By Guest Blogger on October 10, 2011
As a mother of four, one of my biggest pleasures in life is feeding my kids nutritious meals. Unfortunately, it’s not always as easy as I hope it will be! I tend to romanticize while making my evening meals, thinking to myself, “My family will all love dinner tonight! They will wipe their mouths, clear their dishes and give me a hug to say thanks for your efforts, Mom!
And then I’m reeled back into reality when I hear, “No way I am eating that! It’s green!”
So for all you masterful mommies out there trying to feed your children nutritious meals, here are some helpful hints to get these nutrient-packed foods into your weewellness-warriors:
Smoothies. This is one of the easiest ways to get some greens into your kids’ diets. A handful of spinach is hardly detectable, and the flavor can easily be masked by fruit (use darker fruit like mixed berries to mask the color, too). A children’s cup with a lid is also an easy solution for those stubborn eyes! Try starting with a 3-to-1 ratio (3 fruits to 1 green) Be creative; who said you can’t put a little zucchini in a smoothie?
Start small. Younger children might be a little pickier, and you may need to do a little “sneaking” for these ones. Chopped kale can be thrown into just about any dinner meal without so much as a second glance from the youngsters. An entire bunch can be finely chopped and put into soups, fajitas, pot pies, pizzas or pasta dishes like lasagna and spaghetti. The key is to chop it small enough so that it cannot be easily picked out. If you’re not already, get familiar with kale. Even a little of this dark leafy green packs a powerful punch for our kiddos.
Set the stage. “Children have never been great at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” If you want your kids to eat their greens, then you need to do the same. We can’t fall into the old adage, “Do what I say, not what I do”. Want to make an impression? Walk around the house munching on a whole cucumber – if they don’t notice, their friends definitely will!
Solicit support. Get your kids involved. Children’s minds are like sponges that are anxiously waiting to be filled. Teach them why we want to eat broccoli, spinach, celery and lettuce. Excite them by teaching them about the powerful pac-man qualities of veggies. Let them choose the vegetable in their lunch or dinner. Have them help with a garden or the grocery shopping. It’s often easier to do things ourselves, but our children will benefit from being involved (especially when they sense approval from Mom). And of course, don’t forget to invite Dad to jump on board. Healthy kids are a team effort,
Stock for success. Let’s be honest. If you want your kids to eat their greens, then you need to actually stock your kitchen with them! Find the ones that you know your kids will eat, and make sure to have them on hand as well as a few others for them to keep on trying. Their little tastebuds will eventually “hatch”, and someday they’ll thank you for it. You mommies are busy women, so take some time each week to clean and chop veggies that can be kept in the crisping drawer in the fridge. When snack time comes around, your kids can reach for the fridge instead of the pantry. (Keep some tissue on hand for that day when you shed a little tear for your success!)
Following these 5 simple hints you can jumpstart your family’s health today! Your meal times will have less resistance, you will feel like ya done good. And … you never know … green might become your children’s favorite color!
Charity Lighten is a wife, mother, business owner, Food for Life Instructor, and a lover of food! She has a passion for nutrition and the power of food – especially as it pertains to disease prevention. She has a love for life and finds great joy in inspiring others to recommit to great health!
Photo credit: Maigh
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By Kris Carr on January 19, 2011
Crazy Sexy Diet Posse!
I’m bowled over by the massively supportive and enthusiastic response to Crazy Sexy Diet! It’s now the #1 best selling book on Amazon. Holy green juice! It filled me with joy to see hundreds of health crusaders ready to take 2011 by storm at my New York City book tour events this week. And did you happen to tune-in when I rocked the plants on Good Morning America? If you haven’t picked up Crazy Sexy Diet yet, what are you waiting for, sassy?
Check out some of my top tips for supercharged living below, plus my favorite green juice and smoothie recipes. This handy list is a great reminder when you fall off the wellness wagon. Speaking of which…Have you jumped on board for the 21-day Crazy Sexy Diet cleanse? There’s still time! It’s happening right now, so scoot over to my.crazysexylife.com and make some Crazy Sexy Diet pals.
