Healing Your Body With Kombucha

About 4 years ago at the beginning stage of my cocoon experience a Natural Doctor gave me my first bottle of Kombucha. He said it would help heal my sick blood. Afterwards I began to purchase it at the health food store. It took a minute to get adjusted to the pungent favor, but now I love the taste, Ginger is my favorite favor. I like how it makes me feel. Kombucha gives you a natural buzz and the sparkling fizz is very refreshing.

The Kombucha Culture, sometimes mistakenly referred to as a mushroom, is a living, symbiotic, probiotic colony of yeast and bacteria (the friendly type. This superfood beverage contains dozens of health promoting elements. The numerous improvements in overall health may include: increased energy, sharpened eyesight, tightened & toned skin, eczema & psoriasis relief, reduced menstrual cramps, better sleep, easier digestion, controlled candida overgrowth, normalized blood pressure, easier post work-out recovery, reduced acid reflux & joint pain, a feeling of calm, increased sex drive, helps to prevent bladder infections, healthier hair, detoxifying the body and shrinking boils.

Aside from it’s many health benefits, Kombucha is an inexpensive way to help to re-colonize Bifid bacterium in the colon where they produce both acetic and lactic acids. This helps normalize intestinal flora and restricts or prohibits the growth of putrefactive bacteria and potential pathogens such as Candida Albicans. The balance of intestinal flora is affected by many factors: age, sex, diet, stress, exogenous microorganisms, surgeries, immune disorders, antibiotic therapy, and upper GI disorders. Though you can purchase ready to drink Kombucha Tea by the bottle at the health food store in several refreshing flavors, a cost effective alternative is to make it yourself. Simply combine the Kombucha culture, with a mixture of black tea, and sugar. The ingredients must be allowed to "ferment", usually for 10 days. If you’d like to join the millions of people who use Kombucha daily, as a refreshing beverage and a useful health care supplement purchase a starter kit at http://kombubha.org. The 2 cultures included in your kit will reproduce on and on for you.
Please leave me your comments, I love hearing from you.

Blessings and Much Love,
Carmen

Aunt Dot's Detox Tonic

Praise God I don't normally catch colds or flu's so I never considered anything like that when I began feeling out of sorts recently. I'd been out more this month than I had for quite some time. I attended a glorious wedding, stayed in a hotel out of town for a weekend, and visited family and friends. I've come a long way from the days of being sick and home bound. I know now that by His stripes I will forever be healed. I am a walking miracle. Anyway my husband reminded me that I'd been eating outside of my boundaries lately. I guess between that and the weather change I caught a little bug. Once I finally put two and two together I knew it was time for a Detox Tea Flush. So I began preparing my Aunt Dot's Detox Tonic. I'm happy to say I'm back to feeling good again.
This detox tonic is like the "lemonade diet" tea on steroids. It's great in the fall and winter, because it rids the body of mucus naturally. It also curbs the appetite, is very nourishing to the cells, and it tastes fabulicious! Enjoy 2 to 3 times per day to flush-out any bug or in place of meals during a weight loss detox. Simple and natural - life is good!

AUNT DOT'S DETOX TONIC
[Add the following to a large cup of pure hot water]
½ Fresh Squeezed Organic Lemon
Dash of Cayenne Pepper
½ Teaspoon Grated Ginger (optional)
1 to 2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar (Organic Unpasteurized)
Agave Nectar or Grade B Organic Maple Syrup (to taste)

To your health! Carmen

A Note To Rebecca (Just take the first step.)

Hello friends. I've been gone awhile I know. I needed to direct my focus on creating my new website and fabulicious programs for divine health & wellness. I can't wait to share everything with you.

