Party Pooper

 

Party Pooper

Nobody likes to be called a party pooper! There is an exception though; calling an end to the parasite party in your gut! It is that time of the year for us again. By doing a parasite cleanse a few times a year, twice minimum, it is a sure fire way to get rid of those nasties that can steal your energy, vitality and vigor.

Parasites are organisms that grow in and feed on other living organisms known as “hosts”. Did you know that there are over 400 parasites! They basically feed on your food in your gut and bloodstream causing disease and ailments. Some of the parasites that can investate a human are hook worm, flat worm, round worm, tape worm and the scabies mite.

You can get these nasties through regular contact with animals and household pets, sandpits, unwashed fruit and vegetables, meat not being cooked properly, pork, contaminated food and water, sexual contact and even through certain insects.

Now AIM has a wonderful all-natural product called Para90 which we are currently using. This contains cleansing herbs with an additional digestive enzyme. Some of the ingredients include ginger root, peppermint, garlic, black walnut hulls, pumpkin seed, thyme, clove and grapefruit seed extract.

The ingredient combination not only kills the parasites, but also helps by providing the right ingredients to help with the elimination process. Calming ingredients help to sooth the digestive tract, and enzymes help to break down existing food and waste material. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use Para90, as well as very young children, very elderly people and people with ulcers should consult a health care practitioner.

How do I know if I may have a parasitic infection?

·    Digestive issues like heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting and gas.

·    Stomach pains and tenderness.

·    Loss of appetite.

·    Fatigue.

·    Chills.

·    Rashes.

·    Anaemia.

·    Allergies.

·    Sleeping problems.

·    Generally feeling run down incl. aches and pains.

·    Symptoms of dehydration.

Conventional deworming medication is prescribed for only a few days. These chemicals can have side effects. With the Para90 treatment plan, it works out to about a month long treatment. The reason for this is to make sure that you kill and eliminate the parasites in its various stages of growth, from egg up to the adult worm.

There is a “die off effect” that might affect you. Your body will be getting rid of sludge and toxic substances, some of it being chemicals that the parasites give off when dying.

You might have a few body aches and pains, stinging or itchy sensations along your gut, anus or genitals, experience sinus issues, have more “sleep” in your eyes or even feel a bit more emotional. But be brave and push through, you will feel the difference afterwards. Evict the party!

Did you know that parasites can cause emotional issues, especially when resisting being evicted from their “home”, throwing them out of the party? They steal, change or stop our neurotransmittors in order to get what they want. People that have been labelled with depression should also change their diet, and I strongly recommend a parasite cleanse.

Parasite eggs can migrate through the blood to the rest of the body. After this they can move past your blood brain barrier. In other words, from the blood to the brain, thereby altering the levels of chemicals in the brain. Not the best thought knowing that you might have parasites lurking on your brain. Excuse the pun!

Foods that you want to avoid:

·    Sugar – It feeds the organisms in the gut which leads to inflammation.

·    Processed food – It breaks down the immune system and can contribute to irratic emotional behaviour.

·    Alcohol – It also wrecks havoc on all your body systems.

·    Wheat – Many grains are processed and bleached, and gluten can contribute to inflammation in the gut.

·    Pork – Can potentially be contaminated with parasites.

Remember to follow up with probiotics like AIM’s Flora Food to repopulate the gut like kefir, sauerkraut and raw yoghurt. Eat a predominantly plant based, wholegrain diet rich in fruit and vegetables, oatmeal, wholegrain rice, lentils and buckwheat. Nuts, seeds and legumes are also highly nutritious. Don’t forget to drink enough water, rooibos- and herbal teas to help flush out toxins. Try to keep meat to a minimum.

Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil can also assist your body in your parasite cleanse. It is filled with anti-oxidants and protective compounds. Did you know that it can paralyse the worms making it difficult for them to survive in the intestinal wall?

Coconut oil is also anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. Please add it to your lifestyle where possible.

A last note. Don’t forget your pets! Remember to de-worm them if possible. You can go the natural route by grinding up pumpkin seeds and sprinkling it over their food with some garlic and a little coconut oil. Even olive oil will help nourish their coats. Gourmet dogs…

Wash their bedding and toys using tea tree oil and washing powder. It will help kill any eggs etc.

