Labor of Love: Pomegranate

Every time I split open a pomegranate, I am amazed at the perfect beauty that is concealed within.  The leathery skin with its mild red tones gives way to nature's bling.  Tiny, beautiful jewel like seeds hiding beneath sheets waiting to be discovered, waiting to burst with sweet tart juice.   

They have always had a special place in my heart.  As a child, I remember standing on a chair at my parents sink eating each and every ruby seed in the pomegranate.  It was pure happiness for me.  Well, maybe not pure happiness- there were constant, friendly reminders that the fruit has a wicked stain and I was essentially shackled to the kitchen sink until I finished.  I always finished satisfied, belly swollen with the delicious juice I worked so hard to imbibe, and my fingers stained to prove it. 

When I was living in San Francisco with The Husband, during the months of November, I would eat a pomegranate for dessert nightly.  It was kind of a ritual.  I would slice it open into quarters, and since I was no longer under my folks' watchful eyes, I would grab three old towels and the roll of paper towels and head for the couch.  I was, however, always met with my Husband rolling his eyes as I  gushed for the umteenth time about how it is the perfect fruit and how each seed is like an explosion of sweetness.  I never understood why he just didn't get it.

My home rocks for countless reasons, but one of them is the most luscious pomegranate tree sitting in my backyard.  It is a source of my joy and a reminder of the sweet and sourness that the last year has brought.  During this week, one year ago, I was told I had cancer.  I remember like it was yesterday and many of the emotions are still lingering. 

Last year, I remember looking out at the tree and being able to relate with it.  I saw the weight of pomegranates barring down the branches, and felt a similar sense of heaviness inside of myself.

As the weeks passed, I was pissed I couldn't fully enjoy the fruit that was overflowing from my tree, that I wasn't well enough to pick them with my kiddos, and that I couldn't share the deliciousness with my family.  I was thankful for my Mom and Mother-in-law to each share a special moment with the kids during this time.  I remember watching my mom, who was practically living with us (thankfully!), pick the fruits with E and I remember my mother-in-law splitting them open with the boys and watching the joy in their faces as they gobbled the seeds up.

Last weekend, I was thankful and happy to tackle that tree armed with my kids, a John Deer tractor, a stepladder, and scissors.  E helped spot the fruit and he and X both helped load'em up in the tractor.  We had quite the pile.

   

 

All that was left to do was sit down, enjoy, and start our own rituals.  Although, X and the Husband abstained...this year.  Even baby M had a few seeds!

Why you should dig in?

- They have a very high concentration of antioxidants.  Nearly 3 times the antioxidant levels of any other fruit.

- They can help lower high blood pressure and can help reduce bad cholesterol.

- The fruit is very good at promoting anti-aging properties. Whoo Hoo!

- Phytochemicals in pomegranate seeds and juice can help the body fight against some cancers.  The juice has shown positive results against prostate and breast cancer.  

According to Leo Galland, "The anticancer effects of pomegranate juice are related to its potential ability to induce cancer cells to self-destruct, a process called apoptosis. Laboratory research studies suggest that pomegranate juice may help induce apoptosis of human breast, prostate and colon cancer cells by activating genes and enzymes that regulate apoptosis."

- They are an awesome source of vitamin C, A, fiber, and potassium.

The Pomegranate Bath

The easiest way to clean a pomegranate is to cut it open, put it in a deep bowl of water and split it into quarters.  Then just break and pick away the seeds.  The white pith will rise to the top while the seeds drop to the bottom.  This is so simple and it doesn't stain your hands.

Recipes

Sprinkle seeds in cereal, oatmeal, or salad. 

Add 1 cup of pomegranate to 2 cups of vanilla yogurt and a banana with a dash of apple juice for a delish smoothie.

or serve a rockin' side dish to your Thanksgiving meal...

Barley and Wild Rice Pilaf with Pomegranate Seeds        Adapted From: Eating Well

serves 6, 3/4 cup each | Active Time: 20 min | Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup wild rice, rinsed

1/2 cup pearl barley

3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup pine nuts

1 cup pomegranate seeds (1 large fruit)

2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

goat cheese

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened.  Add wild rice and barley; stir for a few seconds.  Add broth and bring to a simmer.  Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the wild rice and barley are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 45 to 50 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, toast pine nuts in a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until light golden and fragrant, 2-3 minutes.  Transfer to a small bowl to cool.

