Author: Jean Yates
Stacey’s 5 Day Cleanse Weight Loss!
Gingerbread Smoothie
If it’s warm for Christmas, like it is here in San Diego, I’ll be enjoying some pickleball and a nice refreshing treat after. Like this healthy vegan gingerbread smoothie.
It tastes like a cookie but it’s made with cauliflower and banana for lots of nutrients. It’s also packed with flavor from all the spices. I hope you enjoy this deliciously unique treat!
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 1 cup chef v almond or oat milk
- 1 tbsp chef v vanilla protein (or pea protein of your choice)
- 1 cup frozen cauliflower chopped or riced
- 1 frozen ripe banana
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp coconut nectar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1/8 tsp allspice
- A pinch sea salt
- 1 cup ice
Directions
Blend all ingredients together in a vitamix or blender for 1-2 minutes until blended smooth. I like to top with a tiny cinnamon and I found these super cute mug cookies to decorate with!
Chef V’s Green Drink Plan
At Chef V, we love Green Drink, in case you couldn’t tell.
But, as crazy as it might sound, some people are scared of the delicious green stuff. They mainly associated it with long-term juice cleanses.
However, you don’t have to be a detox juice cleanse master to enjoy fresh juice, regardless of what’s in it. There are plenty of ways to work some of that green drink into your everyday routine. You might even want to give a Chef V detox a try!
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In the plan:
Weekly Green Drink
or Tropical Green Drink for a year
Easiest, tastiest & most affordable way to boost your metabolism, lose weight, have younger looking skin, tons of energy, mental clarity and good vibes.
Green Drink has Certified Organic: Black Kale, Green Kale, Collard Greens, Green Leaf Lettuce, Curly Parsley, Green Chard, Dandelion Greens, and Apple with filtered water. Only 3 grams of sugar/serving.
Tropical Green Drink has a little extra sweetness from pineapple and mango without sacrificing your health. Only 6 grams of sugar/serving!
In the plan:
Two 3 Day Cleanses a year
Yes! It’s possible to cleanse your body and reboot your digestive system without feeling famished. Cleansing has never been easier and tastier.
- Crank up your metabolism & gently get rid of toxins in as little as 1 day
- No Cravings. No suffering. No energy crashes
- Contains all the nutrients you need for natural energy all day
- So Satisfying! Green Drinks, Protein Shakes & Detox Soups.
In the plan:
Private consultation with Chef V
You'll receive a 30 minute private consultation with Veronica Wheat, Chef V – an opportunity to ask your questions and learn from a certified nutritionist and successful entrepreneur.
Veronica says: “Most organic juice detox programs do not result in sustainable results. That’s because they aren’t satisfying enough. If you’re drinking nothing but juice, even if it’s organic juice, your body is likely not receiving the nutrition it needs to be satiated.
That’s why Chef V’s Organic Cleanse is the best cleanse. The green drinks, shakes and soups give you all the nutrition you need to stay satisfied.”
Chef V’s 24-Hour Guide For Elevating Your Mood
More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience a mood disorder from stress at some point in their lives. If you suspect you may be suffering from any mental/mood disorder, seek professional help. If you’re looking for practical tips to elevate your mood, Veronica — the “V” in Chef V has some to offer.
When it comes to natural ways to boost mood, I have a bone to pick with Johns Hopkins University. JHU is one of the most preeminent higher educational institutions in the country, a de-facto Ivy League school on par with Stanford and MIT. But when I did a Google search for “boosting your mood,” this ridiculously short and worthless article of only 4 paragraphs was the second-highest-ranked.
I wasn’t looking for advice that reads like a doctoral thesis. But considering millions of people are in desperate need of a mood makeover, JHU’s article reads more like a third-grade book report. Pathetic.
So instead of relying on the so-called experts, I decided to draw upon my real-world experiences. The following are 12 things that I do every day to support my mood. And they work like magic. I’m not saying that every day I feel like a unicorn who poops 24-karat gold. But on way more days than not, my mood is stable and elevated.
Natural Ways To Boost Your Mood
Tip #1: Wake Up Early & See The Light
If you like to sleep in and you’re thinking, ain’t no way I’m getting up before 8 — and just because I have to for work — just hear me out. Here are 5 reasons why waking up around sunrise will boost your mood:
Circadian Rhythm Reset
First of all, waking up at first light is like superfood for your circadian rhythm. It finetunes your body’s internal natural light-dark cycle and promotes a more harmonious sleep-wake pattern.
Melatonin Regulation
Not only should you wake up at dawn or by sunrise, I want you to look outside your window. If you have a panoramic view, all the better. You see, when you wake up early and are exposed to sunlight and a broad, sweeping vista, your body receives a signal to decrease melatonin production. Your brain gets the signal to wake up and be alert but with a calmness-inducing, mood-enhancing effect.
Vitamin D Synthesis
Vitamin D isn’t just for bone health, it’s also helpful for mood. So before you start scaring at your screen all day for work, get outside and expose your eyes and skin to the sun to synthesize vitamin D.
Serotonin Production
Getting outside and enjoying the early morning sun increases your serotonin levels, a feel-good chemical. Low levels of serotonin are linked with depression and other mood disorders.
Sets You Up For A Successful Day
Rolling out of bed when it’s the last thing you wanna do sucks. But eventually, you’ll learn to love the routine of waking up with dawn’s early light. It establishes a routine that makes you feel good for the rest of the day—unless you’re hungover, which you should never be if you want to boost your mood.
Boost Your Mood Tip #2: Meditation or Deep Breathing
After I wake up early and expose my eyes to a panoramic view with sunlight (even if it’s a cloudy day), the next thing I do is meditate or do some deep breathing exercises. If meditation is too weird or difficult for you, you don’t have to sit with your eyes closed for long with your mind free of thoughts (that’s not the point of meditation, plus it’s impossible). Just staring out your window for a few minutes is meditative. But if you only have time for meditation or deep breathing, I’d pick deep breathing because almost anybody can do it and instead of trying not to think, your mind is simply focused on breathing. I like this Wim-Hof dialogue-free guided video. The journal Neurological Sciences says “deep breathing can induce an effective improvement in mood and stress.”
Boost Your Mood, Naturally. Tip #3: Exercise Before Work
I realize that asking you to do the following 3 things before you have coffee is a big ask: 1) wake up early and stare out your window; 2) meditate or do deep breathing exercises, and 3) do a total-body exercise routine. Especially if you have a busy day. But keep in mind that when you wake up with the roosters, you’ll have plenty more time to do most, if not all, of these natural mood-enhancing activities.
So before you start your work day, squeeze in a 30-minute walk or other exercise routine like yoga. Bonus if you can exercise outdoors. Going for a walk in a fasted state (before you eat) is not only good for your mood but also for your metabolism.
Mood-Booster Tip #4: Journaling
OK, one more thing to do before it’s time to break your fast and that’s journaling for 10 minutes. Whatever’s on your mind, anything that you are anxious about, write it down on paper. You can even rip the paper up at the end of the day. Doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that you’re easing the anxiety triggers by putting pen to paper. It’s proven to be therapeutic. I prefer to journal in the morning because if I wait until nighttime, I’ll be too tired.
Boost Your Mood Tip #5: Green Leafy Veggies For “Break-Fast”
You don’t have to be a certified nutritional therapist like me to know that having donuts or cereal for breakfast: not healthy. Sure, devouring a maple frosted will give you a shot of dopamine. But this false sense of happiness is short-lived. Instead of a standard American breakfast, break your fast with green, leafy veggies. I’m not suggesting making a huge salad. There’s a far easier way to get your daily dose of green, leafies: drink them fresh, delivered to your home!
9 out of 10 Americans don’t consume enough veggies. Having an Organic Green Drink first thing in the morning kills 2 birds with one delicious bottle. It hydrates and gently detoxes your system and is proven to support mental health.
Tip #6: Have A Protein-Rich Smoothie for 2nd Breakfast
Relatively few people have an extreme case of protein deficiency. But many people aren’t getting an optimum amount of protein in their diet. And most people who are eating a lot of protein are eating the wrong kind: factory-farmed meat.
As Mental Health Connecticut beautifully explains it:
“The foods you eat impact the structure and function of your brain, playing a major role in emotional regulation and cognitive function. Foods rich in protein contain amino acids to help produce key neurotransmitters in preventing and treating depression and anxiety.”
And unlike carbs and dietary fat, we need to eat protein every single day because our body does not do a good job of storing it.
So about 30 minutes after having a 16-ounce serving of Organic Green Drink, I’ll make a protein-rich smoothie with an easy-to-digest vegan protein like brown rice or pea powder. I add some dietary fat like sunflower seed butter and avocado to fill me up and keep me satisfied until it’s time for my first true meal of the day a few hours later…
Tip #7: Have a Big Mediterranean-Style Lunch
By now, you’re feeling great and you’re brain is firing on all cylinders. You’re doing great work but now you’re tummy is rumbling. It’s time to eat a real meal, not a liquid lunch. Now here’s where many people go wrong. Instead of eating a big meal, they just have a sandwich or a salad. It’s quick and filling enough but not bloating.
The problem with soup, a sandwich and a salad is that a couple of hours later, you’re hungry again and your energy crashes. You didn’t eat enough!
That’s why I recommend eating a large lunch that consists of these 4 things:
- Whole grains – quinoa, brown rice, couscous, farro, millet, etc.
