tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50752455119913678372024-03-13T03:56:51.355-04:00La Belle Vie Holistic LivingEasy healthy living tips for the lazy chefselene @veganlicioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401703700484571180noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-31054304519513524032013-11-11T10:00:00.000-05:002018-04-22T16:59:55.211-04:00Healing in the Peruvian hillside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZNPmbfCoLyqXsABF1H7S2wtcyTh4Ig3JgGYz-Pw3SqIB09XyaVKSE9VirRvkJtjk_oiBG5zHGQTNcnARS5JK3am48c6d-XuFgZ9ngRZhpnjvNC0jKDV9uEnyjONlfB4OZ2N1y2YYqXEz/s1600/DSC02265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZNPmbfCoLyqXsABF1H7S2wtcyTh4Ig3JgGYz-Pw3SqIB09XyaVKSE9VirRvkJtjk_oiBG5zHGQTNcnARS5JK3am48c6d-XuFgZ9ngRZhpnjvNC0jKDV9uEnyjONlfB4OZ2N1y2YYqXEz/s640/DSC02265.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />"We need to talk..." I heard Michael's voice before I saw him. A moment later, he popped around the hedge to where I was sitting in the garden of our hostel in Cusco, Peru. I had just finished a five minute coughing fit and was doubled over holding my chest, which was raked with pain and - I was pretty positive - was building some pretty permanent scar tissue at this point.<br /><br />I was almost a week into a horrible upper respiratory illness that had me coughing so hard that I had lost my voice and that had left me with almost constant ringing in one ear. Apparently this was not too uncommon in Cusco where at 3,800 metres, the air was thin, the nights were cold, and the weather was dry.<br /><br />Michael sat down next to me and began telling me how his family of three had experienced something extraordinarily similar the last time they had visited. While he was sure that my upcoming travels to sea level in Colombia would bring the end of it, there might be something I wanted to try now.<br /><br />Two days later, I found myself lying in a room in the hillside farmlands of Cusco, surrounded by mamacitas with their braids and layered skirts, covered in suction cups. It was a peaceful and beautiful treatement room of Dutch homeopath, Jens.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB85jiPXXzx7FDDjUq-EdXD2Xac82cEk447cO85Lki_4yKFT2bLboJk-_XrFxMsYEPbEPgZSoUbpQzcGgt_4R8TcEogRfNpW_7uhy5QLaD76CeKwwX4a0vsOQd6rGeiDEZnF-FQxtgGtA/s1600/DSC02443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSB85jiPXXzx7FDDjUq-EdXD2Xac82cEk447cO85Lki_4yKFT2bLboJk-_XrFxMsYEPbEPgZSoUbpQzcGgt_4R8TcEogRfNpW_7uhy5QLaD76CeKwwX4a0vsOQd6rGeiDEZnF-FQxtgGtA/s640/DSC02443.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />An elderly man on my left had been introduced to Jens three years ago, almost ready to leave this world with a large tumour between his heart and his spine. Unable to walk, he had been carried in by his son and wife. After three months of treatment, his cancer was gone and today he walks up and down the many steep stairs and hills of this mountainside.<br /><br />"Western medicine is focused on diagnositics and pills," explained Jens passionately. "In Asia, there are no diagnostics. It's about energy - a healthy flow is the basis for health. Doctors encourage energy flow and dislodge blocks."<br /><br />The main two hour treatment at Jens' is about getting your energy flowing. He uses a method called cupping where suction cups are attached along the energy meridians of the body. Throughout the treatment, Jens moves the cups about. The effect and the principle is similar to that of acupuncture, but without the needles.<br /><br />"There are three things to avoid, is my recommendation - red meat, dairy, and microwaves." These three are, in Jens' opinion, the root of energy blocks and general poor health.<br /><br />"If you are going to eat meat, eat chickens who have had a good life - not the farmed kind that are full of hormones."<br /><br />He alternates his explainations and teachings in Spanish and English - the latter for my benefit.<br /><br />"Especially you," he says turning to me. "Avoid all dairy. It will make your congestion and phlegm worse. It's at the root of asthma and bronchial problems. That would be my recommendation."<br /><br />He further explains, as he moves the suction cups to my legs, that the energy meridians in our bodies run from our fingers and toes into our teeth. "Never get a root canal - the meridian doesn't know, and dead energy is sent to your organs, and you can never be in balance again."<br /><br />I don't dare admit that I have a root canal, but I do check the chart in the waiting room after my treatment and see that my dead tooth is connected with the lungs and large intestine - the latter being where I tend to have many issues.Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-38351824861243542192013-11-07T10:30:00.000-05:002018-04-22T16:59:56.171-04:00Stop cold sores in their tracksNothing quite kicks your self confidence in the kisser like a cold sore. And with the weather changing and our immune systems taking a hit, 'tis the cold sore season! Luckily, there are things you can do to stop a cold sore in its tracks and to speed the healing of one should it erupt.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmd_WAExFkjQOBJreQLcN4gFcTjXZD6d7SRM_De7fZL-UvEONdm2dud1KjUz2DlrZmyr4offXuHmz2k4_115kcppOTonbrrNWD7wfexYvgl7sUxW0-XcVEFX06W60YH5-KqZaBJngmoDz/s1600/ID-10033989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmd_WAExFkjQOBJreQLcN4gFcTjXZD6d7SRM_De7fZL-UvEONdm2dud1KjUz2DlrZmyr4offXuHmz2k4_115kcppOTonbrrNWD7wfexYvgl7sUxW0-XcVEFX06W60YH5-KqZaBJngmoDz/s400/ID-10033989.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net</td></tr></tbody></table><b>What is a cold sore?</b><br />A cold sore is an outbreak of Herpes Simplex Virus - 1 (HSV-1), a virus that lies dormant in nerve cells. The reactivation of the virus, which leads to outbreaks, can be triggered by minor infections, a weakened immune system, stress, and even sun exposure. <br /><br /><div><b>Lysine, Arginine, and cold sores - oh my!</b><br />There is a lot of research that points to a strong relationship between lysine, arginine, and cold sore outbreaks. Arginine can stimulate the replication of the virus. Lysine blocks arginine offering antiviral support. How can you make this work for you? <br /><div><ol><li><b>Try to balance arginine and lysine naturally in your diet</b><br />Foods high in arginine include chocolate, peanuts, seeds, almonds, and other nuts. Foods high in lysine inclde most vegetables, legumes, fish, turkey, and chicken. Nuts and seeds are incredibly rich in nutrients and healthy fats, but just try and make sure that in addition to eating them, you're also eating a diet rich in vegetables, legumes, and other lysine-rich foods.