In the fast pace and extremely demanding world that we live in it’s hard to find and stick with a good health regimen that we can effectively execute in our day-to-day lives. Throw the term ‘diet’ out of your vocabulary and re-train yourself into changing your eating habits and in turn, your entire lifestyle will follow suit. Once you take charge of your nutrition plan and start feeling the difference, you won’t want to go back to the tired over indulging comfort foods or the quick fix travesty menu that we all have been subject to at least once in our lives. Believe me; it’s hard but worth it. So get excited about improving your quality of life!

The first step in beginning this new lifestyle is fasting. Fasting is often used as a sort of internal cleanser and the body needs to stay properly hydrated with lots of water during this time. Many religious practices use fasting as a way of starting a new or washing the slate clean in a sense. It can be a one day fast or a three day fast depending on your preference and comfort. When the body is deprived of fuel it turns to fat reserves for energy. Many people also detoxify the body by fasting. “Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and skin”. In other words, out with the old and in with the new.

The next step is tweaking your meals to work for your busy schedule and give you the ultimate nutrition and energy. This week we are focusing on breakfast recipes in particular, juice or smoothies are the perfect solution to a healthy start for a busy person that needs tons of energy. They‘re very easy to make and the combinations are endless, the juice or smoothie can also be made the night before but it’s always better to drink as fresh as possible.

Kiwi Energy Burst

Juicing has a rich and diverse beginning spanning as far as antiquity. When the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in the twentieth century there was documented evidence of “a pounded mash of pomegranate and fig” resulting in “profound strength and subtle form”. Meanwhile, across the world in Peru, a cool drink was invented and contained a combination of passion fruit and water. The Polynesians also used many tropical fruits including the noni fruit which has been proven to hold many health benefits. the Indian and Korean cultures contributed greatly to this method of nutrition through their technique of juicing, India with the ancient “life juice” using mangos, beets, and limes to boost energy and blood restoration also Korea with a two thousand year old ceremonial green juice that is still used today to protect smokers against lymphocytic DNA damage. Different cultures and time honored traditions have contributed to our modern day knowledge of juicing methods and recipes. Below are two quick and energetic recipes to start your day right!

Kiwi Energy Burst

• 4 oz. of green grapes
• 3 kiwis
• 1 orange

Cut the kiwis into wedges. Peel the oranges and slice into wedges. Juice or blend all of the ingredients.

Immunizer

The Immunizer

• 1 beet
• 4 carrots
• 1/2 grapefruit, juiced in a citrus juicer
• 1-inch piece of ginger

Juice or blend all ingredients and mix well.

Honey Coconut Toast

Recipe makes 2 servings

• 1 whole egg and 1 egg white, beaten
• 2 tablespoons low-fat milk or buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon stevia
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 slices raison bread
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1 teaspoon raw honey mixed with 1 tablespoon hot water
• 2 teaspoons shredded coconut

In small bowl combine beaten eggs with milk, stevia, vanilla, and cinnamon. Dip raison bread into egg mixture, turning on both sides. Make sure most of the egg mixture is absorbed by the bread.

Melt butter in non-stick skillet and add bread. If any egg mixture is left, pour it over the bread. Cook the bread bathed in the egg mixture until browned on both sides.

Transfer to non-stick baking sheet and spread each slice of bread with 1/2 of the honey and 1 teaspoon shredded coconut. Broil for about 1- 2 minutes or so, but make sure bread is not too close to heating element to avoid burning toast. Checking frequently to avoid overcooking. Serve immediately.

Per serving approximately: 204 calories; 8 g protein; 11 g fat; 18 g carbohydrate; 214 mg sodium

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