My lovely new friend Rebecca sent me a comment about my 4 Day Raw Organic Cleanse. I wanted to address it because I believe many of you feel the same way. You want to change your eating and cleanse your body, and you know in your spirit that you should BUT...
Trust me I do understand. Years back I began experiencing an intestinal condition similar to that of my dad, who had passed away from stomach cancer. Around that time I had also developed at blood disorder from living in black mole-infested environments. I knew that these problems along with reoccurring eczema had to be cut off at the root. I also knew that cleansing my blood through a serious detox and diet change was my only hope. Years came and went, with one reason after the next not to give up sugar, dairy, unhealthy meat and all refined foods long enough for my body to heal. If only I knew back then that all I had to do was detox for a week or so and follow it with a 50% raw organic / 50% gluten and sugar free cooked-food lifestyle. The problem was, I had no idea what gluten free and healthy sugar free food options where. I didn't know that I could still have my afternoon tea with cookies and cake. I didn't know that I didn't have to live on rabbit food for the rest of my life.

All I'm saying is that you have so many amazing, delicious food options that can slim you down, give you energy and heal your body. Just take that first step in the right direction and know that I will be there for you.

Love, Carmen
P.S. The picture above is a delicious appetizer I through together with a veggie/barley/lentils "meat" I made, on brown rice tortillas with organic salad and my homemade sweet mustard dressing. (I'm chasing the yum!)

4 Day Raw Organic Cleanse Wrap Up

I had planned on updating you with what I was eating and experiencing each day of my 4 day Raw Organic Cleanse. As it turned out I felt it was more important to focus on how-to content. Many of you needed more time to prepare. Not to worry. The important thing is you are raising your vibration simply by making cleansing your intent. Now it's time to make your shopping list for the health food store and plan all of your meals. Believe me it's easier than you think. Please be sure to go back to my posts starting from this past Monday, March 2nd for tips, recipes and inspiration.
Okay so let me show you just some of the things I've prepared and have eaten during the last 4 days.


This is my health tonic. It's like the "lemonade diet" tea on steroids. It's great in the winter because it rids the body of mucus naturally. And it tastes fabulicious!


Fresh fruit is all you really need in the morning. This actually filled me up.


I topped this fresh organic salad with my Chunky Monkey Guacamole and homemade dressing.


Now doesn't this look sweet and yummy? Tell me, what more do you really need for lunch or even dinner?


This chocolate pudding is outrageous. Can you guess what it's made with? I bet not. Its recipe is 1 ripe banana, 1 tablespoon of cacao (raw chocolate), agave, pure vanilla and an avocado, whipped in my food processor. You read right. It's raw, organic and delicious!

Fifty Reasons To Eat Raw Organic Part II

25. You’ll sleep more peacefully.
26. Your taste buds will sharpen.
27. You’ll love life even more.
28. You’ll have less if any PMS and menstrual pain.
29. Menopausal issues will decrease greatly.
30. You will feel calmer.
31. Your mind will become clearer.
32. You’ll become more flexible.
33. Your colorful food and its fresh aroma will excite your senses.
34. You’ll have a brand new body within 12 to 24 months.
35. You’ll be less attracted to unhealthy food.
36. Your tummy will flatten.
37. You will discover superfoods.
38. You’ll shop very little in supermarkets.
39. You’ll learn so much more about healthy food options.
40. You’ll lose old food craving.
41. Your senses will become more acute.
42. You’ll be less drawn to alcohol.
43. You won’t want to smoke any more.
44. You’ll age much more graciously.
45. You can eat all that you want.
46. You’ll have fun trying new raw recipes.
47. You’ll enjoy meeting others who are raw.
48. You’ll help save the environment.
49. You’ll live happier.
50. You’ll live longer.

I created this list to excite you about all of the amazing bennies of eating raw organics. However I am practical enough to know that most of you wouldn't give up cooked food if your doctor told you to. That's not what this is all about. My goal here is to get you to the point where you would eat at least 50% raw organic along with 50% healthy organic, cooked food. Here's the thing, eat 25% raw and get 25% the benefits, eat 50% raw and get 50% of the benefits, eat 100% raw and get 100% of the benefits. So it's simply up to you to decide just how healthy you really want to be.
Now that's truly food for thought.
Written in love, Carmen

