Strawberry Cucumber Kombucha Duck Fat Plantain Fries (baked) 21DSD Relapse & Food with Benefits Event Sparkly Mint Lemonade (21DSD) Oriental Goji Berry Soup (21DSD) Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños Stuffed with Cashew “Cheese” Jalapeño Cashew “Cheese” Spread The 21-Day Sugar Detox Paleo Chunky Monkey (Ice Cream) Sauerkraut and Ham Soup

April 19, 2013

The 21-Day Sugar Detox

April 9, 2013

Sauerkraut and Ham Soup

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Strawberry Cucumber Kombucha

May 18, 2013No comments

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Summer is practically in full swing here on Miami Beach. It’s Spring Break, the beach is a madhouse, and I’m sweating my balls off already.

July is gonna feel AWESOME. Can’t wait. (Naht.)

Summer makes me think of my all-time favorite fruity drink: Strawberry Cucumber Kombucha. It’s so refreshing, with a  hint of sweetness, lots of zing, and a cool-cucumber finish. I can’t believe I haven’t posted this recipe until now.

Don’t worry if you have no idea what kombucha is. It seems like most people I come into contact with don’t either. Usually I just describe it as an amazing probiotic elixir of life. The long definition is that it’s a sweet tea that has undergone fermentation from a SCOBY (symbiotic community of bacteria and yeast.) This produces billions of probiotics and good bacteria that help with digestion and support the immune system.

I used to buy GT’s Kombucha last summer when I made this, and let me tell you: A store-bought kombucha habit is almost as expensive as a crack habit. A 16 oz bottle of GT’s runs for about $3.75 a bottle. Granted, a regular serving of kombucha should be about 4 oz at a time, and NOT the whole bottle (like how most people are drinking it nowadays). But still, that shizz adds up.

Now my boyfriend and I brew our own kombucha at home so we save a ton of money. It seemed like a daunting task at first, but I swear it’s so easy- and fun! We are always experimenting with new flavors. We do a secondary fermentation process after bottling the kombucha tea and flavoring it with fresh fruit or ginger. That’s when it gets nice and fizzy.

I’m thanking my lucky stars that kombucha is allowed on The 21 Day Sugar Detox by Balanced Bites. Unfortunately strawberries aren’t, so my poor boyfriend was ‘forced’ to drink this serving of Strawberry Cucumber Kombucha after I took pics of it. I’m loving the detox, but REALLY looking forward to eating fruit again. (I’m on day 18, only 3 more days!) Continue Reading for Recipe

Duck Fat Plantain Fries (baked)

May 14, 2013No comments

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I’m sitting here on my couch munching on plantain fries and feeling deliciously sore from yesterday’s Anusara yoga class. It’s been over a month since I’ve attended any of my usual yoga classes, and oh man I can feel it! Sure I’ve been doing my usual stretches and poses a couple times a week in the steam room but it isn’t the same as practicing for a full hour and a half.

I’m happy to report that I am totally recovered from my sciatica pain from January. I believe I overextended my back in an Ashtanga class one day, and it kept getting more painful and inflamed as time wore on. It eventually hurt to even put on socks.

Thank God I decided to lay off of yoga for awhile and take time to heal. I didn’t work out (except do therapeutic poses and stretches) for about a month and then I started lifting weights in the gym once a week. I did a lot of core-strengthening exercises (pilates helped a lot!) which reinforced my back muscles. Core muscles are so important to posture, which helps to heal sciatica pain. Although I never went to see my doctor, I don’t believe I had a slipped disc.

I’m glad I was able to learn this lesson now at a young age instead of continuing to practice the way I was (all or nothing) until I REALLY hurt myself. It was just life giving me a warning sign, like ‘Hey girlfriend, lay off the ego and go at your own pace. Stop trying to force your way into deep poses that you might not be able to do TODAY!’

Thanks life. And thank you duck fat for making my plantain fries even more delicious. Continue Reading for Recipe

21DSD Relapse & Food with Benefits Event

May 2, 20131 comment

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Today was supposed to be Day 14 of my 21 Day Sugar Detox from Balanced Bites .

Part of the program includes starting from Day 1 if you ‘slip up’ on any of the bad foods list (even if it’s good sugars, like from pineapple or honey) so I’m reporting back to you on my NEW Day 2 of the detox. You’d think I’d be more remorseful, but let me explain:

The 21-Day Sugar Detox

 

Continue Reading for a Long Story and Pics

Sparkly Mint Lemonade (21DSD)

April 30, 2013Comments: 4

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I am by no means a soda or juice drinker. The idea of wasting my appetite and money on beverages at a restaurant is ridiculous, not to mention I’d rather save my ‘sugar points’ for more important things; like dessert.

Sure on special occasions I like to treat myself to a Perrier (really living on the edge there), but for the most part I like pure delicious FREE tap water. On the rocks.

