There's a new veggie most of you probably don't know about or eat:

Dandelion Greens

Here is some great info on the health benefits and ways to eat them:

The best time to eat dandelion greens is in the spring and early summer when the leaves are still young. Dandelion greens should be harvested in early spring, before the flowers appear. They’re a bit bitter but taste fantastic in a salad. You can also saute the flowers, roots and leaves with onion and garlic, serve them on a sandwich or salad, boil the leaves and serve like spinach or add them to your green smoothies like I do!

Dandelions are a natural diuretic and a spring tonic. Dandelion is used to cleanse the body naturally and is an herbal detoxification saint. It is believed that the herb produces beneficial effects by removing toxic pollutants in the body that have accumulated over time. It has also been known to prevent or cure various forms of Cancer.

Dandelions have many therapeutic benefits they support digestion, prevents anemia reduce swelling and inflammation, helps with hypertension and lowering blood sugar, treat skin problems such as eczema, warts and acne and number of other ailments including gallstones and gout. It is known as one of the most effective and beneficial herbal remedies. The roots, stems, and leaves of the dandelion excrete a white sticky resin, This sticky resin when applied directly to warts daily, several times a day, will slowly help to dissolve them.

A few other ways to use dandelion are : Make a tea using the flowers by boiling them in water for 15 minutes, roast the roots of dandelion to make a coffee substitute and for you wine connoisseur’s try making dandelion wine.

Dandelion’s are considered weeds and are known to be pesky. Plain and simple dandelions have a bad rap! So, next time you think of a dandelion think of all the great qualities it possesses. Forage your lawn for these nutritious leafy greens rather than spray them down with toxic chemicals. For old time’s sake, you can blow a wish to health. Take advantage of their healing and cleansing benefits. Eat your weeds away!

It's all about being prepared so you don't have to turn to bad foods at the office or wherever you may be..


Edamame, persian cucumbers, Mary's gone crackers(gluten free, flax, brown rice and quinoa)dried lightly salted seaweed, asparagus, 3 oz of grilled chicken, 2 hearts of palm sticks, one apple, a few blackberries and a small protion of gluten free granola.

Today is the day of GREEN:

I decided to have something green at every meal from the minute I wake up until I fall asleep..

Breakfast: Smoothie with fresh spinach

Snack: Green Tea

Snack: dried seaweed

Lunch: a few pieces of low sodium turkey breast, cucumbers and edamame

Snack: Green tea

Dinner: asparagus, and grilled chicken

Monday May17th:


Ok.. so for all of you who follow my healthy tips and eating advise I am here to let you know that I am human and do fall off the eating wagon myself..

This weekend I was at my cousin's beautiful wedding in Napa.. I started the first day off ok at the bridal luncheon with a healthy seared tuna salad and a glass of champagne.. ok.. maybe 2 glasses..

I was so excited to be at this gorgeous place with my family and friends that I just decided to enjoy myself.. I think I took that to the next level at rehearsal dinner.

This took place at Mumms vineyard.. champagne galore.. my dream!! Oh wait, it gets better.. dinner consisted of pounds and pounds of lobster, corn, artichokes and shrimp.. Now.. you're probably thinking-that doesn't sounds too bad for you.. I think my portion might have been 3 or 4 lobsters and more.. I thought maybe I was growing claws at one point..

You can't eat that kind of dinner and not want something sweet.. so they served everyone It'S-IT ice cream.. YUM!!!

Needless to say me and my belly had a hard time falling asleep that night but was I a happy camper :-)

I woke up early the next morning and decided to take a walk because I wasn't working out all weekend and thought I needed some light exercise. I hadn't eaten breakfast because I was going to spending the day with the bride and other bride's maids getting ready for the big day and knew they would have food! I probably shouldn't have done that because by the time I got to the room..All I saw was muffins and sweets and white bagel and cream cheese.. I am pretty sure I had a little of everything!! YUP.. that's right.. once I get a going.. I just kept nibbling away..

I thought to myself.. well I will be better at lunch and eat light..

Lunch came and thankfully the options were a little better.. some light sushi, salads oh and MORE delicious sweets and champagne!

I tried the best I could but gave in to the cookie and bubbly and a few pieces of sushi.. I knew I wasn't going to be eating for a little while..

cocktail hour, dinner and desert.. all in my belly :-)

I woke up Sunday for the brunch which usually consist of eggs and a few other options..

