Cookin With Crush

Body Sculpting: Day 2 - Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 21:09:00 +0000

Deep inhale...Ahhhh. Another day, and another chance to get it right. Got started at 7:30 am, which is a late start for many. I was still able to get my 5 minute work out in and get some nutritious food in my stomach before 10am.

The first thing I had was a few sips of Juice Hugger Ginger Embrace. The goji berries give me a nice antioxidant kick along with the cleansing ginger juice and a dash of cayenne pepper to wake those chest hairs up! I followed that with a tables spoon of black seed powder and about 16oz of water. That's just how "I" roll! *points to self with 2 thumbs*

MY AB WORKOUT

This is probably the best series of ab exercises I've ever seen put together in an easy to follow format. I don't think I would record a demo in my drawers, but this brotha did a good job breaking it down. As long as your comfortable viewing a man give you work out tips in his underwear you'll be just fine.

Note: I began my first day with 7 reps for each exercise. Today I went to 10 each. 10 is pretty challenging. There are about 8 exercises in all so we're talking about 80 reps in 5 mins.

The trick is that before the abs can become exhausted you switch to another exercise. Pretty clever. You can thank the men and women of the Marines for this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv0AOekOmc0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Body Sculpting: Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 03:06:00 +0000

Ok, so I didn't quite have dinner per se'. I worked most of the day like many of us do and didn't have a full meal for dinner. For those of you following along this might be a bit frustrating.

Having the unfair advantage of owning a restaurant and having to do prep work for the week, I have healthy foods to snack on. So I had some more grapes, a few slices of cucumber, some snap pea crisps, a cucumber Glo and lots of water with lemon. To be honest I could eat just because I like food, but I'm not hungry. More thirsty than anythjng.

I'll try to be more susinct tomorrow. Either way. All eating for me stops by 8:30 if I can help it. And if I am going to eat past 9 or 10pm I'm sure to have plenty of water to drink before bed.

Body Sculpting: Lunch, beverages..

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 20:09:00 +0000

A coconut water, some grapes and a bite of a sea salt and fudge cookie.

You don't have to be a complete tight ass and not ever enjoy sweets. But you MUST monitor your indulgence foods and snacks. Better choices are always available and of course the worst options are always available. It's up to you.

Always think balance. Alkaline life giving vs Acid, protein, carbs and flesh building. For every acid try to implement 2 to 3 alkaline foods or beverages.

Having a sandwich? Make sure there's greens on it and couple it with water and a squeeze of lemon, or coconut water, a green juice or a kombucha. Sugary beverages, sodas and fruit juices from concentrate are just tipping the scales onto the acid side when consumed with bread, rice, potatoes or pasta.

Alright..don't let me get carried away. More to come.

Body Sculpting: Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 15:36:00 +0000

Tofu scrambled with red onion, soy chorizo and mixed greens, (spinach, arugula, baby romaine) on a wheat pita.

This is somewhat hearty for breakfast, even for me. But just getting over an ear infection that hit me with flu like symptoms took a lot of energy to get over so quickly. My appetite is not even entirely back so I probably won't finish this meal, but I must get some calories, proteins, a few carbs and some electrolytes in. All which is included in what you see here.

About soy: I always say I'm not a big fan of soy, but I'm not completely against it either. For those who are challenged as it is to transition from or reduce their in take of animal products, soy is an acceptable food when used as supplemental or transitional. A regular diet of soy products is not suggested. I can go over the reasons I believe this at another time.

All that glitters..

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 01:30:00 +0000

It's that time of year again. The travelers are rushing and the shoppers are bustling. And with all of the dinners and snack foods around, by new years my thighs are touching and my gut is a-bustin.

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years all on top of each other like some kind of consumption orgy. It's all fun and games until our Christmas gifts don't fit and we loose the view of our feet.

It's interesting how so many long hours are spent preparing holiday dinners. Foods are cooked for extremely long periods of time eliminating much of its nutritional value. The more something is cooked, the less life giving nutrients it contains. Foods like greens, spinach and broccoli that are soft and mushy are dead. And unless you're willing to drink the water it was boiled or steamed in, chances are the vital minerals are lost.

Doing what we can to eat raw vegetables as often as possible is critical during this time of year. It's hard to show up at a dinner with your own "healthy" renditions of foods you like. Not only does it make you look like a jerk, but it separates you from friends and family in ways that most won't talk about. And the ones that will aren't usually nice about it to say the least.

So the trick here is to eat salads and raw alkalizing foods in between the holiday dinners. Right after Halloween and before Thanksgiving is the best time to find some green salad combinations you enjoy and begin eating more of them. A small salad in the morning and a small salad at night. A green smoothie twice a day is also a great way to go.

Just get the raw greens in any way you can more frequently until new years. By then if it's not a habit to consume more greens at least you helped your body process all of the indulgence foods that were available for the past three months.

In addition to more greens, snacks like nuts and dried fruit are a great alternative to candy corn and KitKat minis. I'm not here to judge. Have your candy. But keep in mind how much of it you've had and as long as you're honest with yourself you'll be able to easily pull back and have a more nutritious snack to balance things out.

HUG LIFE!

Before the snack attack

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 15:39:00 +0000

Funny how when we're absolutely at our most hungry we feel like we could just eat ANYTHING. This is the perfect opportunity to trick and change your pallet to healthy or at least healthier snacks. Keep foods that you wouldn't normally have a craving for like all natural fruit preserves and gluten free breads or crackers.

If you have the advantage of being near a kitchen or have somewhere you can cut things, wash food and your hands, then you're in the best situation possible. If not, it just takes a little planning. An avocado or a grapefruit can really come in handy when the snack attack hits. But if you need something more portable and convenient, I love these "Go Macro" bars. I keep a couple in the middle compartment in the car.

