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Vol. 2, Issue 18: July
17, 2008
From the Desk of the Divas
Iiiiit's time to get ready for
International Green Smoothie Day!! It’s only one month away!
Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we start stepping up the
green celebrations leading up to August 15th!
This week’s article comes from
Jamie Abrams, our newest contributor to the
Raw Mom team! Jamie is going to be our official
Green Smoothie correspondent for KIDS! Whether you’re a mom
or not, this article is loaded with great tips, inspiration for
green lovin’. We want to hear from you, too! If you’ve got a blog
and you’re doing something to celebrate Green Smoothies, then
let us know
and we’ll make noise about you, too!
Leora, Amy’s new baby girl, is doing just wonderfully and the
closest she gets to crying is a little “squeak” now and then!
We’re thrilled that Amy seems to be blessed with a bundle of love
and easy-going baby vibrations! Thank you, Leora!
Tera, after more failed attempts that she’d like to admit, is
trying to Make Sense
of Men and planning to keep you up to date on the
blog on Mondays. And the journey starts with this intimately
entertaining
interview with her DAD! Also, check out her back alley snacking adventure, too, and watch for next week’s article in HHH on Wild
Greens in the Urban Jungle!
This issue of
Health in High Heels is loaded with new treats and surprises
so ENJOY!!
Juicy GREEN Treats for Kids (and your Inner Child,
Too!)
By Jamie Abrams
In Celebration of the upcoming
International Green Smoothie Day, on August 15th,
2008, we proudly present these kid-approved Green Smoothie Recipes!
Here are some classic Green Smoothie recipes,
but the sky is the limit so get shaking and see what you can conceive!
I have provided the fruit combinations. You need to decide on
a liquid base, (water is fine) which greens to use (at least two
handfuls!), and if you want to add any sneaky-mom bits or magic
fairy sprinkles, go right ahead!
Check out the rest of the story, below!!
Ask the Doctor Everything You Want to Know About Raw Food
 If you’ve heard enough about cosmic cucumbers and some cold, hard,
science is just what the doctor ordered, then you’ll definitely
want to sign up for the
Sisterhood before July 24th, when Dr T of
Ecopolitan will be joining us to answer all your questions
about health, diet, illness and raw food. (You’ll also get access
to our July interviews with John
Roulac, Lara Merriken
and Gala Darling, too.)
You know all those questions that no one is supposed to answer
because they’re not a medical practitioner…
ASK THEM ALL!
Dr. T is looking
forward to sharing his inspiration and wisdom with members of the
Sisterhood! Register today and send in your questions for Dr. T!
Natural Skin and Body Care
Nourish Your Skin from the Inside Out
By Tracy Neely
Yesterday I spoke with a client who at the last minute wanted
a detox facial for a cocktail party she was attending on Friday
night. After a long conversation, we came up with a plan
that would bring nourishment to her skin and would also protect
her skin from any environmental exposure she would encounter at
the cocktail party.
I am repeatedly amazed that we live in a society where beauty
products are marketed in such a way to make us think that a cream
will work magic over night to erase whatever skin care flaws we
think we have.
I recently looked through some old photographs of me when I was
younger and I had to stop and laugh at the amount of makeup and
lipstick I wore back then. I probably thought that true
beauty was a matte finish and red lipstick. I suppose I
wanted to look older than I was and thought cosmetics were the
answer. I have nothing against cosmetics and am happy that
there are products on the market that are non-toxic and environmentally
friendly.
Let’s be honest, healthy skin starts with a comprehensive approach
to wellness that cannot be achieved over night, but is an ongoing
process. So often I am asked what beauty products I use
to get that glow, but truth be told, it really is about the quality
of food you eat.
Radiant skin and vibrant health go hand in hand and starts with
pure clean water, check out the
Divas Water Ionizers, a diet that is rich in raw fruits and
vegetables, exercise to get the body moving , practice relaxation
techniques and get a good night’s sleep.
The foods with the highest antioxidant content and the most nutrients
for our skin are also the most brightly colored.
Listed are a few foods that not only pack a big punch but are
also readily available at your local super markets.
