Dr. Ritamarie's Fresh'n Fun Living Blog

3 Myths About Fatigue That Every Woman Should Know

I hear it all the time, both professionally and in my private life.  “I’m so tired”.  “I’m too tired to go out tonight”. “I’d like to exercise, but I just don’t have the energy.”

I’m excited to be offering a very special workshop that’s just right for you if you are fatigued, exhausted or just don’t have the energy to live your life the way you’d like to.

It’s called,  “3 Myths About Fatigue Every Woman Should Know”

I’m offering my first one on Tuesday March 31 from 6:30 to 8:30PM in Austin Texas.

I’ll be doing it again, and will also do a shorter version of it in teleseminar form very soon.

So go ahead and read all about it.  If you can make it on such short notice, please register.  I’m giving scholarships to the first 20 people who sign up.  That’s right.  This very valuable  workshop will not cost you a single dime.  And I encourage you to bring at least one friend who you think could benefit.

The information needs to be spread and I’m on a mission to share what I know so that you can live a life you absolutely love.

So go to www.TheWomensFatigueExpert.com and sign up.

If you live out of state, or just can’t make it tomorrow, I encourage you to read the web page anyway, and if you like what you hear, comment below and request me to offer it in your city on on the web.

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

D

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Green Foods for Energy: Chronic Fatigue and Exhaustion Don’t Have a Fighting Chance

By now you know how much I proclaim the magic of green foods in keeping you vibrant, energetic and strong.  You’ve probably heard me say that we should eat like the chimps.

My friend Alicia Ojeda of EZrawfoods101.com sent me the following very green recipe that I thought I’d share.  Alicia doesn’t mind.  She wants to share the message of green too.

Alicia is a gifted chef and instructor.  She was trained in living foods cuisine at Living Light Culinary Institute

I’m not sure chimps eat avocados, but they do eat their greens.

Greenamole

Great for getting extra greens in your guac!

* 2 ripe avocados,
* 2 green onions sliced thin
* 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed thru garlic press
* 1/2 small jalapeno chili, minced or 1/8 tsp cayenne
* 1 tsp kelp powder or dulse flakes
* 1 cup kale, spinach or broccoli, or peas  pulsed in food processor or  chopped fine with ¼ tsp salt
* ¼ bunch cilantro rough chopped
* 1/2 tsp Sunfire Salt
* 1/2 tsp ground cumin
* 1 tbsp lime or lemon juice

Place avocado flesh in a bowl and smash slightly with a fork or potato masher, stir in remaining ingredients.  Mix well. Adjust seasoning to taste (I like mine spicier!).  Serve with chips, your favorite salsa, on a bed of  greens, or to accompany your favorite Mexican meal.

If you like this recipe, you may be interested in Alicia’s Mediteranean Feast Class, happening this Sunday at 10AM Central time in Austin, Texas

Here is a link for Sunday’s Mediterranean Feast class - Register for Alicia’s Mediteranean Feast Class  through this special link and get a discounted price of $65 ($10 off).

Class description:
Learn how to prepare these delicious delectables: Creamy Hummus & Tabouli, Falafel with Tahina Sauce, Greek Salad, Carrots with Moroccan Spices, Dolmas with Middle Eastern Marinara, and Shaved Apple Torte. Also learn valuable culinary tips & techniques to save you time in the kitchen.

Bio for Alicia:
Chef Alicia Ojeda is a classically trained professional chef who is passionate about gourmet vegan raw & living food cuisine.  Her resume includes working for Bon Appetite Management Co., Chef Manager at Sony Music, Executive Chef at DreamWorks Studio, Banquet Chef at The Getty Center, Executive Chef for Living Light Culinary Arts Institute, R&D/Production Coordinator for Roxanne’s Fine Cuisine, and she’s recently been added to the staff of Beets Cafe (opening in Austin, Texas Summer 2009).

Enjoy .

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

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Raw Foods Diet: Chia Porridge for Breakfast

Yesterday we had an amazing gathering of Raw Foods Diet enthusiasts meet at my home in Austin Texas to welcome Annmarie and Kevin Gianni of the Renegade Health Show.  Annmarie delighted all of us with this raw food prep demo of chia porridge.  Enjoy.

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

www.FreshnFunLiving.com

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Kevin Gianni on the Raw Food Diet for Vibrant Health

We had an amazing display of what delicious and beautiful foods you can eat on a raw foods diet.  Tables were lined with foods of all sorts – salads, wraps, pie, marzapan, fruits, guacamole, dips and chips…the list goes on.  Most people expect  a raw foods diet to be boring, but tonight’s amazing display proves otherwise.