Whenever you find healthy snacks you like, buy quite a few of them within reason and stash them in places where you may be when hunger strikes. Keeping bottled water stashed around is always a good ideas as well. Often, when we think we're hungry we're really thirsty. Drinking 1/2 of your body weight in ounces each day will reduce hunger and provide as much energy as coffee. For instance, if you weigh 200 lbs you should try drinking at least 100 ounces of water each day. Its not always easy but a little effort goes a long way. Try it and let me know how it works out.

The key is to take a serious interest in perparing your own meals or even just snacks to begin with. I get lots of emails asking about how to survive the temptation of destructive snacks during the holidays so I'll be posting more helpful tips and quick recipes through New Years.

Summer at Juice Hugger

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Chef Crush here,

It’s been awhile since I last blogged, but that’s because a lot of great things have been happening at Juice Hugger. This summer has truly been a season of new beginnings.

We’ve made some new renovations to the café. Can you tell? Both the inside and outside have been painted a cool green. Kind of has a Cucumber Glo about it, don’t you think?

We also have a couple new employees on board, including our Communications Manager Brittany Britto who moved here from the DC area to handle social media and marketing outreach.

If she’s not in the café working behind the register or taking pics with her Nikon, you can find her at different events in the BK area and on our social media platforms. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook (Oh and Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Google + and Foursquare, whew!). This month we have a cool sticker challenge happening on Instagram. Click here for more info on how to win free juices.

Also on board, we’ve got the wonderful Quame, who assists me in the kitchen with prep and cleanup. You may also see his smiling face when receiving a Juice Hugger delivery (Delivery is back up and running 4-8 PM Wednesdays through Sundays!). Raw Food Chef Moshe is also a great asset to Juice Hugger and is a big help in the kitchen when creating new snacks and treats.

Speaking of events, Juice Hugger has been making its presence in the community known by attending some of the most fun shindigs and events in the area. We’ve jumped rope with the Double Dutch World Champion Michelle Walker in her Double Dutch Aerobics class. We’ve grooved at Sweet Spot Festival, repped our ‘hood at the Bedstuy Stoops event, and had the privilege of attending lululemon Brooklyn athletica’s official opening on Smith St. Here are some pictures of Juice Hugger providing cold pressed juices to yogi’s attending lululemon’s Yoga in the Park series, which happens every Thursday in Prospect Park:

In July, Juice Hugger attended Michael July’s Afro Book Launch and celebrated the beauty of natural hair, and were serenaded with sweet words at Street Poets NYC’s Thee Open Mic. We even got into the spirit of summer and threw our own Juice Social - an event which received great support from loyal customers, juicing newbies, and yoga studios/fitness centers like Force and Flow Bodywork, The 5thline, and Socamotion. Big thanks to you all!

Juice Hugger will be making it’s first DVD debut on Roadtrip Nation, an education DVD series about a few ambitious roadies who travel across the nation to interview inspirational professionals for some guidance on their life journey. Here’s a picture of Kelly and I being interviewed for season 11.

We’ve also relished in the freshest fruits and vegetables, making some exciting partnerships with local Brooklyn CSA’s, including our neighbors at the Crown Heights Farmers Share and Greene Harvest CSA. There we sell our organic pressed juices for members and provide samples of our newest items.

As for Cooking with Crush? I’ve been chefing up some tasty new snacks and healthy options in the kitchen just for you, such as our vegan chocolate mousse, a garlic hummus basil, and our latin and summer salsas. Our raw coconut almond drops are also the talk of the café.

With all these new additions to the menu, it’s only right to update our shopping cart. Check it out here. You’ll see that our juices have a new attitude, each shot in someplace different in Brooklyn. Can you guess where in Brooklyn this one was shot?

From June to August, our team, with it’s many new additions, has been working hard to provide you with the healthy food options and juices you deserve. Summer’s almost up, but we ensure you the fun won’t stop there. We’ll be partnering with Brooklyn Children’s Museum at the end of this month for the Back to School Jam. We’re incredibly excited for all of these opportunities and we’re so thankful for all of your support.

Stay tuned for the next blog. There’s more to come! #HUGLIFE

Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Thu, 31 May 2012 19:20:00 +0000

Juice Hugger Cafe

It's been a long time since I last blogged. Juice Hugger Cafe (85 Rogers Ave, Crown Heights, BK) & Juice Hugger Online (www.juicehugger.com) have been keeping me very busy; and I couldn't be happier! Through positive intention, dedication, hard work, & the love of many - our little engine that could is chugging along at a consistent pace. Many of you have jumped on board & are healthier for it. Makes me smile on a daily basis.

Some of my most recent activities have left me with an amazing sense of gratitude. We were honored to be featured on BlackEnterprise.com as its "Entrepreneurs of the Week"in February. Also that month we had a fantastic turn out for our first Pop Up store event for Valentine's Day, which featured many BK businesses that don't have brick & mortar stores but have healthy lifestyle products that our clients love.

BlackEnterprise.com Article
http://www.blackenterprise.com/small-business/entrepreneurs-of-the-week-juice-hugger/

We were a part of a live stream event on Wave45.tv ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K0lideBcXU ) in March. It was good fun taking online questions and showing how seriously goofy we are on a regular basis.

This month we are featured on Brooklyn Independent Television's Sector B: The Business of Brooklyn. They did a great job in capturing our mission to give urban communities more healthy options that taste great & are affordable to the every day consumer.

But I think one of the most gratifying honors came from our clients & friends who voted for us in our attempt to receive a $250,000 grant from Mission Small Business (www.missionsmallbusiness.com) - a contest to help small businesses expand (sponsored by Chase & Living Social). In order to move to the next round - where we are reviewed by their board - we needed 250 online votes. Seems like an easy task but its not. Our clients & friends reposted the link for us - asking their friends to help us & their friends told others. We could feel the loving energy through our computer screen and ended up with 272 votes a whole month before the contest ends. WOW! It's made my year! Even if we don't win the contest, I feel like a winner to have so many folks show me their support. GRATITUDE OVERLOAD!

