Spring Greens

It's March. Spring is here! Time for some spring cleaning in your home, your mind but especially, your body. It's a great time to lose weight and increase energy. On that note- I have one word for you. Salad.
I know it's no surprise, or some new magic solution or exciting new culinary venture- but you really cannot deny the power of salads. They are nutritious, filling and even more satisfying that you can imagine.

If you have been raised on the notion that "salads" are made with lettuce- whether it be romaine, iceberg or butter and that they are eaten before or after a meal as a side dish...I urge you to squash that notion at the end of reading this blog. Salads need to take on a new meaning in your life. You just need to get a little creative and adventurous in the produce aisle and give in some of your elbow grease in the kitchen. The salad should be seen as a "main dish"- as they are true food and fuel for the clean and lean body.

Start to see your "other" food as side dishes. And repeat after me: a salad is so much more than just lettuce. A salad is so much more than just lettuce. Repeat and start here:

Dark Leafy Greens. Collard greens, kale, swiss chard, spinach, turnip greens, arugula, watercress, beet tops, dandelion greens. These leafy friends are the most nutrient dense, raw foods that are available to the human diet. Learn to enjoy them and start to substitute regular lettuce with any of these. Wash, chop and spin just as you would prepare regular lettuce and keep in paper towel lined zip locs ready for use anytime. I suggest you start with kale and spinach. Say goodbye to romaine and iceberg. Use these greens as your salad base- and start to add in some of the more peppery tasting greens such as arugula and watercress. Experiment with them all. It won't hurt to eat more nutrients!

Roast Away! Here is a quick roasting 101 lesson that will thank me for. Trust me- it's easier than you think. Take a bunch of vegetables. Your pick. Cut them lengthwise. I like golden beets, regular beets, red peppers, onions, sweet potatoes and cherry tomatoes (no need to cut these). Take a baking pan, toss in all the vegetables. Drizzle a bunch of extra virgin olive oil (always use a high quality oil, preferably from Italy where pesticides and chemicals are verboten), coating all vegetables well, and sprinkle a generous amount of coarse sea salt and some brown sugar on top. Put the pan into a 400' oven and set the timer for about 50 minutes. The vegetables will caramelize and cook together so well and will add such flavor and excitement to your greens. Believe me.

Go Nuts. Stock up on pepitas (pumpkin seeds), sunflower seeds, walnuts, raw almonds, peanuts and toss them into your salad. They will add protein, cholesterol fighting fatty acids, vitamin E, omega 3's, riboflavins, fiber, antioxidants which in turn means they help with mood, improve cognitive function and can prevent heart disease.

Stop Dressing. Bottled dressing that is. Invest in some fresh organic lemons, sea salt, agave nectar, a good quality Balsamic vinegar and olive oil and start to use that as your dressing. Experiment each time. Toss in some fresh chopped basil, oregano, rosemary or parsley for extra flavor. Add mashed avocado to your oil and vinegar to create a creamy texture. Add crushed garlic for some extra zing.

I guarantee salad success with these suggestions. Every salad I create is a different epicurean experience each time- which keeps things interesting and the waistline trim. Side dish- no more!  xo ginny

PS. If you choose to add some animal protein make sure it's clean, grass-fed, or wild farmed. Every now and then I like to add in some lemon-poached, or grilled wild caught Alaskan salmon for an extra punch of omega 3's, fatty acids and flavor.

Cocoa for C

Yesterday, a wonderful client of mine was over at my home office. Let's call her "C".

C is about to finish her sessions with me and since we started back in December 2010- she has lost 14 pounds! Much more importantly though is her whole new shift in her relationship with food. When we began, she was fighting post-baby weight,  exhaustion and the battle with food- that so many feel.

All I could hope for her- has been laid in place. She has turned the corner and now looks to food to nourish, fuel and enjoy. Her new food lifestyle is in place- with her young son who is now crazy for brown rice pasta, broccoli and wholesome food. He now will eat real food in its beautiful natural form- no longer having his scrambled eggs dyed green with food coloring to make them "more appealing" as C once made for him (yes...that is the truth!).

