The Detox Queen is MOVING!!

Hello, thank you for coming to my Blog!

I want to let you know that you are more than welcome to look around at my blog posts, and other pages, but I am moving host sites. I will be moving to Wordpress. The reason being, I have more creative and coding freedom there, than I do on Blogger.

Because I am only one person, this may take a couple weeks.

Thank you for understanding!

I will still be doing videos on YouTube, and posting on Facebook & Instagram.

See you on Wordpress!

Everything in Whole Foods Is NOT Organic?????

Recently, I have heard from many different people that they think everything in Whole Foods is organic. Every time I'm there I see at least 20 people piling up plates and to-go boxes with food from the bar. BUT, did you know that a majority of the foods on that bar are NOT organic, and most likely are cooked in GMO Canola oil??? Did you know that Whole Foods brand "365" is not organic? That's right. Whole Foods is not as great as you thought is was, and is definitely not worth the money (most of the time).

Who can blame the people who think its all organic? Whole Foods promotes themselves as a "natural" and "organic" store. I will give it to them. Them have plenty of great holistic body care products, and a good selection of produce and groceries in many different categories like, Local, Vegetarian, Vegan, Paleo, and Gluten-Free. But just because they have all those options, and they sound good, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are. Let's go through each category.

Local. Supporting Local Farmers is wonderful! Going to a farmer's market, and picking up freshly picked tomatoes is one of the best feelings in the world, but supporting Local organic farmers feels even better. No, Local does not mean organic. It just means that the farm the produce came from is within a certain mile radius of the store. A local farmer can still be using pesticides, herbicides, and other things that contaminate the soil, the plant, and your body.

Vegetarian. Being vegetarian is the best! It's the first step to becoming vegan. Less animals are consumed, which means less stress on your digestive system, and more ease on your conscience. But, if you stick to the vegetarian section at stores, like Whole Foods, you will be consuming a lot of soy, and other GMO products. Most vegetarian directed products have dairy products in them that are not organically raised, so are therefor toxic to your body. Even if they are organically raised they are toxic, so just go vegan.

Vegan. I love being vegan. I feel better inside and out! My mood has changed, and things have become more normal (if you know what I mean). But, I am not a vegan who eats tofu, Boca burgers, and vegan cheese. Those things have TONS of chemicals in them to make them taste the way they do. Well, I guess tofu doesn't because it doesn't have a taste on its own, but it is made completely of soy, and soy is toxic to your body (organic or not). Whole Foods has many Vegan products, but most are not organic. Sprouts is a much better option to find Organic Vegan food.

Paleo. Paleo is good. I've never done it before, but I have family members who have. Paleo isn't focused on organic, anyway, so I can understand why Whole Foods wouldn't have many organic Paleo products.

Gluten-Free. Here's the zinger. Since the Gluten-Free craze started, companies started putting "GF" on their products because they thought if people know they're Gluten-Free, they'll buy them. Well, being Gluten-Free is great! The things is, Gluten-Free doesn't mean sugar free, animal product free, chemical free, toxin free, or organic. It just means they didn't use wheat in that specific product.

So, you see, just because a company makes something sound good, doesn't mean it really is. I'm not trying to shun Whole Foods, but I do think they should be trying to get more organic products in.

Allyson Marie

Please see other posts on Whole Foods:

Whole Foods Market and Monsanto Partner Up to Halt GMO-Labeling

Why is Whole Foods in Love with Canola Oil????

Why is Whole Foods in Love with Canola Oil????

Whole Foods Market just keeps losing my trust more and more every time I go there. Recently, I saw that most of their tooth paste section has been taken over by Tom's, which was bought out by Colgate a long time ago. They don't even have EarthPaste! Well, on the bar of food you can buy for $8.99/lb, they use Canola Oil to cook everything! Canola Oil???? Really??? You're supposed to be promoting health and organic food! Canola Oil is Genetically Modified, and isn't even supposed to be consumed by humans! They have to alter it, while processing it, to make it edible.

To add to this nonsense of Whole Foods using Canola Oil to cook the food (that, by the way, isn't even organic except for some on the salad bar) that people buy for $8.99 a pound, they are promoting using it in recipes they give out! In their coupon book for September/October 2016 (this year), there is a recipe for "Maple-Oat Cookies." Along with other things, this recipe calls for 1/2 cup of Canola Oil. It doesn't even specify organic Canola Oil (even though that is no better).

People trust Whole Foods Market! They trust them to always have the best food, organic food, etc. That's probably why some people buy the food off their hot bar. If the people are new to eating healthy, they may not know to read the ingredients list, or even know what to look for, yet! The general population automatically thinks that Whole Foods is a place to get organic food that is good for you. Why are they doing this to their customers?

Well, I can tell you one reason. They have become more about the money, than actually helping people get healthy. They sided with Monsanto to ban GMO-labeling, are catering to the companies that don't give a crap (excuse the language, please) about the people's health, they've started focusing more on getting "Local" produce, than getting organic (and the prices they're charging for local seems like they should be organic, too). When people used to say the Whole Foods' name should be "Whole Paycheck," I would try to stand up for them, but now, I agree with those people, and might even say it myself. They have become nothing but another big, greedy company who's only about the profits. They used to do classes on health, that has stopped. They used to do healthy cooking classes (that were free)
, and that has also stopped.

The only reason I go there, now, is to get my Deionized or Reverse Osmosis water for $0.39 a gallon. I wish I didn't have to do that, but no one else sells it.

Please think twice about shopping at Whole Foods Market. They're not what they used to be.

Healing Leaky Gut While Vegan Smoothie Recipe

I made a YouTube video: Vegan Collagen Therapy For Leaky Gut [Healing Leaky Gut While Vegan], and it got such a great response, I felt I needed to put the recipe for the smoothie I've been making to help my gut heal itself.

In the video I talk about how most Healing Leaky Gut Diets are not Vegan because you have to make and drink Bone Broth. Well, I decided to find out what nutrients are provided by Bone Broth, and which plants they are in. I found out that the nutrients that provide the Collagen Therapy are: Glutamine, Glycine, and Proline. Glutamine is found in Parsley, Spinach and Cabbage; Glycine is found in Spirulina; and Proline is found in cabbage, as well. When I found this out, I thought, why not make a smoothie with these greens (and other stuff to make it taste better)? So, I did. It took a few tries, and sometimes I'd forget to put an ingredient in, but now I've got it!

Here it is!

The Healing Leaky Gut While Vegan Smoothie

First, you need a Blender. A regular blender will work, but I use a Blendtec. It is a high speed blender that makes sure all the plant components are ground, and are easily digested.

Here are the ingredients for the smoothie:
Yield: 3 Servings

• 20 oz. Purified Water (reverse osmosis or distilled)
• 2-3 Handfuls Organic Mixed Baby Greens (Spinach, Kale, Arugula) 
• 1/2 Bunch Organic Parsley
• 2 Organic Cabbage Leaves
• 1 Organic Banana
• 1 Cup fresh or frozen strawberries
• 1 Scoop Amazing Grass Green SuperFood Powder

First, pour the purified water into your blender.
Then, put the Mixed baby greens, parsley, and cabbage leaves in. Make sure they are push down into the blades of the blender.
Next, break up the banana and put it in.
Then, put the fresh or frozen strawberries in. If you are using a blender other than a Blendtec or Vitamix, then cut up the fresh strawberries, or break up the frozen ones.
Last, put the scoop of powder in. This powder has the Spirulina, and plenty of other great nutrients that are great for you, even if you don't have Leaky Gut!
Now, BLEND! If you are using a Blendtec or Vitamix, you can press the button that says smoothie. If you are using another type of blender, blend until you don't see any chunks swimming around.

