In honor of this green holiday, I found a recipe that incorporates the beneficial cannabis oil and a healthy sweet treat all at the same time!  

But first, let me provide a bit of education for those out there a bit reluctant or all out against this flowering plant of  the Cannabaceae family, when used responsibly that is.  
​Paraphrased from Wikipedia: 
​Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant used for medical or recreational purposes. 
The main psychoactive part of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).  
Cannabis can be used by smoking, vaporizing, within food, or as an extract. 
Cannabis is also known as hemp, although this term is often used to refer only to varieties of Cannabis cultivated for non-drug use.
Cannabis has long been used for hemp fibre, hemp seeds and their oils, hemp leaves for use as vegetables and as juice, medicinal purposes.  
Preliminary evidence suggests that cannabis can reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, improve appetite in people with HIV/AIDS, and reduce chronic pain and muscle spasms.
(www.wikapedia.com)
​
Below are just a few of the amazing benefits derived from cannabis:

• Fights cancer
• Fights depression and anxiety
• Helps in treating autism
• Seizure regulator
• Helps heal broken bones faster
• Aids in focus, concentration
• Glaucoma treatment
• Helps M.S. patients
• Can relieve pain and arthritis 
• Eases nausea
• Helps with eating disorders

(www.greenflower.com)

Again, when used responsibly and as medicinal, cannabis is quite beneficial and a lifesaver to many.  And like with anything used irresponsibly, this plant can be harmful- yet, there are no findings of cannabis having fatal effects. 

Now for the good stuff!  
​
Epicurious has a delicious popcorn treat to satisfy your cravings in honor if today!  This recipe combines a flavor combo for your palate that is sensational!  
I mean really, sweet + savory + spicy + popcorn + weed... any objections?

This particular recipe in its current form is vegetarian, not vegan.  However, to make this popcorn recipe completely vegan, swap the honey for agave.   

If you're going to have the munchies anyway, might as well cut out the middle man and get it all in one.  This recipe will seriously step up any basic Netflix & Chill evening!

Don't take my word for it, CLICK BELOW and try it out for yourself!

Ideally, a paramount issue behind why most of us don't eat healthy most of the time has A LOT to do with the convenience factor. It's easy for me to tell my clients to make sure majority of their plate at every meal is full of vegetables. Or that they should make it a point to consume at least a pound of vegetables daily. And while the FDA would recommend we consume at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, one specific question lingers:
How on this green earth are we supposed to consume the magnanimous amount, yet SUPER beneficial veggies consistently on a daily basis?

People, AC Art Of Food has found the answer!

Visiting family a couple of weeks ago, I noticed in my sister-in-love's fridge, a container of powdered super greens. She explained to me how her and her hubby drink this mixed in water, juice, or a smoothie, every morning and it made them feel amazing! Now, don't get me wrong, I have seen and performed research on various powdered greens before and have concluded that collectively they serve a great purpose of health and convenience...all in one scoop!

Now fast forward to this week and I'm perusing the shelves of Walgreen's and stumble upon Amazing Grass' product line of advantageous, alkaline potent, easy to consume greens! I mean think about it, the ease of simply scooping all these healthFUL antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and nutrients into a single glass of at least 8oz. of water and you're getting a huge jumpstart of fruits and veggies for the day! Now you will still need to consume as many fruits and veggies that you can in a day, this product and other dehydrated brands simply provide a good boost to get you started.

There are a few flavor options to choose from. While I chose the 'lemon-lime' flavor, I add my scoop to a 32oz of water to mask the sweetness from tye stevia. This is primarily due to me not particularly caring for the taste of stevia, even though this naturally sweet green is loaded with nutrients and health benefits, combined with the lemon-lime flavor does not my palate please. However, the original is quite refreshing! I did also notice online a watermelon flavor that I can't wait to order next, and just in time for the summer!

Because I fast intermittently, I drink my 25 calorie serving Amazing Greens and a couple cups of green tea or black coffee in the morning and I'm good up until I eat lunch around noon. However, I would not recommend my clients consume this solely as their meal because of the really low calorie content, unless participating in IF. Ideally I would pair this green beverage with a small meal, or the powder mixed into a smoothie or meal replacement shake.

On the contrary of me praising this product, I have read reviews concerning one of the popular energy-boosting ingredient, Yerba Mate. While there has been some buzz regarding large amounts consumed of this antioxidant rich nutrient may have ties with mouth and esophagus cancer, the small amount included in Amazing Greens does not seemingly pose a threat.

So don't take my word for it, go out and grab a container for yourself! Try it and let me know how it works for you!

Instead of buying prepackaged fruit cups and/or fruit in gel, try simply taking a few minutes to prepare fresh cut fruit in a large container for easy accessibility and serving.  

Many of these prepared fruit snacks found on grocery shelves may be labeled as 'natural', and in most cases that's great, but nothing beats assembling your own to create a fresh fruit snack that you feel certain about and know that nothing extra has been added.  

In addition, the natural snacks found in stores often contain artificial preservatives to assure freshness.  Try my approach below and feel great about the all-natural alkaline preservative I recommend for your fresh fruit assembly.

You simply save so much and gain peace of mind with preparing your own food period.  
In preparing your own fresh cut mixed fruit you:

•  $ave money.
• Select your own fresh produce.
• Boost health and drop pounds with a healthy snack easily accessible and on hand.
• Peace of mind that you're serving the best to you and your family.

There is truly nothing more comforting than a piping hot, tender in the middle, super filling baked potato right out of a traditional oven.  However, some would beg to differ that popped in the microwave for a fraction of the time is the best thing to happen to this root veggie since the dollop of sour cream.  

But what if I tell you that the best of both worlds is yours for the taking?

I present to you, the world....well the air fryer that is, lol!

By popping your potatoes in the air fryer, you still get that moist and tender inside, but with an added crispy outside skin that leads you to believe all is truly right with the world!  And to make this scrumptious combination even better, it is created in half the time of a baked potato prepared in a conventional oven.

I have prepared these potatoes both as a whole and halved and find that while left whole, there's still the crispy skin, but it takes a bit longer for the inside to get just right.  While the halves cooked perfectly every time based on the instructions below. 

*CULINARY HEALTH TIP*
There's a misconception out there that 'white' potatoes are the devil!  Well, that's simply NOT true.  And to be clear, potatoes are not a white food as it relates to white flour, white rice, white bread, etc.  Saying that a potato is a white food is like saying an apple, pear, or some blueberries are as well.  Last time I checked, most potatoes are brown on the outside and come in various colors from red to even purple!  Now, indeed they are starchy and should be eaten in moderation, but they are ok to eat and are good for you!

Check out a few of the benefits found in this nutrient packed root vegetable:

• fiber rich
• potassium
• vitamin C and B6
• cholesterol free
• heart healthy
• full of antioxidants
• digestive health aid
• gluten-free