content-views-query-and-display-post-page domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home2/julesaro/public_html/new/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131The Hibiscus–a beautiful crimson flower, bursting with sweet and tart flavors–has been used as a natural herbal medicine in numerous cultures around the world for thousands of years. Loaded with antioxidants, the calyx of the hibiscus flower is often dried and steeped to be enjoyed as a cold or hot tea. Benefits include lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, improving heart health as well as fight bacterial infections.
It also makes a delicious syrup that may be added to sparkling water or wine and mixed in lemonade or cocktails. It is a syrup i go back to time and time again, so I thought i’d share it once and for all. Enjoy!
Add water, maple syrup, dried hibiscus, and ginger to a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Once at a boil, turn off heat and allow mixture to steep for at least 20 minutes, until all the sweetener has dissolved and the syrup is deep-magenta in color. Strain syrup through a fine mesh strainer and store for up to two weeks.
What’s more refreshing than a big chilled wedge of watermelon on a hot, summer day? This Chia fresca of course!
Chia fresca–or chia lemonade–is a traditional mexican drink made from soaked chia seeds combined with water or citrus juice. It’s an incredibly wholesome, thirst quenching option on a hot summer day and is made even more refreshing with the added watermelon and basil recipe below.
Makes 8 servings:
Combine the chia seeds and water in a glass and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to sit for ten minutes. Stir once more and set aside for another ten minutes.
Place all ingredients in a blender, including the chia mixture, and blend until well combined. Pour into a pitcher and mix with your choice of spirit. Serve over ice.
Super Food Spotlight:
The unassuming chia adds fiber, omega fatty acids, calcium, antioxidants and even protein to this lovely elixir. It’s no wonder the Aztecs and Mayans considered chia seeds to be magical, increasing stamina and energy over long periods of time.
The watermelon packs quite an impressive nutritional punch as well. This melon is high in vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, fiber, protein, and a very large amount of potassium. Furthermore, they contain vitamin A, vitamin B6, niacin, thiamin, and a wide variety of carotenoids and phytonutrients, including lycopene.
CHIA JAMS 2 WAYS
Put away your canning equipment and the loads of refined sugar, friends! It’s time to pump up the jam! Pump up your sweet spread’s nutrition by using the gelling power of the nutritional powerhouse that is the chia seed, and transform any ripe fruit into a naturally sweetened jam in under 15 minutes.
Makes 2 ½ cups
Combine all the ingredients in a blender, and process until smooth or, for a chunkier jam, mash the fruit with a fork until pulpy and juicy, and mix in the rest of the ingredients.
Add extra chia seeds, one teaspoon at a time, for a thicker jam.
If you prefer to cook your jams on the stovetop, transfer the fruit to a saucepan and set over medium heat. Mash the fruit with the back of a fork. Simmer 5 to 10 minutes, until the fruit begins to break down.
Remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup, lemon juice and chia seeds. Allow to cool and set for 15 minutes. If you prefer a thicker consistency, stir in more chia seeds 1 teaspoon at a time. If you prefer a smoother jam, simply process in a blender for a few seconds until smooth.
Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
The use of essential oils can be seen as far back as 3000-2500 B.C. in Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, China and Europe. Today, essential oils are becoming popular again often used for relaxation, self care and DIY beauty treatments.
The main role of our small intestine is to absorb nutrients from the food we eat, into our bloodstream. This is done with the help of our intestinal flora or gut microbiome. Our microbiome helps the body digest foods and produce vitamins B and K.
At times, the small intestine struggles to absorb certain nutrients such as macronutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and/or micronutrients: vitamins and minerals.
The use of essential oils as part of a healthy lifestyle may help restore our microbiome, improve our digestion, and nutrient absorption. Just make sure to always choose certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils when using essential oils aromatically, topically or internally. If your body is struggling with digestive issues, these are the oils to try:
Understanding our cravings for sweet and salty snacks can be tricky, confusing and downright frustrating. We often associate them with negative emotions, lack of self control and weight loss failures. But cravings are an important source of information that often signals a lack in our body that needs attention and nurturing.
When we are able to tune in and get clear on the source of our cravings, we can make empowered choices that support our health & wellbeing.
There are a few key factors that trigger cravings:
Perhaps the biggest factor is dehydration. If you are not hydrated properly, you will automatically crave food, regardless of true hunger. Always, reach for a glass of water first.
Another important factor in our cravings is sleep. When our bodies don’t get enough rest, they produce a hormone called grehlin, that will impact our cravings. This is our bodies trying to compensate for the lack of sleep with other sources of energy.