Thank you from the deepest place in my heart for sharing in our journey. I will be posting more recipes, healthy info & articles very soon. Keep striving, dreaming & believing in yourself like I do; the reward is a fulfilling life. Who could ask for anything more? HUG LIFE!

Sincerely I am,
Crush Foster

They made a choice..

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:13:00 +0000

So, I'm on my way to the restaurant around 9 this morning. We don't open until 11 but due to the snow I knew there would be work to do. I notice two kids in front of the store with tools and a small butter container of rock salt."Can we shovel the front of the store for you?" they say. I asked, how much? "10 dollars?...5 and 5?...is that too much?" They must have been 10 and 11 years old. The feeling I got at that moment was something I would bottle and sell to people having a rough day. I said, "no 10 dollars is fine, we don't open until 11 so just ring the bell when you're done". They said "OK" and started chipping away at some ice near the door.

Now, its Saturday morning at 9am. These kids could have been watching cartoons, eating a bowl of cereal or playing video games. They could have been having a snowball fight, building a snow fort or sledding down a hill in Prospect Park. Instead they're out being young businessmen. Keelo offered them tea. They enjoyed a few sips, thanked her respectfully and kept working.

When they were done they rang the bell. I came out and gave them 10 dollars each and thanked them. They looked shocked and grateful. I told them how great it is to see them using their Saturday to earn money. They thanked me for what they took as a complimen and told me they had to go "because we have other appontments". I couldn't help it...I had to laugh a little.

We all make choices based on what motivates us. I wonder what motivated them this morning.

The Every Day Vegetable

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:43:00 +0000

You guessed it. And I'm not talking frozen. Fresh and organic. Keep a few packs or bags in the fridge or in a container at all times. You can chop it up quickly and have a few other vegetables prepped and on deck.

If we make food at home in the spirit of a small restaurant that needs to run smoothly for a week, we'll need to spend a little time preparing our portions as much as we can ahead of time.

Sports and reality TV can be watched while vegetables are cut up for salads for the next few days. Food processors are cool but I haven't used one worth mentioning for the sake of REALLY saving time and money. Hopefully in future editions I can share smme devices and their benefits.

I find that developing a habit of prepping your food for future occassions can work wonders for your eating patterns. It can give you the control that you need to stay on track. All you need is a great knife and a small or large cutting surface or board. Pull all of those country crock and 'I can't believe its not butter' containers in the cupboard out and start finally using them.

Putting it together ahead of time will give you an edge on any healthy eating efforts. Even if you fall off of a specific diet you can easily know where to make it up with good foods. You can also have a clear measurment of where you cheated and slacked off.

Its easy to slack off for three days straight and not quite remember more than HALF of what we ate. *guilty*

Set an alarm on your phone right now or use google calendar or your watch or whatever. Make it a time when you think you can take 20 mins to prep some onions, tomato, carrot, spinach, rasins and or grapes and make small 8 ounce containers of each. Even brown rice or quinoa can be put in a container for later.

If you're at work and you're a "microwave user" you can always heat the brown rice or quinoa and toss it into the salad. *pause*

*clears throat* Listen, the point I'm trying to make here is vegetables can be worked into your everyday eating habits if you prepare them at the same time over and over again. Get those containers out and let's get crackin!

More love,
Crush

Alkaline snacks

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:10:00 +0000

What is alakaline or alkalinity? What are the sources of alkalinity that are easily available to us? These are really great questions to know the answer to.

What are trace minerals and what foods or liquids contain them? Where can I find these foods and or liquids? How can I tell if I'm in an Alkaline state or Acid state currently.

Can illess survive in a body who's ph is higher than neutral, as in high alkline? The answer is no. How do we attaian and peserve alkalinity in the body for optimum health? It's pretty simple, just not easy. But it be can be done with the consumption of things readily available to us. All of this information is available to those who are looking for it.

Taking the time to formulate the right questions can be more rewarding than simply getting the right answers.

More love,

Crush

Why organic?

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:09:00 +0000

The effects of pesticides on the human body have yet to be clearly determined. I don't see a reason to take the risk. People who can afford to buy organic produce on a regular basis don't take the risk. Why should I?

I hear friends, family members and people I come across complaining about how much more expensive it is to buy organic. I say pay it up front and not on the back end. Or just prioritze healthy food in you life over new clothes and accessories.

When it comes time to spend a little extra on organics at the supermarket and you feel uneasy, just imagine the 3 most expensive items in your closet at home and consider how often you wear them, how much they cost and what they're doing for you right at that moment. Most likely its not often, too much and absolutely nothing. Is this fair to our mind and body? Of course not.

$200 for a new pair of boots, a bag or a game system seems reasonable when considered. But 2.99 per lb for organic kale is just unheard of. 6.00 for a bag of organic apples is just rediculous to some of us.

There's nothing like showing up at the Dr's office in our stylish wears to find out we're pre-diabetic and must now refrain from eating our favorite treats all together and implement more foods we're not so fond of....or suffer.

I happen to enjoy cookies and muffins and cakes....but if I don't have balalnce I could be told I can't have them at all. How silly would that be. Just because I can't be moderate I must stop completely? It easily comes to this in the lives of many. Don't let it happen in your life.

Learn about the produce that should almost always be oganic. I've published a list before. But take matters into your own hands and do some research. Not knowing is no longer an excuse in the age of the internet and smart-phone. The instant gratification of knowing is at your fingertips. For your own sake, the sake of the ones you love and those that love you, use it.

Crush Wizardry

Something greater

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:44:00 +0000

My friend posted a quote that says "Something greater in you is awaiting your recognition. Will you allow it?"

Its an interesting concept that within us all is something much larger than we're able to imagine. It takes time and effort to either reach it or allow the atmosphere required for it to reaveal itself to us.