This recipe makes 3 servings. You can drink it all in one go, split it up into 3 servings to drink at different times during the day, or share it with your family! Chances are, you'll all benefit from it! If you do share it, put 2 extra scoops of the powder to get the full benefit!

This recipe is so simple, not very costly, helps your gut, and tastes soooo good!

Since I have been healing my gut, or letting my gut heal on its own, my skin has gotten smoother. I have always had super rough skin. Even since I was a baby! I'm pretty certain it is because I was born from a C-section, instead of naturally. When a mother has a C-section, the baby doesn't get the necessary first probiotics of its life.

Well, now my skin is a lot smoother! Not as smooth as it could be, but a lot better! My rosacea has gotten better, as well! Also, whenever I eat Ezekial 4:9 Sprouted Wheat bread, I do not get bloated, when I did before. This is very exciting for me!

I hope to help other Vegans, and meat-eaters as well, heal their guts, and live healthier lives! I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Please contact me at allysonholistichealth@gmail.com for any questions you may have. I also offer Holistic Health Coaching Sessions and Hypnosis Sessions. Both I can do over the phone.

Thank you for reading!

Allyson 

Top 8 Replacement Foods Every Vegan Should Have In Their Pantry or Fridge (NO TOFU!)

Sometimes people know that they want to become Vegan, but they don't know what to replace certain foods with. The foods in this Top 8 list are foods that I have tried, and stuck with to replace foods that aren't Vegan.

Let's get this show on the road...

1. Hummus = Cheese

Hummus? Really? Yes! It is the perfect substitute for cheese, and it doesn't have all the chemically flavored stuff that vegan cheeses have. This cookbook has 100 Recipes for different types of hummus. The Hummus Cookbook: 100 Delicious Hummus Recipes

2. Nutritional Yeast = Dry Sprinkle Cheese

Okay, so I must say, when people want to go vegan, most people have a problem with giving up cheese. That's why there are so many vegan cheeses out there, and that's why the first two products of my Top 10 Replacement Foods are for cheese. People like cheese. I will say that you have to be careful with your Nutritional Yeast. It is grown on Sugar Cane plants, but a lot of companies don't specify whether or not the sugar cane they are growing it on is GMO. You're best off getting an Organic one that says GMO Free on the box. Here's one that I've found to be the best and most trusted: Bragg Nutritional Yeast Seasoning, Premium, 4.5 Ounce

3. Extra Virgin Olive Oil = Butter

Besides the fact that Olive Oil is a lot better for you than butter, it tastes so good! Forget the whole craze that "fat makes you fat!" No, excess protein and excess sugar (carbs) make you fat! Of course, you want to eat good fat, so eat your Extra Virgin Olive oil, and other fats I will mention on this list.  Remember this: the darker the olive oil, the better. It means it has been less processed. Also, don't cook with Olive Oil! It goes rancid very quickly when heated.
Try out the Extra Virgin Olive Oil I use: Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2L (2QT 3.6 fl. oz)

4. Coconut Oil = Pretty Much Anything 

Okay, so I think a lot of people know that Coconut Oil has a TON of uses! From whitening your teeth to putting it in your tea, but what uses does it have that are specifically for vegans? Well, you can put it on your face and skin as a natural, vegan moisturizer; use it to cook with instead of butter or lard!
You should always get Organic, Unrefined Coconut oil. Try this one out: Carrington Farms Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 54 Ounce

5. Oats, Banana, and Water = Vegan Waffles!

In normal waffles you have to use eggs, flour, milk, maybe. But if you have a high speed blender, you can make simple vegan waffles! The funny thing is, I'm eating one right now! I'll be posting a recipe soon for these delicious breakfast treats! In the mean time, get the oats, so you can make them when I post it: Bob's Red Mill Organic Oats Rolled Thick, 16-Ounce (Pack of 4)

6. Coconut Milk

We all want some creaminess in our smoothie, or organic coffee sometimes. Coconut milk is the perfect solution! Use it just like cow's milk! Try this one out: Native Forest Organic Classic Coconut Milk, 13.5-oz. Cans (Count of 12)

7. Dulse Flakes = Fishiness

If you like seafood, or the taste of fish, Dulse flakes are for you! You can make a vegan tuna salad, and it will taste fishy! Plus, Dulse is sooooo good for you! It has good, natural Iodine that is great for your thyroid! This is the one I use because I trust the company: Maine Coast Organic Sea Seasonings - Dulse Granules - 1.5 oz Shaker - Case of 3

8. Chick Peas = Chick'n 

Chick peas have the look of chicken, and the consistency when made right. They have a good amount of protein, and you can season them however you want! Want to try some? You know you do: Westbrae Natural Organic Garbanzo Beans, 15 Ounce (Pack of 12)

Now that you know what foods to replace non-Vegan foods with, you're ready to get on the bandwagon! I suggest trying it out a few days a week, at first to see how you feel.

I hope this was helpful!

Allyson

Are You Eating COAL?: The Truth About Articial Colorings

Are You Eating Coal? No? Think again. Do you eat anything with artificial coloring in it? Soda (even "natural" ones)? Candy? Even prescription medicines? Yep! All of these "edible" substances have coal tar dyes in them. Coal tar dyes are also used in other things, as well, like fabric, personal care products, hair dyes, etc.

So, how am I eating coal? What do you mean? Well, you know when you look at the ingredients list, and you see something like FD&C Yellow #6? That's an artificial coloring regulated for Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. The thing is, what they are using to make these colors are not natural, and should definitely not be ingested! Here are some of the things known that they use: toulene, xylene, and benzene. You know where these unpronounceable substances come from? You guessed it, coal. Whoever has to do this, gets some bituminous coal and distills it. And then they make colors to put in the candy, sodas, and cereals marketed towards kids! Wow. Just Wow.

Now, let's talk about the effects of coal tar. Well, first of all, its a carcinogen. That means it can cause cancer. This isn't very surprising to me, considering so many other things in our society can cause cancer. Also, some of the colors contain heavy metals such as aluminum, and are very toxic to the brain. Even if it is not approved for food, it may still be in lipsticks, hair dyes, etc. Just because you're not ingesting it, doesn't mean it's not getting in your system!

Coal tar dyes are not suitable for consumption. Why are they making colors with this carcinogen when there are so many other ways to make them (i.e. vegetable juices, etc.). I guess its cheaper, but its definitely not in the best interest of the population.

Thank you for reading!

Allyson
 

VEGAN GROCERY FOOD HAUL! JUST $50! [VEGAN HEALTHY] SPROUTS, OF COURSE!

My latest VEGAN FOOD HAUL! An actual post will be up soon! Stay tuned!

VEGAN WHILE CAMPING! What foods do I take camping??? [VEGAN + HEALTHY]

Whole Foods Market and Monsanto Partner Up to Halt GMO-Labeling

Whole Foods, also known as "Whole Paycheck," and Monsanto (yes, the company that has patented plants) have partnered up in order to keep you in the dark about GMOs. Wow. Whole Foods and Monsanto. I never would have seen that one coming. Its not just Whole Foods, either. It's other brands that promote themselves as being pro-organic like Stonyfield, Organic Valley, etc.  They have helped create a new "GMO labeling compromise" in the U.S. Senate that isn't a compromise, at all.