Cravings can be separated into two main categories:
Nutrient cravings and emotional cravings. Let’s cover these below.
Nutrient cravings are true physiological cravings and our innate body wisdom seeking healing and balance. Here are our main triggers deconstructed.
Sugar is the brain’s preferred fuel, and something we’ve been biologically programmed to seek out. A craving for sugar is often related to tiredness, and our bodies’ way of looking for fast fuel to keep going.
If you’re craving sweets, stick natural sweets like fresh fruit, that you can pair with a handful of nuts, to help keep your blood sugar stable and help keep those cravings under control.
If you’re craving chocolate, choose raw cacao instead of the processed cocoa or milk chocolate that you find most commonly and lack the nutrients our bodies truly crave.
Cravings for greasy, fatty foods often signal that you’re in need of some fat. Our bodies depend on essential fatty acids for many vital functions, and we need fat in order to absorb fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.
If you are craving fatty foods, reach for healthy fats found in avocados, nuts, seeds and olives.
Cravings for salt are often a need for minerals and electrolytes. A craving for salt can also be a sign that you’re dehydrated. Which can also explain a pregnant woman’s salty cravings since her need for minerals and hydration needs to increase.
Adding a pinch of sea salt to drinking water can go a long way to maintaining hydration and keeping cravings for salty foods to a minimum.
Emotional cravings – Understanding our cravings goes beyond the scientific and physiological. Our cravings often stem from emotional places. Do you soothe yourself with sugar or carbs to make yourself feel better? If your craving is emotional, try going for a walk, jump on the trampoline or dance it out. Writing in a journal, or calling a friend for support can also nurture the emotional void.
If you are trying to break a habitual craving, try replacing the habit with a better one: a cup of herbal tea is always a good idea.
Finally, understanding the body’s need for balance is essential in understanding cravings. If you consume an excess of expansive foods such as sugar and coffee, you’ll crave contractive foods such as salty and fatty snacks to find internal equilibrium.
What we choose to do with our evening hours directly impacts the quality of our sleep and significantly affects our mood and energy levels the next day.
Making the following rituals a part of your nightly routine will help you drift off to dreamland and get the restorative sleep your body and mind truly need.
Shut Off Your Devices
Declare the hour before bedtime a digital-free zone. The bright blue glow of technology disrupts our body clock, making it harder for us to fall asleep.
Turn Off the Lights
Exposure to electrical light before bed can also suppress levels of melatonin, the hormone that helps make us feel sleepy. Dim the lights or light candles at least an hour before bedtime to help you ease into sleep naturally.
Make it a Work-Free Zone
Do all your work, television viewing and other pre-bedtime activities outside the bedroom, so that your body associates the bedroom with sleep and rest only.
Cool Down
Studies show the optimal sleeping temperature is between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures in this range cause a drop in your core body that help sleepiness.
Try Relaxing Asanas
A little restorative yoga and deep breathing exercises can help your mind and body relax, making it easier to fall asleep at night.
Write it Down
To calm racing thoughts, keep a journal or notepad on your nightstand. Putting our thoughts to paper help us clear our heads, reduce stress, and sleep better.
Breathe It In
Keeping your bedroom smelling serene is a great way to get a relaxing night’s sleep. A spritz or dab of lavender, chamomile and rose essential oils may reduce blood pressure and heart rate to create a restful state for bedtime.
Sip and Sleep
There’s something truly comforting about having a warm beverage before bed. Plus herbal teas and tonics have a calming and sedative effects on the body. Creating the ritual of pouring a cup of tea may signal your body that it’s time to unwind. I’ve listed some of my favorite herbs for sleep below.
Other sleep inducing evening rituals include, taking a warm bath with epson salts, self massage and listening to binaural beats.
Also try to make your last meal before 7pm and make your last cup of coffee before 2pm.
HERBS FOR BETTER SLEEP
Ashwagandha
A traditional Ayurvedic remedy known to improve the quality of your sleep. It helps balance core energy levels, helping the body to adapt and respond to stress in a more efficient manner.
Lavender
An herb known for its calming effects on the body, lavender can help reduce difficulty falling asleep and prevent night-time wakening.
Valerian
Valerian promotes the relaxation response of the nervous system through enhancement of GABA neurotransmission. Valerian promotes healthy sleeping patterns, helping you wake feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day.
Gotu Kola
Traditionally used for relaxing the nervous system and calming the mind – Gotu Kota insures a deep, quality sleep.