There have been many layers added to our true self. Layers that we've allowed to compile on top of our sensitivity. Many that muffle the 24 hour brodacast of our minds and hearts. These broadcasts direct us to a life of much joy and peace.

Begin with still and silent contemplation of the things that make your life feel full and content. Then get something to eat for breakfast that's high in nutrients and low in calories. You're already in the right place.

This is quinoa with Cashew Milk and goji berries with a Juice Hugger Cucumber Glo. Good fats, complete protein, antioxidants and a green food high alkaline beverage.

You can't consider yourself a champion and eat breakfast like a loser.

The greater self that is within us tells us when we're about to have a crappy breakfast. But we don't allow it. Instead we empower our tastebuds and external senses to lead us into unhealthy eating habits. Who's actually in charge here?

Allow something greater to emerge. It can only be good.

More love,
Crush

A bit longer than I thought..

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:27:00 +0000

So I go to see our bread supplier this morning. The place is run by a group of brothers. Some really funny Greek guys who love to make you laugh and get you to eat sweets and breads. I'm sure you realize I love this place.

One of them says 'hows business, hows everything?' I told him things are moving along. He says 'you look tired'. I told him about my trip to Boston and how I'm running on a few hours of sleep. He says 'oh yes, you working hard like us. Have some apple strudel' (you know I took it) He says 'just the first 60 years is tough...after that, pice of cake'...I aughed all the way back to the truck.

Fitness tips for your weight loss success

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:49:00 +0000

Fitness tips for your weight loss success

Living a healthy lifestyle means creating true balance in your life. The feeling of achievement at having maintained my 50 pound weight loss for over 16 months is immeasurable.There are three components that have helped me achieve long term weight loss.

Once you have decided to lose fat and get in shape, you should start by incorporating these three components, while following these tips:

1 : Proper Nutrition. A nutritional program that avoids the 3 Body Bulgers: Salt, Sugar, and Fat. Eat meals that incorporate quality proteins and carbohydrates with some good fats. (essential fatty acids). Great foods to include in your diet are kale, spinach, almonds, grape seed oil, lentils and avocado. Completely avoid fast food and TV dinners.

Eat four (4) meals or more instead of one or two big meals. If you choose low fat, low sodium, and low sugar foods, and eat more often, you will speed up your metabolism and lose more fat. You will also be able to sustain your weight loss easier. Many of those who become obese have slow metabolisms due to eating only once a day and not exercising. Food is not the problem. Food is the answer!! You will not have weight loss success if you cut way back on your food consumption or starve yourself.
Purchase “no salt” items to keep your diet low sodium. The addition of lemon instead of salt on many foods will provide the flavor punch you need to go from drab to tasty.
Remove the skin before you eat your chicken and only use spices and seasonings that do not have salt added. You can use garlic, paprika, pepper, curry powder, and onion powder as well as dozens of others but do not use garlic salt, onion salt, or high sodium seasonings.
Eat low-fat meats such as extra lean ground turkey breast and chicken, which are good sources of protein. Egg whites or Egg Beaters are also an excellent protein source.
Do not eat high sodium breads like bagels and english muffins. Instead replace those items with no salt breads and no salt pita bread. This alone will make a big difference on your progress.
Always keep a drink of ice water by your side so that you drink enough fluids each day.
Try not to keep foods in the house that conflict with your healthy eating regimen.
Do not grocery shop when you are hungry. It can cause you to go out of bounds.
Be aware that “fat free” does not mean that it is a healthy food for your program. A fat free food is not necessarily low in salt or sugar or even carbohydrates.
Learn to read the labels on foods and learn what foods are high in fat, sodium, and sugar.

2 : Proper Exercise. Joining a health club and working with a trainer to develop a work out plan is ideal, however, having a great work out partner over the long term can help you stay motivated and help you feel more accountable to your routine. Incorporating challenging workouts that will elevate your heart rate into the target heart rate zone for maximum fat burning and conditioning keeps the scale on point.

Exercise at the time of day that is most comfortable for you. Anytime is better than no time!

Substitute a good workout in place of watching television or a movie.
When traveling, always choose a hotel with an exercise facility. Then use it every day.
Incorporate strength training each week with each workout. Contrary to popular belief, cardio exercise is not the key to weight loss and fat loss.

3: Proper Rest. Rest is also a very important component when getting in shape. Your body recovers and rebuilds at rest. If you don’t get the sleep you need, you will be more apt to feel “too tired to work out”.

Reward yourself with non-food items: clothing, movies, weekend -get- aways which you may be able to more easily afford due to the savings you will find from not dining out for the majority of your lunches & dinners.
Lastly, don’t make excuses... You can change the way that you look and feel. You have the option to be physically and mentally strong or allow yourself to be weak and succumb to life’s pitfalls.

Vegetarian Jambalaya

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 16:44:00 +0000

1 cup long grain rice

14 ounces cooked kidney beans (rinse well if canned)
1 yellow onion, finely diced
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 rib of celery, finely chopped
Kernels from 1 corn cob (about 1 cup)
2 cloves of garlic
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 to 2 1/4 cups vegetable broth
Extra virgin olive oil
Handful of fresh parsley or cilantro, roughly chopped

Directions:

1. Drizzle enough olive oil into a large pan to lightly cover the bottom and set heat to between low and medium.

2. Add rice and sauté for about 5 minutes, then add onion and cook for another 2 minutes - be sure to stir from time to time.

3. Add the rest of the vegetables plus garlic, black pepper, oregano, and cayenne, and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring regularly.

4. Now the relaxing part: add between 1.5 to 2 cups of broth. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil. As soon as it reaches a boil, lower heat and allow to simmer for about 35 to 40 minutes. You don't want the ingredients to get dry and burned out, so check on it at the 15 to 20 minute mark and add a little extra broth if you don't see any liquid.

