Each week AC Art Of Food presents, 'A Culinary Health Bite'- a short tasty clip highlighting a healthFUL food, revealing its benefits and delicious ways to prepare it!

This week, check out all the wonders of this hydration-superfruit WATERMELON!  

Plus, I've got a super simple way to prep watermelon for EASY and fun eating!  But you have to watch to find out how!

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.

For the record, I was raised on the goodness and mercy of a big pot of greens sitting on the stove on any given Sunday. Simmering bushels of leafy collards crowded with several ham hocks, onions, and peppers.  Ohhhhh the days!

Don't get me wrong, this leafy vegetable remains a cornerstone dish in my kitchen and I'm certain many other kitchens alike.  However, once you know better you absolutely have no choice but to do better.  So after tossing the ham hocks (nope, not even a smoked turkey wing!), I imagined a healthier and just as tasty version of this essential green.  The creation of my Quick Sautéed Collards w/ Garlic & Sherry helped me maintain the best of both worlds.  

This delicious health-full plant is prepared in such a way that the vitamins, minerals, and valuable nutrients stay locked in- hence the 'quick' in the recipe title, lol!   Unlike back in the day where that pot of greens would stay boiling on the stove ALL DAY long!

*History Taste Bud*: Pot Liquor, as it's often referred, is essentially these liquid/juices from the greens that cooked all day on that very stove in most African American homes.  This pot liquor was oftentimes consumed separately as an additional supplement and also given to babies for nourishment because of its rich nutrient content.*
 
And the texture!  The sherry adds a tasty component that helps in breaking down the leaves  with added flavor that matches a days worth of cooking.  These greens are amazingly tender, delicious, and so filling that you'll want to make more!  And that's a good thing health wise as well as time wise- I mean really, the whole dish is ready from prep to plate in less than 15 minutes!  This dish is also heart healthy with the use of garlic and olive oil in combination with this vitamin and mineral rich green.  What's not to love about that?

Meet my New Year Veggie Crush= CELERY😍.  And hence, my Celery Wake-Up Smoothie Juice!

This refreshing juice smoothie is best if consumed on an empty stomach first thing in the a.m.
​Now, alone the vegetable celery and its juice are AMAZING and SUPER impactful to the body and immune system. The additional fruit blended in(100% with nothing added), simply add their own individual benefits to this mineral rich morning beverage.  What's more, the fruit also adds a natural sweetening component😉. 

If your blender does not produce a smooth juice-like product and you experience some froth and/or fibers from the celery, simply strain with a cheesecloth directly into your glass.  

For some additional motivation, take a look below at just some of the benefits derived from this secret 'super' food celery.  I've researched this powerful unsung veggie and am in complete awe of it's powers:

💥Reduces inflammation
💥Supports digestion
💥Reduces cancer risk
💥Reduces blood pressure
​💥Supports eye health as we age
💥SUPER RICH in vitamins and minerals
💥Alkaline 

Start your year, and day off right with this simple and super effective juice smoothie! 

Whew, it's finally COMPLETE!!

This has been no easy task in the attempt for completion while balancing a family of 5, the bill paying 9 to 5 J.O.B, setbacks, the day to day upkeep of ACAOF, and well, simply life itself.  Trying to get the design just right- but not too identical to Volume 1, as well as what to include and not, deemed equally trying.  However, after over a year of research, experimenting, test kitchen successes and fails, I've finally completed what I feel is one of the best value-added beneficial guides for clean eating!  

So without further ado, I am pleased to introduce the release of my latest labor of love:
Culinary Health Cookbook Volume 2- The Clean Eating Jumpstart eBook

Thirty(30) pages of delicious healthful recipes to jumpstart your clean eating lifestyle!  

And as an added bonus, I've included inside this ebook two(2) lists, or mini books, that will help  you maintain this healthy journey:
(1) *Kitchen Culinary Overhaul List (what you should have on hand)
(2) *Culinary Health Snack List (17 snack ideas)

The introductory price is a steal at $8 and will be set at its regular price of $9.99 January 1, 2019.  So grab it now while you can!
​
This health-trendy world is full of diets, cleanses, and detoxes, that promise 'quick' weight loss and temporary wellness 'boosts'.  But they're just that, temporary. This cookbook series is created for you to LIVE healthier for the LONG term!  Included are realistic meals, ideas, and snack ideas that you and your whole family will love as well as your body!

Please understand, AC Art Of Food does not restrict nor try to set drastic limitations for your eating regimen- why do that!?!  The purpose is to introduce you to new and 'outside-the-box' ways to get more clean/whole food in and processed food out!  I want to make you love food again, the way it's supposed to be, and help you live your very BEST life at the same time!

Thanks so much for your continued support, and here's to a healthier YOU!