- Veggies – steamed, stir-fried, or baked
- Lean protein – a double fist-sized portion of high-quality fish or chicken (beans or lentils if you’re vegan/vegetarian)
- Dietary fat – a small portion of avocado, nuts and/or seeds, or extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
Research shows that not getting enough of these ingredients, common in the Mediterranean Diet, may help prevent depression. Plus, when you eat an entree-sized portion of these ingredients, you’ll be satisfied, leading to a more stable mood for the afternoon. (You may not even need a cup of coffee in the afternoon.)
Tip #8: Eat Dessert After Lunch Every Day!
Don’t stuff your face at lunch. Make sure you have room for a tiny portion of dessert. A healthy dessert of course. Have a couple of handfuls of berries and a couple of small pieces of dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa). Dark chocolate contains several compounds that boost mood.
Chef V's cheesecake recipe is delicious and healthy in small portions. Get it and all her dessert recipes here.
Tip #9: Walk After Dinner
No joke … walking for just 2 minutes after dinner lowers your blood sugar levels. But what does blood glucose management or diabetes prevention have to do with boosting your mood? Research shows that high blood sugar levels have been shown to “closely mirror mental health symptoms, such as irritability, anxiety, and worry.” This should come as no surprise, says the University of Michigan School for Public Health, as the brain runs primarily on glucose.
Tip #10: Cuddle Time
Whether it’s with a significant other or pet, cuddle up with a loved one. Even brief cuddle sessions have been shown to boost well-being. Don’t have a loved one, bipedal or furry? There are other ways to raise your oxytocin levels, the so-called cuddle hormone. Lie down, place one hand on your heart, the other on your belly and take several deep, slow breaths.
Tip #11: Affirmation Meditation Before Bed
Finally, before you go to sleep (hopefully by no later than 11 p.m.), take 5 minutes to recite self-affirmations. (Here’s a simple one I like: “I am happy, healthy and wealthy.”) There are many free videos and apps you can follow. The Association for Psychological Science says, “Self-affirmation has been shown to have powerful effects … it can minimize anxiety, stress, and defensiveness.”
Tip #12: 28 Days To A Happier, Healthier You
The ChefV.com 21-DAY DETOX was recently the subject of a clinical trial by Citrus Labs. The 38 participants who completed the 21-DAY DETOX followed by a 7-day continuation of a GREEN DRINK plan reported a significant improvement in mood and several other wellness markers.
Experience a mood-boosting transformation with organic green drinks, vegan protein shakes, detox soups and healthy meals. Learn more here.
Here’s to a happier, healthier you!
Love,
Veronica “V” Wheat
ChefV.com founder
Grilled Artichokes with Two Sauces
Grilled artichokes, precooked and finished at the picnic. They’ll love these on the barbecue. Serve with my two vegan sauces: Raw Horseradish Mayonnaise, and Vegan Herb Aioli.
Serving Size: 2 People
Ingredients
- 6 cups filtered water
- 1 large fresh artichoke
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1/2 white onion
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Bring the 6 cups of water to a boil in a stockpot.
Trim the thorns from the artichoke leaves with scissors. Cut the artichoke in half vertically and remove the fuzzy center. To the boiling water, added the artichoke, garlic, and onion. Boil, covered, for 45 minutes – one hour, or until the leaves pull out easily. Transfer the artichoke halves to a paper towel cut side down or drain the water.
Heat a grill or grill pan. Place the artichokes cut side down on the hot grill or grill pan and char for 2 to 3 minutes, until you get good grill marks. This will add a nice smokiness. Plate the artichoke halves cut side up. In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice and vinegar, drizzle over the artichoke, sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, and serve with Vegan Herb Aioli or Raw Horseradish Mayo.
Teryaki Chicken or Salmon
Instead of my usual diet, after giving birth I shifted to eating more warming foods. This included soups, bone broths, meat with bone, raw milk, and raw cheese. It was a significant change from my previous eating habits, but it was one that I found to be beneficial. This teryaki chicken recipe became a favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 lb organic chicken
- Salt pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 lb organic broccoli chopped and steamed in water with dash of salt.
Directions
Make the sauce recipe and let sit and cool.
Using 1 lb of organic pasture raised chicken cover in avocado oil and salt and pepper.
Grill the chicken for 4 minutes in each side or until done. Thinner chicken will take less time than thicker. I usually butterfly my breast so they are thinner and cook faster.
Prepare brown rice or quinoa per directions on the bag or box.
Plate rice, steamed broccoli and chicken. Drizzle in teriyaki sauce and enjoy!
Teriyaki sauce
1 cup coconut aminos or tamari sauce
3/4 cup coconut sugar
1 clove minced garlic
1 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
Boil sauce ingredients, stir and reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Use as a glaze for chicken, fish, any meat or veggies for teriyaki style.
Raw Horseradish Mayonnaise
Sometimes you just need a luscious rich tasting spread – so I created this cashew-based mayo. Easy to prepare, you can use it in dressings, dips, on a sandwich, anywhere you want that mayonnaise experience – only healthier. Add raw horseradish to make a zippy dip for my Grilled Artichokes. – Veronica
TOTAL 10 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Serving Size: 2 People
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews, washed and drained (pre-soaked 1 hour)
- 1 cup filtered water
- ¼ cup of lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. of lemon zest
- ½ tsp. organic sea salt to taste
- 1 tsp. raw coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon horseradish
Directions
Blend mayo ingredients together in a Vitamix or food processor.
Yoga + Green Drink to Stress Less, Feel Better
I’m finding it harder to stay centered. Are you stressed out too?
Stress can have a major influence upon mood, our sense of well-being, behavior, and health. Acute stress, especially if the threat is unremitting, can damage health.
To stay centered and calm, my go-to is yoga. Yoga can reduce stress, shift your mindset, and help you feel better.
Before coronavirus, I made sure to do a minimum of 10-15 minutes of yoga every day. Now, I’ve increased my practice and recommending that all my friends and clients fo the same. The more stressful your day, the more you need to start your day off with yoga. To those who know me, I might seem centered but without meditation and yoga, I might be a mess.
Here are some of my favorite yoga poses for reducing stress and getting back to center. Zen out in the comfort and safety of home.
Cheers to your very best health – Veronica
DOWNWARD DOG
Place your hands on the ground, shoulder width apart, and stretch your feet out behind you about 3 feet apart from one another with your hips high in the air. You should look like an upside down letter “V.” Because your heart is higher than your head, this pose causes blood to flow to your brain, which calms the nervous system, improves memory, enhances concentration and relieves stress. Downward Dog also gently tones your abdomen, which stimulates digestion.
TREE POSE (VIRKSASANA)
Start by focusing the balance on the left foot. Lifting the right foot to the ankle, calf, above the knee or in lotus position (inside the hip joint), bring your arms to prayer position in front of your heart center. Straighten the back, tuck in the pelvis and breathe.
On an inhale, extend your arms over head into any hand mudra you desire; pinky to thumb, thumb to index finger or thumb to middle finger. Hold here for 5-10 inhale and exhale breaths.
PRAYER TWIST
Stand with your feet about 3-4 feet apart. Look toward your right leg as you turn your torso and your hips towards your right leg.
Bend your right knee at a 90 degree angle, keeping your left leg straight so that you are in a low lunge. Bring your hands to prayer position in front of you.
Inhale and on an exhale, twist to your right, bringing your left elbow over your right knee. Look up and make sure your elbows are facing in opposite directions with your right elbow facing up at 12 o’clock and left facing down at 6 o’clock.
Hold this pose for 5-10 inhales and exhales. Slowly release, coming back to center. Repeat on the other side.
Look toward your left side, bend your left knee at a 90 degree angle and move into a lunge by keeping your right leg straight. Inhale and exhale to twist to the left, hooking your right elbow over your left knee. Breathe for 5-10 inhales and exhales.
The twisting of the torso in this move applies pressure to your muscles, increasing toning and detoxifying powers. Fresh oxygen rushes to the area once the twist is released, which helps flush toxins within the body and improve digestion. This pose is great for balance, energy and confidence – plus, it tones your legs, hips and butt.
SUPINE SPINAL TWIST
Lay on the ground with your legs stretched out in front of you. Bend your right knee, bringing it close to your chest.
Take your left hand and slowly guide your (bent) right leg over to the left side of your body. Look right and breathe 5-10 inhales and exhales.
Slowly come back to center with both legs stretched out on the ground. Reverse on the other side by bending your left knee toward your chest.
With your right hand, gently guide your left leg over to your right. This time, look to the left and breathe for another set of 5-10 inhales and exhales. This spinal twist will help to release lower back tension, open tight shoulders, improve digestion and elongate spinal muscles.
Don’t worry if it doesn’t come easy at first. Like all things, yoga takes time and practice to get right, but you will start feeling the detoxifying benefits right away. Just start with slow and steady breaths and the rest will follow!
21 day Challenge + Green Drink Offer -2
Version 1 – Protection
Version 2- Clinically Proven Success
Your Decision To Do the Chef V Challenge
Is Now Supported By Clinical Research!
The Clinical Trial data speaks for itself. Following a Chef V 21 DAY DETOX with a daily ORGANIC GREEN DRINK subscription isn’t a quick weight loss fix. It’s a lifelong health transformation.
And the best part is that after the 21 DAY DETOX, you can indulge in some of your favorite not-so-healthy treats from time to time.
Want to experience a safe, effective, and enjoyable health transformation? Learn more about the CLINICAL RESEARCH RESULTS.
