Enchanted Chameleon

Green Smoothie Challenge Winner

Well, really, we're all winners but I promised I would be giving away the book Green Smoothie Revolution to one lucky Green Smoothie Challenge participant and here I am to deliver.  The winner is:

Lisa Warner, Toronto, ON CA

Congratulations Lisa!  And congratulations to everyone that attempted the Challenge.  They all deserve a great pat on the back.

As for me I have an additional report on the Green Smoothie Challenge - my acne was the clearest it's been in over 2 months just today.  Horray!  I think my outsides are getting caught up to my insides.  

So it's been a little while since I posted any original Green Smoothie recipes and since we're talking shop today I thought what better time to share a couple of the ones that I came up this week.

The first was inspired by a recipe I found on Martha Stewart.   She's hosting her own detox plan to kick off the year and I've been flipping through some of her recipes and other ideas.  I was impressed to find a smoothie that included chard and a raw soup with kale.  Sounds like Martha is catching up with the raw foods movement.  

'It's A Good Thing'

- 1 Young Coconut, meat and water
- 3 Kale Leaves
- 1/2 Avocado
- 1 C Frozen Mango

Blend leaves and water.  Add fruit and blend till smooth.

My other smoothie recipe is just a slight adjustment to one of the recipes in Green Smoothie Revolution. If there is one thing that can kind of get me down about raw foods is having to juice AND THEN blend. So instead of fresh pressed apple juice, I just changed it to an apple.  Pretty simple and I'm sure just as tasty.

Summer Breeze

- 1 C Frozen Mango
- 1 C Water
- 1/2 C Frozen Strawberries
- 1/2 Bunch Fresh Mint
- 1/2 Apple

Blend greens and water.  Add fruit until smooth.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  Suzanne

Day 6 - Burn After Reading

 

It was a gorgeous day here yesterday and right from the first streaks of sunlight in the morning I knew that we had to get out and make the most of it.  I don't only mean we had to get out cause it's been raining.  Oh no.  I mainly mean we had to get out because I'm just not that into the outdoors, we've been mostly inside for days and the sun is freakin out, if I don't get out now and make the most of it, I'll go mad.  

So here's the bottom line.  I'm going to make a ton of excuses right now, we're going to mentally burn this list and I'm going to make an extremely achievable goal in regards to the outdoors.

But first:

• I watched, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot of TV growing up!
• I grew up in a different climate where there were 4 distinct seasons and I enjoyed going out for the summer and winter but here it is just summer and rain (I'm exaggerating, not really, a little)
• To expand on my previous point, I always stayed in when it rained growing up so I'm a little confused as to what to do in the rain.
• I hate the park.  Always have, I'm trying very hard to avoid the always will.
• I have a regular habit of over or under dressing in the spring and fall.
• I don't like wet clothes.  
• My biggest passions are indoor ones.

Okay so with all that said and done let's get to the point.  As a parent, I feel it is extremely important for children to get outside and be active everyday.  I also feel that a lot of physical activity helps children sleep well.  As I trek through the blog world I see these two thoughts mirrored back to me and the emphasis on getting outside seems a bit heavier to me since I'm essentially at a loss.  I bought a book to help me out with this only to discover it was better suited to my previous home with 4 seasons which was also an eon before I had a kid.  I'm so thoroughly impressed with the nature walks, nature crafts, hiking and continuous outdoor activities that many people partake in every day and although my impression is that it is all utterly cool, I am utterly not interested.  

And it is not just because I'm not outdoorsy, it's because I'm not outdoorsy with a child.  Before C I did some hiking and walked everywhere, but the thought of unhappy people in wet clothes times 2 plus me having to carry C which happens even on short walks is enough to keep me just going to the boring old ball room at The Quay.

Can you smell my guilt yet?  

Alright, already so burn all of the above (except the pretty pictures).

Yesterday was a gorgeous day and we absolutely had to get out and enjoy it so I called St. Tania (our sitter) who was watching other kids today and is my antithesis (she's totally outdoorsy) and we latched onto their plans and hit a park.  Essentially it's a fake it till you make it move but it worked.  We got outside and it was great.

Another achievable goal for me is to hit Grouse Mountain once a week.  I recently bought a membership and C is free, we are two blocks away from a bus that goes straight there, I figure, rain in the city means snow on the mountain and snow and I go way back.  We can always do it twice or more a week.

