Chemical Free Home : Harvesting Fennel Flowers For Easy Natural Home Fragrance

It's the end of summer and the fennel plants have grown abundantly into a roaring and unruly bush competing in height with me. As soon as the flowers appear and the wispy, herby leaves are no more, to stop further seeding I cut back the plants. This provides the opportunity to bring natural scent into the home.

The flowers are at the top part of the plant where the stems are thinner, I cut these into bunches and arrange in vases, the scent is subtle but noticeable.

This year's harvest amounted to three large vases erupting with delicate sprays of green - hallway, sitting room and kitchen covered!

The rest of the plant's stem is much thicker and the fragrance much more intense. I cut the stems into 1.5 ft rods, they look like lucky bamboo and put into pots with water, positioning where a stronger scent works best, perfect in our ground floor cloakroom and utility room.

This was just a small part of my wall of fennel a couple of months ago, lush with tasty fragrant leaves.

UK Raw Health HQ is chemical free zone. 100% natural home fragrance is in the minority to buy in stores in a ready to use format. I certainly never see such things in a supermarket.

My favourite ways to fragrance the home naturally include:

1. Fresh air - open windows throughout the home to let fresh air blow through. Even better if a helper is outside mowing the lawn for a fresh cut grass smell.
2. Fresh cut herbs, rosemary, fennel, lavender and sage cut in huge bunches dotted around the home in vases or hung up to air dry.
3. All natural wax (eg. 100% soya wax), naturally scented candles. These do even have to be lit. Just position in a room and keep the door closed.
4. Incense sticks (occasionally), again must be natural.

Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.

What I Eat : My Daily Juices: Dr Norman Walkers No. 26 & No. 61 Juice Recipes

A few years ago I read "Fresh Vegetable & Fruit Juices " by Dr Norman Walker. It completely changed the way I ate beyond just juicing. His research is not "faddy" it just makes sense to me.

I drink one or two freshly made juices a day, depending on my schedule. Not only are they highly nutritious, but they also taste so delicious and refreshing. I always use organic produce, usually from Waitrose or Sainsbury's. Carrot juice makes up the majority of each mix, an economical vegetable to buy organic.

Juice 1. Dr Norman Walker's No. 26.
Raw Carrot and Raw Beet (Beetroot) using the root and tops of the beets.
The amount per glass is a total of 1 pint (16 fl. oz.).
Carrot juice 13 oz. & Beet Juice 3 oz.

Juice 2. Dr Norman Walker's No. 61.

Raw Carrot and Raw Spinach.

The amount per glass is a total of 1 pint (16 fl. oz.). 

Carrot juice 10 oz. & Spinach Juice 6 oz.

I substitute the spinach for chard or romaine lettuce on alternate days based on Dr. Max Gerson's research.

The best way to get the amounts/proportions correct is to start be juicing directly into a glass measuring cup, first juicing the carrots and the the spinach leaves, so that you can reach the correct level with one vegetable before beginning the other. Or juice each vegetable into different glass receptacles and then mix into a 1 pint measuring glass.

Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.

Storing Natural Food : Bananas

Getting the most out of natural foods, especially fresh produce, is partly down to storage. Bananas are an easy one but you have to keep an eye on them! I never eat under ripe bananas, I wait until they have about one third of the their skin surface covered in brown spots.

To get a great price on organic bananas I often buy in bulk. If the weather is cold (quite usual in the UK!) bananas last for weeks in a cool spot in a bowl on their own away from other fruits. When the whether is super sunny bananas can ripen too fast for consumption even for the big fruit eaters at UK Raw Health HQ.

When you have too many ripe bananas it is time to freeze some ready for smoothies, all natural banana "ice cream" and for an indulgent treat eating with peanut butter and dark chocolate. Or make "Todd's Two Ingredient Cookies".

We have experienced a heat wave in the UK over the past few months, great for growing fruits, not so good for storing bananas! So I have frozen a whole bunch.

To freeze I slice the bananas, place carefully into containers and then freeze.

