Apple Cider Vinegar:

• ​According to Dr. Axe's article, there are 20 unique uses for apple cider vinegar:

1. Detoxifies Body
   
2. Hair Conditioner
   
3. Teeth Whitener
   
4. Acid Reflux Cure
   
5. Weight Loss Aid
   
6. Household Cleaner
   
7. Relieves Allergies
   
8. Candida Cleanse
   
9. Soothes Sunburn
   
10. Repels Fleas
    
11. Cure a Cold
    
12. Natural Deodorant
    
13. Anti-Fungal
    
14. Balance pH
    
15. Ease Varicose Veins
    
16. Skin Toner
    
17. Heal Poison Ivy
    
18. Blood Sugar Balance
    
19. Lower BP
    
20. Removes Warts
    

​Considering all the great things Apple Cider Vinegar can do, $9.99 for 946 ml at Country Grocer is very reasonable.  I can personally attest that it has totally relieved my acid reflux.  Just add a teaspoon of ACV to a glass of water and drink before your meals. Fantastic.  I prefer Bragg because they use glass bottles rather than plastic.

​Check out: www.draxe.com/apple-cider-vinegar-uses for more specific information on each of these uses.

Here's another recipe from FMTV. I have revised it somewhat.  Firstly, I use an immersion blender rather than straining and using only the broth in order to get more fiber.  I also add some organic vegetable bouillon to get more depth of flavour.
Ingredients:
(​use organic ingredients where possible)​

• 4 cups spring or filtered water​
• 2 onions, finely diced
  
• 1 leek, finely diced
  
• 2 stalks celery, finely diced
  
• 3 medium zucchinis, finely diced
  
• 3 cups green beans, roughly chopped
  
• 1 small bunch parsley with stems and leaves, roughly chopped
  
• 3 tomatoes, finely diced
  
• 2 cloves garlic, finely diced
• 1 inch ginger root, finely diced 
  
• 1 tsp. sea salt
  
• 4 organic vegetable bouillon cubes
  

Method:

1. ​Place all ingredients in a large stock pot
2. Bring to a gentle boil, lower heat and then simmer very gently for 30 minutes, with lid on.
   
3. Stain and use as a broth.  Alternatively, leave vegetables in, or blend with an immersion blender to create a thicker soup.
   
4. Option:  I like to sprinkle nutritional yeast on top for extra flavour.
   

​Health Benefits:

• ​The nutrients in this broth, such as potassium, magnesium and manganese, make it a good adrenal tonic for stress-related conditions and general fatigue.
• We can't forget to mention ginger.  This nutritional powerhouse is both medicinal and aromatic.  Ginger fights against sickness, reduces inflammation and minimizes the spread of infection.

Save your money on fancy olives by jazzing them up for yourself.  I learned this trick when I lived in Chile where olives and cheese where common restaurant, bar and party fare. 

​SAN REMO OLIVES: Are usually on sale anywhere you shop. The can contains four ingredients:  ripe olives, water, salt and ferrous gluconate.  So what is ferrous gluconate?  It's iron!  www.befoodsmart.com rates ferrous gluconate as a  'B' so olives are a source of iron.  For better absorbability, try to eat olives with a citrus or food that contains vitamin C. So, if you add these to your salad, use lemon juice in the salad dressing or have some tomatoes in your salad.

Jazzed up Olives:
​Ingredients:

• ​​1 can olives
• 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 Tbs. dried oregano
  

Method:

1. ​​Add can to a glass bowl with lid or a medium sized jar.
2. Add chopped garlic and oregano
3. Mix a little bit to get the oregano wet or shake if it's in the jar. 
   
4. Store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.  Great for parties if you make them in the morning and give them a chance to absorb the garlic and oregano flavours.
   