So that's it.  For now.  The Latch Slash Snow Project.  Plus the 20 minutes we spend walking around the neighbourhood, to you know, walk to the ball room.  Okay, okay, it really isn't that bad.  I'm an actor, I'm dramatic, I need to give myself a break.

Alright, the Giving Myself a Break Plan:  It's not like we never go outside; It's not like he's watching TV all day when we are inside so baby steps to finding activities that I am really passionate about in the outdoors and pursue those.  In the meantime, I'm great, he's great, no one's going to die, I'm doing a great job - LOVE WHAT IS!!!  

Sigh.  The pressure this mama can put on herself!

To wrap things up the Green Smoothie Challenge Day #5 was another great day with some original smoothie making as well.  I'm feeling pretty content, in fact, I could definitely keep this up for longer. 

Great.  Now that that is all of my chest with much love I just want to wish my Mom a happy birthday. Your pressie is in the mail.  Wishing a wonderful day to all.  Suzanne

Day #5 - Thumbs Up! (WIP)

I had such an awesome day yesterday!  I'm thinking it was because it followed a little detox and a visit slash extremely productive evening with 1/2 my Kula.  Here's the low down...

I finished the sweetest, softest pillow for C's CPK.  I found the pattern on Ravelry (for free, found here) and I did a little adjusting to it to make it to my likey.  Quite seriously, I'm in love with the yarn - Patons Pure 100% Organic Cotton - and I'm gushing so much that I think it is the best thing I've ever made. Stuffed with wool and made with love, it fit perfectly into the little cradle that I discovered thrifting and left out as a surprise on C's birthday.  Equally excited was C when I presented it to him and he ran to his room to put it under Baby Hunter's (and Piglet's, and "Joshua's") head.   

~ Overall Rating - 2 100% Organic "This-Must-Be-Made-Into-Clothing-and-I-Mean-Often" Thumbs Up

 

 

Next up I had an audition!  Horray, what a great start to the New Year.  Even better, I rocked it.  

Overall Rating:  2 Dramatic "There's-Nothing-Like-Student-Films-To-Boost-An-Actors-Ego" Thumbs Up

Finally C and I ended the day with a romantic, candle lit, blueberry pancake slash Green Smoothie dinner for two.  And if that wasn't enough, dinner was followed by bubble bath, snuggles, stories, massage and a no fuss sleepy time.

Overall Rating:  2 Happy Toddler Thumbs Up and 2 Blissful Mama "There's-Nothing-Like-An-Early-Bedtime-And-A-Quiet-House" Thumbs Up  (Did I mention that I got a bubble bath and leisure reading in after that myself?  I think that calls for another 2 Thumbs Up)

As for my WIP report, of course there is the Green Smoothie Challenge but I think you have the jist of where that's going today.  As for creatively I've got a ton on my needles and it's all making me feel pretty warm and fuzzy.  I think back to a year ago when it was just my goal to start knitting.  Essentially knitting was struggling just to cast on and count properly, stop adding stitches and figure out the ridiculous thing I was doing when switching between K and P stitches that made the needles and yarn bunch up tight. Considering I'm Googling "Advanced Knitting" techniques to keep me moving along in my current projects, I'd say some more Thumbs Up are in order.  And as soon as we get some paycheques into the bank I'll be able to get the yarn to finish all of the following thumbs up!  Cheers, Suzanne  

 

Day 4 - Home Sweet Home

 

 
Have I mentioned that I'm super happy to be home?  I am.  It does have me wondering about some control issues I have.  In the safe and secure quarters of my home I can do and be anything and it's the first place that I want to be when my lifestyle seems threatened in the outside world.  But I don't see much fun or potential in being a thriving raw vegan recluse.  

Day #3 - I had a little bit of detox yesterday.  I moved from the office chair to the big comfy velvet chair and then eventually I had to move to the bed.  On my way to the bed I grabbed a banana.  I once heard from a detoxing Fruitarian that bananas slow down detox and sure enough I was back up and building castles with Cillian.  No time for severe detox when home with a 3 year old!  This Challenge has me wanting to live exclusively on Green Smoothies for as long as possible but I think that that has more to do with my control issues I mentioned before.  For me, there is something extremely comforting and safe about eating so simply.  All the nourishment and none of the guilt or decision making required of regular food preparation.  Does regular food prep really require guilt?  I think that that is just a me thing.  In any case, I'm overall good.  Taking it slow and steady which is a little unusual for me, but it is feeling really great.  Cheers, Suzanne. 

