Beverages

Kefir Water/Soda

I cannot say enough about the health benefits of fermented foods.  WE are the only culture that does not consume fermented foods on a regular basis and I for one, would like to change that!!!  They work even better than a probiotic, in my opinion, as I have experienced personally.   KEFIR WATER Kefir water has been life changing for me.  I have struggled for so long with digestive issues and this has made the biggest impact! Kefir is a cultured and microbal-rich food that helps to restore our friendly bacteria.   It contains strains of beneficial yeast and beneficial bacteria that give Kefir antibiotic properties.  It’s essentially a natural antibiotic!  My daughter had oral surgery this past week and instead of administering the antibiotic prescribed, we combined Kefir water with large doses of bioavailable echinacea to prevent any infection.   You will need: *Water Kefir grains (I order them from Cultures for Health..link is at the bottom) Strainer Bowl Raw Sugar Filtered water (if using tap water it must be boiled and then brought to room temperature) 1 quart glass jar 1. To hydrate the grains bring 1/2 cup of water to just boiling. 2. In a 1 quart glass jar, dissolve 1/4 cup raw sugar into the hot water. 3. Add 3 cups cool water to the sugar water mixture. 4.  Make sure the water is cool and then add the grains. 5. Cover with a cheesecloth and store in a warm, dark place (between 65 and 80 degrees) Soak for  3-4 days […]

Favorite Balancing Hormone Smoothie

This is my favorite balancing hormone smoothie recipe! I cannot stress enough the benefits of each ingredient. There are no “fillers” in this smoothie and it is very nutrient dense.  Everything I chose serves a purpose. Whenever I teach a balancing hormones class this is the recipe I share and make for everyone to try. It’s packed full of superfoods, healthy fats and protein. I talk about the benefits of chia seeds and goji berries all the time and they are some of my absolute favorites that give this smoothie extra fiber, calcium and antioxidants. Maca powder is also a rockstar when it comes to balancing out hormones in the body.     There is a lot more I can say about these ingredients but suffice it to say that this recipe is the product of a lot of testing and research on my part. This smoothie really helps my body stay healthy, alert and energized. I get into much more detail about this smoothie in my classes so next time you see me announce one, consider coming!!!   I love being able to connect and tell people in person about these principals. I hope this one becomes a staple in your kitchen. You won’t be disappointed! (I’m pretty sure I’m laughing in this picture because most of my smoothies turn out this brownish color. Oh well, never judge a book by its cover!) Ingredients: 2 Scoops Love n’ Peas Protein powder. (Available to order on Amazon via my affiliate link) 1/2 can coconut […]

Calypso Mojito Mocktail

I love to come home in the evening and have some kind of special, celebratory beverage that helps me relax and I want it to feel like a treat. I got into mocktails and have been really loving them. They are such a good alternative for a glass of wine when you want to make sure you are hydrated and refreshed in the middle of your work week.  This is one of my favorite combinations so give it a try!!! Ingredients:  Juice of 1 1/2 Limes A few mint leaves, according to your taste, plus some for garnish Coconut LaCroix 1/4 teaspoon Stevia Directions:  I like to get out a drink tumbler and a muddler and muddle together the limes, stevia and mint in the bottom of the tumbler. You can also do this in the bottom of your glass. 2. Add the muddled mixture to your glass, add ice and la Croix and mix in the tumbler and then pour over into your glass. I like to mix it back and forth a bit between the tumbler and your glass, there is no wrong way! Make it pretty for yourself and garnish with lime wedge and a sprig of mint! Enjoy.         © The Sown Life LLC, 2019

Calming Lemon Tonic Mocktail

The full name for this mocktail is the Calming lemon Tonic #2 because it is the new and improved version of the #1. This recipe is not only a fun drink but lemon is so good for detox and digestion, while lavender helps to calm the senses. This is the perfect drink for any time, but I especially enjoy it in the evening! Ingredients: Juice of 1 ½ lemons Fresh lavender (to your taste) Lemon spindrift or Perrier ¼ teaspoon Stevia. Directions: 1. Muddle the fresh lavender with the lemon juice and stevia   2. Pour over crushed ice and top with Perrier or Spindrift. 3. Garnish well and you have a very pretty drink with next to no calories, sugar or side effects!            © The Sown Life LLC, 2019

Homemade Almond Milk

Unfortunately for me, I have difficulty consuming cow dairy. I don’t seem to have gut disturbances but I will be clearing my throat continually after the consumption of a cracker smothered in melty brie or a bowl of my favorite ice cream. This gets annoying to anyone who is hanging with me at the time…aka my husband : ) Since switching to nut milks I have been continually frustrated with the added ingredients to what I am drinking. The only store bought brand I could find that had no additives was New Barn. I make so many foods from scratch that I was afraid to add yet another thing to my list of “food prep” for the week. It wasn’t until I tried this recipe that I realized how easy it was. I now make it on a regular basis and even have been creative with different flavors. Cinnamon and Vanilla are my favorite additions so I am sharing my favorite recipe with you! This recipe is originally from one of my favorite cookbooks, “At Home In The Whole food Kitchen” by Amy Chaplin. I am obsessed with all her recipes right now so you will see a lot more coming your way on my blog. Ingredients: 1 C raw nuts or seeds (Almonds and cashews are my favorite) 4 C water, plus more for soaking pinch of sea salt sprinkling of cinnamon 2 tsp vanilla Directions: To begin, you will need to acquire a nut milk bag. I chose one […]