3. Add pomegranate seeds, lemon zest, parsley and the toasted pine nuts to the pilaf; fluff with a fork.  Sprinkle with goat cheese.  Serve hot.

*You can also add mushrooms or kale to this. 

**You have to try this.  So yummy!!!!

Another use for Pomegranates?  Skin care!

Because of the antioxidant properties in pomegranates, they are amazing on the skin!  They are said to promote the regeneration of cells in the epidermis and dermis.  In some labs, it has even reduced skin tumors caused from skin cancer. 

These are a few of my favorite Pomegranate 100% Pure products:

Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration SPF 20  

I love the Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration from 100% Pure.  It is a light weight, anti-aging facial moisturizer with SPF20 to protect your skin against the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays.  In addition to sun protection, it is concentrated with antioxidants to protect against environmental damage such as pollution, radiation, smoke, smog, car exhaust, etc. 

Click here to order!-Pomegranate Antioxidant SPF 20

 

Pomegranate Body Scrub

I can't say enough about 100% Pures' body scrubs.  They exfoliate and leave your skin literally glowing.  I love to use the scrub and then shave.  You don't even need any shaving cream or soap.  It will make for the smoothest shave.  It deeply nourishes and hydrates for healthy, glowing skin!

Click here to order! -Pomegranate Body Scrub

Pomegranate Nourishing Body Cream

After the body scrub, hydrate your body more with the Pomegranate Nourishing Body Cream but don't eat it!  It smells sweet and delish.  It is concentrated with potent anti-aging antioxidants, vitamins, skin softening fruit oils, and moisturizing cocoa and avocado butters.

Click here to order! -Nourishing Body Cream

 

 100% Pure Pomegranate Lip Butter

With an ultra-moisturizing base of organic avocado and shea and cocoa butters leave lips nourished, silky, soft and delightfully infused with natural fruit and berry pigments.  I keep this in my purse and it gives my lips a nice pomegranate stain.  Love it!

Click here to order! -Lip Butter

Now is a great time to try 100% Pure with alex+von. 

*Until 10pm tonight (11/10/11) we are offering 20% off all scrubs and face scrubs!

* If you purchase over $100 you get Fruit Pigmented Lip Butters 3 piece set ($39 value)!  Makes a great gift idea or split up into stocking stuffers! (while supplies last)

*If you spend over $150 you get 10% off! 

*Free shipping on all order over $50!

Time to stock up for the holidays and treat yourself.

E's drawing of a pomegranate! 

Pomegranate: absolutely appropriate that it is the symbol of life, health, and fertility!             

Meatless Monday- Limit Cancer Risks

How many of you have tried a high protein diet?  How many have tried to eat more protein than carbs in efforts to look hot in a bikini (or board shorts) ?  I got on the high protein band wagon, and I am not going to lie, I saw results. 

But I can't help wonder if my carnivorous ways contributed to my cancer.

I am most definitely not trying to scare you into not eating animals.  I don't want you to feel that if you eat meat you are going to get cancer.  I just want to summarize some of the fascinating readings I have done on this topic.  

In the 60s researchers made a groundbreaking revelation.  They observed the fact that ladies living in North America and Europe commonly got breast cancer, whereas it was a rarity for women living in Japan.  Additionally, the ladies that did get cancer in Japan were much more likely to survive than their American and European counterparts. 

Since then, things started to morph.  Fast food and meat consumption began to be part of the Asian lifestyle.  McD's headed in for the kill and defused worldwide.  As a result, cancer rates rose in Japan.  By the 70's, Japanese ladies who ate meat every day had eight times the risk of getting breast cancer compared to those who continued traditional rice-based diet, according to Neal D.  Barnard. 

Strange coincidence?  T.  Colin Campbell's book, The China Study, touched on this comparison as well.  People who ate the most animal-based foods got the most chronic disease ... People who ate the most plant-based foods were the healthiest and tended to avoid chronic disease.