Here's another recipe from FMTV.  This is by far my favorite vegan Sunday breakfast especially if you use my Curried Quinoa recipe with this. 
Ingredients:

• ​1 avocado, peeled, halved and pitted
• 1/4 red onion, finely diced
• Handful of cilantro (coriander)
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• Sea salt to taste

Greens:

• ​1 handful kale
• 1 handful spinach or chard
• 1 handful soft herbs (parsley, mint, basil, etc.)
• Coconut oil or butter for frying

Serve with:

• ​1 cup cooked quinoa
• ​Optional: Poached free-range egg

Method:

1. ​Heat a small amount of coconut oil or butter in the pan and toss in the greens.
2. Sauté on a medium heat until soft.
3. In a bowl, mix together the avocado, onion, cilantro, cayenne, lemon, and salt and pepper to taste. 
4. Toss the cooked quinoa in with the greens to heat slightly.
5. To serve, place the greens and quinoa mix on the plate and top with the smashed avocado.

Health Benefits:
​Protein, healthy fats and slow-releasing carbohydrates make for an excellent breakfast, sustain you through your morning with energy and nutrients to support your daily activities.  Quinoa is a slow-releasing carbohydrates, so it won't spike your blood sugars, but it's also a complete protein source - making it a great vegan or vegetarian option to ensure you're getting all the essential amino acids  to repair and build proteins in the body.  Avocado is also an incredible source of vitamins, fiber and healthy fats, which will help to keep you full and your skin glowing!

Go here to print this recipe:  recipe_smashed_avocado_on_sauteed_greens_and_quinoa.docx

Here's another recipe from FMTV.  This broth is delicious and can totally replace using commercial vegetable cubes or broths for pennies. This broth is the base for the 7 broth recipes for the FMTV 7 Day Detox Cleanse.
Ingredients:
​(use organic where possible)

• ​1 large onion, roughly chopped
• 6 celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 3 carrots, roughly chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 Tbs. mixed dried Italian herbs
• 2 Tbs. sea salt
• 1 tsp. pepper (ground or whole)
• 1 tsp. turmeric powder (or 1 Tbs. fresh turmeric chopped)
• 1 tsp. ginger powder (or 1 Tbs. fresh ginger, chopped)
• 2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
• 1 large chicken or chicken carcass (for chicken broth)
• 2.75 quarts (11 cups) of purified water (to yield 10.5 cups or 1.5 cups per day for 7 days for the 7 day detox cleanse) I will type in the other recipes that pertain to this cleanse at a later date.

Method:

1. ​Add onion, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaf, dried herbs, sea salt, pepper, turmeric, ginger, ACV and water into a pot or slow cooker.
2. If making chicken broth, add chicken carcass also.
3. If you're making the vegetable broth, slow cook or summer for 2-4 hours.  If you're making the chicken broth slow cook or simmer for 6-10 hours.
4. Strain the liquid. Allow to cool.
5. Divide the broth into 7 x 12 oz. (1.5 cup) portions.  Store 3 of the portions in glass containers or jars in the refrigerator (this will be used in the first 3 days of the cleanse).
6. Freeze the other 4 portions of broth in freezer-proof containers or one large portion (this will be used in the second half of the cleanse.) * I used my Pyrex measuring cup with it's lid.

​Health Benefits:

• ​Ever wondered why chicken soup is good for a cold?  Chicken broth inhibits neutrophil migration and helps lessen the side effects of colds, flus, and upper respiratory infections.
• Vegetable broths are rich in alkalizing minerals and perfect for cleansing.  These minerals help to alkalize the body and increase the oxygen carrying capacity of your blood which has multiple positive health benefits.
• Non-vegetarians can also add the optional chicken.  Chicken broth has the additional benefit of increasing the protein and mineral content.  It is also rich in gelatin, which is great for healthy skin and joints and for supporting and healing of the gut wall.

​BEEF from ISLAND PASTURES
​This beef is everything you want in beef from a health standpoint.

• ​Raised without growth hormones or antibiotics
• ​All cattle are origin verified
  
• ​Grass fed ​and ​grass finished
  
• ​Island Pastures supports sustainable products.
  

​Grass finished is particularly important then you can be assured that the cattle weren't stuck in a big factory farm for their last few months fed on GMO grains covered in pesticides.  Remember the 'cleaner' and more toxin free the meat, the better it is for you.  You don't want to have to remove the toxins from your body after you eat a steak that contains toxins.  