AC Price,
CEO/Owner and Culinary Health Consultant ​

There’s nothing like hearing Donny Hathaway croon the tune of ‘This Christmas’ to get you in the holiday spirit.  But when the fire side is blazing bright while you sneeze all of your insides into a tissue, that spirit can start to ‘blow’ away (pun intended, lol!).

My purpose with AC Art Of Food is to consult year-round on how to not only eat deliciously healthy, but to also provide natural prevention tips to boost your immune system and to try and keep you from having to medicate because your body has been taken over by illness.  To be clear, my suggestions are just that, suggestions based on my research and study but more important, my experiences and the experiences of others I encounter.  ​

Listed in the middle of the homepage of AC Art Of Food, you can find the section ‘Food Is Medicine’.  This is a collection of natural minerals and herbal remedies that get my family and me through the year shielding us from the ‘cooties’...in addition to my daily cup of steamy green tea.  And while these remedies are great in aiding in prevention, proper diet, rest, regular exercise, fresh air, washed hands and stress relief, are just as important in living an all around healthy lifestyle. ​

Food is Medicine

For the purpose of actual application, the following is what I rely on whenever I get ‘that’ feeling, aching, or when I see one of the kid’s noses running, or when I hear my hubby sneezing more than 2 times within a 30 minute span…yeah, I’m on it!

​Please be sure to click on the product links for more information.

• As with everyday, I kick-off the day with 8 oz. of warm lemon water. Yes fresh squeezed is best, however, for convenience purposes…..the bottle if you must.  
  • Warm lemon water first thing in the morning alkalizes the body and aids in releasing and flushing mucus in the body.  It also helps to relieve gas and indigestion.  In addition, consuming at least 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water consumed daily is ideal!  Water alone flushes the organs and keeps the body hydrated and viable.
• 1 Capsule daily of Garden of Life Probiotic.
  • A good probiotic daily cleans out the bad bacteria in your gut and promotes and maintains the good bacteria in place empowering your immune system.  Click here for more info and to purchase.  
• 1-2 tbsp of Elderberry Tonic by Homemade Healing.  
  • Accurately deemed 'Nature's Flu Shot', this awesome tasting tonic jump-starts your immune system to help prevent the attack of colds and flu. Click here to learn more and grab your jar.
• 2 capsules of Oil of Oregano.  
  • Yep, oregano is not just for good sauce!  This herb in liquid capsule form cleanses and fights off those aches and pains before they can settle in.  Click here to learn more and purchase.
• 1 tbsp of Ionic Zinc. 
  • This amazing mineral when taken moderately, zaps a cold before you can blink your eye!  Now, it's not at all as pleasant to take as the Elderberry Tonic taste wise, however, the effect is amazingly impactful and worth it!   The key is to take the recommended dose on the bottle immediately once you feel you may be getting sick and chances are that cold will pass right on by!  Do not take on an empty stomach.  Click here to learn more and purchase.
    

• 1 'Jump-Back' Juice Smoothie.  
  • This juice smoothie is LOADED with immune boosting giants that consist of valuable minerals, vitamins, and the kick you need to get you back right!  Blend together the following ingredients(preferably in a Vitamix) until smooth:
    • 2 stalks of celery
    • 1 cup spinach
    • 1 cup pineapple
    • 1 tbsp molasses
      
    • 1 knob (thumb size) of turmeric root
    • 1 knob (thumb size) of ginger root
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup ice

​Please keep in mind that when encountering an illness, it is of VITAL importance that you seek professional medical help and speak with your doctor to get an ‘ok’ before taking any medicines, treatments, or tonics.  TRUST, allergic reactions are REAL.

Here's exactly Why AC Art Of Food is YOUR Culinary Health Resource!  

On this site individuals can find tasty tips and ideas, recipes, a healthy online gourmet store MaymeJax Gourmet Boutique, and my abstract taste of food perspective here, on the TastyBlog.   

Additional products/services provided:

• Culinary Health Planning to clients
• Personalized Cooking Classes
• Signature seasoning, Abstract Spice- '...it's literally good on everything!'
• Culinary Health eBook Cookbook Vol.2- The Clean Eating Jumpstart (11/2018)
• Meal Plan Subscription (2019)
• Quarterly Culinary Health Cooking Demos (2019)

...when you learn how food is medicine for your body, you love what you eat because you're eating for life.  My focus is to make that life taste good.

-AC Price
                  

Salad or wrap?  Wrap or salad?  Which one and how do you choose?  And are they really doing your  body good?

Well, it depends ultimately on what you're looking for.  Salads are light and refreshing meals that don't make you feel guilty...right?  Well you may be surprised to find the calorie counts to be high and health ratings low in some of your favorite salads.  This is largely due to the high-fat content in the dressings that make them taste sooooo good!  For the amount of dressing added to these 'healthy' salads from our favorite restaurants, calories can skyrocket upwards of 300 calories alone!  Not only that, but add the cheese, nuts, dried fruits, meats protein, boiled egg, croutons, etc., and your healthy-option-salad is running neck-and-neck with, if not exceeding the calorie count of your average cheese burger combo meal.  