WELL.. not at this one.. This was the most incredible brunch I have ever been to..From the breath taking gorgeous home and views to the mariachi band singing when you walked in to the tier of sweets, fresh made tortilla's, Mexican buffet you have ever experienced.. I said to myself.. well I am going out with a bang..

and SO I DID!

I don't have any regrets of the weekend because I enjoyed every moment of it.. from the amazing food, drinks, family, friends and atmosphere.. I may or may not have gained a little weight but it was worth it and because here I am Monday morning already back on tract and even healthier from before the weekend..

My story is about allowing yourself to have fun once and a while, don't always feel like you have to be a perfect eater and exercise like crazy.. I work hard to keep healthy but also so I can enjoy weekend like this!

xo,

Kick Ash

Good Morning.. Here are a few fat flushes to follow:

Start your morning with 1 to 2 tsps of apple vinegar cider..I personally like the brand: Braggs..it tastes funky but it is a great morning fat flusher..follow with lemon water and a healthy breakfast!

THE FAST TRACK ONE-DAY DETOX DIET MIRACLE JUICE PROTOCOL

To conduct your one-day fast, follow this simple, four-step program:

I. PREPARE THE FOLLOWING "MIRACLE JUICE"
2 quarts Cranberry Water (recipe follows)
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Stevia Plus to taste (2 packets seems ideal)

1. Bring Cranberry Water to a light boil; reduce the heat to
low.
2. Place cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg into a tea ball; add to
the Cranberry Water. (For a tangier juice, add the spices
directly to the liquid.)
3. Simmer 15 to 2O minutes; cool to room temperature.
T H E O N E - D A Y D E T O X D I E T 101
4. Stir in the orange and lemon juices. Add Stevia Plus at this
time, if desired.

Cranberry Water Recipe

To make 2 quarts (64 ounces), add 8 ounces unsweetened
cranberry juice to 56 ounces filtered water OR 3 tablespoons
unsweetened cranberry juice concentrate to 6O ounces of filtered
water. Recommended brands of unsweetened cranberry
juice are Lakewood 1OO% Organic, Mountain Sun, Trader Joe's,
and Knudsen. Recommended brands of unsweetened cranberry
juice concentrate are Knudsen and Tree of Life. Be sure
to look for juice that has no sugar, corn syrup, or other juices
added, including apple or grape.)
II. ALTERNATE DRINKING ONE CUP (a OUNCES) OF FILTERED
WATER AND ONE CUP (& OUNCES) OF MlRACLE JUICE DURING
THE DAY. DRINK AT LEAST 72 OUNCES OF FILTERED WATER
THROUGHOUT THE DAY, IN ADDITION TO THE MIRACLE
JUICE. MAKE SURE YOU DRINK AT LEAST A CUP OF LIQUIDEITHER
THE MlRACLE JUICE OR WATER-EVERY HOUR.
Begin the protocol when you wake up in the morning. A sample
day is provided below. You don't have to begin at a specific
time, but be sure to have all eight glasses of Miracle Juice in addition
to the 72 ounces of water.

6 A.M. 1 cup filtered water
7A.M. 1 cup Miracle Juice
8A.M. 1 cup filtered water
9A.M. 1 cup Miracle Juice
10 A.M. 1 cup filtered water
11 A.M. 1 cup Miracle Juice
12P.M. 1 cup filtered water
1 P.M. 11/2 cups Miracle Juice
2 P.M. 1 cup filtered water
3P.M. 1 cup Miracle Juice

Ok.. So this is not my recipie but I had to pass it on because they are so yummy.. Compliments of Maria Abarca from Mariafit.com.. here ya go:

Kale Chips

Ingredients:
Kale – one bunch
Sea Salt – about 1 teaspoon
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – about 1 tablespoon

Recipe:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Trim all the stalks off of the kale, discarding the stalks and saving the leafy greens. Put the leafy greens into a bowl and pour salt and EVOO on top. Mix well. The leaves should be lightly covered in the oil. Place leaves onto a baking sheet (i cover my baking sheets with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.) Bake for 10-15 minutes until edges of the kale begin to brown. Remove and let cool and MUNCH!

Thank You to everyone who came out to kick off the summer with a free Kick Ash Class! It was a huge success! Check my website for my classes, private lessons and more!