Yes, this stuff totally looks a little strange, but tastes amazing…. not to mention the… drum roll please…. benefits! One of my favorites being that eating chia seeds in any form, reduces certain cravings.

Being deficient in minerals or vitamins can create a craving for food. For example, if you’re low on calcium, you may feel compelled to eat lots of cheese and ice cream. This happens because your body knows that cheese is a source of calcium, and it hasn’t been getting enough. But what if dairy and whole milk are a “Diet don’t”? You can always add calcium to your food by sprinkling on the chia. By weight, chia has more calcium than whole milk. It also has magnesium and boron, essential trace minerals used in the absorption of calcium and other vitamins. By balancing your vitamins and minerals with chia, you can curb cravings that might tempt you.

I got this one at Juice Generation in West Village, but you can make your own. Here is how… Easy chia seed pudding recipe here!

(Source: http://www.mychiaseeds.com/Articles/Top10ChiaBenefits.html)

Before I go to bed, I try to drink chlorophyll by adding the liquid form in a glass of water. It’s so miraculous! And has the power to regenerate our bodies on a cellular level… Cleansing on a deep level baby, while fighting infections, increasing our circulation, and aiding our digestive system.

But wait, there is more! Chlorophyll consumption increases the number of red blood cells and, therefore, increase oxygen utilization by the body. And we sure need our oxygen… So either drink or get your green on by eating more veggies.

Love this liquid form by World Organic.

Here is my breakfast…. a large green juice and small fresh squeezed orange juice. Yum.

Started the day off with an aloe vera shot… down it went… not the best taste, but totally doable. I mean 100 times better than tequila… ha. So strange to put it inside the body and not on the body.

Here are some of the healing benefits of aloe vera:

1. Digestive Benefits: It has been used to treat or soothe the harsh impacts of colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers. Even if you don’t suffer from any of these ailments, Aloe Vera can play a role in keeping you digestive system healthy.

2. Promotes Healthy Skin: Aloe Vera has been used as a skin treatment for hundreds of years. Of all the Aloe Vera benefits we know about today, skin care is one of the most popular and sought after remedies. Aloe hydrates cracked, dry skin and helps restore softness in a remarkably gentle and non-abrasive way. It has been nature’s anti-aging lotion for centuries.

3. Weight Control: Aloe Vera has the ability to promote a sense of well being and will help increase your energy and metabolism.

4. Promotes Immune System Health: Aloe Vera has natural immune system enhancing properties, which help keep your body strong and able to fight off sickness. Aloe Vera Juice can help you immune system stay healthy.

5. Source of Vitamins: Another one of Aloe Vera’s benefits is the sheer amount of vitamins contained in its juice. Aloe Vera juice provides vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, and E. The juice is also a great source of Folic Acid and Niacin.

6. Aloe as an Elixir: Aloe Vera juice is used as an elixir in many cultures based on its antioxidant properties, which is believed to help prevent the signs of aging. Antioxidants are your body’s natural defense against free radicals, which can damage cells and lead to a number of health issues, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

7. Aloe as a Nutritional Supplement: Aloe Vera benefits go beyond vitamin content and antioxidants. Calcium, iron, potassium and zinc are all found in Aloe Vera gel and juice. Such important minerals are an often-overlooked part of our diet, but a simple daily regimen of aloe can help ensure you are getting your essential minerals.

Source: http://aloevera.com/aloe-vera-benefits/

The other day a little email from a reader appeared in my inbox… It was a beautiful note written by Paula, a Swede that is listening to her true calling, her purpose in this lifetime, and slowly making her way towards a career within the health realm… With her spirit, she’s gonna be big, so watch out for her!

My whole heart is filled with joy, as I see what a domino effect this blog has – love that everyone is spreading the word, eating better, building stronger foundations, living healthier lifestyles, and mostly importantly living their purpose. When you eat naturally, the way we are meant to, you will gain such clarity!! And see your entire life through a much clearer, brighter light.

Below please find three tips on how to begin the raw food lifestyle by the gorgeous Paula…

1. Knowledge

Read. Take it all in, love it all out. Knowing what I know today makes it absolutely impossible to set my foot in McDonalds.

This is actually one of the most common questions I get. The knowledge of Raw Food will make you crave, yes crave, veggies, fruits, superfoods and so on.

All this happened to me and there is loads and loads of inspiration, information and beautiful pictures starting right here at Raw Clarity. Play yourself through the links! I have.

2. THE Vita mix (or any other great mixer)

This is my favorite tool in the kitchen. With a great mixer you become a kid in a candy store. Without guilt and toxins!

You deserve the best and so does your body.

I create everything with my mixer, smoothies, juices, soups, desserts and raw chocolate balls…

3. Detox you life! Surround yourself with love and support!

No, you are not out of your mind eating algaes, you are blessed with knowledge and you deserve respect!

It will surprise you how much that comes with by just making changes in your diet.

You will be achieving a much clearer mind that won’t only motivate you to clean your body from the toxins, you been mean to yourself with, but also clean your entire life including your relationships.

It is your job to listen to that voice. See, if you want to fly high, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down!

Eating at Dean & DeLuca is a glorious experience, but I must warn you that picking out your meal can take up to 30 minutes…. due to the insane amount of good options!! The particular location in the pics is in Georgetown, but there are locations all over the U.S. I also like the one in Soho.

Recommend their fresh squeezed juices, fruit selection, brown rice veggie sushi, curry cauliflower salad, and corn.

So the breakfast buffet in Washington D.C. did not include a tone of raw food (shocker…), luckily I located a Starbucks across the street – they have fruit, raw granola, and tea (which I opted for on this chili morning). I’ve said this before, but when traveling just do the best you can and prepare if possible. Eeekk totally forgot to do that on this road trip…

Anyways thanks Starbucks!

No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you… I’m taking about actually putting flowers in your mouth and swallowing 🙂

Flowers have been a culinary ingredient for centuries, yet today not many think of putting them in our bodies (and stick them in a vase instead).

There are a bunch of recognizable flowers to munch on… some notable ones include lilacs, pansies, day lilies, chrysanthemums, lavender, sunflowers, dandelions, nasturtiums, roses and violets. The nectar & pollen parts are full of vitamins, minerals and macro-nutrients. Vitamins A + C, iron, calcium and phosphorous are commonly present in leaves and petals.

The easiest way to eat these beauties is to through them on salads.

But, but, but please note that some kinds of flowers are poisonous so please be careful.