 

You can go to my AIM store for Para90 and FloraFood probiotic to help repopulate your gut.

www.myaimstore.com/healthamplified

If you feel a bit more adventurous and daring, try our beverages with Ganoderma Lucidum mushrooms to boost your vitality, energy and vigor. These mushrooms can also boost your immune system while parasite cleansing.

healthbaristajaco.myorganogold.com

Let’s put a stop to THIS party ,and get ready to have enough energy to party again…!

Blessings.

Lizelle

 

Garden Trio

 

Garden Trio

Imagine you lived in a city where all the traffic lights were green the whole time? For the first few seconds you would be excited and have a feeling of freedom and excitement. But if you think about it, it might end up in chaos. Some things just work better together.

 

The Garden Trio is just that. These are three all natural, concentrated vegetable powders by AIM that compliment each other so well. They do work well individually, but taken regularly it provides so much nourishment in synergy.

 

The first of the trio is Barley Life. In numerous blogs I have spoken about using Barley Grass. It helps provide the daily nutrition for a strong foundation. Abundant in enzymes, and essentials amino acids, Barley Grass is an excellent anti-inflammatory, thus also boosting the immune system. This green powder means that it is rich in chlorophyll; so it helps to alkalize the body, correcting pH levels. Our bodies function optimally in a more alkaline environment. Disease flourishes in an acidic environment. It is the most nutritional of all the green grasses, making it a wonderful support for athletic performance.

 

The next of the Garden Trio powders is “Just Carrots.” It is exactly just that; just carrots! A carrot juice powder concentrate without the mess and fuss of using a juicer. Sometimes convenient to have a break from chopping, dicing and cleaning during juicing. It is filled with important nutrients like alpha and beta carotene, calcium, iron, B-vitamins and potassium. Just Carrots is a powerful antioxidant that helps your body to fight cell damage. One canister contains 10kg of juiced carrots! Remember that carrots really do support eye and skin health. It is not an old wives tale!

 

Don’t forget our red juice. RediBeets is a concentrated beet juice powder that contains essential enzymes. This concentrate speeds up recovery after times of exercise and fatigue. Beetroot juice helps to cleanse the liver and is high in medicinal properties. With no added sugar, artificial sweeteners or colourants, this is an excellent addition to your lifestyle. Beetroot is high in iron, so athletes, menstruating ladies and people suffering from iron deficiency should be at the top of the list when it comes to RediBeets. Next in line is every person that needs to start the day with a boost.

 

Any of the Garden Trio can be mixed with water or a mixture of Ceres or LiquiFruit and water. We have been using Barley Green powder since our children were toddlers. They know the positive effects of it on their bodies. The reason I know this is because they always ask for barley grass when they don’t feel well or have eaten incorrectly! Older children and adults can swallow the capsules if preferred.

There are also wonderful other benefits when taking the powder instead of the capsule; one of them being helping to soothe and heal a sore throat. Mouth sores, abscesses and infection will also benefit a great deal from swirling the powder and water solution in your mouth. I have also discovered that it helps to open my sinus passages when I drink the clean powder and water.

One of the best treatments for sunburn is applying a paste of barley grass powder and water. Leave it on until it is dry (about 10 min) and gently rinse with lukewarm water. This paste also makes a fantastic face mask. Make sure that you are in the bath when you do this because it can get a bit messy. Stay away from white towels...!

To all the breastfeeding mommies out there, Barley Life is an all-natural, whole food concentrate and tonic that definitely helps to increase your milk supply, and baby will also benefit.

I don’t think that you need any more convincing!

Go to:  myaimstore.com/healthamplified to order your Garden Trio.

Be sure to have a look at all the other products that can assist you on your path to a healthier lifestyle.

Blessings.

Lizelle

 

 

The Art of Tea drinking

 

The Art of Tea drinking:

When I was a teenager, my mom was given three beautifully decorated exotic tins that were filled with different teas. It had its place on the kitchen window sill by the kettle. Each one was filled with a unique blend of fragrant tea leaves.

Accompanying the tins was a beautifully carved metal ball that could hold the tea leaves that could open and close. We had to fill the ball with some tea leaves, lower it into your cup and then pour hot water over and let it steep. The whole experience ”tasted’’ so much better than the tea!