Fifty Reasons To Eat Raw Organic Part I

1. You will nourish your body on a cellular level.
2. You will allow your body to self-heal.
3. You will raise your vibration and better hear from God.
4. You’ll have more energy.
5. You become your healthy weight.
6. You will never have to diet or count calories again.
7. Your eyesight will improve.
8. You’ll revise the signs of aging.
9. Your skin will glow and you wear less makeup.
10. You will rarely if never get sick (if you detox as well).
11. If you are sick you will recover faster.
12. You’ll respect yourself and your body more.
13. Cellulite will melt away.
14. Your body will naturally wean itself off medication.
15. You’ll experience more moments of bliss.
16. You'll gain more self-confidence and self-control.
17. You’ll gain respect of others.
18. You’ll inspire others.
19. You’ll develop more endurance.
20. Your fast food will become a couple pieces fruit.
21. You’ll be free from allergies (if raw vegan) forever.
22. As your body changes you’ll want to live a healthier lifestyle.
23. You’ll beat depression without drugs.
24. You’ll need less sleep.
25. You’ll sleep more peacefully.

SPROUTING 101

Hi friends. As promised here’s the skinny on sprouting. I began my love for sprouting back when I went shopping at my first health food store. I was in high school and living with my two older sisters. I just had a natural unction to be healthy back then. Sadly, I did’t continue my love affair with healthy living once I began college. My poor food choices along with environmental conditions took their toll on me eventually. In any event, the purpose for soaking (most nuts just require soaking) and sprouting is to activate the enzymes to bring out the amazing life giving, nutrients of raw seeds, nuts, grains and legumes. Soaking and sprouting also increases their digestibility. Another good thing about sprouting is that it is economical. One teaspoon of alfalfa seeds can yield 2 pounds of sprouts. Some say that sprouts are the perfect food because they are alkaline energy food. In addition they are so rich in vitamins and minerals. What’s more is their proteins, carbs and fats are broken down into a usable form.

Soak seeds, nuts, grains and legumes by placing them on a large enough bowl that will allow you to cover them completely with purified water. Soak overnight or for at lease 8 hours. The next morning, or after 8 hours pour them into a colander for rinsing. Rinse completely. Nuts and seeds only require this process to made them ready to eat or use in recipes. I prefer to spread them out on a large flat pan or cookie sheet that has been covered with paper towel. They will dry free from mole this way. If using them right away in a recipe it does’t matter it they are wet. As for grains and legumes after 1st rinsing you will have to leave them in the colander covered with paper toweling, away from bright sun another 8 hours. Repeat the rinsing process for at lease 2 days, 2 to 3 times per day until they actually sprout. Drain and place paper towel underneath them and store in the fridge. Sprouts will keep about 4 to 5 days. It's gonna be FUN!!
Blissful Blessings, Carmen

DO YOU SEE WHAT'S GOING ON?

Happy Sunday. I promised that I would give you the basics on sprouting and making nut creams and I will; but I felt the need to get you thinking. So let’s talk.
Do you remember when you could watch television without all of the over-the-counter mediation commercials? Do you remember when all of the scary prescription commercials started to bombard your living room? Do you know how commonplace nerve, anxiety, diabetes, and other prescription drugs are in American households? OK, now look around your city or town. Did you notice how many super drugstores have popped up within the last 3 years? They seem to be everywhere. What do you think is happening? Do you see a connection? First the fast food and sugary snack commercials, then the over the counter drug commercials, suddenly more illness and serious diseases, followed by the scary pharmaceutical commercials, now all of the drugstores. When you think about it, it’s the same strategy dealers have used to infest communities with street drugs.
If we don’t wise up, we are going to be in serious trouble. God told us to treat our body as a temple. A temple is a holy place, an honored and respected place. When we disobey the laws of wellness we become prey to the enemy’s devices. Remember John 10:10? Jesus told us …” The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy, but I have come that you have life and have it more abundantly.”
You can turn your health and your family’s health around by introducing living organic food into your home. Start by doing a health food shop (I’ll post a “starter” shopping list) then follow the Raw Organic Body Cleanse for 4 days (see prior posts). After that begin to eat a 50/50 diet. That’s 50% cooked and 50% raw vegan. It’s that simple. Now is the time to become proactive don’t continue to set yourself up as a victim of the pharmaceutical drug dealers. Once you’re on them you’ll never know how deep the rabbit hole will take you. If you’re already on them know that your body was created to self-heal. And remember, “Life Begets Life” so eat live food to live.
Don't forget to signup for my newsletter and to follow Sharing The Bliss.
With much Love, Carmen

MORE RAW VEGAN DELIGHTS

Here we go - more raw vegan delights for you to enjoy next week. You see, you won't starve. You will need to decide on what you want to make and prepare a shopping list. I highly suggest shopping at your best local health food store. Everything in these recipes are super nutritious, healing and life giving. These items will be the start of your glorious "food for life pantry".

