Slendarella

SLENDARELLA Rides again.....

2011-11-09T12:15:00.002-06:00

So long since I posted here! Well, I'm going to try and get going again. Here's the scoop....

I've been only about 25% raw over the last several months. And, although I try to eat well, the move to a new house brought new challenges. We have a pool now - which is AWESOME!!! But, it sure makes you hungry...and thus, I've eaten junk most of the summer with my family. Pizza, mostly!

Still, an annual visit to my doctor brought incredible news!!! I'm 13 (THIRTEEN!!!) pounds lighter! My guess is all the swimming and also, this house is two stories, so I've had a lot of incidental stair work!

Yippee!

My doctor was thrilled. But, she wants me to continue the trend and get down to where I should be. I'm facing a 50th (FIFTY!!!!) birthday this month and can't face myself in the mirror. So, I accepted her offer to try and boost my metabolism with some Phentermine. It's a known, safe weight loss pill - prescribed by doctors for well over 30 years. This is not Fen-Phen...this is the SAFE part of that drug, the Phen part. Read about Fenfluramine part, the part that was causing pulmonary hypertension HERE. I'm only taking half the pill, per my doctor's instructions, so I'll avoid any funny, loopy feelings.

Meanwhile, I'm eating healthy, raw and non-raw...however, vegetarian. Well, except for occasional fish, but other than that, vegetarian eating.

Today I took the first half of the pill - feeling fine, energetic. We'll see what the scale says at the end of the week!

I'll put up what I'm eating daily too.

Peace & Green Eating, Slendie

Raw Food Gadgets

2011-03-10T15:08:00.002-06:00

I'm still here, just so busy it's been crazy! Check out the new site where I review my favorite Best Raw Food Gadgets!

Slendarella will be back!

RAW FOOD GADGETS!

Peace & Green Eating!

Zumba!!!

2010-10-08T11:44:00.002-05:00

I've been using ZUMBA for my workouts and simply LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!

And, at last, starting to lose some weight! 4.4 lbs last week, 0.4 lbs this week! Check out video (right) ---> Slendie Zumba 2 --->

Back....No REALLY!!!

2010-09-02T11:16:00.003-05:00

Hey all! SO SO SORRY for my absence. Very busy, plus had to deal with some health issues - THYROID!!!

Anyway, I'm back and I'm starting from scratch! AND, I started a YOUTUBE channel to record my progress. Just put the first one up - had trouble getting it right, and volume seems low....but, well there ya' go! Give it a watch!

And, you can subscribe to my channel - Slendie - too and I'll accept you as a friend there. OR you can watch the videos to the right! THANKS MUCH - LOVE YOU ALL!
Peace & Green Eating! Slendie

SLENDIE CHANNEL ON YOU TUBE HERE

BIG CHANGES at SLENDARELLA!!!

2010-03-29T09:54:00.002-05:00

There are big...no huge...no, GIGANTIC CHANGES coming to Slendarella!

Sorry I've been away for a while - but I've been dealing with some health...weirdness. Discovering some new information has caused me to dig deep and research more thoroughly what is causing my health...um...weirdness.

SO - over the next few weeks, not only am I returning with some great raw recipes and GREEN SMOOTHIES...but there will now be TONS TONS TONS of new info on things in our foods, environment & bodies that cause issues....I mean...health weirdness. (I don't want to refer to it too much as 'issues' because I'm willing, wishing and thinking my way back to health!

You will not BELIEVE the things I've found out over the last few weeks and the changes I'm making. BUT, with so much info to disseminate, we will take it a step at at time.

So - check back OFTEN....more OFTEN than ever for updates, news and, of course, raw recipes!

Peace & Green Eating! Slendie
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Almond & Cocoa Macaroons!

2010-02-10T12:42:00.008-06:00

Toasty, warm & sweet goodness!

Another fab recipe from
Matthew Kenny's
Everyday Raw.

Coconut Macaroons!

I divided the batter and added fresh cocoa to the second half to make Cocoa Macaroons too.

OH-the-yum-yum-yumminess of these little treats! My son LOVES them and my husband was very suprised. He said, "That tastes like a macaroon should taste.

Here's what they looked like just before going into the hydrator.

I scooped them with a teaspoon, rather than a tablespoon. I wanted them to be bite sized. This, of course, also cut down on the drying time 2 days to one day. DELISH!

Peace & Green Eating! Slendie

Grapefruit Ginger Fizzy

2010-02-07T19:32:00.014-06:00

Refreshing Goodness in a Tall Glass...

Grapefruit, Apple, Fresh Ginger

& a squeeze of Lime!

Turn this.....

...into this!

Not only refreshing and delicious - but a great way to help your body turn alkaline. An ACIDIC body allows for DISease....an ALKALINE body is a healthy body!

AND...you'll be surprised at the great ENERGY you get from this glass 'o health!