Here's another recipe from FMTV. Simple is sometimes best! A vegan stir-fry thrown into the weekly meal routine is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and up your daily fiber intake.  Enough for 2 small meals or 1 big meal.
​Ingredients:
(use organic ingredients where possible)

• ​2 tsp. sesame oil
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup broccoli florets, chopped small
• 1 shallot or spring onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small bok choy, roughly chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbs. tamari
• 1 cup cooked rice (basmati or brown)

Method:
​​(As this cooks so fast, always prepare all ingredients beforehand)

1. ​Cook rice as per package instructions.
2. Heat wok or fry pan over heat (6 is the highest you should heat oil)
3. Add sesame oil and, when hot, add ginger and garlic to fry for 1 minute.
4. Add broccoli and spring onion and toss for 1 minute.
5. Add bok choy, bell pepper and toss for 1 minute.
6. Add  tamari and cover for 1 minute.
7. Serve on a bed of cooked rice.  Garnish with raw sesame seeds (optional).

Health Benefits:
​Not used enough Bok Choy is actually a type of Chinese cabbage. It's a part of the cruciferous vegetable group and is dense in vitamins and minerals.  The vitamins C & A found in bok choy act as antioxidants and protect cell membranes from free radical damage.
​Ginger is a nutritional powerhouse and is both medicinal and aromatic.  Ginger fights against sickness, reduces inflammation and minimizes the spread of infection.

Go here to print this recipe:  recipe_veggie_stir-fry_and_rice.docx

Spirulina is a super-food and very important in decreasing cholesterol. I am currently taking 16 - 500mg tablets per day as part of my 28 Day Lowering Cholesterol Challenge.
Other amazing benefits of this superfood include:

• ​Detoxifies Heavy Metals (especially arsenic)
• Eliminates Candida
• Helps balance Blood Sugar
  
• improves HIV/AIDS
  
• Helps prevent Cancer
  
• Lowers Blood Pressure
  
• Lowers chance of Stroke
  
• Boosts Energy
  
• Speeds up Weight Loss
  
• Alleviates Sinus Issues - especially allergic rhinitis
  

​
​- Prices vary for the container with 360 tablets. The best price is at Country Grocer - 31.99.
​- Charlie Brown's Health Food Store - $36.95 
​- Pomme Natural - $34.49
​- Save On - Doesn't carry Prairie Naturals

Here is the best most reasonably priced RAW Cacao Powder I have found.  I have seen a lot of fancy packages that are organic but this is the only one I've seen that is raw.

• RAW​
• Organic
• Non-GMO
• Save-on in the baking goods aisle next to the Red Mill products.
  
• Regular Price: $8.49 for 200g bag
  

Here's another recipe from FMTV.  This green smoothie tastes just like mint chocolate chip ice cream - sans bloating and sugar overload.
Ingredients:
(use organic ingredients where possible)

• 12oz (355 ml) unsweetened plant-based milk of choice (coconut, hemp, almond, rice)​
• 1 handful mint leaves (or optionally 2 drops peppermint essential oil)
  
• 1 scoop of protein powder (vegan or hemp seeds)
  
• 1 Tbs. raw cacao powder or nibs
  
• handful of spinach
  
• 1 date, pitted
  
• 1/2 avocado
  
• 1 banana
  

Method:
Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth.

Why it's so good for you:
One of the star ingredients in this smoothie is raw cacao. Raw cacao offers amazing health benefits for your entire body!

​Cacao is one the healthiest foods you can consume. Cacao contains the mood improver anandamide - known as the bliss molecule -  which creates a feeling of euphoria.  Another mood-enhancing compound found in cacao is PEA or phenylethylamine, which triggers the release of endorphins and pleasurable opium-like neurochemicals.

​It also helps to protect you against heart disease, prevents premature aging, boosts energy, prevents sunburn, helps improve brain function, and helps improve your metabolism.