You Can Get the Same Positive Results!
Chef V Test Results On Day 28
“Overall, participants saw a statistically significant improvement in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, cholesterol/LDL cholesterol ratio, and HbA1C. These findings suggest that the Chef V protocol brings about positive changes in each of these biomarkers in just a 28-day period.
“The Chef V program led to many statistically significant improvements in biomarkers critical for overall health and well-being,” Citrus Labs researchers concluded.
You Can Get the Same Positive Results!
How it Works:
1. Start with the chef V 21 Day Challenge – This organic detox cleanse makes it easy to detox your body and lose weight with complete step-by-step instructions and support.
2. Sustain your gains with a daily organic green drink made with 7 organic Super Greens to help you detox your liver, fight inflammation, reduce cholesterol and much more!
Sustain Your Gains with a Daily Green Drink Subscription
CHECK OUT THE SUCCESS STORIES
21 day Challenge + Green Drink Offer
Version 1 – Protection
Version 2- Clinically Proven Success
Your Decision To Do the Chef V Challenge
Is Now Supported By Clinical Research!
The Clinical Trial data speaks for itself. Following a Chef V 21 DAY DETOX with a daily ORGANIC GREEN DRINK subscription isn’t a quick weight loss fix. It’s a lifelong health transformation.
And the best part is that after the 21 DAY DETOX, you can indulge in some of your favorite not-so-healthy treats from time to time.
Want to experience a safe, effective, and enjoyable health transformation? Learn more about the CLINICAL RESEARCH RESULTS.
Start Your Clinical Challenge with the 21 Day Detox
Chef V Test Results On Day 28
“Overall, participants saw a statistically significant improvement in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, cholesterol/LDL cholesterol ratio, and HbA1C. These findings suggest that the Chef V protocol brings about positive changes in each of these biomarkers in just a 28-day period.
“The Chef V program led to many statistically significant improvements in biomarkers critical for overall health and well-being,” Citrus Labs researchers concluded.
Start Your Clinical Challenge with the 21 Day Detox
You Can Get the Same Positive Results!
1. Start with the chef V 21 Day Challenge – This organic detox cleanse makes it easy to detox your body and lose weight with complete step-by-step instructions and support.
2. Sustain your gains with a daily organic green drink made with 7 organic Super Greens to help you detox your liver, fight inflammation, reduce cholesterol and much more!
Sustain Your Gains with a Daily Green Drink Subscription
CHECK OUT THE SUCCESS STORIES
LANDING 21 + GD
The Chef V Program
21 day Challenge + Daily Green Drink
HEADER IMAGE OPTION HERE WITH VERONICA AND CLEANSE PRODUCT
CHECK OUT THE RESULTS
Average 8 lbs lighter
88% feel better
43.8% improvement in sleep
32% Improved ability to focus
49.6% more energy
23% less fat in blood
and
100% Finished the Challenge
You Can Get the Same Great Results!
–> alt option in green bar below “Take the Challenge, get the results”
1. Start with the chef V 21 Day Challenge – This organic detox cleanse makes it easy to detox your body and lose weight with complete step-by-step instructions and support.
2. Sustain your gains with a daily organic green drink made with 7 organic Super Greens to help you detox your liver, fight inflammation, reduce cholesterol and much more!
–> image option with black woman 1. 2. at bottom of this page
Check out These Success Stories!
Two across photos with quote below for laptop, one across for mobile – more testimonials? Different people?
BELOW, HEADERS AND IMAGES TO USE IN LANDING PAGE
Mobile version Clinically Proven Success
Desktop version 1 Protect your body and brain no subtext
Mobile version 1 Protect body /strengthen success no subtext
Desktop version 2 Protect your body and brain with subtext
Desktop version 3 green bar above Protect your body and brain with subtext
Desktop version stps 1, 2e
Desktop version clinical study results
Desktop version
LANDING 2
Brandon: 2/3 of website visitors view chefv.com on mobile devices so this landing page has both mobile and desktop versions of each block – I'd like to check purchasers, see if purchases are made on mobile or desktop.
The Chef V Program
21 day Challenge + Daily Green Drink
there are several options for “Clinically Proven Success” header below – located at bottom of page
CHECK OUT THE RESULTS!
Two options for tag line – text or green bar text
You Can Get the Same Great Results!
1. Start with the chef V 21 Day Challenge – This organic detox cleanse makes it easy to detox your body and lose weight with complete step-by-step instructions and support.
2. Sustain your gains with a daily organic green drink made with 7 organic Super Greens to help you detox your liver, fight inflammation, reduce cholesterol and much more!
alternate mobile version 1. 2. image
success stories- could be more, different people
there is a mobile version
CHECK OUT THE SUCCESS STORIES
Various top headers, desk top and mobile – Clinically Proven Success and Protect your body and brain
Desktop version 1 Protect your body and brain no subtext
Mobile version 1 Protect body /strengthen success no subtext
Desktop version 2 Protect your body and brain with subtext
Desktop version 3 green bar above Protect your body and brain with subtext
Desktop version stps 1, 2e
Desktop version clinical study results
What Do I Eat Today – Savory Fall Foods
First Thing in the Morning
I have lemon water in the morning and then I wait until I’m hungry to have my Green Drink.
For Breakfast – Creamy Berry Parfait
I make this recipe a lot, it feels like a splurge but it’s healthy, full of fresh berries and nut flavors. I like to make it in a mason jar, easy to grab and run on a busy morning.
Lunch – Fall Pumpkin + Carrot Stew with Quinoa
My pumpkin stew is made with mellow spices for a flavorful and healthy mid-day meal. This stew can be prepared a day ahead. It’s great to take to work or enjoy for dinner the next day, or for a warm and healthy meal for the kids to come home to and easily reheat.
Dinner – Pumpkin Lasagna & Rosemary Ricotta
Dessert – Vegan & Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie
My oh my, pumpkin pie … how I love thee,
But how you seem to hate my belly.
For each sinfully delicious bite I take,
Your sweet and milky richness makes my tummy ache.
Is there a way to make you more nutritious,
All the while keeping you equally delicious?
The good news is yes there is,
And showing you how is my biz. (Mic drop)
Bon Appétit! – Veronica
Holiday Rack of Lamb
When cooking for a special occasion you want meals that are hearty, healthy and memorable. Chef V makes this delicious go-to recipe when she needs a dinner party main course.
When shopping for lamb, try to find local USDA-Certified Organic Lamb. More and more, farms offering organic meat are built around the well-being of the lamb. The animals are all born and raised on the same farm on a simple diet of grass and hay; free of steroids, antibiotics, and hormones.
REST TIME: 2 hours
COOKING TIME: 45 minutes
SERVES: 2-4
Ingredients
- 1 rack of lamb (Frenched*, 7-8 ribs each, 1.5- 2 lbs. total)
- 2 tsp. fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp. fresh thyme
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
Directions
Rub the rack of lamb with rosemary, thyme, garlic, and pepper. Place in a gallon plastic bag with olive oil and coat the lamb in olive oil. Close the bag tightly and let marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
Bring the lamb out 2 hours ahead of time so that it can rest at room temperature before cooking. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Make diagonal cuts or slivers along the fat on top about 1 inch apart. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cover the exposed tip bones with foil to avoid burning. Cook for 10 minutes at 450 degrees then lower the temp to 300 degrees and cook for 10-15 minutes more. Lamb should be cooked to rare or medium rare and then be removed and covered with foil.
Let the lamb sit for 15 minutes and rest to finish cooking through. Slice the lamb in-between the bones, cutting away from the bone. Serve with rice, potatoes, or anything else your Man desires!
*Most stores already sell the rack of lamb Frenched. This means the skin, meat, and fat have been removed between the tips of the rib bone, to make it look nicer and easier to eat.
Vegan Gravy
There’s nothing better than homemade comfort food during the holiday season. Gatherings at home with friends and family sharing home cooked meals on these cold winter nights is one of our favorite things. .
Impress family and friends with my easy-to-make healthy gravy recipe as the finishing touch to your meal. Whether you are vegan, vegetarian or simply a healthy eater, holiday meals don’t need to feel stressful. Instead, enjoy delicious meals without regret and be thankful you made the right decision! – Veronica
TOTAL 1 hour
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Serving Size: 2 Person
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. cold pressed olive oil
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 2 tbsp. gluten-free flour (I like Bob Red Mills brand)
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 cups organic vegetable stock
Directions
Heat oil in a saucepan on medium-high. Add yellow onions and cook for 2-3 minutes or until they are translucent. Reduce the heat to low and mix in the gluten-free flour with the onions. Slowly add the vegetable broth and continue to stir until the gravy becomes thick. Add more flour to thicken and add more broth to thin. Serve over any of your favorite sides in place of regular gravy this year.
Take the Chef V Challenge – A Proven Winner!
Order a 21 Day Detox Challenge – followup with a Green Drink subscription.
Over a 28-day period, the Chef V 21 Day Detox + Green Drink Program resulted in positive health improvements:
weight loss – an average of eight pounds.
– ‘bad’ cholesterol decreased – (LDL cholesterol) and the ratio of total cholesterol to LDL cholesterol improved. This is really promising for overall cardiovascular wellness.
– inflammation – went down 33% (based on c-reactive protein levels).
– A1C levels improved, crucial for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and avoiding diabetes.
– bloating decreased – relieving the traffic jam inside your stomach.