<br /></li><li><b>Supplement with lysine when you feel a cold sore coming on</b><br />You know that familiar tingly feeling in your lip that usually spells a cold sore in your near future? When you start to feel that sensation, supplement with lysine and cut back on arginine-rich foods. A short-term therapeutic dose of lysine is 3 g a day, ideally taken over three doses.</li></ol><div>Here's wishing you a cold sore-less season</div></div></div><div>xo</div><div>Selene</div>Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-67172470372202520682013-11-05T13:35:00.000-05:002018-04-22T16:59:59.412-04:00Three foods to start eating right nowLooking for a tasty way to boost your health? Start eating <b>Everyday Superfoods</b>.<br /><br />What are Everyday Superfoods? You've probably heard of "superfoods" - foods that are high in nutrients and help fight disease - such as goji berries, camu camu, and even raw cacao. Everyday Superfoods is what I call foods that have these same health-boosting superpowers, but are easy to find and easy on your wallet. These are foods that you can get at your Farmers' Market, in your CSA box, and even in your own backyard!<br /><br />If you're looking to supersize <b>your</b> health, start eating these three foods today!<br /><h4>Carrots</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOusxWgg3WjeMjxrbqSU_s5VB1IqkQmZ79kuPQ-pil3CD-te1BEmBQ9k_W1auzHs5kO_EVOklxfIZ3Pgk8eUbwz3dGwDAHQuPp9wpKiRKB_HL31hc4pdMqqnuq79g7MM3WDKOJyDqK8Hmq/s1600/superfoods-ebook-CARROTS-selene-vakharia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOusxWgg3WjeMjxrbqSU_s5VB1IqkQmZ79kuPQ-pil3CD-te1BEmBQ9k_W1auzHs5kO_EVOklxfIZ3Pgk8eUbwz3dGwDAHQuPp9wpKiRKB_HL31hc4pdMqqnuq79g7MM3WDKOJyDqK8Hmq/s1600/superfoods-ebook-CARROTS-selene-vakharia.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGjw5oSnUWDf5uly0TTAupm31aZ4KN5FFpjqKkk-mUsAQk9-G8GxpO0dwHDdXrJmPRxgq6DeuWswVikQxZsWYkV_iShQtjPArVpjI0JnmScS-j9a3CxK3X2CI6xxgiRTlgsglYq3syatR/s1600/superfoods-ebook-FLAX-selene-vakharia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><h4><br /></h4><h4>Flax seeds</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nWoPqSuO9PQEz9Yi2qggiAUHsFkyASQQ2pW9J43BEWjsQgIuy-GTdniHNbZU1azaG5LWvaEXhmmO8vLcaSuGxhL-28ktYAjnlw_dXYNKHAcb58tbLSXSkUZnL86neOsC00X9U0DXlq2t/s1600/superfoods-ebook-FLAX-selene-vakharia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nWoPqSuO9PQEz9Yi2qggiAUHsFkyASQQ2pW9J43BEWjsQgIuy-GTdniHNbZU1azaG5LWvaEXhmmO8vLcaSuGxhL-28ktYAjnlw_dXYNKHAcb58tbLSXSkUZnL86neOsC00X9U0DXlq2t/s1600/superfoods-ebook-FLAX-selene-vakharia.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h4>Apples</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RVRrUK4U7rt1DpVS8NRFYPYJlQu5F6xdt2mRzTYTR3TypaAtkPGAz1b4LbdNS3dMvCwExcZVBZ-ZAvuXqM3qsIIlqOkaH4Gd6_GjmPdx_xhEASXlEaPZIMKc2VJh-XXlvRRoLAg41hTa/s1600/superfoods-ebook-apple-selene-vakharia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RVRrUK4U7rt1DpVS8NRFYPYJlQu5F6xdt2mRzTYTR3TypaAtkPGAz1b4LbdNS3dMvCwExcZVBZ-ZAvuXqM3qsIIlqOkaH4Gd6_GjmPdx_xhEASXlEaPZIMKc2VJh-XXlvRRoLAg41hTa/s1600/superfoods-ebook-apple-selene-vakharia.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div>Looking for more Everyday Superfoods? Download my <a href="http://eepurl.com/Eku79">free ebook</a>!</div><div>xo</div><div>Selene</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-34989442098426355882013-10-21T10:47:00.000-04:002018-04-22T16:59:55.638-04:00The top secret reason for acid reflux and other digestive problems<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15usD-nPWureYj5zkeAKiGYUNeY05KaWQUzEvnK479vgT0XWI8U7bsHgw_THMRv9iZc0QEkgr_TZU7_Ojr1K9vYN1waNrCzUlyiXMMOhHMGb6btACGLmSWYIcJ5GfpEEQGXLQ3xHUtbkT/s1600/ID-10076296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15usD-nPWureYj5zkeAKiGYUNeY05KaWQUzEvnK479vgT0XWI8U7bsHgw_THMRv9iZc0QEkgr_TZU7_Ojr1K9vYN1waNrCzUlyiXMMOhHMGb6btACGLmSWYIcJ5GfpEEQGXLQ3xHUtbkT/s400/ID-10076296.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of Ohmega1982/FreeDigitalPhotos.net</td></tr></tbody></table>Many people ask me about digestive problems they are experiencing. For some, it's a matter of feeling tired, heavy, and bloated after eating. For others, it's acid reflux and heartburn...The list goes on.<br /><br />As someone who has spent most of my lifetime with digestive issues of pretty much every sort you could imagine, I feel for them.<br /><br />What I explain to people who voice their concerns and issues to me is that when it comes to digestion, there are many moving parts. And, like any machine, an issue with any one part can affect the whole system.<br /><br />One of the key players in digestion is the stomach. More specifically, many issues arise from a problem with Hydrocloric Acid - one of the stomach's principle secretions and an essential part of the digestive process.<br /><br />Hydrochloric Acid, or HCl, unfolds protein chanins to make them easier to break down. It also combines with another stomach product Pepsinogen to produce Pepsin. Pepsin is needed to actually break down the protein chains so that we can digest them.<br /><br />A common problem that people experience is having too little stomach acid. This can happen due to a number of factors, including stress, diet, age, overeating, eating while stressed, and even drinking with meals - do any or all of these situations sound familiar?<br /><br />The effects of having too little stomach acid are many. Most commonly, people with insufficient stomach acid may not be properly absorbing minerals, vitamins, and proteins. They also often experience heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD. Because the latter experiences are felt to be due to too much acid, people take tums or acid inhibitors, which actually can make the situation worse.<br /><br />If you are experiencing digestive problems, it's important to uncover the cause and to determine whether they are stemming in fact from a low level of essential HCl.<br /><br />xo<br />SeleneSelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-10281869501063419992013-10-18T10:35:00.001-04:002013-10-18T10:35:53.543-04:00Sleepless nights no more<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFW2mz-mNQORnctKU-y7TTfYt4Vud8_H_e1hl0k-SW3HNTQTVKsFknetiLgqpZR8Du-A-_32p2YkzuglQAaWf7u2QxbyAPQuvMScpD1MlzkIjD67rPTo5KxniPEiWru-_SNFsEeQgICDm/s1600/article+photo+-+sleeping+-+selene+vakharia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFW2mz-mNQORnctKU-y7TTfYt4Vud8_H_e1hl0k-SW3HNTQTVKsFknetiLgqpZR8Du-A-_32p2YkzuglQAaWf7u2QxbyAPQuvMScpD1MlzkIjD67rPTo5KxniPEiWru-_SNFsEeQgICDm/s400/article+photo+-+sleeping+-+selene+vakharia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Good morning! How did you sleep last night? Not awesomely?<br />
