spices help warm your smoothie up!

Brrrrr, it’s starting to get chilly out there, which means a vibrant, nutrient-rich smoothie may not sound so good.

But what if you could have all the yumminess,  health benefits AND convenience of a smoothie and not be left shivering and unsatisfied.

Well, allow me to introduce the “winter smoothie”. The winter smoothie uses ingredients that may be a little denser than your light summertime smoothie. The winter smoothie never uses ice, but instead uses spice! The winter smoothie uses secret immune boosters to help keep you sniffle free all season long.

So if you love healthy fast food as much as I do, read on for how you can give your smoothie a winter makeover.

How to winterize  your smoothie is 6 simple steps:

Fatten up. That’s right, adding healthy fats to your smoothie can create  luxurious mouth experience that helps insulate you from winter cold. Winter is not the time for a low fat diet, but it is also not the time to overindulge and feel like a bloated penguin. : ) With good fats like almonds and almond milk, avocado, coconut oil and coconut milk, you will be well on your way to looking and feeling a like winter goddess instead.

Spice is nice. Adding spices to your smoothie adds a whole new dimension of flavor and health benefits. Spices help warm things up, aid in digestion, can boost metabolism, increase immunity and stimulate circulation to give you a winter glow! Try cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, anise, cloves, black pepper, turmeric, cayenne, fennel, coriander and even curry. Keep it simple and experiment a little bit.

Not just for smell. Therapeutic grade essential oils can add an exotic depth to your smoothie. Oils in the citrus family like grapefruit, orange, tangerine and lemon can be especially nice at this time of year because they boost mood and provide concentrated vitamin C and antioxidants to ward off winter colds. Be sure to use ONLY pure, unadulterated oils for internal purposes. Do not buy just any oil. The only brand I work with for internal use is Young Living. To learn more or to order visit youngliving.us and use customer code 904207.

Add heat. When the weather is cold outside it is not a good idea to introduce cold food or drink into the body. It halts digestion (meaning you get digestive issues, low energy and fat storage), can make you spacey and unfocused, and just makes your body have to work that much harder to keep body temperature up. This is one of the many reasons I like the Vita-Mix Blender because it can gently heat whatever your blending when you keep it going for more than 2 minutes. Try a warm almond butter, cacao, almond milk, cinnamon and banana smoothie and you will feel like you are having something decadently naughty for sure!

Skip the dairy. Besides the fact that pasteurized dairy causes mucus, allergies, hormonal imbalance, digestive issues and much more, it is cooling. Instead go for coconut milk, almond milk,  young coconut meat or hemp milk. Add an avocado or soaked almonds or cashew for thick richness.

Think outside of the box. Use some new and different winter ingredients like sweet potato, pumpkin, beets, almond butter and even cabbage. All of these are warming foods, so they support your body in the colder times. The orange veggies provide much needed beta-carotene to help boost immunity. See the Pumpkin Pie smoothie recipe below.

Winter Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

1 cup peeled, cubed raw sweet potato

1/2 an avocado, peeled and pitted

8 oz. fresh carrot juice

splash (or more) coconut or almond milk

small wedge green cabbage (optional, but you won’t taste it & you’ll get a great nutrient boost)

liquid stevia to taste (try 2 drops to start)

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

pinch Celtic salt

Put everything but the avocado in the Vita-Mix Blender and blend on high until smooth. With the blender running, drop in the avocado and blend another 30 seconds. Enjoy with a little cinnamon sprinkled on top.

Would you like to sail through the holidays with energy to spare and a slim figure to flaunt at New Year’s? Contact me for a special 20-minute complimentary Holiday Body Bliss Breakthrough Session through Dec. 29th. Just send an email to devana108@gmail.com to schedule this phone session today!

Playing with my "sisters" during our photo shoot

About one month ago I took a BIG leap.

I mean big.

In one of the worst economic times since the great depression, I have continued to pour my heart and soul into a business I love.