The proposed "compromise" says that there is no requirement for the labeling of GMOs. That's a compromise? That sounds very one-sided, to me. And why would Whole Foods not want GMO labeling, anyway? Well, they have many products in their stores that have GMOs constructed by Monsanto, and if people saw that they had GMOs in their stores, they'd lose a lot of business. Well, I think this might make them lose even more business. They have sold out, and are paying people off, in order to make more profits, while threatening the health of their customers, and the children of the parents shopping at Whole Foods, thinking they're a reliable company.

I am literally in shock. I can't believe a company like Whole Foods would even consider doing this. Their customers have faith in them to give them the best quality foods. I guess they're fine with deceiving they're customers, and jeopardizing their health, in order to have more profits. I don't know about you, but I feel deceived. I buy food from Whole Foods because I thought it was better than giving the money to "big corporations." Well, I guess Whole Foods is now on the list of companies not to buy from. They have completely lost my trust. I am now wondering if their food called organic is even really organic. It probably is, but that's how much they have lost me.

I have a feeling they may lose a lot of workers, as well. People work at Whole Foods because of what it is. Once they find this out, they're not going to want to work for them. They'll feel like they are supporting the enemy. I know I would.

If you DON'T WANT WHOLE FOODS AND MONSANTO TO GET THEIR WAY, click here for the Food Democracy Now page to take action now.

This needs to STOP!

 

Sprouts Grocery Food Haul! UNDER $40! [ORGANIC VEGAN HEALTHY]

10 Travel Tips For Healthy [AND CHEAP] Vegans

Hey there! I'm in Pueblo, CO, visiting my grandpa, and since his bedtime is pretty early, I thought I'd make a post! Anyway, I wanted to give you all some tips on traveling (whether on a plane, or not) while trying to eat healthier, being vegan, and saving money. Some of these things you may not have known you could take on a plane, or would even benefit you while traveling. Trust me, they do!

So let's get this started!

1. Bring An Empty Water Bottle Through the Secuity Checkpoint

Did you know that when you're at an airport, you can't bring a bottle of water, but you can bring an empty one! Water can be expensive to buy anywhere, but especially the airport, so this is one thing you won't be forced to buy! After you get through security, and you're waiting for your flight, just fill it up at the nearest water fountain! People will see you and think, "Why didn't I think of that?"

2. Stay Hydrated!

While traveling, sometimes we forget to drink. You need to drink water, and lots of it! While traveling your schedule gets all out of wack, whether you're going 2 hours away, across the country, or across the world! When my schedule gets weird (i.e. waking up earlier, eating when I'm usually not, etc.) I feel groggy and have a dry mouth. Water always helps!

3. Bring Fresh Fruits and Veggies!

Now, you can't do this if you're traveling to another country, but if you're staying in your country, do it! Apples and carrots are what I like to bring because apples are nice and juicy (and provide fiber), and carrots are something good and crunchy to snack on!

4. Bring Dehydrated Snacks, If Possible

I bought a dehydrator from a thrift store for about $4, but that's the only reason I have one. Dehydrators range from $50-$100, maybe even more. I'm cheap, so I won't buy something, unless I can get a really good deal! Since I am able to dehydrate, I brought some apple and banana chips, and kale chips. Some stores sell dehydrated kale chips, zucchini, banana chips, apple slices, broccoli florets, you name it, someone's dehydrated it. So, if you don't have a dehydrator, you might be able to find some good snacks at the store. BUT, always make sure to look at the ingredients! Some snacks that are different flavors might have some things you can't pronounce, as well, so make sure it doesn't!  Just because some packaging looks rustic, has a picture of a farm, or just looks natural in general, doesn't mean its good for you!

5. Be Sure to Refuel Throughout the Day!

While traveling, its easy to get to a point where you're absolutely starving, and it is set in your mind that you will eat everything on the menu at those airport restaurants! If you refuel throughout the day, you won't get the urge to buy something you think you want. I brought some protein bars with me that are organic, and I got them on clearance at Sprouts! Watch my food haul video to see how much I got, for such a low price! They have 200 calories each, and 21 grams of carbs! Perfect for us vegans who want tons of calories, so we can stay full! ;)

6. Heck! Why Not Bring a Meal?

A couple years ago I went to California with my mom and step dad. (They're who I got my thriftiness from). My mom found out that you can bring a cooler bag full of food as a carry-on, so guess what? That's what she did! We had stuff to make sandwhiches (bread, sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumber, avocado, etc.), carrots, apples, bananas, grapes, and some other stuff I can't remember. We ate our sammies at our lay over and were tied over until we could eat something that night! You can save money, and not be hungry while traveling!

7. Stay "Regular"

When I say "regular," I think you know what I mean, but just in case you don't,  I mean keep pooping.  Sometimes its hard to do this while traveling because, like I said before, you're schedule gets out of whack! What I do to overcome constipation while traveling, is by eating fruits! Especially apples! No matter what, apples always make me go! They have to be fresh, though. The dehydrated ones are too dry.

8. Take Sprouted Nuts and Seeds!

Don't even think about buying nuts and seeds already sprouted, unless you're leaving in less than 5 days! Sprouting nuts and seeds is so easy, even I can do it, and that's saying something! The big investment here, is buying truly raw nuts and seeds. I would recommend starting out by just buying Raw Almonds and/or Raw Sunflower Seeds. They are the best ones to start with, and the sunflower seeds aren't badly priced.

9. Don't Sweat!

Okay, not literally. But seriously, don't over think your food. That's the worst thing you could do because you will constantly be worried about what you're going to eat. When you first get to where you're goibg, go to the grocery store near by. They'll have fresh, healthy fruits and veggies! Some places have pre-cooked dishes, etc. I know Whole Foods does, although they can be a bit pricey. When we went to Cali, we stayed in an Extended Stay for the week and a half we were there because we wanted to cook our own food. And we did. It wasn't difficult. But, if you can't cook all of your meals, or you're going somewhere that doesn't have any grocery stores around, remember this:  No matter where you go, there are always options. At restaurants you can get salads, a la carte, and some places do vegetable plates where you can oick 3 or 4 sides for a set price. Also, try to find some Indian restaurants! Traditional Hindu Indians are vegetarian, so I'm sure they'd have plenty of options! Also, check out the website: HappyCow.com

10. Enjoy Yourself!!!

Go see all the sights you've been wanting to see since you were a kid! Make sure to do all the free ones first, then the paid. I say to do this because free means no money spent, yet, and you have a clearer mind. Once you start spending money, you might worry about going over your budget. Do the free stuff first, and you'll see how much money you have left!

I really hope you found these tips useful, and realize that you can travel easily and affordable as a vegan, raw vegan, or any other thing you like to call yourself!

Thank you so much for reading!

Allyson

Buying REAL, HEALTHY Food Does Not Have To Be Expensive...