When I started The 21 Day Sugar Detox from Balanced Bites (Day 13, y’all!) I started craving sodas. Since I work behind the bar it has been easy to throw something together to quench my cravings. And best of all I feel good drinking it.

The 21-Day Sugar Detox

Most bars or nightclubs have standard ingredients like lemons, mint, and soda water. I know one of the hardest parts for the 21DSD for a lot of people is going out with friends while trying to avoid alcohol- an absolute no-no on the 21DSD plan.

Yes, some (if not most) bartenders would be annoyed making this all night, but throw them some extra bucks and feel good knowing you didn’t slip up on the detox because you felt left out or self-concious without a drink in your hand.

Talk about deliciously refreshing. I have visions of me sipping this out by the pool as a cabana boy lathers me up with coconut oil. JK. Although I do feel a little bit like Marie Antionette when I drink it out of a wine glass.

And I think once I finish my detox I’ll add 1 muddled strawberry to flavor it up a bit. #WINNING

Continue Reading for Recipe

Oriental Goji Berry Soup (21DSD)

April 29, 20131 comment

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Berries in soup, who knew?

I made up this recipe in the midst of doing  The 21 Day Sugar Detox  from Balanced Bites. It’s day 12 of no sugar and I’ve been having huge cravings for anything spicy, and goji berries are allowed on the Good Foods List. Somewhere along the line my boyfriend made chicken stock; thus this recipe was born. And I’m so glad it was.

The 21-Day Sugar Detox

Goji Berries infuse this dish with a high dose of Vitamin C, but can be an expensive and somewhat exotic ingredient.  The soup is just as good without them so if you don’t have any on hand, don’t sweat it. I just really enjoy the subtle sweetness in the midst of all the other amazing flavors in this recipe.

So how am I feeling at this stage in my detox?

Continue Reading For Recipe

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños Stuffed with Cashew “Cheese”

April 24, 2013No comments

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So right now I’m on The 21 Day Sugar Detox and eating my weight in coconut cream and carrots.

That’s totally normal, right?

Jk kinda. Sorta. (Not really.)

I am getting creative in the kitchen though, more so than usual. And I’ve stepped up my internet health-food surfing for the time being. I like reading about other people who are at different stages of their detox. Kinda like having a support group. I dig support groups.

And because bacon is making me happy during these troubled times, and because I’ve been eating a lot of spicy foods to mask the sugar cravings, I thought that bacon wrapped Jalapeños would be just the thing I needed.

But stuffed things usually involve cheese which are off limits to me right now (why the heck did I decide to jump straight to Level 3 on The 21DSD program?!) so the next best thing is CASHEW CHEESE.

Erm… vegan-friendly cheese? Usually those things don’t float my boat. At all.

But I’m so glad I tried it out, because this cheese is the shizz. Almost as amazing as this jar of olives is (or was, now it’s all gone wah.)

Do you guys have any other suggestions for fun snacks to eat while on the 21DSD? What was your experience throughout the 21 days? I’m all ears.

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Jalapeño Cashew “Cheese” Spread

April 23, 2013No comments

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The words ‘cashew cheese’ have always freaked me out. Not to mention the word ‘spread’ is just plain creepy. In fact, anything called a ‘cheese’ that isn’t really a cheese is both freaky AND creepy.

BUT I’ll make an exception just this once for my new ingenious Jalapeño Cashew ‘Cheese’ Spread.

Today is Day 6 of doing Balanced Bites‘ The 21 Day Sugar Detox. Just a quick recap of my detox thus far:

Day 1 and 2, not so bad minus a wicked lingering headache. I skipped level 1 & 2 of the program and went straight to Level 3. (You know, balls to the wall style.) I had to make a conscious effort to avoid any sneaky sugar in the food I ate.

Day 3 was EXCRUCIATING, not necessarily because I was having cravings (which I was) but mainly because I was so freaking fatigued and lethargic that I just wanted to curl up and sleep all day. Unfortunately I chose to work every single day this week, so I was only able to grab about 6 hours of sleep. I had no energy to even walk up the steps or ride my bike to work.

I honestly don’t think I was getting enough protein or nutrient-dense veggies.

I was pretty much living off of eggs (scrambled, fried, hard-boiled), salads, bacon, and avocados. Not very substantial if you ask me.

It’s so hard for me to make good meal plans.The staff meals at work are usually very healthy, but in the event that it’s Spaghetti Day, then I choose to go hungry than eat the staff food. A packet of carrots and almonds can only take me so far…

Day 4 was a little bit better as far as energy goes, but still had a dull headache. I work outside at a Hotel pool so I’m on my feet 9 hours a day and sweating under the Miami sun. Sun + headache + detoxing from sugar = a very miserable Rachel. I opted to skip on my Anusara yoga class and just do some stretches in the steam room instead. Even stretching was a chore.

