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Showing posts from February, 2015

My Favorite Green Juice

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Here are my favorite jars again filled with, not almond milk, but my favorite green juice recipe. This juice has it all:    Pineapple juice Pineapple juice contains the enzyme bromelain, which is a natural anti-inflammatory agent and digestive enzyme. Bromelain helps reduce inflammation and pain following surgery and encourages the healing of bruises, according to New York University's Langone Medical Center. It may also help reduce inflammation caused by sinusitis. As an enzyme, bromelain promotes good digestion by helping the body break down proteins. Green Apples   Apple juice is one of the best sources of malic acid that plays an important role in improving muscle performance, reversing muscle tiredness after exercise, prevent muscle stiffness, and generally reducing lethargy and increasing energy levels. This makes it a great help for people suffering from fibromyalgia.  Celery  Drinking fresh celery juice neutralizes acidity, alkalizes the body (a Standard A

Almond Milk Revisited

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I have been making almond milk for years with a metal strainer. It was very time consuming. Every now and then I have heard of these nut bags to use to strain the milk, but put off buying one.  Buy one! These things are so fast and leave no sentiments behind, and they give me so much more milk too. Buy Here If you make nut milks you will not regret the $6. They rinse easily and are tough! Also, if you are interested, these glass milk jugs can also be bought at Amazon Here . They are a bit pricey, they run a little less than $5 a bottle/$60 for a case of 12. They are high quality canning jars from Italy with replaceable lids for when they wear out. To make Almond Milk: Soak 1 cup of almonds overnight. Place almonds in blender with 4 cups of water, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 cup succunat or 4 dates. Sweetener is optional. Blend until smooth. Pour into nut bag over bowl and squeeze until all liquid is out. Store in glass container in refrigerator for up to 5-6 days.   Here i

Two Paintings Down...

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An Italy Challenge I have this website that I belong to, that offers monthly painting challenges. This month it is to paint a scene from Italy. It has been almost a year, hard to believe, since I have done a challenge. I do believe it shows...but thankful for new beginnings. To help me keep up the painting I have also joined an art group that meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Right now, I will be only be going on Wednesdays, but maybe, if I can get my act together I will commit to Tuesdays as well. I really do want to keep this up. I have found though, that the more time I seem to have the more I waste. Accountability is a good thing.  I also completed a painting from Monument Valley. Pictures from my travels continue to inspire me. If only I can paint what I see in my head. Much, much to practice on the next several months!

A Little Visitor

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I now own several parrots, and when the weather permits, I take out our large parrot and place him in his cage, and I also roll out another cage onto the patio. While working in the garden, fertilizing the herbs that have survived the winter thus far, I heard all the birds go crazy with their squawking and screaming. Running back there, I found this hawk, beating against the cage of my little conure parrots, Bert and Ernie.  He stayed the afternoon and into the early evening. I kept wondering if he was raised by people. He was so friendly and not at all scared of me, my cat or the dog.  Anyway, I grabbed my camera and spent about an hour taking pictures, a few videos and just enjoying having a hawk around.      Here is the hawk on top of one of the bird cages. He is looking into it, trying to figure out how to get that morsel of meat inside. You got to love hawks. They are beautiful birds!

Ginger Beer

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This drink not only contains healthful probiotics for the gut it also contains fresh ginger for digestive health as well. For those who are looking for a replacement for real beer, this is a great alternative. Truly expensive in stores, this will give you a cheaper version. After buying a dozen or so bottles and some fresh ginger...well you're all set! Look here to buy the bottles: EZ Cap Clear Beer Bottles Ginger Beer Making ginger beer is a three-step process. We start by making a ginger bug, then ferment it using water, sugar and lemon juice, then bottle it and allow it to sit for secondary fermentation. Ingredients for the ginger bug: 3 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated, divided 3 tablespoons raw organic sugar, divided 2 cups water You also need: 1 quart glass jar or jug Paper towel Rubber band 1-gallon jug How to make ginger bug: 1.  To start your ginger bug, add 1 teaspo