September 10, 2023

Blueberry Hemp Smoothie Is a Beauty Tonic

Blueberry Hemp Milk Smoothies Hemp is the natural fiber from the stalk of a cannabis plant. Hemp seeds and the hemp milk made from them are beneficial to your skin. The Omega-3 fatty acids in hemp seeds help keep skin hydrated and reduce inflammation. Blueberries have tons of antioxidant power and contain protective anthocyanins. Together hemp milk and blueberries make a superfood smoothie. SERVES 2 Ingredients 2 cups hemp milk 2 cups fresh blueberries 1 banana Crushed ice (optional) Procedure Combine the hemp milk, blueberries, and banana in a blender and mix until smooth, about 1 minute. For a cold […]
June 20, 2023

Mamma Mia! Chia Frescas!

Aguas frescas are popular, refreshing fruit drinks found in Mexico. Some roadside vendors add chia seeds to their drinks for extra texture. When soaked, the seeds develop a soft outer coating, somewhat like tapioca. Chia seeds add more than just a textural dimension to fruit drinks; they also provide detoxifying fiber and the anti-inflammatory omega-3s. Their nutty flavor goes well with peach tea and strawberry lemonade. They’re also nice mixed into sweetened green tea. SERVES 2 Ingredients 2 Tbs. white chia seeds 1/2 cup water 3 sliced strawberries 2 Tbs. lemon juice (about 1 lemon) 2 Tbs. agave nectar or […]
August 30, 2022

India’s Lassi Gets a New Twist with Soursop

Soursop (Guanabana) Lassi From my first book, The Age GRACEFULLY Cookbook, here is an easy and delicious beverage featuring guanabana. Called, Soursop Lassi, it’s essentially a lassi drink from India made with yogurt and a pinch of salt. Mango lassi is very popular in Indian restaurants. I put a South American spin on the healthful drink by using guanabana in place of the mango. Guanabana provides antioxidants, immune-boosting vitamin C and riboflavin. Yogurt has beneficial probiotics that aid digestion and gut health. Learn more about the benefits of soursop here. You can find frozen guanabana pulp in Latin markets. Ingredients […]
August 26, 2021

Pomegranate Iced Tea

Combining antioxidant-rich pomegranates with the catechins in black tea gives your body extra free-radical-fighting power to combat aging. If pomegranates are too tart for your taste, you can sweeten this tea with honey or use pre-sweetened pomegranate juice. For a stronger drink, stir a teaspoon of instant iced tea into the pomegranate juice. SERVES 2 Ingredients 2 black tea bags 1 cup hot water 1 cup pomegranate juice 2–4 Tbs. honey (optional) 1 cup ice cubes Pomegranate seeds and slices as garnish Procedure 1. In a pitcher, steep the tea bags in hot water for 3 minutes. Remove bags. 2. […]
August 4, 2020

Mint Agave Tonic

The inspiration for this drink comes from the Cuban mojito. My nonalcoholic version uses sparkling water. Mint leaves aid digestion. The vitamin C in limes is a great immunity booster. For a stronger mint flavor, use more mint leaves. Serves 2 Ingredients 2 small bunches fresh mint leaves 1/4 cup lime juice 4-8 tsp. agave nectar 2 1/2 cups sparkling water crushed ice (optional) Procedure 1. Place 5–7 mint leaves in each of 2 tall glass. Bruise the leaves with a cocktail muddle, the handle of a wooden spoon, or the tines of a whisk to help them release their fragrant oil. […]
April 26, 2020

Fresh Turmeric Juice

Fresh turmeric root fights inflammation and contains antioxidants. The best way to enjoy fresh turmeric is to juice it. Once juiced and strained, it can be stored in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Once juiced and strained, it can be used in Grace’s Turmeric Rice, Turkey in Turmeric Sauce and Turmeric Orange Juice. YIELD ½ cup (4 oz.) Ingredients ¼ lb. turmeric root, peeled ½ cup water Procedure 1.Slice the turmeric root until it measures about 1 cup. 2. Place the turmeric slices in a food processor or blender. Add a bit of the water […]
April 26, 2020

Honey Lemongrass Tea

Lemongrass, a plant native to India, looks like stiff grass stalks but smells a bit like lemon. In this recipe, you use the tough green parts of the herb along with the more edible white portion of the stalks, because you will only steep the plant. Like lemongrass, honey–especially natural or raw honey–is an antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal food, so this tea recipe helps support immune function. Fructose gives it fewer calories than cane or beet sugar, and the body tolerates it better, too. Honey also contains antioxidants and is a natural cough remedy. Lemongrass can be found at Melissas.com […]
April 26, 2020

Mind and Beauty Juice

This juice blend is specifically formulated to help the skin look young and beautiful while protecting the mind. I use my Blendtec® Tabletop Total Blender to pulverize the carrots, cantaloupe, and cucumber. Carrots and melons have carotenoids, an antioxidant that fights skin aging. Cucumbers have silica, a mineral that helps skin retain moisture. I add a raw egg white for its collagen-building strength and its choline which supports healthy brain function. And I stir in nutritious green tea because its catechins will help keep teeth cavity-free and brains sharp. Serves 2 Ingredients 1 (16-oz.) bag of organic baby carrots ½ cantaloupe, rind […]
December 16, 2018

Sweetened Drinks More Dangerous Than Food?

Sugary drinks cause worse health outcomes than other foods that naturally contain sugar, a new study says. The findings, published this month in the British Medical Journal, found that sugars added to foods such as breakfast cereals, baked goods, sweets and desserts can create a negative affect on a person’s blood glucose and insulin, causing them to react as if they’ve ended a fast. “These findings might help guide recommendations on important food sources of fructose in the prevention and management of diabetes,” John Sievenpiper, the study’s lead author and a researcher in the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center of St. […]