Ingredients:
1 bunch spring onions
1 lb peas (either fresh and shelled or frozen)
1/2cup water
1/3 cup butter
2.5 cups milk (or cream if preferred)
1-2 tsp fresh mint or tarragon
Salt and pepper to taste

Method:
Clean the bunch of spring onions and chop them finely. Set some of the green pieces aside for later.

In a medium-sized saucepan melt the butter on a low heat and add the peas, water and spring onions. Cook for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the peas are tender (but not mushy). Take the saucepan off the heat, let it cool down a bit and then add the milk and the herbs. Stir well and season with salt and pepper.

Put the soup in a blender and blend until smooth. Return it to a saucepan and reheat the soup gently.

Serve this delicious creamy pea soup with the reserved chopped spring onion sprinkled on top and nice crusty bread.

image from: http://www.rachelraydiet.com/images/fruits.jpg

Now That you know what Juice Diets are, here are a few pointers in how to make the perfect menu for your diet:

Some ingredients which can be used in juice fasts are:

Vegetables: celery, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes.

Greens: parsley, beet greens, chard, kale, dandelion leaf and spinach.

Herbs: fennel, spearmint, yucca root, basil, ginger, peppermint, green onion, chili pepper.

Fruits: grapes, apples, citrus, Açaí berry.

Extras: wheat grass juice, spirulina, complete vitamin & mineral supplement, psyllium husks.

Some side effects of a juice fast need mentioning here. Some common but temporary side effects include headaches, hypoglycemia, acne, tiredness, bad breath and an increase in body odor. Others could include dizziness or fainting, low blood pressure, weight loss, hunger, heart palpitations, vomiting and kidney problems. If you experience any of these side effects or any situation worsens contact a medical professional immediately.

During a juice fast the stomach shrinks to its original size, about the size of your fist. After only three days of simply ingesting raw organic and fresh juices and water, you will lose those cravings for solid foods.

Your mind might try to tell you differently; however, your body doesn’t need more at this time. While just drinking your food, your stomach is able to get some well-deserved rest, allowing your colon to shed old compacted material which could be waiting there to cause future disease.

If you are considering a diet which is more than just counting calories, this extreme detox diet could be the one for you. Using juices in this diet beneficially provides the antioxidants and vitamins required to keep you healthy for the duration.

Among the various diets found in today’s world of searching for better health, you can find what is known as a juice fast or detoxification diet. This type of fast diet involves the consumption of only water, raw vegetable and fruit juices for a certain period of time. The reason behind this diet is for the beneficial antioxidants and vitamins contained in fresh juices. This diet is considered one of extreme detox as there is no solid food consumed for the duration.

There are many reasons people may choose a juice fast diet over another type. Juice fasts can be used for losing weight, religious reasons, or to assist in weaning oneself from possible unhealthy habits. These could include overeating, caffeine addiction or smoking – to name a few. Then there are fasters who are a little more serious about their routines with juice fasting. They use it as an alternative healing technique to many conventional treatments. It may be used as a healing method for pain management, arthritis, infections resistant to antibiotics and other ailments as well.

There are certain people for whom juice diets aren’t recommended. This group of people includes pregnant or nursing women, children, diabetics, or people with anemia. Anyone with an impaired immune system, low blood pressure, terminal illness or epilepsy should also stay clear. People with any chronic illness or condition should steer clear of a juice fast unless they doing so under strict medical supervision. Never try a juice fast before or after surgery.

When considering how long your juice fast is going to last, there is an easy rule of thumb to follow. Continue with the juice fast until you have two days without any symptoms of detoxification. If you wish, you can also stick to a juice fast three or four days a week while eating a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables the other days. Along with sipping your juice during the day, it is recommended you also consume approximately six glasses of water at room temperature.

(Serves 4-6)

Ingredients:

2 blocks firm tofu (16 oz)
1/4 cup tamari soy sauce
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced or crushed
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 cup orange juice
2 teaspoons grated orange peel

Fresh parsley or fresh coriander, chopped

Method:

Preheat oven to 375ºF.

