Health in High Heels

Vol. 2, Issue 20: July 31, 2008

From the Desk of the Divas

Another Health In High Heels has rolled off of the diva presses, and is PACKED with amazing information for your enjoyment.

In this issue, our in-house chef, Angela, has the scoop on FAT! She's got some dynamite feedback for and will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about almonds and coconuts (see below)!

We've also got even more fantastic tips from raw mom, Jamie Abrams, on upping the greens in your family's diet. And an issue of Health in High Heels just wouldn't be complete without a magnificent and natural beauty concoction from our in-house esthetician, Tracy Neely. This week, she's sharing a recipe for body-sugar that sounds good enough to eat - but we recommend using it as intended and making yourself a feast for the eyes instead!

In Raw Divas news, the next 2 weeks will bring more green gossip than you can imagine! We're Getting Ready for International Green Smoothie Day on August 15th!

It's not every day that we decide to declare an international day of celebration, but we have to admit, we're thrilled that so many people are jumping onboard to celebrate with us, and we've been working hard to round up a few exciting sponsors to make things even more fun! Here's a peek at some of the contests we'll be hosting:

**Most Outgoing Green Smoothie Day Celebrant**

The more noise and fanfare you make about Green Smoothie Day, the happier the world will be! The point of this program is to spread the word about Green Smoothies to people who may never have tried them before. That's why Blendtec has teamed up with us to reward the Green Smoothie Day participant who manages to round up the most friends and family members to join in the with a Blendtec Total Blender!

If you'd like to check out why we picked Blendtec to sponsor us, check out The Clash of The Titan Blenders on the diva blog from Green Smoothie Girl, Robyn Openshaw-Pay.

We want to know how many people you get on board for the Green Smoothie Queen's 3 Day Challenge!! All you need to do is sign up as a "Diamonds for Diva" affiliate, share your personalized affiliate link with your friends, family, on your blog, or anywhere else, and we'll automatically track the number of people who sign up to this event. Not only will you be helping to spread the word on green smoothies, but whoever rounds up the most green smoothie lovers to get on board in the name of Green Smoothies, will be - *drumroll, please* - the proud new owner of a Blendtec blender!!

That's right! Blendtec is celebrating International Green Smoothie Day with us, and will be sending out a GORGEOUS new Blendtec Total blender to our Grand Prize winner!

We're busy working on other exciting sponsors, and next week we'll be announcing other contributors to the program! Here are some of the categories we'll be giving prizes away for:

Best Green Smoothie Recipe
Most Prolific Green Smoothie Recipe Producer
Most Gorgeous Green Smoothie Party pictures
Most Creative Presentation of a Green Smoothie
Most Life-Changing Green Smoothie Story
... and more!

Remember! 60% of the proceeds of all registrations go to The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society for saving the WHALES!! (Captain Watson will be joining us for an interview as the big day approaches.)

line

greensmoothie Get Aunt Gertie onboard for

Green Smoothie Day

and your chance to win a
Blendtec blender!

line

Juicy Treats: Just About Jamba's Strawberries Wild
by Debbie Young

We're giving lots of attention to all things green as our International Green Smoothie Day approaches. Raise your smoothie jugs to Debbie Young for this week's Juicy Treats!

Be sure to check out how she "Pimps" Her Smoothie on the Divablog , and be sure to visit her personal blog, too!

Ingredients:
2 cups coconut water
1/2 c raw hazelnuts or almonds
1 1/2 c strawberries
4 collards w/o ribs
1 tbls raw agave nectar
1 c frozen pineapple

Makes around 24 oz of yummy green smoothie!

Clever Tip for Summer Treats:

If there is too much green smoothie just freeze it, either in popsicle tray or ice cubes, then eat them later or blend the cubes fora smoothie starter!

Love Deb

line

***Public Service Announcement ***

The only thing worse than eating a steamy plate of spaghetti…

...is guilt for having done it.

Put your attention on the things you want-fresh juice, good food, great friends.
Join the SISTERHOOD! (Because community is the missing ingredient in your long term success with food.)

JOIN THE SISTERHOOD TODAY!

line

Ask Angela

Angela Elliot is our in-house chef and all round kitchen goddess. Send us in your questionsabout good eats, yummy treats and heck, the nature of the universe, if you want to!

Hi ladies,

I wanted to ask Angela a couple questions about recipes for the coconut and nut yogurts that were in the newsletter a week or so ago. Do you know the fat content in these yogurts? I try to eat a low fat diet, so I need to know to balance my other foods on the day I make and consume these.

These two recipes sounded great and I can't wait to make them!

Vicki,

Once the nuts are turned into yogurt, the fat content is almost zero. As far as the coconut yogurt goes, it is a bit higher in fat, but not much.

Here's more information:
While all nuts have many good things in common - they contain healthy fat, vitamin E and the kind of fiber that helps reduce bad cholesterol - different kinds have different benefits so it's good to mix your nuts.

For instance, pine nuts are a good source of iron, almonds have more calcium than other nuts, walnuts have omega-3 fats, and Brazil nuts are a rich source of the mineral selenium. New Zealand researchers reported earlier this year that eating just two Brazil nuts a day is as good as popping selenium supplements!

