Penelope is CooCoo for CoCoNuts

The Benefits of Young Coconut:

• a natural water filter that takes almost nine months to filter each liter of water. The water travels through many fibers being purified where it is stored away STERILE in the nut itself.
• This coconut water is pure and clean and is one of the highest sources of electrolytes known to man.
• Coconut water is identical to human blood plasma which makes it the universal donor. Plasma makes up 55% of human blood. By drinking coconuts we give ourselves a instant blood transfusion.
• Many peoples lives have been saved in 3rd world countries by the coconut IV.
• Drink at least one a day for achieving maximum health (I drink 5 or 6 and get them at the local farmer's market)
• Coconuts are a great blood purifier.
• Coconuts in their young stage of growth are the most health enhancing.
• Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas - once exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics, and begins to ferment. So I don’t’ recommend drinking the kind you find in a box for maximum bang on your coconut water buck.

Mango-Pineapple-Coconut-Lime-Aloe-Goodness

1 small pineapple
1 mango
1 coconut (I usually drink the water and then save the coconut meat for smoothies or juice)
1 lime
2 ounces of aloe (about 3 inches of the aloe plant leaf)

Whip this up in either your juicer and pour into a glass (duh).

It was ugly!

And wallah, here are the big health boons to this beverage:

Mango: fends off cancer, promotes eye health (supplies 25% of the needed daily value of vitamin A), aids in digestion, benefits skin by unclogging pores (people who suffer from acne will benefit tremendously from this fruit), makes skin complexion fair.

Pineapple: assists with digestion,reduces swelling of inflammatory conditions like gout, arthritis, sore throat, and acute sinusitis (due to all the Bromelain), treats rheumatoid arthritis, speeds up tissue repair, reduces blood clotting, removes plaque from the arterial walls, enhances blood circulation throughout the body, cures throat infections, treats anemia, builds bones, combats lack of memory, sadness and melancholy and last, prevents gum disease and gingivitis. 
Young Coconut: Increases energy in the body, assists in correcting constipation, aids in the fight against bladder and kidney disorders, reverses the aging process, aids the body's digestion and absorption process (i.e. allows us to absorb more nutrients), fights common vision problems, improves circulation in the body, lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart attacks, reduces the risk of strokes. 
Lime: Assists with weight loss, aids in skin care, helps aid good digestion, relieves constipation, promotes eye care, treats respiratory infections.
Aloe: Improves circulation, regulates blood pressure, promotes healing of bones and joints, strengthens the immune system, defends the body against bacteria, heals internal tissue damage, heals ulcers, increases energy, improves and even eliminates constipation, regulates blood suger, reduces itchiness and psoriasis, is said to the be akin to reaping the same benefits as you would a work out + boosting collagen production, detoxifies your blood stream by helping to dilate capillaries and support cell growth. Last, it's anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, so it helps to prevent the onset of disease. 

common questions of detox do's and detox don'ts, detox WILLS and detox WON'TS!

1) Question:
Agave nectar: yay or nay?


Answer: the quick answers are 1) I'd nix the agave altogether from your diet because ultimately it's not at all 'raw' or 'natural' as the labels claim. Sally Fallen Merrill from the Weston A. Price Foundation says it best I think:

"Agave “nectar” is not made from the sap of the yucca or agave plant but from the starch of the giant pineapple-like, root bulb. The principal constituent of the agave root is starch, similar to the starch in corn or rice, and a complex carbohydrate called inulin, which is made up of chains of fructose molecules.Technically a highly indigestible fiber, inulin, which does not taste sweet, comprises about half of the carbohydrate content of agave.

The process by which agave glucose and inulin are converted into “nectar” is similar to the process by which corn starch is converted into HFCS. The agave starch is subject to an enzymatic and chemical process that converts the starch into a fructose-rich syrup—anywhere from 70 percent fructose and higher according to the agave nectar chemical profiles posted on agave nectar websites.

Compare that to the typical fructose content of high fructose corn syrup (55%)!" To sum it up in layman's terms? Agave nectar is a big fat scam and you'd be better off eating regular sugar!

2) Question: How bout Honey? What's your take?
Answer: I think RAW honey is perfect if you're NOT yeasted, HOWEVER, the majority of females ARE yeasted (again, this deserves it's own post) but I would say "yes" if it's raw (by "raw", I mean, it’s honey that has never been heated above the temperature of the beehive. When raw honey is heated above this temperature, so that it might be poured into containers, it loses all of its health benefits.


but like agave, it contains around 40-60 calories and whopping 16 grams of carbs/TB. The upside of honey is that it is absorbed slowly and what I do love about honey is that the bees have added a special enzyme to the nectar that divides the sucrose into glucose and fructose -- two simple sugars for our bodies can absorb directly (unlike sugar). There is a lot more that could be said with regards to this topic but in short, both raw honey and stevia actually leave behind an alkaline ash. (Regular honey, agave and sugar, on the contrary, are acidic, and therefore leave behind an acidic ash. It's this negative charge we are aiming for while undergoing any cleanse so as to stave off the yeast in our bodies. Stevia (I prefer Nu Naturals) is an ideal sweetener because it contains no calories, is natural and not only leaves an alkaline ash but starves yeast in the body. I carry stevia packets in my purse wherever I go. 