Peace & sparkly unicorns,
Kris Carr
Top 15 Crazy Sexy Diet Tips
1. Get back to nature and back to the garden – preferably the organic garden – when affordable – when not, try to choose fruits and veggies that are less sprayed. You can find a Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides at foodnews.org. There are over 80,000 chemicals in our world today, eating them and putting them on our bodies is a dangerous proposition.
2. Create an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle. Learn about pH, the acid/alkaline balance, and say goodbye to the SAD, acidic diet in favor of alkaline raw organic veggies, sprouts, green drinks, green smoothies, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, love and oxygen.
3. Make juice not war. Green smoothies are great too. My favorite juicer is the Breville Ikon, and the best blender is the Vitamix. Instead of your morning cup of Joe, (or nightly cup of booze) try filling your day with fresh vegetable juice.
4. Drink lots of clean, purified water.
5. Decrease the amount of animal products you consume (especially dairy products) and move towards more of a plant-based diet.
6. Refined sugars and processed starches are the devil – dump them. If it’s made in a lab it takes a lab to digest. If it has a shelf life longer than you, don’t eat it. Choose low glycemic foods as much as possible.
7. Shake your booty. Your lymph system, which carries away waste, needs you! Unlike your heart, it doesn’t have a pump. Aerobics is the pump. Brisk walking is the pump. Yoga is the pump.
8. Give your colon a regular spring-cleaning. That’s right, flood your body with alkalinity and flush it of toxins. As the good stuff goes in the bad stuff should come out – on a regular basis.
9. Use natural skincare products. Your skin is your largest organ and what you put on it you literally drink in. Everything you consume either gets assimilated or eliminated. Chemical creams and perfumes tax your body big time.
10. Stress also creates acidity, so turn down the volume on chaos and turn up the joy factor up. Find and regularly commit to activities that help you bring it down a notch. Some ideas: meditation, gratitude journaling, guided relaxation or visualization CD’s, nature.
11. Snooze. Snooze. Snooze. Optimal hours: 11-7am.
12. Chew. Your stomach does not have teeth.
13. And stop eating late so that when you snooze, your body can focus on repair instead of digestion.
14. Set boundaries so that you have the physical and emotional time to take care of yourself – it’s not selfish, it’s self-preserving.
15. Make time for fun, for love, for laughter!
Make Juice Not War Green Drink
It’s our motto and our morning beverage. Here’s what we serve in the Carr/Fassett home daily. This recipe makes almost 32 oz.
-2 large cucumbers (peeled if not organic)
-Big fist full of kale or romaine
-Big fist full of sweet pea sprouts (if easy to find)
-4-5 stalks celery
-1-2 big broccoli stems
-1-2 pears or green apples (optional)
*Other optional greens we love: spinach
Kris Carr’s Green Smoothie
Makes enough for 2 people. You can adjust the recipe accordingly. My taste buds are different than yours so don’t be afraid to play!
-1 Avocado
-1-2 pieces of low glycemic fruit: we love green apple, pear, berries & cantaloupe
-1 Cucumber
-A bit of kale or romaine or spinach
-Coconut water (or purified water)
-Stevia to taste
*You can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon and some cacao.
*You can also use coconut meat or almond butter or nut milk in place of avocado.
PS- The prevention is hot revolution is on the rise! Catch me next at these hot spots (full schedule here):
-January 20 (7 p.m.): Fairfield Theater Company | 70 Sanford Street, Fairfield CT 06824 (Sold out!)
-January 22 (12-2 p.m.): Elizabeth’s Gone Raw | 1341 L Street, NW Washington, DC 20005
-January 23 (4-5:30 p.m.): Borders |8027 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182
-January 24 (7-8:30 p.m.): breathe books | 816 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211
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By Guest Blogger on December 30, 2009
Debbie Young
After being diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in April of 2007, I did tons of research on healing my body. I was told there was no cure and that my prognosis was “good” at ten years max. Not sure what’s so good about that at 48 years old. Then I found Ms. Kris Carr, and watched her life saving ass-kicking documentary Crazy Sexy Cancer. I devoured her Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips book in a few hours, crying and laughing all the way. My life changed forever, for the better.