And you know what?

We’re growing.

How can it be that businesses small and large are folding all over the place, yet a holistic health business can prosper?

Well, it comes back to that big leap.

About 2 months ago, I followed my heart and my passion and invested in a program that I knew would support me and my business in ways I could not even imagine.

Now, my rational self said,

“Are you crazy???”

“How much do you want to spend on this program?”

“Where will you get the money?”

And on and on . . .

But you know what I did?

I got out of my own way.

I allowed my intuition to guide me, and allowed my trust that everything works out perfectly to push me forward.

So I said “yes” to myself and to my vision even in the face of what seemed like a crazy decision . . .

And I am so glad I did.

You see the program has only just begun, and I have already received transformation and value like I never could have imagined. My energy is better, my body seems to be growing younger, my relationships have improved and my business is thriving.

That is the beauty of jumping in when you hear the calling; of following your gut instinct or  your heart; of making YOU important – no matter what your doubt demons or other people say.

Because the truth is, unconsciously they may not want you to grow or be successful or get healthy. If you stay as you are, even if you are unhappy, that is what is comfortable to others (and to you).

So, I am here to give you that gentle nudge and say

“If not now, when?”

“If not you, who?”

Life is too short to play small.

Life is too short to not taste the nectar that exists just outside your comfort zone.

I may not be an economist or expert investor, but I can confidently say that the absolute BEST investment you can ever make is in  YOU.

There is no joy in a body that is sick.

Wealth cannot be fully enjoyed in a state of illness or pain.

It is literally impossible to live your passion when you don’t have enough energy to just get through the day . . .

I often see the trepidation in my prospective clients eyes, and I have had that same trepidation myself, but I have never had a client turn around and say to me “God, I wish I hadn’t invested in myself, what a waste.”

Quite the opposite. They usually gush that they would have paid any amount to achieve the health, clarity and joy they reach at the end of their programs.

Likewise, the more I am willing to invest in myself, the more I see flow to me in return.

When you have health, when you glow, when you are out of pain, when you have energy, when your moods are balanced, when your skin and eyes are clear and bright, when you have body confidence . . . you literally attract better relationships, opportunities, career possibilities and resources.

I am a true believer in the law of attraction as I witness how it works in my own life and the lives of others.

Be what you want before it is actually manifest, and it will come quickly.

It takes faith, but it works.

Connecting to my "true self" in Santa Monica

Because of my “big leap” I found my true self while on retreat with 9 other powerful women and our very powerful “leader”, Rose Cole.

Nothing is more valuable than this.

As powerful women in this program we have been “upping our game” with holistic nutrition, personal exploration, cleansing and more.

All in the name of shining our light in the brightest way possible to be of service in a bigger way.

I can’t tell you how amazing the experience of real investment has been, but I wanted to share a bit about this with you in order to show  you that anything IS possible . . .

That you ARE worth it . . .

That you have a bright light to shine . . .

You just need to start honoring your body as the temple that it is.

Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself, after all, you are really all you have.

If you feel ready to take a big leap and invest in your future in a big way, I invite you to apply for one of just 3 spots available through the rest of the year for my Private Platinum Health Coaching Retreat. This intensive is by application only. You get to spend an entire day with a holistic health pro (that’s me!) to unlock your unique radiant body code, and get all the tools to look (and feel) younger, experience abundant energy, shed excess weight and jump start your get-healthy journey to results that really last.

Learn more and download your application here.

with love and healthy inspiration,

Ana

Prior to starting my life path in holistic health, I was lost, pretty darn unhappy, and my physical health was in bad shape. I knew there had to be more to life than feeling miserable, tired, dissatisfied with myself, and not feeling like I was making a difference or making a living.

After hitting rock bottom nearly 11 years ago while living in New York, I came across the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and never looked back.