Hello everyone! I've been thinking lately about how a lot of people think that eating healthy is expensive. Yes, some things are more expensive than other things, but over all, it really isn't "expensive," if you really think about it. Usually the people who think its expensive, are spending massive amounts of money on cell phones, entertainment, etc, so I thought, 'I wonder how much the average American spends on entertainment.' I wasn't shocked by the numbers, but it gives me some leverage when trying to prove my point. HAHA I found this amazing chart that lays out how much each financial group spends a year on the different areas of entertainment. The chart is from 2013, but it is the most recent one I could find. Here is the page: http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2015/consumer-spending-on-entertainment-by-household-income-in-2013.htm

I'm going to talk about the Third 20 Percent because that's the middle class, and probably where more people will fall who are reading this.

The Third 20 Percent of People spent $1,997 a year on entertainment. The highest expenditure of this $1,997 was Audio and visual equipment and services. So, basically, watching TV and having a TV. The average person spent $885 a year to watch TV. That's roughly $74 a month. $74 is a lot of money that could be spent on real and healthy food like, more fresh produce, an organic alternative to what you already buy, etc! Now, I'm not saying get rid of your TV! But, I am saying, cut down on your service, or get a new one all together.  A lot of people are using Netflix, now, and why not? Its cheap, and you can watch a lot of stuff! For a streaming plan through Netflix (you have an account, and watch shows/movies through the internet), it is only $8.99/month! Another positive is, you don't have to worry about recording anything because you can watch it anytime you want, anyway! With this service, you can only use it on one device, but for $4 more you can use up to four more devices simultaneously. If you and a few friends want to save some dough, I suggest this! You can just divide the cost, and then it would be $3.25 a month to watch the shows you want to watch! That's a lot less than the $74 a month I mentioned earlier!

This is just one area of life where you can cut back, while still having a life, but start living a healthier one!

Before you go any further, please read my article on How To Save Money On Organic Produce!

I hope this was informative!

Thank you for reading.

Allyson

Vegan Collagen Therapy For Healing Leaky Gut

Hello everyone. I am so sorry it has been a while since I have done a post. I went on a weekend trip two weeks ago, and I was going to make a post when I got to the hotel because on the way there I was typing it all out on my tablet. The things is, when I got to where I was going, some how the document got deleted. :( That kind of discouraged me, but I'm back, now!

 As you hopefully know by now, I have Leaky Gut, and I am trying to heal it while staying Vegan. I've been doing okay about eating right, and everything, but I'm not doing enough to let my gut heal on its own. When people look up "How To Heal Leaky Gut," or something like that, usually the first thing that comes up is a Bone Broth Fast. I am not bashing Bone Broth because I know it has worked for so many people, but Bone Broth is not vegan, and that's what I'm all about! I researched why Bone Broth is so beneficial, and I found out that its because of the nutrients that come out of the bones while simmering it. These nutrients are: Glutamine, Proline, and Glycine. Once I found that out, I researched what vegetables have the most of those nutrients, and I found that Parsley, Spinach, and Cabbage have the most Glutamine, Cabbage has the most Proline, and Spirulina has the most Glycine. I have decided to do an experiment! I'm going to try to do a smoothie/soup fast, with these foods, for three to five days, and see what happens! I'm going to buy some Spirulina powder because it will be easier to put in smoothies, and in soups. My videos on YouTube will keep you updated on how this is working. I'm not sure when I'll be starting this, but I will make a video and post when I do!

Thank you for reading! I hope this was informative!

Allyson

Please watch my video on this below:

Sprouts Grocery Store Food Haul! [VEGAN & HEALTHY] UNDER $50!

Check out my page How to Save Money On Organic Produce!

Minimalist Girl Packing - What I Take On a 2 Night Trip (All the essenti...

5 Raw Food Snack Hacks

So, since starting this "as much raw food as I can" diet, I've realized that it may be hard to find, or make, snacks that are raw, nutritious, and are worth eating. This is a list I have compiled of my go-to snacks when I'm hungry, or I'm craving something sweet, or savory. The things on this list aren't too expensive, and you should be able to find them at any grocery store, or, at least, a health food store.

Bottom's Up!

1. Raw Bite Sized Pecan Pie

These are so great, and taste just like pecan pie! This is perfect when you want something sweet, or when its Thanksgiving, and you really want some of that good ole Pecan Pie. ;)

What you need:

Dates (pitted)
Pecans (one for each date)

Equipment required:

Fingers

Take one date, and one pecan. There should be a hole going through the date because is has been pitted. Push the pecan through the hole, into the date. Voila! Bite Sized Pecan Pie!

2. Raw Coconut Covered Dates

These are delicious! (If you love coconut!) The coconut compliments the date AMAZINGLY. The coconut reminds me of a white Ferrero Rocher. It doesn't taste like that, though. Which is not to say its not delicious. Medjool dates work best with this because of their moistness.

What you need:

Dates (medjool) 

Raw shredded coconut

Equipment required:

small bowl

Fingers

Pour some of the shredded coconut into the bowl. Choose how many dates you want, and roll them one-by-one in the coconut. Eat them as you roll them, or put them on a plate! Your choice! These would also make a wonderful dish to make for a party. 

3. Smashed Avocado

This is literally what its called. Smashed avocado. This great because you can add whatever you want to the avocado, and make it taste how you want. I like mine to be savory, so I'll tell you the spices that I like to use.

What you need:

1/2 Avocado

Spices (I use Organic No-Salt Seasoning, curry powder, and pepper)

Equipment Required:

bowl

knife

fork

Cut the avocado in half long ways, take the seed out and discard, and put one half of the avocado in an avocado saver (or tupper ware), and place in the fridge. Using the half still out, scrape the "meat," or inside of the avocado into the bowl. Using your fork, start mashing it. Its kind of like you're making guacamole. When the avocado mush it to the consistency of your liking, sprinkle the seasonings you like on it. Mix, and taste. If you want more of something, shake it on in there! If you use salt, make sure you don't use too much! And there it is! Smashed Avocado (with some spices).

4. Spring Rolls

These are a nice, oriental themed snack, that are healthy, tasty, and easy! You can use whatever veggies you want, and make or buy an oriental sauce.

What you need:

Collard Leaves (however many spring rolls you want)

Carrots, shredded or julienned (1 large carrot = 2 rolls)

Celery, chopped finely (1 large stalk = 3 rolls)

1/4 Onion, sliced thinly (1/4 = 4 rolls)

Mint, chopped finely 

Serrano optional for spice, chopped finely

Oriental sauce (i.e. tamari, coconut aminos, soy sauce, sweet and sour, etc.)

Equipment needed:

knife

cutting board

First, cut all of the veggies as is stated how to. Then, take one collard leaf, and lay it flat. In the center, add the carrots, celery, onion, mint, and serrano. If you want to put the oriental sauce of your choosing inside, do that at this time. Don't put more than a few drops. Fold one side of the collard leaf over the veggies, and then fold the other side over. Start rolling from one end, making sure the leaf stays straight and together. When you get to the end, you can brush the outside with some more sauce, if you want. Continue this sequence for the remaining leaves. Put some sauce in a small bowl, dip, and enjoy a healthy oriental snack!

5. Raw Seasoned Nuts

These nuts are great because they're raw and satisfying to your taste buds! Choose what spices you want, and go from there!