Cut tofu into large bite-sized pieces and place into a dish. Combine all other ingredients and pour over the tofu pieces. Marinate for one hour.

Remove tofu and place into a small baking dish with 1/2 cup of the marinade. Bake in oven for about one hour, occasionally stirring and basting with the remaining marinade.

Sprinkle finished tofu with chopped parsley or coriander and enjoy with brown rice and a tossed salad. .

A great vegan dish!

People have discovered what their ancestors knew a long time ago:  the earth can be used to heal the people who live on it.   Some remedies for cuts, scrapes, cold, fever and internal ailments are as close as the kitchen in your home.  Two of those cures are found in honey and garlic.

Bees have known since the beginning of time that they were special.  They spend their entire lives gathering pollen to create nectar and turn it into honey.  You enjoy the sweet-tasting fruit of their labors in your tea and desserts, but what about when you are sick?  Honey has a wide range of applications for curing what ails you.

Honey has properties to fight infections in the body.  When you cut yourself, apply a little honey to the wound to kill any bacteria in the vicinity.  It is sticky and dries quickly to form a seal over whatever it is resting on.  If it happens to be your scrape or cut, honey can be just as good if not better than a bandage for keeping dirt and bugs out of a healing wound.

Honey has been added to tea to soothe tired vocal cords and reduce the irritation of a sore throat.  Forget the tea and eat a spoonful of honey every day to induce a restful night of sleep and keep your immune system operating at optimal levels.  That same spoonful of honey can turn that irritating cough into a productive one by loosening mucous secretions.  Mix it with vinegar and apple juice for a stomach soother.

What about garlic?  It is not a desirable smell on your breath, but it does wonders for your body.  Garlic and onions are from the same family of plants that contain a substance called allicin.  This substance has been found to lower blood cholesterol, blood pressure and cut the symptoms of a cold.  Those who ingest garlic regularly are doing a good thing for their heart and vascular systems.

The best way to get garlic is to include it in your diet.  Pills are a second choice, but the garlic tastes so much better sprinkled on a baked potato or baked into a steak.  Garlic is activated when it is cut; that is when the smell of the allicin is given off.

Garlic is known to be an anti-microbial agent, fighting bacteria, fungus and viral infections.  It strengthens the immune system to fight colds and their symptoms.  Eating hot soup infused with garlic keeps the body strong against colds, flu and sinus issues.   You can use garlic in a paste or poultice directly on the body to aid in healing of cuts.

Garlic has a strong odor but it also does a mighty job.  Add a little garlic to your daily menu to keep the body healthy proactively.  As for honey, just ask a bee how helpful it is.

Ingredients:
1 lb dried black beans (or other beans your choice)
8 cups water
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried marjoram
1 tsp pepper
2 cups onions, chopped
2 cups red potatoes, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup carrot, sliced
6 garlic cloves, minced
1.12oz can stewed tomatoes

Method:

Place black beans into a bowl, cover completely with water to about 2 inches above the beans and leave overnight. Then drain.

Add beans to large crock pot, add 8 cups of water and remaining ingredients. Cover with lid and simmer for about 2 1/2 hours on very low temperature or until vegetables are tender.

Serve hot with a crusty French bread.

(Serves 4)

Ingredients

2 onions, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 tbsp oil
2 tbsp walnuts
1 cup of vegetable broth
1 cup mushrooms, such as fresh shitake, sliced
1 head of broccoli, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold water
3 tbsp soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Seeds to garnish

Method:

Heat oil in a wok and sautÈ carrots and onions until almost tender. Add broccoli and walnuts and stir. Add 1 cup of broth and cook until veggies are tender. To thicken the sauce, add the dissolved cornstarch. Stir briefly, then add soy sauce, salt and pepper to your taste.

Sprinkle with seeds of your choice and serve with whole-grain noodles.

continued…

There are two other elements which are considered essential while training for the correct execution of techniques in Aikido: The Ki or flow of energy and the Budo or martial way of practicing each technique with dedication and absolute commitment.