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Check out<a href="http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/10/5-tips-to-help-us-sleep-selene-vakharia/"> the article</a> I wrote for Elephant Journal that shares five natural ways to end those sleepless nights.Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-42905051404825650612013-10-17T10:01:00.000-04:002018-04-22T16:59:56.595-04:00Three foods that reduce inflammation<div class="MsoNormal">For all of its bad rap, inflammation is actually important to our health. When we sustain an injury, inflammation is needed to limit the damage to our bodies and to the injured area. Sometimes though, our body might turn on our inflammatory pathways and not be able to turn it off. There is a growing number of studies showing that chronic inflammation might be an underlying factor for many health conditions and degenerative diseases, including arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and cancer.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">There are numerous causes of inflammation – an acidic diet, bad fats, refined foods, strenuous exercise, free radicals from environmental pollutants, and even stress. Some are avoidable or can be eliminated from our lives, others can’t be or are things that just aren’t easy to say goodbye to.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">However, for every food that could contribute to inflammation in our bodies, there is a food that is great at supporting the body’s anti-inflammatory processes and functions. Here are three of my fave inflammation busters.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-5BUxXCYjRUAXtrh8hvhcrkSv2DEZ37fEPftiLpFYtx8XBUuqmJio4OwBHGSpeaT1qyefwIbcVk-SVrEeJW5oUwbvSH3e8FtDx3-RtDa9vcGgr4_7HaUYpBGSUdlFCyYmdf5_ttHsuuB/s1600/ID-10085649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-5BUxXCYjRUAXtrh8hvhcrkSv2DEZ37fEPftiLpFYtx8XBUuqmJio4OwBHGSpeaT1qyefwIbcVk-SVrEeJW5oUwbvSH3e8FtDx3-RtDa9vcGgr4_7HaUYpBGSUdlFCyYmdf5_ttHsuuB/s640/ID-10085649.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Image courtesy of smarnad / FreeDigitalPhotos.net</td></tr></tbody></table><h3><b>1. Turmeric</b></h3><div class="MsoNormal">Curcumin, a phytochemical of turmeric, is responsible for this spice’s potent anti-inflammatory effects. It works by inhibiting pro-inflammatory agents and pathways. Everyone knows turmeric as a key spice in curries, but its subtle flavour can be enjoyed in many dishes. Add it to potato hash or to a tofu scramble for a little extra flavour and a whole lot of anti-inflammatory fun. Combine it with black pepper to up the absorption of curcumin.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><h3><b>2. Berries</b></h3><div class="MsoNormal">Berries are a rich source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are key when it comes to disarming inflammation-causing free radicals. Is there any way to not enjoy them? Add them to a smoothie or just enjoy them fresh. Berries top the list in terms of pesticide use in conventional farming, so buy organic and local for optimal nutritional benefit.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><h3><b>3. Ginger</b></h3><br /><div class="MsoNormal">The anti-inflammatory effects of ginger have been valued for centuries playing a role in many traditional medicinal practices. Its active compounds work by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production. These dual actions are leading researchers to believe that ginger may be more effective than NSAIDs – all while having fewer side effects. Add this spicy root to tea, smoothies, and stirfries.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What are your favourite ways to use these foods?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-56382359857963751992013-10-15T14:11:00.000-04:002018-04-22T17:03:52.319-04:00Gluten-free vegan gnocchi with a sundried tomato marinara sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo_Lm51aqonKUeAr24wwK9mOgWeSJvnx6XeJAUSenDhlPdGwJLl_LC9NenNPpvfs0vtnM8faw7FZOflSb953oVtlRmg_G6dvfm_KkJLyQaFicAVcGCJqz9YXZjYqLkGaAkZy2xP2ExprF/s1600/selene-vakharia-gluten-free-gnocchi-la-belle-vie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo_Lm51aqonKUeAr24wwK9mOgWeSJvnx6XeJAUSenDhlPdGwJLl_LC9NenNPpvfs0vtnM8faw7FZOflSb953oVtlRmg_G6dvfm_KkJLyQaFicAVcGCJqz9YXZjYqLkGaAkZy2xP2ExprF/s640/selene-vakharia-gluten-free-gnocchi-la-belle-vie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This year's Thanksgiving was another great gastro success. My mom and I took over the kitchen, each with our own designated areas - key for minimal panic while trying to create a multi course meal for eight in a few hours. I took on three dishes - a raw apple pie in a spiced pecan crust, a pumpkin tiramisu, and a gnocchi as one of the main course entrees. <br /><br />For the gnocchi, I adapted a <a href="http://www.allysonkramer.com/2011/01/gluten-free-gnocchi/">recipe</a> by Allyson Kramer and whipped up an easy and quick sundried tomato marinara sauce with oregano fresh from the garden. The result was a delicious, light, and fluffy pasta.<br /><br /><h3>Gnocchi</h3>2 medium (about 3" length, 2" width) white potatoes<br />1 medium sweet potato (about 4" length, 2.5" wide)<br />1 3/4 cup gluten-free flour mix (see below)<br />1/3 cup nutritional yeast<br />3 tbsp olive oil<br />1 tsp salt<br /><br />Peel the potatoes, cut into small pieces and boil until they are soft. Using a potato masher, smoosh them up, adding the other ingredients a bit at a time and continuing to smoosh until everything is well combined.<br /><br />Take small handfuls, form balls and then roll them into tubes. Using a sharp knife, cut off pieces about 1" long. Use a fork to flatten them slightly.<br /><br />Drop 10 at a time into boiling water for 2 minutes per batch. Scoop out with a slotted spoon. As you add more finished gnocchi to your bowl, toss occassionally with a bit of olive oil to keep them from sticking.<br /><h3>Gluten free flour mix</h3><i>This is my main GF flour mix that I use for everything. I find it's the perfect combo of starch and whole grain flour to replace wheat flour and give baked goods a fluffy and slightly chewy texture. I`ve used it with great success in a number of recipes and recipe adaptations.</i><br />1 cup brown rice flour<br />2/3 cup tapioca starch<br />1/3 cup potato starch (very important you use potato starch and <b>not</b> potato flour)<br /><br /><h3>Sundried tomato marinara</h3>2 tomatoes<br />6 sundried tomatoes<br />2 tbsp olive oil<br />3 sprigs oregano (leaves only)<br />1 clove garlic<br /><br />Put everything in a blender and puree.