Juicing for 7 days!

Some key points before we begin,

Keep a journal, write your thoughts and your overall feelings and keep it handy

Grab an amulet, whether it is a necklace, a ring, a string wrapped on the wrist,  or a symbol of your beliefs, or even a tattoo if you have one. Stare at it, focus, and think of the reasons why you want to do the juicing, and what are your expectations after it is over. Visualize yourself at the end of the juicing and the way you will feel physically, and really grasp those sensations for 30seconds. Then visualize the way your mind will feel, and really grab that feeling with all of your being for 30 seconds. In the same way visualize your desired energy level and how you want to see yourself in the mirror. Wear your amulet during the  7 days and every time you feel like quitting, just look at your amulet, and remember those early visualizations, and trust me! It will save you!! It works like a miracle. 

You will see how many times and how many people, situations, or even your  mind will try to persuade you with endless justifications to stop juicing. Whenever this happens, take a deep breath, look at your amulet and write down your thoughts on your journal. Also let us know about it, post a thought, and we will be here to help you! 

Have fun with it! Think of it as a pleasure rather than a punishment! Be creative with the thousands of fruits and vegetables there are, and play with flavors! Feel free to buy them frozen, just make sure that there's nothing on the ingredients except the fruit or veggie. Also you may use herbs and spices to add aromas and lots of fun!

If you don't have a juicer, I highly recommend buying a vitamix or the nutri bullet. It may be expensive but hey it may be cheaper health  wise  in the long run. Never be worried on spending too much on your sacred body and health, these are the ones who'll carry you through life after all. It's best to spend extra money on your health now rather than later in expensive treatments or the hospital! Also, if you calculate, you won't be spending money on food or drinks, so you may be spending it on a juicer instead!

That's all I can think of at the moment! Let me know your thoughts! Cheers everyone! And let the transformation begin!

Brownies veganos y gluten free

No lo puedo creer! Para ser sinceros, me merezco un premio Nobel por esta receta! Y es que estos brownies no sólo son exquisitos, pero son muy saludables ya que los ingredientes tienen altas propiedades nutricionales. Además de ser veganos y gluten free, son muy fáciles de preparar. Puedes comértelos sin sentir remordimiento y a tus hijos les van a encantar tanto que te pedirán más. Te sorprenderás al saber que están hechos de frijoles negros y tus hijos y tus invitados ni lo notaran!

He aquí la receta:

Ingredientes:

Una lata de frijoles negros (425 gramos)

1/4 taza de cacao crudo en polvo 

Substituto de huevos (2 cucharadas de semillas de linaza previamente remojadas en 6 cucharadas de agua por aproximadamente 10 minutos y mezcladas en la licuadora, sí vas a usar vitamix no necesitas licuarlas)

1/3 taza de aceite de coco (puedes usar aceite vegetal)

1/2 cucharada de polvo de hornear

Una pizca de sal de mar

1/2 cucharadita de polvo de Cayena opcional (esto le da un sabor picosito delicioso que se lleva muy bien con el chocolate)

Una cucharada de extracto de vainilla

7 dátiles remojados en 3/4 taza de agua hirviendo (este es un excelente substituto de azúcar, pero sí gustas puedes usar azúcar blanca u otro endulzante) al gusto 

1/2 taza de chispas de chocolate de cacao crudo o puedes usar cualquier otra alternativa de chispas de chocolate al gusto

1/2 taza de nueces 

Primero que nada, haz una pasta con los dátiles y el agua caliente usando un machacador asegurándote que no quede muy líquida 

Mezcla todos los ingredientes con excepción de las chispas de chocolate y las nueces en una vitamix. Puedes usar licuadora pero asegúrate que los frijoles estén bien batidos. La consistencia de la mezcla debe de quedar como la típica consistencia de brownies. Engrasa un refractario cuadrado con aceite de coco y adhiere la mezcla. Hornea por 45 min o hasta que las orillas empiecen a endurecer.  Deja enfriar por 30 min y mete al refrigerador. 

Almond Milk

Almond Milk

Ingredients:

1 cup of almonds

3 cups of clean, distilled water

1 tbsp of vanilla

5 drops of stevia 

One pinch of salt

Why buy almond milk at the supermarket when you can make your own at home? Plus, you will know what exactly goes into your beverage and you can make it using organic and fresh ingredients. 

