WILL YOU COME OVER FOR TEA?

This Christmas I got a beautiful gift from my father and mother in-law. So permit me to brag about this wonderful woman (my mother in-law) for a second. I feel blessed that we are so close and that she knows what I like. She is one of the sweetest people I know, so soft spoken (like me) and loves, loves pink. Anyway, she and Nina had been holding on to this surprise for a while but nothing prepared me for the uniqueness of this gift and yes, it's all organic too: (and oh, the pretty pink antique tea set is a gift from her as well)

THIS TEA BLOOMS!

Flowering teas is what they are, different flowers, different colors, awww, too cute,  it starts off as a very small bud and then slowly expands to almost fill the glass jar, how cool is that? The perk of having a mother in-law who loves you and knows what you like :)

My beautiful tea set all so PINK!

Just had to drop a cinnamon stick in there!

BEAUTIFUL

I feel like a princess every time I drink from this set

My little Ninashka, modeling the tea set and tea for mommy :)

Well, thanks for joining me for tea today. Hope we do this again soon.  Here are a few smoothies we've been enjoying for breakfast.

I made some ALMOND MILK yesterday

THIS BLENDER WAS ALSO A GIFT FROM my mother in-law, thanks 'Mema'

Freshly made almond milk

Ingredients:

2 cups almonds, soaked overnight and then rinsed
4 -5 cups of water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup dates

Liquefy in a high speed blender and pass through a nut mesh bag or a cheese cloth if you don't have a nut milk bag. Save any left over almond chaff for later to use in pies and biscuits.

BLUEBERRY MOUNTAIN:

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen blueberries
2 bananas
1/2 cup almond milk

BLACKBERRY SMOOTHIE:

Ingredients:

2 cups frozen blackberries
1 cup almond milk
1/2 tsp coconut oil

Here's a photo my daughter took of me while I was working out. It came out blurred. I decided to make use of it and love the outcome.

Till next time, remember to EAT & DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU"LL THANK ME LATER!

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO UNLEASH THE ENERGY WITHIN

Yesterday I had to cook food for everyone else in the house and something different for me. It is pretty amazing how rejuvenated and alive one feels on a raw or mostly raw food diet. I wake up feeling like I can carry the world, ALL THIS ENERGY! what a difference. I am still mourning my food processor but I will live for the next few days until I can get a new one :)

My two angels having fun

My mornings starts the same, exercise (with my 8 year old trainer, if you think I'm joking come and get a session with her). Eventhough my thighs were sore from her 'Froggies' I still managed to push through and we had a blast. I do add my own exercises in between but I let her have the upper hand (she feels like a pro). Our juice was quite delicious....

SWEET-VEGGIE Juice

Ingredients:

4 carrots
1 cup red seedless grapes
1 whole lemon
2 red delicious apples
3 HUGE handfuls of spinach leaves

Juice and enjoy!

I had a head of cauliflower in the fridge and I had always wanted to make a mock rice, so I used this opportunity to do just that.

Not- rice and nut-sauce

Ingredients:

1 head cauliflower, (lightly steamed) you can eat it raw but I wanted to steam mine a little
2 Tbsp green onions, chopped
1 heaping Tbsp almond butter
1Tbsp agave nectar
2 Tbsp water
Juice of half a lemon
dash of black pepper
dash of paprika (optional)
dash of salt (optional)

Directions:

Mix first two ingredients and set aside
Mix the rest of the ingredients in a separate bowl until it makes a smooth paste. Pour Nut sauce over cauliflower and mix. This was surprisingly quite satisfying and delicious and also very filling. I definitely will make it again. Feel free to make different variations of this and experiment with another nut, say cashews?

For Supper I had a huge bowl of spinach salad, love my spinach, can you tell?

Simple Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

3 cups of spinach leaves
1/3 cup of walnuts
A handful of dried cranberries or raisins

Dressing:

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp agave nectar
1 tsp dried mustard
1 garlic clove, minced

Mix all ingredients well in a bowl, pour on salad and toss. Enjoy!

Okay I made this beautiful veggie juice the other day look what I found after I was done juicing...