CHUNKY MONKEY GUACAMOLE LETTUCE WRAP
2 Organic Avocados (diced into medium chunks)
¼ Cup of Organic Onions (diced medium/small pieces)
1 Medium Organic Tomato (diced medium/small pieces)
2 Tablespoons Organic Olive Oil
Sea Salt (to taste)
Finely Chopped Cilantro (Optional)

[Gently mix together and wrap in any soft green lettuce leaves.]

COULD BE TUNA SALAD
½ Cup Raw Soaked Sunflower Seeds or Almonds
3 ¼ Cups Of Assorted Sprouts
½ Cup Onions (diced)
2 Celery Stalks (diced)
1 Sheet of Nori (cut up in small pieces)or ¼ Cup Seaweed
1 to 2 Cloves of Garlic (grated)
1 Tablespoon Kelp
4 Teaspoons of Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning (or sea salt to taste)
½ Cup *Avocado Mayo
[Puree seeds or nuts in food processor until fine and scoop into a large bowl. Next place sprouts, onions, celery, nori and garlic into processor and pulse chop just to mix and add to puree. Now add kelp, lemon juice, old bay, braggs liquid aminos and blend until smooth. Finally mix in nut butter or avocado mayo. Wrap in any soft green leaf lettuce or nappa cabbage with sliced tomato or enjoy over salad]

CARMEN’S ORGANIC COLESLAW
4 Cups of Organic Green or nappa Cabbage (shredded)
1 Cup of Organic Carrots (shredded)
¼ Cup Organic Raisins (Optional)
½ Organic Red Onion (thinly sliced)
¼ Cup *Avocado Mayo
1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice
1 Tablespoon Agave Nectar or Honey
½ Tablespoon Mustard and or Celery Seeds
Sea Salt and Pepper (to taste)

[Place cabbage, carrots, raisins and onions in bowl and set aside. Next place vinegar, agave, and spices into another bowl and mix together. / Finally spoon mixture into bowl with the cabbage and toss until all is combined. Refridgerate]

* AVOCADO MAYO
You can also call this green mayo.
1 Cup Pine Nuts
1 Large or 2 Small Avocados
1 Teaspoon Lemon Jiuce
2 Teaspoons Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
1 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds (Optional)
6 Medium Pitted Dates
1 Clove of Garlic

[Blend in blender on food processor until creamy. Keep in fridge]
Tomorrow I’ll post a how-to on sprouting and making your own easy, nut butters and nut cream for creating creamy dressings, sauces and desserts.

Stay encouraged, you can do this. Please let me know how I can help.
And don't forget to signup for my newsletter below.
Blissful Blessings, Carmen

RAW ORGANIC CLEANSE [Liquid Meal Replacements]

AUNT DOT'S DETOX TONIC
This stuff is like the Lemonade Diet drink on steroids. Not only is it a great immune booster and detoxifier it's a great liquid meal replacement. To use as a body cleanse, have in place of 2 to 3 meals per day.
½ Fresh Squeezed Lemon
Dash of Cayenne Pepper
½ Teaspoon Grated Ginger (optional)
1 to 2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar (Organic Unpasteurized)
Grade B Organic Maple Syrup

THE GREEN SMOOTHIE
Place Into High Speed Blender…
Organic Spinach (1 to 2 hand fulls)
1 Organic Apple (whole)
1 Ripe Organic Banana (frozen is nice)
½ Cup of Fresh or Frozen Organic Berries
½ Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract or 1 pack of French Vanilla Stevia Powder
½ Cup of Ice (judge the amount)
1 Cup of Water, or Almond or Vanilla Soy Milk
[SuperFoods]
1 Tablespoon of Hemp Seed Oil (optional)
1 to 2 Tablespoons of Organic Green Powder (optional)

Blend well in your high power blender. Drink 8oz. Chew your juice though tempted to gulp (yum yum). Save the rest covered in fridge for later.