<br /><br />I also sliced field mushrooms thinly and sauteed with a touch of olive oil and oregano. I tossed these with the gnocchi and then mixed everything with the sauce.<br /><br />Tada! You now can rival the most seasoned pasta maker with your new-found gnocchi skills!<br />xo<br />SeleneSelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-72379158047033048662013-10-14T11:00:00.000-04:002015-09-22T23:28:56.613-04:00Beach, mountains, and hunger: How my tummy became my travel guide.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatqs6aImw3Tphe2_KRpYafCZEZkVTauFMumSfJ6UrlZnBVRhfv2qLz_AjZJhnZfKTHfZKrDEPiI-jWubSdeXtpvZ5UdY5_fwJXukVam9WenhFxlCT5VHI69fVRLUZ0BTOJa_2AIOblCA/s1600/DSC02726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatqs6aImw3Tphe2_KRpYafCZEZkVTauFMumSfJ6UrlZnBVRhfv2qLz_AjZJhnZfKTHfZKrDEPiI-jWubSdeXtpvZ5UdY5_fwJXukVam9WenhFxlCT5VHI69fVRLUZ0BTOJa_2AIOblCA/s640/DSC02726.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last year, as my 29th birthday loomed near, I decided to leave the country and the continent and all my friends and family and spend close to a year in South America. I travelled and hiked and almost got hit by lightening, came close to falling off cliffs, and was nearly lost in the Andes forever. But one of <a href="http://makelifebeautiful.ca/travel-food-allergies-vegan/">my most difficult challenge</a>s came while surrounded by beach and sun in Colombia.Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05789111676227979774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-69668189439710516652013-10-13T10:34:00.000-04:002018-04-22T16:59:59.596-04:00A healthy Thanksgiving makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6VMa5V1aLznT-AYip7YQuF-oThLFX0wpMzGB_ebONHOjKONLakqAPjk2M6daQURBwL2EtmKsC6xjWOKKuFM2bg2Fe3VW1t4pIi2BARSjW-cAvCm-rO2gw4jV3kTpMfbdpKQmClK9KRJc/s1600/selene-vakharia-labellevie-thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6VMa5V1aLznT-AYip7YQuF-oThLFX0wpMzGB_ebONHOjKONLakqAPjk2M6daQURBwL2EtmKsC6xjWOKKuFM2bg2Fe3VW1t4pIi2BARSjW-cAvCm-rO2gw4jV3kTpMfbdpKQmClK9KRJc/s320/selene-vakharia-labellevie-thanksgiving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This year, give Thanksgiving a healthy makeover for a holiday that's good for the whole body, mind, and spirit. Here are <a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.com/2013/10/seven-tips-for-healthy-thanksgiving.html">seven tips</a> to up the fun, delicious, and good-for-you factors of Pumpkin Day.Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-52788870670496876212013-10-12T11:00:00.000-04:002018-04-22T16:59:58.093-04:00Is cinnamon dangerous for your health?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0y_0xQvvzv1oJvdldiZJFM8VmNwDq3p6ycmOj0ESIkJIhYTwpgMDOmVYnouNft6OP20SyV2FTnJYkDiKB5L7OQMfi00WF_pvdTZwfkxD5O9aaKXL9GPiGgeuqGw8UecWYs4bfjVywts/s1600/cinnamon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0y_0xQvvzv1oJvdldiZJFM8VmNwDq3p6ycmOj0ESIkJIhYTwpgMDOmVYnouNft6OP20SyV2FTnJYkDiKB5L7OQMfi00WF_pvdTZwfkxD5O9aaKXL9GPiGgeuqGw8UecWYs4bfjVywts/s640/cinnamon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This sweet and delicious spice is getting a bad rap, which is possibly best summed up with my parents' serious inquiry at dinner the other night "...I heard cinnamon was killing people..."<br />
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Why do they think that and what is the truth (if any) behind it?<a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.ca/2013/08/is-cinnamon-dangerous-for-your-health.html"> Read this article</a> I wrote over at my new blog to find out.<br />
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xo<br />
SeleneSelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05789111676227979774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-43601261201952282142013-10-11T09:46:00.000-04:002018-04-22T16:59:56.950-04:00A precarious hike in the Andes...or, how I almost fell off a mountain while peeing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pOmGXYvAFcPV_5W8Uti4YYbpN8fVV0WDDSarR12hDNW_XWhY4_kvnb_EaVKU2MUHMxoIvTquw9t5bW3hpVu_8AH0qHUcHEfQW6wEsUhhlNonzbQLJFT4vn0BRQKjMhaiHA_OkNYIPs0/s1600/DSC01607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pOmGXYvAFcPV_5W8Uti4YYbpN8fVV0WDDSarR12hDNW_XWhY4_kvnb_EaVKU2MUHMxoIvTquw9t5bW3hpVu_8AH0qHUcHEfQW6wEsUhhlNonzbQLJFT4vn0BRQKjMhaiHA_OkNYIPs0/s400/DSC01607.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Fun fact:</b> I may or may not have a habit of almost getting struck by lightning...details details...! <a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.ca/2013/10/podocarpus-park-ecuador-hike.html">Here's a story </a>of the second time it happened, and how I almost fell off a cliff while peeing in the middle of the night.<br />
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xo<br />
SeleneSelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05789111676227979774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-42609507131713795252013-10-10T11:00:00.000-04:002018-04-22T16:59:56.525-04:00Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9QNhtBE222m1aHpe1J953ZABfTdM0N_EhJ0t6MZnMZcg_cnH7-rG_6vkFoea4b9vrTzQkKu8l3YX_psHRkP_DHXlOP6PXWvEC2JifsqvykzpU_LUwM9KXXwDT6xsVGoq1yh62S0_1d8/s1600/labellevie-selenevakharia-peanutbutterbanana-icecream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9QNhtBE222m1aHpe1J953ZABfTdM0N_EhJ0t6MZnMZcg_cnH7-rG_6vkFoea4b9vrTzQkKu8l3YX_psHRkP_DHXlOP6PXWvEC2JifsqvykzpU_LUwM9KXXwDT6xsVGoq1yh62S0_1d8/s640/labellevie-selenevakharia-peanutbutterbanana-icecream.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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As far as I'm concerned, it's always the perfect season, day, week, year, moment for ice cream. If you're looking for a fix of the delicious stuff right now, try this ridiculously easy and super healthy dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free <a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.ca/2013/08/peanut-butter-banana-ice-cream.html">peanut butter banana ice cream</a>.<br />
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xo<br />
SeleneSelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05789111676227979774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-73284404995394483192013-10-09T12:38:00.000-04:002018-04-22T17:00:00.024-04:00Apples in pregnancy: Why you should take a bite<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqH5KCJ0tD0N64tZ1oM8OvaNiY9Vg7_C13xoBCYz9Y3XRXrFOsml7likBNo9Za8VViYjbIxxbT2K2VoX9O0lnlFawlh_WlnhalFe6PZla2B3FOqdO6oa6IJFHnDdC9W2MMvNLevuDBAnO/s1600/apples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqH5KCJ0tD0N64tZ1oM8OvaNiY9Vg7_C13xoBCYz9Y3XRXrFOsml7likBNo9Za8VViYjbIxxbT2K2VoX9O0lnlFawlh_WlnhalFe6PZla2B3FOqdO6oa6IJFHnDdC9W2MMvNLevuDBAnO/s400/apples.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">We know that certain things that we’re exposed to in pregnancy can affect the health of our babies. Smoking, chemicals, alcohol, even coffee…we hear all about how dangerous these can be. But, did you know that it can go the other way too?? There are certain foods that we can eat while pregnant that will benefit our children, making them healthier and happier when they enter the world.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Apples are one of these baby-loving superfoods. Research has found that expecting moms who ate apples gave birth to children who had a lower risk of developing asthma and asthma-related symptoms. How do you like <b>them</b> apples??<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here are some of my fave apple-licious recipes to keep you in the red, yellow, and green this fall…<o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.com/2012/10/spiced-stuffed-baked-apples-now-that_6328.html">Baked apples</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.com/2012/04/good-morning-blueberry-pear-juice_1183.html">Blueberry apple pear juice</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.ca/2009/10/thanksgiving_278.html">Raw spiced apple pie</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">xo</div><div class="MsoNormal">Selene</div>Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-86450036022281779282013-10-09T09:42:00.000-04:002018-04-22T17:00:01.629-04:00Boost your immunity and fight flus and colds like a superstar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMKz2bLCThK4vsY_dgKHwC2SxIjpaMKN_yi4XUYW4pKMCEzbfF4GP6gNAf95-iGzXW1TbfRzfyrEiP3Y7P0Emf7qm9VSkY8dkK_MQwVm0Lh1ppCMYr1X9mqPakW_Str6N_xkyx2OqpME/s1600/ID-100160450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMKz2bLCThK4vsY_dgKHwC2SxIjpaMKN_yi4XUYW4pKMCEzbfF4GP6gNAf95-iGzXW1TbfRzfyrEiP3Y7P0Emf7qm9VSkY8dkK_MQwVm0Lh1ppCMYr1X9mqPakW_Str6N_xkyx2OqpME/s400/ID-100160450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Want to be a flu-fighting, cold-clobber superhero this winter? Join my <a href="http://www.makelifebeautiful.ca/events.html">Wellness Workshop</a> on October 29 and you'll learn how to boost your immunity to stay healthy this season.<br />
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In the one-hour workshop, you will learn:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Foods, nutrients, and herbs that boost your immunity</li>
<li>Foods and habits that impair your immunity</li>
<li>How to fight off colds and flus should you get one</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.makelifebeautiful.ca/events">Sign up now</a> and save!</div>
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<br />Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05789111676227979774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-23683849468128496572013-10-08T20:38:00.000-04:002018-04-22T16:59:54.424-04:00A surprising health benefit of avocados<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TatAmTA-RRs0ZWyqC7tRhWnc9htleenhjABnfKqL-gPcoMc__9V43MlrYGRaKsGR7ZBcE_rGg1vQCrTuDoVsjb1un45PWExMa6qYBmzwBVLcRwREcXisIOhV9lkhxVe7KqPeA0FII5M/s1600/DSC01408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TatAmTA-RRs0ZWyqC7tRhWnc9htleenhjABnfKqL-gPcoMc__9V43MlrYGRaKsGR7ZBcE_rGg1vQCrTuDoVsjb1un45PWExMa6qYBmzwBVLcRwREcXisIOhV9lkhxVe7KqPeA0FII5M/s640/DSC01408.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Move over cheeseburger, cool cats everywhere are now clamouring for the tasty awesome green dream that is the avocado! In addition to making everything delicious, they also come with a <a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.ca/2013/08/a-surprising-health-benefit-of-avocados.html">crazy super power</a>...you'll never guess what it is!Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05789111676227979774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-57775274424839752013-10-08T16:11:00.000-04:002018-04-22T16:59:58.700-04:00The time I almost died in the Andes...Or, a beautiful hike in Podocarpus National Park<div class="MsoNormal">“That was really unsafe. I think we almost died last night,” was Caleb’s morning greeting to me at our happenstance camp site in the Andes. I had just been thinking the same thing as I was surveying my tent, which I had unknowingly in the dark of night pitched precariously close to the edge of a cliff. Considering the complete lack of map or signs along the way, we had been lucky to find any camping spot the night before as we hiked in the dark and under threat of non-stop rain.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Against the warnings of the park rangers, we were one day into a hike in Podocarpus National Park in South Ecuador attempting to reach the ever elusive, and we were beginning to suspect quite fabled, lagoons. Most of the hike took us along the ridge of the mountains where the view was spectacular, but one misstep would have you quite quickly falling to doom and gloom.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpidQlhlGQbtFql2twBU4iDIW_u8PqOiLwK4Fr-0MYEwNIoDDffVdCK4YAAhaIyhWk0rAGX8JClpr-HhcdARrO2UrlSUJxuo4S7ZKSr-ZqxOogMWjGbv2R1zhBGF53ewuquW-xOxb3w6oB/s1600/IMG_0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpidQlhlGQbtFql2twBU4iDIW_u8PqOiLwK4Fr-0MYEwNIoDDffVdCK4YAAhaIyhWk0rAGX8JClpr-HhcdARrO2UrlSUJxuo4S7ZKSr-ZqxOogMWjGbv2R1zhBGF53ewuquW-xOxb3w6oB/s640/IMG_0660.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Above the clouds, in the clouds, we are the clouds...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Being in rainy season at an altitude of a couple of thousand feet, much of our hiking took place in and among the clouds. There is something unspeakably beautiful and awe-inspiring about standing on top of a mountain watching and then feeling a cloud roll over you. About looking out around you and seeing nothing but ten feet around you and then pure white. It's much like being on another planet.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p>At times we could see into the distance and would catch glimpses of towns lit by rays of sun amongst the clouds. The landscape was rich in plants, bromeliads, and more lichens than a lichen lover such as myself could even begin to dream about. Occassionally we'd spot the footprint or scat of one of the few mammal species that travelled the treks.