Holiday Cocktail, Venetian Sunset

One of my favorite things is a delicious cocktail.

I recently received a gift of the ingredients for a Venetian Sunset.

Other than being pretty and festive looking, the drink itself was yummy!

I know what I'll be sipping on this New Years ;)

Venetian Sunset

3 ounces Martini and Rossi Asti

3 ounces pineapple juice

1/2 ounce grenadine

Pour over ice and enjoy!

Repeat as often as necessary ;)

Protein Packed Green Smoothies

Most mornings I start my day off with a green smoothie, green juice, fruit, dry cereal or nuts. Not all at once! It's usually 1 to 3 of these.

When I became pregnant and morning sickness hit me, green smoothies were no longer my friend. I could not fathom drinking them any longer. Just the thought alone took me to places I didn't want to go! How odd to me that something I've had almost everyday for the past couple of years was no on the up-chuck list. I've since learned that this is the way with pregnancy, sometimes your body feels as if it's not your own.

After a couple of weeks of sickness, I was determined to get back on the smoothie train. My body needed protein and iron even more now than ever and I wasn't eating much of it, so this was a must for me.

I started off slow and eventually worked my way back into my smoothie/juice routine. After overcoming that first hurdle, this has been a staple of mine throughout the day. If you've ever been pregnant you know that though nutrition is key, your bodies changes along with wants and desires sometimes don't match up. Having a variety of different smoothies and juices each day helps me know that my baby and I are getting all the nutrients I need and it keeps me fueled throughout the day.

Some days, I just don't feel like even getting all my ingredients together to make a smoothie, so I've made the process easier for myself. Here's a couple tips that may help you through those low energy mornings.

-Make sure that all fruits and veggies are washed and ready to go
-Precut any produce that you can, so you can just grab it and toss in the blender
-I blend up my greens and liquid 3 days in advance and freeze in an ice tray. I then pop them out and put in a freezer safe container

Try a variety of combinations. I just go with how I'm feeling that day along with what was available at the farmers market that week. The list of possibilities is endless!

Basic Smoothie
1 cup ice
1 cup fruit
*2 handfuls of greens (kale, spinach, dandelion, etc)
**protein powder
1 cup liquid (nut milks, water, juice)

Add agave, honey or your fav sweetner, if your smoothie isn't as sweet as you like.
Sometimes, I also add maca powder and/or flax seed oil.
Toss it all in the blender and blend until smooth.

*If you don't have a high speed blender, you may want to use greens that aren't so tough, such as spinach.

**Use as recommended. I use 1/2 a scoop in an 8oz smoothie. I use this one; http://www.seacoastvitamins.com/product_info.php?products_id=567

Red Raspberry Leaf and Nettle Leaf Tea

So refreshing and good for you too! I love sipping on this tea over ice anytime of day. It makes me feel so good.

Before becoming pregnant, I had only used Nettles Leaf in my hair teas to cleanse and add shine. After conceiving, I found NL had even more to offer.

Nettles are wonderful for everyone, but are especially great during pregnancy. Nettles help strengthen the uterus, increase fertility and ease cramps and muscle spasms. What a great way to get needed iron and other nutrients into your body.
Brew some up to pour through your hair and enjoy internally!

Nettles Leaf (Urtica dioica)

-rich in iron and chlorophyll
-contains the minerals calcium, magnesium, silicon, sulphur, copper, chromium, zinc, cobalt, potassium and phosphorus
-vitamins A, C, D, E, and K as well as riboflavin and thiamin

Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus)

RRL is used before pregnancy to regulate menstrual cycles and decreases heavy bleeding. During pregnancy, many midwives recommend it throughout 2nd and 3rd trimesters as well as post partum. It is known to tone the uterus, decrease nausea and ease labor pains.

-rich in iron, calcium, manganese and magnesium
-contains vitamin A. C, E and B complex
-aid fertility
-tone and strengthen uterus
-minimize bleeding

*If you are pregnant, be sure to do your own research and check with your health care practitioner before brewing up a batch.*

How I make mine;
I use 1 part NL and 1 part RRL.
I use 2tsp of this mix per 1 cup of tea.
I always make a large batch of about 6 cups, using 3 cups of hot water to brew and then adding 3 cups cold water. I brew my leaves for a minimum of 10 minutes.
Sweeten it to taste and enjoy over ice.



I drink about 8oz every other day. Sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less :)

Sources;
"Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year" by Susun Weed
http://www.susunweed.com/WiseWomanHerbals.htm

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/herbaltea.html

Dandelion Greens

Dandelions are in the sunflower family and grow all year long, peaking in the springtime. Chances are, you have some growing in your back yard right now. You know, those small yellow flowers that mature into feathery balls that get blown off into the wind. They're much more than just weeds, so stop trying to get rid of them and start eating them!

The dandelion leaves are what you want to harvest and taste best if picked before flowering occurs. They have a slightly bitter and tangy flavor that goes especially well with salads.

Besides flavor, dandelions are filled with more nutrients than many wider known greens. Just one cup of raw dandelions has 98%DV of Vit A, 58%DV of Vit C and 18%DV of calcium. http://www.elook.org/nutrition/vegetables/2410.html

Dandelion greens aid in digestion as well as cleanse the liver, blood and kidneys. For the most benefit, you can use them in tinctures, teas and juices.

Nothing makes me feel more alive than a freshly squeezed glass of juice in the morning. This recipe using the dandelion greens is especially great for fasting and cleansing.

Dandelion Lemonade

makes about 24 ounces

1/2 bunch organic dandelion

1 collard leaf or handful spinach

1 lemon

2 cucumbers

2 apples

Put all ingredients through your juicer.

Enjoy straight or over ice!

Hibiscus Flowers

Hibiscus flowers come in a range of species and are grown in warm regions throughout the world. Different species are used for many things including making paper, hair tonics, teas and herbal medicines.

I bought a big bag of dried hibiscus flowers with the intent of using some with my henna hair treatment and using some to make ice cold agua de jamaica. I haven't mixed up my hair concoction yet, but I sure did make a big pot of Jamaica.

Jamaica has a taste all it's own. A perk of making it at home is you can steep the flowers for however long you like to get your desired strength. Jamaica is also great paired with ginger, citrus fruits or spices.

Hibiscus flowers are a great source of vitamin c and can help reduce high blood pressure. So drink up!
http://www.pennherb.com/newsletters/2004/11/1129%20Hibiscus%20Flowers.htm

This time I kept it simple:

Agua de Jamaica


2 cups hibiscus flowers- great source of vit C
6 cups filtered water- filtered is best for drinking

1 1inch piece of ginger- helps digestion and upset stomach
agave syrup to taste- I prefer agave to white sugar



Be sure and wear clothing and use utensils you don't mind getting stained.


Bring water and ginger up to boil, then add flowers.
Let boil for 2 minutes and then remove from heat.


Steep the flowers and ginger in the water for 30 minutes to 2 hours and then drain. Add your agave syrup to taste. Pour over ice or refrigerate.
Enjoy!