5. Once it's finished cooking, add kidney beans and give everything a good toss to allow the kidney beans to heat through.

6. Just before serving, sprinkle a handful of chopped parsley or cilantro on top.

This is a great dish to bring to cook-outs and potlucks this summer. Enjoy.

More love,

Crush

* If you haven't signed up for the Juice Hugger Newsletter you can do so on the right side of the blog page. Just be sure to add Crush@JuiceHugger.com to your contacts so we don't go to your Junk Mail folder.

Crab Bisque with Avocado, Tomato and Corn Relish

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:50:00 +0000

INGREDIENTS:

RELISH

·                                 1 small avocado, finely diced
·                                 1 cup fresh corn kernels (about 1 large ear; see Tips) or thawed
·                                 1 medium tomato, seeded and finely diced
·                                 1 tablespoon lime juice
·                                 1/4 teaspoon salt
·                                 Freshly ground pepper to taste

BISQUE

·                                 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
·                                 1 cup fresh corn kernels (about 1 large ear; see Tips) or thawed
·                                 1 cup chopped onion
·                                 1 cup diced yellow bell pepper
·                                 1 1/2 cups diced peeled russet potato
·                                 3/4 teaspoon sweet or hot smoked paprika plus more for garnish

·                                 1 cup dry sherry
·                                 2 cups seafood stock or broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
·                                 2 cups low-fat milk
·                                 12 ounces crab meat drained if necessary
·                                 1/2 teaspoon salt

PREPARATION:

1. To prepare relish: Combine avocado, corn, tomato, lime juice, salt and pepper in a small bowl; toss to coat. Let stand at room temperature while you prepare the bisque.

2. To prepare bisque: Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add corn, onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring often, until the onion and pepper have softened, about 5 minutes. Add potato and paprika and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add sherry and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until the liquid has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Add stock (or broth) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are very tender, about 15 minutes.

3. Working in two batches, puree the vegetable mixture in a blender or food processor. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Return the puree to the saucepan; stir in milk, crab and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve each portion of bisque with about 1/4 cup relish; sprinkle with additional paprika, if desired.

Holiday Health Hazards: How To Avoid Them!

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 22:20:00 +0000

The Meet and Greet: Just casual conversation with guests around snacks and drinks can be a disaster for the waistline, if you’re not careful. In fact, the things you consume before dinner can add up to more than 600 calories, just from one drink and a couple of handfuls of nuts!

Nuts, while healthy, are very high in calories and fat, and are easy to overeat. Dips and chips can also wreak havoc on the waist. Many are triple doses of extreme fat, sodium and calories.

Alcoholic beverages compound the problem, not only because they can be very weighty (one 6-ounce pina colada packs 398 calories and 6 grams of fat) but because drinking tends to loosen inhibitions and may encourage you to eat something you might normally avoid…like that 3^rd slice of sweet potato pie.

So, sip some sparkling mineral water and save the alcohol for a glass of wine with dinner (about 100 calories, 0 fat); skip the nuts and instead snack on the veggie platter (only 50 fat-free calories for a cup each of baby carrots and celery sticks vs. 374 calories and 34 grams of fat in just two ounces of roasted mixed nuts). You can save 622 calories and 40 grams of fat.

Here Come The Starters: Instead of Bajun fish cakes (one of my cousin’s favorites) and 279 calories and 14 grams of fat, enjoy a tasty salad made with broccoli florets, snow pea pods and water chestnuts (total 100 calories, less than 1 gram of fat).
Keep it light with a low fat or nonfat dressing or make your own with one part virgin olive oil to two parts balsamic vinegar, and fresh chives (about 25 calories, 2-3 grams of healthy, mono-unsaturated fat). Broth-based soups are just as filling as a starter, and will save a similar amount of calories and fat. Save 154 calories, 11 grams of fat.

Staying the Main Course: Calorie and fat-wise, all lean meats are perfect… as long as you keep it healthy by not adding fat to the naturally low-fat meal. You may run into trouble if faced with pre-sauced and dressed entrees. Even vegetarian entrees can be hard on your diet if they’re heavily sauced and cheesed.

But as long as you trim the portion size to what you’re used to on your eDiets menu, you’ll be okay. Just say “no” to gravy on the meats and potatoes, (save 100 calories, 7 grams of fat) and instead of the traditional broccoli casserole made with creamy mushroom soup and butter (267 calories and 16 grams of fat), enjoy steamed broccoli topped with slivered almonds and a sprinkle of dehydrated butter granules (60 calories, 0 grams of fat).
Baked sweet potatoes are succulent (55 calories, 0 grams of fat) instead of mashed white potatoes with butter and cream (236 calories and 9 grams of fat). Save 488 calories, 32 grams of fat.

Sweet Endings: Desserts are similar to appetizers. They can make or break your efforts calorie-wise. You can binge on something packed with sugar and fat, or be sensibly satisfied with a sweet-yet-safe dessert. You really don’t have to deprive yourself of dessert, but make it smarter. Instead of Aunt Ophelia’s traditional pumpkin pie, made with whole eggs, two kinds of sugar and heavy cream (one-eighth slice has 346 calories, 17 grams of fat) try a deliciously modified recipe from “COOKIN WITH CRUSH”.

[LOW CALORIE PUMPKIN PIE]

This reduced-fat pie doesn’t sacrifice taste or texture, and has only 150 calories and 7 grams of fat per slice. Save 196 calories, 10 grams of fat.

Drum roll please, *little drummer boy plays*… Follow this advice and your total savings for your holiday meal comes to 1,460 calories and 93 grams of fat!

Happy Holidays!!

Low Calorie Pumpkin Pie!