</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVQXBGf1-xNsfljq1OyNMiXVEg0Nqsb_5kADeighzQYwe4E9NLomvl4avEvGNqEKgzLcePcxP2Cu6ux6hVQRko7d1AklJlfuFufGg_qJvyfvS7AamiDM9V5ayl2iskVj0jOH-GAsQQDj8/s1600/DSC01624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVQXBGf1-xNsfljq1OyNMiXVEg0Nqsb_5kADeighzQYwe4E9NLomvl4avEvGNqEKgzLcePcxP2Cu6ux6hVQRko7d1AklJlfuFufGg_qJvyfvS7AamiDM9V5ayl2iskVj0jOH-GAsQQDj8/s640/DSC01624.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Sunlight towns hidden among the clouds...somewhere it's sunny...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">On our second day, we decided to head back rather than continue to try and find the lagoons. Whichever park ranger who had been in charge of putting up distance markers had given up about 15 km into the hike and the remaining signposts lay in a forgotten pile there. Perhaps he too knew that the lagoons didn't really exist. Because we had believed in the lagoon myth when we started the hike, we hadn't brought enough water. And, being on a ridge meant as well that there was no water to be found.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">As we began to head back, Caleb looked out into the distance quickly noted ominous looking clouds that were headed our way.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"Lightning is coming and we're the highest point. When it starts to strike, we drop our bags, run down the side of the mountain and find a tree."</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8lCn271L8W_WiY3b0prlkIboHf1nlja2CKUUaDPN1pQHi4XfxD9myfRiC9Dh_ED9Ho5QCjI3lm9NNImwLcruwYVrDzvW7eLtO6KCMGfwuvaxKtXLX_z_4UxYuOVM413eKtIg_GYmpaDX/s1600/DSC01607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8lCn271L8W_WiY3b0prlkIboHf1nlja2CKUUaDPN1pQHi4XfxD9myfRiC9Dh_ED9Ho5QCjI3lm9NNImwLcruwYVrDzvW7eLtO6KCMGfwuvaxKtXLX_z_4UxYuOVM413eKtIg_GYmpaDX/s640/DSC01607.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Hikers on a ridge</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">"I thought trees were a bad place to be when there's lightning?" I ask in my confused city girl voice.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Caleb explained that lightning will hit the highest point - which often ends up being a tree. However, in our case, being on the ridge would make <b>us</b> the highest, and thus most likely, spot. He then proceeded to tell me about a hike his friends had gone on where a freak lightning storm had hit over 20 people. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStZYmPNoGIUy_6-d0oNHImRNh2hHFujBVbd4EEsMl8X_BEhii8dgtoMty6CvQvJ48uEvaAjKSlhxo0FOYRqIiXtEsn0eQAQU6_GAzlOuuawCARZjujINoG-xHxWbZ7ZQxo9HWES2yuhet/s1600/P1000500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStZYmPNoGIUy_6-d0oNHImRNh2hHFujBVbd4EEsMl8X_BEhii8dgtoMty6CvQvJ48uEvaAjKSlhxo0FOYRqIiXtEsn0eQAQU6_GAzlOuuawCARZjujINoG-xHxWbZ7ZQxo9HWES2yuhet/s640/P1000500.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Me feeling pretty awesome in the morning<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">After the first hour, it rained our whole way back. Sure enough, lightning began to strike around us. I looked ahead at Caleb who turned back to be and, with a casual shrug, "we're on a ridge - there's nowhere to go down. Hopefully we'll hit a saddle soon..." </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2a5ktPYTZCQSgMNxwEFR3K10nDDwj5j78TIlA3g-LntxzasNe_cQm02KLxmmPz6JM0nR-VNn4Tai3ZAFn-RytHVFbEiKmG3VwIVukEpJ1m3qfch_H-ecQd7K_GFkabC_sRiu5tRjJ9cM8/s1600/IMG_0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2a5ktPYTZCQSgMNxwEFR3K10nDDwj5j78TIlA3g-LntxzasNe_cQm02KLxmmPz6JM0nR-VNn4Tai3ZAFn-RytHVFbEiKmG3VwIVukEpJ1m3qfch_H-ecQd7K_GFkabC_sRiu5tRjJ9cM8/s640/IMG_0664.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caleb - the mountainest of all mountain men</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgLZin06JdKYEvCaLcuBMZN6R6fVJLIH-YTERGpR8qzoE09MF-TlDqBv25EesYy1cu6IkukdxOjNaxm_qhe9IafrAInNejdeDpJzql8MMbP8QypZIuf7txWgJaKAK37mEo9hpynUxnxC-/s1600/P1000499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgLZin06JdKYEvCaLcuBMZN6R6fVJLIH-YTERGpR8qzoE09MF-TlDqBv25EesYy1cu6IkukdxOjNaxm_qhe9IafrAInNejdeDpJzql8MMbP8QypZIuf7txWgJaKAK37mEo9hpynUxnxC-/s640/P1000499.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping on a ledge gives life a little edge </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-85193099204832629122013-10-07T16:57:00.000-04:002018-04-22T17:00:01.276-04:00Wellness workshop: Boost your immunity to stay flu-free this winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2K-kVEQczxB_OEL70OHEp91l39I7cTl0xDB6kvTrwEhypkWKUF2L0szeuH0XbyXuV7vRVjhpvUUsYDwJVVDp9qj1kdtGJpGjckcdl250PTCzZV9N6AgATTHPw30zPDYIjMe1tDuCI2m9/s1600/ID-100160450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2K-kVEQczxB_OEL70OHEp91l39I7cTl0xDB6kvTrwEhypkWKUF2L0szeuH0XbyXuV7vRVjhpvUUsYDwJVVDp9qj1kdtGJpGjckcdl250PTCzZV9N6AgATTHPw30zPDYIjMe1tDuCI2m9/s400/ID-100160450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Looking to beat cold and flu season this year? Want to escape the clutches of runny noses and ground shaking coughing fits? Come to my <a href="http://uv.rs/1a72ZKd">upcoming workshop</a> and learn how to become an immunity superstar!<br /><br />On <b>October 29 at 6:30p.m.</b>, in the junction area of Toronto, I'll be holding a one-hour workshop that will teach you: - how the immune system works to keep you healthy - which foods impair your immune system, and which to eat to boost it - vitamins, herbs, and minerals that help boost your immunity - how to fight off a cold or flu when you get one <a href="http://uv.rs/1a72ZKd">Book today and save!</a><br /><br /><b>BIG NEWS: </b>I have a brand new monthly newsletter! The <a href="http://eepurl.com/GxvIr">first issue</a> went out today packed full of fun recipes and deliciously easy healthy living tips. Check it out if you haven't yet, and don't forget to share it with your friends! xo Selene Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-2978090088231056602013-10-05T11:00:00.000-04:002013-10-05T11:00:00.876-04:00Cinnamon will kick blood sugar's butt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-dPkjVHNcYQSA509BrWDoSOtRcAK6uSyLwS97ObJH5_q7XIjmRgGixmmIYknht5kVSGpkiOM2rWRwJHmNtsDW3v1UWkamgQuvmljq3ymRPYi5wNB2ddgILf5_smN79jyh39WR2sW-6o/s1600/cinnamon-labellevie-trex-selene-vakharia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-dPkjVHNcYQSA509BrWDoSOtRcAK6uSyLwS97ObJH5_q7XIjmRgGixmmIYknht5kVSGpkiOM2rWRwJHmNtsDW3v1UWkamgQuvmljq3ymRPYi5wNB2ddgILf5_smN79jyh39WR2sW-6o/s640/cinnamon-labellevie-trex-selene-vakharia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Do you know what trex hates more than push-ups?? Unbalanced blood sugar! Check out <a href="http://www.engageafricafoundation.org/blog/view/cinnamon-your-blood-sugar-superstar">the article I wrote</a> for Engage Africa Foundation to find out why he's chosen cinnamon to fight this common foe!!!</div>