 

The history of tea dates back to 2737 BC. There is a legend out there that says that a Chinese Emperor named Shen Nung noticed that a green leaf had blown into a bowl of boiling water, colouring the water and creating what became tea. The first written document of tea as a medicinal drink was written by a doctor in southwest China.

 

Tea has so many health benefits, and I see it as a general tonic that can help with any ailment or emotion. Below are a few general benefits:

 

·   Alleviates tiredness.

·   Fights off illness by assisting your immune system.

·   Helps lighten depression

·   Boosts energy.

·   Refreshes you physically and emotionally.

·   Brings a sense of calmness and a feeling of tranquility.

 

There are so many different teas that are available on the market these days. Herbal- ,infused- , or flavoured teas are much more affordable than before.

 

As I’m sitting in the autumn morning sun, sipping on my mug of rooibos with unsweetened soya milk, I’m savouring all the goodness of rooibos. This tea is proudly South-African. Brimming with anti-oxidants and without caffeine, this brew can help you with almost anything! From calming nerves, helping stomach upsets and colic, anti-ageing, allergies and asthma, sunburn, bladder infections and sleeplessness.

 

Just stay away from adding sugar to every cup of tea! Your taste buds will eventually start tasting the natural sweetness in the tea. Keep an empty Tupperware next to your tea bags. Take out the amount of teaspoons you would usually add to your tea, but place the sugar in the container instead of your cup. Have a look at the end of the week how kind you were to your body. Yes, tea without sugar might sound dreadful to some of you! But the more you have it this way, the sooner your tastebuds will adapt. Keep honey for special occasions.

 

Now green rooibos tea is becoming a more familiar sight on shelves. I found the most beautiful description of the difference between red and green rooibos. “It comes from the same plant, but the difference is the curing process. Red rooibos has a full-bodied flavour with caramel notes and steeps into an amber-hued cup. Green rooibos has a more delicate, herbal flavour and steeps into a light orange-yellow cup.”

Green rooibos has higher levels of anti-oxidants than red rooibos. Red rooibos is cut and left to dry in the sun. The plant is then exposed to oxygen and then turns a copper red colour. Think of an apple that has been cut and left exposed to outside elements.

I personally don’t drink coffee and try to stay away from caffeine. Black tea (Carmelia Sinensis) and green tea (not to be mistaken for green rooibos tea) are some of the teas that contain caffeine. If you would like to increase your tea intake but want to cut down on caffeine, then try to avoid black tea.

I love to make my own mixture of rooibos and chamomile at night. I’m not too fond of the taste of only chamomile, but the benefits are calming and relaxing, wonderful for stomach upsets and a good night’s rest.

My favourite at this moment is green rooibos tea with bergamot flavouring. I love the taste of Earl Grey tea, but the caffeine content is not optimal for my body. The taste is very similar though.

How about calming chamomile with a hint of spearment? The Carmién range of teas have affordable teas to choose from. Beautiful packaging with tea leaves delicately embraced in a mesh tea bag. It can give a “high tea” feel to any tea time!

Our children’s favourite is the Turkish Delight rooibos tea. It is a blend of green rooibos and rose petals with a delicate rose flavour reminiscent of Turkish Delight. It does not taste sweet, so maybe add a drop of honey if you feel a bit deceived.

Citrus Chai rooibos contains rooibos, green honeybush, spices, dried orange peel, lemongrass, flowers and black pepper. A very unusual combination, but an experience to remember.

A friend of mine has a beautiful wooden cupboard with glass window panes. She collects different tea cups, with only some of them matching. There is a personality in every tea cup! Always lovely to see how one fancy tea cup can stand gracefully on its own.

Green tea is a powerful anti-oxidant and tonic. It also helps to speed up your metabolism if that is what you are looking for. If you really want to go for gold, then you have to try the Organo organic green tea that also contains Ganoderma Lucidum. This is a type of mushroom that far outweighs the sound of “mushroom tea”! This is a medicinal mushroom combination that is tremendously beneficial to the immune system. It stimulates white blood cell production, which in turn enables your body to fight disease much better. This is not the type of mushroom that gives you hallucinations. Why not try it before you place a negative label on it?

