G is for GREEN ... TEA!

G is for GREEN ... TEA

Drinking green tea is certainly nothing new and in recent years Americans consumed over 50 billion servings of tea annually. Although the majority is black tea, 20% was green and that number continues to soar. Green tea was discovered in China nearly 5,000 years ago and has long been heralded for its healing properties.

Why the interest in green tea? Green tea contains no sodium, fat, or sugar and is relatively caffeine-free. Green tea contains magnificent antioxidant properties.  Antioxidants are paramount because they prevent or delay oxidative damage to the body, cells, and tissues. Another plus is that green tea has the means to lower cholesterol. An ingredient known as catechin which boosts metabolism is also found in green tea. Drinking up to five eight ounce cups per day can increase your energy expenditure by 90 calories! 

A study conducted by the University of Birmingham located in Birmingham, United Kingdom reports that not only does green tea exert its affects on fat oxidation but also improves insulin sensitivity and glucose intolerance. Essentially this means it may have the potential to reduce the risk of Type II diabetes.

Each day more studies are being conducted and scientific data continues to pile regarding the benefits of green tea.  

Prior to your favorite exercise, drink a cup of green tea; you’ll not only burn more calories, keep your cholesterol down and reduce your risk to other diseases ... you’ll also save money by going “green”!

originally posted:

G is for Green Tea

CoMmUnItY!

Each day my belief in supporting the community where I live grows stronger. As fall is approaching in South Florida, albeit rather slowly, I am excited for the local farmers market to open. Within walking distance from my home, it's one of my favorite weekend activities. Roaming the aisles, talking with the farmers, searching for the best croissant while sipping hot tea are all fond memories from fall Saturday mornings. Carrying cloth bags bursting with brilliantly colored greens makes me smile. This year I'll have a new bicycle and envision my cute little basket full of local wildflowers, organic herbs, dinosaur kale and maybe a fresh baguette - shhh. My friend Pam would always say, “You have to meet people to meet people, so go out and talk.” Buying locally and organically grown produce not only feels a bit decadent, it also gives back to my local community and the food is much tastier and nutrient dense!

When I lived in Boulder, Colorado there was a community garden nearby. One could actually rent a small section on a plot of land to plant their own garden. How cool is that? Folks would grow different vegetables and swap with one another. Such participation boosts collectiveness, sparks new friendships and maybe introduces one to a new vegetable or fruit. For me, local gardens create a bond with the very Earth I walk upon.

Each year, from the time I can recall, my father has planted a garden. Last year he proudly handed me a full bag of; tomatoes, onions, banana peppers, cucumber, radishes and potatoes. What didn’t immediately make it in my special salsa, stayed fresh for a month!  Does your produce last that long? Oftentimes ingredients needed or wanted may not be available locally. This is a perfect opportunity to substitute, experiment and perhaps create a delightful new dish.  If I absolutely must have that certain something, I'll head to the nearest locally owned health food store.

Remember, it is straightforward and extremely rewarding to grow your own food; parsley, rosemary, basil, dill, or baby collards. Local farmers often have starter plants for sale. How fun to snip snip delicacies from your window sill or balcony and add to your salad!  

Learning to live from our land and learning to live in community with one another is the preservation of the future. So grab your shovel and follow my father's old pick up truck, you'll know which one when you see the sticker on the bumper "No Farms No Food".

Re-Fresh-Mint!

Add some Re-Fresh-Mint to your life!

As temperatures soar this summer, add some additional *cool* to your already hip nature is by adding some re-fresh-mint to your life. 

Peppermint and spearmint are among the most common and grow effortlessly and easily during this time. Luckily, in South Florida, we’re able to grow this wonderfully fragrant herb year round. With over 2,000 varieties of mint, visit your local farmers market and ask for luscious chocolate mint!

Mint also provides relief for common indigestion by relaxing the muscles thereby preventing intestinal spasms. It’s refreshing taste blends well with many other fruits and vegetables.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy, summertime relates to red hot fire!  Explosiveness. Think ... fireworks. The simple addition of some fresh mint cools the body and freshens the breath.  

Add a few fresh mint leaves to green tea (warm or iced). Green tea cools the body and with the addition of fresh mint, what could be more invigorating?

Below I’ll share some of my yummy experiments with you.

Rather than a bowl of cereal in the morning, try this re-fresh-mint:

Cheery-OoLaLa

one chopped mango
handful of blueberries
a hearty sprinkling of hemp seeds
5 (or more) torn fresh mint leaves
Layer in your favorite bowl!

For lunch, try this one:

W-rapper

several mint leaves

lots o’basil leaves

handful of soaked walnuts

small handful of yellow pear tomatoes

one date

two large cloves of garlic 

sea salt & ground pepper

tear, chop, dice, crush, & mix together in a beautifully hand crafted bowl

sauce:

raw apple cider vinegar

raw honey

equal portions and mix 

Pour sauce over salad mixture. Wrap in a purple cabbage leaf and savor every bite! 