I traded in my frying pan for a juicer, and used a dehydrator instead of an oven. Enjoying greens, seeds, all sorts of veggies, sprouts, nuts, nut milks and nut butters, fruit, smoothies and the occasional superfood treat, my body sang with health. Within five months, my blood work was the best it’s ever been and has remained steady since. You may be thinking, “She must be making her family eat all raw food, surrounded by raw loving people, eating at tons of living cuisine gourmet restaurants, and hey, it’s EASY to do raw in Sunny Southern California!” And you would be incorrect on most counts.
My stepdaughter Jazmine is 18 and will eat anything, she is what I would call an adventurous food lover. Sam, my 8-year-old daughter, adores the following items: Steak, coffee (!) and ice cream. Warner, my dear husband, used to crave Korean BBQ and has been known to knock back a few Negro Modelos at dinner. My in-laws live in Hawaii, where plate lunches (Spam!) and buffets are common fare. My brother-in-law is a sushi chef. Most of my close friends are omnivores, with a few vegheads thrown in the mix. My sister loves the spice of life and is a wonderful cook. With a few exceptions, like Bueller of Bueller’s Kitchen and Revell of Let’s Talk Raw, most of my raw/wellness crew are spread all over the USA.
When I made the choice to use the Crazy Sexy Lifestyle for healing, I knew that it would be ten times as hard to try to change my family’s diet too. Did some things disappear from our kitchen? You betcha! Did they like the raw food I made? Some things became staples, other dishes, not so much. I do cook everyday for my family, mostly vegan fare and as much whole food as I can get in their bellies! Trust me when I tell you that going to a raw food restaurant is a rare and expensive treat, not a common occurrence!
The funny thing is, my friends have started following my lead and taking up raw foods too. My best friend, who used to eat pretty standard American diet, juices daily and has dropped about ten pounds, due to maintaining a 75% raw diet. My husband read Mad Cowboy by Howard Lyman and he has been a vegan ever since. He feels and looks great, drinks smoothies daily and strives to eat raw whenever he can. Sam, my omnivore girl, eats a variety of things, but fruit and smoothies are a hit with her too. She loves to tell her friends about my salad eating ways and for her 8th birthday requested a raw strawberry cheesecake! Jazmine is juicing and working out regularly now. My brother-in-law has experimented with making veggie only sushi and it’s pretty tasty! My in-laws are juicing, eating chia seeds instead of oatmeal and cutting down on their meat consumption. Hawaii is full of great fresh fruit too.
The things that help me most are having a dynamic group of farmers at my weekly market, a rocking Whole Foods nearby and a small whole foods co-op. Fresh, whole foods are a must for my raw lifestyle. I learn so much at the Crazy Sexy Life blog and forum. Raw food blogs give me so much inspiration and information. I own a few living foods ‘uncookbooks’ too.
If you have been diagnosed with an illness or just want to feel better, Kris’s Crazy Sexy lifestyle is the way to go. Adding raw foods, juicing, green smoothies, meditation, exercise and stress reduction works! Don’t try to drag your family kicking and screaming, just do what you need to do for you. Keep it simple and don’t make a big drama out of your food or theirs.
The most important thing I have learned from all this is what I call the Oxygen Mask Principle. If you have a child with you on an airplane, and the mask drops down, you put it on yourself first, then help the child. In other words, heal yourself, and then you will be able to share the love of life with everyone else.
I am forever grateful to Kris for my crazy sexy life!
Debbie Young is a 50 year old work at home mom to 3 kids: a 2 year old whippet fur person, a 8 year old and an 18 year old stepkid. Debbie was diagnosed with CLL aka Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in April 07 and is following a raw food diet and the Crazy Sexy Lifestyle since Oct 07 to “make it all better, or at least not let it kill me!”
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By Kris Carr on June 3, 2009
Hola vegola,
A big Crazy Sexy congrats to the super-talented Cynthia Palm and Katherine Pennington of www.be-n-balance.com. These creative ladies really know how to make their blenders sing. Check out the DELICIOUS smoothie potions they sent in!