This brand has a wide variety of beverages to choose from. One of their beverages is Red Tea with Cordyceps and Ganoderma Lucidum mushroom. This is a powerful herbal infusion. This blend does not contain rooibos tea, but Camellia Sinensis, a popular species of Camellia or better known as the tea shrub.

An interesting fact is that the Cordyceps mushroom was exclusively reserved for the Emperors and high nobility in ancient China. It is highly prized for its vitality properties, boosting energy and endurance. The Cordyceps also help the body adapt to high levels of stress. Take this into account in today’s fast paced life.

 

Organo Red Tea is a useful alternative for those who are sensitive to large doses of caffeine. This tea still provides you with caffeine if you are a coffee drinker, but it contains fewer quantities caffeine than a cup of coffee. All this with the added benefits of Cordyceps and Ganoderma Lucidum.

 

If you would like to find out about Organo or would like to order, click on the following link… healthbaristajaco.myorganogold.com 

With exquisite packaging and a smooth flavour, you will definitely be impressing your guests.

So whether you prefer a dainty, gold threaded tea cup, a chunky oversized mug or just a plain white tea cup, be sure to look out for interesting teas that will turn your teatime into an exotic, health benefiting experience.

 

Lizelle

 

 

 

 

Pechoti what??

 

Pechoti what??

It sounds like I am swearing at you or talking about a foreign Italian fruit! How about those thin Italian rusks called Biscotti , but instead of dipping it in tea, having it with alcohol?! I know, I know, jokes aside.

Pechoti is an ancient Indian method that is making a come back, similar to oil pulling that has become a more familiar protocol. It is a method where you drip a few drops of essential oils into your belly button while lying down. The active plant oils get absorbed by the skin and transfer to all the concentrated nerves and blood vessels in the surrounding area.

Some people believe that there is a gland behind the belly button that can absorb the oils. There is no scientific evidence that backs this information. The oils can be absorbed in the area and you can benefit from the therapeutic essential oils being administered. There are main nerves in the area that can benefit. Always remember to dilute your oils in a carrier oil before using it, except if you are using Lavender or Tea Tree oil. These two oils can be used neat, just be sure to do a skin sensitivity test before hand.

You might be wondering how on earth did I find out about this method? I’ve always had an extremely sensitive navel. Other people can poke their belly buttons or play with theirs, where I cannot do that. So I wondered what would happen if I had to drip a few drops of essential oils into my belly button! Bizarre thought?!

Well, I took a chance and Googled it. Did you know that by oiling your belly button, you can remove impurities and toxins from the body through this method? There is no harm in putting a few drops of oil inside your navel. You obviously have to do this while lying down, and waiting for some of the oil to be absorbed in about 10 minutes.

I originally applied 2 to 3 drops at a time, twice a day, and repeated the process in 3 consecutive days. Every time I applied it, I prayed for God’s healing and restoration of any toxic chemicals in that area. I didn’t feel any side effects, except feeling a bit nauseous and uncomfortable under my ribs. I used Cinnamon ,Myrrh and Frankincense oil in an olive oil base. I applied neat Tea Tree oil the following week, but only 1/day for 3 days.

The internal lining of the abdominal cavity at your belly button is called your Parietal Peritonium. This structure is extremely sensitive and its sensory nerve fibres relay information back to the spinal chord. This is at the same level as the nerves that give sensation from your bladder and urethra.

By applying essential oils in your belly button, you can heal and connect nervous connections through the belly, especially because of the high concentration of nerves. Toxic chemicals can get stuck on your nerves. By detoxing those nerves, it should be able to fire correctly as it was originally intended.

Everyone’s belly buttons are different and unique! Fortunately I never had a belly button that popped out during my pregnancies. One of our children had a popped out belly button as a new born. Some say that this is caused by a hernia. Some of the cultures believe that you should put a big coin over the navel, and then tie it down with a bandage going around the waist. No, we didn’t follow that advice…

Lizelle

Recipe:

Steamed pear puree

Pears cut into long quarters

A few soaked dates

Cinnamon to taste

-Steam the pears in a steamer, or you can gently simmer it in a little water until soft.

-Remove the skins when cooled.

-Blend with a few soaked dates for sweetness.

-Add cinnamon to taste.

-Enjoy on gluten free flapjacks, serve with organic preservative free yoghurt, or with coconut cream and chopped almonds.