For the longest time, we have heard the warnings to stay out of the sun or wear sunscreen at all times to reduce the risk of skin cancer. And yet our bodies naturally produce vitamin D from sunshine. In fact, regular sunscreen use, not only limits our vitamin D intake, it can lead to skin issues, poor bone strength and general depression. The sun is not the enemy and is not the cause of skin cancer, but it is essential to practice safe sun exposure.
How do we do this when a large concentration of the sunscreens on the market today are more harmful than beneficial? Touted for their ability to decrease our risk of skin cancer, most modern day sunscreens may actually increase our risk and disrupt our hormonal balance in the process.
These chemical based sunscreens are absorbed into the skin via a chemical reaction with the UV rays. These ingredients vary widely, as do their safety, but the byproducts of the chemical reaction between your sunscreen and the sun, called free radicals, are known to cause cancer. Many sunscreens also use parabens and oxybenzone as a preservative, known endocrine disruptors that mimic hormones in our bodies. Look for mineral only zinc oxide natural sunscreens that do not absorb into the body, or bloodstream instead.
And for more healthy summer sun tips visit The Environmental Working Group’s Guide to sunscreens. They are a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment.
This cooling spray helps calm skin and reduce inflammation induced by over exposure to the sun.
Makes 8 ounces
Steep 1 holy basil tea bag or 1 teaspoon of dried tulsi herbs in ¾ cup boiling water for one hour. Strain the infusion and add the aloe water and lemon juice. Blend together and pour into a spray bottle.
To use, shake well and spray on your sunburned or windburn skin as often as necessary.
Store in a sealed glass bottle in the refrigerator between uses. For maximum freshness, use within 1 week.
Recipe from Fresh and Pure, Organically Crafted Beauty Balms and Cleansers.
A dip doesn’t necessarily need to be unhealthy. Keep it light and delicious by sweetening it with natural fruit instead of refined sugars.
Lifestyle photography by Coco Prop Shop
1 cup of plain yogurt (I used plain coconut yogurt)
1/4 cup fresh, pressed juice (I used Red Jacket Apple-Strawberry)
Blend and serve.. because you have better things to do this summer. You’re welcome! Bye
Lifestyle photography by Coco Prop Shop
Summertime is no time to be spending in a hot kitchen. Stay cool with lots of fresh produce and simple recipes like this delightful dressing to brighten up your salads all summer long.
Lifestyle photography by Coco Prop Shop
¼ cup fresh raspberry-apple juice
1 clove garlic, finely minced
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon mustard (optional)
¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well. Store in refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Lifestyle photography by Coco Prop Shop
Summertime in the city…some of my most memorable times living in New York City for 18 years was definitely all the summer fun to be had. From dinning al fresco, to movies and picnics in the park, to shopping my favorite farmer’s markets. I especially loved staying in the city on fourth of July and feeling like you had the whole city to yourself! Ah the good times.
One of my first memories of summer in NYC involves Red Jacket Orchard and their unfiltered pressed apple juice blends. Pure apple juice in the Big Apple, so iconically refreshing.
To celebrate the Fourth of July and to celebrate that nostalgic summer taste, I’ve created two super easy and fun recipes to enjoy this holiday weekend. Plus a couple of more sparkling ideas below to keep you cool all summer long!
Lifestyle photography by Coco Prop Shop
Red Jacket Orchard has three new flavors this season: Fuji, Strawberry-Apple and Raspberry-Apple. The first recipe i tried, is this apple-raspberry vinaigrette. So ridiculously easy to make, screams of summer and pairs with just about any fresh produce.
Lifestyle photography by Coco Prop Shop
GET RECIPE HERE
Next to try is is this strawberry yogurt dip. I love serving seasonal fruits and veggies especially in the summer months when the produce is plentiful. This dip is perfect with fruit brochettes that you can serve right with the creamy, fruity sauce.
Lifestyle photography by Coco Prop Shop
GET RECIPE HERE
Other ways to enjoy the ridiculously refreshing pure juices besides just drinking them on their own… is as a sparkling wine topper. Create these mimosa like sparklers by switching up the juice blends for a little exotic flair.
Lifestyle photography by Coco Prop Shop
And this…might be my very favorite way to enjoy these fresh, pressed juices. And no recipe required! Just pour the juice in your molds and pop them into your freezer for a few hours! Delightfully refreshing without working too hard this summer season. Happy Summer, friends!
Lifestyle photography by Coco Prop Shop