Although their high fat content makes them high in kilojoules, nuts are not off the menu if you want to lose weight. In fact, some research suggests that nut eaters are actually leaner.

The trick to lowering the fat in nuts? Soak them and then turn them into my fabulous yogurt. The fat content becomes almost zero, yet the healthy vitamin E stays!

Soaked nuts are loaded with Vitamins A, B, C and E, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Niacin, Phosphorus, Potassium minerals, and All Essential Amino Acids
One more reason to soak your nuts: Soaking nuts overnight increases their vitamin C content!

Fascinating Tidbit About Almonds
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and the almond is the most important morning food. Almonds contain protein and all essential minerals for the human body. Almond = "all world [al-mond], container of the 144 elements." When almonds are the first thing in your stomach after arising, they set the hydrochloric acid tolerance for the day, providing all-day protein digestion. When almonds are eaten first, they are efficiently digested since stomach acids are concentrated after the nightly fast. (If you leave hydrochloric acid alone in your stomach, the saliva and hydrochloric acid would become toxic.) Presoak organic raw almonds in distilled water overnight for quick germinal action. When soaked, almonds act as protein plus nitrogen. This protein helps your blood sugar stabilize throughout the rest of the day. Eat one almond per ten pounds of body weight. Eat more if you want to gain weight, and less if you want to lose weight.

Coconuts
Young coconuts are considered highly nutritious. One whole coconut has only 140 calories and provides 17% of the RDA for calcium. The total fat content is 3 grams, all saturated, with a zero content of cholesterol. The young coconut has 50 mg sodium, 28 grams of carbohydrate, 2 grams of fiber,15 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

Health Benefits
Throughout history, the indigenous people of tropical countries relied on natural plants for their medicine. Young coconut juice is a well-stocked medicine chest complete in its own container and is used in folk healing for a number of ailments including; relieving fevers, headaches, stomach upsets, diarrhea and dysentery. The juice is also given to strengthen the heart and restore energy to the ill. Pregnant women in the tropics eagerly drink large quantities of young coconut juice because they believe it will give their babies strength and vitality.

Water from a young coconut not only provides a refreshing drink in steamy equatorial countries, but in times of medical emergency it was used as a substitute for glucose. During World War II, young coconut water became the emergency room glucose supply when there was no other sterile glucose available. Within a clean self-contained vessel, the coconut water is free of impurities and contains about two tablespoons of sugar.

Jon J. Kabara, Ph.D, Professor Emeritus from Michigan State University, writes, "Never before in the history of man is it so important to emphasize the value of lauric oils. The medium-chain fats in coconut oil are similar to fats in mother's milk and have similar nutraceutical effects."

Coconuts and their edible products, such as coconut oil and coconut milk, have suffered from repeated misinformation because of a study conducted in the 1950's using hydrogenated coconut oil. Although coconut oil is very high in saturated fat, namely 87 % saturated, in its unrefined, virgin state, this fat is actually beneficial to our health, largely because of its high content of lauric acid (almost 50 percent).

Because lauric acid has potent anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, recent studies have considered coconut oil as a possible method of lowering viral levels in HIV-AIDS patients. Lauric acid may also be effective in fighting yeast, fungi, and other viruses such as measles, Herpes simplex, influenza and cytomegalovirus.

Because the short-and medium-chain fatty acids of extra virgin coconut oil and coconut milk are easily and quickly assimilated by the body, they are not stored as fat in the body like the long chain triglycerides of animal products. Studies have shown that populations in Polynesia and Sri Lanka, where coconuts are a diet staple, do not suffer from high serum cholesterol or high rates of heart disease.

Extra virgin coconut oil used in a study conducted in the Yucatan showed that those who used the coconut oil on a daily basis had a higher metabolic rate. Though they regularly consumed considerable quantities of the saturated fat, the participants retained a lean body mass. Another facet of the Yucatan study noted that the women participants did not suffer the typical symptoms of menopause.

Where does one get pro biotic powder? Should I just open a couple of my capsules and use that? I wasn't sure if you could actually buy it or if this was how to do it.

Thanks so much, Vicki!!

Probiotic powder can be found by opening any capsule of a very good brand of probiotics, like New Chapter's Anti-aging probiotic powder. You can also make rejuvelac, which makes your yogurt even stronger. The sky is the limit here!

Blessings to you,
Angela

line

Yummm… Coconut Cream Pie and Chocolate Cheesecake.

Guilt Free and Delicious.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

line

Tropical Sugar Body Polish

By Tracy Neely

Now that summer is here, let's take some time to give our body a little tender loving care with this tropical body polish that will soothe your senses with an aromatic combination of coconut oil and lavender essential oil and exfoliate, hydrate and bring long lasting softness to your skin.