No fear, AC Art Of Food is here!  My Black Bean & Greens Salad is a super healthy flavorful one that includes a modest selection of ingredients that are flavor-packed and nutrient rich.  Simplicity speaks volumes!!

RULES OF THUMB:

• Less is best- choose your favorite 3 ingredients, no more than 4 and add to your salad greens.
• Oil & vinegar, or my favorite, lemon & oil are super delicious with a pinch of sea salt, garlic powder, and fresh cracked pepper- don't knock it 'till you try it, you'll be surprised!
• Want more of a creamy taste- make avocado one of your toppings with the dressing option above.
• WRAPS: Size is everything!  Smaller wraps tend to run between 75-120 calories, much lower than their larger counterparts and are just as filling!  Portion control is key- EVERYTHING in moderation.

Have I got some news for YOU!🎉

Exclusive to only this AC's Cart Of Foodies FB GROUP and site subscribers!
                                                             The
      7-Day Flex Taste & Move Challenge

• What it is: A 7 day meal plan and fitness challenge with options...it's FLEXIBLE

​

• Who: AC's Cart Of Foodies FB Group & AC Art Of Food site subscribers ONLY! (You have to subscribe to this site www.acartoffood.com in order to join the Facebook Group 'AC's Cart Of Foodies'!)

​

• When: Saturday, September 8th (Receive your meal plan and choose your workout and get ready to 'Taste & Move' Sunday!)

💥

• Why: To help you jump-start the new you, and the FIRST day of the rest of your new lifestyle!!🤗

The Details:
• An AC Art Of Food customized 7 day meal plan (breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks) focused on **culinary health**- this is NOT a 'diet'. Unlike most meal challenges, the 7-Day Flex Taste & Move Challenge has a meal plan that you can eat for a lifetime!
(ACAOF's term **culinary health** is a mindful healthy eating lifestyle. It is not meant to restrict, but more so to incorporate better eating habits and eliminate the crap that ultimately harms your body)

• 7 different workouts with 7 daily routines each from various movement experts/trainers who have created specific routines just for my ACAOFoodies to choose from for your 7 days based on what best fits you!

• Each day of the challenge will also be accompanied with an inspiring motivational passage curated by a phenomenal author just for ACAOFoodies that will encourage you to be the best you, inside and out....and to keep you going!

The Meals:
• Plant based with options for your protein of preference. All meals have been specially designed for this challenge😋

The Workouts: (each workout listed has 7 days of routines):
1•Circuit
2•HIIT
3•Yoga
4•Pilates
5•Running
6•Zumba
7•Swim

The Cost$:
•To be clear, the value of this challenge is priceless!!  
But as a thank you and to show appreciation for my loyal subscribers and ACAOFoodies the **7 Day Flex Taste & Move Challenge** is FREE!!

AC Art Of Food's new monthly interactive custom meal plans will be available with 6 and 12 month subscription discounted rates coming this Fall! 


🤓So stay tuned to our AC's Cart Of Foodies Group page for more info and to ask questions in preparation for September 8th!!🤓

🥘.              7-Day Flex Taste & Move Challenge

​...are you ready to start the First day of the rest of your lifestyle?

In my early teens, there was this book on our shelf about eating based on your blood type.  Fast forward to my post college years, I revisited this information and based my eating habits accordingly.  I remember enjoying the lifestyle for a moment, but had not taken the definitive leap to give up ‘the meat’ at that point in my life…so, my attention to eating to condition my blood faded.  ​

​Fast forward June 2018, I begin brainstorming on out of the box ways to help make a significant difference in my audience’s eating habits for the betterment of their lives, for the entirety of their lives.  I thought back to that book on my parent’s bookshelf and jotted this down as a ‘possible’ approach.  A few weeks later my hubby and I vacationed to Florida where we encountered a wonderful woman, complete stranger, that we out of the blue struck up a convo with about eating right.  She goes into detail about her 16 y/o daughter that had been ill, low on energy, and very distraught mentally.  She explained how they had been to doctor after doctor, receiving prescription after prescription, to no avail, with these prescriptions sometimes causing more pain.  I even saw with my own eyes w-rays pics of her daughter’s blood cells before and after and the change was amazing!  Then she stated how a guest mentioned seeking a phlebotomist to research her daughter’s symptoms a bit further- taking an outside-of-the-box approach.  Eureka!! Based on a diet of foods proven to improve her blood cells, which were out of whack, her daughter’s condition turned COMPLETELY around!  Energy through the roof, pain ceased, and her overall mental state became more and more optimistic.  I witnessed with my very own eyes x-ray pics of her daughter’s blood cells before and after, and needless to say the change was amazing.  Based on, yep, you guessed it- the food that not only her body needed, but more specifically, her blood.