CHOCOLATE (CACAO) SHAKE (Cacao is raw organic chocolate. It’s one of the Superfoods and sooo good for you. It’s the healthy,guilt-free way to eat chocolate)
1 Ripe Organic Banana
1 Organic Apple (whole)
¼ of Cup Soaked Raw Organic Sunflower Seeds
or 2 Tablespoons of Nut Cream (see recipe)
or 1 Cup Vanilla Soy Milk
1 Cup Water
½ Cup Ice
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract or 1 pack of French Vanilla Stevia Powder
1/2 Cup Organic Frozen Dark Sweet Cherries (optional)
1 Tablespoon of Cacao Powder (add more if needed)
[Superfoods]
1 Tablespoon of Hemp or Flax Seed Oil (optional)
Serving of Vanilla Protein Powder (optional)
1 Tablespoon of Maca (optional)

[Blend to a liquid.]


STRAWBERRY SHAKE
2 Ripe Frozen Organic Bananas
5 Fresh or Frozen Organic Strawberries
¼ of Cup Soaked Raw Organic Almonds and 1 Cup Water
or 1 Cup Vanilla Soy Milk
3 Pitted Organic Dates or Agave Nectar (to taste)
½ Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
1 Tablespoon of Hemp or Flax Seed Oil (Optional)

[Blend to a liquid. Add ice for a thicker shake.]


MEAL OPTIONS:

Here are a couple of suggestions to get you started for lunch and dinner. Don't panic, I will post more tomorrow.

3 or 4 ORGANIC APPLES (Surprise! –Yes you can have 3 or 4 pieces of fruit as a meal)

BIG ORGANIC SALADS with My Classic Homemade Dressing
Dressing: ½ Cup of Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice, 1 to 2 Grated Garlic Cloves, 1 Tablespoon Maple or Agave Nectar, 1 Cup Olive, Hemp or Canola Oil (I like them combined) and 1 Package of Dressing Mix like Good Seasons. (Shake before each use and refrigerate)

I am very excited that so many of you are willing and ready to go. Lets stay in touch, I'm here to help. PLEASE BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE FOLLOW BUTTON ON THE RIGHT, FURTHER DOWN FOR LATEST POSTS. Love & With much love, Carmen

JOIN ME ON A 4 DAY RAW, ORGANIC CLEANSE

Since my health has turned around I have been eating more cooked food than raw, organic vegan meals. All organic, wheat, gluten and sugar free, but cooked none the less. About 10 months ago my blood specialist and dear friend Alsuna, who helped me save my life suggested that I start eating cooked food again. I was so committed to healing my blood that when I first went to see her, I was under 90 pounds. Needless to say though a little hesitant I was thrilled that I could have a hot meal. Before then my diet consisted of raw fruit and veggies in their natural state. I also prepared tasty raw dishes by dehydrating spouted seeds, beans and veggies in my oven set no higher than 100 degrees. I have since gained most of my natural weight back. I was about 120 before I became ill in January 2007. I'm about 110 now. The problem is most of my new weight is around my waist. Everything else is looking pretty good. I'm so grateful that I'm getting my bootie back. When I was raw my stomach was the most flat it has never been in my adult life. So now the trick will be to get rid of the bloat, the gas and the fat around my waist, while cleansing my entire body temple. I also want to nourish my soul and feed my spirit. It's funny how not feeding your body can feed your spirit. So I'm going on a Four Day Raw Organic Cleanse. I said 7 days at first but Anthony (my husband) suggested that I start with 4 days. He says I'm always so radical, so I'm taking his advice.
Why don't you join me? This is going to be very simple - nothing crazy. If you're familar with the "lemonade diet", you may use the "tea" as your between meal support, or try my "detox tonic" (recipe forth-coming). Meals will be ORGANIC (more about that later) fruits and veggies, big salads and green smoothies (more on that later). Email me with any questions. Lets start Monday of next week. We're gonna be fabulicious.
Love You, Carmen
www.AScentimentalJourney.com