Now I know this may be too hot to handle.  I would rather not read it because I have been known to eat a dog now and then (a hot dog silly), but this article from the Huffington Post is interesting and touches on the link of hot dogs (and other highly processed meats) and cancer.  According to Neal Barnard,

"The more hot dogs people eat, the higher their risk of colorectal cancer.  And it's not just hot dogs.  Any sort of processed meat--bacon, sausage, ham, deli slices--is in this group.  And here are the numbers: Every 50 grams of processed meat you eat on a daily basis (that's about one hot dog) increases your risk of colorectal cancer by 21 percent.  And just as there is no safe level of smoking, no amount of hot dogs, bacon, sausage, ham or other processed meats comes out clean in scientific studies." 

According to the Cancer Project,

A number of hypotheses have been advanced to explain the connection between meat consumption and cancer risk.  First, meat is devoid of fiber and other nutrients that have a protective effect.  Meat also contains animal protein, saturated fat, and, in some cases, carcinogenic compounds such as heterocyclic amines (HCA) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) formed during the processing or cooking of meat.  HCAs, formed as meat is cooked at high temperatures,  and PAHs, formed during the burning of organic substances, are believed to increase cancer risk.  In addition,  the high fat content of meat and other animal products increases hormone production, thus increasing the risk of hormone-related cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. 

You can read more about the Cancer Project here. 

I could go on and on about similar findings but I don't want to be a complete bore.  Bottom line is that veggies and fruits help reduce the risk of cancer, while meat, animal products, and other fatty foods are frequently found to increase the risk of cancer.

After my diagnosis, I gave up meat and dairy because of these findings.  I felt great.  However, as I increased my workouts and I needed my endurance, I turned back to some animal protein.  I just don't rely on animals for every meal in the day.       

Why not try cutting back on animal proteins that might harm our health and start focusing on foods that help it.  You will  not only be a hero to the animals, but the planet will love you too. 

Recommended Reading:

Crazy Sexy Diet, by Kris Carr

Life Over Cancer, by Keith I. Block, M.D.

Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer

The China Study, by  T. Colin Campbell

Meatless Monday Recipe- Gazpacho

Gazpacho is perfect for a warm summer day.  Since we have a few left before the leaves start turning why not make it one of your MM meals?  I adore it because, basically my son could make it.  Serve it with a hearty slice of multi grain bread and you got yourself a meal.  Winning.

Recipe Curtisey of Simply Recipes

6 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped

1 purple onion, finely chopped

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped

1 sweet red bell pepper seeded, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1-2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4  cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup  olive oil

2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 teaspoons sugar

Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

6 or more drops  of Tabasco sauce to taste

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

4 cups tomato juice

Directions

Combine all ingredients.  Blend slightly, to desired consistency.  Place in non-metal, non-reactive storage container, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to blend.

I made mine in the morning and it tasted pretty amazing for dinner.  Next time, I think I will blend it less though.

You stay classy Meatless Monday!

Meatless Monday+Labor Day=Oxymoron?

Truth:  It is Labor Day and my family will probably not give up meat.  I will.

Dare:  Can you? 

The purpose of Meatless Mondays is to give up meat for just one day a week.  Monday is a perfect day because it helps sets our intentions for the remaining six days and we are more likely to maintain behaviors begun on a Monday throughout the week. It makes one stellar day to make a change for our health and the health of our planet.  But this Monday is not just any other Monday, its Labor Day.  So the rest of my family's Meatless Monday will just have to be Meatless Tuesday this week.

Labor Day is a day set aside to pay tribute to working men and women.  Its also a day for BBQ'in with friends and family, and saying bah-bye to summer.  Instead of automatically reaching for the burgers, dogs, steak, or chicken for your BBQ, try to get creative.  There are so many vegetarian options that are equally yummy and should have a place at your grill.

Environmental Benefits of Saving Animals One Day a Week.

In 2008, the chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, made waves when he said that reducing meat consumption was the most immediate way to take action against global warming.  Back in November of 2006, the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization made public their findings that "the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent -18 percent- than transport."  That means animal agriculture is responsible for more green-house gas emissions each year than all the planes, trains, boats, cars, and trucks on earth!