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:54:00 +0000

This recipe looks much like any traditional pumpkin pie recipe, with less sugar. The real calorie savings comes from the phyllo dough crust, which is made from a pre-made product that you can find in the frozen section at the grocery store.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 70 minutes

Ingredients:

· 7 sheet of 9x14 inch phyllo dough, thawed in refrigerator

· Cooking spray

· 1 15 oz. can of pumpkin

· 1 12 oz. can 2% low-fat evaporated or plain soy milk

· 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp brown sugar

· 3 servings of NRG Egg replacement

· 1 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

· 1/4 tsp sea salt

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Remove the phyllo dough from the refrigerator, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine all remaining ingredients,(pumpkin through salt) and mix well with a wire whisk.

4. Spray a 9-inch pie plate with non-stick cooking spray. Work with one phyllo sheet at a time, and cover the remaining sheets with plastic wrap. Lay one phyllo sheet in the pie plate with the edges hanging over the side. Spray the sheet with cooking spray. Repeat while layering the remaining sheets in the pie plate, placing them so that the entire bottom of the pie plate is covered, and all edges of the pie plate are covered as well.

5. Have a small dish of cold water handy. Wet you fingers, and fold the hanging edges of the phyllo dough inward, and press them along the edge of the pie plate to make a nice edging. Continue wetting your fingers as needed so that the phyllo dough does not crumble.

6. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the phyllo dough shell.

7. Bake the pie for 55 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center of the pie comes out clean. Allow to cool completely, then serve or store in the refrigerator.

Optional: Top with a dollop of low fat or fat free whipped topping if desired.

Serves 8, Calories per serving: 157
Also, see Holiday Health Hazards: How To Avoid Them!

Happy Holidays!

Cookin With Crush Episode 6: What Is A Juice Cleanse?

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:15:00 +0000

"Wake Up Call" : How You're Helping Your Kids Get Fat

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 18:02:00 +0000

The childhood obesity problem in the United States is alarming. When I pass by a school yard or play ground, I am always shocked at how large the kids are in comparison to when I was a child. As parents, I know that you are trying to do your best in this fast food world, but giving it to you straight, those trips to McDonald's or that lollipop for a "job well done" can be indoctrinating your child into a life time of weight issues by teaching them that unhealthy food is a reward. On a daily basis, my company, Juice Hugger (www.juicehugger.com) gives out useful information on our Twitter, Facebook and MySpace pages about how to achieve a healthier food dynamic for you and your family. Here is JuiceHugger's Top Five List of "Wake Up Call" facts you may not be aware of to help you to make more conscious life style choices to aid in maintaining your family's overall health. Making some adjustments to your approach to food can change your life.

1. Additives and preservatives such as common food dyes and sodium benzoate can cause children to become more hyperactive & easily distracted. High levels of sodium, sugar, and/or fat in processed food can also reduce their ability to taste these flavors naturally. The more they indulge in anything from a bag of chips to a convenient frozen dinner, the less taste they will have for whole, fresh foods. Artificial flavors in foods aimed at kids can be twice as sweet as the artificial flavors used in adult food. This is why reading food labels and proactively staying away from high fructose corn syrup, additives and preservatives is so important.

2. Lack of sleep can lead people to consume more sugary foods and more calories during the day. Hormones that are released during sleep control appetite and the body's use of energy. People who don't get enough sleep have insulin and blood sugar levels that are similar to those in people who are likely to have diabetes. Aim for 8 hours of quality sleep each night.

3. Chicken from a fast food chain has 6 times the calories of raw chicken consisting of meat and skin due to how its prepared. Baking, stewing, or grilling your chicken at home is the best way to ensure that you aren't eating empty calories. Fast food may be saving you time but at what cost?

4. Eating at the table will make you eat less impulsively and force you to pay more attention to your food choices. Try to start most meals with a large salad or bowl of broth-based soup. Filling up on low calorie foods will help you avoid binging on the fats and carbs to follow.

5. It's not just what you eat, its also who much of it. Using small plates will help to regulate portions. Studies show that people feel equally as full from a small plate of food as a large one. American meal portions are sometimes double what is recommended.

BONUS * Watered down juices go under a variety of names: Orange juice drink, orange drink, orange flavored drink and orange juice blend. Some of these juice substitutes contain just as much sugar as soda.

I hope that these and future information about how to make simple changes to your eating patterns will help you and your family become their best selves.

Much love,

Crush & Keelo

HOW JUICE CHANGED MY LIFE; WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:30:00 +0000

Last year I woke up on my birthday, looked in the mirror and realized that I didn’t recognize myself. My once athletic build had turned into mush. I was sluggish, indecisive, unmotivated and didn't know what my next move should be toward finding myself again. During the following couple weeks of soul searching, my childhood friend, Rita G, introduced me to juicing, which changed my life. Today I am 50 pounds lighter in weight and 1000 pounds lighter in spirit.

I know many people reading this feel the way that I did. Wanting to jump start their lives but not sure how to do it. I think that a juice cleanse is the perfect way to press go! It helps you get toxins out of your body, most people loose 3-5 pounds (on a cleanse lasting 2 days or more), and after completing a cleanse you think more about the foods you are putting into your body and their effects. Due to cleansing and drinking organic beverages daily, I now find it hard to stay in bed past 6am. I’m also full of energy and enthusiasm without coffee or energy drinks. Of course, not all of this is juicing; its also me staying focused, present and positive. But much of that is due to the effect of eating health, exercising, and knowing that I am now making the right choices in my life by ridding myself of toxic foods and situations.

Many of us have at least one friend who has tried a juice cleanse with varied results. In the past, because of its high value and limited accessibility, it hasn’t been a popular option. Although juice cleansing has increased in popularity among celebrities like Selma Hayek and Scarlett Johansson, a large number of us still don’t quite know what a juice cleanse is, why you would want to do one, and the potential effects.

Following are the answers to some basic questions. I will write additional blogs in the future that answer more specifics.

WHAT IS A JUICE CLEANSE?

