Happy New Year loves!

This is officially my very first post for 2013, so I wanted to make it a goodie and share one of my [not so] secret tips on how I went from getting a cold at every change of season to working harder than ever before and never feeling anything that even resembles a sore throat in FIVE years now.

I won't deny that it's due to much much more than just one thing- green smoothies, raw foods, balanced meals, exercise, healthy thinking, periodic detoxing, skipping in the rain, aloe vera, forgiveness, high fives, group hugs, food combining, alkalising, laughing, blowing bubbles, and the list goes on- but if I had to single out vital player in all of this, then ginger it is!

So if you've had a ginger root staring at you from the supermarket shelves and needed one good reason to add it to your diet, how about three...


Natural anti-inflammatory.
Ginger- like turmeric, hop extract, ashwagandha, boswellia and aloe vera- helps to reduce the overproduction of leukotrients that cause inflammation. It is a powerful supplement for reducing pain and swelling for those with arthritis, especially when taking 500-2000mg or eating/juicing a ½ inch of fresh ginger root daily. Ginger essential oil drops in your bath will help with aching muscles and joints.

Digestion’s buddy. 
If you suffer with minor or serious indigestion, your first step will always involve a detox. Whether you decide on a spring clean for your body, a strict change of diet or a serious intestinal tract clear out (involving colon cleansing and taking fibres such as psyllium husks, herbs, oat or beet fibre, incorporated with juicing and exercise), you will soon notice that ginger is on the menu. And no wonder every expert recommends it- ginger has the power to fire up your digestive juices, whilst improving the absorption and assimilation of nutrients, so you don’t only get the bad stuff out, but keep the vital stuff in.

Immunity booster.
Don’t wait to get congested and unfit for work to resume to a ginger honey tea (although- excellent idea!), but add ginger to your diet on a regular basis and let your immune system know that you are serious about kicking bugs and viruses. Ginger promotes healthy sweating, where a potent germ-fighting agent (dermicin) produced in healthy sweat gets transported to the skin’s surface. This not only removes the toxins from inside the body, but protects it against invading microorganisms from the outside. If you suffer from motion sickness or nausea, this wonder root will be the best therapy to eliminate gastrointestinal distress, calm and prevent the symptoms.


You may remember me posting this photo to Facebook before my long flight, followed by a 15 hour bus journey to Ecuador (note the ginger extract I used and click on the image to get it):

"All other antioxidants are jealous of my breakfast right now! I'm flying this morning, so got up extra early to make this beet+carrot+celery juice. But first- the double shot of berry aloe vera drink & ginger extract. Jet lag who?"

Then Christmas rolled around just as quickly as it went. Elliot and I, along with Tim and Kirsty (our London family for the third Christmas already!) decided to spend the festive break in Prague.

I've dreamed of this city for far too long to spend the time blending and juicing while we are there, so left all the gadgets at home. But not before making a batch of Ginger Heaters (as seen in 'Nourished- Comforting Raw Food Recipes For Winter' eBook) and making sure I get my dose of immunity boosting before the trip. Here's the recipe:











Do you like this recipe? How about another 38 warming, hearty and healthy raw food recipes for winter? In my brand new eBook 'Nourished', you will find only the healthiest, enzyme rich and nutrient dense ingredients, which I specifically combined to support you and your immune system during the cold months of the year. Check out what you will find>>

We got back to a balmy [in comparison] London in the evening and all I felt like was something warm, comforting, creamy and nourishing. Good thing I usually keep soaked almonds on hand by keeping them in the fridge in water (change the water every three days and they will keep for a month), so the best option presented itself. And it so happened to be right out of my brand new eBook Nourished...

Wahooo!!! ENORMOUS CONGRATULATIONS Natali!

Judging has not been easy, even Vitamix themselves have agreed that with 49 legitimate entries, standards have been majorly high and choosing the winner is a tough job. But Natali Nova won on all accounts considering the volume of votes her smoothie received, the creativity of the photo submitted and the originality of the recipe to go with it.

Here is her recipe:
Fat Burning and Anti-Aging Power \n\n* 1 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries for its fat burning ketone and high anti-oxidants that slow down aging process, protect our cells from damage. \n\n* 1 cup of Goji Berries ( pre-soaked) for its 2 amino acids and potassium ( L-Arginine and L-glutamine) that help our bodies to produce growth hormone and enhances the production of lean muscles. Goji berries help to convert food into energy rather than storing it as fat. It is a good source of chromium, a mineral that aids in blood sugar control.\n\n* 1 cup of home-made almond milk for its richness in vitamin E and A which keeps our skin beautiful and elastic. It is a wonderful source of calcium that keep our bones ad muscles healthy and strong. \n\n* 1/2 cup of papaya or pineapple for its enzyme content. Bromelain and papain enzymes helps to breakdown protein and fat and improve digestion. \n\n* 1 tsp of raw and dark honey ( optional) for its enzymes and beneficial healing properties. \n\n* 1 tsp of raw unheated bee pollen (optional) for its incredible super nutritious powerhouse of amino acids which are the building blocks of protein needed to build every cell in the body, from blood cell to the cells in the skin, organs and bones. It is rich in minerals, vitamins, enzymes. It is incredible for building strong muscles, energy, stamina, immunity and believed to be the most complete food on earth! \n\n\nBlend all ingredients together in a good blender for 30 seconds and there you have it! Close your eyes and have a taste of heaven...deliciously pink and smoothly satisfying. If you are trying to lose some body fat, this smoothie has a perfect mix of ingredients. It has fat burning raspberry ketone, healing enzymes, rich amont of minerals, vitamins, fatty and amino acids. You will feel and look beautiful inside out! \nHave it before or after your workouts on a regular basis and you will see and feel its magic working. Did i mention that it tastes like out of this world, oh yes, like heaven! Enjoy!





To see their recipes and many others from those who entered their stunning creations, just go to Better Raw's album on Facebook and look for the relevant image here>>



And finally, the 3 winners of my eBooks are...

Liga Rurane
Irina Stancheva
Simone Fougere

Congratulations! Please email betterrawmichelle@gmail.com with your preferred eBook from this list: http://www.betterraw.com/2012/10/day-24-of-28-give-aways-better-raw.html.



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