Is that pretty or what? what lovely colors...I love beets :) This is what it looked like after I was done:

Looks like blood huh? no worries, no vampires any where close

Here is what I made for everyone else..and yes, they all loved it.

Baked salmon on a bed of raspberry vinegretted (if that's a word) white asparagus and some rice. I may share  the recipe one of these days.

Okay, gotta go, have a great day and remember to EAT & DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!

10 QUICK WEIGHT LOSS TIPS FOR 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

I can't believe how fast the past year went by. I hope you are proud of all you accomplished when you look back, if not don't give up, as long as you believe, are ready to work at it, you will be successful. Here are a few weight loss tips to aid you this year:

1. DRINK MORE WATER: 

-It makes you fuller faster

-Increases your metabolic rate

-Helps flush out toxins from your body

2. LIGHT BREAKFAST:

- Fruits and vegetable juices are great for breakfast, takes very little time to digest but keeps you energized and satiated.

Anti-oxidant galore YUM

3. SAY NO TO SUGAR & REDUCE SALT INTAKE

-Use fruits, dates, organic maple syrup, honey, stevia or agave to sweeten

-If you crave salt, use dulse flakes, braggs amino acids, or dried celery flakes, you can also eat strawberries or mangoes, they have enough sodium to soothe your cravings.
-Himalayan salt is the best quality salt I know and use, unlike regular table salt whose minerals have been bleached out, himalayan salt still has all its elements.

Raw vegan apple pie

4. AVOID DAIRY PRODUCTS (if you must then buy organic)

-Collard greens, broccoli, almonds are all great sources of calcium

-Have big salads with your meals
-http://www.notmilk.com/
-Get the facts on MILK...click here!

Veggie casserole

5. DETOX

-Excess weight is caused by excessive waste in the body and calories the body can't use

-Do a juice fast or the FYR 21-Day detox (ebooks available at top right hand corner of this site)

FYR 'Fire'

6. EXERCISE before you eat breakfast:

-Forces the body to burn fat as opposed to the body burning sugars from what you just ate

Doing jumping jacks with resistance bands

7. AVOID ALL 'WHITE' FOODS and foods that contain them

- White sugar, rice, breads etc

-Substitute that side of potato or rice with some steamed or raw vegetables instead

8. TRY NOT TO EAT AFTER 8PM OR EAT AT LEAST 3-4 HOURS BEFORE YOU GO TO BED

-Teas or water is fine

9. EAT AS MUCH RAW FOODS AS POSSIBLE

-One of the quickest and safest ways to lose weight is to eat more raw foods.

-You could do raw until dinner and then have some cooked food

-Raw-vegan foods include fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts

-Raw food contains live enzymes which are denatured by heat when we cook food

-Live enzymes help cleanse the body and get rid of waste

-Eating 70-80% raw will yield tons of benefits to your health, you only need to try it for a few days to know what I mean

Delicious spinach and banana smoothie

10. KEEP YOUR STRESS DOWN

-Please refer to my blog entry titled 'Stress, the silent killer'

-Most people respond to stress by overeating

LOOKING FORWARD TO READING MORE SUCCESS STORIES THIS YEAR.

EAT & DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!

VEGAN OATMEAL-CHOCOLATE COOKIES

 I have been gone for a while I know, but I needed that time. It is not easy to be a stay-at-home mom who home schools her 8 year old, has a super-active 1year old and has BIG DREAMS and projects she is fired-up about---to name a few. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I have been/and I'm EXHAUSTED...but hey who's complaining? I am superwoman right?