A juice cleanse is simply a series of fruit and/or vegetable based juices with enough sustainable nutrients to supplement the body in lieu of food. This practice is also known as “juice fasting”.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF JUICE FASTING?

During a juice cleanse our cells and organs are given the chance to rapidly purge out toxins without absorbing newer ones. This allows time for rejuvenation and repair. We use approximately 40% of our energy during the day to digest our food. Once the digestive system is allowed to rest that energy is used for the cleansing and detoxification process.

Juice fasting over water fasting provides our body access to nutrition for the purposes of cleansing. Juices are an easy source of nutrients that are digested without hassle by our digestive system. It feeds our cells and natural detoxification organs to help them clear out toxins and wastes.

Those individuals with eating habits like fast foods, processed foods, soft drinks, dairy, red meats, deep fried foods, basically anything that provides excessive fats, sugars, and chemical substances into our body, will benefit greatly from juice fasting. A juice fast can break such unhealthy eating habits and open up a transition for such people to skew toward healthier eating.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT JUICE CLEANSING

The beginning and end of any juice fast is a very sensitive time. Gently working your way into and out of a fast with water, tea, soups, light salads or fruit is always a great idea. Although people go into a cleanse thinking they will be hungry, many feel just the opposite! What they do miss is the habit of chewing their food daily.

You may wonder if you will have to go to the bathroom excessively during a cleanse. Although you may have to go more then you may regularly, it’s not uncontrollable. Besides, there really is not another way to get toxins out of your body except sweating. Going to the bathroom is actually a great sign that your body is functioning properly and purging those things out that are wasteful.

*Always consult your Dr. or Nutritionist if you have a condition that may be affected by doing a juice cleanse.

WHERE CAN I GET A JUICE CLEANSE?

One of the reasons I wrote this blog was to educate my friends and clients on juice cleansing. I get asked about cleansing so much; I wanted people to have a place to go that will answer some of the basics.

If you were not aware, I am the owner of Juice Hugger, an organic juice company. We offer juice cleanses as one of our products. I started this company because of the positive impact juicing has had on my life. Although I'd argue that Juice Hugger's cleanse is the best due to its use of super foods, alkaline water and the fact that it’s organic, there are other companies on the market that also sell juice cleanses like BPC and The Cooler Cleanse. As a note, the Master Cleanse is NOT a juice cleanse and it is not a cleanse that I support, which I will go into during my next blog on the topic which will outline the different companies that offer cleanses as well as various cleansing options.

I hope you found this helpful! If you have specific questions about cleansing, feel free to send me a question.

Juice Hugger NY!

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:24:00 +0000

Are you in the Brooklyn, NY area and want Juice Hugger without shipping costs?

Due to the overwhelming demand Juice Hugger beverages are now available for pick up at Nature's Organic Natural Foods.

If you'd like to order from the site and pick juices up at Nature's simply enter the coupon code "No Ship" and you will not be charged shipping. You order will be processed and we will contact you to let you know your juices have been delivered to Nature's for your pick up.

Nature's Organic Natural Foods

776 Nostrand Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11216-4224

(718) 773-4649

Simply print your invoice and present it to the cashier when you arrive.

Thanks for your interest in Juice Hugger juices.

Hug life, your body will thank you.

Movie Food: The Diet Deal Breaker

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 20:41:00 +0000

Planning to catch a horror flick this weekend with your sweetheart? If you've been doing REALLY well on your diet all week don't subject yourself to the temptation of that aromatic, buttery-rich popcorn at the concession stand, or everyone will know what you did last night when you try and slip into that bathing suit this summer.

Before you throw down your hard earned cash for a pack of Twizzlers, a Pretzel and a large Cherry Coke to see Precious consider the irony.

Here are some snack foods for thought and the numbers that come along with them.

Theatre Food	Size	Calories	Fat
Sno Caps	3.1 oz box	300	15
Hot dog	Medium (2 oz)	305	5
Mike & Ike	3 oz box	320	0
Junior Mints	3 oz box	360	7
Milk Duds	3 oz box	370	12
Gummi Bears	3.5 oz bag	390	0
Raisinets	3.5 oz bag	400	16
Soft pretzel	Large (5 oz)	480	5
Starburst	4.4 oz	480	11
Goobers	3.5 oz box	500	35
Twizzlers	6 oz bag	570	4
M&M's	5.3 oz bag	750	32
Skittles	6.5 oz bag	765	9
Peanut M&M's	5.3 oz bag	790	40
Dots	9.2 oz box	850	0
Cheese nachos	Large (4 oz)	1,100	60
Reese's Pieces	8 oz bag	1,160	60

44 oz Cherry Coke
572 Calories
0g fat
154g sugars

44oz Sprite
350 Calories
0g fat
95g sugars

Regal Theaters’ large 20-cup tub of popcorn totes 1200 calories. It contains 980mg of sodium, and 60g of saturated fat. An additional topping of butter packs on another 130 calories per tablespoon. Free refills anyone? This snack alone can put away up to ¾ of a day’s calories for most people. Even the small 11 cup size has 670 calories, 550mg of sodium, and 24g of fat. Because Regal uses coconut oil, 90% of which is saturated fat, your arteries will scream in horror before the previews are done. Three days worth of fat in one sitting is nothing to sneeze at.

AMC Theaters are the healthiest in this regard, offering a small 6-cup serving of popcorn that is only 370 calories and 20g of saturated fat. (But still!)

Cinemark Theaters use Canola oil for the making of their popcorn. The saturated fats in a 17-cup serving are only 4 grams. However, there’s still 910 calories waiting for you and a huge 1500mg of sodium. “Can I take your order? We have clogged arteries, high blood pressure or both in our value box.”

The good news is, there are plenty of alternatives to choose from if you make a strong effort to plan ahead and prepare a few healthy snacks to take along with you.

