Adventures in Drool: Eat it raw

Happy Tuesday droolers.

Well my weekend did not go as planned, hence this day-late blog post. But, all is well, and we soldier on.

Any time an unexpected trip comes up, it always goes hand-in-hand with bad food. Traveling really brings out the munchies. We had fried food, more crackers that usual and ice cream to boot!

How do we get back on track after a weekend of bad food?

One way is to go raw. Raw foods are undoubtedly the best foods for our bodies. They nourish us with whole-goodness and provide the needed calories to boost our metabolism and keep us active.

The Daily Green has a great pictorial about foods that are more nutritious eaten raw.

Take-away info from the graphic:

• Eating raw broccoli, and the chewing process involved, helps to rupture the special compound that is located in the plant's cell walls, an enzyme called myrosinase, that revs up your liver's ability to detoxify carcinogens.

• Make your own juices. By not pasteurizing, the made-at-home juices are actually better for you.

• Raw nuts can help lower the LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or "bad," cholesterol level in the blood. Raw nuts can reduce your risk of blood clots and can improve the healthy lining of your arteries.

- Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/raw-food-nutrition-0728#ixzz2C7TUhMje

Raw food always makes me feel healthier, especially after over-indulging.

Ways to include raw food in your diet:

• Add a leafy, green salad to each meal

• Have a cut-up apple as a snack

• Celery and carrots are great appetizers

• Puree whole fruits into a delicious smoothie

• Grapefruit can be a delicious breakfast

• Raw nuts can boost productivity at work, and are delicious atop a salad!

Adding more raw foods to your diet can boost your diet and your mood. How do you enjoy raw foods?

Recipe alert!

This refreshing punch is delicious for holiday parties or paired with your morning oatmeal.

Cranberry Ginger Orange Punch

1- 12-oz. bag fresh cranberries

6 cups water, divided

1 large orange, zest and juice

1-inch piece fresh ginger, roughly chopped.

1/3 cup agave, honey or maple syrup (to taste)

1. Place cranberries, 2 cups water, orange juice and zest and ginger in food processor. Process until a slurry is achieved.

2. Transfer mixture to bowl and add remaining 4 cups water.

3. Let steep in refrigerator at least an hour.

4. Strain off into pitcher and add sweetener to taste. Top with orange slices if desired.

-Recipe courtesy of Rawmazing:  http://www.rawmazing.com/fresh-cranberry-ginger-orange-punch/

Have a great week!