Peace & Green Eating! Slendie

Raw Mango Veggie Wraps & Raw Jicama Salad

2010-02-03T21:46:00.005-06:00

For Christmas I got an EXCALIBUR dehydrator! And a few new RAW food (un)Cookbooks! So I used the dehydrator today for the first time and it was SO EASY!!!

See the ORANGE paper-like wrap above? Well, that's not paper, my raw friend, it's MANGO CILANTRO wraps made by ME! I got the recipe out of EVERYDAY RAW by Matthew Kenny. It was so easy and so delish!

I also made another one of his recipes - Raw Potato Salad (it's really Jicama Salad though....but tastes so similar to a really good potato salad that it truly hits the spot).

The boys gobbled it up, had seconds and left the table full and satisfied. VERY yummy!

I would highly recommend this book - at least so far everything from it has been fantastic!

Peace & Green Eating!
Slendie
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Kidnapped by Cake!

2010-01-16T20:26:00.004-06:00

I spent most of the holidays resisting the sugar! It wasn't hard at all, mostly because I don't like the way I feel after eating too much sugar. But, here comes the New Year, all crisp and clean, filled with fantastic possibilities....and a few weeks in and I find myself suddenly kidnapped by CAKE!

Delicious CAKE! Sweet, sugary CAKE!! Fabulous, yummy, oh-so-good, homemade CAKE!!! (Well, the cake was a mix, but I made buttercream frosting from scratch!)

Oh me! I have been kidnapped by CAKE and have suffered a terrible case of the sugar shakes - kept me awake most of last night!

So, on Monday....it's back to as much RAW NUTRITION as I can stand! I'm ready for it! I'm primed! The big green bowl is FULL of raw fruits! The fridge is full of raw veggies. The blender is gleaming on the counter....

They patiently await my return to their wholesome goodness!

Peace & Green Eating! Slendie
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Pomegranates Please!

2009-12-21T15:47:00.009-06:00

I've been doing pretty well lately....trying to get in my Green Smoothie each day along with eating a few bananas, pears or whatever fruit is on hand on a daily basis. Today, I made a beautiful Pomegranate & Blueberry Toss!

Ooooo, so juicy and delish!

Wanted to share with you all a neat way to get those pomegranate seeds out free and easy. So simple, you'll want to run out and purchase these juicy delights!

You will need........a bowl.......and some water.......and.....that's it! Nothing more! Except the ripe, red pomegranate, of course! So, you cut your pomegranate in half, then in quarters. Hold each quarter under the water and run your fingers gently through the curvy channels of the fruit. Gently break apart and release the seeds. When you're done, the seeds are on the bottom and the white pith sections are floating on top! Scoop out the white pith and drain the lovely, red seeds!

I mixed mine with some frozen blueberries for a delicious Pomegranate & Blueberry Toss! YUM!

Peace & Green Eating! Slendie!

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Junk Food Madness!!!

2009-11-30T15:12:00.003-06:00

It has been rough....rougher than rough! My schedule is so busy that not only have my beloved daily GREEN SMOOTHIES gone out the window - but I've been reduced to occasional JUNK FOOD!

NOT NUTRITIOUS! (Danger, Will Robinson!)

And, let's be honest here, it's caused an array of problems. Bad sleep, feeling sluggish, bad moods, mood swings, and...and....

WEIGHT GAIN! *bloat*

I already was trying to lose weight - but NOW I have even more to lose! And, HELLO!, right smack in the middle of the Holiday Season. A time of year that is chock full and brimming with....*droool*.....things that I'd be better off not listing in detail....and yet, I can only think of Pecan Pie, Stuffing, Christmas Cookies, Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows and....STOP!

GACK! WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO?????

*deep cleansing breath* Begin again. Yes, I will begin again.

For the last four days I indulged in a giant 48 oz green smoothie! (You thought I was going to say a giant pecan pie, didn't you? It's okay, I understand your suspicions.) This morning was a fresh organic bosc pear, organic fuji apple, deep, green, curly kale! Plenty of YUM & NUTRITION in that!

So - I will get back on the wagon....the Raw Food Wagon, that is. I am not a 100% Raw Foodist, but was up to 80% at one time. I am, however, a 100% Vegetarian. I know no other way to get the full on nutrition that I need while feeling full, healthy and hopeful.

QUESTION: HAVE YOU FALLEN OFF YOUR DIET, AND WHAT GOT YOU GOING AGAIN?

So, here we go again.....Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men & Women!

Peace & Green Eating! Slendie
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Earth to Slendarella, Come In Slendarella!

2009-10-31T23:35:00.003-05:00

Well, I'm sorry to say my overloaded schedule has kept me away. I'd intended to get back before...and didn't quite make it.

It's time to get serious! Again....

I'll be back on Tuesday with a brutally honest update on my Raw Food journey, the slips, slides and tumbles down the hill! Time to get serious, honest and back on track!

See ya' Tuesday (no really - really really)!

Peace & Green Eating!

Slendie
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Sheepishly Hiding in the Wings....

2009-09-30T11:59:00.003-05:00

Yes, I've been sheepishly hiding, standing in the wings shuffling my feet in embarishment because I've been away for so long. I will be blogging here again soon!