3) Question: As for snacks, would edamame be ideal for grazing since they are raw, rich in protein and relatively healthy? 


Answer: As for edamame for grazing--beans are NOT ideal if you are trying to lose weight or become super lean. But if your goal is not to lose weight then it would be okay if they were eaten 2-3 hours before dinner and by themselves (maybe some salt and lemon to taste) but you don't want to miscombine them if you are trying to detoxify. 

Sample Grocery List

Here is a list of all the things I have on hand prior to embarking on any kind of cleanse:

FOR JUICING:

Organic *fresh* Ginger (for tea and to flavor juices)

Nu Stevia (to sweeten juices)
http://www.amazon.com/NuNaturals-NuStevia-Stevia-Powder-1000-Count/dp/B000HBYVIE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327949834&sr=8-1

Organic Beets (makes for a great natural juice sweetener)
Organic Granny Smith Apples (perfect choice if you are yeasted, which unfortunately, is the majority of all females in our modern age of toxification!)

Organic Lemons
Organic Romaine Hearts (to form the base of your juices)
Organic Kale or any green you love (Collard Greens, Brocoli, Spinach, Swiss Chard, bok choy, etc.)
Organic Carrots (again, a great natural juice sweetener)
Organic Cranberries (Because the sugar content is so low, here is another fruit that is "allowed" if your body is yeasted).

I would only include these in your cleanse if you are certain you are not yeasted: 

Organic Apples (Braeburn, Gala, Fuji are a few of my favs)
Organic Pears
Oranges
Coconut Flesh

FOR MEALS:

Organic Sweet Potatoes/Yam

Organic Avocados

Veggies for cooking: zucchini squash (my favorite because you can make this into a spaghetti and pour on a ton of great marinara sauce and parmesan cheese and *still* be cleansing!); broccoli, zucchini, summer squash, asperagus, brussel sprouts, scallions, onions, mushrooms..

Raw Organic Goat Cheese (you can find this at Whole Foods; Alta Dena makes a 'chedder' style brand that tastes less like goat. If you can't stand Goat and you are just starting to cleanse for the first time, I recommend feta or raw, organic non-pasteurized cheese/parmesan or Gouda for better digestion)

Organic Butter

Organic free range eggs (you can make to-die-for omellettes on this cleanse)

Fresh wild Fish (halibut, salmon are just a few examples.) Please stay tuned for 'toxicity and fish' post!
Organic Poultry and Red meat if you eat meat..any meat, just as long as it's organic and humanely raised!

FOR GRAZING:

Carrots
Tomatoes
Cabbage
Kale Chips (preferably the kind you make at home!) Recipe to follow..
Hummus Dip
Garlic Dip (stay tuned for recipe)

FOR DESSERT:

Dark Chocolate (68% or darker; organic)
Laloo's Goat's Milk Ice Cream
Frozen Juice Treats (i.e. if you are not yeasted, I often resort to aloe+pineapple juiced popsicles)

food combining 101

http://www.alderbrooke.com/images/food-combining-chart-front.jpg

Why bother with food combining?

When you eat animal protein (such as chicken), the stomach uses the digestive enzyme pepsin to break this down, which is an acidic enzyme. 

When you eat starches (such as rice or a yam), the stomach utilizes an alkaline medium to break it down.

So when you eat a meal with both protein and starch in it, both the acid and alkaline digestive enzymes enter the stomach to break down these foods. Having acid and alkaline in the stomach at the same time results in neutralization of the acid enzyme and the alkaline enzyme. In other words, the food just sits and begins to ferment because there is no digestive assistance from stomach acids.

The result from this sort of mis-combination is that the food moves very slowly out of the body, causing a lot of discomfort, gas and fermentation. The longer food sits in the digestive tract, the more it ferments and feeds yeast. This results in constipation, bloat, nausea, along with many other symptoms. 

Learn your Rules. You've got to learn your rules. IF YOU DON'T I will eat you in your sleep. CRUNCH!

Some FOOD COMBINING Q&A TIME!

Here are some common questions and answers with regards to food combining and some basic guidelines for you to follow:

Q) WHAT SUBSTANCES IN A TYPICAL RAW, VEGAN DIET PREVENT TRUE DETOXIFICATION?