Cynthia’s Green Mudslide!!
1 cup of nut mylk: Almond, brazil, hazelnut, sesame – whatever you like!
2 frozen bananas
2 to 3 handfuls of organic baby spinach
1 1/2 to 2 tbsp of cacao or carob powder
1 to 2 tbsps of agave, if using cacao you might want a little more! Or use sweeter of your choice.
2 capfuls of vanilla extract (try Frontier Brand)
6 to 8 ice cubes
Put all ingredients in a high power blender and blend until smooth ( do not blend too long or it will not be thick). If the blender gets stuck just add a little more mylk to get it going.
Kat’s Green “Power me Up” Smoothie
1/2 head kale (lacinato and dinosaur kale are my favorites!)
Juice from a Thai Coconut (you can cheat and use the small “One” containers if you need to)
Unsweetened almond milk
Frozen bananas and/or berries
1 tbsp coconut butter
1 tsp maca
1 tsp flax seed oil (for brain power, focus, overall well being…)
Pumpkin seeds (if making for my hubby since it’s good for prostrate cancer prevention)
Put all of this in the Vitamix and blend! This is my favorite, favorite, favorite morning smoothie and I usually make it the night before and then send it in a bottle for my hubby to take to work in the morning!
Thank you gals! Cynthia will be getting a copy of my gal Rory Freedman’s Skinny Bastard while Katherine will receive Ani’s Raw Food Desserts by the lovely Ani Phyo.
June=salad dressing month! In order to stay on track with the alkaline diet I recommend, it’s really important to have an arsenal of dressings at your disposal. Help your fellow wellness warriors and win an awesome-bo-bosome prize by sending your favorite dressing recipe to info@crazysexylife.com!
Guess what? The Adventure Cleanse Tune-up (ACT) is almost over! Just 4 more days to go. Some of the testimonials rolling in are wicked inspiring and Amen. As expected, folks on the forum are starting to get a wee bit nervous. For the past 28 days I’ve been posting daily inspiration and apparently the community has really loved and relied on it. For all you coming off the cleanse (why the heck would you do that? Keep going!), we’ll create a group for continued support. If you haven’t already checked out the ACT recipes, please do. There are so many tasty and creative combos for you to choose from. Clearly we have to make a community cook/prep book! Don’t ya think?
Peace & veggies,
Kris
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By Kris Carr on May 4, 2009
HOT Peppers!
This time next week we’ll be kicking off our on-line tune-up for over 600 people. Yup, that’s the number we’ve calculated but god/dess knows who’s lurking in secret. Just so we’re all on the same page, I will be blogging about ACT 1-2 times per week. The majority of the information will be on the forum. Each day for 28 days I’ll post a prayer, affirmation, some information and a recipe. You’ll have a chance to get tons of support and encouragement from the BEST on-line community on the planet! No, I’m not modest. What are you waiting for? There will never be a “right time” and as many of us know, “time” isn’t guaranteed to anyone. So dump the gunk and shine with me!
Now the best way to ensure the shine is to plan ahead. When my pantry is stocked I’m stacked. If I open the fridge and see a jar of pickles and moldy bread – later gator, “we’re going out!” On the other hand, when I get home at a reasonable time and my kitchen is brimming with the basics, I browse my cookbooks and play! I love those nights. Brian and I dine on a healthy (candle-lit) homemade meal brimming with Crazy Sexy love. Note: always, always light candles. Your meals are sacred fuel for the shizzazzle temple.
Some of you may already have what it takes to whip up magic. If so, good for you. You’ve made the initial investment and therefore your weekly shopping bills cost less. Others may be starting from scratch. I’ll be honest, it’s gonna cost more than you think to get started but you don’t need everything at once.
Crazy Sexy Shopping List
Here’s a short list of foods you’ll find in my personal cache. Some are healing staples, while others are transitional foods. All are a diet upgrade. Again, you DO NOT need everything! This is just a guide, a snap shot of my kitchen. Especially with the produce, shop a few times a week so that your chow stays fresh. Debbie Meyer Green Bags save my life. As soon as I get home I wash my greens and veggies, let them dry, and then place them in those emerald green life-savers. Brian likes to prep the juice ahead of time – these bags make it really easy. Wash and reuse them to cut down on planet waste.