 What you need:

Some type of nut (cashews, almonds, etc.)
Water or Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar

Equipment Needed:

Baking Pan (keep in mind, we're not baking these.)
Parchment paper
Spray bottle


Line the baking pan with the parchment paper. Put however many nuts on the pan as you want to make. Pour some water or Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar into the spray bottle. Using the spray bottle, spray the nuts. Do not over saturate them. You just want them to be lightly misted. Next, start sprinkling the nuts with the spices you want. Cayenne pepper would be a good one, if you like spice. You could also make them a little sweet by sprinkling cinnamon on them. When you have sprinkled enough on the top, shake the pan back and forth. This will help to cover the nuts entirely with the seasoning. Let them dry for about 30 minutes. You could also put them in a dehydrator for a few hours, if you have one. There you have it! Raw Seasoned Nuts.      

 

 

   

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Top 5 Natural & Holistic Products For Any Camping Trip

Camping Season is here! I love to camp, and I wish I could go more than I do. I usually only go about once a year. I love looking at camping hacks and DIYs. I realized that there aren't many holistic camping hacks, or products that are advertised for camping, so here we go!

Top 5 Natural & Holistic Products  For Any Camping Trip

1. Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Unscented Pure Castile Soap  

• This soap can be used for 18 different things from washing your hair and body, to washing dishes! It is a great resource and product for camping because you can take one bottle, and use it for everything you need to clean! If you're going camping for a while, you can even wash clothes with it! Just make sure you make the solution before you leave.
Buy Dr. Bronner's Fair Trade & Organic Castile Liquid Soap - Unscented, 32 oz

2. Honey (Raw, Unfiltered)

• Honey is something that is great to bring on a camping trip because it is an antibacterial. That means that if someone gets cut, or scrapes a knee, you can put honey on it, then a bandage. It works just like Neosporin, if not better! BTW, Honey is also good to add some sweetness to snacks, just in case you didn't know. ;)
Buy Heavenly Organics Organic Himalayan Raw White Honey -- 12 oz

3. Cast Iron Skillet/Pot

• I know that this site is a Raw Food Site, but I am not completely raw, yet, and sometimes you might want something warmed up a little bit. Cast Iron is the best that you can use for cooking because it doesn't have any aluminum in it. It also doesn't have a teflon lining (this is on non-stick pots and pans), which is a carcinogen when heated.
Buy Lodge Cast-Iron Skillet, 12-Inch

4. Coconut Oil

• Coconut Oil has so many uses. Cooking, moisturizing, and protection from the sun! Why wouldn't you bring it along?
Buy Carrington Farms Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 54 Ounce

5. Biodegradable Toilet Paper

• Biodegrable Toilet Paper is essential if you're camping away from everything, including a bathroom. All you have to do is: dig a hole, do your thing, wipe, put that in the hole, and cover with dirt! Pretty great, huh?
Buy Coleman Camper's Toilet Paper 

 

 

Well, there you have it! The Top 5 Holistic Camping Products! If you have any products that are necessary for camping that you use, please leave a comment below!

 

I hope this was informative. Thanks for reading!

Allyson

 

 

How To Tell if You're Allergic To Dairy, Wheat, or Eggs. Eveyone should ...

Floss: Waxed, or Un-Waxed? That is the Question...

For a while in my life I wondered if flossing was really necessary. When I found out it is very necessary, I wondered, which type should I use? Waxed floss, or un-waxed floss?

Well, the waxed definitely feels better, and usually has a nice smell/flavor. The un-waxed has no scent/flavor, and is harder to floss with. It becomes stringy a lot easier, and is hard to get between my teeth. Well, I asked my dental hygienist and she said definitely use un-waxed. See, the waxed isn't doing its job. With waxed you're not able to get all the grime off your teeth. Un-waxed is harder to get between my teeth, but that's exactly why its better! Its scraping the tooth, not "Glide"-ing.

Merridian Tooth Chart

Now let's talk about the necessity of flossing. Did you know that each tooth/tooth socket in your mouth is directly associated with an organ in your body! Yep! So, technically, if you keep your teeth as clean as they can be, so will your organs (along with a clean and healthy diet, of course!).

  To the left you see a chart of all your teeth, and the organs/body parts they correspond with. You'll be surprised by looking at this chart.






Flossing helps you live a longer life, so, if you haven't already, add it to your nightly routine. You'll benefit, and once you start, you don't want to stop! I love the feeling of smooth teeth because they have no plaque on them!







I hope this was informative! Thanks for reading!

Allyson

P.S.
R.I.P. Prince. We lost a legend and a true fighter yesterday.
Prince On Chemtrails

When You First Start Eating Healthy, You Won't Look Healthy

A new post is coming this Friday! I'm sorry there hasn't been an actual post the past two weeks.

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Colon Cleanse: Last Days and Starting to Heal My Gut (Healing Leaky Gut ...

Colon Cleanse Day 2: Healing Leaky Gut While VEGAN

Colon Cleanse Day 1: Healing Leaky Gut While Vegan

How to Save Money on Organic Produce in Nashville, TN - 6 Tips For Saving Money

A lot of people think that eating organic fruits and vegetables is expensive. Well, it doesn't have to be, if you play your cards right. This week I am talking about how to save money on organic produce in Nashville, TN.

I live in Nashville, so I can't speak for any other cities or states, but I'm sure if you look around, you'll be able to find some of the things that I will talk about.

 

 

How to Save Money on Organic Produce in Nashville, TN

1. Shop According to the Weekly Ad

   Most health food stores, and regular grocery stores have weekly ads. Sprouts, a new grocery store here, has a lot of Organic Produce, and some of it is the same price, or cheaper than conventional produce, when they put it on sale. For example: this week they have a 5lb bag of organic russet potatoes for $1.98! That's just about $0.40 a pound (before tax)! I've never seen potatoes that cheap! Here, on my blog, I have a page dedicated to the weekly ads of all health food and grocery stores, here and around Nashville, TN. If you would like an easy source to see all the sales on Organic Produce, please click here. 

2. Buy In Season

   Have you ever started buying a fruit or vegetable that you really started to like, and then one day when you went to the store, it wasn't there, or its price shot up? Just FYI, it changed seasons, and the fruit or vegetable stopped producing. That means they can't get as much of it, if any, as they did in the previous season. What you need to do to not be disappointed, or forced to pay a pretty penny is learn the seasons of your favorite fruits and vegetables. You probably already know that Pumpkins come out in the Fall, and Watermelons in Summer, but what about strawberries? Cauliflower? Learn the seasonal fruits and veggies, so you don't spend your whole paycheck!

3.  Buy In Bulk, If You Can

   Some stores will give you a deal if you buy a case of a certain fruit or vegetable. If you are the only one in your household, this may not be the best option for you, unless you know you will eat it all. If you buy in bulk, but there is a lot of waste, you didn't save any money. Costco and Sam's Club are also great places to look for organic produce! If you don't have a Costco or Sam's Club membership, never fear, you probably have a friend or family member who does, and would gladly take you shopping with them!
   

4.  Look For Closeouts

   Most grocery stores have a section where they put produce that is ripening too much, and they reduce the price of it. They also might do Manager's Specials if they have too much of something, and they're getting a shipment in of the same product soon. Look out for these! These can be very useful! For example, Kroger sometimes has Organic bananas that have ripened too much for $0.49 per pound. Even if you don't think you'll eat that many bananas, you can buy them, freeze them, and use them for smoothies, and such. Then, for a few weeks at least, you won't have to buy any bananas for smoothies! See how this works?

