Strawberries and Romaine!?


My latest craze.....


I'm sure you're used to hearing "strawberries and chocolate" together, or "strawberries and cream" as companion foods, but strawberries and romaine lettuce... in a smoothie.....

a "Strawberry and Romaine Lettuce Smoothie"? I must be kidding right?  Nope!  I'm not kidding you...  If you like strawberries and romaine lettuce, then you must try this delicious treat! This smoothie is super easy to make and is packed with tons of nutrients! 

Sharron's Strawberry and Romaine Smoothie

I just take a.......
1/2 cup a strawberries
1 bunch of organic romaine lettuce (organic baby mixed romaine leaves or a head of red or green organic romaine works as well)
1 cup of purified water/reverse osmosis water or coconut water
juice of 1/2 lemonBlend all ingredients, garnish with a strawberry and mint leave and serve!  .... Viola!

TIP:  Blending raw foods breaks the food down to a cellular level allowing for maximum nutrient absorption.

In case you DON'T know...
Strawberries are high in Vitamin C, Fiber, Folate and Potassium.  They are also mildly anti-inflammatory (provided you are not allergic to them.)
Although Romaine Lettuce is not a dark leafy green, don't sleep on this green!  Believe it or not, its packed with protein with 7.7 grams per head. It is also a complete protein! That means that it has all 8 essential amino acids.

Romaine Lettuce is also rich in:  Calcium- One head of romaine has 206mg of calcium; Omega-3s; Vitamin C; Iron (apx. 6mg per head); B-vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B9 and contains water. One head of romaine provides 16% of your daily water needs with about 20 ounces of water per head!
Its also a rich source of vitamins A and K, is low in oxalic acid and contains copper, magnesium, potassium and zinc.

drink up!

Organic Collard Greens and Pico de Gallo Recipe

When we think of collard greens, most of us probably think of the good ol' southern tradition of cooking them down, with a turkey neck bone and lots of salt and butter.   While they taste good, unfortunately, cooking down your greens negates the majority its nutritional value.   

Tonight for dinner, as a side dish, I whipped up some Collard Greens and topped with some Pico de Gallo.... Yummie!  I only cooked the greens for 3-6 minutes/or until bright and tender.  Here is what I did:

What you need:
one bunch, Organic Collard Greens
Pepper
Sea salt
Vegetable stock or Better than Bouillon, organic base

What to do:

• Clean greens by Soaking in cold water with 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar  (click here for directions)
• In a pan on medium heat, add 2/3 cup of water and a 1/2 teaspoon of Better than Boullion
• Once nice and warm, add freshly cleaned greens and pepper and sea salt to taste.  Cover for 3 minutes. 
• Flip and move the greens around.   
• Add pico de gallo and cover for 2 more minutes.
• When greens are tender and at their brightest color, remove from heat and serve immediately.

Collard greens are packed with nutrients! They are an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, B6, A, C and E, carotene, chlorophyll, and manganese. Collard greens are also a very good source of fiber, and several minerals, including iron, copper,calcium, manganese, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and omega 3 fatty acids. 

Vegetables help to move "stuff" through your digestive track and are so ridiculously good for you. Not only should you eat your veggies everyday, but you should also ensure that you are eating them in a way so they will retain the most nutrients. 

Hope you enjoy!