Allow lunch to digest, then:

Afternoon Delight

large spoonfuls of watermelon chunks

fresh squeezed lemons

a swirl of honey

many mint leaves

sparkling h20

puree’ then add sparkling h20

If you want a little kick to your afternoon delight, add some vodka!

Serve in a hand painted martini glass.

Be cool and post your comments!


check out:
http://www.thewellwrittenwoman.com/fitness/2011/7/23/add-some-refresh-mint-to-your-life.html

Art of Tanning: 101

It's summer, at least here in South Florida and tanning is an art. You may tan easily or not at all. You may hop right into pinkdom. Or you may burn after a couple of hours. If you love the outdoors, here are some suggestions for sun protection directly from mother nature:

Pomegranate Seed Oil is highly effective. One reason to love pomegranate seed oil is its faint aroma is reminiscent of melted baking chocolate! A wonderful light oil that is quickly absorbed into the skin. 

Its recommended use is either undiluted by the drop or creating a 10% solution with a blend of carrier oil(s). Mix with oils such as coconut, jojoba, or almond and rub into the skin. Pomegranate Seed Oil is luscious when blended with Seabuckthorn Berry Extract. The two delightfully compliment one other and have a truly synergetic effect in skincare blends.

The benefits of this delightful oil are limitless for nearly all skin types. Research indicates it to be helpful in skirmishing both skin and breast cancer in laboratory tests. Pomegranate Seed Oil has an extended shelf life due to its high level of anti-oxidants. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, therefore relieving muscle aches and pains.

Choose a Pomegranate Seed Oil that is Co2 extracted which allows it to remain high in antioxidants, these ward off free radicals to promote healthy skin regeneration. The high lipid content reduces inflammation and swelling. It nourishes the skin thus improving elasticity (yay!) and reducing wrinkles.

And fair maiden, If you stay out in the sun a little too long, it has also been shown to help sunburned and ultraviolet damaged skin. Much evidence suggests that its calming and healing properties may aid treatment of numerous skin dilemmas; including dry, irritated, sensitive and even eczema and psoriasis.

Pomegranate Seed Oil also contains phytoestrogens. Women have found that using pomegranate seed oil has helped to ease symptoms associated with menopause; such as mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and diminished libido. It may be taken orally as a dietary supplement, used topically as a moisturizer or massage oil or personal lubricant.  OoLaLa

Consider that over 200 pounds of fresh pomegranates are used to produce just one pound of pomegranate seed oil! It's easy and fun to create your own sun solutions, but if you're not sure how ... I will happily custom blend a formula just for you, contact me at info@twistedyoga.com.

France Du Jour

panoramic view from Cordes Sur Ciel

In mid May Janet returned from France where she hosted an annual yoga holiday.  
"Life there so simple", she sighs.   

Each morning she was dazzled by the delicate poppies smiling in anticipation of another day as sun rose high in the sky.
On a lovely spring afternoon she would pull out her *wine* tooth comb and diligently investigate the results of hand picked grapes.
Other days she stumbled upon medieval villages and contributed to regional artisans.
She also read British novels, updated her memoirs, and visualized her return flight being upgraded to first class.
Breakfast du jour often consisted of espresso and a chocolate croissant from the local patisserie.

For now, it's home sweet home, her laptop, and the comfort of her life saving green kale lemonade beauty elixir.

Boutique Banking

I love shopping at exclusive personally owned boutiques.

I love buying fresh produce from local farmers.

So, the next logical step for me is a local bank.  And better yet, an institution that defines itself as a boutique bank!  Right up my allee'.

Lydian Bank & Trust is a private bank located in Florida, offering two branches in Palm Beach County.  They provide wealth management services, investment counseling, estate planning along with checking & savings accounts (for folks such as myself).  Their offices and employees are professional, sophisticated and provide exceptional financial advice.

But most importantly of all, they offer individualized customer service.  When I enter the branch to make a deposit, I am greeted with a warm smile and addressed by my name.  If I prefer, I can mail my deposits in the prepaid postage envelopes provided to me when I opened my account.  How cool is that?

The best part, when I call, the professional that answers the phone is most likely the one who opened my account or who makes my deposits or even the assistant vice president!  I've also established an email relationship in the event I need assistance when traveling internationally.

For now, it doesn't get much better and I'm looking forward to requiring their wealth management services ... thank you Betsy, Amanda Rose and Robin.  I'm tickled pink!

Organic vs Non-Organic

OK, so what's the big deal?  Some, even more cynical than I, believe that produce labeled as organic is a big fat fib - a type of conspiracy against the public in an attempt to charge more money.

To me, the proof is in the taste of the pudding.  Organic produce may sometimes be slightly diminutive, beautifully asymmetrical, vibrantly colorful and remarkably more delicious!

When offered the choice, I will purchase organic for all of my produce.  However, if you're budgeting, a wee bit skeptical or slightly in doubt - remember the dirty dozen and purchase those items in the organic produce section!