Once the participants or aikidokas have made the commitment to their training, their first lesson involves learning how to fall appropriately. They need to know how to absorb the effects of the various techniques which will be experienced. This is followed by different exercises which are done in a free-standing method of solo body movements. With these the aikidokas learn how to appropriately shift their weight and balance, as well as fundamental disciplines behind each individual technique.

Although many people think of Aikido as one of the ultimate martial arts, it is an art more thoroughly based on religion and harmony. Aikido uses joint locks, manipulation of weight, and various throws in order to achieve its purpose.It’s a very effective martial art, which were the intentions of Ueshiba from the start.

There are differences in what many think, and there is no real unified belief or philosophy in the martial art of Aikido.†While it is indeed rich in heritage and religion, its belief system revolves around harmony and peace of the spirit. With the achievement of a higher spiritual power, Ueshiba always believed the human body was capable of anything. Although he wanted revenge, he still took a stand by stating Aikido wasn’t about fighting. It was a way to reconcile with the world, making every human being one giant family.

When considering the many martial arts one can choose to practice, Aikido is still on of the most popular choices in the United States today. Aikido is so rich in both tradition and history, yet it is newer than most others. This art originally started in Japan at some point in the 1940s.

Aikido’s founder, Morihei Ueshiba (often known as Great Teacher or O Sensei) was born on December 14, 1883. Growing up in modern Japan, he was witness to much violence, including some local vandals attacking his own father. It was at this time he decided to grow strong enough to seek revenge for his father’s sake, spending as much time as possible training in martial arts. He received numerous certificates in jujitsu, fencing and spear fighting during this time of intense physical training.

Even with all of his achievements he felt there should be more to it. Turning to religion, he hoped to find some greater sense of significance of life. Yet he did not stop his training of martial arts during this time. Ueshiba founded the martial art of Aikido by joining his religious beliefs with his intense trainings in martial arts. This style was known as aikibudo until around 1942, when he chose to go with the name of Aikido. It was the incorporation of jujitsu, aiki-jujitsu along with spear and sword fighting.

The fundamental requirements for the practice of Aikido are dedication and respect in regards to the techniques and principles of the art. Other than these requirements, anyone of any age or strength can participate in the practice. There are no limits except those you impose upon yourself.

The movements related to the techniques of Aikido are derived from movements used while wielding the Japanese sword or spear fighting arts. The bokken (replica sword) and the jo (a stick) are used in practice as aids to enhance the understanding and skill required for fluid use of techniques.

…

Modern judo originated from the Japanese fighting art of jujitsu. While jujitsu’s history can be traced as far back into the history as late 17th century Japan,  judo itself is relatively new in comparison.  Judo in its known form today owes its current existence to a man by the name of Dr. Jigoro Kano. Many people consider Jigoro Kano to have been a genius in his development of judo techniques and methods.

Although quite different from other styles of martial arts, judo still has rules which ensure the safety of those participating. Judo students willing to test their skills may find great enjoyment from the various levels of competition available to them. These can go from individual club meets to possibly even the Olympic Games.

Self-confidence, flexibility, and leadership skills are just a few of the other skills which are emphasized during the study of judo. There have been a great many changes to judo over the years, making it more a sport of competitiveness than a fight. The ranks have now been separated for children, women and men as well as classes for those who wish to compete in the sport or simply practice it for fitness.

The equipment required to practice judo is appropriate clothing. The pants of the Judogi are the zuboní while the jacket is a ëuwagií. The belt worn by each participant indicates the skill level of the competitor. The black belt is indicative of the highest level of skill.

Judo, which means “gentle way”, can teach you the various applications needed not only for self-defense but for competition as well.Judo is quite unlike other martial arts, in the sense of it combining the best of grappling with throw techniques which require little to no strength. They do require the correct positioning of your body, however. This is an excellent martial art which can be enjoyed by anyone.