HOW SOON?

Very.

LIKE....WHEN?

Like tomorrow, Thursday.....so, please forgive my absence and check back tomorrow!

Peace & Green Eating, Slendie
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Spinach Banana Smoothie!

2009-08-17T23:38:00.007-05:00

Long, Crazy, Busy Summer....has kept me away....but I will be back soon with all my RAW food experiments & photos! for now - take a gander at this scrumptious SPINACH & BANANA SMOOTHIE! So easy, so yummy, so nutricious! Couple of large handfuls of Baby Spinach, a Banana or two and water - blend and soak your cells in this fabulous tall drink of GREEN!

Stay tuned in, turned on and tapped in...

Peace & Green Eating! Slendie

Cantaloupe, Mango, Carrot Smoothie!

2009-06-30T18:28:00.006-05:00

So fresh, cool and summer ripe! One of SuperKid's favorite smoothies to date!

Cut one cantaloupe in half and scoop out the seeds and pulp. Place seeds/pulp in a blender with a cup of water and blend. The water will turn creamy white. Stain out any seed pieces and put strained cantaloupe water back into the blender. Add two organic carrots and 1-1 1/2 cups of Mango (fresh or frozen) to the blender. Scoop out half the cantaloupe meat and add in. Blend into a creamy, dreamy fruit slush!

Be sure to let the blender go until it's smooth & creamy!

Peace & Green Eating! Slendie

Got a comment - please share it below, thanks!

Frapple Napple!

2009-06-04T15:41:00.006-05:00

My 11 year old son, SuperKid, made up this recipe in his head while in the grocery store! So, in the spirit of encouraging RAW & HEALTHY habits, we purchased everything on the spot, went home and whipped it up! It's DELICOUS! He named it the FRAPPLE NAPPLE!

Recipe:
24oz of Fresh Water
1/2 cup frozen STRAWBERRIES
1/2 cup frozen BLUEBERRIES
1/2 cup frozen PINEAPPLE
1 fresh Gala APPLE
1 fresh PEACH

Whir it up and soothe the summer heat! I imagine Coconut Water would be fabulous to sub for the Water, but we didn't have one handy. But, this yummy Vegan smoothie boasted a burst of rich flavor with every sip! Enjoy!

Peace & Green Eating! Slendie
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Blueberry Celery

2009-05-30T10:36:00.006-05:00

Give your tastebuds a treat and try this Blueberry Celery smoothie! It is a surprising combo of Yummy Goodness and Good Yumminess! A flavor burst that will feed your brain and help your body with any water retention.

So easy...

Celery - clean and organic, if possible. Two small to medium stalks
Blueberries - frozen and organic. As many as you like to sweeten the celery
Fresh Water
Agave (optional - to further sweeten if you desire)

Whir it up, drink it up, soak up the nutrients! Celery is a natural diuretic and Blueberries - oh, so good for the brain!

As always, you can sweeten any smoothie to your liking by adding a bit more of whatever fruit you're using. It's a great way to adjust the taste for your tongue. And, of course, there's always agave. This plant-based sweetener will sweeten without raising your glycemic index!

Enjoy - Peace & Green Eating! Slendie

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Raw Chocolate Mousse

2009-05-13T22:09:00.010-05:00

Rich, Thick, Delectable
and oh, so...

Decadent...

This is crazy easy and fabulous enough, delicious enough, incredible enough to serve to dinner guests!!! I tried this recipe from another site, but altered it slightly. Clean up is easy - just rinse the blender! This makes about 4 servings - cut recipe in half for two servings.

Place in a blender:

Avocados - 2 ripe, or nearly ripe
Warm Water - 2 cups, one per avocado (warm, not hot!)
Lime - squeeze]
Cocoa - 1/4 cup (then add depending on your taste buds)
Sugar - start w/ 1/8 cup, then add according to your taste
Agave - Squeeze in to taste (add more of this and less Sugar for a richer, yet healthier option)
Vanilla - 1 tsp. (add according to taste - coconut extract also works, but use less)

Whir it in the blender until smooth and creamy! Indulge! For you non-Vegan's, a dollop of whip cream. DO NOT WORRY - this does NOT NOT NOT taste like avocado! It tastes rich and chocolaty, with an undertone of banana (go figure!).

Hope you try it - it's totally fabulous!!!

STRAWBERRY BREEZE

2009-05-11T08:57:00.008-05:00

More magnificent rawness... STRAWBERRY BREEZE

We've had a friend of my son's staying with us for the last week and I've been experimenting on them with some new Green Smoothie recipes! I love to try out new ideas and flavors to see what combos work and are most tasty - especially to my son and his friends. Here was one of the kid's faves! (Popeye never had it so good!)