C was never comfortable in the kitchen- but now realizes the true joy she feels from creating nutritious and delicious food, with fresh herbs and whole ingredients. Her family has also made a real turn around by jumping onboard by adopting her better food habits. Now C has a beautiful radiance to her, that was so lacking a few months back. Her body is getting strong through yoga and strength training. I am so thrilled- like a proud mama.

Dessert is still such a want not only for C, for many that are on a path to better eating. When I first started C's transformation, we did away with dessert taking realistic baby steps. She went from eating rich desserts laden with refined sugars to Vitalicious Muffin Tops. I felt however that she was ready to make even better sweet choices and have fun making her own treats. So yesterday we made raw, vegan Cocoa Crunch Balls. This recipe is so simple and so yummy!! They are great to eat when looking to satiate that craving for something sweet after lunch or dinner.  I love them with a cup of tea or with almond milk warmed with a few drops of vanilla cream stevia and cinnamon. Divine! I urge you to try making these yourself. You will not be disappointed.  xo ginny

Cocoa Crunch Balls
2 cups raw unsalted almonds (sprouted- soak in water for 6 hours to overnight)
1 1/2 tsp sea salt or to taste
2 vanilla bean innards, scraped
1 1/2 cups pitted dates
3/4 organic cocoa powder
1 tbsp agave syrup or to taste
1/4 cup brown rice crispies (optional)

1. Chop/blend in a food processor until all ingredients are finely chopped and makes a thick 'paste'
2. Roll into small balls and put into small paper dessert cups (optional- roll balls in organic shredded coconut or cinnamon!)
3. Enjoy!

Keeps in the refrigerator for about 6 days or 3 months in freezer.

Good Morning and Happy 1st day of 2011

Wow, a fresh slate for those that choose it on a very traditional day to start. So many people wake up today, massive headaches, and  weight gain from the holidays to deal with...What would it be like for so many if they truly realized their health was not in the hands of the medical community, but in their own.

If each of us decided to give up the processed junk and decided to take control of our own bodies that there is a realization that it is not normal or natural to be exhausted everyday at 4 pm,  overweight, moody and depressed. That there is a path to a better sex drive, a glowing feeling of well being. All can be attained if individuals decided to get back to basics and take control. No more looking for the quick fix of the cookie diet, 100 kcal bags of processed junk.

Decide to change to become happy and whole to have that light step, the quick giggle and a big smile of well being. Get moving,  exercise, ramp it up, get some weight resistance in there to keeps muscles strong so as we age we don't become these walking skinny, old ladies or overweight persons with the fat just jiggling around.

Where to begin? Get rid of the white processed junk, if you are further a long, decide to move to a whole foods organic lifestyle, or come with me for the next 21 days as I ramp up and fine tune my path. I love salmon and really all fish, but have decided the mercury may be causing some of the symptoms of a lagging episode of candida. I also want to save some fish a long the way. I am going vegetarian this next 21 days and doing more than that. I am juicing or making green smoothies  for breakfast everyday. I have begun doing it in Utah and am feeling so great.

 Instead of a few times a week it is the first thing that enters my system after a great cup of tea. I am giving up coffee, gluten, any sugars, dairy, and alcohol.
Today I made a green smoothie of avocado, romaine lettuce, cucumber, banana and flax seed oil. I am going to let you know of my progress and hoopefully inspire you.

 A beautiful, glowing, truly healthy New Year for you.  xo ginny

Mindful Organics' 30 Day Challenge on Facebook

Last week I decided to start something easy and fun. To address the numerous Facebook posts/questions I get in regards to maintaining and healthy, clean diet- I thought that posing a community challenge would be a great way to get people involved, talking and participating in the easiest, mildly committal manner possible- an online challenge via Facebook.


Basically, you have to join the Group called "Mindful Organics' 30 Day Challenge" and are required to follow for 30 days- the challenge.  This month's challenge is the Pescatarian challenge.  No beef, chicken, meats- other than seafood. Also, no refined sweets, processed foods, white carbs, alcohol. Essentially a healthy vegetarian diet plus fish! Plus, a requirement of exercise each day for at least 45 minutes. 