Almonds have a high alkaline content and are rich in vitamins and minerals. This recipe will substitute any dairy milk. Works like a charm on cereals and smoothies. For a sweeter taste just add any natural sweetener of your choice, you can add honey if you are not vegan, maple syrup, or previously soaked dried fruits. 

The only requirement is thinking ahead so that you can soak the nuts in water overnight. Before soaking them, rinse them with the help of a strainer for a minute or so under running water. The next morning, after they've been soaked on clean water, do this rinsing process again. 

The rest is simple. Add the almonds and the rest of the ingredients into a high speed blender (I use Vitamix) and blend. Then, place cheesecloth over a bowl and strain the mixture as you grab the cheesecloth the same way as if you were milking a cow -yikes!! Except no cow is getting hurt here. An easier method is to simply use a strainer rather than a cheesecloth, as long as the holes of the strainer are small enough.

Don't throw away the paste that is left, you can use it to prepare delicious desserts or as a sandwich spread. Keep in the refrigerator no more than 3 days. Enjoy!

Namaste!

Kiwi Juice

Here are the reasons why I love drinking this delicious jewel. Did you know that kiwi has a high content in vitamin c? Think of celery as a broom to your system, which gets rid of all the toxins. By the same token, cilantro gets rid of the unnecessary mercury in your body. And do I need to add the benefits of spinach which include vitamin k, protein, and calcium? There's a reason why Popeye used it to get his muscle power! The cells in your body will forever be grateful to you, as you are feeding them a burst of nutrients in such a short amount of time. 

Mix all of the ingredients in a Vitamix blender or any other high speed blender or a juicer. If you think the texture is too thick for you, use a strainer. Pour the juice over a strainer in a bowl, use a spoon if necessary, If you don't find it pleasant, just add one more kiwi, or a spoon of honey at the beginning. You will notice that with time, your taste buds will get used to the flavors. There's absolutely no reason to abstain from drinking this powerhouse. It's only a matter of getting used to it. I really hope you find this drink as magical as I do! The more you drink these juices as part of your daily diet, the quicker you will notice the results in your body at a molecular level, your mood will improve, your energy will increase, you will notice changes in your overall well being. You will see miracles!

Namaste 

Kiwi Juice Ingredients:

A handful of cilantro

A handful of spinach 

2 celery sticks 

1 cucumber with its peel on

3 kiwis (leave the skin on) 

2 cups of water

1/2 of ice cubes

Veggie Cocktal

The key is to chop all of the ingredients into tiny cubes. I know it sounds like it will take a long time, and it probably will, but it will be totally worth it. Don't get irritated by it, rather, enjoy the process of preparing this awesomeness. I've found that chopping the veggies allows me to connect with my food by admiring their beautiful bright colors, their scent and textures. And rather than rushing, I take my time, sometimes I mentally chant mantras such as Sa Ta Na Ma, one syllable per every cut, it gives me the opportunity to meditate. If I had a stressful day, I soon find out as I chop and chant how relaxed and calm I become. Chanting mantras not only stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, but it also makes cooking a joyful and fun experience while being present at the moment. Give it a try! If you don't want to chant, you can create your own mantra sounds, or even count. 

The portions of this recipe are limitless! Just make sure that all of the ingredients are proportionate to each other, so if you use one cup of tomatoes, use one cup of each and every other veggie ingredient. Also, don't forget to remove the seeds of the green peppers if you don't want the cocktail to be too spicy. Once you have mixed all of the veggies in a bowl, add the marinade ingredients and mix well. Finally garnish with cilantro and avocado slices. Sat Nam

Ingredients:

Tomatoes 

Red onion

Cucumber

Celery

Red radish

1 tbsp of chia seeds

Cilantro (save some to garnish)

Serrano pepper to taste

Serve with slices of avocado 

Marinade: 

Olive Oil

The juice of approximately 3 lemons

Salt and pepper

Soy sauce 

A pinch of cayenne powder

Cranberry Nazdira's Elixir Drink

I used to spend tons of money on facial products. How wrong was I to think that, although some of these products may help, if we do not take care of our body from the inside, it's never going to happen on the outside, no matter how many cleansers and lotions we put over our faces.