Day 3 - The Little Things

The other day I came home from grocery shopping and Cillian met me at the door to help unload the bags. Naked, of course, but that is besides the point.  He started pulling things out and in his sweetest, most adorable and enthusiastic voice he said,

"Oh mama, thank you for the pineapple!"

He continued that enthusiasm for a few other things that we pulled out.  So here's me, working on the same kind of graciousness and excitement about the little things as I can't get that sweet little voice out of my head...

As for Green Smoothie Challenge Day #2 - All is well.  But now that Jeff has returned to work (sigh) I might get some more computer time and get some photos back up on this blog as it's kind of feeling naked, but that is besides the point.  Much love, Suzanne

Day 1 - Green Smoothie Challenge Begins

I stocked up yesterday with greens (dino kale, spinach, collard & romaine) as well as fruit (2 kinds of pears, apples, bananas, oranges, limes) and some coconuts and I couldn't be happier to be starting onto this Challenge.

41 incredible people are joining me this week.  I'm so amazed, this number is larger than the last Challenge.

Of course, sure, ya, I'd love to drop some weight on this Challenge.  For those of you that don't know, I'll be doing just Green Smoothies and fruit again, like last Challenge so there is no doubt that I will.  But truly, I'm hoping to get a lot more out of this Challenge then just dropping a few pounds.  

I want this experience to be fun.  Genuinely fun.  I also want this to be a loving experience for myself. No pressure to achieve.  No 'punishment' for all the junk that I ate over the holidays.  A genuine love for myself and gratitude for the nourishing food I'll be feeding myself.  

My hopes for this Challenge are very much the general hopes that I have for this year.  For some reason this year feels different.  I'm not trying to cross off as much as I can from my list.  I'm not even making or adding to my ongoing list.  I'm really looking to make my experience of everything more quality.  If I'm not enjoying myself, maybe I shouldn't be doing it or maybe I'm not ready for what I'm trying to achieve. 

More than anything, I just want to be completely content with wherever I'm at, whenever I'm there. Loving what is.  I think that's the toughest New Years Resolution that I've ever made.  

Well my Friends.  Good luck to those on the Challenge.  Good luck to all and our new beginning.  It might seem flaky, I truly believe we can start anew as many times as we need in fact so don't worry if all that we try this year takes a few false starts.  It's all part and parcel.  Cheers.  Suzanne   

December 15 - Green Smoothie Resolution

#1 - Hawaii!!!!

#2 - Green Smoothie Challenge!!!!

The first is obvious.  As for #2 I am hosting my 2nd Green Smoothie Challenge starting on January 2nd, 2010.  It will run for one week and it requires its participants to drink one Green Smoothie a day for a week.  I know many people make a commitment to eat healthier or lose some weight when the New Year comes around and I can't think of any better way to do this than by starting to drink one Green Smoothie a day.  The last challenge was back in May and the feedback was phenomenal.  I encourage you all to sign up, just send me an email and confirm that you are participating and I will email you back info and recipes to get you prepared for the first big day.

But first, check out Victoria Boutenko's Ode to Green Smoothie if you need a little more inspiration...  Or if you are curious of what this is all about, check out my video on You Tube that I made for the last challenge on how to make a Green Smoothie.  

You can email me anytime up to 5 pm (PST) on January 1st to get started.  Last challenge I surprised all of my participants with a draw for Victoria Boutenko's book Green For Life.  This time there will be no surprises:  Anyone that register's with me will have their name included in a draw for Victoria Boutenko's newest book Green Smoothie Revolution.  Anyone that includes a picture of them and their green smoothie by the end of the challenge will get an additional entry into the draw.  

Don't hesitate my friends.  Please join me and do your body something better than a diet or a trip to the gym - give it the gift of greens!  Truly, green smoothies are a blessing in disguise.  Fill up on green smoothies and see the difference for yourself.  

In the meantime, we're off!  I've committed myself to a wordless holiday so before I go have a happy, happy, happy holiday!  I can't wait to rejuvenate.  I can already feel a great year coming on and I'm so looking forward to sharing it with you.  Aloha!  Suzanne

 

Green Smoothie Challenge - Everyone Wins!