5.  Shop Locally

   At some grocery stores shopping locally can be expensive, but get out to the Farmer's Market! Sure, in the Winter time you won't find many vendors there, but that's no excuse now! Its Spring! The time for blooming flowers and fruition! Get out there, and you'll see some grt prices from some even greater people! The best thing? You get to meet the people growing the fruits and vegetables you will be eating. How great is that?
   

6.  Buy Frozen, It's Okay

   Don't worry about buying fresh all the time. Sometimes things just won't be in the budget, and that's okay. Frozen is the next best, and its great for making smoothies, or a Raw Ice Cream! in some cases Frozen might even have more nutrients than fresh because it is going straight from the farm to a freezer. Its not traveling all that way. Just always make sure its organic, and it really is cheaper than Fresh. Also, if you think you can't afford the fresh, look in your cart and see if you can give something up that might not be as healthy as that fresh fruit or veggie. Sometimes you just have to cut back on your comforts to be able to eat healthier.
   
   See? Eating organically doesn't have to be expensive. you just have to know how to look for deals, and play the seasons.
   
   Thank you so much for reading, and I hope this was helpful!
   
   Allyson
   
   P.S. Happy April Fool's Day, but this wasn't a prank! :p

 

How to Use Coconut Oil On Your Face - Coconut Oil Uses for Your Face

Check out my new video on YouTube about How to Use Coconut Oil On Your Face!

Brett's Natural Health is Great!

Brett Rodgers, a YouTube personality, massage therapist, holistic guru, and health nut, is starting Self Massage classes to help you with: Arthritis Pains, Arm and Shoulder Pain, Back Pains and Sciatica, Leg and Knee Pains, and Foot Pains! It is for people in the Brevard, NC area.
Brett is a really great guy, and wants everyone to feel great, and be able to make themselves feel great! If I didn't believe that Brett was a great teacher and advisor, I would not be recommending his classes.

Thank you for reading!

Allyson

Should Fluoride-Free Be the New Health Craze?

Hello everyone! This week I'm talking about Fluoride. You know, that stuff that the dentist puts on your teeth, and says its good for them? Well, I've got news: NO ITS NOT!









Fluoride is a very harmful chemical found in most conventional tooth pastes, and even our own tap water. If you swallow tooth paste containing fluoride, you are literally supposed to call poison control. So, why is it still allowed to be in our water, tooth paste, and even infant formulas?

According to the CDC's page on fluoridation, it promotes good oral health, and reduces tooth decay. If they are so concerned with our teeth, why don't they pay for our teeth cleanings, root canals, and fillings that come, even if you've been drinking fluoridated water your whole life? Dr. Edward Group, a renowned alternative health expert, Naturopathic Practitioner, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Healing Practitioner, founder of Global Healing Center many other certifications, has written many articles on Fluoridation, and the dangers of fluoride. In one article he states, "Fluoride poisoning severely damages the body and can be fatal. This lethal chemical creates a toxic state that can cause a variety of harmful effects."
In the same article he lists some potential results of consuming fluoride:

• Acute Poisoning
• Birth Defects
• Osteoarthritis 
• Bone & Uterine Cancer
• Perinatal Death 
• Immune System Suppression
• Gastrointestinal Disorders 
• Essential enzyme inhibition 
• Lowered IQ (especially in young children) 
• Skeletal Fluorosis (leading to brittle teeth and bones) {So, it causes what they say they're trying to protect us from...Riiiight.}

You may say, 'Well, they probably know what they're doing. They wouldn't do anything to harm us.' For your information, there are many countries that do not fluoridate their water supply. These countries include: China, Austria, Hungary, Japan, and many others including pretty much all of Europe! These are not third world countries I'm talking about. These are first world, like America.

So, now I want to tell you how to detoxify your body of fluoride. Get Nascent Iodine! Nascent Iodine is amazing for Thyroid Health because it is what the Thyroid needs to absorb.

Remember back to science class, when you were learning about the periodic table of elements? Well, Fluoride and Iodine are both Halogens, and therefore, when you consume Fluoride your Thyroid gets confused, so it absorbs it because it is the same type of element, and then you can't absorb any iodine that you get from food, if any. Nascent Iodine is actually in its atomic form which means, your body doesn't need to break it down, and therefore replaces fluoride in your system.

The type of Nascent Iodine I use is the type sold by Dr. Edward Group on his website, Global Healing Center, called Detoxadine. It is a liquid, and is very easy to supplement with. Dr. Group is very passionate about the health of everyone, and detoxing. I encourage you to look at his site some, and think about your own health, and detoxification. On my page, Products I Recommend, I have some products that I have tried, or am still using from Global Healing Center. I have become an affiliate with Global Healing Center because of the work they do, and I want their products to reach more people. At this point, there are only three products on my page because those are the only ones I have tried. As I try more, and detoxify more, I will add them, but only then! I will only list a product that I approve of!

Thank you so much for reading. I hope this was informative!

Allyson

I have Leaky Gut, and you probably do, too! (Healing Leaky Gut While Vegan)

Vegan Veggie and Black Bean Burgers (Carrots, Leafy Greens, and other good stuff!)

Hello everyone. I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. I have actually come up with a schedule for when I'm going to post on the Blog, and when I'm going to make videos. Every Wednesday a new video will be up at: Raw In My 20s YouTube, and every Friday a new post will be up on the blog! Sometimes there may be more videos or posts, but that's the least amount I'm going to put up.

Now on to the recipe! I based these Veggie Black Bean Burgers off a recipe I saw in a Raw (un)cook book. I don't have a dehydrator, so I had to bake them. They turned out really well, though!

 Equipment:
Food Processor
Knife
Oven
Pan
Parchment Paper
 
Ingredients:

1 1/3 c. black beans, cooked
1/2 c. carrots (1 medium carrot), chopped
1/4 c. onion, chopped
1/2 c. mushrooms, sliced
1/2 c. red bell pepper (or any color)
1 c. mixed greens (baby kale, baby spinach, arugula, etc.), chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 clove of garlic
1 date
A few dashes of rosemary, basil, and oregano, dried


Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line pan with parchment paper. Put all of the ingredients into the food processor. Process until smooth, but not too smooth. You want it to be a little chunky, but sticking together.

When the mixture is at the right consistency, scoop out 1/4 cup, and shape into a patty. Place as many as you make onto the lined pan.

When the oven is preheated, put them in the oven for 12 min. Flip them, then put them back in another 12 min. Take them out immediately, so they don't burn.

Yields: About 8 patties





I haven't tried freezing these, yet, but if you do, tell me how they turn out in the comments!


Thanks for reading! I hope you found this useful!

Allyson


Raw In My 20s YouTube

Vitamin B-12: I'm Deficient, and So Are YOU!

This is not only for Vegans and Vegetarians. This is for everyone, meat eaters and all. I have just recently learned that the Vitamin B-12 is a very necessary vitamin for everyone, but we're barely getting it, if any at all.  The Standard American Diet (a.k.a. SAD), is not nutrient dense, at all. Most people are heating things in a microwave, which gets rid of anything that would be of value to people's bodies. I don't want to go into everything wrong with SAD, but I do want to talk about Vitamin B-12.