A) Nuts, soy, cooked legumes (lentils, beans, cooked frozen, non-organic corn, cooked peas), milk alternatives (especially soy milk), processed foods, most grains (especially refined); white flour, cereals, granola prevent detox because they are too dense, and therefore slow-exiting and overwhelming to the bowel. 

Q) HOW DO AVOCADOS COMBINE?

A) Avocados combine as a *STARCH*! Even though they ara technically a fruit, they will mix with other starches kamut pasta, sweet potatoes and other starches that are allowed on this cleanse. If you are not yeasted, you MAY consume these with raw fruit, but just not nuts! I know it's confusing at first, but my best advice is to just drill into your mind that nuts are not ideal for a cleanse because they are SO DENSE and stymy digestion. I personally LOVE to just eat these with chipotle salsa on their own for a snack before dinner. If I am having a starchy dinner, I can eat these right before. If I am having a flesh-centric dinner, however, it's best to wait at least 3-4 hours. 

Q) CAN I HAVE CREAM OF BROCOLI SOUP?
A) Yes and No, depending on the nature of the "cream" base of the soup. If the cream is from a cow, (and even worse, from cow's milk that's been captured in a can chalk full of preservatives) then it's not ideal. Why? Because the milk from a cow is FAR more gluey, viscous and *dense* (i.e. not assimilable) than milk that comes from a goat. If you can find a way to make this recipe using goat milk (almond milk is also too dense for the purposes of this cleanse), then I say "go for it". 

Q) WHAT'S THE BEEF WITH COW'S MILK? OR JUST BEEF IN GENERAL?
A) Cow's milk does not exit the body efficiently in the way that goat milk does and it'll fester and putrefy in the body. Beef typically continues to cook in our bodies at 97-98degrees for 7-9 days after consumption so it's definitely not ideal for a cleanse! 

Q) WHAT MEAL OPTIONS SHOULD A 'TRANSITIONER' EAT INSTEAD OF HER FAST-FOOD BURGER AND FRIES? 
A)
-) Portobello mushroom cooked or sautéed in butter, seasoned with light salt and pepper with a baked sweet potato (two neutral water-containing vegetable starches that will combine well together; the mushroom will hopefully satisfy the need for a ‘flesh’)
-) salmon or his/her favorite fresh fish, with unlimited veggies sautéed with a pat of butter (no oils!) and seasonings/garlic (gourmet style so they don’t feel deprived—i.e. sea salt, Herbamare Spike, or Pumpkin Pie spices)
-) grass fed organic, free range, hormone-free meat or the highest quality organic, free-range poultry with well prepared veggies. This will satisfy his/her desire for animal game but there are less ramifications with the meat being of higher quality and not causing more harm to a body that is likely already toxic with these chemicals and hormones.
-) millet, quinoa or buckwheat, kosha or soba noodles topped with a bit of organic butter and sea salt with well prepared vegetables. This combination would satisfy a hearty appetite characteristic of most who are in the mood for a fast food burger and French fries.
-) steamed vegetables (maybe spiralized yellow nut zucchini squash?) topped with high quality marinara sauce brands such as Muir Glen, Seeds of Change or Paesana) and goat cheese, again to satisfy a hearty appetite.

Q) What could a transitioner eat instead of his bagel and cream cheese?
A) 
-) cabbage wrapped with raw, unpasteurized goat cheese 
-) Alvarado/Ezekiel brand sprouted bread with butter and/or goat cheese (if this particular person is not yet ready for a more substantial detox)


Q) CAN I HAVE TURKEY OR DEER JERKEY FOR A SNACK? 
A) If you are absolutely sure they are nitrate and preservative free, which you would have to go to a specialty place to find, then yes. If not, you're better off foregoing them. I haven't tried these but this may be a good option:
http://www.grasslandbeef.com/Detail.bok?no=1020. Again, if you're having a starch-centric DINNER, you would need to graze on this 2-4 hours prior to dinner. If you're having a flesh centric dinner, you don't have to wait at all. 
Q) WHAT ABOUT COTTAGE CHEESE? 
A) If it's goat based (as opposed to cow-based) it should be no problem!

Q) WHY NOT REGULAR CHEDDAR CHEESE? WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE GOAT CHEESE? WHAT ARE MY NEXT BEST OPTIONS IF GOAT CHEESE IS NOT AVAILABLE OR I FLAT OUT JUST CAN'T TOLERATE THE TASTE? i.e. What makes raw goat cheese a cleaner food to consume than pasteurized cow cheese?

A) Having regular cheese instead of goat cheese would be an exception you can make for yourself, depending on where you are at. If you're just doing this for the first time having followed the 'standard american diet' for a long while, and you can't imagine eating goat cheese, I think raw, organic and unpasteurized would be your next best bet. 
1. it is more easily digestible (many people who are lactose intolerant can digest this cheese easily) and cow cheese is highly acidic and mucous forming. Also, there is more casein (which is linked with cancer) in regular pasteurized cow cheese.