Fuel Injection

 

FUEL INJECTION

I grew up with my mom juicing raw vegetables for my dad before he was off to work in the mornings. Some of our dogs used to howl at the sound of the juicer, so we had to put them outside before we juiced!

Juicing raw vegetables can provide your body with a burst of micronutrients that can be utelised by the body straight away. Not an excessive amount of digestion has to take place because the pulp or fibre and the juice get separated from each other. Juicers separate, and blenders incorporate everything until smooth. Juice extractors are better for raw vegetables, pears, apples and melons.  Blenders are better for smoothies containing raw fruit, nuts and milk of some sort.

By juicing, you will be enhancing nutrient absorption where you won’t be overtaxing your body with bulk food to digest. Your body can spend that energy to do repair work instead.

Don’t be fooled by thinking you are drinking raw carrot juice when you purchase it in a carton. It has to be pasturised, ie. cooked. It is still good for you, and far better than sugary carbonated drinks, but you are losing out on most of the enzymes that have been destroyed in the cooking process. The enzymes are what we are after. Cooked carrot or beetroot juice tastes very different from raw, juiced carrots.

You can make your own fruit juice by putting it through a juice extractor. Your choices must consider the water content of the fruit. Be careful for concentrated sugars. Eating a whole fruit is very different from having apple juice. The fibre content acts like a filter, allowing for a slower release of natural sugars. Always remember to dilute your fruit juice there by keeping the sugar content lower. A good combination that works is red apple juice mixed with cooled strong rooibos tea.

 

Green juices will also increase your chlorophyll intake, increasing anti-inflammatory activity. Think spinach, cucumber, celery, parsley, cabbage and apple. We always add an apple for a little sweetness without spiking blood sugar levels.

 

How about a red juice? Beetroot, radishes, red apples? Adding beetroot to any juice will boost your body, especially when you need that fuel injection to kick in to help get you through your day!

 

You can increase your vegetable intake this way, by starting your day with a glass of vegetable juice. This will kickstart your immune system and help your body with the overhauling process.

 

The most frequent combination that we juice is beetroot, radish, spinach, carrot, ginger and apple. You can always add lemon, ginger and radishes and herbs as you like. Beetroot, spinach and carrot combination is a good place to start.

 

Some choose to do a juice cleanse or juice fast which will assist your body in the detoxification process. A lot of people say that juicing is a waste of time, chopping vegetables and cleaning their machine. Many say that it is healthier and more economical to eat the whole produce. All of these are valid points, but how about adding juice to your wholefood, predominantly plant based diet?

 

A word of caution; if you’ve done an extended juice fast, be sure to start with the correct foods and not overloading your system and ending up with constipation.

 

Below is a list of some of the benefits that you will be reaping from:

Beetroot:

-boosts stamina

-detoxifies the liver

-helps prevent anaemia and iron deficiency

Cabbage:

-loaded with vit C and K

-improves gut health

-decreases inflammation

-detoxing

-Treats asthma and sinus congestion

Carrots:

-improves eye health

-anti cancer effect

-improves skin health

-boosts immunity

Spinach:

-boosts iron levels

-decreases cancer growth

-promotes healthy hair and skin

-helps with alkalinity levels

Apples:

-anti inflammatory

-fights heart disease

-pectin benefits digestion

-high in vit C

Radishes:

-improves blood flow

-clears sinus and phlegm

-good source of vit C

-regulates blood pressure

Ginger:

-treats nausea

-Treats chronic indigestion

-gingerol has powerful medicinal properties

-fights germs, illness and inflammation

Celery:

-reduces inflammation

-high in mineral salts

-boosts hydration

-high in vit A, C

-heals and activates the gut

-fights infections

Mint:

-improves cold symptoms

-relieves indigestion

-improves irritable bowel symptoms

-combats acne

Lemon:

-relieves sore throat

-cancer fighting

-aids digestion

-helps to clear skin

-high in vit C

-detoxing

Parsley:

-reduces bloating

-helps to clear skin

-high in iron

-blood purifier

-high in vit K, good for blood clotting

-powerful anti-oxidant

-excellent for bone health

-cancer fighting

-anti-bacterial

 

 

*We always add a little water to the juice extractor after the last vegetables have been fed through. It helps to clean the machine and dilutes the juice a bit.