Day 5 I woke up to a semi-clear face. Sugar is a huge inflammatory trigger for rosacea. I finally was able to properly grocery shop. Things on my list included carrots (nature’s CANDY), cashews, mixed organic olives, a whole chicken, spinach, eggs, sardines, more avocados, sugarless uncured pepperoni, asparagus, yams, unsweetened almond milk, and more sugarless bacon. Whew!

Now today, on Day 6, I’m starting to feel the emotional pull of sugar. Seeing dessert posts on Instagram and Facebook is slowly driving me crazy. I’m also starting to feel sorry for myself for not being able to handle treats like normal people. Thoughts like ‘But I really wanted to go to that new restaurant with the amazing dessert menu, and now I won’t ever be able to go.’ are creeping in. <— This is a total lie, btw. My head likes to give me mind f*cks and make me depressed for no reason.

So that’s pretty much where I’m at today. Sorry if this felt like a #therapysesh but I just wanted to remain accountable to you guys.

Plus, if I’m ‘doomed’ to a life where i HAVE to eat cashew cheese stuffed jalapenos wrapped in bacon, then i guess i can manage. (But seriously you guys, I’m freaking in love over here with nutritional yeast NOMMM!!!)

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The 21-Day Sugar Detox

April 19, 2013No comments

SugarDetoxLogoThe time has finally arrived to admit the one thing I did NOT want to admit, even though I’ve secretly known it for years.

Sugar is no longer my BFFL. Somewhere along the way it turned on me, and now I’m a stark-raving sugar-holic. It’s been in control of me for far too long and it’s time to take drastic measures.

I’m writing this a full 36 hours of being clean from sugar in all forms: processed sugar, fruit, ‘healthy’ sugars, wheat, dairy, alcohol, treats, and the list goes on. But 36 hours, whooptie doo, right?

WRONG. If you are anything like me (a sugar-crazed addict) then you’ll understand what a huge deal being 36 hours clean from sugar is. That means not even in sauces, drinks, and any other secret hiding spots sugar creeps up in.

So what exactly is The 21-Day Sugar Detox and why all the fuss about detoxing from it in the first place?

I’m not a scientist, and right now I don’t feel like looking up solid information to back up my claim, but from my EXPERIENCE sugar is freaking addictive and it’s killing me slowly. Duh.

Keep Reading More Here

Paleo Chunky Monkey (Ice Cream)

April 10, 2013Comments: 7

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Ok, whoever has never had a Ben and Jerry’s addiction raise your hands. Those with your hands raised, get out of here. I have no idea what kind of cruel species you are.

Seriously.

I used to live for the days when Publix had Buy One Get One Free sales for Ben and Jerry’s pints. That’s a ton of savings, y’all.

It was also the excuse to buy those wildcard flavors that could either be amazing or awful- you never knew which. Ben and Jerry’s sure knows how to make some home run flavors- just as much as they can make some flavors which should have never seen the light of day.

Top 3 fav flavors: Everything But The… (back when they gave more than one miniscule piece of heath bar per pint), Half Baked (during my gluten days), and of course: Phish Food.

Chunky Monkey never made it onto my list because it was SO overly sweet. Sure, those other flavors were probably just as sweet grams-wise, but at least there were other flavors/textures instead of the monotony of banana-ey sweet on top of more banana-ey sweetness.

Now that I’m having a romantic tryst with my ice cream maker, the ingredients that make up paleo Chunky Monkey just “make sense’. Seriously, what’’s not to love about banana ice cream with gobs of dark chocolate covered walnuts?

I’m happy to report that I can eat this entire batch of ice cream without any adverse side-effects. No abdominal cramping, acne breakouts from sugar, rosacea flare-ups from dairy, and I get to sleep soundly at night knowing I didn’t binge out on those man-whores, Ben & Jerry.

God I love the primal life.

Continue Reading for Recipe

Sauerkraut and Ham Soup

April 9, 2013Comments: 3

P1090721While trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my Easter leftovers, my Polish heritage screamed out at me: “Sauerkraut and ham soup!’

Don’t knock it till you try it, people.

My boyfriend and I have finally gotten the hang of fermenting sauerkraut. And by “boyfriend and I’, I really mean boyfriend, because he’s the one who uses his muscles to wring out some delicious kraut. I stand by for moral support, obviously.

Sauerkraut is chock full of vitamin A and C, which help boost the immune system. Our sauerkraut is not pasteurized, so when making this soup it’s really important to add it last when the soup is lightly simmering as this will help keep the probiotic benefits of eating raw fermented foods.

I’ve been stuck with a long drawn-out cold for two weeks now, so this soup is seriously heaven sent. Salty, a tad bit sour, with an earthy ham flavor. Great texture too. If I could just feed this soup to every person around me, I’d probably improve over night. I swear everyone is sick in Miami Beach. Tourists and locals alike.

So tell me, what are your home remedies for a nasty cold? Bone broth? Sweating it out in the sauna? Echinacea? I’m quite literally dying to know!

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