I mostly hear about different superfoods and supplements from reading other blogs, or online articles. Usually I’ll stumble across someone raving about something, say maca, and that will pique my curiosity. So them I’ll Google it, read the Wikipedia for a basic idea, read the woo-woo websites for the “it will give you fairy wings!” perspective, search the blogosphere for any negative experiences, and just sort of get a general sense. If it sounds like something I want to try, I either seek it out or wait until I stumble across it on sale . . . depending on how badly I want it. ;-)

Perfect Iced Coffee

Ingredients

1 pound Ground Coffee (good, Rich Roast)
8 quarts Cold Water
In a large container, mix ground coffee with water. Cover and allow to sit for at least 48 hours. I try to do this in the fridge.Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and set over a pitcher or other container. Pour coffee/water mixture through the strainer, allowing all liquid to run through. Discard grounds.

Place coffee liquid in the fridge and allow to cool. Use as needed. Good for 3 weeks in fridge.

Not only is this WONDERFUl… but you are not wasting daily coffee filters – trying to stay GREEN!

@ Julia – I do my smoothie in a blender (a food processor works well too). If the green is bothering you, try lightening up on the greens and boosting the fruit. A base of banana (frozen is great) works well because it adds creaminess and richness and it’s sweet. Add another piece of sweet fruit on top of that (frozen mango or fresh strawberries or whatever), then like a small handful of spinach. Some people even add agave or other sweetener if you’re really sensitive to the greens. Over time you’ll get used to the “green-ness” (you really will!) and you’ll be able to up the greens and back off the fruit. The smoothies up there ^^^ are pretty hardcore and I would NOT have been able to tolerate them even a year ago, haha. Luck!

@ Kathryn B. – Isn’t iced coffee the BEST! I really love it. Th only problem is, it’s so easy to drink so *much* of it! =D

@ Alley – Canned coconut milk is great, because it’s easy to find and it’s super versatile! Definitely get the full-fat kind for the kiddos. You can sub it in anywhere you would use dairy. If it’s warm it will be uniform, a thick milk. But if you keep it in a cool cupboard and then open it, you’ll find that the “cream” rises to the top and hardens. The liquid underneath will be a lot thinner. You can use it either way – all mixed up, as cream, or as thinner, less fatty liquid, for different applications. Try playing around with it, it’s great stuff!

@ sarah – Oh, I’m a total cheater! It’s just Bob’ Red Mill gluten-free pancake mix, made with coconut milk instead of dairy and coconut oil instead of veg oil and a “flax egg” instead of a real egg. SO GOOD. Here’s the link on Amazon.

@ H Kate – Well first off, congrats on replacing the milk and sugar! WOW, if you stick with it there’s no doubt you will feel the change. Those are both HUGE and each one alone would have you feeling so much better. Let me know how it goes, I bet you’re gonna feel amazing! =D

As for the smoothie supplements, I guess it really depends on what you want and where your priorities are. Because those three things serve really different purposes, you know? Maca is great and I love it, though some people seem to react poorly to it (much like with chocolate) It’s mostly an overall system regulator, so if you feel “out of balance” or weirdly hormonal or low-energy or anything like that, maca is THE great stabilizer. Spirulina is great for detoxing and chelating. It’s also got a good amino acid profile and it’s high in trace minerals. Spirulina is a great supplement, but I’d say it’s less *necessary*, unless your major goal is to detox. Then it’s great. Hemp protein (whey is made from cow’s milk so I don’t endorse it) is my favorite protein powder, and if you feel like you need to add some more protein to your diet, then it’s a great choice. But if you’re getting good protein elsewhere, and if you’re not pregnant/nursing/an athlete, it may not be necessary.

So yeah – totally depends on your goals. Hope that helps!

@ Rebecca – Yeah, with spirulina I had to build up a tolerance VERY slowly. It’s got this weird off-putting . . . saltiness? to it. I don’t know, but yea the first smoothie I used it in, I added a full tablespoon and OHMIGOD. I simply couldn’t drink it. I can’t believe Waits likes it so much!

@ Natasja – Try searching for “raw hazelnut chocolate pie recipe” or something along those lines. The key is to find a raw foods recipe. Luck!

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Okay guys – next week, all lunches!

WOW does anyone know how one might go about possibly making a vegan-friendly chocolate/hazelnut pie? OMG they just look heavenly! Thanks for the tip about chia, will definitely try that if needed :P though we have plenty of kiwifruit around these parts which are good for that *problem* too!

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