Each group member is required to 'check in' each day by simply sharing a post- talking about their day and how they ate/exercised, sharing recipes, tips and words of encouragement. After the course of 30 days, all successful participants will receive a Mindful Organics organic tote bag (valued at $40) and not to mention probably the gift of some shed body weight and perhaps a healthier and more energized system!


Stay up to date on our challenges through our Facebook page! www.facebook.com/mindfulorganics


Here is my latest Challenge post that I wanted to share:


What fun this is. Yesterday morning I started with a beautiful run on the Venetian Causeway. I love listening to great music on a run. I always feel so incredible running, on such a natural high, I love to smile and say good morning to everyone I pass. It makes me feel so good, especially when it lights up someone else's face. People don't expect to be greeted, how very sad. 

I was in heavy production mode baking samples of ginnybakes yesterday, fulfilling some brand new large orders, exciting. Hopefully ginnybakes is moving into a commercial kitchen soon!! Dinner was the chick pea soup stew from the recipe site Annhy passed it was absolutely delicious. Funny thing is I looked around the table, I had added poultry for my men and a salad and thought the meal would have been even more beautiful had I just served the Stew with a great hunk of great bread and some fresh cheese. It was not necessary to add the additional protein the soup had everything we needed. My husband and one of the boys couldn't get enough and it was very chunky. I am learning as always yes, simpler is always more pleasing. 

On that theory, tonight for dinner I am making Roasted Squash with quinoa and nothing else! I bought 2 delicata squash, but you could use any smaller squash that you can stuff.


Roasted Squash with Quinoa1. Preheat the oven to 400' (always use a really hot oven when roasting vegetables)
2. Cut the squash, halve it lengthwise and seed. 
3. Brush both sides with olive oil season insides with S&P and roast 45 min, cut side down on a roasting sheet. 
4. Meanwhile make quinoa, same as basic rice directions though always rinse your quinoa well, first. 
During the last few minutes of the quinoa cooking- add 2 tablespoons golden raisins. Let cool. 
5. In a separate bowl- whisk together: 1 tbl sherry vinegar, 1 TBL honey, 1 tsp olive oil- and add to the quinoa.
6. Season to taste with S&P and dice well, one granny smith apple (the tart flavor is nice with the sweet of the raisin), add 1 minced shallot, 1 minced garlic, 2 TBL chopped mint 2 TBL chopped parsley and 2 cups arugula.
7. Toss gently and fill each squash half and enjoy!!

day 3 detox

You will have these juices at: 9am, 12 pm, 3 pm and 6pm.

Day 3 consists of two different juices. Let's call them Juice 1 and Juice 2. You will drink 2 of each, at set times. For example: Juice 1 and 9am and 12pm, and Juice 2 at 3 and 6pm.

Juice 1- Yields 2 juice servings
6 carrots
2 apples
1 orange
1/2 large beet
2 stalks of celery
optional, but STRONGLY encouraged, flaxseed oil or ground flaxseed 2 rounded TBL

Blend all together in a high powered blender or Vitamix, until smooth.

Juice 2- Yields 2 juice servings
4 kale leaves
2 bunches of parsely
2 handfulls of watercress
8 broccoli spears
1 pineapple
optional, but STRONGLY encouraged, flaxseed oil or ground flaxseed 2 rounded TBL

Blend all together in a high powered blender or Vitamix, until smooth.

Remember to listen to your body. As you have been nourishing your body only with pure, clean fruit and vegetable juices and cleansing itself of toxins and heavy foods- you may (0r may not) be feeling lightheaded or tired. If you do- then let yourself rest. Practice slow-moving stretching or Yoga poses while focusing on steady, deep breaths.

Drink plenty of water between juices. Add lemon to the water for flavor- and even feel free to drink decaf- natural herbal teas.

If you are hungry- then eat only either a 1/2 avocado, plain, or 10 almonds. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly and mindfully.

xo ginny