Grains and noodles: Millet, quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice, wild rice, amaranth and teff grains or pastas, %100 buckwheat soba noodles (most brands contain wheat), Tinkyada rice pasta, Ancient Harvest quinoa pasta. Rice Milk is a good substitute for dairy. Oats are kinda on this list but in our gluten post (coming next week) you’ll see why I hesitate to add them flat out.
Raw nuts and seeds: Always buy fresh raw nuts; roasted nuts are rancid. Almonds, pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds (either buy a small grinder for these or buy them already ground), sesame seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds (make yummy cereal and puddings), and sunflower seeds. Also raw almond butter and tahini—it’s like peanut butter, only made with sesame seeds. You can make your own nut milks too. Yum! Note: Soaking nuts makes them more digestible; it removes the enzyme inhibitors that keep them from spoiling.
Superfoods: Blue Green Algae from Klamath lake – E3Live is a great brand. BGA’s provide energy boost, mental clarity, rebuild cells, bind free radicals, and are HIGH in vitamins and mineral. Green powders – use as a supplement NOT in place of juicing. Spirulina/Chlorella – Spirulina is high in chlorophyll and protein. Chlorella normalizes bowel function, builds immune system, binds radiation. Hemp Powder (high in Protein), Raw cacao (MODERATION).
Beans: Chickpeas, lentils, white beans, black beans, lima, pinto. These are the easiest to digest. Soak beans overnight and add a half inch strip of kombu (seaweed) to soaking water. This helps cut down on your methane! Eden brand canned beans are also good – they’re the only canned beans I use. Other brands contain preservatives. Eden uses beans, kombu, salt and water.
Soups: A staple for people transitioning to a mostly raw healing diet are fresh warm soups. Make them tasty and hearty by using beans and a variety of veggies, especially root veggies. Add fresh herbs, garlic, onion (chive, scallions), a little olive oil and Celtic or Himalayan sea salt. Don’t worry about recipes. Throw everything in a pot and season to taste. I love to add Pacific Foods organic vegetable broth.
Seaweed: Nori, dulse, arame, hijiki, wakame (for miso soup)
Veggies: veggies, and more veggies. Cucumbers, broccoli, kale, collards, celery, parsley, cabbage, romaine and green lettuce, spinach, peppers, zucchini, asparagus, red peppers, chard, green beans, alfalfa sprouts, lentil sprouts, mung bean sprouts, sweet pea and sunflower sprouts, onions, garlic, leeks, cauliflower, fresh herbs, eggplant, winter squash, carrots, arugula, bok choy, tat soi, sweet potatoes . . . the list is endless!
Daily Green Juice….Nothing is better for your immune system and vitality than fresh-made, organic, raw green juices and green smoothies. Not only will you be amazed at the highly charged energy you have, but your body will be thanking you for the super-nourishment, the balancing of blood sugars, the plant protein, and the loads of toxins being purged from their hiding places. Consume a minimum of 16 ounces of green juice/smoothie per day. Oh, and store-bought juices don’t count; unless they’re made fresh in front of you they are pasteurized and lifeless. If you can, add 1-2 ounces of wheatgrass into your daily routine.
For Juicing: Celery, cucumber base. Add any combination of leafy greens like spinach, kale, chard, collards, water cress, parsley, dandelion, cabbage, beet greens, tomato, bell pepper (yellow, red or orange) radish, ginger, SPROUTS (especially sweet pea and sunflower), broccoli stems, carrot and beet (in moderation). If you need more sweetness increase the cucumber content, use bell pepper or add one piece of low-glycemic fruit. Buy a wide VARIETY of veggies and fruits that are local, fresh, organic (when possible) and in the case of fruits – RIPE. Note: Limit sweet fruit if you are healing from cancer, diabetes, or bacterial and yeast infections.