Two days after we returned from our amazing (and informative) vacay, I made a phone call to catch up with a friend I hadn’t spoken to in a while.  Not even two minutes pass and she is so excited to let me in on this ‘new’ eating lifestyle she’s just discovered that has her energetic and 12 pounds lighter in within two months!  ‘….girl YES!  It’s this book I found that shows you how to eat right for your blood type’.  If you could have seen my jaw drop!!  That was all the validation I needed to go to my own bookshelf where I found the author’s summary version of the main book specific to me and my family’s blood type!  Needless to say I read that book from cover to cover and vowed then and there to not only incorporate it to the best of my ability in my life, but also share this knowledge through recipes, encouragement, and supporting info to help others maximize their blood health with the vehicle of food!   I have since continued to hear positive feedback about this book and its' approach.  Now there have also been some unfavorable comments and testimonies I’ve found in my research with eating based on ones blood type.   However, they mostly pertain to the restriction of consuming certain foods which this plan requires that pretty much any healthier eating lifestyle would present. ​

​It seems like every month a new ‘Super’ food hits the scene promising ideas of fascinating healing powers, extended life expectancy, and the fountain of youth.  But are these just fads? No secret that most of these foods aren’t approved by the FDA, but what does that really mean?  To some it’s a huge deal.  But for folks like me, it just means the government hasn’t figured out a way to place control or a higher dollar amount on an item that has benefited the health of many, but I digress.

An awesome not-so-new Super Food I adore is amazing matcha!  I was already a fan of green tea when I discovered this powerfully beneficial beverage.  I first became aware of matcha several years ago from Dr. Oz and became obsessed with finding out more!

The Good
Simply put, matcha is finely ground green tea leaves- the best of the best tea leaves that is. Matcha has been a beneficial zen hot beverage of choice in Japanese culture for thousands of years and is a ceremonial tea tradition.  Similar to the already cancer fighting, immune boosting properties, and weight loss aid of the traditional green tea leaves that are steeped for tea, matcha is that much more potent.  Matcha also breaks down fat in the body from entering into cells which makes it an amazing defense against cardiovascular disease and obesity.  Be mindful that matcha’s fine green powder contains about 30 grams of caffeine.  However, this caffeinated ‘boost’ is more of a calm alertness as opposed to the jolt-then-crash that coffee often times causes.    

The Whisk
It is suggested that you have a small bamboo whisk in order to blend the fine grounded powder completely into the boiling water.  The actual process of whisking the tea is itself a traditional Japanese zen ritual, and it is highly recommended to prepare this tea properly.  However, I never picked up a whisk, but I did rediscover an alternate way of dissolving and getting the most out of my sipping.  Actually my Aunt Colette taught me this process years ago with her coffee:  

• Add your small amount of matcha powder to the cup.  
• Add in a liquid sweetener such as agave or honey. 
• The sticky texture adheres to the fine powder and dissolves it as you stir this mixture together with a fork.  You’ll notice a deep green shiny paste.  
• Mix in your hot (not boiling) water and you have a delicious zen, disease fighting beverage to get your day going.  I like mine with a touch of almond creamer.
  

​

The Possibilities
Not much of a tea fan?  No problem!  Matcha powder can be added to pancakes and waffles, smoothies, salads, cocktails, ice cream, many pastry items such as cookies and brownies, and so much more!  Just a teaspoon of matcha goes a long way and adds endless possibilities to your culinary creations.  There's something for everyone to enjoy to benefits of this ancient healing powder!

For even more info about this power packed super powder, check out this awesome report from CBS This Morning!

Matcha madness: Rising popularity of green tea jolt in U.S.
https://youtu.be/h0TYVyOPC5c

​I decided to prepare a fish dish this past weekend to take to a friend’s family event at the lake.  However, I was a bit bored with the same old 'lemon and dill’ seasoned fish- primarily salmon as the fish.  So the hubby picked up a few pounds of my new favorite delight of the sea, steel head trout!  Now, what to add to it to jazz it up....differently?  

As I glanced over at the fruit on my counter, I noticed an almost too juicy pink grapefruit that had about one more day left before I would toss it into my compost bin.  That’s when the ‘AHA!’ hit me!  Why not?!  It’s in the citrus family but with a sweet and bitter twist at the same time.  Why not try a different and complex flavor boost with grapefruit?  And it did not hurt one bit for me to be reminded as I gazed out my kitchen window that fennel was growing beautifully in my garden this season- I thought it the perfect accompaniment with this fruit.  What’s more, fennel greens/tops pack a similar, yet more potent punch in comparison to dill.  

End result, my favorite seafood seasoning of the summer!  These flavor combinations resulted in this trout being off the taste charts!! 