It’s truly rewarding to see these positive changes happening in just under a month, making a difference in people’s lives.
You can carry out your own Chef V program and experience the proven results! Order your 21 day detox today!
Throw Out These Cancer Causing Products
above, toys seized by US Customs for excessive levels of phthalates
No shocker here: diet plays a big part in avoiding symptoms that indicate that it’s time to detox.
(I talked about these symptoms in my post about leaky gut.)
But there’s more to cleansing and detoxing the body than Organic Green Drinks, Detox Soups, and ultra clean vegan Protein Shakes.
To give your liver a reset and help it more efficiently remove toxins and excess stored body fat, you need to make sure that the everyday household products you use don’t stress out your liver.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from a new customer that reaches out to tell me they previously did a cleanse but their symptoms came back shortly after.
In response, I ask them what brand of cosmetics they use, and hair care products, lotions, laundry detergent, household cleaners, toothpaste and perfume. I also ask them if they use plug-in air fresheners and spray deodorizers.
For the many people I hear from who are new to the concept of natural health, most of the brands these people use are not all-natural. And these common everyday household cleaners, beauty- and personal care products are making people sick.
The Dangerous Chemical In Tampons, Panty Liners & Pads
Phlatates (the “ph” is silent) are synthetic chemicals. These class of chemicals contain volatile compounds that make feminine-hygiene products and dozens of plastic products flexible and resilient against wear and tear. But phthalates have been linked to breast cancer and metabolic diseases.
In case polyester ever comes back in style (fingers crossed it doesn’t), don’t jump back on the bandwagon. That’s because polyester is one type of phthalate. Another common phthalate is polypropylene.
Of course, you would never eat a panty liner but the problem with phthalates is that by simply handling them or breathing them in can disrupt your hormone balance.
The average woman applies sanitary pads during her menstrual cycle 1800 days over her lifetime. If you’re not using an organic brand of sanitary pad, that’s a lot of exposure to these dangerous chemicals. The genitals, unfortunately, are an area of the body that absorbs phthalates to a higher degree.
To minimize your exposure to phthalates, avoid plastic products with the #3 recycling icon.
The Cancer-Causing Mineral In Cosmetics
In May of last year, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) dropped a bombshell. The consumer and pharmaceutical giant announced it would no longer sell talc baby powder in North America.
J&J said it was because of declining sales. But that’s only telling half the story. Sales were declining because of health concerns over talcum (also called talc). Talc is a mineral. Talc is completely safe. But because of its next door natural neighbor in the Earth, when it gets crushed into a powder, it becomes contaminated with a cancer-causing ingredient: asbestos.
Talc and asbestos are located right next to each other in rock quarries. But asbestos particles can cross over into talc mining operations. And there’s no safe limit for asbestos. Once it is inhaled or enters the body, it can become highly carcinogenic.
And that’s why there have been over 25,000 lawsuits, the overwhelming majority of them filed by minority women who developed ovarian cancer after years of applying talc to their bodies.
But asbestos isn’t limited to baby powder. A recent study revealed that 15% of cosmetics that were tested contained asbestos, exposure to which kills some 90,000 people worldwide every year.
Beauty Is Skin Deep
I could go on and on about the dangers of everyday household and beauty products. And even if they don’t cause chronic diseases in one person, they can still cause the liver to get clogged. Hot flashes, night sweats and other symptoms of hormone imbalance can also be caused by synthetic chemicals.
If there’s one and one thing only that you learn from me it’s this…
If you’re unsure of whether or not a product is safe to use, check out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database. It’s amazing. You simply enter the name of the brand or product and if it’s in the database, it will give you a score from 1-10; the lower the overall score, the safer the product it is.
I’ve come to love the brands, Beauty Counter and Arbonne for safe, personal care and beauty products. There are many others. While they may cost more than their conventional counterparts, they may save you thousands in medical bills in the future.
Conclusion
When it comes to cleansing your body, there’s more to it than eating clean. A holistic approach is necessary to unclog a sluggish liver.
Chef V’s Perfect “Prescription” For Eating Healthy While Taking Ozempic
Ozempic has been called a wonder drug for people with type 2 diabetes. But there’s a dark side to it: The drug eradicates appetite. The downside? Being starved of vital nutrients. Certified nutritional therapist and CHEFV.com founder, Veronica Wheat offers solutions for staying healthy while taking Ozempic.
When it comes to Ozempic, let me get something off my chest.
I’m not going to be talking about celebrities and TikTok influencers who are unethically using the drug and potentially creating a shortage of it for people with type 2 diabetes just to quickly drop 10 pounds.
Instead, I will focus on the biggest risk of taking Ozempic for those with type 2 diabetes.
Before I get to that, in case you don’t know about Ozempic, some quick facts…
For managing blood sugar levels, Ozempic is super convenient for people with type 2 diabetes. Instead of injecting insulin every day like other diabetes meds, Ozempic is a once-weekly injection. It works by increasing the hormone, insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels when blood sugar gets too high.
In addition, Ozempic reduces glucagon, the hormone that raises blood sugar levels—a double dose of blood glucose regulation.
So far so good, right? Another way Ozempic works is by dramatically curbing appetite by cutting off the brain’s hunger signals. Not only that, but Ozempic also delays stomach emptying, which makes you feel full for several hours. This also might sound like a godsend of a drug if you have type 2 diabetes and are overweight.
OZEMPIC NUTRITION RESOURCES
CHEF V’s COOKING SCHOOL (Free videos)
What Do I Eat Today? (Free recipes)
Making Cleansing Easier (Free e-cookbook)
The Dark Side Of Using Ozempic: Malnutrition
Many Ozempic users report that after taking a few bites of food, they are totally full, or even repulsed by the idea of food. This is a great recipe for losing weight but a disaster for overall health. That’s because the tendency is that when Ozempic users eat, they usually grab a few bites of whatever’s easily in reach. And most often it’s something unhealthy.
If you use Ozempic, you will definitely lose weight. But even with the little appetite you may have, you have to consume nutritious food. Otherwise, you’ll deprive yourself of vital nutrients. In other words, you will suffer from malnutrition. You’ll have no energy and your immune system can weaken.
So how can Ozempic users manage blood sugar and stay healthy?
Staying Healthy On Ozempic With Green Drink
Having Organic GREEN DRINK first thing in the morning is the easiest thing Ozempic users with type 2 diabetes can do to prevent malnutrition.
With 7 certified organic leafy green veggies, GREEN DRINK contains the antioxidants and phytonutrients your trillions of cells need to keep you healthy on a low-calorie diet.
And with only 26 calories per serving, GREEN DRINK won’t make your tummy painfully full or bloated if you’re taking Ozempic.
But drinking juice? Isn’t that bad if you have type 2 diabetes?
It’s true that most commercial juices cause an immediate surge of insulin and are loaded with sugar. Even green-colored juices trick shoppers into thinking it must be a healthy juice because green is the color of some of the healthiest veggies on the planet.
But don’t let store-bought juices fool you. They’re loaded with fructose (fruit sugar) and barely contain any vegetables. They should be totally avoided if you have high blood sugar. If you have type 2 diabetes, you shouldn’t have more than 25 grams of sugar per day. Did you know that most green juices sold in stores have up to 50 grams of sugar?
GREEN DRINK: Safe for Ozempic Uses & Proven to Reduce A1C
But there are three reasons why GREEN DRINK is perfectly safe for type 2 diabetes.
- There are only 3 grams of naturally-occurring sugar per serving. So there’s no insulin surge after drinking GREEN DRINK as you get with most commercial juices.
- GREEN DRINK is blended, not juiced. That means that the fiber and nutrients from the leafy green veggies in GREEN DRINK are preserved and feed your healthy gut bacteria. With commercial juices, you’re just drinking the sugars, not the nutrients! And all that sugar goes directly into your bloodstream, spiking your insulin and driving up blood sugar.
- GREEN DRINK is clinically proven to lower A1C levels. In an independent clinical study of 38 participants (without type 2 diabetes), a CHEF V 21 Day DETOX followed up by 7 days of GREEN DRINK consumption reduced A1C levels by 1.7%.
Watch CHEF V's Infamous Green Drink and Diabetes
So if you’re taking Ozempic for diabetes, make sure you’re fueling your body with supreme nutrition, even if you have a very low appetite.
Learn more about GREEN DRINK.
Nutrition Hint from an Ozempic user:
“Keep a healthy food at your desk, in your tote, anywhere that is super easy to grab. Then set a reminder on your phone and when it goes off, eat a little. I use Green Drink, cut up fruit or nuts.”
below, Chef V working one of our kitchens
“GREEN DRINK has been invaluable for me to get the right mix of nutrients every day even when you’re not motivated to eat. Having a Green Drink in the morning kicks starts a healthy beginning to my day.” —Type 2 diabetic Ozempic user and CHEF V customer, Jean Y.
Making Healthy Meals On Ozempic Even If You’re Not Hungry
But what about the rest of the day? Sure, Green Drink is a great way to flood your cells with vital nutrition in the morning. But when you don’t feel like eating much, what else can you do to stay healthy?
I recommend taking one day a week to cook mini healthy meals. Even if you nibble just a few bites here and there, that’s ok. But it’s so important that you’re not just subsisting on high-carb foods while taking Ozempic.
If you have any questions about using CHEF V with diabetes, we are always here for you.
Here’s to having healthy blood sugar levels and optimizing your nutrition!