Strawberry Breeze

1 to 1 1/2 cup frozen STRAWBERRIES
1 cup frozen MANGO
1/2 cup fresh baby Spinach
1 Celery stick
squeeze of Agave (to taste)
fresh Water

Cover the 1st three ingredients with water and whir it up until smooth. You may need to add a bit more water if it's too thick. Drizzle in a bit of agave, depending on how sweet you want it - can also add a splash of apple juice if you like. Delicious, Pink and Nutritious! This will cool off the hottest summer day!

Peace & Green Eating!

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Raw Ceasar Salad Dressing!

2009-04-21T10:30:00.006-05:00

Raw Caesar Salad Dressing
1/4-1/3 cup raw PUMPKIN SEEDS
2 tbsp. OLIVE OIL
juice of one MEYER LEMON
1 tbsp. AGAVE NECTAR (or Honey)
1/2 tsp. CUMIN
1/2 tsp. SEA SALT (or Himalayan Pink Salt - my fave)

Put every thing in the blender and blend. It will be thick - add a bit of water to get it to your desired consistency. You can also use an immersion blender. Toss with your favorite salad fixings and indulge. This is a very DELISH DISH!

Peace & Green Eating!

Zucchetti - not your average everyday Spaghetti!

2009-04-18T18:54:00.004-05:00

Zucchetti is like Spaghetti... only much better! Zucchetti is ALIVE with flavor and nutrients! My son and husband LOVE LOVE LOVE Zucchetti!

It's an easy and very quick Raw meal!

First - take your organic RAW Zucchini and grate it into lovely, long noodle-like strips. I use the large grating side on my cheese grater & it works great. Pile your 'noodles' up in a dish.

Second - take out your blender. Put in cherry or grape tomatoes (about 2 cups, but you'll have to eyeball it to meet your serving needs). I also used a combination of red and yellow sweet tomatoes this time.

Third - add to the blender, 2 tsp. Olive Oil (extra virgin best, but any will do), and your seasonings. Season to taste. I used a bit of fresh Rosemary and some dried Oregano.

Fourth - whir, whir, whir the blender until your preferred smoothness.

Fifth - pour Tomato 'Sauce' over the Zucchetti!

Add a salad and DINNER IS SERVED! The kids will LOVE this! Bon Apetite!

Peace & Green Eating! Slendie

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Hot Pink Smoothie! (tastes like strawberry kool-aid)

2009-04-17T09:14:00.005-05:00

I posted the recipe late last year - but no pictures. Here's the recipe again along with the hot pink photos of this marvalous tasty drink. My son asks for it often!

Fresh COCONUT WATER (from a young coconut)
Half a BEET (yes, raw!)
One CARROT (yes, yes, raw!)
Frozen STRAWBERRIES (raw, raw, raw!!!)
One DATE
Some VANILLA
A bit of AGAVE, if you desire a bit more sweetness.

Whir, whir, whir in the blender and then BLISS out on this healthy treat!

AVOCADO SOUP!

2009-04-16T09:03:00.014-05:00

It's smooth, creamy, cool & DELICIOUS!

It's also incredibly NUTRI-TIOUS!

SuperKid & Magic Man not only love it, but often ask for it! Now, you may worry that Avocados contain a lot of fat. Yes, they do....but it's good-for-you fat!

There is a HUGE difference between cooked fats and RAW fats. RAW FATS such as Avocados, Coconut, Nuts, Olives and Seeds are critical to a healthy diet because they contain ANTIOXIDANTS. In the RAW, they contain oils that help the heart, lungs, arteries, nervous system, liver, skin, bones & joints....just to name a few. We all want those, right?

Additionally, your body knows exactly how to process and what to do with these excellent RAW fats. So, get over it! Let it go! Eat up and be healthy!

Here's the recipe - it's easy & has a very quick clean up! All you do is rinse the blender - DONE!

Recipe ~
2 Avocados (not overly ripe, just ripe, or just about to be ripe)
2 cups fresh Water
2 tsp. Olive Oil (your choice, if you can find raw olive oil, all the better)
1 fresh Lime (squeezed)
1 med. Garlic Clove (make sure it's fresh!)
2-4 sprigs of flat leaf Italian Parsley
1 med. leaf raw (uncooked) Chard (or Kale)
4 small Spinach leaves
large Pinch fresh Paprika (or Sweet, Smoked Paprika - our FAVE!)
1 tsp. (or to taste) Chipotle powder (adjust to taste)

Place all these RAW delicious ingredients into your blender and liquefy! Pour into cups and garnish with chopped grape tomatoes & sprig of Cilantro or Parsley. You can also put the Chipotle on the table for anyone wanting a bit more kick. (Now, the basic recipe does not have the Chard, Spinach or Parsley - so you can do it without those if you like. But, I figured it was an easy way to add a few more veggies. It's good both ways, but the flavor is brighter and richer with the added greens. Just be light-handed with the added greens, you don't want to change the base flavor of the Avocado!)

We served this to company one night - they were skeptical, but then tasted it, licked their lips and gorged on it! They LOVED it and asked for seconds! It's a lovely before meal soup or appetizer. I also make it for a quick RAW lunch for myself during the week. SuperKid & Magic Man really like to pair it with a sandwich. Of course, you'll want to eat the soup first, as raw foods vacate your tummy in 10-15 minutes...then you can have your next course.