Slicing makes it easy to utilise the frozen fruit for many different purposes, they are easier to blend at this smaller size if you do not have a high powered blender, but instead are using a food processor.

If you only use your frozen bananas for banana "ice cream" or smoothies and you have a high powered blender or a Yonanas, freezing works just as well with one banana cut into three before freezing.

Also pictured in the freezer drawer... Waitrose Duchy Originals Organic Frozen British Raspberries.

Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.

What I Eat : Berries For Brunch

One of the benefits of "Growing Your Own" is that you have real abundance of seasonal fruits once your plants have become established (usually takes two years). An established, healthy plant yields so much fruit that you have to plan how to use/store the surplus.

I planted five raspberry plants three years ago, these have spread, occupying about three times the original growing space, grown bushy and each year have produced more and more berries to pick.

Each morning I start my day with a juice (sometimes a smoothie) quite early, so by about 10.30am I am ready to indulge in some freshly picked berries. I have been harvesting a bowl like this everyday throughout May, June and July. Sometimes do not even put them in a bowl, instead eating them directly from the plant whilst I potter around in the garden basking in Vitamin D, just the way humans are meant to eat plants.

Image above: I have even frozen some of the surplus that I could not consume. Ready for smoothies in the next few weeks. I do this by washing the berries with filtered water, then gently drying with kitchen paper and finally separating into small containers suitable for a single use before placing into the freezer.

I choose to grow raspberries because:
1. They are one of my favourite fruits and I like to eat them everyday if possible
2. They are nutrient rich
3. Eating straight after picking means I am consuming living foods (living enzymes)
4. It is difficult to find organic raspberries that look fresh in stores (UK)
5. Store bought raspberries perish quickly
6. Once planted raspberry bushes require very little maintenance
7. Raspberries are an "heirloom" fruit, they are a close resemblance to the original wild raspberry

8. Growing my own is a very cheap was to consume organic raspberries every day.

9. I can pick the berries when they are ready to eat and not over ripe.

Organic raspberries, each fruit ripens at a different time making it easy to harvest each day.

Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.

What I Eat : All Fruit Mango Smoothie

There's nothing more refreshing and nourishing to the soul than to start the day with a mango smoothie. The smooth texture and comforting taste of a mango is more agreeable to my system that a citrus first thing. The mellow taste is just right when the sun is peeping up over the trees and you have that new morning glow on everything around.

I wanted the smoothie to taste of mango, so I only used one banana for extra bulk and nutrients and the rest of the puree came from one very large fibre-less mango. With a bit of fresh almond milk added to thin.

I cut up the pieces of fruit quite small before placing in a food processor. This is because I do not wish to blend for too long to avoid mixing in too much oxygen into the fruit. I used organic fruit, it is reasonably priced in the UK right now as usual in the summer time.

I sipped my smoothie out in the garden early in the morning walking barefoot on the grass (earthing).

Smoothies are one the easiest ways to enjoy fruit in the morning because they are so quick to make. If you need to thin down the mixture, do not add water, instead add fruit juice, coconut water or nut milk. This smoothie is all natural, dairy free and vegan.

Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.

Health News : Hormone-disrupting activity of fracking chemicals worse than initially found

Many chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, can disrupt not only the human body’s reproductive hormones but also the glucocorticoid and thyroid hormone receptors, which are necessary to maintain good health, a new study finds.

"Among the chemicals that the fracking industry has reported using most often, all 24 that we have tested block the activity of one or more important hormone receptors," said the study's presenting author, Christopher Kassotis, a PhD student at the University of Missouri, Columbia. "The high levels of hormone disruption by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that we measured, have been associated with many poor health outcomes, such as infertility, cancer and birth defects."