Well, in truth, I had some hesitations about how to pay for this amazing and unique program, whether it would it be worth the time and money, and other such limiters that we often put on ourselves when presented with an opportunity to expand.

Looking back now, I will be forever grateful that I let my intuition do the guidance. Once I started the program, I saw immediately how this education, community and opportunity was going to profoundly impact my life, for the rest of my life.

Because the school teaches about making your tuition back from the start, I saw that my investment was really just that: A true investment in myself and my future.

I was soon able to ditch my “starving artist” restaurant job for my new career as a Holistic Health & Nutrition Coach. Yay!

IIN is really about so much more than just nutrition. It teaches a very holistic model where relationships, career, self-care, physical activity and spirituality are all addressed. This is definitely a piece of what sets it apart from any other school in the world.

Here I am 11 years later, continuing to live my dream of supporting others while supporting myself! Sometimes it really does feel like a dream.

Better still, after all this time, I am still very connected with the school and the community. I even had the opportunity to go to Costa Rica last year for a special alumni conference!

What does all this mean for you?

Well, now that the school offers a revolutionary distance learning program, you can take advantage of this phenomenal training and community no matter where you live for much less investment.

Distance learning allows you access to a world-class training under the mentorship of the most well-known holistic health and wellness experts in the world, including Deepak Chopra, Andrew Weil, Debbie Ford, Dr. Mark Hyman and David Wolfe, all from the comfort of home.

As an ambassador for the school, I am able to offer special bonuses every now and again to anyone I refer to the school. And this month I have 2 “Ring in the New Year” $500 scholarships available for the next session. These scholarships are given on a first come first serve basis and apply only when you register before December 31st, 2010.

Sessions fill up quickly, so I encourage you to act if this is speaking to you. I invite you to either contact me directly for a complimentary holistic career consultation at devana108@gmail.com, or contact Julia in admissions for a no-obligation informational interview.

Call her at 1-877-730-5444 or email her at CoachJulia@integrativenutrition.com.

We are at a critical time in history. The nation is in a serious health crisis, things are radically shifting economically and spiritually. These are exciting times, and I feel that my experience at IIN has been pivotal in my being able to move forward in a powerful way.

If you have the sense that you are meant to be a positive force in this world, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with myself or Julie. We can both answer any questions you may have.

Yours in inspired health and service,

Ana

PS: you may view a PDF version of the IIN catalog by clicking the link below:

http://media.integrativenutrition.com/uploads/marketing/media/IIN_Catalog_Spring2010.pdf

Read FAQ’s here

Click here to see how distance learners are enjoying this unique education all over the world!

This recipe was a total hit, which is why I am sharing it with you. I modified it to be sugar free as well, using xylitol (a sugar alcohol derived from birch or corn). I recommend buying the kind made from birch, which is also called birch sugar sometimes. Xylitol can just about be substituted cup for cup with regular sugar, but will not spike blood sugar or cause any of the other funky sugar issues.

Enjoy this healthier indulgence during your next celebrations! (Thank you Nora!)

Nora’s Birthday French Flourless Chocolate Cake (Gluten-free)

Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients:

7 oz (200 g) semisweet chocolate (45-50 % cocoa)

8 oz (225 g) organic butter, ghee or coconut oil (unsalted)

just under 1 cup xylitol (get the birch kind made from birch, not corn)

5 eggs, separated

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2. Line a 9 in (23 cm) cake tin with greaseproof or other non-stick paper and butter the tin. (Nora didn’t use the paper)

3. Break the chocolate into small pieces and melt it with butter or ghee over hot water, or in the oven works also

4. Beat the egg yolks with half of the xylitol. I put in all the sugar with the egg yolks and added a couple of tablespoons of warm, not hot water

5. Fold in the melted butter and chocolate mixture – be sure that its not to hot otherwise you cook the eggs

6. Beat egg whites until frothy by using an electric mixer; (gradually add the remaining xylitol,) beating until stiff peaks form.