Non organic produce that is very heavily sprayed with pesticides:
celery
peaches
strawberries
blueberries
apples
nectarines
bell peppers
spinach
cherries
kale
potatoes
grapes

Non organic produce that is less sprayed:
onions
avocado
corn - buyer beware - most corn is genetically modified (yikes!)
pineapple
mangoes
peas
asparagus
kiwi
cabbage
eggplant
cantaloupe
watermelon
grapefruit

Farm Salsa

What makes this "Farm Salsa"?

Because all ingredients came from the farmers market this morning!

amelia tomatoes

celery stalk & leaves

white & red radishes

red pepper

scallions

cilantro

dill

mint

garlic

One of the vendors that I regularly visit at the market told me that in California, tickets are issued to the farmers who use plastic bags!

yay

So, maybe in about 10 years, Florida will hop on that band wagon,

but ...

until then ...

please please please

remember to bring your own cloth bag!

it's NOT just a trend

:)

what the HECK it is

"lunch"

Earlier today I posted this image on Facebook.  Lunch.  A number of folks contacted me asking, "What the heck is it?"  This is what the "heck" it is ...


Staying focused on what seems to important to me at the moment, I created a dish ... with the exception of the sea salt ... each item is grown locally and organic.  Everything was purchased Sunday at the local farmers market.  yikes ... What am I going to do when it ends?  


ingredients:
white truffle oil - OMG is all I can say
yellow oyster mushrooms - so incredibly delicate
white shallots
scallion tops
tarragon - from my balcony herb garden
parsley - from my balcony herb garden - plant purchased @ farmers market
hydroponic lettuce
heirloom baby tomatoes
sea salt


Literally, three minutes from start to finish and it was gonzo!


For my next project ... does anyone know of a local & organic banking institution?     :)

P is for Parsley

Add caption

(my new plant, photo taken from my balcony!)

Parsley is the world’s most popular herb.  Its name is derived from the Greek word meaning “rock celery” (parsley is a cousin to celery).  Parsley belongs to the Umbelliferae family of plants, and its Latin name is Petroselinum crispum.  Parsley is a biennial plant that will continue to grow in your garden year after year. 

Parsley contains two types of unique components that make is so health-ful.  The first is volatile oils; including myristicin, limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene.  And secondly is flavonoids; including apiin, apigenin, crisoeriol, and luteolin.

In animal studies, myristicin has been shown to inhibit tumor formation, specifically in the lungs.  Myristicin has also been shown to activate an enzyme known as glutathione-S-transferase.  A long word with a huge function, it aids in the attachment of glutathione to other oxidized molecules that might otherwise cause damage in the body.  The activities of the volatile oils qualify parsley as a “chemo-protective” food, ie food that neutralizes particular types of carcinogens such as benzopyrenes found in cigarette and charcoal grill smoke.

Luteolin has been known to function as an antioxidant because it combines with reactive oxygen-containing molecules to help prevent damage to cells.  In addition, extracts from parsley used in animal studies actually increases the antioxidant capacity of the blood.

Parsley is also an excellent source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A and Beta-carotene.

As you know, Vitamin C has many functions. It is a water-soluble antioxidant.  High levels of free radicals may contribute to the development of a number of diseases; including atherosclerosis, colon cancer, diabetes, and asthma.  Generally folks who consume high amounts of foods containing Vitamin C reduce their risk of these conditions.  Vitamin C is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and has been known to be useful in arthritic conditions.  Since Vitamin C is vital for a healthy functioning immune system, it is also helpful for preventing infections and colds.

Beta-carotene, another powerful antioxidant, works in the fat-soluble areas of the body.  Lifestyles high in beta-carotene rich foods are also known to have reduced risks of atherosclerosis, diabetes, and colon cancer.  Vitamin C and beta-carotene may be helpful in reducing the severity of asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  Beta-carotene is converted by the body to Vitamin A, a nutrient so important to a strong immune system that its nickname is the “anti-infective vitamin.”

Parsley is a great source of folic acid, perhaps the most important B vitamin.  One of its most critical roles is the relation to cardiovascular health and its participation in the body process that converts homocysteine into benign molecules.  High levels of homocysteine can damage blood vessels and may be associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke.  Folic acid contributes to proper cell division and is therefore vitally important for prevention in two major areas of the body which contain a host of rapidly dividing cells; the cervix and the colon.

Two popular types of parsley are curly and Italian flat leaf.  Both are quite tasty and fragrant.  And, of course both taste better when picked or purchased fresh!  Guess what I'm having for dinner!     :)

Beyond 5 Star!

Sunday evening I prepared what was perhaps one of the very best meals ever!  

wow wow wow

What could be the reason?  I think it is due to the fact that every single ingredient (with the exception of the sea salt and butter) was purchased that morning at our local farmers market.  

Can you say both local AND fresh?  Unless I had grown it myself, it doesn't get much better than that! 

jumbo shrimp

squid ink fettuccine

shitake mushrooms

red leaf lettuce

tomatoes

parsley (from my live plant)
cilantro

arugula
chives
lemon

raw unpasteurized butter 

garlic

sea salt