YUM! Hope you try this and LOVE it!

Peace & Green Eating! Slendie

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Oh, The Raw RAPTURE of Gazpacho!

2009-04-10T17:55:00.005-05:00

After SuperKid's yukky stomach virus yesterday, we tried to stay on raw foods today to get him back on an even keel.

He was asking for Gazpacho from Cricket's.....hmmm, I thought....that's certainly RAW! Yea! All those lovely raw veggies that will heal the body - so off to Cricket's we go!

As we sit and eat our soup together, I watch SuperKid roll his eyes and 'hmmm' each mouthful. I realize he's in raw RAPTURE!!!

I am so thankful for all these healing plants that God gave us! They combine perfectly to heal the body. The catch? We have to actually put them in our bodies!

I wish more people would realize the value of raw plant foods. God made these...He gave them to us. They are marvelous and we should all indulge on a daily basis.

A friend at church recently joked, "....it's better than all that weirdo stuff she eats!" I said, "All that weirdo stuff I eat is simply live foods grown by God for us to nourish our bodies with."

She paused....and I could tell she was thinking....really thinking. I hope she comes to a conclusion. I love this woman and she has a brain tumor (non-cancerous, thank God), I dearly want to see her healed!

God can heal. His plants can heal. The decision is up to us. Open wide and heal.....

Amen.

Peace & Green Eating!

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A Blender Full of Healing

2009-04-09T15:53:00.004-05:00

My 11 year old son had to stay home from school today. He's sick with some kind of stomach bug - YUK!

So, between his dashes to the bathroom, I've been filling his little tummy with green smoothies! Since he already loves Green Smoothies and drinks one every day, it's been an easy sell. Also, since they're loaded with the natural juices from the veggies & fruit, not to mention the large amounts of water, he's not dehydrated as he would normally be from something like this.

What's great about these smoothies is, since they're liquid nutrients, they are very EASY to digest. In fact, within 10-20 minutes they've vacated your tummy and are already in your intestines where your body devours the raw nutrients! Plus, since it takes very little effort for your body to digest them, your body can turn its energy to healing.

The first one he had today (pictured above) was made of frozen Mango, Carrot, Swiss Chard, Goji Berries, Parsley & fresh Water.

Peace & Green Eating!

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Anatomy of a Green Smoothie!

2009-04-06T11:59:00.013-05:00

Well, it's been since January that I blogged here - but never fear(!), I have been faithfully drinking my daily Green Smoothie with few exceptions. I will start regularly posting here again.

To start, I wanted to post photos, start to finish, showing the anatomy of a Green Smoothie!

This one contains: Kale, frozen Pineapple, ripe Banana, squeeze of Lime, fresh Water. Blend until SMOOTH! See pics below!

Even Trilby the Wonder Dog LOVES a bit of Green Smoothie!

Happy New Smoothie Year!

2009-01-06T09:02:00.005-06:00

Well, you may think I've gotten lost in the world of sugar plum fairies and fell off the Green Smoothie wagon! I assure you 'tis not true! I've been very busy with a packed Holiday schedule....whew! Glad to be onto the New Year!

I have managed to keep my Green Smoothies a daily habit - no matter what else I indulged in that day. As a NEW YEAR GIFT to you all, I'm listing some of my favorite GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPES below. Blend em' up and ENJOY!!!

Peace & Green Eating! Slendie

Mango Tango (my name for it)
Fresh Water (1.5 to 2 cups, depending on your preference)
Mango - whole, peeled, fresh mango (could use frozen, I guess)
Parsley - couple big handfuls

Blend & Imbibe!

Green & Banana all Over (again, my weird name for it)
Fresh Water
Banana - peeled
Zucchini - unpeeled, 3/4 cup - eyeball it
Cucumber - unpeeled, 3/4 cup - eyeball it
Parsley - Italian flat leaf only, handful
Lime - halved & peeled

Whir, whir, whir & slurp it down!

The Green Banana
Fresh Water
Banana - peeled
Swiss Chard - 2 leaves of rainbow, red or green
Parsley - handful

Green Pineapple (blood cleanser)
Fresh Water
Parsley - huge handful or more, depending on your taste buds
Pineapple - frozen or fresh

Green, Green & More Green
Fresh Water
Parsley
Swiss Chard - big leaf
Zucchini - with peel, 1/3 of it
Cucumber - with peel, 1/3 of it

Greenana
Fresh Water
Banana or two
Spinach - two to three large handfuls of Baby Spinach
Parsley - a small bit

Goji Green
Fresh Water
Banana or Strawberries (handful)
Swish Chard - two leaves
Goji Berries - handful

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Whole-y Goodness, Batman!

2008-11-23T21:56:00.003-06:00

I am having so much fun making my GREEN SMOOTHIES! I feel like my body is on the mend as I'm shedding some weight, sleeping better, enjoying more energy and feel my mood is vastly improved.

