Need some TLC?  One of favorite comforts is a mug of tea sweetened with Stevia.  Check out the benefits of Tulsi Tea or also known as Holy Basil.  It does wonders for heart health, stress, and respiratory issues such as allergies and asthma.

1 Cup Soy Milk

1 to 1-1/2 inch ring of fresh pineapple.

8 large frozen strawberries

1 tsp coconut oil

MSM  If you have never used MSM you start with 1/8 tsp and build gradually.

1 Tsp Merlin’s Herbal Magic Roots Elixir-find it on the same link as the Spirulina.  Great stuff.

1 Tbl powdered Spirulina

Stevia to taste

Blend it all together.  Enjoy a filling and nutrient dense liquid meal.  This is energizing and caffeine free.  It will help alkalize your body to boost your health.

If you have an interest in losing weight I recommend that you increase you nutrient rich food sources and decrease the items you are consuming that have little or no nutritional value.

Enjoy two nutrient rich beverages a day. I enjoy one in the morning and usually one right after work. Here’s an example:
1 cup orange juice
1 cup coconut milk
1 Tbl Spirulina-Plant based complete protein, vitamins, minerals, etc. Can’t say enough. It’s great.
1/4-1/2 tsp MSM-sulfur, important for cellular & joint health. Keeps the cells flexible
1 tsp Merlin’s Herbal Magic Roots Elixir-Energizing & alkalizing herbal blend-Find this at one of the above links under Tea & Spices
6-8 frozen strawberries
Stevia-no calorie natural sweetner

If you want it to be more filling you could use yogurt or kefir instead of one of the other liquids.

Weight lose not just about what you eat.  Find ways to have fun exercising.  Get out and walk, swim, bike ride, take a dance class.  Do a variety of activities so you don’t get bored.  You don’t want your mind to get bored and you body needs variety also.  You will burn calories and boost your feeling of well being.  Make it fun, not work.

This morning started out feeling like I had so many things to do I didn’t know where to start.  I knew a to do list was in order.  After the animals got fed I made my morning smoothie.  The recipe varies to keep it interesting:

1 Cup orange juice

3/4 cup coconut milk

1 Tbl Spirulina-Amazing complete protein

1-1/2 tsp Opti-MSM (organic sulfur) If you’ve never used this you need to start with smaller amounts.  Great for joints, skin, hair, nails, healing, cleansing, etc.

1/2 tsp Merlin’s Herbal Magic Roots Elixir-Cleansing and energizing without caffeine.

1/2 tsp Maca-Balances endocrine system.

Stevia-No calorie natural sweetner

8 frozen strawberries

Blend and enjoy.  It tastes great.  It’s very green.  Very fulfilling.  Packed with nutrients.

I decided to take my smoothie and go feed the fish in the pond and pick tomatoes.  I spilled 3/4 of the smoothie.  Ugh.  The ants around here will be supercharged.  I knew it was time to slow down and not worry about getting anything done.  Breath and just feel good.  That’s enough right now.

I love these products. You can find everything but the Stevia at the link below.
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There are a lot of SuperFoods out there these days. I have tried numerous ones, but my staple is Spirulina which is blue-green algae. Spirulina is a full spectrum, non-toxic, is easy to digest and 50-70% protein. It contains all eight essential amino acids making it a complete protein. It is superior to the isolated protein powders, especially those from animal origins. Animal proteins are high uric acid forming and this contributes significantly to ostoporosis and kidney stress. Spirulina’s protein is gentle on your kidneys and it has been shown to actually help protect against kidney failure. Spirulina is also easier to digest than animal protein.

I add it to my cat and dog’s food everyday.

Spirulina provides high levels of chlorophyll and also contains iron, vitamin A, a full spectrum of carotenoids, B-1, B-2, B-6, E and K. It provides a vast array of minerals, trace elements, phytonutrients and enzymes. Spirulina offers beneficial fatty acids DHA, GLA and others which have been shown to possess anti-viral activity.

Spirulina is a whole food source of concentrated nutrients. I use it in a smoothie or added to juice everyday, usually twice a day. In the morning and when I get home from work.

Spirulina is great if you want to lose weight you can create a nutrition packed drink that supports your bodies needs and boosts your energy. Use the powder powder in a nutrient packed drink before meals and your body will feel more satisfied. If you find your challenge is between meal snacking than use it as a snack substitute to satisfy your cravings.  This should be only one aspect of your weight loss plan.  A healthy body needs great nutrition and exercise.  You also want to explore your emotional relationship to your body.

