Persimmon Fruit

~Persimmons~

This is one of my families favorite snacks. We are a happy family when these are in season. Which is November through February. When looking to buy this mild and sweet fruit, make sure to buy the non-astringent persimmon, like Fuyu (Fuyugaki), Gosho/Giant Fuyu/O'Gosho, Imoto, Izu, Jiro, Maekawajiro, Okugosho, Suruga. These are my personal favorite and are eaten while crispy, like apples. OMG heaven!!!! My 5 yr old Begs for them! 

Persimmons not only taste amazing but they have amazing health benefits. You need to take advantage while you can this winter. Something different is a good delicious thing in life.

They are a true SUPER FOOD!

-They are high in calories (70+ calories) but very low in fats. 

-It's a very good source of dietary fiber. 100 g of fresh fruit contains 9.5% of recommended daily intake of fiber.

-They contain important anti-tumor, anti-infective, anti-inflammatory and anti-hemorrhagic (prevents bleeding from small blood vessels)

-They contain vitamin-A, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zea-xanthin and cryptoxanthin. Together, these compounds functions as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals that play a role in aging and various disease processes.

-They are a good source of vitamin-C, another powerful antioxidant. Eating foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.

-They contain many B-complex vitamins such as folic acid, pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), thiamin...etc. These vitamins act as co-factors for numerous metabolic enzymatic functions in the body. 

-They also contain healthy amounts of minerals like potassium, manganese (15% of DRI), copper (12% of DRI), and phosphorus.

-PHEW! So get them while you can! Seek them out at your local farmers markets and grocery stores before the season ends. They are Beautiful inside and out!!

Besides eating them raw, there are MANY amazing recipes you can try using them. Here is a wonderful recipe to try from Food52.com

Persimmon and Goat Cheese Salad

Serves 4

• 6 cups mixed greens, any style
• 1 Fuyu persimmon, diced 
• 1 small apple, diced 
• 1/2 cup soft goat cheese, crumbled
• 3 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
• 4 tablespoons tangerine juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 pinch salt 
• 2 dashes pepper

1. Place the greens in a salad bowl and top with the fruits and goat cheese. In a small bowl, whisk tangerine juice, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk in olive oil in a small stream. Adjust to taste. combine with greens and toss. Sprinkle almonds over all. Serve.   
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Healthy Ice Cream

This past week my son was VERY sick. 1st year of preschool and we all have gotten everything and I mean everything that has gone around! This last week he got the coxsackievirus A16 virus. Poor thing it was horrible! He couldn't even swallow and he wouldn't eat as it was too painful. I had to make sure he was getting nutrients and it was something that made him feel better, so I made home made Ice Cream. :) 

YEAY FOR ICE CREAM!

It was so good my entire family had it for snacks 3 days in a row. This is not the kind of Ice Cream that takes forever to make, nor is it packed full of sugar. It is the kind of Ice Cream that is full of GOODNESS, HEALTHY FOR YOU, GUILT FREE and you need to eat it ASAP upon making. This wont last in the freezer. It is basically 2-3 ingredients and take 5 minutes TOPS to make. I got 2 thumbs up from everyone!

Ingredients:

• Frozen Fruit 
• Milk of choice-Milk, Almond milk, Coconut milk 

THAT'S IT!


Directions:

• Add desired amount of frozen fruit into blender 
• Slowly add 1 oz at a time of milk 
• Blend until desired smooth consistency.

The more milk you add, the more it will turn into a fruit smoothy. So go slow and only add 1oz at a time.

I made this beautiful Tropical Mango Ice cream using 1 package or organic frozen Mango & 3 large frozen Pineapple rings with about 5 oz of Coconut Milk. This made 4 servings.

I also made a berry delight with frozen 1 package of Blueberries, Raspberries and Blackberries using regular 5 oz of 2% regular milk and a few frozen whole blueberries to top it off. Making 4 servings.

Easy, Fast, Fun and Delicious!

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3 Day Refresh Review

I was so happy when I discovered they came out with a 3 day cleanse. The 21 Day Reset is amazing but you don't always want to take 21 days to do a cleanse. And its hard for me NOT to workout for 21 whole days. Feels weird to me. 

This short cleanse was a pleasant surprise. I not only got to have my shakes which I love, but REAL FOOD TOO! Imagine that! In all honestly you don't go hungry if you stay on an eating schedule and choose from the foods you like best.  And you still get to workout and have plenty of energy to do so. 

After the 3 days I lost my bloat AND 4 lbs. For me THIS WAS GREAT! That was my goal. I am planning on doing this 3 day cleanse once a month now. Just a little refresh. :) In the meantime, I'm continuing with my Shakeology and PIYO to get some inches down and gain some lean muscle. HAPPY PANTS!  

Message me if you want info on this sweet 3 Day Refresh. You can join me and jump start some weight loss, de-bloat and feel great!

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Overnight Refrigerator Chia Oatmeal

This really can't get much better or easier! No cooking at all, just dump it in, shake and stick it the fridge overnight! 

I have been playing with this recipe for a while tweaking it to my liking. It's so easy and good. You can really get creative with this. Healthy breakfast to go.  Protein, Fiber and tons of vitamins and nutrients! WINNING!

• 1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup coconut milk 
• 1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup chopped fruit or enough to fill jar

Optional

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract if you are using regular milk or almond milk
• Instead of honey you can use stevia or  maple syrup. Honey is just my go to sweetener.
• You can use regular whole or skim milk and even almond milk. Coconut milk brings that extra flavor I love. 
• I don't always add the Greek yogurt. If I don't, I use 3/4 cup of full fat coconut milk instead. MMMMM
• All organic ingredients when possible please.

In a half pint (1 cup) jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, honey and fruit. Put lid on jar and shake until well combined. Refrigerate overnight or as long as 2-3 days. Eat chilled. YUMMY!!

Add whatever fruit you desire. Add coco powder for a chocolate version. Theyummlife.com has some great recipes if you don't feel creative. This is where I discovered this amazing breakfast recipe.

Recipe varies 250 calories pending on your options.