I have decided to RE-BOOT my system with lots of green juices and smoothies. Anyway, anyone who would like to join is welcomed to send me an email to bernice4fyr@gmail.com

I came up with this wonderful recipe the other day and I would like to share it with you:

VEGAN OATMEAL-CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Ingredients:

2 cups old fashion oatmeal
1 cup sugar
A pinch of salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp dried coconut shreds (Optional)
3 Tbsp coconut oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp Energy egg replacer + 2Tbsp water (equivalent to 1 egg)
3 Tbsp 100% pure chocolate powder

1/3 cup water + 3 Tbsp water

Directions:
Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside
Add water, vanilla extract to mixture of Energy egg replacer, set aside

Now add all wet and dry ingredients together and mix well
Lastly add the coconut oil and mix till mixture becomes sticky

Lightly grease baking pan with non-stick olive oil spray or with some coconut oil
Place spoon-size cookie mixture on baking dish making sure they are several inches apart

Put cookies in oven for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees

When it's done, let cool down for about 10 minutes and then serve with a glass of almond milk :)

My oatmeal chocolate cookies

Up close and in your face...not quite in your mouth though hahaha

Enjoy!







DRINK AND EAT TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!

FATIGUE

I bet you fatigue is a word most of us are very familiar with. Everyday is a 'run' and we are beat by the time we get home. But somehow even a good night's sleep can't seem to remedy it. Aren't we supposed to feel rested after we sleep? yes we are, but sometimes there is a kind of fatigue that feels everlasting--chronic fatigue. Do you know what I am talking about? I have been there in the past and I tell you recently I haven't missed feeling that way, want to know why? My remedy is simple: Detox. Other reasons why you may be feeling this way are;
Low blood pressure
Viral infection
Thyroid disorder
Low blood sugar
Anemia

I realized that whenever I did a detox I got an energy surge. The FYR program has a 21-day detox (complete with recipes in both ebooks on sale on this site) that you can follow if you choose to do it our way. The very least you can do is try to incorporate some of the recipes into your diet a little at a time. And if you 'fall off the wagon'? well then just start again.

Here is one of my favorite green smoothie recipes (Always do organic if you can)

NINA'S GREEN GOOD MORNING


1.5 ripe medium bananas
1 ripe mango
1.5 cups of soy milk or almond milk (vanilla flavored)
1 Tbsp of coconut oil (optional)
1 handful baby spinach

Blend till smooth and enjoy.

I especially love spinach so I eat it in every form possible. Spinach is very nutrient-dense and eating it in its raw(uncooked) form is the best way to get all the benefits you need since heat destroys enzymes. It is very low in calories yet very high in vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients: vitamin K, vitamin A, magnesium, folate, manganese, iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B2, potassium, and vitamin B6. It’s a very good source of protein, phosphorus, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, niacin, dietary fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. It is also packed with flavonoids which are antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Spinach is my favorite source of iron. Iron is a component of hemoglobin which carries oxygen to all parts of the body. I hope this encourages you to add more spinach to your diet and even better add it to your green smoothies in the morning. 

Don't forget to exercise.


EAT & DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!

PUT YOUR GENIUS MINDS TO WORK!

RTD(ideal) ± 2(Rx)/week +Qdx = FYR

Yes, FYR has a mathematical formula, the only one you'll see in the program. We do not count calories, no need to, or keep points...WE EAT and enjoy every bite hmmmmmmmm. This came to me a few days ago when I was thinking about the questions people ask me. They always want me to explain FYR in one short sentence and GOD being my abundant source poured this idea into me, isn't HE AMAZING?

So I am calling on your genius minds to decode this and send your answers to bernice4fyr@gmail.com. But first you'll have to  get your eBook in order to learn about the program and put your brain to work on deciphering the formula! The winner gets the next dessert recipe hard cover book absolutely free and gets to feature in the book: photo & bio. Are you UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

Here are a few hint words to aid you: raw, vegan, detox, relax, fire once you buy your eBook, I will give you one last important hint word. Good Luck!

Did you know we now have a facebook FYR page? If you haven't been there, then you're missing the hottest new

 spot on facebook. It is FUN-PASSION-FIRE-DETERMINATION & INSPIRATION!

Here's our page link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Forever-Young-Revolution/204244652938442

FYR Revolutionists are 'BURNING' ... okay, I have been cooking and baking up a storm, FEAST FOR YOUR EYES...