 Green Foods
Green fruits and vegetables are rich in health promoting phytochemicals
such as lutein and folate. Green foods can support most bodily
functions and eliminate toxins such as heavy metals, which can weaken
our tissues and lead to disease over time. Add arugula, avocado,
kale, broccoli, kiwi, spinach, and Swiss chard to your diet to boost
your energy level.
Orange/Yellow Foods
High in vitamin C, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables are also
excellent sources of beta carotene. Beta carotene is part
of a larger family of nutrients called carotenoids, which are plant
pigments with vitamin-like properties. Incorporate carrots,
mangoes, oranges, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, and yellow beets into
your diet.
Blue/Purple Foods
Fruits and vegetables derive their bright blue and purple color
from plant chemicals called anthocyanins which are potent antioxidants
that protect many body systems. Anthocyanins neutralize enzymes
that destroy connective tissue and their antioxidant capacity prevents
oxidants from damaging connective tissue. Incorporate blackberries,
blueberries, eggplant, figs, purple cabbage, and purple grapes into
your diet.
Red Foods
Red fruits and vegetables are packed with the potent antioxidant
lycopene. Lycopene protects your cells from the damaging effects
of free radicals. Add raspberries, red bell peppers, ruby
red grapefruit, strawberries, tomatoes, and watermelon to your diet.
Holistic Foods provide many benefits including:
- Prevent chronic illnesses
- Strengthen the immune system
- Nourish and balance the body, mind and the spirit
- Provide medicinal qualities that rejuvenate and heal the body
When you are thinking about the foods you eat, remember that
organic is always best and keep it simple and keep it fun!!
Enjoy!
Tracy Neely
If THEY can do it…
I've lost 14 kilos (30 pounds) and gone from a size 12 to a 6, going on 4. So just do it!! All the
thinking, planning, and worrying are done for you; so you just have to show up.
~Lene Norway
I have reached my goal of 20lbs released within this 30-day period!
This was something that I thought could never happen, because
as I get closer to age 50, the weight only seemed to get harder
to release. I am sleeping better, waking up earlier and more rested,
have greater mental clarity, and enthusiasm to unclutter my house
and life!
~ Colleen Walker
During the 30 day program, I released 15 lbs. That's an incredibly
fast weight loss for anyone, but truly amazing for me as a 49
year old woman who's been overweight for over 10 years.
But that's not all, I've also reversed my acid reflux, gotten silky soft skin,
stopped yawning all day long, drastically reduced food cravings,
and feel as energetic as a 21 year old!
~ Kathy Goughenour
So can YOU!
Feel good in your own skin!!
The next BODY ENLIGHTENMENT SYSTEM starts on August
11th!
Feature Article
4 Simple Steps To Getting Your Kids Hooked On Green Smoothies
By
Jamie Abrams or www.rawyogateacher.com
 International Green Smoothie Day
is approaching and I have been thinking of ways to celebrate. And what better
place to start than by spreading the Green joy with our kiddies? Fueling our
children with these powerful green elixirs gives hope to the future of
humankind.
My little tot regularly asks for and laps-up
green smoothies. I can’t tell you how heart-warming it is to hear his little
voice requesting a green smoothie and then asking for a top-up! Here, I’ll share
how we have become so successful in giving our small fellah green goodness.
Part One: The Art of Making a Green Smoothie
Set the scene by having large bowls on the
worktop surface with a variety of beautiful colored fruits. Sit your child up on
the counter next to where all the action will be taking place or have them
pull-up a chair so they can see what you are doing. Keep things light. A simple
base to create your green smoothie from is nut/seed milk or water and banana.
Then get crazy by adding 2-3 different fruits to the base. Allow your child to
have ingredient input – even if the combination sounds horrible, you might just
stumble on a gem. Let them participate as much as their capabilities allow -
most children love washing produce (who doesn’t love a little splash around!).
Give them a blunt knife (butter knives work a charm) to cut the fruit with
(apples, pears, bananas etc.). Get them peeling oranges, hand them the
opportunity of putting all the ingredients into the blender, and turning the
blender dial. Just think kitchen assistant or raw chef in the making!