Virgin Organic Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil is cold-pressed immediately upon opening of the coconut. Virgin Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids that are identical to the fats found in sebum. The oil is extracted before the fermentation process sets in. Virgin coconut oil is not refined bleached or deodorized, it retains pure and natural coconut components, including the medium chain fatty acids and the 50% lauric acid now recognized as highly beneficial to health. Coconut oil is absorbed into the skin and into the cell structure of the connective tissues, limiting the damage excessive sun exposure can cause. It will not only bring temporary relief to the skin, but it will aid in healing and repairing the skin.

Turbinado Sugar

Turbinado sugar is made by steaming unrefined raw sugar. Sugar when used as an exfoliator on the body has a less drying effect than salt.

Aloe Vera Gel (Sap)

Aloe Vera comes from the aloe vera plant Aloe barbadensis and is a succulent plant native to the dessert in Africa. The sap from the aloe plant has anti-inflammatory properties and is widely used as a salve to soothe burned or wounded skin.

Diva Beauty Note: It would be wonderful to use the sap from the leaves of the aloe vera plant, however you may also use 99% pure aloe vera gel.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil (Lavendula angustifolia) is widely known for its wound healing properties and with caution can be used on the skin neat. Lavender Essential oil is generally used in skin care for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic properties.

Recipe
½ cup virgin organic coconut oil
2 ½ cups turbinado sugar
3 Tbsp. aloe vera gel
5 drops lavender essential oil

Combine coconut oil and sugar in a bowl and mix well to combine. In a separate bowl combine the aloe vera gel and the lavender essential oil thoroughly. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients while stirring to combine evenly. The polish should have a smooth consistency that sticks together while applying to your body. Gently massage your entire body paying close attention to your feet, knees and elbows.

Diva Beauty Note: Do not use on the face and do not massage over broken or sensitive skin.

Enjoy!
Tracy Neely

line

The next session of our

Body Enlightenment System

is starting up on August 11th and places are filling fast! Reserve your spot for the next Body Enlightenment System!

Transformation Guaranteed or Your Money Back!

line

5 Clever Tricks To Get Your Kids To Eat More Greens

By Jamie Abrams

After writing my last article, I found a few more tips to get your little star-bright loving greens. Don't forget, these can also be useful for including other nourishing foods into your family's diet.

Clever Trick #1
Grow your own fruits and vegetables, specifically your greens. Children love to be outside digging in dirt, looking for worms and other slimy creatures. The intrigue of putting a seed into the earth, watering it, and watching it sprout to life, is a magical event for kids. Plus, it really connects them to their food and our planet.

Planting and growing your own produce isn't as hard as it might seem. Believe me, if I can grow spinach, anyone can! Start small, with potted plants, and then if you wish, work your way towards something more adventurous; like a garden plot, or even an allotment. We have a few pots scattered around our decking to cultivate our greens in. It really is a treat each morning, to go out and fetch our fresh greens for our smoothies/juices.

Some easy greens to start off with are spinach, chard (any type), and lettuces. Kale can also be grown in the winter, but watch-out for those birds! With the rise in food prices, especially organic produce, you can hardly loose. Happy digging!

Clever Trick #2
Role play, role play, role play. Children are always trying to imitate us and sometimes they do this all too well. If you are trying to encourage your muffin to eat or drink more greens, then the perfect solution is to do it in their play. This can be done by pretending that their doll, soft toy or, in our case, toy car is drinking, eating and making delicious green foods. Doing this gently and not too artificially can really change their feelings towards food.

For example, our tiger naturally wanted to be like us. He would see us using our blender 2-4 times a day. What he decided to do was create his own blender. Using his imagination, he took a large canister and lid that was used to house his blocks and turned it into a blender. He is always walking around putting 'fruit' and 'veg' into it and then rigorously shaking it. This has been going on for over a year, so the charm still hasn't worn off. Of course, not to promote commercialism, you could always purchase a toy blender for your kiddie.

Clever Trick #3
Find a green-eating machine child role-model. If you know someone that has a kid that will gobble an entire garden plot of veg, invite them over for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner. The power of seeing another child - especially if they are older than yours - eating greens enthusiastically, is worth its weight in gold (the green variety of course). Recent research has confirmed this too.

Clever Trick #4
You don't have to announce from the roof-tops that what you are serving is green, raw, or vegan. Just serve it. Sometimes the more fuss we create with certain foods, contributes to an immediate line of resistance. Make it look mouth-watering. Serve it with confidence. Be sure to shut-off the negative commentary in your head that might be imagining how your child isn't going to fall for the recipe. Eat it keenly yourself.

This takes me nicely to...

Clever Trick #5
When you tell your child the name of a dish, smoothie, dessert, etc., and they don't show a great response to it, remember to change the name the next time you serve it. This can also apply to the labeling of foods as raw, vegan or healthy. It is easy to make an association between the name of a food, or a description and dislike. Finding new ways to say green smoothie is not only entertaining but, it will keep you sharp in your head.

So here's to drinking, chugging, slurping, chomping and chewing marvelous greens!

line

To Multitasking Mothers Everywhere Seeking Inspiration, Sisterly Support and Loving Guidance:

If Motherhood Had a Manual, This Would Be IT!!

line

Missed an issue? See the archives!

If you would like to send 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.

line