Now, I simply adore the sharp zip in flavor I get from citrus when enjoying seafood, but all seasonal fruit is fair game!!😋

Keeping in line with my new 'F@#$ Cancer' recipe creations, my 'Alkaline Rich Goodness & Green Mercy' dish does not disappoint! Loaded with vitamins and minerals the body needs to stay defensive against disease, this recipe boosts the immune system to put up a hell-of-a fight! What's more, it tastes AMAZING! But then again, that's my main purpose as your Culinary Health Consultant!

​This green veggie bowl is super simple and is tasty warm or chilled. Please try it out and let me know in the comments what you think, along with any questions or ideas you may have.

Enjoy!

I recently posted a video on my AC Art Of Food Facebook page regarding a woman's testimony on how she beat cancer.  She explained how not only was she diagnosed with breast cancer, but she beat it, and then it came back in another part of her body.  This woman endured chemo and radiation, and after all that was given only 21 months to live.  Fast forward TWELVE YEARS LATER, this miracle of a woman is sharing how she beat this beast of a disease with a positive outlook and eating not only healthy, but a specific type of healthy foods.  These specific foods are known as alkaline foods.  

There is a scale in our bodies on the ph spectrum that balances acid and alkaline in the body.  You want your body on the alkaline side.  'Why' you ask?  Cancer cells CANNOT live in an alkaline environment.  For this reason, prevention is paramount.  

This champion of a woman beat the odds by focusing her diet on alkaline rich foods.  Just think, if we all incorporated alkaline rich foods into our diets the monumental changes we can make to our lives.  Please be clear, I am not stating, nor am I in a position to state, that this is a cure for cancer.  However, I am expressing that alkaline foods are a large contributor in the fight against cancer.

I became so pumped by this story that my mind immediately started buzzing with ideas on how to create delicious recipes rich in alkaline.  There are plenty of these types of foods to choose from, check out a few of my favs below:

• spinach
• kale
• swiss chard
• leeks
• mushrooms
• cucumber
• citrus
• tomatoes
• avocado
• broccoli
• onions
• garlic
• ginger
• cabbage
• watermelon
• figs
• alfalfa, barley, and wheat grass
• sweet potato
•  celery
• carrots
• kiwi
• cauliflower

I didn't have to look any further than my own backyard garden for one of the stars of my recipe where I'm growing gorgeous swiss chard!  The recipe you ask?  Here it is!  My colorful Alkaline Rich Black Bean & Leek Salad.  ​This amazing salad was a huge hit at our cookout!  But this is just the beginning!  I can't wait to develop more of my new 'F@#$ Cancer' recipes!

Easy.  Quick.  Little clean up.  Convenient.  Delicious!  These are pretty much the requirements for a suitable dinner rather you're a family of 1 or 11.  Obviously the larger the family, the more of a hassle it is in trying to satisfy everyone.  But what if I told you there was a way to cook one main item for dinner, pretty much in your sleep (or while you're away working), and delight your whole family?  Impossible you say?  I say MORE than POSSIBLE!  

I mean really, there is nothing more satisfying than throwing an item into the slow cooker, walking away for hours without giving it a second look, only to return to a wonderfully smelling home, and your slow cooked gem, seasoned just right, tender, and ready to be devoured!  But then what?!?  After the 1st day of leftovers, it's time to remix and re-purpose!  And for this reason, I have listed below some delicious quick ideas to do just that!   

Check out AC Art Of Food's Super Simple Abstract Slow Cooker Chicken recipe and its 11 Delicious Uses for Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken.  Do you have some tasty pulled chicken ideas of our own?  Let me know in the comments section below- thanks in advance! 

First the chicken:

• 2 lbs chicken breast
• 2 tbsp Abstract Spice
• 3 cups water
• Sea salt

Instructions:

1. To your slow cooker, add water and Abstract Spice
2. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with sea salt
3. Add chicken to slow cooker
4. Turn slow cooker on 'LOW', and get lost for about 8 hours
5. When done, pull chicken apart into shreds with 2 forks

Enjoy!

So here's the thing, we all know how trends come and trends go.  Living for what's hot right now.  The hottest shoe, hair cut, nail art, car, vacation spot...for right now.  And yes, there are the ever-changing food trends.  But food trends you'd think it'd be simple, right?  Veggies and fruit don't change, you know they're good for you.   But now in the news they have too much sugar that can increase your insulin and contribute to diabetes and weight gain.  And now your vegetable consumption is even scrutinized because of how long you cook them, ultimately cooking all the benefits right on out of them!  And don't even get me started on animal protein...sheesh!

With all of this, wouldn't you like just a simple list of 'rules of thumb' that are pretty common sense, that actually make sense?  Well look no further!  AC Art Of Food has compiled the ACAOF's  10 Healthy Living Tips that will ensure you at least have the basics down as a foundation for what ever eating lifestyle you choose to indulge in.  