I am on Thyroid meds - but it even feels like they're working better than before.

One of the things I'm noticing about the weight I'm losing....it's hard to describe, but I'll try....it seems to be visceral fat. By that, I mean, deep layers under the skin, like back fat along the bra-line area and odd bulges here and there that seemed they would never leave my body, seem to be smoothing out! Love it!

One of my favorite smoothies right now....

Mango, peeled
Parsley, whole bunch
Fresh/filtered Water

Whir it up and drink it down! Holy Goodness, Batman! (or should that be Whole-y Goodness?)

Also...

Parsley, whole bunch
Chard, leaf or two
Pineapple, cup frozen or fresh

Blend and slurp it down!

Another odd thing I notice is the way it's difficult to take the time and savor the flavors. As soon as I put the edge of a glass of green goodness to my lips, my body seems to command that I drink deeply from the glass....draining it almost as quickly as I filled the glass from the blender. It's some sort of deep rooted need to fill the mineral deprived cells of my body. It's a very tribal urge!

Life is good and green right now and I'm looking forward to the journey to a better, healthier body!

For now, Cheers! Peace and Green Eating (or Drinking)!

Slendie
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I'm Going Bananas!

2008-10-19T22:14:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite GREEN SMOOTHIE recipes is:

1 Banana
2 leaves of Swiss Chard
handfull of flat leaf Parsley

Whir, whir, whir in the blender and drink it all down! Delish & Nutricious!

another favorite one:

1 Banana
3/4 cup of Zucchini
3/4 cup of Cucumber
handful of Parsley
half a Lime

Whir, whir, whir......cheers!

They may sound odd, but they are truly DELISH!!!!

Slendie
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Nuts for Young Coconuts !!!

2008-10-08T22:10:00.007-05:00

The dry, brown, hairy coconuts you see at the grocery store are not 'Young Coconuts'. Their outside flesh has been stripped off, leaving the shell with the white coconut meat & water inside, to dry to the hardened furry shell we're used to seeing.

When you buy a Young Coconut - they've been skinned only, leaving the white flesh around the shell. See photos at first link below. The shell is MUCH easier to break into this way since it has not yet hardened. Additionally, they say this 'younger' version of the coconut is considered a Live Food - making it rich in minerals!

Click this link to view & read about Young Coconuts:
http://www.living-foods.com/articles/youngcoconuts.html

I've also drained the coconut water & drank with a squirt of lime - truly delicious, refreshing and an excellent drink full of natural electrolytes.

Click this link to see Green Smoothie Girl demonstrate the Hot Pink Smoothie with a Young Coconut Water base:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRgNVtMU9aw&feature=related

Notice that Green Smoothie Girl opens her Young Coconuts a bit differently - both ways work and it's an easy open!

Cheers, Peace & Green Eating!

Slendie
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Hot Pink Smoothie Bliss Out !!!

2008-10-07T10:08:00.005-05:00

I've been hot, hot, hot for the Green Smoothies that have become part of my daily health ritual. I usually do a couple a day and am seeing wonderful results!

But, this morning, I decided to try something different - a HOT PINK SMOOTHIE!

I found the recipe presented on You Tube by Green Smoothie Girl from http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/ - check her out!

So, it goes like this:

Fresh COCONUT WATER (from a young coconut)
Half a BEET (yes, raw!)
One CARROT (yes, yes, raw!)
Two DATES
Some VANILLA
Frozen STRAWBERRIES (raw, raw, raw!!!)

Whir, whir, whir in the blender and then BLISS out on this healthy treat!

I believe the original recipe also called for CASHEWS - but I'm not fond of cashews and didn't want the extra fat, since I'd like to drop some pounds.

BOY - did that come out HOT PINK! And,it was as yummy as it was hot pink!

Delish!!!! Give it a try! Tomorrow I'll post my favorite GREEN SMOOTHIE recipe.

Sip, sip.........ah......Bliss all over the place!

Slendie
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I Ate the Cake! or The Great Chocolate Cake Debacle!

2008-10-03T11:21:00.005-05:00

It was chocolate! It was rich! It held the promise of reward.....but.....

I didn't want to eat it! I really didn't even feel tempted by it. However, I was at a Bible study at church and it was the birthday of a dear lady....a very dear and much older lady....who said to me, "Dear girl, do have a piece! For I will be perfectly grumpy at you if you don't share in a slice of my birthday cake!"

Then she winked at me.

I think it was the wink that got me. So....I ate the cake. Not all of it, but enough to make her happy and enough to give me a raging sugar headache later in the day!

It's been nearly 4 weeks (3 1/2) since I went vegetarian. Not Vegan, just Vegetarian....so the cake was perfectly acceptable. There was no meat in it. But there was a whole lotta SUGAR!!!

I haven't gone about telling ppl that I've switched to being a Vegetarian. Why? Simple - because people will assume that I'm doing it to lose weight. When ppl think you're on a 'Diet' they generally have no problems in chiding you for whatever you put close to your lips.