Henning Steinfeld, Chief of FAO's Livestock Information and Policy Branch went on to say, "Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today's most serious environmental problems. Urgent action is required to remedy the situation.”   Having vegetarian or vegan diet can have a more significant effect on your carbon footprint than switching from a gas-guzzler to a hybrid car.

How eating less meat measures up against other climate-saving actions:

Over a year:

If you eat one less burger a week, it’s like taking your car off the road for 320 miles or line-drying your clothes half the time.

If your four-person family skips meat and cheese one day a week, it’s like taking your car off the road for five weeks – or reducing everyone’s daily showers by 3 minutes.

If your four-person family skips steak once a week, it’s like taking your car off the road for nearly three months.

If everyone in the U.S. ate no meat or cheese just one day a week, it would be like not driving 91 billion miles – or taking 7.6 million cars off the road.

(According to Environmental Working Group)

Need More Reasons:

• World Wildlife Fund estimates that, every year, an area of the world's rain forests larger than the state of New York is destroyed to create grazing land. 
• In Latin America, says the United Nations, some 70% of forests in the Amazon basin have been cut down to raise cows. 
• According to Greenpeace, all the wild animals and trees in more than 2.9 million acres of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil were destroyed in the 2004-2005 crop season to grow feed for chickens and other factory farmed animals. 
• Cattle ranching is now the biggest cause of deforestation in the Amazon.  
• According to the Environmental Working Group, 700 million acres – seven times the size of California – are devoted to animal grazing in the U.S. Grazing animals erode soil, often pollute nearby streams with manure and constantly release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Today, I would love to share an easy peasy veggie option to bring to your Labor Day BBQ.  Vegetarian kabobs!  You might be surprised how popular and delicious they are.  Lets try to give the cows and chicks a little break this Labor Day and dramatically reduce our carbon footprint to boot. 

Veggie Kabobs

Now...get out your pen and paper, listen carefully, these directions are very complicated :)

Grab your favorite vegetables, cut them up, and skewer them.  This takes mad skills and practice. 

This is where it gets extra tricky.  Brush with Italian dressing and let them marinate for 30 minutes. 

Place on grill on medium direct heat.  For about 10-15 minutes.  Watch until they are slightly charred. 

Serve with your favorite compassionate sides (and of course, a glass of vino)!

You will be happy that your meal is saving a life and our planet and trust me, you will feel lighter too!

Tell a friend why they shouldn't have a cow today!

An Awakening: Meatless Monday

  

I have been trying to implement Meatless Mondays for a few months now.  This is a challenge.  Not for me so much, but for The Husband.  The Husband likes to eat his moo-gers rare.  He can live off eating two meals a day and it is almost a guarantee that both of those meals include heart-filled animals.  On Mondays, he pretty much knows he eats solo.  One is the loneliest number...and that is why I am pleading with him to come to the other side. 

Why would I ask you and my meat lovin' Husband to give up animals for one whole day? 

Because I care about your health and our green and blue planet. 

Health:

•  Limit cancer risk
•  Reduce heart disease
•  Fight diabetes
•  Curb obesity
•  Live longer
•  Improve your diet

Environmental:

•  Reduce your carbon footprint
•  Minimize water usage
•  help reduce fossil fuel dependency

And the added benefit of not causing suffering to animals.

I plan to investigate each of these benefits in the Mondays to come and share some recipes along the way.

This, my friends, is just an introduction of what's to come.

Last night, I made a meal out of what was in the lab area of my home (aka kitchen).

Greek Style Quinoa

            

Cook quinoa according to package directions.  Instead of using water, I used vegetable broth for more flavor. 

Preheat oven to 425 and trim asparagus.  Wash and dry organic tomatoes.  Place asparagus and tomatoes on a foiled baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper...then massage.  Place in the oven for about 7 minutes, or until the asparagus is slightly soft and tomatoes begin to split.

  

When the quinoa is finished cooking, fluff with fork and scoop into a bowel.  Cut up asparagus and top with roasted tomatoes.  Drizzle with good balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle with Feta.  

 

Fast, simple, healthy, meatless, and satisfying!

Musketeers, on the other hand, munched on cheese sandwiches grilled in the Panini press.

 Do you see the bite mark on one of the sandwiches?  Not a shark, just the Jaws of X who couldn't wait.