Here are a couple bonuses to the list pertaining to the aforementioned:

• Everything in moderation
• Prepare and eat veggies at their natural color (example: broccoli and green beans are just that, green- if they start looking brown, you've gone TOO FAR!

Now remember, DO YOU!  No labels necessary.  Your reasonings, choices, preferences, likes and dislikes, are exactly that, YOURS.  Don't attempt to fit in anybody else's category but your own.  After all, who's better of an expert on you than you?  

Are there other healthy tips you use or think that would be great to add to ACAOF's 10 Health Living Tips list?  Be sure to comment below to let me know, and watch this list grow...for good health!

                             

1. Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of lemon water daily💧.
2. Eat clean most of the time- 🚫Avoid processed foods🚫.
3. Incorporate a raw or lightly cooked veggie at every meal🥗.
4. Eat all carbs before sunset 🌄.
5. Eat IN more than you eat OUT.
6. Drink a glass of water before each meal.
7. Stock your fridge with good things for your body and plan for every meal🍽. 
8. If you must *dessert*, incorporate fruit🍏
9. Drink green tea.
10. Eat all plants at least 1 day a week🌱 (Meatless Monday😋)

Make it a Healthy Living Great Tasting Day!

It's hard enough trying to get kids to eat their veggies (well, my kids at least), but it can be just as much of a challenge for us grown folks. For this reason, these 5 Easy Delicious Fruit & Veggie Smoothie Recipes are a MUST!

About a year ago I found myself racking my brain trying to figure out how to 'trick' my kids into consuming vegetables, but I'm realizing this is just as much of a struggle for adults....namely ME!
Now, to be clear, I am a great healthy-lifestyle consultant/chef, and have a knack of masking the good-for-you stuff in deliciously irresistible tasting vittles, but sometimes it is a struggle to get in what I need at the amount I need. Now, it's not as bad as my 4 y/o last year that would greet her veggies with the whole head turn, hands-out-pushing-away, and verbal exclamation 'EWWWWW'! I mean, I can roast carrots and spice them up to make them sweet like candy (very little natural sweetener added); can roast a green bean so mean that it will make the staunchest of fast-foodies forget about French fries; and can crisp kale so good you won't be able to '....eat just one'! But with all this goodness and mercy cooking in the kitchen, I'm still needing no- brainer, quick and easy ways to incorporate these veggies without re-inventing the wheel...every time.

This is the reason why I have devised 5 Easy Delicious Fruit & Veggie Smoothie Recipes that allow you to save the time and effort of trying to conjure up what you should throw in your super blender for your morning...and the kiddies will love them too!

Here's a few tips for YOUR perfect smoothie:

• add your favorite protein powder serving to pump up your smoothie and keep you full!
• incorporate a few tablespoons of flax meal, chia seeds, and/or hemp seeds.
• toss in turmeric or ginger root if you want to fight off inflammation while you sip.
• Looking for a bit of tartness? Add a tablespoon of lemon juice.
• Not sweet enough? Add a tablespoon of local honey that will also help fight those allergies (for you vegans out there, agave works as an awesome substitute for honey).
• Texture issues? Add as much or as little water/almond milk to get your smoothie just right.

GREEN PEACH
* 1/2 banana
*1/2 cup cucumber
* 1 cup kale and/or spinach
* 1/2 cup mangoes and/or peaches- in 100% juice (no sugar added) snack packs for lunchboxes are perfect!
* coconut water or spring water
* ice


THANK YOU BERRY MUCH
* 1/2 banana
* 1 cup kale and/or spinach
* 1 cup fresh (if summer) or frozen berries
* coconut water or spring water
* ice


ORANGE YOU GLAD
* 1 cup spinach
* 1 cup oranges- in 100% juice (no sugar added) snack packs for lunchboxes are perfect!
* 1/2 cup carrots
* almond milk (80 calorie)
* ice


APPLICIOUS FRUIT CUP
* 1 cup kale and/or spinach
* 1/2 banana
* 1 small apple
* 1/2 cup frozen peaches
* 1/2 cup berries
* coconut water or spring water
* ice


A FRUITY BEET
* 1 cup spinach
* 1/2 banana
* 1 beet (peeled and chopped)
* 1/2 cup berries
* 1/2 cup peaches
* coconut water or spring water
* ice

Enjoy!
Make it a Great Tasting Day!

Lots of times my inspiration for a recipe comes from a food or dish I absolutely love, but unfortunately was prepared for me horribly.  This recipe revelation was no different for my 1 Amazing Wannabe Wonton Soup!  

My mother wasn't feeing well a few weeks ago and stated that all she wanted was a nice steamy bowl of wonton soup.  Now, I can't remember the last time I had a bowl of this comfort goodness.  For the record, my favorite go-to Asian soup has always been the delicious egg drop soup with crisp, crunchy wonton strips for dipping, or simply to crumble on top.  However, lately I've been craving this wonton soup now too, primarily because of my mother mentioning it- TRUST, the mind is a plenty powerful and influential  thing!  