Created by our amazing chef, 7 year old Nina Lakota

Vegan Oat-banana biscuits with a dollop of vegan cream cheese

Vegan YUMSY peanut butter-chocolate pie: this has only 3 Tbsp of peanut butter  and the rest? ah, you'll just have to wait for the dessert cookbok

Created by Ms. Nina Lakota, her delicious, ultra-nutritious breakfast

Nina's mixed fruit smoothie

Don't forget to exercise!

TWIST & SHOUT

Cool down Stretch

EAT AND DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!

I HAVE ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST because I CAN!

I AM YOUR GENIE, YOU CALLED AND HERE I  COME TO SATISFY YOUR SWEET TOOTH

How about a RAW-VEGAN YUMMY ICE CREAM?

Ingredients  for raw-vegan ice cream:
2 ripe bananas, sliced and frozen overnight
1 tsp coconut oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 Tbsp water or coconut water (to add as needed)

Blend till smooth and store in freezer(if you prefer a firmer ice cream rather than soft serve) for about 15 minutes

Ingredients for Strawberry Syrup:

5 ripe strawberries
1/2 tsp coconut oil
2 cubes of ripe mango
1 Tbsp agave nectar

Blend all together until smooth and drizzle over ice cream, you may also add nuts and berries over ice cream. For this recipe I added pineapple chunks, a sprinkle of pecan flour and crushed walnuts. YES AND YOU CAN EAT ALL YOU WANT!!!

This is so delicious that your little ones will love it, how about that? we will be bringing you more raw-vegan recipes and more desserts for those of you with a sweet tooth like me xoxoxoxo ENJOY!

Softer version of ice cream with strawberry syrup YUM-ME!

Click on this text to view our new facebook page: 

Firmer Ice cream: CAN YOU TASTE IT?

Our Amazing chef, Nina Lakota, Official Face of FYR, getting ready to make her very first raw-vegan ice cream

Thank you very much Ms. Nina. Please let us know how you liked it when you make it for you and your loved ones.



EAT AND DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!

HAPPINESS IS FROM WITHIN...: This is why I am happy, This is my story, this is ...

I just had to share this powerful testimony about Jenny on the FYR program. She is also a contender in the FYR 90-day superstar challenge. Read and be inspired....

HAPPINESS IS FROM WITHIN...: This is why I am happy, This is my story, this is ...: "This is my story, this is my joy...Now the fact is, I never really talked about my struggles with my weight because I felt that’s personal a..."

THE SILENT KILLER

I remember many years ago when I used to be a worry-wart. I worried about every little thing and then worried that I worried so much. Needless to say back then life didn't get any better, nothing changed because I worried about it, I just grew older and my crankiness and mood swings probably drove those who were close to me crazy.

Early this morning I heard from a friend whose uncle had passed out from being too stressed all the time and also a young woman, 36, who recently died because of stress. Several years ago a 23 year old girl had a stroke that left her left side paralyzed...too many stories to list and all from the same culprit: STRESS. Yes we live in a demanding society where we always feel like we're being pulled from every direction, yes there are bills to pay and kids to feed, such is life! Being stressed over a long period of time sets your body on a continuous fight-or-flight mode, can you imagine always being on your toes or walking on egg shells? that's what happens when you let stress drive your life.

According to the America Medical Association, stress is far more dangerous in causing cancer and heart disease than smoking and high cholesterol, shocking isn't it? Stress is the cause of 60% of all illnesses and diseases. These statistics are a wake up call for us all. There is no use in fretting over something we can't change at the moment, I have learned that now. Did you know that almost all medications are prescribed for stress related diseases? Imagine what would happen if we were all able to control our stress levels or eliminate it from our lives completely. Stress weakens the immune system and leaves you open and at risk to different kinds of ailments.

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS:

Irritability, headaches, feeling burnt out, anger, restlessness, heart palpitations, anxiety, sweaty palms, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, depression and so many more.

HOW TO REDUCE YOUR STRESS:

Unlike some unhealthy ways to deal with stress like smoking, drinking, overeating, overworking, sleeping too much, aggressive behaviors etc, there are many more healthy ways to cope, manage and rid yourself of stress.

1. Be assertive: Learn to say 'no'--something which was very hard for me to do because  I used to be afraid of hurting people's feelings but today I have learned to put myself first. You can't please everyone.