7. Fold in the beaten egg whites.

8. Bake at 350 degrees until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, approximately 40 minutes.

9. Use a knife to separate the cake from the non-stick paper. Please observe that the cake is quite sticky!

The Flourless Chocolate Cake may be served warm or cold with Cashew Whipped Cream or Coconut Bliss (yumm!). The cream may be dusted with raw cacao powder before serving, and decorated with raspberries or strawberries.

For more amazingly delicious, simple and healthy gluten-free, sugar-free recipes (including a raw, vegan rich chocolate tart), please check out my e-recipe book: “Quick. Healthy. Delicious. 50 Favorite Recipes to Feed Your Life!”

Click the button below to instantly download your copy for only $19.97

Enjoy this simple yoga pose to tone your belly, energize your mind, open your lungs, cleanse your body, lengthen your spine . . . And so much MORE!

xox Ana

Ready to get your fall detox on?

Join my proven 14-day online Total Body Reboot & Cleanse and be on your way to an energized, vibrant and younger looking you!

Yes, this recipe really DOES taste and smell a whole lot like pizza!

This is a rich, delicious and satisfying main dish salad that promises to please.

The recipe uses raw goat cheddar, which is unpastuerized and has all the enzymes and nutrients that we expect to be in our pasteurized dairy, but are not. It is much easier on the digestive track that  gluey pasteurized cheese.

2 cups baby arugula
3 cups chopped Romaine, washed and dried
1-2 ripe heirloom tomatoes, chopped
4-5 unsulfured sun-dried tomatoes (soaked until soft & chopped)
3-4 oz. raw goat cheddar cheese (available at most health food stores – really delicious!)
1/4 cup fresh  chopped basil
1 tbsp. chopped fresh oregano or dried
2-3 sun-dried black olives, minced
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
Celtic salt and pepper to taste

Mix everything together, adjust flavors to personal taste, and ENJOY with gusto!

Variations: I added raw corn kernals cut off the cobb, grated zucchini and other summer vegetables for variety. Use your imagination.

Interested in getting lean, energized and healthy inside and out eating amazingly delicious foods like this?

In my 10-week Body Transformation Coaching Program, you get loads of tips, tricks, and recipes to make getting in your best shape ever fun and delicious. Learn more here.

I’m not going to get into the gory details in this post, but I mention it because it was really a pivotal moment in my life.

It was the melt down that gave me the motivation to seek help and change.

It was the moment I knew things needed to be different, even if I wasn’t sure how that was going to look.

It’s often said that out of the mud, springs the beautiful lotus – or it’s often the really difficult times that give us the true gifts and true opportunities.

During my moments of searching, I started to ask myself what I was looking for – what did I want?

As I got a bit clearer, I came across an exciting opportunity – the opportunity to study at what is now the world’s largest holistic health and nutrition school in the world – The Institute for Integreative Nutrition

During my time of difficulty, I knew I wanted to study nutrition, but I also knew that real health included our food, our relationships, our career, our spiritual practices, etc. So, when the IIN catalog fell into my hands, I knew it was the right thing.

Here is what makes this program truly unique and top notch:

• It teaches all the dietary theories
• It takes into account each person’s individual makeup
• It teaches about cooking and self care
• It incorporates practical business training to get you working with paying clients, often before even graduating!
• It provides free ongoing support after graduation

Woohoo! “Sign me up!” I said.

Now, as a graduate I enjoy a fabulous, well-paying career doing what I love to do.

The possibilities are endless, with opportunities to work in many different venues and niches.

As a graduate and an Ambassador for the school, I am still closely connected to the school, receive continued support, and help others make the decision about whether this is the right program for them.

On top of the amazing education and career opportunity, is the fact that IIN taught me about how to best feed my body and my life. This is not the dry, counting calories and fat grams of most diet programs, but a way of learning what works for you as a whole being – mind, body and soul.

