Canyon Cooler

Consider the Canyon Cooler the Cosmopolitan’s hip and healthy cousin: a refreshing drink that’s bursting with vitamin C and antioxidants. If you feeling a little cheeky, the cooler can also be it be turned into a cocktail with a splash of vodka. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to pour myself a tall glass, kick my feet up, and chill. It is Mother’s Day after all. Canyon Cooler 1 quart (10 oz) sparkling water 1/2 cup fresh grapefruit juice juice juice of a fresh lime 2 cups fresh pineapple juice 1 cup pomegranate juice 6-9 drops stevia or 2 tbs agave syrup 1. Using a juicer, juice the grapefruit and pineapple juice. Pour the sparkling water, pomegranate juice, and lime juice into a pitcher. Pour in the fresh grapefruit and pineapple juice into the pitcher and stir to blend. 2. Using your preferred sweetener, add and stir. Serves 12

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Lentil Soup

I’m going back to my roots with this recipe. Lentil soup was one of the first healthy recipes I learned to make when I was 18, and erm, 160 pounds! As I write this, I’m feeling a bit nostalgic for the days when I dipped my pinky toes into the world of vegetarianism. I remember the days when I used to visit my girlfriend Malina who worked at the first Santa Monica Coop Supermarket, just across the street from where it is now on 16th and Broadway, when it was just a small room and a bunch of long hairs working behind the register. Everything was so new! What’s tofu, miso paste, or quinoa? I miss those days, I tell ya. The world of health has become a booming business, and I yearn for a simpler time when all you needed was an armfull of organic produce and a few seasonings from your larder. Here’s the deal: you don’t need all the gadgets and mumbo jumbo to take care of your body! Keep your diet simple and clean, and always remember, a little goes a long way. Health food stores are emporiums of goodness, but also a lot of gimmicks. [...]

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Tropical Fruit Salad with Macadamia Nut Cream

Oh man, this fruit salad is sooo good! One of the bones I have to pick with fruit salad for breakfast is that it’s so light that I get hungry an hour or so after eating it. Of course I could add waffles or pancakes to my fresh fruit, but apart from oatmeal, I walk away feeling too full and bloated (oh the horror). How can one eat lightly, yet stay full enough so you’re not having to snack every hour? This of course is why you have come to my site, to find out the answers to the world’s most pressing issues. Breathe a sigh of relief because I’ve got  ’lil trick up my sleeve for ya (hoots, hollers, and whoo hoos abound). Instead of throwing on some chopped nuts, why not try a smooth nutty cream made with coconut water, sweetened with fruit juice and agave syrup? I’m telling ya, it’s going to knock your socks off (there were a few moans and groans of ecstasy over here today after shooting the salad for the blog). Another bonus, the kids are going to love it too. Oh, and it’s takes about 5-10 minutes to make. High five. Tropical [...]

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Detox Lemonade

Detox lemonade base is a spring clean in a glass. You can use it three ways: for a quick cleansing morning detox to give your colon and liver a cleanse before breakfast, a meal replacement for breakfast and lunch with light dinner, or as a 3 day detox meal replacement. The addition of burdock root acts as a blood purifier, removing toxins, soothing aching joints, and also helps with skin breakouts. Ginger improves circulation, nausea, gas, and indigestion, and turmeric is a natural inflammatory treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Turmeric also detoxifies the liver, aids in fat metabolism, and weight management.  A votre sante! Detox Lemonade All ingredients should be organic for optimum nutritional benefits: 8 lemons, peeled thumb size piece of fresh burdock root peeled thumb size piece of fresh ginger, peeled thumb size piece of fresh turmeric, peeled (or 1/4 tsp dry turmeric) pinch of cayenne pepper 6-8 drops liquid stevia (a plant-based sweetener. no honey or agave) 8 ounces of filtered water for each serving 1. Using a juicer, press the burdock root, ginger root, and turmeric root. Juice the lemons, and pour the mix into a pitcher. 2. Add the stevia, and cayenne pepper to the [...]

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Vegan California Roll

What a beautiful morning in Laurel Canyon. After a week of rain, we are back to clear skies, powder puff clouds, and the gentle breeze of canyon living. Our yard is absolutely singing with gratitude from the 7-day drench of moisture. Here are some snaps taken this morning.   Welcome to the jungle Blooming Bouganvilla The jasmine is jumping   Dappled sunlight Laurel Canyon glow After Hot Cross buns and orange marmalade and a few too many chocolate Easter eggs last week, I thought it would be nice to lighten up with some sushi. Vegan California Roll  is my favorite lunch of choice because it’s a cinch to make it leaves you  feeling light and breezy. The only preparation that the recipe requires is to cook a cup or two of short grain brown rice, and slice up a few vegetables. Add some pickled ginger and wasabi, and you’re ready to roll. Vegan California Roll 2 cups cooked short grain brown rice 2 carrots, cut into long matchsticks 1 medium size cucumber sliced into long strips 1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and sliced 5 sheets roasted nori seaweed pinch of sea salt 2 tablespoon of organic sugar 2 tablespoon brown rice [...]

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