"Uh, uh, uh....your diet, remember?"

I simply don't need the pressure!

Anyway, I'm not doing it just to lose weight. I'm doing as part of a life makeover ~ to be healthy and fit and energetic. I want to sparkle and shine with vitality! I want to be healthy enough to enjoy my life! I want to radiate joy! I want to glow!

And if I lose weight (which I do NEED to do) that's a great benefit! The Icing on the Cake, so to speak.

In any case, I keep asking myself why I folded? Why I ate the cake when I didn't want to, when I didn't even feel tempted.....why?

I did three Green Smoothies & munched Goji Berries all day to compensate for the Chocolate Cake Debacle! I still got a sugar headache around 5pm.

Oh me, I am a mystery to myself.

Slendie
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What Made Me Jump Off the Cliff?

2008-10-01T22:55:00.003-05:00

.....and into being a vegetarian?

Because I was sick and tired of feeling and looking sick and tired!

I'm about three weeks into it and it's been easy so far. I guess it's been easy because after a couple of days of Green Smoothies and Raw Veggies - there was a noticeable improvement in the way I felt....in the way I slept....in the way I looked. I have wanted to do this for a year, but put it off. There was always another cupcake, enchilada or pizza!

And it gets better with each day. I'm not fully 'Raw'.....probably about 70% by my guesstimate, the rest is based or steamed Veggies. Here's how the day goes....

First thing in my belly - coconut water w/ a squeeze of lime
Yoga
Green Smoothie - today it was Parsley, Cucumber, Zucchini & a scooped out Lemon
Green Tea
Go about my day
Lunch - munch on whatever raw is in the fridge - today it was carrots, cucumber, goji berries
Early Evening - Green Smoothie of some sort
Dinner - today it was a casserole I made up of Eggplant, Zucchini, Mushrooms, Garlic & Roasted Tomatoes. I baked it all together in a big dish until it bubbled

Oh, and tons of water with lemon or lime squeezed in. YUM!

I eat until I feel full, not stuffed. I do think I'm losing weight - but as I mentioned in a previous post, I'm SCARED of the big, bad scale!

In any case, I'm going to weigh soon and see what improvement is there.

I love feeling this way, I love healing my body and getting healthy. I should have done it long ago. I don't know what was stopping me....well, maybe I do (but that's another blog).

Peace & Green Eating!

Slendie
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What is Going On Around Here?!?

2008-09-30T23:22:00.005-05:00

3 people today told me my skin was glowing! A woman a couple of nights ago asked me what my skin regime was or did I just have great DNA. My husband keeps saying, "you're so beautiful! Your skin is so soft."

WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND HERE???

Oh, must be the Yoga....the Green Smoothies....the raw Veggie eating....the sleeping through the night! My, oh, my! I may have found the secret to the Fountain of Youth!

I am enjoying the Yoga so very much! It is so....centering. That's the only word that comes to mind. And eating all the lovely veggies...I feel like I'm feeding myself LIFE! I'm eating LIFE everyday and it tastes sooooo gooood!

I don't think I mentioned before - but I also gave up all alcohol. Not that I'm a drunk or anything, but I do enjoy a glass of wine now and then. But, I thought in the interest of detoxing, getting healthy and healing my body, I should fore go it for now.

Okay....what's the math? Well, so far I've shunned the scale. Scales SCARE me...at least in the last 8 years they have. But, I know what I weighed at my last OB/GYN appt. last November.....and I know what I weighed when I went to to the doctor's in August for a bad case of laryngitis! But....I'm scared...oh, so scared to tell you all. It's a BIG number....VERY BIG!!! But I know I have to get honest and I can track the math of the situation here on the blog.....SOoooo......

SO....in my next post I'll list my weight from the summer, and I'll go weigh to see what it is now. It's only been about 3 weeks, but I feel less bloated. Maybe I've lost a few little pounds.

I HOPE SO!

So, thanks for stopping by and check back in a day or so......

Peace & Green Eating.....

Slendie
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Staying the Course!

2008-09-24T10:54:00.005-05:00

It's a day by day thing....but I'm actually enjoying it so far. This seems different this time...from the times before. All the times in the last 8 years that I tried to get my healthy self back. Something in my gut tells me I'm on the right track this time and I'm thrilled about that!

So, here's what I've been doing:

Daily Yoga Practice: right after I get my kid off to school, on an empty stomach. I love the time to work on myself in a non-jarring way. All the lovely breathing, stretching, posing, meditating ~ it really does do a body good! I feel elongated, graceful and lovely after each session. My neck feels like it's growing longer and more elegant. My spine feels realigned and flowing. My energy feels up and I can feel radiant! I've been using the Ana Brett Kundalini Yoga DVD's. I'm still new at Yoga - very! - but will share more about the DVD's I'm using in a future post.

Daily Green Smoothies: this morning I had one with Avocado, Parsley, Spinach & Lemon. The Avocado made it smoother and more blended than previous smoothies. It was good, more veggie tasting, but good. I have been drinking one immediately after doing Yoga. For some reason, I feel like my body can really soak up the green goodness after all that deep breathing and stretching.