 E and X were pretty pleased with their Meatless Monday grub.

Remy too!

PS. The dawg and I were super excited to get VegNews magazine in the mail today.  He was especially drawn to 19 Hottest Vegan Food Trucks article!  

Hint:  Left over quinoa makes amazing oatmeal the next morning.  Heat up 1/2 cup of quinoa with 1/4 cup almond milk.  Add bananas, walnuts, and drizzle with agave syrup. 

So, what do you think?  Are you in for Meatless Mondays?

On a side note, yes...I know that it is Tuesday and not Monday, but the computer was being a beast last night and I wasn't able to upload pictures.  We talked about our differences and worked it out.  I wish it was that simple with The Husband :)

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia Seeds

I know.  You are probably thinking of that hideous plant (dare I even call it a plant?) from the 90s.  The ones were you sprinkle chia seeds on a head, pet, or of course, Garfield.  Guess what, they added Shrek and Sponge Bob to the mix.  Why not? 

Well, I not exactly talking about those Chia products.  I really don't need anymore plant decor in my house that I can murder.  Instead I am talking about the little seed they use, the Chia Seed.  It is magical.  I mean it can make Shrek grow hair. 

Hey, I have an idea!  Do you think it can help baby M...

Other than its mystical ability to transform clay pottery into plant "hair" growth, it does wonders for your body. 

Chia seeds were known to be part of the Mayan and Aztec diets.  They thought that consuming 1 tablespoon could sustain a person for 24 hours.  It was referred to as the "running food".  Aztec warriors relied on the seeds heavily to sustain them through battle.  I know there are plenty of wellness warriors that are mad about them as well. 

Chia seeds are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids; even more so than its homeboy, flax.  Fatty acids help protect against inflammation and heart disease.  Dr. Oz says that, "they have among the highest antioxidant activity of any whole food–even more than fresh blueberries."  They also have more calcium than a glass of milk.  It is 20% protein and has a ton of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run, the true story of the astoundingly fit and healthy Tarahumara barefoot runners in Mexico, (who take off on 50-100-mile running runs as if they were evening strolls) likened the nutritional value of chia to making a 'smoothie of wild salmon, spinach and human growth hormones.' 

Do you need more reasons to dig the seed?  When part of a regular diet, Chia seeds help:

• cardiovascular health


• muscle energy and endurance


• joint function and mobility


• digestive regularity and detoxification


• maintain healthy blood sugar level **important for me since finding out I am hypoglycemic


• memory and mental clarity


• hormone modulation


• libido function


• improved in skin complexion

If you consume 2 tablespoons of Chia seeds, you are getting the same amount of Omega 3 content as eating 2 slices of salmon, 11 eggs with Omega 3, and 50 glasses of milk with Omega 3. 

Do you need another reason?  Here is a big one!  It helps you lose weight.  For real.  I know from first hand experience.  They kill cravings.  When I make a Chia Fresca I feel full and satisfied for hours.  I praise the high fiber content and nutritional density.  No deprivation, no binges, no guilt, no stress.

You can make your own healthy version of Red Bull with Chia seeds.  Many athletes and endurance runners use this drink.  Warning- it's pretty hardcore.   It's part slimy and bumpy but actually super refreshing and delicious. 

Chia Fresca (Power Drink)

 

8-10 oz of water

1 tablespoon chia seeds

Mix seeds and water thoroughly

let it sit for 15 minutes

Yes it gets slimy and gel-like but once you add lime, lemon, honey, or sugar to taste  it is superb! 

--or--

Another option if you don't like the texture but want the benefits, is to blend baby blend.

let chia seeds soak 10 minutes

add to blender with water, ice, lemon, and agave. 

If you still can't stand them, grind them in a coffee grinder to make them smaller.  I don't think it is necessary but whatever floats your boat or gets you eating these magic seeds. 

Chia seeds, have very little flavor.  It is just a bit nutty, but more than anything, it has a seed like texture.  Not bad at all, but can take some peeps getting use to. 

Ways you can bond with your chia...

In your favorite oatmeal with blueberries and almond butter

In baking

Sprinkled in salads

To top smoothies or blended in them