Read the full ScienceDaily article : click here

Source: Date:  June 23, 2014   Source:  Endocrine Society/Sciencedaily.com 

Fracking chemicals disrupt hormone function

A controversial oil and natural gas drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, uses many chemicals that can disrupt the body’s hormones, according to new research. “More than 700 chemicals are used in the fracking process, and many of them disturb hormone function,” said one of the study’s authors, Susan C. Nagel, PhD, of the University of Missouri School of Medicine. “With fracking on the rise, populations may face greater health risks from increased endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure.” The study examined 12 suspected or known endocrine-disrupting chemicals...

Read the full ScienceDaily article : click here

Source: Date:  December 16, 2013   Source:  Endocrine Society/Sciencedaily.com 

Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.

Weight Loss : Things I Can Do Now #3 : Half Your Portion Size & Your Bite Size

Welcome to Things I Can Do Now. This is a series of easy changes you'll hardly notice for those who wish to improve their diet and lifestyle without the effort!

Things I Can Do Now #3 : Half Your Portion Size & Your Bite Size.

If you are eating big meals for lunch and/or evening dinner, it's most likely your food is on a dinner sized plate (26cm dia. approx.). Start your journey to wellness and weight loss by only filling half your plate with your regular meals, so the other half remains empty. This may mean cutting something in half such as a burger in a bun and discarding the surplus half (or giving it to a friend!).

When eating foods such as pasta dishes and take away meals it is easy to consume a whole plate of food even though these are too many calories for one meal and the physical size of the portion is too big for comfort. Therefore it is too difficult to leave half of what is on your plate, instead only fill half the plate.

When ordering take out food, order half the amount you normally get. If you are cooking food, only prepare half the amount you usually would. With the "Half" strategy filtering through to the very start of the meal there will not be any leftovers to tempt you later. You will benefit even more if you say no to any large sodas (even diet versions), instead opting for water, Coconut Water or a freshly squeezed small orange juice.

Now is also the time to take smaller bites/ mouthfuls, filling up about about one third of a spoon or fork each time. This action will ensure that your food is chewed up properly (part one of digestion) and will also make your meal last longer (to ensure meal messages are reaching the brain).

At UK Raw Health HQ we do not promote eating take away fast food in any meals as we cannot be sure of the quality of the ingredients or know fully if there are any chemicals used for texture, flavour or preserving. The "Half the portion" strategy is a good start if you cannot bring yourself to make changes to the ingredients in your diet with immediate effect, but you do wish to do "something" to head in the right direction.

Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.

Healthy Recipes : Two Ingredient Cookies from Todd's Kitchen

Today I made these two ingredient cookies using a super quick and easy recipe from Todd's Kitchen. They taste very yummy whilst still warm and I especially love the recipe as it does not include heating fats (apart from the naturally occurring small amount of fat in the ingredients) which is a less toxic way of cooking. Here it is...



I just went ahead with the basic two ingredient recipe, I do not use quick oats, so instead I used some organic jumbo oats chopped up in the food processor.

I did not add chocolate chips as they may contain stabilisers to stop them melting. As I only choose natural foods my next batch will have some chopped up dark chocolate from an 84% cocoa bar included or I may drizzle melted chocolate on after they have come out of the oven. I also have taste buds that adore cinnamon, raisins and nutmeg, so will experiment with these also in future batches.

UPDATE:

I loved these super quick cookies so much I have tried some different additions to the two main ingredients:
1. Adding chopped up 85% cocoa organic dark chocolate - 10/10 - the perfect combination.
2. Adding  handful of organic sultanas - 7/10 - too sweet.
3. Adding a handful of organic raisins - 9/10 - not too sweet and nice texture.

On the baking sheet ready for 15 minutes in the oven.

The finished result. The chocolate is just a little melted in places... yummers!

A perfect vegan or vegetarian recipe to enjoy. These would be a good option if you are transitioning to a healthy diet and still crave biscuits as they are so quick to make!

Thank you Todd for a simple but genius recipe. Mrs Bee. x

Organic On A Budget : Which Foods Should I Buy?

If you can buy everything organic that is ideal, but if you can only choose a few things organic in your weekly shop here are my common sense rules.