2. Stay away from people and situations that stress you out: Sometimes it is better to let go, you may have known someone for many years and feel a certain degree of loyalty in keeping them around, but there comes a point where you have to draw the line.

3. Manage your time better: Make a to-do list and learn how to look at the big picture, break it down into little parts and set realistic goals for yourself. Avoiding to do this may cause you to feel overwhelmed.

4. Forgiveness: My definition of forgiveness is this: "Forgiveness is allowing oneself to be set free, doesn't mean you are weak or that you will erase all memories of it, it is letting go to open up more room for love."

5. Meditate: Set aside quiet time for yourself. Do nothing. Master the art of doing nothing...silence...ssSSH

Ms. Delores Taku

6. Relax: It is very hard for some people to relax but it is a very necessary ingredient in managing stress. Here are few ways to relax; go for a walk, listen to music, take a long bath, drink some tea, read a good book, watch a romantic movie, watch a comedy, talk to a friend (not the ones who stress you out) have a healthy snack--adopt a healthy lifestyle and diet, try FYR :) -- and my favorite one; exercise, exercise. I always feel GREAT after exercising.

Stop Worrying: IF YOU CAN"T CHANGE IT TODAY, DON"T SWEAT IT!

Drink and eat to your health, you'll thank me later!

32 Years Young and Hopefully Growing Younger

Last weekend I celebrated my 32nd birthday, my actual birthday was march 1st but my aunt, Monica, organized one for me and my cousin, Dora. Should I just warn you that I was spoiled rotten? Well, there, you have been warned...I will let the pictures speak for themselves...

A choconana-appricot cake I made for Dora, YUMMY

Aunty Monica, our gracious hostess

Dora and aunty Monica

The buffet table

Ms. Sharon Arrey and I

Me in my little black dress I got from Dora

Ice cream cake

Me and baby Ricky( in the background)

The other birthday girl, Dora

My  6 month old Chubb-chub and I

Ricky and aunty Flo

Ricky and aunty Flo

My Nina, me, Tresor and Dora

Cutting the cake

Okay, so you see it was a big deal. Had so much fun. I can't thank aunty Monica, Dora, Adel and David enough. I did try a little bit of  almost everything. I was very conscious of what went into my mouth though. I had more vegetables than anyone else I think. It was well worth it as it acted as a great laxative for me the next day (sorry, but just had to add that). When I got up the morning after and felt flu-ish, I knew exactly why: it was the ice cream cake! My body knows exactly what it wants; dairy and I don't get along too well. So for the next three days I did a little cleanse, carrot juice fast, and I was back to myself again.

The reason I brought that up is to point out that if you treat your body well, it will actually 'talk' back to you and let you know if it agrees with the things you eat or not. I absolutely love the FYR lifestyle and I hope you decide to join the ride. Several people are taking the FYR 90-Day Superstar Challenge and I can't wait to start getting the success stories. In April, I have a handful of people starting as well, so if you have been waiting here's your chance. Summer is still several months away for all those who want to join the swimsuit challenge.

In the coming weeks FYR will be announcing its first Male Spokesperson. I hope you follow us (click on 'follow') to stay updated. On our next post we'll be talking about sources of Iron and eating red meat won't be one of them. 

I will leave you with a great little recipe to help boost your immune system and help fight against cancer. The secret is an ingredient called lycopene found in tomatoes which helps to prevent blood lymphocytes from  damage. I love tomatoes, especially raw, you can eat it in your salads or juice them, you can also add it to your smoothies. Fresh organic tomatoes are ideal. So if you're one of those people who won't try anything new, just think of the benefits of this great drink. I hope that's enough for you to try it...love yourself a little differently, it might as well begin with a glass of tomato juice.

Tomato Juice

Ingredients:

2 big ripe tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 tsp cayenne pepper ( I love cayenne, the more the better)
1 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp agave nectar (optional)

Method:

Juice the celery and tomato in a juicer. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir. YUMMY-DELICIOUSO-Tritious :)

EAT AND DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU"LL THANK ME LATER!