And the award for Filippa’s top Swedish grocery picks goes to… see images above. Love these items – avocados, spinach, bananas, and broccoli.

Nothing beats a juicy grapefruit for breakfast… What are the benefits of this fruit?

It’s high in fiber, low in calories.  It contains bioflavonoid and other plant chemicals that protects against the serious disease of cancer, tumour and heart diseases. Grape fruit increases the metabolic rate, lower the insulin levels and thus, gives you a feeling of completeness and contentment. The pulp of grapefruit supplies healthy bulk to our body which aids bowel action.

Interesting fact… the fruit helps reduce fever…

A simple glass of grapefruit juice, if drunk before going to bed, can promote healthy and sweet sleep and thus, alleviates insomnia.

Hmmm which one is the best? Well they are both loaded with lots of beneficial nutrients, but taste wise I prefer pear… Try them!

Whenever I visit Gothenburg my brother Eric takes me to this amazing salad bar – Deli & Coffee – it’s a make-your-own with the freshest produce! Mix & match or try one on their menu.  We enjoyed these salads in the warm sun with some good conversation.

Here is a yummy recipe from Natural Ginger… Try it for dinner tonight! If you don’t like the marinara sauce, another option is simply pesto with chopped tomatoes on top.

Ingredients: 2 large Zucchini (spiralized), 1 red pepper, ½ bunch fresh Basil, 2 Tbsp Red Onion, minced, 1 Lime, juiced, & Sea salt & pepper to taste

Marinara Sauce Option: 1 red pepper, 3 garlic cloves, pressed, 3 small Vine Tomatoes, 10-15 fresh Basil leaves, 1 tsp Oregano, dried, 4-5 Sundried Tomatoes (without sulfites!), Dash of Cayenne (optional – for a little spice), & Sea salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Grate or julienne the zucchini (lengthwise for pasta resemblance); or use a spiralizer.
2. Mince the onion and chop the red pepper.  Carefully slice the basil leaves and mix with the onion and red pepper.  Add the salt, pepper, and lime juice and mix again.
3. Place the above mixture on top of the zucchini pasta.
4. Place all of the sauce ingredients in the food processor and blend until smooth (or to desired consistency).
5. Pour the sauce over top of your pasta mixture and top with a basil garnish. Voila!  Fresh raw pasta!  This will serve 2-3 people.  Refrigerate pasta and sauce separately in the fridge to retain freshness

Ginger bread replacement? Yes, found one here in Sweden, a bar from nakd. The brand also has a ton of other amazing flavors made with the best natural ingredients.

One of my closest friends Sofia is also adding a few raw goodies to her shopping cart in the pic above…

What happens when you heat certain plant-based food? The process produces acrylamide, a cancer-causing chemical that is created when carbohydrate-rich foods are cooked at high temperatures (250 F/120 C), whether baked, fried, roasted, grilled or toasted (doesn’t matter…). Some of the worst offenders include potato chips and french fries!

”Animal studies have shown that exposure to acrylamide increases the risk of several types of cancer, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer considers acrylamide a ’probable human carcinogen.”

”You’re far less likely to ingest dangerous levels of the toxin when you eat home-cooked foods compared to industrially (processed) or restaurant-prepared foods. And when you do eat at home, the best advice for avoiding acrylamide is to avoid overcooking your food – and eat a significant portion raw or only lightly cooked.”

Source: articles.mercola.com

No I don’t live in the south, but love coming home to my mom for a meal made with love and classic corn on the cob! The reason I say I’m 90% raw, is so I can enjoy these delicious items once in a while. I don’t put butter on it though – just drizzle some olive oil and Celtic sea salt.

10 million women are on the pill & 82% of us have taken it at some point in our lives. The birth control pill is a $22 billion–a-year industry. These days, women assume that the kinks have been worked out & that the pill is perfectly safe—but is that naïve? Check out this article from BUST that features advice from FLO Living in New York. Click here to be directed to the article!

Attended a MAGIC wedding this weekend. Julia was THE most beautiful bride. Glowing, radiating, and sparkling. Thank you for an unforgettable night. xx