1. Choose products you eat every day/most often and buy these items as organic. This will usually include bread, milk, butter, eggs, sugar, tea, and coffee for people on a standard diet who are looking to make changes. Of course everyone is different, so choose your most consumed products to buy organic from your regular diet. Here at UK Raw Health HQ our most consumed daily items are teas, water, carrots, beets, celery, spinach, apples, watermelon, lemons, haricot beans, flax seed oil, cos/romaine lettuce and salad leaves.

2. Try to find organic sources of the following produce most impacted by chemicals (known as the dirty dozen). Apples, celery, cherries, tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, hot and sweet peppers, nectarines peaches, potatoes,  spinach, strawberries, collard greens, kale, summer squash and zucchini/courgettes.*

3. Grow your own vegetables and herbs. You really don't need very much space, if you have never grown anything before you will be surprised at how many tomatoes just one plant will yield. Remember to buy organic compost (if required) and organic seeds - or collect seeds from your own shop bought produce. There are many seeds in just one cherry tomato. Grow plants you really like to eat often, ones that are expensive to buy and spoil easily in the fridge.

4. Grow berry fruits such as raspberries, blueberries and black berries. These are a good investment as the plants will spread and multiply once planted, each year will bring more fruits. Berries are the most delicate fruit that often spoil quickly and are expensive in organic form when purchased. So what could be better than picking and eating at their freshest and ripest. The plants are very hardy too, they have a wild temperament, coming back every year in full force with little gardening care required.

5. Check prices online using a comparison website (eg. mysupermarket.com)to see how the prices of the organic items you like compare between supermarkets.

6. Keep note of where certain organic products are cheapest for your own reference to make shopping easy. And sign up for emails with the companies you buy from to make sure you are getting the special offers and discount codes.

7. Shop in bulk from a wholesaler, many organic supermarkets, farms and fruit and vegetable suppliers offer wholesale prices. This is great if you use a lot of a particular item, such as daily juicing of carrots, regular almond milk production and frozen fruit desserts.

8. Choose the cheaper cuts of organic meat and poultry. Chicken thighs and beef mince are an awful lot cheaper than buying rump steak or a whole chicken. I would avoid high fat cheaper cuts.

9. Start sprouting seeds. This is one of the cheapest and best ways to consume fresh, living, organic plants. The seeds are cheap (you must buy organic sprouting seeds) and you can either sprout in any clean jar(s) or buy a sprouter which is less time consuming to care for. We like alfalafa and red lentils here at UK Raw Health.

I hope you have found this helpful. I am glad to see more and more organic foods and seeds available from even the budget supermarkets in the UK. Please add your tips for buying organic on a budget below in the comments section or email any questions to me Mrs. Bee UKRawHealth@gmail.com.

*Source: Goop http://www.goop.com/journal/make/266/goop-mag-13. Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.

Mind Food : Which Path Will You Choose?

Image shared from ArthurHaines.com

Health News : Five Studies Link Activity/Exercise To Lower Breast Cancer Risk

1. Regular physical activity reduces breast cancer risk irrespective of age

ScienceDaily reports : Practising sport for more than an hour day reduces the risk of contracting breast cancer, and this applies to women of any age and any weight, and also unaffected by geographical location. Compared with the least active women, those with the highest level of physical activity reduced their risk of breast cancer by 12%, researchers say.

Read the full ScienceDaily article : click here

Source: Date:  March 20, 2014   Source:  The European CanCer Organisation (ECCO)/Sciencedaily.com 



2. Study links moderate activity to lower breast cancer risk

ScienceDaily reports : A large new American Cancer Society study adds to increasing evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Among the women who reported walking as their only activity, those who walked at least 7 hours per week had a 14% lower risk of breast cancer compared to those who walked 3 or fewer hours per week. The women walked at a "moderate" pace -- about 3 miles per hour. The most active women -- those who walked and did more vigorous exercise -- had a 25% lower risk of breast cancer compared to the least active.