Love,
Veronica Wheat
Founder, ChefV.com
Chef V Clinically Proven To Lower A1C Blood Sugar Levels
An independent clinical trial shows that Chef V’s 21 Detox followed by 7 days of continuing with a Green Drink plan significantly lowered HbA1C levels, one of the most important markers of health and longevity.
According to Citruslabs, after the 28 day study was completed, “…there was a significant reduction in HbA1C. HbA1C is a marker of glucose levels in the blood, and lower levels are preferred to higher levels. The significant reduction in HbA1C demonstrates a healthy glucose response by the body after using Chef V products.”
Maybe you’ve heard of “A1C” and know it has something to do with blood sugar levels. That’s a good start. But your A1C levels don’t only reveal whether you have diabetes or prediabetes. Your A1C level also has a profound effect on skin health and the aging process. And considering that your A1C level is one of the most important health biomarkers, let’s dive deeper.
It's important to understand that lowering your A1C levels is a gradual (slow) process. Unlike a blood glucose test, A1C measures your average blood sugar over a period of 2 to 3 months. This means, it can take up to 3 months to notice significant changes in your A1C.
What is an “A1C” Blood Sugar Test?
Been a while since you’ve had lab work done? If so, I highly recommend that you get a Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) that includes A1C. Getting a CMP and A1C provides a snapshot of your liver and kidney health, electrolyte balance, metabolism, and blood.
Just as you take your car to a mechanic for optimal engine performance, you should get these diagnostic tests to ensure your body’s “engine” is running smoothly.
The hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test (A1C for short) is a simple blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. That’s the simple explanation.
More specifically, the A1C test measures the amount of glycated hemoglobin in the blood.
So let’s break down what “glycated hemoglobin” is in two parts. First, hemoglobin is an oxygen-carrying protein in your red blood cells. Hemoglobin carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
What does this have to do with blood sugar?
That brings us to “glycation.” When you eat anything with sugar or carbohydrates that break down into sugar, some of that sugar sticks to hemoglobin. This is called glycation. The A1C test measures the levels of these sticky, sugary molecules as a percentage. The higher the percentage of red blood cells with sticky hemoglobin, the higher your blood sugar levels.
What is the A1C Test Used For?
Because red blood cells live for about three months, an A1C test provides a sneak peek of how much sugar is hanging out in the bloodstream over that three-month period of time.
The A1C test is used to diagnose diabetes, assess how well people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels and diagnose prediabetes.
According to the Diabetes Research Institute, 37.3 million Americans or 11.3% of the population have diabetes, and nearly 100 million Americans have prediabetes, including nearly 50% of people 65 and older.
Why Glycation Matters
Obviously, diabetes is a major health concern. Research from the Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry explains that glycation—the underlying mechanism behind type 2 diabetes—leads to “a variety of irreversible dehydration and rearrangement reactions that lead to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs).”
When you eat blackened, barbecued meat or breathe in polluted air, this causes AGEs. AGEs lead to premature aging, including “a loss of protein function and impaired elasticity of tissues such as blood vessels, skin, and tendons … and diabetic complications.”
So can’t you just take some supplements to overcome glycation and AGEs?
Not so fast, suggests the research.
“Because there are no enzymes to remove glycated products from the human body, the glycation process matches well with the theory that the accumulation of metabolic waste promotes aging.”
Additional Resources on Diabetes
Chef V Clinically Proven To Lower A1C Blood Sugar Levels
Is It Safe For People With Type 1 Diabetes To Do A Cleanse?
Chef V’s Perfect “Prescription” For Eating Healthy While Taking Ozempic
A1C Levels & Skin Health
For some people, including those with diabetes, having high blood sugar levels is an abstract health problem. In other words, the link between having high blood sugar levels and serious health problems isn’t considered before it’s too late.
For instance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common diabetes health complications include heart disease, chronic kidney disease, nerve damage, and other problems with feet, oral health, vision, hearing, and mental health.
Although it seems shallow in comparison, let’s face it, people do care about how they look. And another thing that relatively few people give much thought to is how A1C levels affect the skin. Sugar not only sticks to red blood cells, it also sticks to collagen and elastin, the two primary types of structural protein in the skin.
When there’s too much sugar on collagen and elastin, those advanced glycation end products I mentioned damage collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and inflamed, dry, and itchy skin.
The bad news is that it’s difficult to reverse AGEs-related skin damage. But there’s a simple, research-proven method to manage A1C levels and prevent further harm to the body…
Chef V Green Drink Put To The Test for A1C Levels
Fast forward to early 2023 when Brandon and I decided to put the 7 certified organic green leafy veggies to the test. We invested in a clinical trial conducted by Citrus Labs, a Santa Monica-based independent research organization. Citrus Labs analyzed the effects of a Chef V 21 DAY DETOX followed by a 7-day continuation of a Green Drink Plan.
(Read more about the research study here.)
It’s important to mention that none of the study participants had diabetes or high blood sugar levels. Before day 1 of the 28-day study, the average A1C level of the 38 participants was 5.4. On day 28, the participants’ A1C levels were 5.31—a reduction of 1.7%.
That might not seem like a big reduction. But it is. Just like the difference between a 5.0 and 6.0 earthquake is monumental in terms of power and potential destruction, a reduction of 1.7% in A1C levels is impressive, especially for a population that didn’t have a high blood sugar level to begin with. But don’t just take my word for it.
“The significant reduction in HbA1C demonstrates a healthy glucose response by the body after using Chef V products.”
—Citrus Labs analysis
Going Green For Healthier A1C Levels
One of the simplest ways to lower blood sugar levels is by consuming more green leafy veggies. Several studies prove this. For instance, a study of 417 type-2 diabetic patients 65 years or older in Japan showed that eating 1 cup or more a day of green leafy veggies led to significant decreases in HbA1c, triglycerides (fat in the blood), and waist circumference.
As a certified nutritional therapist, I’ve always believed in the therapeutic potential of green leafy veggies. That’s why I created a recipe for an organic low-sugar blended juice with 7 different types of leafy greens.
At the time I created the recipe, I was a personal chef. But the response was so overwhelming that about a decade ago, my husband, Brandon, convinced me to start a business delivering this Green Drink. Within a short time, Chef V was delivering Green Drinks nationwide.
What Are Healthy A1C Levels?
A value of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes, while a value below 5.7% is considered normal. If you have diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends an A1C level of less than 7% to reduce the risk of complications.
I’m not suggesting that having a serving of Green Drink is all you need to do to manage A1C levels. After all, lowering your A1C levels requires regular exercise and following a healthy overall diet, which I teach how to do with the 21 DAY DETOX.
But if you’re not a huge fan of veggies or don’t have time to make huge salads, having a daily serving of Organic Green Drink—only 3 grams of natural sugar per 8 ounces—is one of the easiest ways to get your daily dose of A1C-lowering ingredients into your diet.
Is Chef V Detox Safe For Diabetes?
With millions of people using Ozempic for diabetes and weight loss, is doing a Chef V 21 DAY DETOX and continuing with a Green Drink plan safe? And is it generally safe for people with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that accounts for roughly just 5% of all diabetes diagnoses?
As Citrus Labs concluded, Chef V Detox and Green Drink work because you don’t have to skip meals, which can be dangerous if you have diabetes. “Chef V supplies the nutrition needed for optimal health outcomes,” the lab report concluded.
However, if you have diabetes, you should consult with a registered dietician or other medical professional before beginning any new dietary intervention.
Read more about how Chef V’s Detox & Green Drink has been clinically proven to improve health outcomes such as:
Don’t Be Scared Of Pumpkin—Put ’em On Your Face & Eat ‘Em!
When you think of pumpkin and autumn the first thing that probably comes to mind is jack o’ lanterns. But Chef V suggests using this “gourdeous” fruit in other ways this time of year.
Fall is finally here and for many people that means one thing: it’s pumpkin spice latte season! Oh yeah, Halloween will soon be upon us. But there’s far more to Cucurbita Pepo (pumpkins) than carved decorative gourds and coffee drinks that instantly turn you into a pre-diabetic with an insulin-spiking rush of 50 grams of sugar.
Raw pumpkin fruit (canned), seeds and seed oils are superfoods in my book. This time around, I want to cover some more interesting uses about pumpkins and their health benefits….
Pumpkins: Face Masks: For Beauty, Not Trick Or Treat
Having a pumpkin on your head makes sense if you’re celebrating Halloween. But it also can help your skin look more beautiful. Of course I’m talking about face masks. Pumpkin face masks aren’t going to be the hottest beauty trend of 2021. They’ve already been a trend for a few years but not everybody has heard of applying it to the skin.
Now before you rush out to your closest supermarket to buy canned pumpkin and apply it to your skin, that’s not the type used in beauty face masks.
Many beauty brands claim that pumpkin extract helps rejuvenate the skin. And there’s some evidence to back up the claim.
In a research study from last year, the scientists concluded that the extract could have potential in treating contact dermatitis (CD) because of its antioxidant activity.
A more recent study from earlier this year noted that depression is often associated with CD because the skin disease is caused by chronic stress. The researchers found that pumpkin extract, when applied orally and topically can lessen the severity of both CD and depression.
Pumpkins have a high amount of oleic acid, an Omega-9 fatty acid, that is believed to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant activities.
Advertisements I’ve seen claim that pumpkin face masks clean pores, hydrates, cleanses, plumps the skin, stimulates collagen production, remove dead and dull skin cells and more. Who needs a dermatologist when you can just use a pumpkin face mask!