Eating Vegetarian: I've been meat free for three weeks now! I told my family they can eat meat during the day, but it's not for me anymore. And, I told them that I would be cooking purely vegetarian for dinner. So, for dinner each night, I prepare a lovely vegetarian meal for my family. My husband and son have been very supportive and have eaten and praised each meal. I'm lucky that they pretty much eat whatever I put in front of them.

How am I feeling? Great - so much better than three weeks ago!

How am I sleeping? Fantastic - I had no idea it was possible to sleep through the night! It is, it is!

Peace & Green Living (& eating) to you and yours!

Slendie
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Whew - IKE Sure Blew Me Off Course!

2008-09-23T13:37:00.007-05:00

I live in Houston and IKE blew in and blew me off course!

It's impossible to make daily Green Smoothies when there is no electricity to run the blender!!! In fact, scrounging for food became the daily ritual. With grocery stores and restaurants closed, and food from the fridge piled into a melting cooler if ice....it was difficult to even eat properly! We combined our food with neighbors and friends (who had gas ovens to cook it on - we have electric) and had to eat what we could all cobble together.

It was hard. It was disheartening. I was blown off course.

BUT......NOW I'M BACK!!

With the electricity back on (at least at my house - not all of Houston has it yet), I've been back on the blended Green Smoothie trail! And what a trail I'm blazing!

Feel the heat - feel the sizzle - feel the burn, baby, burn!

slendie ~
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Go Green & Drink It Up!

2008-09-10T12:36:00.006-05:00

A few months ago I saw a show on Oprah with Dr. Oz. Dr. Oz was talking about a green blender drink he makes that has things like parsley, celery, cucumber, spinach & lemon which is a fantastic way to feed your body minerals & vitamins, as well as increase energy. I tried it, I liked it, but it got boring fast.

However, a few days ago I found this fantastic website that promotes Raw Food eating! I love veggies & fruits and had already been incorporating them into my diet over the last two weeks. But this website (which I will include here, once I have persmission to do so), not only promotes eating raw foods - but also something they call GREEN SMOOTHIES. They are holding a Green Smoothie challenge in which they will drink two or more a day and incorporate exercise atleast 3 times per week until November.

Well, I joined up! What's a girl to do? All this wonderful information coming to me - I just gotta jump on board the Green Smoothie challenge!

In a Green Smoothie - you can mix any green veggie! Also, you can mix in a fruit with it. Once I realized there were hundreds of combinations, I realized I wouldn't get bored! Yesterday I had a green grape & cucumber smoothie! YUMMMMMMY! And refreshing! Of course, I laughingly realized after I drank it that those are officially two fruits.....but, at least I've started! Today, I'm mixing zucchini with romaine lettuce, cucumber, celery and a little parsley! Can't wait to feel the green vibes running through my veins!

I feel green! And soon, I hope to be feeling my good old Slendarella self! No, it'll be better than that, I'll be a whole new Slendarella! (*green grins all around*)

signed, Slendie
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Slendarella Dressed in Yella!

2008-09-08T16:30:00.003-05:00

...and Green & Orange & all things healthy to eat!

Well, basically, this is my weight loss journey. Welcome! And please feel free to comment....a lot, a whole lot! I'll take it all, good, bad, advice, disagreement --- but no cursing please. I'd like this to be family friendly!

So, the thing is pretty basic. I used to be skinny. Now I'm not. An undiagnosed thyroid problem has played havoc with my body, my energy, my self-esteem and I could go on and on and on. I've been on thyroid medication now for about 4 years, but my weight has continued upward bound! Yikes! And so, what I now propose to do is to write about my experiences as I try to bring myself back to health! Back to life!

How? Well, here's my plan:
Going Vegetarian (which I've already started on & I'm feeling fairly good)
Eating semi-raw & live foods
No alcohol (for a while anyway, I do love a glass of wine)
Yoga (which I've kinda started - more on that later)
Working out & being more active
Getting better sleep
Documenting my experiences here

I'm a playwright & a working performer, a mom and a wife, and it's hard doing these things - especially the performing - while overweight...I mean pudgy....I mean chubby.....okay, let me get honest and just say it...FAT!

It's time for a change. It's time for a comeuppance! Yes, I had...have thyroid issues. But I will not accept this weight or this way of living. It's time to reveal the new me...peel the onion, break away from the ordinary way of living with 'I wish' and get on with the extraordinary way of living with I DID IT, I AM, I SUCCEEDED, I HAVE RECLAIMED MY STATUS AS A TRUE....

SLENDARELLA!

And...YES, I know it should probably be spelled 'slenderella'....but that wasn't available, so Slendarella it is!

Join me on my journey! Let me know your thoughts, your struggles, your successes and what worked for you or your friend or your friend's friend. You get the picture!

Can I get a big 'GO GIRL' ?!

YEA - WHOOP WHOOP!!!!