Farmer's Market - Part I

Today I decided to head to the Union Square Farmer’s Market and I must have been skipping Wednesday’s for a while because after a few weeks without some of my favorite greens I finally found the Windfall Farms of Montgomery, NY stand.

Two of my most favorite greens that I have began to eat in the past 9 months are Sunflower Greens and Pea Greens, and I never seem to find them other then at Windfall.

Sunflower Greens – These tasty little greens are one of the best things you can add to your raw & living food diet to improve your overall health and well being, they are both delicious and nutritious. Sunflower greens are a nutritional powerhouse packed with vitamins A, B complex, D, and E; they also contain minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and zinc. In addition to these vitamins and minerals, sunflower greens are a rich source of lecithin which helps break down fatty acids into an easily digestible water soluble form, and chlorophyll which benefits many functions within the body, including building blood supply, revitalizing tissue, calming inflammation, activating enzymes, and deodorizing the body. These greens are also a fantastic source of protein and can easily supply you with all the protein your body can use!

How to Prepare: Sunflower greens as a great addition to salads, juices, sandwiches and wraps, they are also great alone by the handful

Pea Greens – Filled with potassium and vitamin C this little green is packed with flavor. Pea Greens are the greens that come off pea plants. Usually sold at markets, it is best to get them fresh as they don’t last too long once picked. They are very common in Asian cooking, not so much what you find everyday but I have found ways of incorporating them into my diet.

How to Prepare: Pea greens as a great addition to salads, juices, sandwiches and wraps, they are also great alone by the handful. Pea Shoots are also delicious eaten alone or lightly sauteed.

Here is a recipe for a salad that includes both Sunflower and Pea Shoots. Enjoy!!!

SP Cleanse - Day 10 - Cooking

I woke up this morning to find that the water was shut in my building. So I decided to brush my teeth with some bottled water... I know I am so fancy right?! I then had a bowl full of berries, usually I would have started the day with a SP Complete Smoothie but with no running water I didn't want to leave a mess to later clean up.

I headed off to NYHRC for a Body Sculpt class with one of my favorite instructors, I can’t wait until I can go to Zumba before Sculpt, but my foot just is not yet ready.

After the gym I headed to the Union Square Farmer’s Market to see what was available today. I picked up some fresh Asparagus as well as some more Tatsoi as I enjoyed it so much raw last week and thought I would try and cook it this week. It had been a while since I had seen Windfall Farms at the market and I was thrilled to see they were there. I stocked up on some sunflower greens, pea greens as well as mixed greens. After I hit the market I decided I would make a salad for lunch.

I headed over to Whole Foods and picked up some Tilapia as well as Cod which was today’s special and a few Cockles to add for flavor for tonight’s dinner.

Then I was headed home and had a salad in mind for lunch.

Mixed Green Salad with Tilapia and Clementine’s

Ingredients:

Mixed Greens

Sunflower Greens

Pea Greens

1 Kirby Cucumber

¼ Avocado

1 Clementine

1 pc Tilapia

1 tsp EVOO

First I placed the Mixed, Sunflower and Pea Greens in a bowl.

Next I heated a nonstick pan with 1 tsp of EVOO and placed the Tilapia in the pan. I seared on each side and then squeezed half of the Clementine over the fish.

I sliced the remaining Clementine over the salad and squeezed them a bit for a bit of flavor and added in the Cucumber and Avocado.

Once the fish finished cooking I placed it over the salad.

And good news, the water is back on!!!!

Dining on a Cleanse

Now that I have added Protein back into my diet I decided to cook myself a nice balanced dinner. 

Tilapia and Cockles with Kale and Cherry Tomatoes

Ingredients:

Tilapia Filet

Cockles

Kale

Cherry Tomatoes

2 tsps EVOO

Brown Rice

First I lightly season the Tilapia with a little seasoning and then place in a non-stick pan with 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil. I cook the fish on both sides and then add the cockles into the pan as well and coat the fish and clams with chicken broth for added seasoning. 