Pumpkins For Pooping!
One thing I forgot to mention in my article about nutrition facts is that it’s an excellent source of fiber. In fact, in just one serving of canned pumpkin (buy organic), there are seven grams of fiber. Fiber helps keep you regular, satisfies your appetite, removes excess cholesterol from the body, and controls blood sugar spikes. So when you’re craving a regular punkin' spice latte, just add some canned pumpkin to it. Just kidding, don’t do that. But do eat canned for the fiber content.
Pumpkins – Seed Oil For Prostate Health
Another thing I didn’t mention in my original ode to pumpkins benefits is that for men, it could be a life saver. Roughly 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Although prostate cancer is thankfully a highly survivable disease these days, the American Cancer Society estimates that over 34,000 men in the U.S. will die from prostate cancer in 2021.
The oil from pumpkin seeds have been shown in many research studies to prevent the growth of the prostate gland, which may be a contributing factor in developing prostate cancer.
Many men as they age develop a non-cancerous growth in their prostate called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH. BPH can make it painful and difficult for older men to urinate.
(Hubby, Brandon: Are you reading this? I’m buying you pumpkin seed oil for your birthday!)
Pass On The Pumpkin Pie
This time of year, besides pumpkin spice lattes and halloween decorations, most people associate the with pie.
Yes, I’m a certified nutritional therapist and innovator behind nationwide delivery of organic Green Drink, but I’m not going to be the food police and tell you never to eat pumpkin pie again. But if you are going to eat it, do so sparingly because too many added sugars can weaken your immune system. And you don’t need me to remind you why that’s a problem these days.
If you’re going to indulge in pie use a zero-calorie sweetener like stevia. It may not taste as good as the real thing but it will allow you to celebrate the season without the guilt.
Have a happy, healthy autumn!
Macho Nachos
My Macho Nachos recipe has everything a macho guy (or gal) could want in flavor and crunch, without the harmful fats and calories.
Whether for Cinco de Mayo or the Super Bowl, this easy to make recipe is a hit with everyone. – Veronica
Serving Size: 2-4 People
Ingredients
CHEF V’S TACO SEASONING
2 teaspoons hot chili powder
1 teaspoon of each: paprika and onion powder
½ teaspoon of each: sea salt, garlic powder,
ground cumin, and oregano
¼ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon of each: cayenne pepper and
red pepper flakes
TORTILLA CHIPS
4 gluten-free, corn-free tortillas (I like Rudi’s®)
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon Chef V’s Taco Seasoning
½ cup shredded Daiya® cheddar shreds
NACHO ‘MEAT’
1 tablespoon coconut oil
½ cup diced yellow onion
2 cups diced mushrooms or 1 pound ground turkey
1 tablespoon Chef V’s Taco Seasoning
¼ cup water or Chef V’s Homemade Almond Milk
TOPPINGS
1 cup cooked or canned black or pinto beans, warmed
1 whole avocado, diced
½ cup of each: diced and peeled mango, chopped
cilantro, and chopped green onion
Directions
Chef V’s Tip: For more protein, use 1 pound ground turkey instead of mushrooms. This is great for entertaining!
Combine all taco seasoning ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut the tortillas into chip shapes.
In a large bowl, combine the coconut oil and 1 teaspoon of taco seasoning, if desired. Add the chips and gently coat.
Line 1 or 2 baking sheets with foil or parchment paper or use an oven-safe serveware piece. Place the chips in a single layer.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, but do not completely cook the chips. Remove the chips from the oven and sprinkle with Daiya® shreds. Bake for 3-4 more minutes, until the shreds are melted.
To make the nacho ‘meat,’ melt the coconut oil over medium-high heat in a saucepan. Add the onions and sauté until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms (or ground turkey) and cook for 3 minutes. Add the taco seasoning and water or almond milk. Continue to cook through, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 more minutes. Keep warm on the stovetop.
To serve, transfer the chips onto a serving plate or leave on the oven-safe serveware piece. Top with warm black beans or pinto beans, nacho ‘meat’ (vegan or turkey), avocado, mango, cilantro, and green onion.
Chef V Life Before & After Success Stories
Above, Chef V clients' before/after photos
Check out these Chef V experiences!
These customers have amazing before and after stories to tell about Chef V's Green Drink and Cleanses. Many have lost weight and feel “amazing!”.
Chef V customers might start with a Chef V Cleanse, but they continue to drink it daily for its continuing health benefits. Plus, at only $7 a day, it is much more affordable than grocery store brands.
As you can see from these success stories, our customers are happy to tell their friends, family, and us their success stories.
Pashelle's Success
Pashelle says: “Thank you so much. I work about 13-14 hours a day in the wardrobe department of a television show. It is so easy to eat junk food allday. Me and the driver of my wardrobe trailer committed to the 3 day cleanse and we feel amazing. Day 1 was the toughtest day Day 2, I saw the difference. And day 3 was an introduction to my New Self. Thank you Chef V.”
Makenzie's Story
“During my 21 day detox I lost 19 lbs! My BMI went from 24.0 to 16.9! I am super excited for when I do my next detox because I will be doing the expert challenge! LOVE LOVE LOVE Chef V.”
Michael's Dramatic Weight Loss
“I’ve reached my goal weight in June, losing a total of 245 plus pounds over the last 22 months. Chef V has helped in this as my morning drink since I started my Green Drink Plan from you. Thank you.”
“I’ve reached my goal weight in June, losing a total of 245 plus pounds over the last 22 months. Chef V has helped in this as my morning drink since I started my Green Drink Plan from you. Thank you.”
Rick's Story
“Wow!… have I been excited to write this review! (READ WITH CONFIDENCE) This is not the first time I have done a cleanse, so I have others to compare it to as well. In a nut shell: CHEF V ROCKS! That’s the simple version. The long version is that the 21 Day Detox is worth every penny, it is a challenge, and it is positively altering! From day 1 to day 21 of the challenge, I lost a total of 22lbs ….and I continue to lose weight. This cleanse has aftershocks. (BOOOOOOOM!) THANK YOU Chef V; for all the countless hours of study you have done to deliver a detox that gives noticeable results and restoration! Thank you, Chef V!”
How Does “V” Reboot Her Mind & Body? Cleansing Lessons From ChefV.com’s Founder
Through her email newsletters and blog posts, Chef V has helped thousands of customers by providing useful tips and tricks on how to prepare for a cleanse and what to do during before and after the cleanse to maximize success and long-term healthy habits. Now it’s time to turn the tables and find out how “V” (Veronica) cleanses…
You might assume that someone who literally wrote the book on Making Cleansing Easier frequently does a cleanse. But Veronica Kress, the “V” in Chef V, admits to only doing a full-blown cleanse about twice a year.
Why only twice a year?
Well, when you practice what you preach and do a mini cleanse every day, you don’t need to purify yourself that often. Having an Organic Green Drink every morning on an empty stomach is a daily religious rite of passage for V. “Each one of us naturally cleanses every night while we’re sleeping,” V explains, adding, “And when I have a Green Drink for breakfast after drinking some pure water, I’m prolonging the process.
But on the rare occasions, she feels she’s in a rut and experiencing cravings for junk, it’s time for V to get her cleanse on!
How Does V Know When To Do A Cleanse?
“I know when I need to do a full cleanse if I’m at a party and have a couple Doritos and then suddenly I’m craving the whole bag and other junk food.”
V reveals an intimate detail about why she did a cleanse in the summer of 2021. The reason why she chose to do it? In the hopes of getting pregnant. “I’ve had several customers tell me that after they did a Chef V cleanse, they became pregnant so I thought I might as well try too,” V laughs. (She is now the proud Mom of baby Kaden!)
But there was another reason that V does a full cleanse that doesn’t have anything to do with procreation. “People may think I’m this perfect saint of nutrition but I’m not. Before that last cleanse, I had family in town and we did a lot of wine tasting,” V explains.
What is V’s Motivation For Doing A Cleanse?
Most people do a cleanse with the singular goal of losing weight. V says that even though weight loss isn’t her primary goal, she will lose 3-5 pounds after doing a 3 day cleanse. But the primary reason V does a cleanse—besides purging the urge to eat junk—is to sharpen her mental clarity.
“If you’re frequently craving unhealthy foods, brain fog usually accompanies the cravings,” V says.
In addition, V is motivated to do a cleanse because she realizes the plethora of benefits that accompany it, including improved sleep quality and clearer skin.
V emphasizes the amazing power that a brief cleanse has in resetting the taste buds. If you’re frequently craving starchy carbs and chemicals even a short cleanse has the potential to restore the appreciation for the natural sweetness of fruit. “When you stop eating foods with synthetic chemicals and added sugars, berries will taste amazing and then you won’t crave the bad stuff,” she says.
V’s Favorite Cleanse
In choosing between ChefV.com’s cleanse options, V says she’s partial to the 3 day cleanse because it’s the most doable.
But a 3 day cleanse isn’t really just a 3 day cleanse, V explains. That’s because the pre-cleanse phase is crucial. V says that the number of days she does a pre-cleanse depends on how her diet has been. If she’s done more wine tasting than usual or indulged in her favorite other vice—french fries—V will pre-cleanse for at least 3 days.
V’s pre-cleanse instructions are crystal clear with the 1-day, 3-day and 5-day options. Basically, V provides a list of foods to eat and to avoid before the cleanse, which is more calorie-restricted, begins.