Read the full ScienceDaily article : click here

Source: Date:  October 4, 2013   Source:  American Cancer Society/Sciencedaily.com 

3. Exercise, even mild physical activity, may reduce breast cancer risk

ScienceDaily reports : A new analysis has found that physical activity – either mild or intense and before or after menopause – may reduce breast cancer risk, but substantial weight gain may negate these benefits. The findings indicate that women can reduce their breast cancer risk by exercising and maintaining their weight.

Read the full ScienceDaily article : click here

Source: Date:  June 25, 2012   Source:  Wiley-Blackwell/Sciencedaily.com 

4. Recent, Vigorous Exercise Is Associated With Reduced Breast Cancer Risk

ScienceDaily reports : Post-menopausal women who engage in moderate to vigorous exercise have a reduced risk of breast cancer. This comes from researchers who investigated the link between breast cancer and exercise.

Read the full ScienceDaily article : click here

Source: Date:  October 1, 2009   Source:  BioMed Central/Sciencedaily.com 

5. Vigorous exercise reduces breast cancer risk in African-American women

ScienceDaily reports : Vigorous exercise of more than two hours per week reduces the risk of developing breast cancer in postmenopausal African-American women by 64 percent, compared to women of the same race who do not exercise, according to researchers.

Read the full ScienceDaily article : click here

Source: Date:  October 3, 2010   Source:  American Association for Cancer Research/Sciencedaily.com 

UKRawHealth Comments

A natural way to reduce breast cancer risk sounds great and exercise couldn't be more natural for human beings. If you are not exercising at all, start walking every day a few minutes and build up to half an hour over time. Or if you like variety try to do different things each week in between days of walking. Don't be too hard on yourself, if you can't do too much on one day do as much as you can and then try again the next day. Everything you do towards more exercise counts. If you are exercising regularly then keep it up. If you sit down for most of the day as part of your job or lifestyle, get up and stretch and walk about for a few minutes every hour. Try not to stay still for too long. Remember to check with your doctor before starting any exercise.

Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.

Weight Loss : Things I Can Do Now #2 : Miss A Step

Welcome to Things I Can Do Now. This is a series of easy changes you'll hardly notice for those who wish to improve their diet and lifestyle without the effort!

Things I Can Do Now #2 : Miss A Step.

If you use stairs regularly, increase your strength and muscle mass by missing out a step ie. climbing two stairs at a time (if you can do this safely) when ascending. Building muscle mass/density enables your body to burn more fat/calories than normal whilst you are resting and of course the extra effort to climb stairs this way will require more calories. Remember to check with your doctor before starting exercise or making changes to your exercise routine.

Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.

Health News : Food packaging chemicals may be harmful to human health over long term

ScienceDaily reports : The synthetic chemicals used in the packaging, storage, and processing of foodstuffs might be harmful to human health over the long term, warn environmental scientists.

This is because most of these substances are not inert and can leach into the foods we eat, they say. Despite the fact that some of these chemicals are regulated, people who eat packaged or processed foods are likely to be chronically exposed to low levels of these substances throughout their lives. 

And far too little is known about their long term impact.

Read the full ScienceDaily article : click here

UKRawHealth Comments
Easy changes to avoid plastics: Avoid processed foods and ready meals. Avoid processed foods that require cooking their plastic. Eat more raw foods and cook from scratch/fresh ingredients in glass or ceramic cookware. Buy cosmetics and bathroom products containing natural ingredients in glass bottles. Grow your own fruits and vegetables and/or buy from stores/markets/farmer's markets that offer produce without plastic packaging. Make one change each week to achieve a plastic free goal.

Image : Wrap/buy your fats and proteins in non-plastic packaging.

Source: Date:  February 19, 2014   Source:  BMJ-British Medical Journal/Sciencedaily.com Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.

Health News : Industrial chemicals found in sample of 72 commonly consumed foods

ScienceDaily reports : Researchers have discovered phthalates, industrial chemicals, in common foods purchased in the United States. Phthalates can be found in a variety of products and food packaging material, child-care articles and medical devices.

