Vegan Wednesday! Cleansing Juices!

It's a new year and it's a great time to think about cleansing your body of unwanted toxins (not to mention all the damage you did throughout the holiday season!). Everyone has new beginnings on the mind, and a cleansing detox is a great way to start! Here a few recipes I've found for detoxifying juices.

Healing Detox Juice

Serves 2
A sweeter, more subtle juice, but truly nutritious. Packs an antioxidant punch!

Ingredients:
3-4 Carrots

125g Fresh Spinach

Handful of Flat Leaf Parsley

2-3 Sticks of Celery

Juice all ingredients (putting celery through last). Mix with water to taste or drink neat (your preference).

Vegetable Super Juice

Serves 2

Ingredients:
1 whole cucumber

4 sticks of celery

2-4 handfuls of spinach

8 lettuce leaves

Any other greens!

Optional : parsley and fresh alfalfa sprouts

Juice all ingredients and mix 50/50 with distilled water. Add optional lemon juice to boost the alkalinity.

Stomach Cleanser
Ingredients:

1 bunch Grapes

1 basket Strawberries

3 Apples

4 sprigs Fresh Mint

Water

Gluten-Free New Year

One of the occupational hazards of working in a place like Food for Thought is that you will, eventually, get curious about all of the different diets and lifestyles people adhere to. And, if you are someone like me, you will end up researching the advantages and disadvantages of several of these lifestyles, and, perhaps, will try a few.

Early last year, I started to notice that I felt gross after eating several of my favorite foods that were, of course, loaded with gluten. So, I decided to try a gluten-free diet for two weeks and, amazingly enough, felt better. True to my nature, I researched gluten-free lifestyles and found out how advantageous it can be for people from all walks of life to have a gluten-free oriented diet.

Here are some of the facts:

- Gluten-free diets are most commonly associated with people with Celiac Disease or a gluten intolerance. However, people afflicted with autism and rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from maintaining a gluten-free diet.

- Celiac and gluten intolerances still remain the largest undiagnosed disease the in the world. It is estimated that 1 in every 133 Americans have an intolerance of some sort.

- Many restaurants now offer gluten-free options to cater to their customers. Come in to the store to pick up a list of restaurants in the Wichita area that are gluten-free-friendly!

- Some of your favorite foods may already be gluten-free! And companies are coming up with more alternatives daily. Unlike options ten years ago, those adhering to a gluten-free lifestyle can still enjoy beer, pastas, chips, licorice, gummy bears, and multi-grain breads!



Michael Pollan suggests in Food Rules to try devoting a day each week to be a meat-free day. My challenge to you is to try eating gluten-free a single day every week, regardless of if you "need to" or not. It is truly amazing how much better you feel! Until next week, readers!

New In-Store Coupon Books!

With the new year, comes new savings!  We have both a new Mambo Sprout & a new Healthy Clippings Coupon book in-store!  Stop by and enjoy extra savings!  Here are a few coupon matchups for the month:

Muir Glen Soups select varieties on sale for $2.79.  $1/1 Muir Glen Soup coupon.  Final cost $1.79.

BioKleen Bleach Oxygen Plus on sale for $4.79.  $1.50/1 BioKleen Laundry Product coupon.  Final cost $3.29!

Nate's Vegan Meatballs on sale for $4.19.  $1/1 Nate's Meatball coupon.  Final cost $3.19.

Tofurky Vegan Pizza on sale for $6.99.  $1/1 Tofurky Vegan Pizza coupon.  Final cost $5.99.

Food for Life Cluckphrey/Moophrey on sale for $3.29.  50 cents/1 Meatless Product.  Final cost $2.79.

PJ's Burritos on sale for $2.29.  $1/1 coupon.  Final cost $1.29.

Nature's Path Flax Cereals select varieties on sale for $3.29.  $1/1 coupon.  Final cost $2.29.

Numi Teas (assorted varieties) on sale for $4.49.  $1/1 coupon.  Final cost $3.49.

January Newsletter

Happy New Year!  Check out our January newsletter here! 

Medieval Mix!

Winter time spells trouble for those trying to stay well and above the various illnesses floating around. Supporting your immune system can become virtually impossible with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. However, an age-old recipe has proven to work better than many other methods of staying well. Medieval Mix, a vast blend of essential oils produced by "Aura Cacia", has been found to support and strengthen the immune system and its responsive abilities against bacteria and germs! It's versatility in form ranges from inhalers to lotions and from room sprays to direct contact with skin.

Originally known as "Thieves Oil", it was developed in Medieval days to help protect thieves agasint the Bubonic Plague as they raided the homes of the afflicted. Now, this powerful blend of Lavender, Thyme, Rosemary, Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, and other popular essential oils is available to the public. These oils, when mixed together correctly, are highly antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-infectous. Combined, they aid the body in defending against foreign agents such as viruses, the flu, colds, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, sore throats, cuts, and many more!

So to stay well, stop by our blending bar and discover the many ways to use Medieval Mix!

Nifty Novelty!

We are truly one-stop shopping here at Food for Thought. Where else can you buy sprouting seeds and kombucha along with a set of fake mustaches? Did you know we have a large selection of novelty items and toys? More arriving each day!

Vegan Wednesday! New Years Resolutions!

New Year's Resolution? Life Resolution! I've never been much for making New Year's resolutions. I'm of the belief that if you want to make a change in your life, it should be a complete lifestyle change. So for 2011, I'm making a LIFE resolution. After reading Dr. Joel Fuhrman's "Eat To Live" and "The China Study" by T. Colin Campbell & Thomas M. Campbell II, I've realized how skewed my idea of a healthy diet has been. I've been vegetarian for 15 years, and a born-again vegan for a few months now. But my eating habits have always been a little unbalanced. I've been stuck in a rut of processed foods and designer soy products. It's time to make a change!


Starting January 1st, I'm making myself over. I'm going to embrace the whole foods of nature. I'm going to make an effort to eat less processed foods and more fresh fruits and vegetables. I'm lucky enough to work in a store that has a great selection of organic produce. I have the option of delicious salads made with fresh spinach (and cucumbers, carrots, and onions, oh my!). Our selection of apples is amazing, and a fresh Pink Lady apple is a great afternoon snack. I can't wait to explore all of my options.



Like anything, it's all about moderation. A vegan cookie occasionally isn't going to kill me. But I've come to realize that food is medicine, and the cure for all of my aches, pains, and mood swings, is a diet rich in nutritious whole food. I look forward to seeing what results this new lifestyle will bring.