What’s an alkalizing activity? Getting Back to Basic

If you've been a LoveLife client you know we talk about alkalizing, A LOT. During Phase 1 we amp up nutrient dense foods, remove inflammatory foods, drink Green Juices and check in with our pH each day. But we also encourage what we call Alkalizing Activities which work in tandem with the dietary changes to get back to Basic. 

What's an "Alkalizing Activity" and how can they help our bodies increase our pH?

Here's the skinny:

• Even if you are eating your absolute optimal diet,  when stress levels are high your pH will be more acidic.
  
• Alkalizing Activities = More traditional spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga or prayer are wonderfully alkalizing but any activity that brings you into a state of expansiveness including laughing with your kids, spending time with a pet, or singing in the car also qualify.
  
• Bring awareness to these activities - notice how you feel in this state. How are you holding your body? What does your breath feel like?
  
• Aim to bring this awareness to more stressful moments.  Feeling annoyed in traffic? Perfect opportunity! Can you rustle up any of that same feeling you had when you were laughing with your kiddos last night?
  
• Don't judge! Sometimes we can manifest the feeling from the alkalizing activity, sometimes we can't. This is a practice makes perfect kinda practice.
  
• Deep breathing: For a quick fix, taking 5-10 deep breaths is an effective way to alkalize. Deep breathing is calming to the mind and spirit and allows more oxygen in. Without enough oxygen, our bodies are unable to clear everyday toxins, which you guessed it, are acidic.
  
• Don't get too caught up in your  daily pH readings. Remember, stress is acidic! pH levels take a while to shift (we're talking months to a year) so try checking in a couple times a week instead.  Aim for a gradual increase.  When you dip, amp up your greens, drink a green juice and practice  your alkalizing activities.

Warm Curried Apples over Kale

It's that time of year and the very first signs of fall starting to appear. While in Austin, that may only mean 90 degree days instead of 100, we'll take it. The cooler weather has us spinning the spice rack looking for aromatic combinations that conjure up an autumnal attitude.

This 'recipe' is a simple one and yields big flavors in mere minutes. Not crazy about the idea of greens in the morning? This combo may change your mind.

• 1/2 apple, diced
• 1/2 TB coconut oil
• 1-2 tsp curry powder*
• 2 cups kale, cut into thin ribbons
• 2 TB water
• Himalayan Salt to taste

Heat 1/2 TB coconut oil over medium heat. Add diced apples, a touch of salt and curry powder. Stir until apples are heated through and curry is fragrant. Remove from pan and reserve. Add water to same pan, swirl around to collect the little bits of flavor leftover from the apples. When hot, add the kale, cover and steam for 2-3 minutes. If any water is leftover, drain and serve topped with the warm apples. 

Yummy with a sprinkling of hemp seeds, or if you eat dairy a dollop of high quality greek yogurt...a great place to experiment with proteins, especially if kicking off your day with this tasty little snack.

*Sensitive to nightshades? Check to be sure curry spice blends don't include chili powder and or sub out with a pinch of garam masala. 

Starting School on the Green Foot

So you hear it from us all the time, eating green paves the road to Alkalize Town. But as we load ourselves up with green goodness, how can we get our children on board, too? The start of a new school year is an ideal time to flex some new veggie skills. (The following tips work for grownups, too!) 


• Snacks: We promise, we’re not trying to tell you kids are going to love kale chips (even though they might, even our grandpa does!) BUT we do think they may be excited about these green after school snacks waiting for them in the freezer. Recipe here.
  
  
• Green Smoothies: Kids love ‘em, especially with a fun-to-say name. The Hulk, Monster Morning Mash, Green Machine are a few of our favorites. Bananas, berries, nut/seed butters and spinach make smoothies kid friendly while packing a nutritional punch. Still not jiving? Try a drop or two of vanilla for an easy zazz. 


• Dips: Veggies go from Yawn to Yow! when paired with a fun dip. And who doesn't like ranch dressing? We think this homemade hemp seed version may just get your kid’s vote, too. Crazy tasty with fresh snap peas.

• Veggie Noodles! No fancy gadgets needed. Simply take a wide vegetable peeler and run it down the length of a zucchini to create thin noodle-like strips. Saute with a bit of oil, top with your favorite marinara and a little cheese to please young palettes.

• Let Veggies Shine: There’s loads of tips for hiding veggies in other foods but we’re all about showing them off. Pita pizzas are an easy weeknight meal and little hands can be part of the fun. Let them choose from chopped broccoli, diced squash and cherry tomatoes to make a colorful pizza face. Watch those veggies get gobbled up in a hurry.

Have any kid tested and approved food tips? We'd love to hear about them below in comments! 

TLC Greensicles

From the looks of our favorite foodie blogs and the plethora of pumpkin spice starting to show up in recipes, autumn has come knocking at some of your doorsteps. However, here in Austin, the dog days of summer often linger into September. What better way to cool down then nibbling on something sweet, ice cold AND green? (Not down with green? You may like our super easy Magic Melon) 

Stay cool LoveLifers. 

TLC GREENSICLES

Makes 10 popsicles

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of your Favorite Green Juice*
• 3 bananas
• 2/3 C nondairy, non-nut milk for P1 compliance (hemp milk is our favorite, but coconut would work well, too) 
• 3 tablespoons raw honey
• 2 apples, juiced (or 1 cup good quality apple juice, no sugar added)

Add juice and ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds, insert sticks, and freeze overnight. To remove from popsicle mold, let it sit on your countertop for 5-7 mins and gently wiggle the popsicles loose. To store, keep in airtight container, and separate rows with parchment paper. 

* For our favorite TLC Green Juice, juice 1 cucumber, 2 kale leaves, 1/3 bunch parsley, 1 handful spinach & 1 celery stalk