It taught me how to create amazing health for myself AND how to guide my clients to do the same.

Some of the many gifts I received from my experience at this school include:

• Real, practical tools to transition into a new career
• An in-depth education on making better choices around food and lifestyle
• Greater freedom and income potential
• Simple yet profound ways to understand nutrition on many different levels
• Training to actually make a difference on a global level (WOW!)
• Pleasurable, practical ways to make a positive impact on my health

The end product of doing a program like this is not just better nutrition, but a life transformed.

Life is short, and it can also be very sweet.

Too sweet to wast precious time and energy on things that don’t really make you feel good!

Too sweet to be bogged down by stress and fatigue, and not be able to thoroughly enjoy it!

If any of this resonates with you, you can call the school to set up a FREE consultation with a counselor today: (877) 730-5444.

Be sure to let them know I sent you, so that you can take advantage of any current friends and family discounts, like the $500 tuition scholarship being offered until September 15th, 2010!

As an Ambassador, I am also offering complimentary career change strategy sessions to any of my readers, friends, clients and contacts. In this session, we design a personalized overview of your potential new career in the holistic health field. There is absolutely no pressure or expectation with this session, it is just an opportunity to explore the possibilities and get your questions answered.

Contact me to set this up: (831) 601-3282, devana108@gmail.com

To your continued health and happiness,

Ana

It seems so benign and docile as a white powder would, but as a former sugar addict, I know what it’s capable of.

And a lot of it’s not that pretty.

Now, I don’t like to demonize foods, but if we look at the fact that most sugar is not a food, but a highly refined chemical produced from a food, I feel a little better about sharing its dirty truths. : )

“Mood-damaging, personality-bending, health-destroying, confusion creating – Research reveals that repeatedly overconsuming sweeteners, dessert foods and quickie carbs wreaks havoc on your blood sugar levels, overstimulates insulin release, triggers inflammation, and could contribute to more than 150 health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome, severe PMS, failing memory, mental confusion, Candida, sexual dysfunction, infertility, wrinkles, acne, depression, anxiety, migraines and early aging.” (excerpted from Sugar Shock, by Connie Bennett)

Whew! No wonder I felt so awful.

So rather than focusing on the negative, let’s move on to 6 easy steps to Stop Singing the Sugar Blues, shall we?

1. Reduce or eliminate coffee - Yup, I know the coffee drinkers out there are not too happy about this step, but the truth is, the ups and downs of caffeine (especially from coffee), include dehydration and blood sugar swings, causing sugar cravings to be more frequent. Try DandyBlend or  Teechino, a great rich drink you brew just like coffee.
2. Drink water – Sometimes sweet cravings are a sign of dehydration, Before you go for sugar, have a glass of water and wait to see what happens. Bonus tip: add a drop of flavored stevia to satisfy the sweet tooth without upsetting blood sugar.
3. Eliminate fat-free or low-fat foods – I ate tons of these in the height of my sugar head days, but these (fake) foods contain high amounts of sugar to make up for the lack of flavor and fat. Eat full fat whole foods and you will find you need less to satisfy.
4. Eat sweet vegetables and fruit – They are sweet, healthy and delicious. Try winter squash, carrots, beets, yams, onions, parsnips and lower sugar fruit like berries, apples and grapefruit.
5. Get exercise – Start with simple activities like walking or yoga. Start with 10 minutes a day and gradually increase. Moving your body helps release feel-good hormones, which means you will be less likely to look to sugar.
6. Slow down and find sweetness in non-food ways! – Your body does not biologically need sugar, but it does long for hugs, time with friends, time outdoors, workouts, massages, etc. When life becomes sweet enough itself, no additives are needed!

If you are really struggling with sugar and cravings, check out my 10-week Body Transformation Virtual Group Coaching Program, which focuses on getting the sugar out and the sweetness into your life, so you can enjoy a slim, stress-free and energized body and life. Learn more here.