How V Preps For A Cleanse
There’s no point in doing a cleanse if you’re not going to pre-cleanse in order to properly prepare your body, V says. “Why spend all this time and money if you’re not going to do it right?” she asks.
And while some of the “Don’t Eat This” foods on the pre-cleanse list may seem obvious, V avoids certain seemingly healthy foods leading up to the start of the official cleanse. For example, bananas are a no-no because of the high amount of sugar. Grapefruit contains an enzyme that actually slows phase 1 detoxification in the liver.
V also avoids strawberries, even organic ones, because they may contain a high amount of pesticides. Same deal goes for grapes and then there’s tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers, all of which are in the nightshade family. V avoids nightshades leading up to the cleanse because they may promote inflammation, especially if there’s already excessive inflammation in the body.
But the most important foods V avoids in the days leading up to her cleanse—and the immediate days after the cleanse is over—are anything with gluten; dairy products, red meat, caffeine and alcohol.
V says she decided to make caffeine a no-no on the pre-cleanse list because it takes a lot of energy for the body to detoxify from caffeine. But the good news is that she has helped thousands of people overcome their caffeine addiction. “They feel amazing afterwards,” she says.
below, click image to download pdf of includes and excludes
Why V Created The Pre-Cleanse Phase
So how did V come up with the idea of a pre-cleanse phase in the first place? Was it the certified nutritional therapy course she took? Nope. She was inspired to create it when a few customers walked into her former commercial kitchen in San Diego and said, “We’re going to Burger King for our last meal before the cleanse!”
V emphasizes that lots of people still don’t realize the importance of the pre-cleanse phase. If you go from filling up your car’s gas tank with sugar and then all of a sudden fill it up with the proper fuel, your car will still run like crap.
So later that night after the Burger King fiasco, V researched everything she could find about gut healing and cleansing, including what foods to eat and not to eat. The pre-cleanse instructional materials that are provided to every ChefV.com cleanse customer was soon after completed!
In addition to properly preparing your body for the cleanse, the pre-cleanse phase, V says, helps her customers typically lose 5 pounds. “The pre-cleanse phase can be just as successful as the cleanse phase.”
What V Does If She Has Cravings During A Cleanse
V doesn’t like to use the word “cheating” when it comes to experiencing cravings during a cleanse. It’s too much of a negative connotation. V likes positive reinforcements instead. Which is why V employs the concept of “intuitive eating” when her brain tells her that she’s hungry during the cleanse phase.
Instead of giving in to cravings for unhealthy snacks, V says that she’ll have a tiny bit of healthy fats like a teaspoon of coconut oil and a slice of avocado added to her Detox soup.
“The tiny amount of avocado felt so indulgent. I admit that I did feel like I was cheating a little bit, but I was making a wise decision by listening to my body.”
V also says that during the cleanse phase, one way to satisfy a craving without ruining the benefits is to puree or blend an extra veggie juice. Eating lots of cooked food, even healthy foods like low-starch veggies takes a lot of energy for the body to digest. For this reason, V says to eat a liquid lunch or dinner—if your body is really telling you that it’s hungry. Having a handful of nuts, berries, and a few carrot sticks and hummus won’t sabotage your success either.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself during the cleanse phase,” V says.
Chai Spiced Cakes with Ginger Icing
This recipe may seem long and daunting but it’s really easy and worth it! Most the ingredients are spices that you hopefully already have. This makes a lot of cupcakes so I keep them in a bag in the fridge. Pop one out and place in microwave for 10 seconds and then top with frosting when done. These are great to have in the house for a delightful yet healthy treat when you have a sweet tooth.
Cake Frosting
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Combine maple syrup, coconut sugar, almond milk, apple cider vinegar, almond butter, and vanilla. Melt in the microwave or stovetop, whisking until smooth. Transfer to a mixing bowl, and add dry ingredients. Whisk to combine. Scoop into a cupcake pan lined with paper liners, filling each 3/4 of the way (makes 8). Bake 20 minutes at 350ºF. Cool completely before frosting. For the frosting, drained soaked cashews and add to a blender along with remaining ingredients. Blend on high until very smooth, adding more coconut cream if needed. Transfer to a container and chill for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight for a thicker, pipe-able frosting). Frost cooled cupcakes and enjoy!
Ingredients
Directions
The Health Benefits Of Drinking Breakfast
Genetics isn’t the only reason V maintains a slim figure. For years, a vital component of her weight-management and gut-health strategy has been breaking the daily fast with liquids. Replacing a conventional breakfast with liquids has many health benefits and V’s here to explain…
If you’ve been following me for years, you already know how important NOT eating breakfast is.
But if you’re new to this concept, maybe you’re thinking, “Wait. I thought breakfast was the most important meal of the day.”
Now, I don’t wanna suggest that your mom didn’t know what she was talking about when you were a kid. Without doubt, eating nutrient-dense foods like fruit and eggs is important for a developing brain and body.
However, now that you’re an adult, your metabolism might be starting to slow down. And one reason why might not have anything to do with your age. Rather, it’s the fact that your body has a high toxic load. In other words, your detoxification organs such as the liver can’t clear toxins out more quickly than they accumulate.
There are several reasons why toxic overload occurs. For example, heavy metals can accumulate in your body. There’s pesticides from the food supply and harsh chemicals in skin care products, hair care products and household cleaners.
So what does this have to do with not eating food for breakfast and instead only having liquids when it’s time to break your fast?
The answer is that by not eating food, you’re giving your body a longer time to detoxify.
V’s Liquid Breakfast Routine
Actually, before I break my fast with Organic Green Drink, I have a tall glass of warm lemon water. Then I wait until I'm hungry to have a Green Drink.
Like naturally waking up with the morning light instead of being startled awake by a harsh alarm clock, a liquid breakfast gently wakes up your digestive system. And the water and Green Drink keeps the detoxification going. Your body naturally detoxifies every night. Or at least it tries to. But when you eat a standard breakfast first thing in the morning, your digestive and detoxification systems are hard at work again.
Now, in order to feel satisfied with a liquid breakfast, here’s what I do…
About half an hour after having my Green Drink, I’ll make a smoothie with fruit, veggies, vegan protein (pea protein is my fav) and healthy fats such as avocado, chia and flax seeds.
With my cookbook, Making Cleansing Easier (which you can get as a complementary download with a purchase of a CHEF V 21 DAY CHALLENGE), you’ll never get bored of smoothies.
In addition to my cookbook smoothie recipes, I have even more smoothie recipes on my blog. My Tropitaya Smoothie, featuring super-easy-to-digest pea protein, is one of the most popular. I also like to add ginger and turmeric to it to support my metabolism and keep inflammation in check.
Benefits of Drinking Your Breakfast
In addition, I’ll add ingredients that support my gut health without bloating my belly, such as bio-k fermented vegan products. Unlike regular probiotic drinks that have dairy—one of the biggest triggers of inflammation in the body—the vegan probiotic drinks I use have fermented oat and pumpkin seed as a base.
Not only does a liquid breakfast make it easy for the digestive system to “wake up,” there are other benefits as well.
Of course, you could have a liquid breakfast consisting of coffee, orange juice and Red Bull to kickstart your day. Obviously, that ain’t healthy. But as long as you’re sticking to a routine of lemon water or herbal tea; Organic Green Drink followed by a smoothie with vegan protein and a small amount of fats, you’ll be supporting your health in many ways.
Healthy liquid breakfasts may help prevent overacidity in the gut enviroment (stimulates alkalinity) and help cleanse the colon of harmful bacteria.
But don’t just take my word for it. There’s plenty of research that supports this. For instance, a study in the British Journal of Nutrition, suggests that a liquid breakfast improved the blood sugar levels of 123 patients with type 2 diabetes.
Another study in the journal, Appetite, concluded that a plant-based liquid breakfast (made with plant protein) led to consuming less calories and was more satisfying to the subjects than eating a conventional breakfast.
In general, I believe that liquid breakfasts are awesome for improving digestion, boosting detoxification and sharpening mental focus.
Give it a try for a couple weeks and see how you feel. For me and my husband, Brandon, and for thousands of Chef V customers, making the switch from a conventional breakfast to a liquid one has been one of the simplest yet most profound things we’ve done to look and feel our best.
Love,
V
Green Protein Smoothie (with Kale)
Adding Kale to a green protein smoothie makes it so good for you. Kale is a wonder in the world of superfoods. It is packed with carotenoids and flavonoids, the key antioxidants that protect our cells from free radicals. – Veronica
Ingredients
- 1 medium leaf green chard
- 2 large leaves green kale
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen mango pieces
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen pineapple pieces
- 1 cup Chef V’s raw almond milk
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 1/2 cups filtered water
- 1 scoop plain or vanilla vegan protein powder (use hemp, pea or brown rice protein, do not use soy protein)
Directions
-
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Will keep for up to 3 days refrigerated.
Bon Appétit!
White Sweet Potato Purée IBS Version
You just can’t have a special meal without mashed potatoes. But regular mashed potatoes are very starchy. That means the starch quickly converts into sugar. That’s more bad news for your gut. But this healthy recipe for mashed potatoes uses the nutritiously-superior white sweet potato. Instead of regular milk, I use almond or coconut milk. This recipe is designed for people with IBS who are following a low FODMAP diet.