*Try not to down the glass in one go. Sip sip on it to help with digestion. We usually have something to eat an hour after we had our juice.

*I would suggest starting off with a quarter glass, then working your way up to half a glass of fresh vegetable juice. A full glass should be sipped on and not downed.

*The fresher, the better! It starts to lose some of its nutritional content as it stands.

Wo says you can’t have “salad” for breakfast?!!

 

Lizelle

 

Coffee Pot

 

Coffee pot

I still remember as students how sophisticated and grown up we felt when we sat down and chatted over bottomless coffee for the first time! A Mugg and Bean had just opened in the town where I was studying, and several cups later left you feeling bubbling and on top of the world…

Until you fell off “that world” and crashed! You were left with moodiness, restlessness, irritation, agitation, stomach pain and a migraine. This doesn’t sound like a very good deal to me! It sounds more like a hangover than anything else.

Try doing coffee for years on end, and then giving it up. I have heard numerous testimonies of people, and it sure points to addiction to me. You see, caffeine is a highly addictive substance. Once people are hooked, it is one of the hardest habits to kick. Not to mention the combination of sugar AND caffeine.

Yes, coffee does have its perks (hence the “Perculator”…!) It contains anti-oxidants and it helps with mental alertness. I would personally choose to get my anti-oxidants somewhere else, because the cons far outweigh the pros.

If you cannot function optimally without having coffee every single day, then you need to sit down and think about what is happening inside your body.

When coffee hits your bloodstream, it starts to stimulate your adrenal glands. Your body gets pumped with adrenalin, hence the mental alertness. You feel good, and you are ready to face the world again. Stressor hormones like Cortisol get released. For most men, this is the hormone which contributes to an extended waistline. Men are left with irritation, anxiousness and no patience. In women, it increases symptoms of PMS, and can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety. Most people will grab a coffee again to feel better. This is all a vicious cycle and can eventually lead to adrenal fatigue.

People go to sleep at night. Caffeine withdrawal sets in, which is when your body is in detox mode and repairing starts. You struggle to wake up, because you are in a state of withdrawal and dehydration. What do most people do? Start the coffee pot!

Did you know that when a person drinks a lot of coffee they are sometimes called a “Coffee Pot?!”

Caffeine can inhibit calcium absorption in the body, so you have to be careful. Please don’t tell me that you will add more milk to your coffee to counter the malabsorption. Too much caffeine consumption can lead to water retention and cellulite.

Many women would rather have coffee during the course of their day than having a nutritious snack to get “energy” to keep going. Caffeine does give you a feeling of being full and satisfied, and many diets recommend coffee as part of their menu plan to help boost metabolism. You need to listen to your body and rest when you need to, have a smoothie or a glass of water.

What about people suffering from high blood pressure? Have you checked your caffeine consumption lately? It may be related. Caffeine also increases your heart rate, so take that into consideration.

Society has left most people stuck in a highly stressed, fast paced life, with high demands being placed on them. People have to grab coffee as a stimulant, in order to face the demands and pressure being placed on them. Performance far outweighs anything else these days. If you don’t perform, you might end up losing your job. So coffee has become a fashionable and social thing, especially being able to walk around with a take away coffee! That’s how they do it in the movies and it is enticing!

An average cup of brewed coffee has around 95mg of caffeine. Instant coffee has around 62mg of caffeine per cup where as decaf still contains a small amount of 2-7mg. Black tea, certain fizzy drinks, cocoa and green tea are some items that also contain a high amount of caffeine.

What are your options?

Weaning:

·    Switch to decaf for a month.

·    Then decaf every 2^nd or 3^rd day.

·    Then decaf over a weekend.

Cold turkey:

·    Stop coffee immediately and focus on repairing and normalizing body systems and functions.

·    Switch to rooibos and herbal teas, avoiding black tea as it contains caffeine.

·    Make sure that you are drinking enough water to stay hydrated and to help your body flush out toxins.

·    Have nutritious snacks and smoothies.

·    Switch to chicory “coffee”, barley  extract or carob as a warm drink. (See my previous blog titled “Carob”) Chicory almost tastes like Frisco instant coffee. You should be able to find these items at selected retail stores and health shops.