Well, the Green Smoothie Challenge week has come and almost gone!  I'm so amazed by the amazing people that tried it out and even more amazed by the people that plan to continue on!  It's wonderful news.  I was so inspired by the participants that I held a draw for everyone that contacted me about signing up, for an autographed copy of Green For Life by Victoria Boutenko.  

The winner is:  Desiree Leal, Vancouver BC.  Congratulations Desiree and thank you for all the wonderful comments back.

Like I said to my participants today, everyone was a winner in this.  I honestly believe you can't go wrong or just can't lose by even incorporating one Green Smoothie into your regular diet once a day or once a week.  Here's more of what people had to say:

For the short time I've made green smoothies, it's funny how I seem to crave greens. Not only do I make one in the morning, I make one in the evening too.  I'm gonna try doing this not just this week, but, for as long as possible - Patrick 

Just starting to enjoy those green things.  I think I will keep it up on a smaller scale.  It sure was good. When I took it to work,the girls looked at it and said what is that?  I said it looks green, but it sure tastes good - Mom
 
So far - so good.  Both of us feel more energised after drinking them so I think we'll be keeping it up longer than a week.  Thanks for all the updates and support! - Diana 

We are really loving this challenge. I'm actually feeling more energy just with one smoothie a day and my 2.5yr old is taking sips which is amazing because she does not eat veggies normally!  Thank you Suzanne for this opportunity; it's opened up a whole new wonderful world of nutrition for our family. Cheers! - Karen

 

Today PQ (my daughter) made the smoothies!  I've been telling so many people about the green smoothies and sending them your emails. I was even chatting up one of our guests in the store I work in about the green challenge.  She was SO interested.  Word is spreading! :)  Thanks again! - Katie

You are very sweet and very inspiring!  Thank YOU for your blog, your video, and for having the Green Smoothie Challenge and for inviting me to participate!  It is community builders like you that bring out the best in all of us! You're absolutely right, we ALL win!  Thank you so much Suzanne!!!!  - Desiree 

Thank you all for the wonderful comments and for participating!  This was an amazing experience for me as well and because of all of you I also made it through my week of just Green Smoothies and fruit, easily and effortlessly.  Here's some of the awesome things I am experiencing:

-  I've been waking up earlier without the mental fog and drowsiness in the morning
-  I've been sleeping more soundly
-  My skin suddenly felt like I had had a facial part way through the week
-  My big pants are now too big
-  I haven't had any strong cravings for junk foods
-  I tried some new greens I had never tried before

Thank you thank you thank you friends.  Until the next Green Smoothie Challenge....  Suzanne

I'm Lovin It

... Random Mama/Cillian photos...

...Bus ride adventure with the boys...

...To the beach with my main boys...

... Quiet morning cuddling in the hammock...

... My kid...

... The way perfectly cut squares of fabric for quilts feel ...

... 6 days of nothing but fruit and Green Smoothies = my face feels like I've had a facial and my pants are too big...

... Beautiful, heart made gifts from friends...

... the Farmer's Market, the house to myself, sitting on a blanket in the sun, inspiring music (see Sweet Sounds), a clothesline full of Cillian's clothes, doing, my kitchen, summer, being outside all the time and there is this one other thing that I'll talk about soon, another creative spurt that I am really loving but I don't want to ruin any surprise Father Day gifts....  Happy Weekend, Love Suzanne

Tickled Green

I am absolutely tickled Green at some of the responses I have received from my friends that are participating in the Green Smoothie Challenge with me this week.

A friend commented yesterday that she would love to see a way to "marry" raw foods and baby/toddlers.  I would love to see the same and I am committed to seeing something like that through in the future.  I have already even spoken with Westside Family Place about teaching a short workshop for parents to learn how to make easy, delicious raw foods that their kids would enjoy.  And of course I'll teach them Green Smoothies!

As for now, Green Smoothies is the best way I can think of to start getting more greens and delicious raw foods into your little ones diet.

Check out these awesome photos from an old high school friend Katie and her kids:

Katie informed me that her son woke up yesterday and asked for Green Smoothie before he even got out of bed!!!

I am absolutely thrilled and excited for them and everyone else in this challenge.  In fact, they don't know it yet but I have a little surprise waiting for one lucky person out of all the people that signed up.

  

Can you feel it??  Can you?  It's me, beaming the biggest smile ever at this computer, shooting out of yours - and I've got greens stuck in my teeth!  In JOY SUZANNE.