Vitamin B-12 is a necessary vitamin, just like protein and good fats are necessary. The thing is, barely anything that people eat is rich in B-12. Lets go over the things that have B-12 in them:


Mackerel
Sardines
Fortified Cereals
Red Meat
Salmon
Fortified Soy
Milk
Swiss Cheese
Yogurt

You're probably thinking. Okay, I eat a lot of those foods, so why am I deficient? Well, the things about these foods is that, most of them, you have to cook. Therefore, most to all of the nutrients are depleted. The dairy foods on this list have most likely been pasteurized, if bought at the grocery store, and therefore have little to no nutrients, except fat. And then we come to the fortified cereals and fortified soy. Fortified means they add the nutrients back into what was depleted when they cooked, pasteurized, bleached, etc. Fortified nutrients are hard for your body to absorb, and you may not absorb any of it, and therefore have wasted your money and time, but think you're getting nutrients, and wondering why you're feeling sick, losing your memory, feeling tired all the time, etc.

The truth is, most of the US population is deficient in Vitamin B-12, and doctors aren't acknowledging it as a problem. Now, I will say, Doctors are not being taught enough about preventing diseases, or vitamin deficiencies. I'm not trying to knock doctors' knowledge on things, but there are so many people being misdiagnosed! There is a book I recommend reading. It's called Could It Be B12? The book is by Sally M. Pacholok and Jeffrey J. Stuart. They have both worked in the medical field, and in hospitals, and have seen so many patients come through with a simple vitamin B-12 deficiency, but end up getting prescribed medicines, and end up dying because they're not being treated properly.

You need to have a supplement of Vitamin B-12, and the best one is probably found on globalhealingcenter.com.The best thing about this site, is if you buy something, and then leave a video review, you get a $100 store credit!

I hope this was helpful and informative! If you would like a direct link to the best B-12 supplement, please click here.

Thank you for reading!

Allyson

VEGANS & VEGETARIANS! Please Read! (About Vitamin B-12)

Just last week I learned that Vegetarians and Vegans absolutely HAVE to take a supplement for Vitamin B-12 because the only way to get that vitamin is from animal products, or if we just out to a grass field and start grazing like the cows. The reason I say this is because the vitamin actually comes from the microorganisms in the soil that cows, and other animals, eat while they are grazing.

Since finding out last week, I have been taking two 1000 mcg lozenges of Vitamin B-12 in the morning, and I'll tell you, it has drastically changed the way I feel. Before this, I actually had some of the symptoms of a deficiency (probably because I've been a vegetarian for a little over 4 years, and just recently became vegan). One of the symptoms I had was feeling tired right when I woke up in the morning, after having 8, or sometimes more, hours of sleep at night. Since taking this, I feel a lot more energized throughout the day.

So, you may be wondering how do you know if you have a deficiency. Well, if you are a vegetarian or vegan, you need to take a supplement. No matter if you have the symptoms of the deficiency, or not. Also, when looking at the B-12 supplements at the store, you want to make sure that you look at what source it is coming from. This will be on the Nutrition facts label. When you look at the name, if it starts with a "C," put it back, and look at the next one. That is not the one that people need because we can't even absorb it! Cyanocobalamin, the one you should put back, is actually made from cyanide (the poison). The one that people can actually absorb is the one that starts with an "M." This one is called Methylcobalamin. In my opinion, this should be the only one on the shelves because people think by taking the other one, they are getting their B-12 intake, but they're not, and with a B-12 deficiency (if you don't get it taken care of), you could end up dying because of it.

Find out what the symptoms are here.

Thank you for reading! I hope this was helpful!

Allyson

P.S. 50% of the US Population is Vitamin B-12 deficient. This includes meat eaters as well! Inform your friends and family!

My First Impression of Homemade Water Kefir

The other day I started making water Kefir. Today, I tried it for the first time, after it went through all of its Fermentation. I liked it.

Here's a video of me trying it!



I've made a YouTube Channel to reach a broader audience. If you want to subscribe to me, my channel's name is Allyson's Remedies.

I hope you enjoy watching my first reaction to my homemade water Kefir!

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Allyson

I'm Going to Be a Health Coach!

Hello everyone who may be looking at my blog! Last night, I signed up to be a part of an 8-week program to become a Health Coach! Dr. Axe is teaching it, and it is going to be so good. Every Monday there will be two modules that we have to complete. One will be about Nutrition, and one will be about Business. The whole program is to help you become a successful Health Coach.

I am very excited because it seems like everything is falling into place. I am going in the direction I need to go in, and that makes me very appreciative and happy. Feeling like you're doing something right, is the greatest feeling in the world. I feel like I can accomplish anything, and so can you!

To live the life you want, you have to be willing give up a few things. The first thing might be giving up some your time when you'd be watching T.V., or something like that. Maybe you need to meditate, and become closer to God, Goddess, the Universe, Creation, or whatever you want to call it. Becoming closer to the essence of everything that happens to you, will help you realize what you're supposed to be doing, and will help you see the signs you never saw before. If it comes to it, you may need to quit your job. I know that sounds scary, but if something is holding you back from what you really need to do to feel complete, you've got to get rid of it.

Sometimes things just fall in our laps, but we have to see it, and pick it up to actually make something of it.

I hope this was informative, and helps you get on the path that is right for you!

Thanks for reading!

Allyson 

Making Water Kefir! Wish me and my grains luck!

I've been really wanting to make some water Kefir. Kefir is awesome for your gut flora. All fermented foods are! Yes, Kefir is fermented, and apparently tastes like soda! I just got my Kefir grains, and they look great! I had to get some Spring Water and organic sugar (the grains are alive and eat sugar) to start making it. Its seems easy enough, so far! I can't wait to try it! Just 24-48 more hours to go! I'll post the response to the Kefir when I taste it!

Here's how it looks:

Raw Food Snack Hack!: Bite Size Pecan Pie

These little things are the best snack if your craving something sweet and you need some energy. They're also perfect at Thanksgiving Dinner if you're really craving some of that Pecan Pie!

 

What you need:
Dates, pitted (Medjool or Noor Deglet, Medjool are sweeter)
Pecans

Pitted dates usually have a hole at either end. Take a date in your hand, and push a pecan in the hole of the date. That's it!

Enjoy this tasty and healthy snack!

Thanks for reading! I hope this was helpful!

Allyson  

Creamy 3-Down Green Smoothie Recipe (Apple, Banana and Strawberries! YUM!)

This morning I made myself a smoothie, and boy, was it good! And it gave me TONS of energy! I had never made a smoothie like this before, so it was kind of an experiment. Here's the recipe:

What you need:
1 cup Almond milk (or any nut milk)
1 banana, broken into pieces
1 apple, sliced
6 Frozen strawberries
2 handfuls of greens (spinach, baby kale, arugula, etc.)

In a blender, add the almond milk and greens in first. Then add all of the heavier stuff. Blend until smooth. If you have a Blendtec, like me, press the smoothie button. It will go through different speeds to make it perfect!

Enjoy the creamy goodness!


Hopefully this smoothie will make you feel as energized as it did me!

Thank you for reading!

Allyson

Start & End Your Day Out Right...Smile!

Hello! So, I figured I'd share a little secret that I figured out probably about a year ago. I've known for a while that when you smile it boosts your serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain. These are the chemicals your brain releases that make you happy! I also found out that when you smile at someone, and they smile back, it boosts your happy chemicals, and theirs too! So, I thought, what if you smile at yourself, in the mirror? Your smiling, and seeing yourself smiling, so wouldn't it be boosting your happy chemicals by double?