  Once the clams and broth are added to the pan I cover and let simmer until the clams open. While the fish is cooking I add my Hint of Green, kale and cherry tomatoes to another non-stick pan with 1 teaspoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and sauté until fully cooked.

In a third pot I cooked up some Instant Brown Rice to add to the meal. I know what you are thinking after my post earlier today, why didn't I have black rice? And the reason is the cleanse allows for wild and brown rice only. 

On the cleanse I am supposed to eat 3oz of protein 3 times a day so this dish will last me for 2 meals. Dinner (and leftovers for lunch) made easy in just 20 minutes.

For “desert” or my evening smoothie I decided to have A Hint of Green Antioxidant Smoothie filled strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, kale and Standard Process Complete Powder. 

 The perfect way to end a Cleanse Day 9… stay tuned for Day 10.

Superfoods Part VII

The darker the food the better. Just like in fashion, black is always in… the little black dress is just as important as the little black antioxidant. 

I have talked about blueberries and black beans and today I will talk about black Super Foods.

1.  Blackberries – As I mentioned the darker the food the more potent the antioxidants. In just 1 cup of you are eating 50% of the daily recommendation of vitamin C. Vitamin C is used for protection from immune system deficiencies, it may lower the risk of developing heart disease, certain types of cancer, and macular degeneration. Vitamin C aids in healing, and studies and it may actually lessen the appearance of wrinkles. Blackberries are also a great source of Phytoestrogens which are naturally occurring plant estrogens that may help relieve the common symptoms of PMS including bloating, food cravings, and may even provide relief for menopausal symptoms. Phytoestrogens may also contribute to brain and immune functioning and heart health. One cup of blackberries also contains 8 grams of fiber, meeting 31% of the daily recommended amount of fiber. Fiber promotes healthy digestion and can lower the risk of developing certain diseases such as heart disease and diabetes .Fiber aids weight loss and makes weight management easier. In addition, blackberries offer up 36% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin K which aids in normal clotting of blood and to aid the absorption of calcium. Blackberries also contain Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Folate.

How to Prepare: Add them to a smoothie, mix them in a fruit salad or bake some muffins. No matter what you do with this Super Food you can’t go wrong.

2. Black Rice – It has been said Kale is the new Spinach and now is Black Rice the new Brown Rice? Though brown rice has been perceived as the healthiest because it is more nutritious, and has higher levels of healthy vitamin E compounds and antioxidants, black rice is gaining ground as a tasty and healthier alternative to brown rice. An analysis of black rice bran from rice grown in the southern United States revealed that it may be healthier than brown rice. Black rice has much higher levels of nutrients and amino acids than regular rice varieties. In addition, this rice has minerals, iron, fiber, and a nutritional profile somewhat similar to brown rice. Moreover, it is especially rich in anthocyanins, which give black rice an edge over brown rice.

How to Prepare: Black rice goes with both sweet and savory dishes. Replace brown rice, cous cous or whatever you may normally use. It is a nice change filled with new flavors and texture.

3. Black Lentils - These legumes are loaded with iron: One cup has about 8 milligrams, getting you almost halfway to the daily requirement of 18 milligrams for women. Lentils also boast high levels of soluble fiber, which may not only lower your cholesterol, but could also improve immune function.

How to Prepare:  Try a Black Bean and Lentil Salad or a Black Lentil Soup

Be sure to check out my past Super Food Entries:

Superfoods Part I / Superfoods Part II / Superfoods Part III / Superfoods Part IV / Superfoods Part V / Superfoods Part VI

SP Cleanse - Days 8 and 9

Well I have made it through the tough part, a week of fruits and vegetables and I am finally able to add the protein back in.

Talking about my cleanse seems to have had quite an effect as I have 2 friends that have asked me to put them in contact with my doctor's office to order the cleanse. Feel free to contact me if you are interested as well. I do not get paid to advertise for the SP cleanse and I do not profit off of it at all it is just something that has worked for me and I am just looking to share my experience.

Being able to add protein back to my diet is a nice treat, while limited to 3 ounces 3 times a day it is important to choose wisely. It is important to stay off of red meats and to eat white flaky fish as well as light meat. 