So the other day I order some Chinese food for the family, and what do I request?  Yep, you guessed it, wonton soup!  I could not wait to get home to wrap myself up in this warm liquid goodness.  But after one sip, not only could I wait, but I could actually toss it in the trash!  It was unsatisfactory to say the very least.  The wonton dumplings had no flavor, and the broth reminded me of a mix of oil and tap water, HORRIBLE I tell you!  Absolutely NO flavor.

And like clockwork, I got in the lab (my kitchen), and conjured up what was a sublime bowl of wonton/vegetable dumpling soup.  From the super flavorful vegetable dumplings from @TradeJoes, to the organic vegetable broth spiced with garlic and ginger from the same, it's no wonder why the pot disappeared in a matter of minutes of being made.

This is such a nutrient-rich immune beneficial soup because of the very healing powers found in  chicken noodle soup- minus animal protein and kicked up a notch with fresh minced ginger, green onions,  and garlic.  

I can't wait for you to try it!  Comment below to let me know what your favorite soup is!

​Who are we kidding, life is passing us by quicker and quicker and there is absolutely nothing we can do about it.  Unfortunately there is no 'stop' or even 'pause' button for real time.  But worry not!  What we can control and focus on is living our best, right now!  Regardless of our age, we can take hold of the reins starting today, right this very minute, by getting the right amount of sleep, adequate exercise (not overdoing it), and ultimately the proper nutrition our individual bodies need, at the ages we are, this very moment!  I don't know about you, but I'm excited and intrigued with the abundance of individuals in their later years, near and upwards of 60 looking amazing and speaking out regarding how they feel the best they've ever felt in life!  And what are they attributing it to you ask?  Clean and plant-based foods!  The proof's in the pudding (pun intended)!  These individuals are stronger in mind, body, and spirit.  This inspires and motivates me on my laziest of days, to move and be purposeful to put in my body foods that heal, not hinder.

One Green Planet has done a great job of spotlighting 8 individuals you may know at various ages who relay how they optimize their culinary lifestyle to maximize to their fullest potential in the article link below.  
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/plant-based-diet-good-health-age-defying-vitality/

Are you living your best life, right now?  Let me know what you nosh on to keep it right and tight, at your age!

Words simply cannot express the sheer joy I felt the day she arrived.  So beautifully packaged, just for me.  I almost felt like she knew me already and that I would love her forever the way she fit so securely in my arms the very first time I picked her up.  Packaged so perfectly, and oh so sturdy!  And the hum.  No, she wasn't loud like the others you see.  And yes, it is very common for them to get loud, but not my baby.  No, she hummed without making all that racket like those others.  What you ask, that could fill me with so much joy and glee?  A baby?  A puppy?  No....my very first VITAMIX!!!!

See, you have to understand, I have been wanting one of these babies ever since I saw over 10 years ago how the product rep on TV would throw a rock in this sucker and make sand!  If it could do that to a rock, surely goodness and mercy it could make my smoothies smooooooooth as a puree!  And it does, it really does!!  Super simple to use and clean up- I mean just plug it up, one flip up and a dial for speed and another for extra speed and blending, rinse out thoroughly when you're done.  But that's just it, you're not done!  You want to use it EVERYDAY....and you can!  You should!  Ooooh, the possibilities are endless!  Recipes from my fresh and garlicky chilled homemade gazpacho, to an anti-inflammatory warm and creamy turmeric spiced tea for your sinuses, all can be made in a matter of seconds with this baby....I mean, Vitamix.  But the kicker, the real eye-opener that made me realize that it was more than worth the price after all these years of waiting and contemplating, was the fact that it could beautifully blend wheat grass.  WHEAT GRASS!!  You know, the super-SUPER food that's juiced and sold for about $8 per ounce in your local well known smoothie shops?  I now purchase a bundle of wheat grass myself that runs me anywhere from $4-$7 and I can get about 10X as much for literally a fraction of the price!  Now in my opinion, that more than pays for itself.

Now...do you have a Vitamix? Well, what are you waiting for?!?  Can't afford to part with that much cash all at once?  My foodie lovers, please know that QVC is a beeeeeeeauuuuuutiful place!

If you do have a Vitamix, comment below and let me know your absolute favorite things to make in yours.  If you don't have one yet, what are you waiting for?  Your body will thank you for it....over, and over, and over again!!  Yeeeeeaaaahhh baby!


Fresh Abstract Garlicky Gazpacho (A Summertime Fav of mine!)

• 1 Cucumber
• 2 vine ripened tomatoes
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1/2 Vidalia onion
• 1 Carrot
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup fresh basil
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 4 tbsp cooking sherry
• 1/2 tbsp Abstract Spice
• 1 tsp sriracha
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

 

1. Mix all the ingredients above in your Vitamix on a 5-6 speed for approximately 15 seconds, longer for smoother texture.
2. Garnish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, avocado slices, herb croutons, shaved Parmesan, or all of the above!   