I don't know if this is true, but nonetheless, every morning (if I remember) I smile at myself in the mirror while I'm washing my hands, brushing my teeth, etc. I try to smile for at least 5 minutes, even if I'm not looking in the mirror anymore. Try this, and see how you get through the day.

Every night, I also try to smile at myself. I do this while I'm brushing my teeth, and getting ready for bed. Smiling makes you happy, and feel relaxed, so why  not do it before bed? Oh, and by the way, if you feel happy before bed, you're most likely to have good dreams!

Try these two things and see how you feel! If you feel different after doing this, leave a comment!

I hope this was informative!

Thank you for reading!

:) Allyson  

Delicious Raw Vegan Pesto and Zucchini Pasta ... YUM!

Last night my mom made some Raw Vegan Pesto with zucchini "noodles." It was really good! She kind of went off a recipe in a book we have called Raw & Simple by Judita Wignall.She added a little bit more garlic than it called for. It was still good, but I think she should've kept the garlic the same. It made it a little too salty. It was so good, but we were filled up really quick, so we saved the rest for today's lunch! She spruced it up a bit today by adding raw sliced bell peppers, greens, and mung bean sprouts. The garlic wasn't over-powering with the extra stuff in it.

Here's the Recipe:

Pesto:

2 cups (80g) basil leaves, packed (we used dried basil because we don't have it fresh)

1/4 cup (59ml) olive oil

3-4 cloves garlic, crushed (we used 4 cloves, but remember with out the extra stuff, it was too salty)

1/2-1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (110g) hemp seeds or raw pine nuts (we used walnuts, and it tasted just fine!)

Place all of the ingredients, except nuts, in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add nuts and pulse a few times until incorporated.

1 Zucchini = 1 person

Spiralize or peel zucchini into ribbons and mix in with the pesto.

If you want the noodles to be softer, try peeling the skin off the zucchini, first. You could also try spaghetti squash! That would be good! Also, we noticed that today, the day after she made it, the noodles seemed softer, as well. In that case, you could make this earlier in the day for dinner, and put in the fridge. It's kind of like marinating the zucchini noodles.You could also, probably, leave it out to marinate. After all, there is no dairy or meat to go bad!

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and remember the original recipe comes from Judita Wignall's book: Raw & Simple.

Thank you for reading! 

Allyson

How to Be a Crunchy Person: Transitioning from Semi- "Normal" to "Crunchy"

So, I had never heard of the term "Crunchy" until I was speaking with my uncle about an organic, all vegan protein powder I wanted to create. He said, "So, you're targeting crunchy people?" I was kind of like, huh? Well, I ended up finding out that "crunchy" people are people who try to do everything the natural, holistic way. They are, basically, hippies.

I liked the sound of "crunchy" people, but I knew at that point I was not even close to being "crunchy." Yeah, I meditate, and I try to only put natural things on and inside my body, but I was still eating dairy products, and I still ate anything put in front of me, or in the house, that was "vegetarian." That included chips, chocolate, suckers, grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese pizza, veggie pizza, sandwiches that were mostly bread, cheese quesadillas, bean burritos, etc. I was, and still am not, the picture of health.

Within the past week, I have been learning tons of new things about foods like: Irradiation, sprouting grains, etc. Also, I've been learning new things about detoxifying my organs, how to keep my body in a state of peace and tranquility, body brushes, and just plain clean and healthy living in all aspects of my life.

Now, I'm going to ask you a question:

Did you know that people are really supposed to squat when they use the bathroom?
Yep! Every time we have to poop, we're supposed to be in a deep squat position. The problem is, most people don't know how to squat. Everyone knew at some point. Just look at toddlers. They are squatting all the time, and most often when they poop in their diapers. There are ways to
squat when using the bathroom, that aren't too much of an inconvenience.
The first option is very cost efficient and relatively easy. Go to Dollar Tree, or another cheap store, and buy one of those disposable roast pans. I think you know where I'm going with this. ;p Yes, I am asking you to use this to squat over when you poop. Then, when you're done, you can dump your dump into the toilet. Some people who do this like to put some toilet paper where there poo is going to land in the pan, that way its not too messy. You could also line the pan with a grocery bag, and then just tie it up and throw it away in a trash can far away from your house, or in your appartment complex's dumpster.
The second option takes a little bit of money, but this is very easy, and there is no mess. You can make a squatting platform to place over your toilet. The instructions are located here. Just click on the picture of it on the left.
The third option is to actually stand on the toilet seat and squat. This is very difficult, and will take some practice, but it is good to know if you want to go to someone's house, and they don't have a squatting platform or a Squatty Potty, see the next option.
The last option is to obtain a Squatty Potty. This are not the best option, that's why its last. They are not as good as squatting because using the Squatty Potty, your legs are not doing anything, accept raising. This is a good option if you are just starting out "squatting" to poop, and this is definitely easier.    

I hope this was informative, and I will be posting some more options for a different way of living.

Thank you for reading!

Allyson 

What Am I Gonna Do???

Today I have done Dr. Axe's Salt Water Flush. This is great for your colon, but it doesn't get everything out that you need to, in order to feel AMAZING and have a healthy colon, again.

The reason people do not have healthy colons anymore is because of all the crap (no pun intended). Okay, maybe there was a pun intended, but the crap is why. Everyone is eating stuff that gets blocked up and trapped in your intestines, and what that is, is literally crap (aka: poop, doo doo, shit, fecal matter, poo poo, etc.). The way to flush it out completely is something I haven't done, yet, because this is the beginning of my journey.

I am 19 years old, and I believe that a Raw/Living Food Diet will help me live a long, wonderful life, in which I can feel AMAZING and energized through out my whole time here in this body. I turn 20 in August, and I hope to feel a lot better than I do now. My knees feel like they are getting arthritis in them. What? I'm 19! I am not fat, but I am not at the ideal weight, either, for someone my height. I weigh approximately 135 lbs. and am 5'4". Keep in mind, I am not going on this journey to lose weight, but I am expecting to, based on the facts I have read, and documentaries I have watched. My first step is eating as much raw and living food as I possibly can. It shouldn't be too hard, but there are temptations everywhere.

I am already a vegetarian. I have been for a little over 4 years. That definitely doesn't mean I was eating healthfully. Just recently I have taken cheese out of my diet, and every time I go visit my dad, I make sure to take my own food. I sometimes see my dad every week, but I also sometimes see him once a month. He is not a health nut. AT ALL. Whenever I eat a veggie burger, or something like that, he calls it rabbit food, and takes a swig of his Mountain Dew, and a puff of his cigarette. Yes, all he drinks is Mountain Dew. No water. But, this blog is not for anyone else but myself. I am focusing on me, and my eating habits. I can't worry about other people's eating habits right now.

My plan is to detoxify all of my internal organs. The first one that I want to start cleansing, but I know it is going to take a while, is my colon. I am going to go through a series of Colonics or Colon Hydrotherapy Sessions. It can be kind of pricey, but after I go through this series, I am going to start giving myself enemas. It will be a journey that I will share on this blog, as well as my other cleanses, and recipes that I like. Most recipes will be Raw Vegan ones, but there may also be some cooked Vegan recipes.

I hope you will join and support me on this journey, and maybe even try it for yourself.

Thank you for reading, and be AMAZING! :)

Resources for learning more about Raw Foods:
Rawmazing
The Full Helping

Raw Recipe Sites:
Raw Food Recipes
Raw on $10 a Day
Raw Foods on a Budget