Kevin Gianni an his wife Annmarie were our special guests tonight.  They’ve been traveling across the nation in their vegetable oil powered RV, the Kale Whale, spreading the word of health.  Kevin did an inspiring talk and presented his model of health:  raw foods as the primary nutrition, know yourself, take action  …the other 2 are escaping my brain right now.  He was entertaining, empowering and right on.  Annmarie demonstrated making a delicious chia porridge and a strawberry parfait.  Quick and easy raw foods recipes.

I took some video footage and I’ll post some of it tomorrow.

What’s your view on the raw food diet?  Comment below!

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Green Celebrations: St. Patricks Day and Green Smoothies

Here’s a traditional recipe, with the undesirable ingredients highlighted and vegan gluten free substitutes written to the side:

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups  white flour — 2 cups whole grain non-gluten flour
  
• 2/3  tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup  sugar  1/3 cup agave or honey or date paste
  
• 1 teaspoon salt (whole, unrefined)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon chia seed soaked in 4 tablespoons water
• 1   cups buttermilk   1 cup nut milk, seed milk or rice millk
  
• 1/4 cup melted butter 1/4 cup coconut oil
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F .   Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. Combine dry ingredients.
3. Blend the wet ingredients, excluding the butter or oil,add to the flour mixture and mix just until moistened.
4. Stir in the melted butter/oil.
5. Pour intogreased and floured pan, and bake for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean.
6. Cool on a wire rack.

I have a hankering for a raw vegan dehydrated version of Irish Soda Bread.  Will you help me create one?

Post your comments below with your Raw vegan Dehydated Irish Soda Bread recipe.  You just might be the winner.

(extra points given for including green ingredients)

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

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Gluten Free Raw Foods Recipes: Dr. Ritamarie’s Latest Kelp Noodle Creation

The other day I posted about how excited I was about  Kelp Noodles . Not only are they highly nutritious, because they are  made from kelp, a power packed green that grows in the sea,  but they are delicious as well.

If you’ve ever been  on a gluten free diet, or a raw and living foods diet, you know that the noodle choices are a bit limited.  You can spiralize zucchini and make a yummy angel hair pasta, but you can’t beat these kelp noodles, not only for flavor and texture, but for convenience as well.

I’ve been having a blast creating new recipes using the kelp noodles.  I made one this past weekend that just might be the most nutritionally dense dish I’ve made to date.  I’ll attempt to recreate the exact quantities of ingredients I used, but quite frankly, I don’t think it much matters i you get it exact.  I bet there’s more calcium in this recipe than in a quart of milk.  The photo is above.

Kelp noodles are available by the case of 12 ounce bags from Seatangle , 16 ounce bags form the Fresh ‘n Fun Co-op in Austin, Texas or individual 12 ounce bags  from Raw Food World.

Here’s a fabulous, quick, easy recipe for sesame noodles,kelp style.

Wilted Greens with Kelp Noodles

• 1 bag kelp noodles
• 1 10 ounce jar of raw garlic sauerkraut
• 1 bunch kale
• 1 handful dandelion greens
• 1 inch slice ginger
• 2 tablespoons raw sesame tahini
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup water (depends on desired consistency)
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 tomato

Put kelp noodles in a bowl and rinse well.  Cover with water until sauce is ready.  In blender,  combine tahini, ginger and water.  Adjust water to achieve a thick smooth consistency.

Put greens in a food processor and pulse chop until minced.  Put salt over greens and massage until wilted.  Finely dice tomato and red bell pepper.  Drain kelp noodles and combine wiht sauerkraut, chopped  vegetables and sauce. Stir until well combined or massage gently with your hands to help the noodles soften.  Add salt to taste.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds or pine nuts  (optional).  Eat immediately or save for later.  The noodles soften more the longer they sit in the sauce.

Kelp noodles are available by the case of 12 ounce bags from Seatangle , 16 ounce bags form the Fresh ‘n Fun Co-op in Austin, Texas or individual 12 ounce bags  from Raw Food World.

Please comment below to share your own kelp noodle experiences and recipes

Thanks

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

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Food For Adrenal Fatigue: An Awesome Raw Foods, Gluten Free Recipe Using Kelp Noodles Noodles

I’m so excited about these Kelp Noodles , available from Raw Food World . They’re made from highly nutritious kelp and a pinch of extra sodium alginate to hold them together.  They’ve become one of my absolutely favorite foods.  They are quick and easy to prepare and taste delicious.  Their high calcium and iodine content make them the perfect food for supporting tired adrenals and sluggish thyroid.

Given Oprah’s recent discussions, thyroid problems are on a lot of minds these days.  And why not?  It’s become almost an epidemic.  Between environmental pollutants, medications and processed, demineralized foods, it’s no wonder.  And then of course there’s the gluten connection.  More on that later.

