No Juicer Juice

My Father in Law gave us a juicer a few years back and we loved it.  We had many an episode of morning carrot juice blends for breakfast- the juicing phases came and went like most little kicks folks get on.  When we grew weary of the routine assembly, disassembly and cleaning of the super fine metal mesh pieces and moved out of one of those kicks, our juicer tended to hide in the cupboard and collect dust.  Those really Good habits we try to form are usually the ones that are harder to stick.  So we returned the machine to Jerrmy's Dad.  

Everything was honky-dory until a month or so ago when I was feeling a little crumby and had a fierce craving for ginger juice.  We had no juicer for to juice but, alas, there sat a vitamix blender on my counter and a hand of ginger in the basket- so I got creative.  

Now, I've since Googled 'Blender Juicing' and have come to find that it's actually a "thing."  I didn't know that this was the case when I trial and error'd my way to a glass of health, and I've still yet to read any of the how-to's on Google- there are many offerings here in Internet Land, folks, and I'm going to go ahead and add my little post to the mix.  

It's pretty simple:  pick ingredients, add water, blend, and strain. 

For this juicing photo series, I used 

• about 8g of raw, peeled ginger
• a handful of cilantro leaves (coriander/chinese parsley)
• 2 pink lady apples (cored and sliced)
• juice of one lemon (squeeze juice in separate ramekin to spare yourself fishing for seeds)
• an ounce or two of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (totally optional, adds a little twang/ it's healthy)
• raw honey (I put a tablespoon or two)
• 3 cups of water
• a sprinkle of turmeric and cayenne or paprika (also optional, but also super healthy)

Read about the Health benefits of Ginger HERE

Read about the Health Benefits of Cilantro HERE

I had a Very "Helpful" assistant:

Read about the Health Benefits of the powerful antioxidant, Turmeric HERE

Guess what?  Cayenne is super HEALTHY TOO

Once you've peeled and chopped your goodies, add a few cups of water- let process in your blender for a minute or two, then pour through whatever strainer you like best.  My first few attempts were filtered with the nut milk bag I use when making almond milk, but after trying my wire mesh strainer I haven't gone back.  

You can add more or less water to taste.   You can add more or less of any of it to taste, really.  I happen to like more water because I feel it adds a little pizazz to meeting my water quota for the day, and I feel it is easier on my system.  One thing that I have trouble with when juicing is it kind of messing with my blood sugar.  I don't identify with any allopathic diagnosis for blood sugar disorders but I have always struggled with crashing after intaking juices or smoothies.  This is not an area of health that I am educated on, and am only sharing my experience.  The watery blender juice is my friend, that's all I'm saying.  Also, Apple Cider Vinegar?  If you are not an already seasoned drinker of the stuff, I'd steer clear until you've tempered yourself.  Jerrmy and I used to take shots of ACV in the kitchen at Greenhouse Grille for kicks like little crazy health-nutty party animals.  That was pretty silly of us, but we are now super tolerant.

At last, I arrive at my favorite part of blender juicing: the clean up is super easy.  Simply rinsing the blender and strainer and carrying on.  No disassembly.  No magnetic keys that are easily misplaced.  And One Less Hunk of Machine to store.  I like it, folks.

***

Just as I began my little Blender Juicing kick, the guys around here started dropping off like flies to winter viruses.  First Jerrmy had the flu, followed by Jasper (who I nursed and slept next and got coughed on... in my mouth) and I never fell ill, swilling these hippy waters daily.  Then I let up and skipped a few days last week and caught a cold (which I think was part slacking and part repercussion of my bragging to anyone who would listen about my ginger drinks and said flu avoidance.)  Yesterday, I was feeling pretty crumby, but after a strong Ginger/Lime/Honey/Turmeric booster I'm about 95% back to good health.  Guys!  I'm a believer!  And I hope this little Vita-Juice Kick sticks!  

06 | 52

06/52

Loukas:  A nightly ritual, pajama party on the bed asking Dad to throw him high in the air

Jasper:  2nd Birthday Prince

Jasper is 2!

The anniversary of Jasper's Birth ended up being much like his arrival two years ago:  it came sooner than we were ready, was fast pace, and didn't look exactly how we imagined it would.  

Since our little Bear fell ill with the flu three weeks ago, he hasn't quite made it back to full health.  Pesky second molars, a lingering cough and resurgence of cold symptoms, along with clingy sleep times in addition to our basic house bound status; not wanting to further expose the kid to more germs since he's so susceptible at this point, have made for quite an interesting end to our baby's second year!  While there've been many smiles and laughs and fun times all around, things have been a bit "clunky" as my husband likes to describe.  Fortunately, though, we were able to make good with what we had to work with-  delirium, cabin fever, a touch of SADS, and all.

Here's what was Good 

Thrifted Creatures

 

Bear's Day

 Snow Suits + Mittens

Brothers

Sled Rides

 

Holding Hands (I first typed Holding Hearts, which also works)

 THis:

Sending Mr.2 down on his own

 

Angel Faces 

Drips

Balloons

Birthday Crowns 

  

 It's a miracle we got him to even wear that adorable head piece for the short time we did!

