Kristina's Kitchen

Hey guys its always been a dream of mine to be a chef, well im working on getting one step closer to getting there, its expensive ( like $9000 expensive), and i’m doing whatever I can to get there. If you want to be a special part of helping me get there there is a donate button below, and I promise as soon as i’m finished with the school there is something BIG im working on doing

P.S I just wanted to thank all the followers, and people who inspire me to improve my life and the people who allow me to help others.

-Peace, Love, && everything else
–Kristina

Goji berries, also known as the wolfberry, are brightly colored berries that are native to China. These red-orange berries have been used for their medical benefits for many years in Asia and just recently they are being touted as one of the world’s most powerful superfoods.

There are many goji berry health drinks available today, but the problem with [some of] these drinks is that many of them have been highly processed which strips out some of the nutrition. If you want the maximum health benefits of goji berries, it is best to eat them in their most natural, unprocessed form.

Here are six health benefits of goji berries.

Cancer Prevention
One of the best benefits of brightly colored berries, like goji berries, is that they contain high levels of antioxidants which are extremely effective in fighting cancer. When you eat goji berries, the antioxidants seek out and remove cancer causing free radicals in the blood.

Heart Disease and Cholesterol
Another benefit that the antioxidants they provide is that they lower bad cholesterol levels and protect the heart from disease. Goji berries also contain fiber and higher fiber consumption has been linked with a lower risk of high cholesterol and heart attack.

Anti-Aging
Slowing the aging process can be achieved by eating certain types of foods and the antioxidants contained within goji berries have been linked with wrinkle reduction and slower aging. Also, longevity may be increased because of the disease and illness prevention that naturally occurs when antioxidants are consumed.

Eye Health
Goji berries contain vitamin A, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene, all of which have been associated with healthier eyes. These compounds protect your eyesight, and they also prevent certain eye conditions such as macular degeneration.

Better Sleep
Regular consumption of goji berries can help to improve sleep. If you are suffering from insomnia, try eating goji berries on a daily basis and your sleep patterns will likely improve.

Stress Relief
Research has found that goji berries may relieve stress and promote a sense of calm, happiness, and well-being by reducing the amount of cortisol released in the body during periods of stress.

I have a friend who wants to juice but is worried because she’s diabetic so here are a few juices safe for people who have diabetes:

3 stalks celery
1/2 onion
1 clove garlic
1 spear broccoli
1 apple

use a juicer or super high speed blender like a blendtec or vitamin

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apple beet pear
2 apples
1 pear
3 beets tops intact
1/2 lemon
1 1/2 inch piece ginger

use a juicer or super high speed blender like a blendtec or vitamin

——————–

3 carrots
2 apricots, pitted
1/4 cantaloupe

use a juicer or super high speed blender like a blendtec or vitamin

——————–

1 spear broccoli
2 jerusalem artichoke roots
3 sprigs parsley
1/4 fennel bulb

use a juicer or super high speed blender like a blendtec or vitamin

——————–

all of the above are from The Juicing Bible, Second Edition

and from What i’ve read the mean green is a great choice

Mean Green:
6 small-medium stalks of kale or 3-4 large stalks of kale
4 stalks celery
2 Granny Smith apples
1 cucumber
½ – 1 lemon (start with a half & add more if desired!)
1 inch fresh ginger root (start with a 1 inch & add more/less to taste)

but before you do any juices please check with your doctor

Cacao beans (Theobroma Cacao / Raw Chocolate) are the source for all Chocolate and Cocoa products. Theobroma literally means “Food of the Gods”. The Cacao plant was known as Goddess of the Seeds and Mexicans named the pounded seeds “Chocolate”. RAW CACAO POWDER is increasingly being consumed as the 21st century source for all that regular cocoa powder is known for in a pure unadulterated form that satisfies the senses as well as body!

RAW CACAO POWDER contains many rare key nutrients that enhance physical and mental well-being. RAW CACAO POWDER also contain more ANTIOXIDANT flavanoids than any other food tested including Red Wine, Green Tea and Blueberries. Other essential minerals present in Cacao are Calcium, Zinc, Iron, Copper, Sulfur, and Potassium. Cacao also contains many chemicals that enhance physical and mental well-being, including alkaloids, proteins, magnesium, beta-carotene, leucine, linoleic acid, lipase, lysine, and some neurotransmitters such as dopamine and anandamine.

