daily green smoothie

A few months back I told you about a cleanse that I did with my friend Rebecca Briggs, she has a great blog called hOMnaturale. Her cleanse system is amazing and encompasses her vast knowledge on food, yoga, meditation, healing and loads of other wonderful things. Since my cleanse with her I have been making green smothies (along with my daily elixir which I shared with you in a blog a few months ago - link here). While the elixir is a more simple tall glass of freshness, I have also gotten into the routine of a green smothie each day and I am crazy about them.

If I do say so myself I think mine are pretty good (thanks to Rebecca) and I don't even have a Vitamix, I am just doing it with a plain old, high powered, blender! They taste amazing and it's nice during the winter (because they are not really cold) to replenish and drink fluids. Depending on what's going on in our community and family I will add a dropper full of Astragalus if my immune system needs a boost or if my nerves feel jumpy and unsettled I add a dropper of Magnesium.. whatever your 'thing' is.. you can add to your smoothie and give it an even bigger boost.

Some of my favorite ingredients are (all organic) : almond milk, coconut water, extra virgin coconut oil, Turmeric, cashew butter, hulled hemp seeds, green apples, pears, dates, spearmint (SO good!) etc... I think I could go on forever. But here is one of my favorite recipes, I really just make what is in my fridge - you will figure out what works for you and what doesn't but it's a good idea to have a base of a non-dairy milk, water, nut butter, powder (like hemp, maca etc.) green leaf (baby spinach, romaine, kale...), lemon... and then change things up from there...

Today I made this (all organic ingredients):

2 cups arugula
1 cup almond milk
1 cup filtered water (coconut water)
1/2 small lemon (with or without peel)
1 Tbsp cashew butter
1 tsp kava powder
1 tsp maca powder
pinch of Himalayan salt
a 1" piece of ginger (peeled and sliced into pieces)
1 Tbsp coconut oil
3 pitted dates

blend until it's pretty smooth - it takes a bit for my blender. I didn't add mint today but usually I do - SO good! This makes enough for me to have a glass, share a glass with my husband, maybe the kids too and then I put the leftover in jar with a lid and drink that later in the day (maybe in the car when I'm driving the kids around).

Some people have a hard time drinking a green smoothie (I CRAVE them so not a problem there) but if you do try drinking with a straw, I think that makes it easier?

YUM!

A Tribute to Michio Kushi

Over the holiday break Michio Kushi passed away, my sister and I took the time to reflect on the difference he made in this world, the impact he has made on so many lives and what a champion for peace he was in a world full of turmoil and troubles. Whenever I am unsure of what is going on today, what am I doing to help and what will have the biggest impact I turn to Macrobiotics. Because of the charisma and dedication of Michio Kushi there are so many people who feel the same way. It is amazing to think that one man brought so many people together and created such a strong movement for good through health and well-being.

If you would like to pay tribute to Michio Kushi there will be a memorial at Arlington Street Church in Boston MA on January 31st at 2pm. You can visit the web page : www.michiokushi.org for more information. Visit the Institutes website for heart-warming tributes to Michio and for more information: www.kushiinstitute.org/honor-michio-kushi/

There was a wonderful article in the New York Times about Michio and his life, but if you have the chance read some of his books, go to the Macrobiotic Summer Conference and have your life changed or just take in the idea that food was is key to health and health the key to Peace. Michio was overall interested in Peace and felt that the way to Peace was through a healthy diet - I believe this to this day.

Thank you Michio for changing my life and the lives of so many others, for creating a peaceful path and setting a way to Peace.

link to NYT article

I can't believe I still have these....??

This is my annual January blog when I look at my store and notice things that I just can't believe I still have!! I thought these things would be a favorite of all you guys, they are certainly mine! ...was I wrong? or did you just not see them!? I am lucky, my store is small enough that I just fill it with things that I love and really think are made well, by good people, doing good things. But when it comes to the end of a season and I still have things I'm crazy about, well, all I gotta say is you better grab them before I do!

This was one of my favorite bags from Erica Tanov (and it's 50% off!), I have one already so you don't have to worry about me getting it, but this is my last one! (and the gold... it's best for summer AND winter!) and this inouitoosh scarf.. the pink was my favorite color! and I have two left... can you believe it?

I used to have a lot of baby things in my store, but really all babies wear (let's get real) are these kind of sets - Tuss makes the best ones! I have always had them in the store and they are on sale now for $58 for the set... really!? If I was going to bring something amazing to baby shower this Erica Tanov baby blanket would be IT.. it's so soft and gorgeous, and the print! amazing.

My love affair with Clare Vivier bags will never end... it helps that she is from Minnesota too (although she decamped to LA with her French husband (!!)..) her bags are so well-made in Los Angeles to boot - another reason I love her things. These are two of my favorites, the messenger bag in the winter, let's face it, wearing your bag cross-body is the best (hands free to make snowballs! duh) and if I am going out this foldover clutch which is shearling/leather (!!) so great right now (both on sale at the moment but that won't last long...)

These boots from Moskiddos are really like slippers, the kind of shoes you can walk around the house on a cold winter day and then also comfortably wear outside to keep your toes cozy and warm! We have a couple of womens sizes left (and only $58!!) - and kids! (these are so good for kids for school...)

I don't know if you know what TUSS stands for but I DO, it's The Ultimate Simple Solution - this collection is from Sweden and is so well-made I love them, my kids grew up in her clothes and I see my neighbors kids in the hand-me-downs and they STILL look amazing! (yes, right about now I'll bet you wish you were MY neighbor!). These leggings are made like steel with little zippers at the bottom, tired of knees with rips? not these leggings! and every boy needs at least ONE of her shirts, just TRUST me on this one (thank me later) he will always look the coolest at any party, gathering or dinner out I promise. The bermuda shorts, let's just say that when my son modeled them he said "I'm never taking these off!" they are thick, soft and well-made - all you need to know.

Did I mention that I LOVE Utility Canvas!? listen, I only have these guys in my store because it's all I wear... and carry... if you don't already have a field bag GET ONE! (again, thank me later - oh and they are one sale right now!) and this smock, I put it on when I get home from taking the kids to school and it comes off after dinner - my phone goes in one pocket and a couple of bills and a cough drop in the other and I am set for the day! (it's also good for gardening and pottery class :)

I don't know about you but I like to go out to dinner with my kids, I like it one at the time (you get to focus on one and that's always nice) WHEN we do this Franny's dress up outfit is usually Wovenplay, cause that's just how we roll... and sometimes I can talk her into wearing a crown, but that's for an extra special occasion (and I am not totally against wearing them myself too!) and if you are not going to go the full nine yards and wear a dress/outfit the tights are a good start.

These sweatshirts by Atsuyo et Akiko (I LOVE those girls) are a favorite, it was our go-to kid gift for the holidays cause who doesn't want a shiny golden LOVE on their chest?! (they are on sale now too.. only $30!) and I don't know HOW it's possible that I have these Makie reversible fur vests left... Holy Mackerel! (now on sale for $53!!)

These are my favorite things, but I have more... so don't hesitate to ask me advice, I love that too! Before we get all new collections for Spring (eek! can't wait!) you have these lovely items to go-to.

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