Stroke of Genius Cast Iron Griddled Pancake Tower with Vegan Maple Butter Cream, made by Mommy  

 We hadn't planned a birthday party, but instead had a low key evening at home with just our closest friends and family.  The morning started super early, and we felt behind all day.  Eventually things came together, we went back and forth about whether or not to make a dessert to stick candles in and sing our boy his Happy Birthday since he's been so under the weather and the sugar would not help those matters.  At the last minute, I went for it and whipped up the pancake tower cake that I had dreamed up a few days ago- incorporating our favorite breakfast treat.  I used a box mix by Cherry Brooks Farms Gluten Free Dairy Free Egg Free Nut Free Pancake and Waffle Mix and jazzed it up with a little shredded coconut, orange zest, and flax seed meal.  The pancakes were griddled in our cast iron with coconut oil and I layered them with a Soy Free Earth Balance, Maple Syrup, and Coconut Sugar Vegan Butter Cream that I winged.  A definite Fun, Easy dessert solution and pretty tasty!

I had planned to spend a bit of time tapping away in reflection about what the past two years of have been like for us, what Jasper has brought- how it's been harder than I imagined but how he is more than I ever dreamed.   I think I'll save all the grit and get to the gleam- these are our best days, even on the hardest of them.  Our little family is EVERYTHING and especially when things don't turn out the way we imagined or visualized, they are are even better in real time.  Jasper's Birthday was just like his Birth- nothing fancy, at home, surrounded by Love and Perfect in an unexpected way.

We are so lucky to have had such a sweet little mid-winter Boy to CELEBRATE- Happy Birthday, little Bear.

Self, Take A Walk

My husband came home for about an hour between working office hours then heading back to run the line at his restaurant this evening.  He called me around three o'clock to let me know that his hands would be needed on deck, and, well, I wasn't exactly excited for this news.  We've been stuck at home since Sunday.  The noise level and the repetitive snack making, floor picking up, whining teething toddler who just got over the flu but has been running a low grade fever on and off, too many kid cartoons, toy messes, laundry messes, and more snack makings were starting to get to me.  So when my husband arrived for his short break and took the boys up to the play room to give me a moment of solitude, I sat  down at the computer intent to do those online doings I'd jotted on my list.  But I didn't get far.  

I've not been at peace lately.  These times creep in- especially this time of year.  I'm glad that at age 31, I am starting to accept that things aren't always silk and sunshine and when they are not, it's okay to feel the way I feel.  There always seems to be a bit of a hail storm of "what is going on?!" before that calm of accepting my lows and recognizing what is taking place.  In the past, I tended to compound my anxiety and imbalance with feelings of inadequacy that I didn't feel happy all of the time.  Without a gray day or two, or five or seven- we'd never be able to admire the deep colors of the winter- because they are there too.  One of my favorite song lyrics ever is "Be loud let your color show." (Avett Brothers)  And I don't think our colors are always meant to be brilliant and bright.  Perhaps there is a color show spectrum: sometimes our colors are neon and dazzling, sometimes they are bleeding and running together.  I'd say my colors are pretty muted here lately, but I'm trying to "keep the madness low."

Instead of continuing on with my getting stuff done frenzy this afternoon- one that has been in the works for days and has been interrupted in-numerous times by snotty noses and snack makings etc, I had what might be described as a moment of clarity.  Maybe this what who some folks talk about when they say God Spoke to them, I don't know- but I said to myself, "Self, Take a Walk."  And I listened.

It was a hardy 17 degrees fahrenheit. 

 

 

 

 

My walk was what it was.  A breath of fresh air, and really really cold.  I did not solve any of the world's problems, but I did collect a few images and I think they are lovely.  

When I arrived at my door I could not feel my toes.  I kicked off my thrifted duck shoes, which I realized are a half size too small, and kissed my husband good bye for work.  Lucky for us, he had prepared a crockpot meal for dinner this evening, a lovely chicken with Thyme gravy and rice.  My boys and I chatted and I sipped wine and after dinner I found that I had missed messages from my Dad's former (second) wife, that he is very ill in the hospital in California.  So far away.  I was able to get in touch with him by calling the ER- his voice was altered by the pain medication that he is being administered intravenously for the abdominal pain that he was admitted for.  I've been wanting to call him for days.  I've been thinking of him for days, but I haven't called.  Hot tears came after I rambled to him asking him if he was being taken good care of and then all I could say was "I love you so much, Dad." 

I do.  I love him.  So much.  More than I really understand or am able to grasp because it is a love that is ancient and came before me and will not die when I die. 

When I hung up, my boys were bouncing around before me as I sat on the couch with a blotchy face and soggy cheeks.  Loukas chattered on about peregrine falcons, from the PBS kids show that he had watched while I was on the phone.   Jasper climbed on my lap with 'I am a Bunny' and asked to read.   

I'd walk to California if I could.

05|52

(I'm a few days late posting these, but who's keeping track anyhow!!)

Loukas (Charlie, as he likes to be called these days)- never strays too far from his beloved 'dark green' blankie.  

Jasper- Loves to 'help' in the kitchen.  Every parenting guru of all time says to allow your child to help with food preparation, but honestly it often feels like a hindrance more often than not. He sure does like to get in on the action, and is persistent if we try to put him off. (also, he can be a bit of a bossy chef)