The benefits of soaking nuts and seeds

Soaking nuts and seeds is an easy way to improve their digestibility and increase their nutritional value. Soaking them for as little as 4 hours can yield significant benefit. As I buy nuts I put them in a bowl with purified water and let them sit on the counter overnight. When I get up in the morning I rise them with fresh water which helps to get off any digestive inhibitors that have leached into the water. Honestly when I first starting do it, it seemed strange but when you start to understand from a nutritional aspect of WHY you're doing it, it makes sense to get the most out of what you buy and the effect it will have on your body.

Chocolate Blueberry Energy Bars

Chocolate Blueberry Energy Bars

(from Thrive Fitness)

* 1 cup Medjool dates
* 1/4 cup almonds
* 1/4 cup blueberries
* 1/4 ground flaxseeds
* 1/4 cup raw carob powder (or substitute raw cacao nibs or roasted carob powder)
* 1/4 cup hemp protein
* 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
* Sea salt to taste
* Lemon zest
* 1/2 fresh lemon juice * 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
* 2 tbsp unhulled sesame seeds


In a food processor, process all ingredients except the blueberries. Knead blueberries in by hand after processed.

These are a perfect pre-workout snack. Dates are high in glycogen which gives you instant energy.

Spicy Sun-Dried Tomato Marinara Sauce

This picture isn't the best, but it gives you an idea of what it looks like.

Thanks to the sun-dried tomatoes this sauce has a robust flavor. I use it for my pizza sauces but I also like to throw it on salads and wherever a recipe calls for tomatoes.



1 cup-sun dried tomatoes
1 clove garlic
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1 cup water
1/2 grated cucumber
3 tbsp of olive or hemp oil
1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp thyme
sea salt to taste

If I don't have all the spices off hand, I just use what I can.

Soak the sun-dried tomatoes in the water for 20 minutes. Retain this water. In a food processor, process all ingredients including sun dried tomatoes water and blend until desired consistency is reached.

Wild Rice Split Pea Pizza

Crust
1 1/2 cups cooked split yellow peas
1 1/2 cups cooked or sprouted wild rice
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tsp basil
1 tsp thyme
sea salt to taste
Mix all ingredients in a food processor and then form a round pizza crust in a pan.
Toppings:
1/2 red onion, diced
1 cup chopped broccoli florets
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup grated parsnip
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme

Bake at 300F for 45 mins.

For the sauce I made spicy sun dried tomato marinara sauce which I will post.

Melissa's Daily Green Drink

My green drink..."Melissa's Daily Green Drink"

Mix all in a blender:

1 TBSP Ground Flax Seed**

2 tsp Hemp protein**

1 scoop pea protein

1 TBSP Dulse Flakes

1 tsp Maca Powder**

1 Cup Fresh Kale

1 Cup Fresh Spinach

1/4 Cup Blueberries

20 oz. H20



I have this every day and my hair is shiner, my skin is clearer (and glows) and my cravings for sugar and other junk has diminished. You can find these ingredients at your local co-op.


Cheers to your health!!!!