This is how I consumed my Spirulina this morning:

1-1/2 cups organic berry juice or any juice you like. Apple cider is another favorite.
1 Tablespoon Spirulina
Opti-MSM Flake-the amount varies, if you never took you start with a small amount and build
Stevia – natural no calorie sweetner
8 +/- frozen strawberries
a couple ice cubes

Blend and enjoy.

This is a nice twist on your summer beverage, healthy and tasty. Yerba Mate is one of my favorite tea’s. A bit of a stimulant due to the vitamins, minerals and a tad bit of caffeine. It’s not a late night tea for me.  No jitters if you are caffeine sensitive. This weekend when I was making my pot of tea I added fresh pineapple mint from my garden. Pineapple mint has a subtle flavor. It added a nice twist, plus the wonderful digestive benefits of mint. Get additional health benefits by sweetening with stevia. No calories, no effect on blood sugar. It takes a fraction of the amount to sweeten compared to sugar.

Growing mint is easy. It’s a hardy plant but can be invasive. I recommend keeping it in a pot.  It is an attractive plant and will look good among your other plants or on your patio.  When brewing it in with my tea I cut it up to help the oil release.

I like using loose leaf tea at home because I drink several cups a day and it’s less expensive and environmentally friendly.  A French press pot allows maximum contact between the water and herbs.  You can allow the herbs to steep for longer periods of time.  Brewing herbal teas longer is more beneficial to allow the vitamins, minerals  and all the good stuff to seep into the water.

In Joy.

I’m having my morning tea and working the sleep out of my body and mind.  I love a leisurely morning when possible to have my tea, do some exercise and journal.  I feel more prepared mentally and physically.

One of my favorite teas is Tulsi or also known as Holy Basil.  I found it a few years ago and it just seems to be getting breaking into a larger market now.  It’s from India and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine.  It is said to help lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and help you stabilize mood swings.

I can tell you it tastes great and I do find it helpful.  I find it relaxing, but not in the sleepy kinda of way.  More calming.  My sweetener of choice is Stevia.

Have a great day!

I’m excited to be puttering around my yard.  It’s one of my forms of meditation.  I get more grounded, calm and peaceful wandering around the yard with no intense agenda.  My plants have no pressing needs right now.  I do a little weeding, feed the fish and water where needed.

I connect to myself and the earth.  I fall into rhythm with her breath.  I feel nurtured here.  I almost don’t want to leave sometimes.

My deck becomes an extension of my living space.  I generally leave the sliding door open.  My animals are happy with that arrangement.  That reminds me of a Sunday last year when I had opened the door in the morning so Mandy could venture out.  I went upstairs for a minute and when I came down a chipmunk had boldly come into the living room.  He turned tail and bolted out.  I had the door closed more after that.  That didn’t last too long.  The door is slid open again.

I’m sitting on my deck with one of my favorite teas, Tulsi or also known as Holy Basil.  It’s not related to the herb Basil.  It comes from India and has a mild, pleasant taste.  I like my tea sweetened with Stevia so I’m not adding calories and it has no effect on the blood sugar like sugar does.  I found Stevia years ago when I discovered I had some Candida issues.  Stevia helped me avoid feeding the candida but still have a bit of sweetness.  I think it enhances the flavor of my tea.

Besides the great taste of Tulsi the other reason I drink it on a regular basis is all the positive attributes it has.

Tulsi Benefits:  Reduces stress, supports the immune system, abundant in antioxidants, builds stamina, aids digestion, supports adrenal and lymph health, powerful adaptogen, helps to balance the metabolism.

Cheers to a peaceful evening even though I’ll be working on my taxes next.  Hmmm, I’ll put on another pot of Tulsi first.

Maca and Spirulina can taste a bit “strong” in a smoothie.  This recipe works well and is loaded with vitamins, minerals and protein.

1-1/2 Cups Chocolate soy milk

1 tsp Spirulina

1 tsp Maca powder

1/16 tsp pure stevia powder

1 banana

1 tsp Sunflower butter

1 tsp Hemp oil

6 ice cubes

Everything goes in the blender till smooth.  Enjoy.