Health benefits of these antioxidants include:

Promote cardiovascular health – Help dilate bloods vessels, reduce blood clotting, improve circulation, help regulate heartbeat and blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol, and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
Protect from environmental and metabolic toxins – Help repair and resist damage caused by free radicals, and may reduce risk of certain cancers.
Neurotransmitters: By increasing the levels of specific neurotransmitters in our brains, cacao promotes positive outlook, facilitates rejuvenation and simply helps us feel good.

Serotonin – Cacao raises the level of serotonin in the brain; thus acts as an anti-depressant, helps reduce PMS systems, and promotes a sense of well-being.
Endorphins – Cacao stimulates the secretion of endorphins, producing a pleasurable sensation similar to the “runner’s high” a jogger feels after running several miles.

Phenylethylamine – Found in chocolate, phenylethylamine is also created within the brain and released when we are in love. Acts as mild mood elevator and anti-depressant, and helps increase focus and alertness.
Anandamide – Anandamide is known as the “bliss chemical” because it is released by the brain when we are feeling great. Cacao contains both N-acylethanolamines, believed to temporarily increase the levels of anandamide in the brain, and enzyme inhibitors that slow its breakdown. Promotes relaxation, and helps us feel good longer.

Essential Minerals: Cacao beans are rich in a number of essential minerals, including magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese.

Magnesium – Cacao seems to be the #1 source of magnesium of any food. Magnesium balances brain chemistry, builds strong bones, and helps regulate heartbeat and blood pressure. Magnesium deficiency, present in 80% of Americans, is linked with PMT, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and joint problems.
Sulfur – Cacao is high in the beauty mineral sulfur. Sulfur builds strong nails and hair, promotes beautiful skin, detoxifies the liver, and supports healthy pancreas functioning.
Essential fats: There is a misperception that chocolate is fattening. In truth, the fats in cocoa butter are healthy fats. Cacao contains oleic acid, a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, also found in olive oil, that may raise good cholesterol. Also, substances found in cacao are known to help reduce appetite.

Hemp is a legal cousin of “cannabis” or the illegal/ medicinal form of hemp that contains the drug ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol or THC for short. Hemp seed contains none of this THC, but what it does contain is worth having. 24% protein includes the full range of amino acids as well as a balanced source of Essential Fatty Acids or EFAs#1. EFAs include omega-3 and omega-6, which help us keep a healthy immune system, and are responsible for shiny healthy looking skin, hair and nails. A reduction in the craving for junk foods is also noticeable among many regular consumers of hemp seed and hemp food products.

Hemp Oil is the crushed and pressed seed and offers the most nutritional bang for your buck. After just one to two weeks of 1-2 tablespoons per day you are likely to experience a significant effect on your skin quality. Some even say that hemp oil is a cure for cancer#6, though this has not yet been backed up or proven in blind studies. This may be useful for breastfeeding mums, as it is known that during breastfeeding the child pulls 11 grams of EFAs from the mother daily through her breast milk. This needs to be replenished from food source as it cannot be manufactured in the body.

Hemp Foods have been around for centuries, including hemp oil being mentioned in the Bible #2. So why the controversy? Since the end of the 20th Century there has been little controversy with hemp foods growing in popularity; most people seem to have grown out of the “oh, that`s a drug and can`t be good for me” and into the “would you like a hemp bar in your lunch box today?”

The situation for hemp is not the same all over the world. In Australia for example, although you can legally grow hemp (again, without the drug ingredient), Hemp Foods are not legal#3! In North America, this is the opposite – hemp foods are purported to be worth $100million#4, yet you cannot grow a commercial hemp crop for love nor money (at least legally). The lucky Canadians who supply much of this are enjoying the benefits of a 1/2 billion and growing industry.

A not-for-profit organization, Vote Hemp#5, continues to lobby Government to make hemp growing legal in North America. Big business may have prevented this in the past; however, if they succeed big business will be made from this in the future.

So next time you visit a health food store or supermarket, don`t forget to check the aisles for some hemp foods and experience the hemp difference today!

What is maca? Pronounced “mah-cah”, this superfood is a radish-like root native to Peru (how exotic!), where it is almost always grown organically. It is commonly found in powder/flour form.

What are the health benefits? Rich in essential minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, and is also quite high in protein. Maca can assist with strength, energy, and endurance, and is thought to reduce stress, improve memory and balance hormones – in other words, it may turn you into Super Woman or Man. But perhaps most importantly, maca is a known aphrodisiac (some say, “nature’s Viagra”), so you may feel tempted to slip a teaspoon into your lover’s dessert tonight – you’ll make one heck of a super hero team!