Kelp noodles are the perfect way to get lots of minerals into your diet in a delicious, easy way.  Each 4 ounce serving has 6 calories and 15% of your calcium requirement for the day.  I usually eat an entire 1 pound bag in one sitting, so I get 60% of my calcium in 24 calories.  It puts milk to shame.  By contrast, an 8 ounce glass of milk has 149 calories (whole) or 104 calories(skim) and 30% of your recommended daily calcium requirement, the same as 12 calories worth of kelp noodles.  Do the math.  Calorie for calorie, the kelp noodles have more than 12 times the calcium than whole milk .

On top of being calcium powerhouses, Kelp noodles contain no saturated fat or cholesterol, and are loaded with other minerals, like zinc, magnesium and iodine, to name just a few.

Kelp noodles are available by the case of 12 ounce bags from Seatangle , 16 ounce bags form the Fresh ‘n Fun Co-op in Austin, Texas or individual 12 ounce bags  from Raw Food World.

Here’s a fabulous, quick, easy recipe for sesame noodles,kelp style.

Sesame Ginger Kelp Noodles

• 1 bag kelp noodles
• 1 inch slice ginger
• 2 tablespoons raw sesame tahini
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
• 1 clove garlic (optional)
• 2-3 tablespoons of lemon (or more to taste)
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup water (depends on desired consistency)
• sesame seeds(optional)
• chopped greens, scallions or other veggies

Put kelp noodles in a bowl and rinse well.  Cover with water until sauce is ready.  In blender,  combine remaining ingredients until smooth.  Adjust water to achieve a thick smooth consistency.  Adjust salt to taste.

Pour sauce over noodles and massage with hands to help the noodles soften.  Add chopped veggies if desired.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional).  Eat immediately or save for later.  The noodles soften more the longer they sit in the sauce.

Enjoy this.  I’m going to go make some more.

Please commend below if you have experimented with Kelp noodles and have any other recipe ideas.

Thanks

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

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Spring Cleaning Your Body From the Inside Out: An Effective Strategy for Chronic Fatigue, Adrenal Exhaustion and Feeling Too Tired to Really Enjoy Your Life

Spring Cleaning is a common practice, not only in our modern world, but in primitive times as well. Why not? Spring is a time of renewal. If you’re suffering from chronic fatigue, adrenal exhaustion or are just too tired to really enjoy your life, I have great news for you.

Cleansing your body from the inside out, of impurities in food, water and air, as well as thoughts and people around you who are energy drains, is one of the most effective ways to revitalize your energy, reduce body fat and increase lean muscle and restore balance to your organs and glands.

What if you could do a spring cleaning of your internal organs, your digestive track and your mind? How would it feel to experience a state of renewal and a spike in energy in time for the warmer seasons— to be able to move about in comfort and with the energy to enjoy your kids, hobbies, vacations and social time?

Every 2 months or so I like to do a cleaning from the inside out. My favorite way to cleanse is with Green Smoothies.The program I usually do is a 1 week jump start and revitalize.  It’s one of the easiest short cleanses you can do.

I’m developing a longer, deeper program for those who want to take it to the next level.   I’ll be leading it later this spring with Tera of the Raw Divas. But more on that later.

You can read all about my one week Green Smoothie Cleanse and hear what those who’ve experienced the incredible renewal of a Green Smoothie Cleanse have to say about it by going to http://www.GreenSmoothieCleanse.com

On a green smoothie cleanse the goal is to replace all or most of your meals with delicious green smoothies. Don’t take my word for it, check it out. The results are nothing short of amazing.

I’m offering a special opportunity for everyone who is officially registered for the cleanse  by midnight Saturday March 7.

Usually the cleanse is a single week, with no preparation or follow-up. For some, the transition is a bit challenging. For others, maintaining the healthy habits established during the cleanse is a difficult without support. Well, guess what?

I’m going to make it all very easy for you by turning the green cleanse into a full 4 week program.

*Week 1* will be the week to slowly transition off the energy zappers — caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods– while beginning to make green smoothies a regular part of each day.

*Week 2* will be geared towards transitioning to a diet high in fresh, whole, antioxidant and mineral rich raw and  living foods.

*Week 3* will be our cleanse week.  You’ll choose Plan A and drink nothing but green smoothies all week, or one of Options B or C and choose to replace some of your meals with green smoothies.  You can also pick and choose the plan you follow on a day to day basis.  The closer you get to following plan A the more profound the results.

*Week 4* will be the week to slowly transition back to *eating* your meals,instead of drinking them, with the focus on eating as much fresh, whole, living food as possible

The pace you go at is up to you. Since there are several cleanse options, you can choose the pace that’s right for you.

Until Saturday March 7, you’ll get to join in on the full 4 week cleanse for the same low price as the 7 day cleanse.

Here’s your chance to join hundreds of others on a program that has literally changed lives and get supported for a full 4 weeks. 

Won’t you join me?

http://www.GreenSmoothieCleanse.com

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

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