Taste the Rainbow

 We are beginning the ascension in to the time of the year that our bodies are slowly beginning  to crave raw and detoxing foods once again.  We feel our bodies asking less for refined foods and carbs and more for greens, and fresh veggies.
We know that "eating a rainbow" and dark leafy greens is all good for us in theory, but WHY?
You are creating an alkaline environment within your body when you eat a diet rich in whole foods, heavy on greens and other vegetables. Processed foods, refined sugars, meat and flours are all very acid in our system, creating a perfect environment for bacteria, yeast, candida and viruses to thrive. Alkaline minerals in our bodies neutralize acidic conditions caused by the environment. Dark green, leafy vegetables help to replenish our alkaline mineral stores and filter out pollutants. An alkaline diet should have adequate protein in it to make the kidneys functional. Without good kidney functionality, acids pile up in the system, even if every ingredient in the diet is alkalizing, because some acid is always produced and that acid needs to be excreted by the kidneys. If there is inadequate dietary protein, the kidneys cannot function to excrete acids.  Viruses can actually change and mutate to escape our immune defenses when we don't have adequate levels of antioxidants and phyto-nutrients in our tissue. They mutate and damage our body because we are immuno-deficient.
Micronutrients are essential in keeping the immune system strong. When our antioxidants and micronutrients are low, viruses can actually mutate to escape the defenses of our immune system.  Phytonutrients (phyto~plant), minerals, vitamins are all micronutrients. Vegetables and fruit come in all different colors, each offering us different micronutrients.
Dr. Joel Fuhrman asks, "What nutrient is the most dangerous to be low in?" The answer?  The one you are low in!
You need to have an adequate level of all nutrients for a healthy immune system. To maximize immune function, eat a variety of greens and other veggies in a rainbow of colors. Learning to incorporate dark leafy greens into the diet is essential to establishing a healthy body and immune system. Greens help build your internal rainforest and strengthen the blood and respiratory system. When you nourish yourself with greens and other veggies, you may naturally crowd out the foods that make you sick.
Do yourself a favor.  Listen to those cravings coming in as the weather warms.  Eat a rainbow every day!

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Matcha Milkshakes

One of my favorite memories of my time in Patagonia, AZ, was when I would sit in the shade with my Cafe Sisters on a hot Arizona day, and sip on a tall glass of Matcha Milkshake.  It was always wonderful, and by midway through our drink we would all have smiles spreading  from ear to ear.  If you can get your hands on some of the scrumptious DoMatcha brand Matcha, I can't recommend it enough. 

For those of you new to the concept of Matcha, Matcha is a powdered green tea originating in China by Zen Buddhists, and brought to Japan in the year 1191 where it continued to be important within the Zen monasteries.  Matcha is prepared in a different manner than traditional green tea.  Weeks before the plant is harvested, the plant is placed under shade, removing it from direct sunlight and forcing the it to take up more nutrients and minerals from the soil, resulting in the formation of amino acids.  The finest buds are hand-picked, laid flat to dry and then ground into a fine powder.  When consuming Matcha, the powder is added directly to the drink, where all of the nutrients are taken into the body, verses steeping the leaves and discarding the leaf.  The resulting product leading to a blissful, peaceful, awakened state.  


Traditionally, Matcha is consumed in a ceremony, however, living in the west, and not being exposed to the sacredness of this tea, I learned to drink Matcha as a blissful, summertime drink.  All of my ladies have their own rendition of the drink, I will provide you with my favorite recipe, but please, the fun is in experimenting and finding the combination that most tickles YOUR taste buds.


And if my Cafe Sisters are reading this, I love you and can't wait for our next Matcha break!!!

Matcha Milkshake

Tools:

Blender

Ingredients:

2C Nutmilk

6 dates, pitted

1/2 tsp vanilla powder

3/4 tsp matcha powder (or substitute in cacao, lucuma, mesquite or other superfood powder of choice)

twist of himalayan pink salt

1 tray ice cubes

Blend nutmilk, dates, vanilla, matcha and salt until smooth.

Add ice and continue blending.

Pour into two pint glasses and share with someone you love.