What does it taste like? Typically described as sweet, nutty, malty, and slightly bitter. It has a very distinct flavor – some have described it as like butterscotch, graham crackers, and sweet potato. Others really dislike the taste, and therefore they use small amounts or mix it with stronger flavors.

11 Health Benefits of ” Pomegranate Juice ”

1) Fights Breast Cancer :
pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from forming.

2 ) Lung Cancer Prevention :
Studies in mice show that pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer.

3 ) Slows Prostate Cancer :
It slowed the growth of prostate cancer in mice.

4 ) Keeps PSA Levels Stable In a study of 50 men who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice per day kept PSA levels stable, reducing the need for further treatment such as Chemotherapy or Hormone Therapy.

5 ) Protects the Neonatal Brain :
Studies show that maternal consumption of pomegranate juice may protect the neonatal brain from damage after injury.

6 ) Prevention of Osteoarthritis :
Several studies indicate that pomegranate juice may prevent cartilage deterioration.

7 ) Protects the Arteries :
It prevents plaque from building up in the arteries and may reverse previous plaque buildup.

8 ) Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention :
It may prevent and slow Alzheimer’s disease. In one study, mice bred to develop Alzheimer’s disease were given pomegranate juice. They accumulated significantly less amyloid plaque than control mice and they performed mental tasks better.

9 ) Lowers Cholesterol :
It lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol).

10 ) Lowers Blood Pressure :
One study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 percent.

11 ) Dental Protection :
Research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may be a natural way to prevent dental plaque.

So I started my journey of Raw vegan yesterday and I’m loving it!

I made raw pasta and tomato sauce last night and it was fantastic!

Sauce-
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes ( you can use oil packed, i didn’t, if you don’t soak in water for a few minutes to rehydrate)
1/2 red pepper ( remove stem and seeds)
1 large tomato
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh basil, or 1 tsp dried
1 tsp dried oregano
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

throw all in a high speed blender like a Blendtec or a Vitamix, you can also use a food processor, blend/process until smooth!

pasta
2 zucchini’s
I used a spiral slicer on the angle hair feature and left the skin on

“parmesan cheese”
raw cashews in the blender and pulse until small little pieces

Raw food is amazing, what a difference from cooked/processed foods, the flavors that you get to experience is so amazing, so fresh and perfect!

-Peace, Love && Good Eats
–Kristina!

7 Benefits of Pineapples!
1. It lessens risk of hypertension. Hypertension occurs when too much force is exerted on the artery walls while the blood circulates. One of the best ways to combat this is to infuse a high amount of potassium plus a small amount of sodium in your diet to lower blood pressure. Pineapples are the perfect for hypertension because a cup of pineapple contains about 1 mg of sodium and 195 mg of potassium.

2. It helps you lose weight! Eating pineapple can highly cut down your sweet cravings because of its natural sweetness, saving you from a lot of sugar-induced calories. Incorporating a lot of pineapple in your meals will also help a lot in weight loss because pineapples can make you feel full without giving you an ounce of fat.

3. It maintains good eye health. Time and again, studies have found that pineapples protect against age-related eye problems because it is rich in antioxidants.

4. It fights a lot of diseases, being rich in Vitamin C. Pineapples are known to be a very good source of vitamin C, which protects our bodies from free radicals that attack our healthy cells. Lots of free radicals in the body can lead to major diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and various cancers. Vitamin C is considered the most important water-soluble anti-oxidant that fights against disease-inducing substances within the body. It is also an excellent fighter against flu and a great enhancer of the immune system.

5. It prevents plaque and keeps teeth healthy. Another benefit of the high amount of vitamin C in pineapples is that it prevents formation of plaque and gum diseases.

6. It cures constipation and irregular bowel movement. Pineapple is rich in fiber, making it effective in curing constipation and irregular bowel movement.

7. It keeps your skin beautiful! Pineapple contains enzymes that make skin elastic, improve skin hydration, and remove damaged and dead cells. Thus, it helps us achieve a clear and glowing complexion. The enzymes in pineapples also fight free-radical damage and can reduce age spots and fine lines.

Source: http://bit.ly/7BenefitsOfPineapple

I Love Lemon Water hot or cold its so good for you!
10 Health Benefits of Lemon Water!

1. Good For The Stomach
2. Excellent for Skin Care
3. Aids in Dental Care
4. Cures Throat Infections
5. Good For Weight Loss
6. Controls High Blood Pressure
7. Assists in Curing Respiratory Disorders
8. Good for treating Rheumatism
9. Reduces Fevers
10. Acts as a Blood Purifier
Read more here : http://bit.ly/10BenefitsOfLemonWater