For Smoothies: Keep them GREEN. As a general guideline, I like to build my smoothies with a 3:1 ratio of veggies to fruit. For example, one of my favorite morning power shakes consist of one cucumber, a large handful of romaine, avocado and one pear – if I have sweet pea, or sunflower sprouts I’ll add them too. Coconut water with a little stevia adds lovely flavor and nutrition. When I don’t have romaine I use spinach, kale and any other greens. Hemp powder adds a nutty flavor and tons of protein. I also like Vega products – another great source of protein. Lemon or lime adds a nice alkalizing kick to smoothies. Stevia, yacon and agave are my favorite sweetners. Stevia and yacon are the safest if facing a health challenge. A pinch of cinnamon helps to balance blood sugar and cacao is a great treat for those transitioning from coffee.
Fruits: Avocados and tomatoes (yes, they are technically fruits), green apples, lemons, limes, grapefruit, watermelon, pears, grapes, and berries. Low-glycemic fruits (those that are less sweet, like blueberries) are generally better than high-glycemic fruits (such as bananas) while you’re healing and cleansing. Remember to consume fruit in moderation. Glycemic index.
Breads: My favorite company period is Food for Life. They make gluten-free breads and wraps (for the cleanse we’re tossing gluten). They also make yummy sprouted breads and cereals (NOT for the cleanse). Check out Mauk Farms Crusts and Love Force raw breads – tres yum.
Sweetener: Stevia, a powerful herb with no sugar, comes in packets. Let me tell you, a little goes a long way. Yacon is another great alternative that doesn’t effect your glycemic index. A small amount of agave can also be used, although it’s very sweet.
Oils for salad dressing: Udo’s Choice oil blends, avocado oil, flax seed oil, cold-pressed olive oil, macadamia nut oil, walnut oil, hemp seed oil.
Oils for light cooking: Coconut oil (the most stable of all oils), sesame, grapeseed oil, and cold-pressed olive oil. It’s best to buy oils packaged in dark bottles and to store them in a cool dark place. Please avoid, Teflon, microwaves, char-grilled, blackened.
Seasonings: Get creative and experiment with different herbs. Fresh and organic is better, but if you can’t get them fresh then dried herbs are just fine. Use Celtic or Himalayan sea salt, gomasio, herbamare, dulse flakes, wheat-free tamari, Bragg’s Liquid Aminos. The staples I have on hand are pretty simple: Ginger powder, garlic powder, celery seed, basil, parsley, cilantro, mint, dill, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, curry, tumeric, cinnamon (lowers blood sugar), cayenne (promotes circulation), mustard seeds, wasabi. Spice Hunter makes a great, peppy spice called Zip. You can get really creative with easy spice blends like, Mexican seasoning & pizza seasoning. Also, pumpkin spice and apple pie seasoning, vanilla bean or vanilla extract (Frontier brand alcohol-free) are fun to add to smoothies.
Fermented foods: Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar, tempeh, raw sauerkraut (great for digestion), unpasteurized white miso (awesome in dressings and soup).
Drinks: Purified lemon water, water with a splash of fresh fruit juice (for flavor), herbal teas, green tea, white tea, yerba mate, chai, kombucha, coconut water. A great way to make fruit water is to put purified water in the blender with one piece of fruit and a dash of stevia. Blend and strain. Add ice. YUM!
Other good snacks and quick foods: Brown rice cakes, flax crackers, San-J crackers, Edward & Sons crackers, Mary’s Gone Crackers, Grainaissance Mochi, Lydia’s raw crackers and cereals, fresh salsa (made with lemon or lime juice), hummus, guacamole, oil-cured olives, Sunshine brand veggie burgers (wheat, gluten and soy free) Amy’s gluten-free organic pizza, air-popped popcorn, Just Veggies dehydrated snacks ( I love making raw soups with these), LaraBars (great for travel), Dr. Cows “cheese”. Ruth’s Chia Goodness cereals. Check out Glutino brand snacks as well. Oh! Glaser Farms. LOVE their products.
Other companies to familiarize yourself with..
Gold Mine Natural
Diamond Organics
Jaffe Bros
Living Tree Community Foods
Remember, don’t get overwhelmed by this list – you don’t need everything. This is just a gentle guide.
Peace and pantries,
Kris
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