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Also, don't forget to<span style="background-color: white; color: #181b20; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://eepurl.com/Eku79" style="background-color: white; color: #2483a6; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">download my new book </a>full of superfoods, like cinnamon, and super recipes that will boost your health and make life even more awesome!Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05789111676227979774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-81949124763698295022013-10-04T12:25:00.000-04:002018-04-22T17:00:00.920-04:00DIY Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGQ5GD8oEN10nmsa1NFhxSsq66x9DJz_edua6V7RXM3B4KlpVI_wgUirhj-agToLaRnRRGRX_tv-7CCHvmGrOcXyQbggBlfyX4W49knrUisrjgd4O4ACqWD1J_ceeOeCNKd7j9OIpeKcP/s1600/ID-10038113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGQ5GD8oEN10nmsa1NFhxSsq66x9DJz_edua6V7RXM3B4KlpVI_wgUirhj-agToLaRnRRGRX_tv-7CCHvmGrOcXyQbggBlfyX4W49knrUisrjgd4O4ACqWD1J_ceeOeCNKd7j9OIpeKcP/s400/ID-10038113.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1993" style="background-color: white; color: #3db2d5; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">anat_tikker</a>/FreeDigitalPhotos.net</td></tr></tbody></table>Crisp mornings, clean air, colourful leaves...dry skin.<br /><br />Is the changing weather leaving you with uncomfortable, itchy, and flaky skin that's dampening your autumnal spirit? You're not alone. For many of us the beauty of fall is quickly sidelined by seasonal dryness.<br /><br />To get back your fall cheer - just in time for long walks in leaf-strewn parks and ravines - this gentle homemade Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub may be just what you need.<br /><br />This easy-to-make body scrub will turn any bathroom into a luxurious spa. The sea salt creates a mineral-rich exfoliator, the olive oil a deep moisturizer, and the cinnamon and nutmeg add the delicious pumpkin pie smell that screams fall. Slather it on in the shower or bath, gently massage in a circular motion, and then rinse it off while leaving the oils to soothe and soften your crocodile skin away.<br /><br /><b>To make</b><br />1/4 cup oil<br />1/2 cup sea salt<br />1 Tbsp cinnamon<br /><div>1/2 Tbsp nutmeg<br /><br />Stir all the ingredients together and store in a glass jar.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy your glowing and smooth skin as you sip your <a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.ca/2012/10/ultimate-fall-smoothie-pumpkin-pie_7998.html">pumpkin pie smoothies</a> and all the other <a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.com/2013/10/5-healthy-fall-recipes.html">delicious and healthy things</a> you're going to make this fall!!</div><div>xo</div><div>Selene<br /><br /></div>Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-59261826967113310782013-10-03T11:00:00.000-04:002013-10-03T11:00:00.392-04:00Brazil nuts have super powers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilY-KK9PJoJbG9QAtba-Te15OglCcykqtrVaB3IyAtWRgFvANdOnICTPJMwRi7dw9CrQhqGxEKlL3UoiLnuNt-wuSy0CfPUVsGA1E5aA5zwLNmAhjVrXKO1SF3Ru3ZKe9fkUJ2q8WNUig/s1600/Brazil-Nuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilY-KK9PJoJbG9QAtba-Te15OglCcykqtrVaB3IyAtWRgFvANdOnICTPJMwRi7dw9CrQhqGxEKlL3UoiLnuNt-wuSy0CfPUVsGA1E5aA5zwLNmAhjVrXKO1SF3Ru3ZKe9fkUJ2q8WNUig/s320/Brazil-Nuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's true - <a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.ca/2013/09/brazil-nuts-as-superfood.html">they do</a>!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181b20; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Download my free ebook, </span><a href="http://eepurl.com/Eku79" style="background-color: white; color: #2483a6; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Everyday Superfoods</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181b20; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">, for more information on Brazil nuts and eight other amazing foods, plus nine super awesome recipes, including Brazil nut milk.</span>Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05789111676227979774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-84910704114211533452013-10-02T11:59:00.000-04:002018-04-22T17:00:01.098-04:005 Healthy Fall Recipes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxb56ttKbdQUXGushFUODFUC3mrQla5qnPNqW70mJFirVBV5thnqRy8gw1mCVnJWG3s7eN4u1XJIHKYuzW1OlBNa9F3lYyodw8eBUICzcVG7mAU4O7pBnnfQuboVTMIa9MFI1MKfwLJA/s1600/la-belle-vie-holistic-living-selene-vakharia-fall-recipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxb56ttKbdQUXGushFUODFUC3mrQla5qnPNqW70mJFirVBV5thnqRy8gw1mCVnJWG3s7eN4u1XJIHKYuzW1OlBNa9F3lYyodw8eBUICzcVG7mAU4O7pBnnfQuboVTMIa9MFI1MKfwLJA/s640/la-belle-vie-holistic-living-selene-vakharia-fall-recipes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It’s officially fall! How super exciting! I’ve already started wearing layered sweaters and cute ankle boots in celebration. The apples are out, squash in every possible shape, colour, and size abound! Turn on your ovens, pick up some pumpkins, and let’s get our fall food fun on! Here are five deliciously simple, tasty, and healthy autumn inspired recipes for you to enjoy while watching the leaves change colour.<br /><br /><a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.ca/2012/10/ultimate-fall-smoothie-pumpkin-pie_7998.html">Pumpkin pie smoothie</a><br /><a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.ca/2010/12/a-very-vegan-thanksgiving-pumpkin_3882.html">Raw pumpkin mousse pie</a><br /><a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.ca/2012/10/spiced-stuffed-baked-apples-now-that_6328.html">Baked apples</a><br /><a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.ca/2009/10/thanksgiving_278.html">Raw apple pie</a><br /><a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.com/2013/09/healthy-carrot-cake-raw-glutenfree.html">The healthiest carrot cake ever</a><br /><br />I’m off to jump in piles of leaves!!! <br />xoxoxox <br />Selene<br /><br />p.s. what's your fave fall food?? Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-58618348901357037222013-10-01T11:00:00.000-04:002013-10-01T11:00:00.779-04:00The healthiest carrot cake ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIV0IvLv42zDdy9gtxNUp39hm2KrcrSO4o7Y4OZ8lAT5ts_YGQz9tRHhc9swNExW6M_b5FON-lRVVyZboNzZ_jWTmLlyoJSv4FFVZBvlng1499vAdDe3OKltaBW6-rKXLgCRJ2kd52MTw/s1600/labellevie-selene-rawcarrotcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIV0IvLv42zDdy9gtxNUp39hm2KrcrSO4o7Y4OZ8lAT5ts_YGQz9tRHhc9swNExW6M_b5FON-lRVVyZboNzZ_jWTmLlyoJSv4FFVZBvlng1499vAdDe3OKltaBW6-rKXLgCRJ2kd52MTw/s640/labellevie-selene-rawcarrotcake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Carrots are amazingly naturally sweet and full of awesome health super powers, like their crazy antioxidant strength and eye-boosting magic. If you're looking for a new and delicious way to enjoy this fall's harvest, <a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.com/2013/09/healthy-carrot-cake-raw-glutenfree.html">try this carrot cake</a> that's not only super healthy, but also raw, vegan, and free of refined sugars and gluten.<div>