The real key is to let them feel like they
are a part of the process. Being patient, realizing that they may have their own
way of doing things and remaining open to the possibilities of creating together
are really valuable.
Part Two: The Art of Serving a Green
Smoothie
Here is where the fun really begins. Having
a few special drink containers can be priceless. Use a cup with a logo/design of
their favorite toy or book character, an animal they have a special affinity to,
or anything else they are really into. It can then become their special drink
cup - we have two, a mug with a teddy bear on it and cup with Thomas the Tank
Engine. Also, using a fancy glass, like a wine glass or parfait cup, can make
drinking the green smoothie even more appealing.
Presentation is just as important to the
little people in our lives as it is to adults. Top the smoothie off with a slice
of fruit (strawberry, kiwi, etc) or dashing goji berries, bee pollen,
buckwheaties or shelled hemp seeds on top – these are like magic fairy sprinkles
– and then watch the smoothie disappear at record speed! Making the smoothie
look pretty does make it taste better.
Let’s not forget Tera’s treasure of a tip -
to serve the green smoothie with a wide-holed straw for extra slurping power.
Part Three: The Art of Naming a Green
Smoothie
In our world, when something has an
inspiring name or sound we are naturally drawn to it. The same goes for
children. Zenchai is at the age where everything HAS to have a name and he wants
to know it. Be imaginative, think quickly and have a sense of humor. Encourage
your child to name the smoothie or give it a name you think will appeal to their
senses. A common theme in our house for smoothie-naming is using car brands or
relating it to an animal. Some of our more care-free names are Hummer Fuel,
Magic Squirrel Juice, Hunka-Dunka Passion, Mini Cooper Engine Oil, Raz-ma-taz
and many other made-up word names I can’t remember!
Part Four: The Art of Inventing
Delectable Green Smoothies
 Recipe-making need not be complicated. As a
matter of fact, keeping it simple is always the best course of action!
Step 1: First choose a base, like
water or nut/seed milk (favorites in our house are almond milk
or hempseed milk). If you like a thicker consistency use just
enough liquid to cover the blades of your blender.
Step 2: Next choose your fruit –
make sure it is ripe! Bananas seem to be a real staple for green
smoothies because of the sweetness they offer. Using over-ripe
frozen bananas can add a whole new dimension to the smoothie due
to their milk shake-like property. Choosing another 2-3 fruitsto compliment the banana keeps things effortless and also leaves
a variety of other combinations tobe explored at another time.
Step 3: Then choose your greens.
Spinach has a very mild flavor, whereas some of the others can
be quite strong, but don’t let that sway you from adding a leaf
of kale or a small dash of parsley. When fruit is ripe and sweet
it will cancel out the stronger flavored greens.
Step 4:
This next bit is a sneaky-mom trick (optional of course). Try adding flax
or hemp oil for the brain-boosting benefits, add a ½ - 1 tsp of any green powder
for extra protein (spirulina, chlorella etc), and a dash of kelp powder.
One last sneaky-mom trick is to use
blueberries in your recipe if your child has an aversion to green liquids. The
blueberries make it more a deep purple.
Whether you’re into the hairy-arm pit or
high-heeled version of raw foods,
we need YOU to help spread the word about
INTERNATIONAL GREEN SMOOTHIE DAY!
August 15th 2008
Send you’re friends here and sign up for our
Diamonds for
Diva affiliate program to learn more about how saving the
whales and sharing the good news about Green Smoothies can get
you those summer dresses you’ve had your eyes on!
CLICK HERE for more information!
Reflections of a Raw Diva:
 As part of how we bring you
yummy treats and inspiration to our readers, we thought we'd start including the
occasional story and bits of inspiration from other members of our
community.
This is your chance to share
your story with the world, too. If you would like to remain anonymous, or invent
a pen name, that's fine. But everyone has a story that could totally inspire
others. Tell us what you do? Do you have a strange and exciting profession? We
want to know you and share your story with others!