Soothing Sinus Healing Turmeric Tea

• 1 cup brewed peppermint green tea
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 3" piece turmeric root 
• 1" piece ginger root
• 1 stick cinnamon (or 1 tsp dried)
• 2 tbsp local/raw honey

 

1. Mix all ingredients in the highest mode allowing the Vitamix to heat the contents- approximately 2-4 minutes, or until you see steam.
2. Pour into your favorite mug and sip!

Enjoy!

This post is one that I have been sitting on for some time now.   I've experienced from near and afar, instances that cause me to pause and contemplate what I was feeling.  Conversations I've had with friends, colleagues, and foodies of industry alike that have either had similar thoughts, or have been on the other side fueling what I have termed 'Evilveganism'.   

'Yes, I'm Vegan'.  'Vegetarian is what I've become'.  'Yes I'm flexible- mainly vegetarian, but I only eat chicken on Mondays and Wednesdays, that means I'm Flexitarian'.  'Pescetarian here, fish isn't really meat, so I'm good'!  I make sure that veggies are based around my chicken and steak, so I feel that makes me just good ol' plant-based, yeah, I'm Plantbased'.   LABELS.   

My eating journey started out like most, trying to figure it all out in an instant.  I eat this, not that.  Basically following a trend of what was popular, but also with the potential of eating better.  I've pretty much dabbled in all of the above eating labels and have finally concluded that it's about what works for ME, regardless of the culinary trend.  And isn't that what it's really all about- what works for you?  Common sense says yes- enter EvilVeganism.    It is truly a phenomenal time when the popular thing to do is eat more healthy.  Unfortunately, these self-appointed spokespeople have an uncanny knack for making clean-eating-challenged, primary meat-eaters feel as if they're less than adequate for not giving it all up and once.  These Evilvegans  hop on their soapboxes and dictate all types of judgement and critique that raises them seemingly higher on this platforms as they look down on those not yet conformed.   Ugggh, you eat that?  You know you're killing yourself, right?  So you're good with eating a chicken's period?  And you wonder why you smell like that?   I have heard and seen enough!  You would think these self-righteous, holy-grass eaters have been vegan ever since the boob!  Just a few years ago if not LESS, these exact same 'Mean Girls' (persons), were most likely in the drive-thru line of their neighborhood fast food chicken spot trying to get a 2-piece with a side of red beans and rice or at the burger joint ordering a double cheeseburger with extra pickles CUT IN HALF!  Get tha' hell outta here!  Because of  these Evilvegans,  I have seen friends and acquaintances at one time or another go into seclusion denying themselves holiday and other festive gatherings as not to be tempted by meat-laden vittles trying to fit into this unrealistic square peg magically overnight. 

*NEWSFLASH*:  If you have been a primary meat eater for 30+ years, chances are your body/mindset aren't going to adjust in 24 hours, or even 24 days. 

While I am a strong proponent for a plant- based lifestyle wholly believing food is indeed medicine, as with anything your body consumes on a regular basis over an extensive period of time, you must PREPARE.  Never have I heard those behind this EvilVeganism movement once utter the importance of speaking to your physician about plans to begin this lifestyle and considering your labs/blood work.   Or providing resources and/or help to guide you in making an optimal and realistic plan for you to obtain this goal.  Or encouraging one to not aspire to be a label but in fact to incorporate a healthy 'lifestyle'. 

And this word 'lifestyle' has even gotten lost in the shuffle.  Folks are being so ill-advised to embrace labels that they don't even comprehend what's all involved.  What may seem like common sense to some is foreign to most.  Veganism is not just an eating plan rid of animal protein and product derivatives.  Veganism means that your favorite oh-so-soft-all-leather handbag is being donated to a shelter.  Those badass leather and/or suede boots, shoes, earrings, jacket, headband, bracelet, wool coat/socks, etc., yep, no more.  That killing-me-softly-warm fur coat you inherited- yeah, pass that on down to the next family member in line.  And this is just your attire, we haven't even touched on that sheepskin rug or leather couch you're sitting on as you read this blog post.  And did you pay extra for that all leather interior package in your vehicle?  Or better yet, do you own a pet?  Oh, ok.  So you see, this style of living is deeper that what it looks to be on the surface.  And it's not fair to those true vegans living this reality daily.  Now this is not to say these are not your endeavors, my point is that research, time, and self-realization is needed.  Understand that it is completely OK to take time to process and not feel bullied or less-than trying to live up to some Evilvegan's epiphany and exclusion of  those just trying to live their best life.  

So do you, be you, know YOU!  Don't fall prey to EvilVeganism.  Embrace and acknowledge your limitations and AT YOUR OWN PACE, seek to be more than a label.  

Now go out and make it a Great Tasting Day!