Q) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PRE-PACKAGED KALE FOR JUICING?
A) I am not a big fan because you won't get very much "bang" for your buck. I.e. There is far more fiber and less juice that would otherwise be squeezed out had you just purchased a large bunch of kale, replete with stems. The stems are where the most juice is extracted. Another tip while I'm on the subject: when juicing kale, feed them in the juicer stems first!

Q) BLACK OR GREEN OLIVES ON A SALAD, YAY OR NAY?
A) Yay and Nay, once again depending on where you buy them. Yay if they are black olives that are raw. Nay if they are canned, as they tend to contain oils and other preservatives that do not aid in food exiting. Green olives are unripe olives that have a much lower mineral content and are generally (though not always) treated with a chemical called "lye". Avoid canned olives that are pasteurized and/or soaked in ferrous gluconate, and olives that are pickled in vinegar as they tend to be acidic to the body. Vinegar is acidic and leaves an acidic ash *however* apple cider vinegar is alkaline. So as a side note, be careful with your vinegars!

Q) WHY CAN'T I HAVE PICKLES ON THIS CLEANSE?
A) Because pickles are generally surrounded with vinegar and preservatives, both of which are extremely acidic. 

Q) IS CAROB ALLOWED AND IF SO, HOW DOES IT COMBINE?
A) Carob is allowed, however, for the purposes of this cleanse you might as well have chocolate in my view because both chocolate and carob are regarded as "neutral". I.e. you have have either after a flesh-centric OR starch-centric dinner. ALL your dinners should be veggie centric. 

Q) THERE IS NO WAY I AM LIVING WITHOUT MY COFFEE (or in my case, Mighty Leaf Vanilla Nut Tea with Ginger + Stevia). WITH THIS BEING THE CASE, SHOULD I HAVE MY GREEN JUICE before OR after MY MORNING BREW?
A) Ok princess if you simply must go without your precious cawwwfeee, my suggestion is to have your greens/green lemonade about 15-30 minutes *after* you have chugged it down. Why you ask? Because it'll leave a lovely alkaline ash in your system rather than the acidic residue that coffee typically leaves behind. If you're currently accustomed to drinking coffee and you want to nix the habit without jolting your system too much, one option is to switch to tea, or just drink half the amount of coffee you might otherwise ingest. I should also add here that you can have your green lemonade 15 minutes prior to drinking coffee but then your body is contending with an acidic ash. I don't advise this but this option is FAR superior to not having the juice at all!


Q) What could a "transitioner" eat as a replacement for his daily turkey sandwich?
A) a) Organic, free range chicken without any hormones along with a big green salad green salad.
b) A large, raw green-based vegetable salad with avocado (if they are craving the starch of the bread in a turkey sandwich and the satiation that comes with eating a meat/fat of mayo)
c) Organic free range (hormone free) chicken breast with cabbage wrapped around it
d) Cabbage wrapped goat cheese with a side of gourmet veggies sautéed in butter (no cooked oil!)
e) a raw green salad with a piece of grilled /baked/sautéed fish with cooked vegetables
f) a raw green salad with eggs-either as an omelet or a Nicoise salad (tuna and eggs)


Q) HOW DOES YOUNG COCONUT MEAT COMBINE?
A) Young coconut meat combines with veggies, starches, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. For the sake of this cleanse, we are not eating nuts or seeds and definitely not 'seeds/nuts combined with fruit" so I definitely wouldn't advise the seeds/nuts until you are totally yeast-free. That can take a year of cleaning so I just wouldn't. A dried fruit would be less detrimental to the results we are after. Also, it's very important never to mix young coconut meat with flesh or cheese. The water from young coconuts is neutral, which means you have have it anytime during the cleanse *but* it's better to have it first thing in the morning because on this cleanse we go from light to heAVY foods. 

Q) HOW MANY CALORIES ARE IN YOUNG COCONUT WATER VS. COCONUT MILK?
A) Coconut Water: 46 calories/cup; Coconut Milk: 552 calories/cup. I drink coconut water ALL the time! Our kitchen is literally full of empty baby coconuts because I keep drinking the water and leaving the flesh. I do eventually eat the flesh, errr..John does, but you cannot go wrong with the young coconut water because it's alkaline and ingesting it is the equivalent of having a blood transfusion. This and green juice is what I rely on throughout the day. 

I am going to continue to update this list but here are just a few Q&A's up outta here for this Friday afternoon... Happy almost end of week everyone!!!

quickie green juice

4 frozen wheatgrass cubes 
2 bags herbal tea (try different flavours that appeal to you)
stevia
lemon

Make a big cup of herbal tea and let the wheatgrass cubes melt and stir:)