A sample of 72 commonly consumed foods including pizza, meats and beverages from supermarkets in Albany, N.Y., were purchased and tested for the presence of phthalates. Researchers detected some level of phthalate in every food product they sampled.

Phthalates have been linked to breast cancer and endocrine disruption*.

Read the full ScienceDaily article : click here

UKRawHealth Comments
Easy changes to avoid plastics: Avoid processed foods and ready meals. Avoid processed foods that require cooking their plastic. Eat more raw foods and cook from scratch/fresh ingredients in glass or ceramic cookware. Buy cosmetics and bathroom products containing natural ingredients in glass bottles. Grow your own fruits and vegetables and/or buy from stores/markets/farmer's markets that offer produce without plastic packaging. Make one change each week to achieve a plastic free goal.

Image : Choose produce without plastic packaging.

Important Notes: Date:  March 7, 2013  Source:  University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston/Sciencedaily.com. *Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate. Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.

Weight Loss : Things I Can Do Now #1 : Leave One Thing Out Of Your Sandwich

Welcome to Things I Can Do Now. This is a series of easy changes you'll hardly notice for those who wish to improve their diet and lifestyle without the effort!

Things I Can Do Now #1 : Leave One Thing Out Of Your Sandwich - The Butter .

This will have an impact over the course of the year on your fat intake. Think about how many tubs of spreadable butter and blocks of butter you buy each month/year. That's all fat you are eating.

Whether you have a super healthy open sandwich of hummus, sprouts and legumes or the more traditional chicken salad or ham and tomato, leaving out the butter/spread is a good move to cut fat and after a week you'll be used to it whilst still consuming your usual lunch each day!

1. Leave the butter off your toast and just spread with high fruit jams, preserves or marmalade. Or something savory like grilled tomatoes and mushrooms.

2. Make sandwiches as you normally would, leave out the butter, just add your normal filling. You may to have cut sandwiches into smaller pieces to be able to hold successfully without the filling falling out, again this is a good move for weight loss as it will encourage smaller bites and the sandwich to last longer.

Low fat sandwich love to all your hearts from Mrs. Bee. If you have any low fat sandwich recipes you love post them in the comments below or get in touch at UKRawHeath@gmail.com. 

Image : An open sandwich topped with hummus, sprouted seeds and legumes.

Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.

Natural Foods : Fast "Feel Good" Smoothie Recipe : Banana Berry Smoothie

Welcome to UK Raw Health.

I would love it if you would join me for a simple tasty smoothie, with "feel good" ingredients to boost your mood.

It's quick to make taking a total of about 5 minutes including the clean up.

In the blender/processor jug: 1 large ripe organic banana broken into pieces, 4 large organic strawberries, a few berries - I used black currants and raspberries picked fresh as these were growing in my garden, but I also like frozen organic berries. Berries are highly flavourful so only use a few otherwise the taste will dominate.

Blend and add as much liquid as you like to reach your preferred consistency. As you can see from the picture I did not blend up much as my smoothie is still a little textured this is because I only blend for 30 seconds or less so as not to introduce too much oxygen into the smoothie - oxygen oxidises and damages the living enzymes in plants. Go for your own preference, if you like a smoother consistency blend more!

I used rice milk to thin the fruit mixture, but I also like filtered water, coconut water, oat milk and raw almond milk. Taste with a small spoon, if the berries are too tarte add some Stevia or coconut sugar and blend. Pour the beautifully coloured smoothie into a glass, quickly clean up your blender, should take about 30 seconds, then enjoy your smoothie sipping slowly.

What ever recipe you choose for your smoothie, remember to create it with love and enjoy it in nature taking a few minutes from your busy day to breathe fresh air and let the sun hit your skin for a dose of Vitamin D. Wishing you peace and love... Mrs. Bee x

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Information on UK Raw Health is the opinion of the writer and/or other individuals mentioned. Information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or provide education. Statements have not been evaluated or approved by any regulatory bodies. Before making any changes to diet, regime and/or lifestyle consult your doctor.