-Dry cereal

-Air-popped popcorn, flavored with chili pepper or garlic powder. (see Rosemary Garlic -Popcorn)

-Whole grain crackers, graham crackers, or rice crackers

-Baked potato chips, banana chips, or flax seed tortilla chips

-Bananas, grapes, raisins, or other non-messy fruit

-2-3 miniature chocolate bars

-Juice Hugger Snack packs (full of nutritious nuts, raisins, chocolate pieces and berries)

-Previously peeled orange slices

The US Department of Agriculture has found the following nutritive values in one pint of popped popcorn. The figures may vary because of the actual weight or size of the kernels.

Serving: 1 ounce
Calories: 50 to 110 calories (unbuttered/unsalted)
Carbohydrates: 10 to 22g
Protein: 2 to 4g
Fat: 1 to 2g
Calcium: 2 mg
Iron: 0.4 to 0.6 mg
Niacin: 0.2 to 0.6 mg

Prepared properly, popcorn can be a great dieting aid. Try having a serving before a meal, it may reduce hunger, thus can result in eating less.
Compared to an ounce of beef, popcorn provides 67% as much protein, 110% as much iron, and about equal the calcium.

Believe it or not, a pint of popcorn contains 3X as much phosphorus as a pint of milk.

A cup of unbuttered popcorn contains fewer calories than half a medium grapefruit.

If you LOVE popcorn and reach for it often as a low calorie snack, skip the butter and just lightly sprinkle a pinch of sea salt and enjoy.

More love,

Crush Foster

* If you haven't signed up for the Juice Hugger Newsletter you can do so on the right side of the blog page. Just be sure to add Crush@JuiceHugger.com to your contacts so we don't go to your Junk Mail folder.

10 Good Reasons to Drink More Water

noreply@blogger.com (Cookin With Crush) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:42:00 +0000

1. Water keeps your brain healthy.

Your brain tissue is about 85% water. Drinking water regularly keeps your brain functioning well. Studies show that dehydration is a key factor in causing migraines, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome and depression. The most common cause of daytime fatigue is actually mild dehydration.

2. Drinking plenty of water reduces the risk of heart attacks.

Research has also shown that people who drink more than 5 glasses of water a day are less likely to die from a heart attack than people who drink less than two.

3. Water gives you bright and healthy skin.

Water naturally moisturizes skin and ensures proper cellular formation underneath layers of skin to give it a healthy, glowing appearance. Water stimulates the circulation of your blood, fluids, and the necessary elements inside your body. It also controls and regulates the skin’s natural balance. When water is warm, it has the energy to hydrate, refresh, detoxify, and oxygenate your skin. Warm water also gets rid of blackheads and makes large pores smaller. Drinking water makes the body more relaxed and rejuvenated.

4. Water flushes toxins out of your body.

The function of your kidneys is to get rid of any waste from your body. If these toxins stay in your body they make you feel tired and sometimes unwell. These toxins also place a harmful burden on the other systems in your body. Water aids in the digestion process and prevents constipation.

5. Water regulates your body temperature, particularly during exercise.

When you exercise, you lose water through your breath and by sweating. As the sweat evaporates, your body cools. Replenishing any water you lose during exercise is vital for physical performance and good health. Too much water loss will increase your risk of heat exhaustion. In addition, to your normal six to eight glasses of water each day, drink a glass before you exercise. Then, for each 20 minutes of exercise, drink another cup or more. Be sure to drink a cup or two after you finish.

6. Water raises your metabolism.

Metabolism is the way by which the food you eat is converted into energy. The first chemical process that takes place is digestion. This process prepares the nutrients in the food to be absorbed by the body and transformed into energy. Drinking plenty of water is essential to maintain good digestion which keeps your metabolism going. The health benefit of water is better consumption of the nutrients you consume resulting in loads more energy.

7. You lose weight by drinking water.

Water helps you maintain a healthy body weight by increasing metabolism and regulating appetite. Drinking water is important if you’re trying to lose weight, some studies have shown that thirst and hunger sensations are triggered together. If there is a slight dehydration the thirst mechanism may be mistaken for hunger and you might eat when the body is really thirsty. As most food contains some water, if you don’t drink much they may be subconsciously driven to eat more to gain the necessary water supply however, you also consume more calories. So in short, drinking more water can help to prevent overeating and benefit weight loss.

8. Water is absolutely essential to the human body’s survival.

A person can live only about a week without water, and four times that (about a moth) without food.

9. Drinking water lessens your chance of cancer.

Drinking plenty of water can reduce the risk of certain types of cancers, including colon cancer.

10. Water is still more inexpensive than beverages.

Save money when eating out by ordering water with lemon. Even if you’re brought tap water the lemon is a natural cleanser and also raises the PH of the water for an instant alkaline beverage free of calories.

Cookin With Crush

Body Sculpting: Day 2 - Breakfast

Body Sculpting: Dinner

Body Sculpting: Lunch, beverages..

Body Sculpting: Breakfast

All that glitters..

Before the snack attack

Summer at Juice Hugger

Gratitude

They made a choice..

The Every Day Vegetable

Alkaline snacks

Why organic?

Something greater

A bit longer than I thought..

Fitness tips for your weight loss success

Fitness tips for your weight loss success

Exercise at the time of day that is most comfortable for you. Anytime is better than no time!

Vegetarian Jambalaya

Crab Bisque with Avocado, Tomato and Corn Relish

INGREDIENTS:

BISQUE

PREPARATION:

Holiday Health Hazards: How To Avoid Them!

Low Calorie Pumpkin Pie!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 70 minutes

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Cookin With Crush Episode 6: What Is A Juice Cleanse?

"Wake Up Call" : How You're Helping Your Kids Get Fat

HOW JUICE CHANGED MY LIFE; WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

Juice Hugger NY!

Movie Food: The Diet Deal Breaker

10 Good Reasons to Drink More Water