Energize Your Day!

I have a lot to do today.  First I plan to hit the gym this morning for an hour of step class.  Sometimes I let my schedule crowd the gym out and I need to stop doing that.  Especially because I need to compensate for all the time I spend sitting on my bum writing!  I'm strictly a morning exerciser... if I don't get it in before noon its not happening. 

Secondly, I need to make a quick stop at the one and only pitifully inadequate health food store I can find on Cape Coral to pick up a tub of Vegan Protein powder.  I will say this about the place...even though they barely have anything, they DO carry a fabulous brand of vegan protein powder made from hemp, chia and pea blended with brown rice protein.  It's gluten-free, soy free, whey and egg free, non-gmo and no sugar (or fructose which is a big issue with a lot of cheap protein powders).  This stuff is called Life's Basics and I get the natural vanilla flavor.  It blends well with everything.  If you are a vegan (or if you just don't want to consume a bunch of soy junk and cheap whey), I encourage you to try this stuff.  I bought a couple of sample packets at first to see if I was going to like it.  Here's what they look like.

rich in omega 3-6-9 , calcium and fiber...this stuff is terrific.

I actually don't use  a whole packet all at once unless I just want a straight protein shake.  Usually I encorporate a few tablespoons into my Superfood Raw Green Smoothie.  Yeah yeah... I know it's got spinach in it but honestly, you can't taste it.  It just tastes good.

Here is the recipe: 

Superfood Raw Green Smoothie

1 cup raw almond milk (I will post directions for this later)

2 Tablespoons Life's Basics vegan protein powder (vanilla)

1/2 large banana

1 teaspoon pure acai fiber

1 tablespoon raw wheat germ

1 1/2 cups or two handfuls organic baby spinach

1/2 cup young coconut meat **

1 cup frozen papaya

Put everything in the blender and buzz until thick and smooth. 

**I always buy fresh organic Thai Coconuts for the water inside.  I love the meat too but I don't always eat it at the time I drink the juice.  I generally crack them open, scoop out the meat and freeze it in containers for later use.  This works great for smoothies.

If you happen to be sprouting any sunflower seeds, a handful of those won't hurt this drink either!

Anyway, that was breakfast and it really energized me for my workout.  I did stop and pick up a new tub of protein powder along with a couple of other faves from the healthfood store...namely raw cacao nibs, dried cherries, wheat berries and something new.  I found something called raw coconut tree sap.  It's supposed to be low glycemic and pure tree sap...not refined like most of the agave is.  I'm anxious to try it out.

Today is co-op pick up day as well so I have that stop to make.  Every monday my organic produce order comes in and I have to run over to Ft. Myers to pick it up.  I did come home after the healthfood store though to make myself a bit of lunch.  I've decided I need to use my juicer more and get back to a primarily vegan diet.  I will continue to cook both vegan and non-vegan foods because I write cook books and articles and not everyone who reads them is a vegan or vegetarian. 

My lunch today was a big glas off carrot apple juice that had a handful of kale thrown in for good measure.  Don't panic...you can't even taste the kale.  But since I already had kale washed and torn, I did decide to make a batch of kale chips to go along with it.  This is about the easiest thing in the world to make.  Place the torn kale on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer, spritz with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until its shriveled up and crisp.  It's just so delicious!  I had a big fat, sweet medjool date for my dessert.  I'm really TRYING to eat mostly raw foods for the next few weeks because I feel...oh what's the word I'm looking for?  It's not exactly toxic but certainly not optimum health.  I've really eaten too much grain products lately. 

Here's some pictures of my energizing lunch.

one of my favorite snacks...crispy Kale "chips"

I still  have a couple of articles that I really need to get written today and I'd like to mop the floors before we leave for our poker game tonight.  I'm thinking about making another glass of juice for some more energy!

(c) Jill Anderson

The Homegrown Gourmet