Today's little blurb is from a
mom who lives in a 1 bedroom apartment with her 3 homeschooled children. She's a
part of my
private coaching group and a totally inspiring woman to have on our team.
The things she manages in her own life make me look like a wimp. Whether you
live in a small space or not, I think this story has some inspiring bits of
wisdom to offer. Enjoy!
Small Spaces: It’s All A Matter of Perspective
By Sarah Beavans
 When people hear that I live
with my three children (and we’re not talking about toddlers, one child is 6’
3”, one is 5’ 11”, and my youngest is about 5’ 2”) in a one bedroom apartment in
the city, they are surprised. This is often followed with “How do you do it?”.
I guess I should first start
with an apartment layout. We have one bedroom. It’s not particularly large but
it’s not tiny either. We sleep in two sets of bunk beds with a desk in between
that houses our computer. We also have a small armchair, narrow tall bureau,
television and closet in the bedroom. There is about a three foot wide space
between the beds. There is a small hall outside the bedroom which is lined with
our bookcases. The bathroom and kitchen are off of this hallway. Our kitchen has
one of those super narrow stoves, a small refrigerator (it’s only about 4’
high), and about 2’ of counter space. We have a round table and chairs and piano
keyboard in the kitchen. My son’s cellos live in this room as well.
When we first started living
in the apartment. The kids used to tell people that we lived in a nine room
apartment. This is very large for our city so people were a little surprised. I
asked them why they said this. They said that the bedroom was not just a
bedroom; it was a bedroom (because of the beds), living room (because of the
television and armchair), and an office (because of the desk and computer). That
meant that the bedroom was really three rooms. The bathroom made room number
four. The hall was a study (because of the bookcases) and a communications room
(because the telephone is on a small table) making it rooms number five and six.
The kitchen was actually a
dining room (because of the table and chairs), a kitchen, and a music room
(because of the keyboard and cellos) bringing the grand total to nine rooms.
Their explanations made so much sense to me and made me start looking at our
space in a whole new light.
After hearing my children’s
explanations, I realized that how we view what we have is so much more a matter
of our own perceptions rather that a reality. To my children we were living in a
grand nine bedroom apartment, where most people only saw a small one bedroom
apartment.
Do we do things the same way
as we would if we had a larger home?
No, but I believe that we all
adapt to our environment to some degree or another. I will say that it doesn’t
take much for it to appear that a hurricane hit. We must shop for food much more
frequently as we don’t have space to store much in the apartment. The city
becomes part of your world in a way that it doesn’t in more remote areas. The
park is used every day for exercise and just getting outdoors. If some private
study time is needed a short walk of just a block or two allows the kids to go
to a bookstore or coffee shop.
 One of the biggest benefits of
living a one bedroom apartment is a closeness among the members of our family.
We only have one computer and one television and they are in the same room that
we are all in together. It is much easier to be aware of what is being viewed on
the internet or television when you are always there. I have noticed that when
we visit people with larger spaces that there is a tendency for teenagers to
isolate themselves. Their parents often tell me that they do not know much about
their children’s lives. I try to give my older children their privacy by going
in the other room when their friends come over. At the same time, I’m only a few
feet away so I can be involved if necessary. When the children go out, they
walk. They may meet friends at museums or the park. They love going to concerts
(they are classical musicians), and there is always something available (student
discounts make this affordable).
I’m still trying to figure
some things out, like how to compost in a small apartment with no outdoor space
available. Living in a smaller space forces you to streamline and helps to
develop a really nice intimacy among family members that I wouldn’t trade for
anything. Not even more room in my sock drawer!
What will help you handle your raw food roller coaster better than anything else you’ve ever tried?
The Support of some amazing women who
believe in you!
JOIN
THE SISTERHOOD TODAY!!
Contact
us to put your great ideas here!
Missed an issue? See the archives!
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The Raw Divas feedback, suggest a "Health in High Heels Newsletter"
topic, or ask a question that could be featured in a future issue
of "Health in High Heels", please do not hesitate to send us a
message customerservice@therawdivas.com.
Please note that we are unable to offer medical advice.
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