Carob powder-Dischem and health shops.

Chicory powder-Checkers and Dischem 

Barley extract- Dischem

 

Seriously reconsider before you reach for coffee the next time you have that craving. Take your unused coffee beans, put them in a pretty bowl on your table. Take a whiff every now and then to get a bit of that feel good factor. Are you dependent on caffeine?

 

Lizelle

 

Recipe:

“Coffee” milkshake

Frozen, chopped bananas (1 and a half/person)

Plant based milk for consistency

Vanilla

Chicory powder (1tsp/person)

Ice (optional)

-Blend until creamy and frothy.

-Replace chicory with carob powder for a chocolate milkshake.

 

*To freeze bananas, peel and chop the bananas into chunks. Place into a sealed Tupperware and into the freezer. It should be frozen in about 5 hrs.

Carob

 

         Carob

I was recently blessed with a bag full of carob pods! I believe that not many people will be excited about such a gift!  I was overjoyed because I have never eaten a carob pod straight from the tree before. One of my favourite treats is a delicious malted carob steamer. A creamy, rich, earthy beverage, with a hint of cinnamon and sweetener. We usually get this from Seattle Coffee shop. The mixture that they use is ordered from MaryAnn Shearer’s, The Natural Way. It consists of carob powder, a little fructose, barley malt powder and vanilla powder. We usually order ours with unsweetened almond or soya milk.

We have been using carob powder for years now. I love hot chocolate! But with all the caffeine, sugar and dairy involved, I made the choice to switch to carob powder. It might be a strange taste at first, but the key is not to see it as a chocolate alternative, but a delicious, healthy ingredient that is good enough to stand on its own.

Our kids grew up with carob as their “chocolate” drink, without the nasties that caffeine can bring. A little bit of carob powder, hot water, plant-based milk and honey. Cocoa powder can lead to sore tummies, caffeine highs and then irritation, emotion outbursts and irregular sleeping patterns.

 

What is Carob exactly?

Carob powder is made from the bean pods of the carob tree. The long, brown pods are dried and then ground into a fine powder. It has an almost chocolate taste and can be used as a substitute for cocoa powder.

What makes me really excited about carob is that it is an excellent source of minerals. It is loaded with fibre and pectin, with helps to eliminate toxins. This is a superfood which helps to improve digestion, lowers cholesterol, and can be used to treat diarrhea. It also helps to lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar. Carob has an astringent, binding effect on the mucous membranes of your digestive tract.

Carob powder can be used as a hot drink, to make “chocolate” malted ice cream, in smoothies, in cooked oats, pancake batter etc.

If you really want to use your imagination, how about using the pods as vegetarian biltong!? If you do manage to get hold of the pods, just remember to remove the pips as you chew on it! A good friend shared a fond childhood memory of them walking and chewing carob pods on their farm.

You can also buy carob chunks which usually look like chocolate blocks, but that are roughly broken into pieces. It is usually a mixture of carob powder, plant fat and a sweetener. The chunks can be eaten as a chocolate or used where you would use chocolate.

Look out for Health Connection or Nature’s Choice Carob Powder which should both be stocked at Dischem and most Health Shops.

Believe it or not, our dogs love to chew on carob pods! We call it their daily sweet treat or dessert. Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs, but carob pods are a nutritious, fibre rich, non-toxic treat for them. Now who says that a dog can’t have “chocolate”!?

Lizelle

Recipes:

Carob ice cream

Frozen, chopped bananas

Little plant milk or coconut cream for blending

A few tsp carob powder, depending on how strong you want it.

-Place everything in a food processor.

-Pulse a few seconds at a time, and disperse bananas in between processing.

-Process for longer periods the finer it gets.

-Process until smooth and creamy.

-Serve straight away.

Caramel sauce

1 Can coconut cream

Three quarter block of pressed dates

Pinch of cinnamon

-Chop the dates, add the cream, dates and cinnamon to a small pot.

-Gently simmer until the dates are soft.

-Gently mash with a potato masher.

-You can put up the heat a bit and let it boil for about a minute, watching it carefully. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

*You can serve it as a warm caramel sauce over flapjacks or pancakes.

* Use cold as a spread over tortilla triangles or in porridge.

*Replace the cinnamon with some carob powder for a chocolate caramel sauce.