardrobe you can’t live without?
My little beige suede booties, I’ve literally worn them into the ground, but refuse to send them to shoe heaven. I wear them with jeans, dresses, shorts and skirts. LOVE!!!
True meaning of life is…?
Spend as much time with family and friends as possible. Always make time for people, regardless of how busy you are.
My friends…
are my family
My family…
are my friends
My mornings start with….
My version of a green goddess smoothie is Kale, spinach, cucumber, celery & apple juiced, then thrown into the blender with a banana and ice cubes.
How does culture influence your world?
The natural healing protocols from other countries inspire me to integrate them into my lifestyle. Right now, I love turmeric for its anti inflammatory benefits and ginger for digestion!
What do you love most about what you do?
For the first time in 31 years I can finally say, “I love what I do, and I feel inspired about what I do.” I wake up every day wanting to help people eat better, feel better and live a more balanced lifestyle.
Caroline can be found here with more to come as her budding nutrition business takes off!
http://www.youtube.com/cookwithcare
http://facebook.com/cookwithcare
http://twitter.com/cookwithcare
Meet Lesley
Lesley McClement is an innovative fashion stylist and personal shopper who started her business with a goal in mind; to save people time, money and give them the style they deserve. Whether your days are spent at home or in the boardroom, Lesley believes that you should feel confident, fashionable and put together.
With a keen eye for global trends and her ability to merge edgy designs with classic looks, Lesley has positioned herself as a leader in the industry. Her unique sense of aesthetic, creative style and versatility sets her apart from the rest and keeps her in high demand amoung top clients.
Lesley has an undergraduate degree from the University of Western Ontario and gained her Masters of Marketing Degree at Webster University while living in Saint Louis. Her past work experiences at both L’Oreal Canada and ALIVE Fashion Magazine have helped her to evolve her individual style and bold vision.
Just as her work is multi-faceted so is Lesley’s personal life. Due to her husbands busy career as a professional hockey player (now for the Toronto Maple Leafs) Lesley has resided in both Saint Louis and Denver before returning back to the city that she loves most. Lesley’s clientele includes professional athletes, business executives and stay-at-home mothers. Lesley believes that her fashion inspiration is fueled by distinctive cultures, travelling the world and the unique people that she has met along the way.
Favourite Childhood Memory? My absolute favorite memory would have to be our annual camping trip to Charleston Lake with our closest family friends. My sisters and I spent the hot summer days canoeing, fishing and swimming. At night, we would all cuddle around the toasty campfire with a guitar and an endless supply of Smores. It was a magical time in my childhood that I will never forget.
Your Last Meal Would Be? Easy one. The authentic Pasta Bolognese that I had while travelling through the quaint Italian town of Pienza. It is and will always be the most delicious meal I have ever tasted. Pair that with a delicious glass of Brunello from the Montalcino region….Perfection.
An Item In Your Wardrobe You Can’t Live Without? Without a doubt, my Loeffler Randall Matilde Riding Boots. Stylish, comfortable and made of the most supple Italian vachetta leather. It was love at first sight and I now own them in three different colours.
True Meaning Of Life Is? Becoming what we capable of, appreciating everything around you, loving with all of your heart, cultivating compassion for others and practicing gratitude on a daily basis.
My friends… Are those people who have been there through the thick and thin and that always want the best for me. They constantly remind me that truth, beauty and goodness exist in this world.
Family is life’s greatest gift. They are the rock that holds me steady and the most important people in my world. They are unconditional love, a listening ear and the most genuine people I know. They are the true essence of my life.
My Mornings Start With… Filling up my favorite Crate + Barrel mug with Starbucks coffee and then making myself a yummy egg white omelet. After this, I return emails, check up on my social media pages and start my daily blog.
How does culture influence your world? As an avid traveler, I believe it is necessary to surround myself with unique environments to better understand and appreciate the world that I live in. The more places I travel, the more I learn about the importance of culture, which makes me a more open minded individual and well-rounded stylist. Culture influences everything from the food I eat, to the clothes I wear, to the way I entertain my guests. It is my philosophy that everyone should see the world (and not just the glamorous aspects) but the way people are really living; as these experiences open up your eyes, heart and mind.
What do you love most about what you do? Being a fashion stylist and personal shopper is not at times as glamorous as it seems. There is a lot of sourcing, billing and carrying big boxes to and from client’s houses. However, helping people to feel special in their clothing is really what keeps me coming back for more. When I get emails or cards from clients saying, “they have never felt better”, or that they “are in love with the gift from their husband” it makes my job all worthwhile. I also love the creativity that comes along with my work. Everything from outfit pairing, to wardrobe editing to teaching my clients how to dress properly for their body shape. I believe in mixing high and low priced items and that clothing don’t necessarily have to be expensive to look fashionable. It’s all about HOW you wear your clothes; that is the important part.
Lesley can be found here
Web: thestylehunter.com
Blog: www.thestylehunterdiaries.blogspot.com
Follow Lesley on Twitter @thestylehunter
Facebook: http://facebook.com/pages/the-style-hunter/149150035186541
Follow Lesley on Pinterest (link: http://pinterest.com/thestylehunter/)
Follow Lesley on Instagram @thestylehunterdiaries
so beyond excited to hear what these girls have to bring to the blog- be sure to check in often as they will be posting here weekly! comments and questions are what they thrive for after all, there job is to make you look and feel beautiful from the inside out ;)
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x, m