After a Pilates class this morning and a meeting for a summer part time nanny job I headed to whole foods and picked up some Tilapia and Cockles to have for dinner with some sautéed kale, cherry tomatoes and brown rice. 

Now that I am on part 2 of the SP Cleanse I am taking the Green Food pill as well as Fiber with my shakes. I am now decreasing my vegetables in my smoothies and increasing fruit.

While 21 days is a long commitment it is nice to see I have made it to Day 9 and have not run into too many issues. 

I will be rounding the day out with acupuncture as my foot is still healing and has been sore for the past few days. 

I hope everyone has had a chance to enjoy the sunny warm weather we have been experiencing in New York!!!

SP Cleanse - Days 5 through 7

With it being Mother’s Day this past Sunday I decided to make a weekend of it and pack up and go home to my parents. I picked up a few things at the farmer’s market, packed my Shake and Take blender and a ton of unnecessary clothes.

Being on the Standard Process cleanse was definitely tough. Friday was pretty easy, I woke up and had a smoothie then headed to take my final which I think went well. After the test I went food shopping with my mom for a few things and then went home and had a salad. Friday night was tough, living along I haven’t been surrounded by others eating the past few days and my family had Shrimp with Orzo, Zucchini and Feta Cheese and it looked delicious. While they ate that I made myself some Zucchini and Kale Cooked in Tomato Sauce. I then headed over to a friend’s house to catch up; it had been a while since I was home.

Saturday was a great day to be outside. I made myself a smoothie and then headed outside. My dad started planting his vegetables for the season, we are hoping for a good crop this year, last year was a bit lacking. He planted 6 tomatoes bushes, 2 zucchini plants, 1 eggplant, 1 cucumber bush, cilantro, rosemary, oregano, basil, lavender, and mint. Chives are back outdoors after being stored for the winter; this plant is 10 years old as well as the sage which is 6 years old. 

 

When it was time for lunch I decided to make myself a big salad filled with komatsuna , tatsoi, bell pepper, avocado, cherry tomatoes and a tangerine to add a refreshing taste to act as dressing.

Saturday night I treated myself to some vegetable sushi rolls as well as edamame, it was a nice treat.

Sunday was Mother’s day and my family spent the day relaxing and enjoying the nice weather. We ended with dinner with our family friends at their Country Club. Since it was day 7 of the cleanse I decided to eat a few pieces of sashimi along with a large salad for dinner. I really showed restraint, we were at a buffet filled with lobster tails, sushi bar, pizza, pasta, carving stations not to forget desert and more. I decided the sashimi would fill a craving as something off the diet but still something I would be able to eat days 8-21.

The overall weekend was great. Great weather saw some friends and enjoyed quality time with my family.  

SP Cleanse - Day 4

The SP Cleanse continues…

It is Day 4 and I am definitely starting to feel some changes. I am less groggy and have more energy. I had been having trouble waking up in the morning for the past few weeks due to an inability to fall asleep at a reasonable hour.  Well I am finally falling asleep before 1am and waking up by 9am without a groggy feeling.

This morning I took advantage of the way I was feeling and woke up and made a quick smoothie filled with Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Kale, Pear and SP Complete Powder.

I had about 90 pages of reading to get done for my final tomorrow so I decided instead of taking a body sculpt class I would head over to the gym and get on the bike and do some multitasking. So I headed over to the gym and got on the bike 2 hours later I had rode over 20 miles and finished half of my reading.

Once I finished at the gym I headed out to pick up some last minute Mother’s Day Gifts, and then I was headed home for a salad filled with a ton of fresh vegetables. For the base of the salad I used komatsuna and tatsoi, I then added in fresh chives and scallions as well as a yellow bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, avocado, corn and hearts of palm. 

After that it was time for more studying and another smoothie filled with Strawberries, Pear, Mango and SP Complete Powder.

 It is time to head back to the books and pack up to go to my parents for the weekend.

Stay tuned for cleanse updates through the next 17 days.