Beauty comes from within, and luckily we have real food that enables us to take care of it. The good news is that we don't have to search for expensive treatments, it's all out there within our reach, provided by our wonderful and so forgiving mother nature. 

It was for this very same reason that I needed to come up with a beverage using ingredients containing exceptional nutritional values that not only would benefit my overall health being, but in addition would make my skin glow! And oh how my skin appreciates the existence of this elixir! 

There's one more good news! It's so delicious you'll want more! And if you are one of those people who don't like spinach yet (later you will!! trust me, I have come to the point of craving it just as I used to crave a chocolate cake back in the day, yes! It does happen believe me) then this drink is for you since you won't even know it's in there!

Make sure that everything or at least most of the ingredients are organically fresh. Yes, I know it can be pricey but little by little you will realize that paying a bit more is totally worth it. Plus it's better to pay now for your health by drinking awesome ingredients than later in the hospital, or like I did, spending on high-priced products, don't you guys agree?

Anyways I hope that you guys enjoy it and I wish you a delicious sip of this magical beverage! 

Please comment so that I know how you find my elixir drink, and if it's worthy of its name. 

Ingredients:

1/2 a cup of fresh cranberries 

1 tbsp of grated ginger

1 scoop of raw wheatgrass powder

1 cup of spinach 

1 cup of coconut water 

5 drops of stevia 

1 tbsp of coconut oil

2 kiwis

1 or 2 tbsp of raw organic honey (according to taste)

1 cup of water

3 ice cubes

Blend it all together in a vitamix. It's important to use a vitamix or any other high speed blender since it gives it a nicer texture than the conventional blender.

Finally, a special drink deserves a special glass. Drink slowly, with love and appreciation. 

Cheers everyone,

Namaste!

Nazdira 

Veggie Vegan Tortilla Española

Veggie Vegan Tortilla Española 

If you are like me and love Tortilla Española, but want to stay away from the eggs and the loads of oil and the potatoes, this is the perfect recipe for you. It's a healthier version to the traditional dish and your guests will love it's presentation!  I used garbanzo flour to achieve a similar texture to that of the traditional one.  I finished the cooking process in the oven. The only requirement is to have patience and wait until it cools down and put it in the fridge for several hours. Trust me, you will get the desired consistency and your guests will not believe it is eggless!!

Ingredients:

2 tbsps of Extra Virgin Olive oil 

1 onion cut into slices

1 red pepper cut into slices

8 oz (227g) of white mushrooms cut into slices 

5 oz (142g) Baby Kale 

3 garlic cloves cut into small pieces 

1 cup of garbanzo flour

About 2 cups of water

2 tbsp of nutritional yeast

1 tbsp of turmeric powder

1 pinch of cayenne pepper 

Himalayan salt and pepper to taste 

1 chipotle pepper sliced in four pieces for decoration

Preheat oven to 350°F 

Sauté in low heat the onions and the red peppers in olive oil, don't let the onions get burnt! Take your time, do it with love. ; )

When the onions are turning transparent, add the garlic and the mushrooms. keep it in very low heat, after five minutes have passed by, add the baby kale and let it cook (still in very low heat) and have patience, maybe enjoy a glass of red wine during the process and put your favorite music on! Life is beautiful isn't it?

 Meanwhile in a bowl, add the garbanzo flour, and the water and mix. Make sure that the consistency is thick as if you were making a batter for pancakes so add the water little by little, you may need less or more water. Then add turmeric, nutritional yeast, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper and mix again.

Here's a picture of the nutritional yeast:

Once the veggies turn soft, take them out of the skillet and add them to the "eggless mix"

Now it's time to add the mixture to your already greased pan or you favorite nonstick pan. Decorate with a beautiful piece of kale in the middle and chipotle slices. 

Put it in the pre heated oven for about 25-30min. Every oven varies, so keep a look at it and wait until the top slightly hardens. Take it out of the oven and let it cool down  (If you slice it right away it will not have the desired consistency). Then place it in the fridge for a couple of hours, the more hours the better so if you make it one day in advance it's best! 

Lastly enjoy with a delicious side salad and love the moment you give the first bite! 

Let me know how yours turned out, I would love to know!

Namaste!