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xo</div>
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Selene</div>
Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05789111676227979774noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-75144004207247672482013-09-30T22:41:00.001-04:002013-09-30T22:41:28.313-04:008 Natural Ways to Prevent and Treat UTIs<p dir="ltr">Have a UTI or get them more often than you'd like? Here are <a href="http://labellevienutrition.blogspot.ca/2013/09/preventing-and-treating-utis-naturally.html?m=1">8 things you can do </a>to prevent and treat one.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDR4u1IAt2pm3uaVaXg7dKQ_Bfo1jUldS38Gx_D_1wlRXibw_6BzXjsB6F6ZTZm5T4IS2o1TW4xgcrBirk9XcGeIQnIUEiIszfay1T5oC78efu7dXshNA0M88YX7QZCG9T8VLam-JFec/s1600/ID-100165996.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDR4u1IAt2pm3uaVaXg7dKQ_Bfo1jUldS38Gx_D_1wlRXibw_6BzXjsB6F6ZTZm5T4IS2o1TW4xgcrBirk9XcGeIQnIUEiIszfay1T5oC78efu7dXshNA0M88YX7QZCG9T8VLam-JFec/s640/ID-100165996.jpeg"> </a> </div>Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05789111676227979774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-60181926609746861002013-09-27T12:40:00.000-04:002018-04-22T16:59:59.054-04:00Carrot cake recipe: raw, healthy, and delicious<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlCcnuo9ch09YPZ7BmcuDGeNdPK79GvVQL2-Lgw8Ki2TL95BvCf1xGnfCZ54aXfO-tThomTxtL711Tr156k5dtYuBskpk3O1rkyjNjfQhvl1-2851rn3v4EZlYgkNII4o4m3Z5Q6UDFA/s1600/labellevie-selene-rawcarrotcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlCcnuo9ch09YPZ7BmcuDGeNdPK79GvVQL2-Lgw8Ki2TL95BvCf1xGnfCZ54aXfO-tThomTxtL711Tr156k5dtYuBskpk3O1rkyjNjfQhvl1-2851rn3v4EZlYgkNII4o4m3Z5Q6UDFA/s1600/labellevie-selene-rawcarrotcake.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ok, confession time...I totally hated carrot cake as a kid. In all fairness though, I never really gave it a chance. Well, accidental chances that obviously led to disappointment due to expectations that could never be met. What do I mean by that? Let me paint a picture for you...<br />As a kid, you see the dessert offerings in the restaurants. ONE of the cakes has icing and a pretty candy carrot on it. So, naturally you assume that this cake will pack the most sugary flavour of them all! You get it, you taste it, you think what the...!??!?<br /><br />Flash forward a couple of decades and that early non-attachment to carrot cake is still alive and kicking! My friend, Shannon, kept mentioning a carrot cake that she swore by. But I just couldn't shake that deep-living memory and kept right on hating the carrot cake without ever trying it again.<br /><br />And then I went to Ecuador and moved to a house on a mountain. And, I'm not even sure what brought it about, but one day I was astoundingly lucky and likewise astonished to find dried figs and nuts in Loja and all I could think was that I needed to attempt a raw carrot cake. <br /><br />So I threw some ingredients together, and bam! One gluten-free carrot cake that happened to also be raw, vegan, unnaturally delicious, and incredibly healthy. I was a convert! I even brought my carrot cake show in the form of superfood truffles and cooking classes to Peru to the great delight of many an expat and traveller audience. In truth, I am pretty sure I have at least one friendship from Cusco based entirely on this carrot cake.<br /><br />Interested in knowing just how unbelievably good this recipe is for your health? Read all about carrots in my ebook, Everyday Superfoods, which you can <a href="http://eepurl.com/Eku79">download for free</a>!<br /><br />And now for the recipe that will shock your mother, win the heart of your life-long crush, and make you friends all over the world...<br />1 c almonds<br />1 medium carrot, chopped<br />1/2 c dates, pitted or dried figs<br />2 tsp cinnamon<br />1 tsp nutmeg<br /><br />Put the almonds into your food processor and pulse until they’re in super small pieces. Be careful not to let it run too long or it will turn into almond butter.<br /><br />Add the cinnamon and nutmeg and pulse a couple of times to mix well.<br /><br />Add the dates or figs (or a combo of the two!) and process until they are broken down and well blended with the nuts.<br /><br />Add the chopped carrot and process until it is broken down and well mixed.<br /><br />Put your dough into a pie dish or a pan and press it down. Let it chill in the fridge for an hour to set. <br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br />xo<br />Selene<br /><br />Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5075245511991367837.post-12813380859136762782013-09-25T19:55:00.000-04:002018-04-22T16:59:53.002-04:00Brazil nuts as a superfood<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> 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table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qinnUvnToSX232ITe_UzQIpIP57kOketCkT-haiB8GbmhX0czoRtbGa7doNtfSS5QjSIW3sfihuaQF36EptoSN8XXIlW9z9-FYofCs3E8CbKRBDEovdt4nO-W0xiMAASMUPdbM1VsFo/s1600/Brazil-Nuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qinnUvnToSX232ITe_UzQIpIP57kOketCkT-haiB8GbmhX0czoRtbGa7doNtfSS5QjSIW3sfihuaQF36EptoSN8XXIlW9z9-FYofCs3E8CbKRBDEovdt4nO-W0xiMAASMUPdbM1VsFo/s1600/Brazil-Nuts.jpg" height="210" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">How are Brazil nuts a superfood? They are the richest source of selenium. Studies have shown that 1-2 nuts a day are enough to raise your levels of selenium and powerful antioxidant glutathione peroxidase.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Enjoy more brazil nuts in your life by making them into a dairy-free milk, chopping them up and tossing them into your salad, or using them in raw truffles and cakes. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Download my free ebook, <a href="http://eepurl.com/Eku79">Everyday Superfoods</a>, for more information on the many superpowers of Brazil nuts and a how to guide for making Brazil nut milk.</div>Selenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03808896418178649272noreply@blogger.com0