I swear to you that my white sweet potato pureé will have the same starchy mouth-feel as regular mashed potatoes. But this version contains way more minerals and is lower in calories. – Veronica
TOTAL: 1 hour
Serving Size:2
Ingredients
- 1 large white sweet potato, peeled and chopped
- 3 cups filtered water
- 1/4 cup Chef V’s Raw Almond Milk or coconut milk
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Directions
Boil the sweet potato pieces in the 3 cups of water in a large pot for 15 minutes, or until soft. Transfer the pieces to a Vitamix and add the milk, and sea salt and process until smooth. Serve immediately or keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Banana Blue Smoothie
A smoothie recommended for the nursing mom!
This is our most popular smoothie and the smoothie my husband has every day: Banana Blue. I don’t typically share banana based smoothies since bananas are excluded from the Chef V cleanse because of their high starch and sugar content.
However, for nursing moms, banana and blueberries are great for healing the uterus and producing breast milk. I’ve added some nutritional super boosts too like chia seeds and almond butter.
And of course remember to use all organic!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Chef V's Almond Milk
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 loose cup of kale, spinach or other greens
- 1 cup ice
- 1 tbsp. Chef V vanilla pea protein
- 1 tsp. Chia seeds
- 1 tbsp. Almond butter
Directions
Blend in high for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Enjoy! Serves 1.
Red White & Blue Smoothie Bowl
My Red White & Blue Breakfast Smoothie Bowl is delicious, good for you, and easy to make. Start off the holiday celebration with this yummy breakfast!
Use any smoothie as the base. Top with raspberries or strawberries, blueberries and coconut shreds.
My favorites smoothies to use as the base are:
Ingredients
- 2 cups smoothie from my drinks recipes
- 1/2 cup strawberries, blueberries or other fresh organic berries
Optional: gluten free granola
Directions
Fill bowl with one of my favorite smoothies. Top with raspberries or strawberries and layer the coconut shreds and blueberries to make a patriotic treat.
Grilled Mango Salad
My Grilled Mango Salad makes any meal delicious. It combines the hearty flavor of black beans with the luscious richness of mangoes and avocado, all in a healthy salad, perfect before or after a Chef V Cleanse.
Chef V’s tip: Add grilled chicken or fish for more protein! – Veronica
Serving Size: 4 People
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 mangos, peeled and cut into thick slices
- 4 cups mixed greens (use your fav!)
- 1/2 cup red onion
- 1 cup cooked and cooled or 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup Chef V's Cilantro Lime Dressing
Directions
Preheat a grill or grill pan on a stove over medium-high heat. Place the mango sliced on the grill rack or pan and cook for 1 minute, or until grill marks appear. Transfer to a cutting board and cut the grilled mango into smaller chunks.
Plate the greens and top with grilled mango, red onion, and black beans. Drizzle with dressing and serve.
Medicinal Herbs: Get Busy Cooking!
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
As a certified nutritional therapist, I strongly identify with the quote from the ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates.
With the exception of a rare cheat meal, every single bite of food—and drink—you consume should support your health.
That’s why the first thing I do every morning after drinking a glass of water and waiting half an hour or so is drinking 16 oz of Organic Green Drink. The 7 leafy greens flood my trillions of cells with pure phytonutrients.
But when it’s time to get cooking in the kitchen, not only am I preparing low-starch veggies and lean proteins, I’m also sprinkling in an extra dose of medicine: herbs.
Herbs are so much more than flavor enhancers. For thousands of years in the Far East, medicinal herbs have been used topically to treat skin conditions, fevers and dozens of other symptoms. Medicinal herbs have also been used as food, not just to enhance taste but also to keep the body in balance, or help it get back to balance if you’re sick or feeling tired.
There’s a good chance you’re already using some medicinal herbs in your own kitchen. Here are some of the most popular herbs that are also used in traditional herbal medicine in China and other countries in the Orient. Start cooking with them daily and notice if you feel the difference!
Sample Code
Ginger
Every home chef uses ginger from time to time. But research studies show that it’s one traditional medicinal herb that’s worth using a lot more often than not.
When I was a kid and had a tummy ache, my mom would give me ginger ale. Even with all the sugar in the soda, the ginger compounds would get rid of my nausea or cramping instantly. I’m sure you can relate.
Over 100 compounds have been isolated from ginger. Studies (like this one) show that ginger functions as an antioxidant, antimicrobial and prevents inflammation in the brain. And ladies, if your monthly cycle is painful, get slicing on the fresh, raw ginger. (You may even want to consider also taking a ginger supplement.)
If you tend to run cold, even if it’s not a frigid winter day, cooking with ginger can instantly warm you up. Ginger also fortifies your immune system. If you tend to catch colds easily in the winter then you should definitely add ginger to your stir fries.
Turmeric
I believe this yellow-ish spice is just as valuable as gold, if not more so because, well, if you eat edible gold, you can’t absorb it. But turmeric on the other hand is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory medicinal herbs. With the exception of ginger, turmeric has probably been the focus of the most research of any medicinal herb.
If you’ve ever had a curry dish, you’ve tasted turmeric. I know it might not sound appetizing and probably sacrilegious to Italian foodies and chefs, but I’m so down with turmeric I even add it to pasta dishes.
I admit that turmeric has an acquired taste; peppery, earthy, slightly bitter. But once you get used to it, you’ll learn to really appreciate its bold flavor. For at least 2,000 years, turmeric has been used as a medicinal herb in Southeast Asia. In traditional Chinese medicine, turmeric is thought to unblock blood stasis and move the Qi. Translation: it improves blood circulation, which leads to feeling more energetic.
Mushrooms
Wait, mushrooms are herbs? I thought they were a fungus?
If that’s what you’re thinking, you’re not wrong. But according to herbalism, edible ‘shrooms are considered herbs precisely because they have medicinal value.
Mushrooms are having a magical moment in the West after being relegated to a bland, squishy pizza topping for the most part for so long. These days, mushrooms are added to coffee blends, adaptogenic herbal energy drinks and more.
And this is a good thing. That’s because mushrooms help support a balanced immune system.
Like all produce, the best mushrooms to purchase are organically-grown varieties that you can get at your local farmer’s market or CSA (community-supported-agriculture).
In traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms like reishi—the king of all mushrooms in China—are added to soups and tea, and are used to treat coughing and wheezing.
Lately, I’ve been so impressed by how far edible mushrooms have come. I have sunk my teeth into a vegan mushroom burrito that I swear had the consistency and taste of steak!
Cinnamon
Another common medicinal herb that you’re probably already using is cinnamon, but most likely, you’re only adding this spice to coffee, tea, yogurt or waffles. (Both spices and herbs come from plants; spices are derived from roots.)
Try adding cinnamon twigs to other dishes from now on. Similar to ginger, cinnamon has warming properties. So if you’re constantly running cold, adding a cinnamon twig to your dishes can fire up your furnace.
Managing blood sugar levels is one of the biggest benefits of consuming cinnamon on a regular basis. If you gotta have some honey or maple syrup with your yogurt, then definitely sprinkle a bunch of cinnamon to slow down the blood sugar spike.
But try to also add cinnamon twigs to stir fry dishes, salad dressings, low-carb baked treats, and more.
Mint
I’ve included a couple Yang-fortifying herbs above: ginger and turmeric. Mint is a Yin-fortifying herb, which helps cool the body down. If you’re sweating over the stove in the summer, add plenty of mint to your food or drinks. Mint helps clear the body of excess symptoms associated with heat imbalances, according to Chinese medicine. So if you have a fever, rash, sore throat, or cough drink plenty of peppermint tea and add sprigs of mint to your dishes.
Mmmm. I’m getting hungry. I wish I could come over and help you get cooking with these medicinal herbs!
To your health.
Chef V
Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette Dressing
Chef V’s Tip: Most of my salads are delicious with my Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette or Creamy Avocado Dressing. Use these on any salads unless otherwise specified. Dressings serve 4-6. – Veronica
TOTAL TIME: 10 min
SERVES 4-6
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons cold-pressed olive oil
- 2 tablespoons cold filtered water
Directions
For Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette, process all ingredients in a Vitamix until smooth and well combined. Will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Shake well before each use.
Watermelon Slush
Who doesn’t love a little watermelon on a hot summer day? It’s practically the quintessential summer snack for all ages, and that’s why it is the perfect base for a healthy summer slush. Our watermelon slush recipe is the perfect way to quench your thirst and get all your nutrients – not to mention it’s SO refreshing! – Veronica
Watermelons are a good source of thiamin, potassium, and magnesium, all of which protect our bodies from disease. Watermelon is also rich in vitamins A and C.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped refrigerated watermelon
- 1/2 cup of ice
- 12 oz. cold filtered water
Directions
Blend for 1-2 minutes and serve immediately.
Bon Appétit!
3 Reasons Why Summer’s The Best Time To Do A Cleanse
Thinking about doing a cleanse? There’s no better time than now. Here are 3 reasons why summer is the best time to do a cleanse.
Last week, I admitted that I indulged to the max while on my European vacation, and how when I got back home, I decided I needed to be a Chef V customer.
I’m happy to report that I just wrapped up a 7 Day Cleanse.
So far so good.
I don’t feel like I’m missing out at all.
In fact, I feel so good, I might do a 21 Day Detox.
And right now, in the heart of the summer, there’s no better time to do a cleanse or a longer detox.
Let me share with you my top 3 reasons why it’s easy to do a cleanse in summer.
Hack #1: take a walk
A simple way to have your blood sugar return to normal after a meal is by taking a walk. It doesn’t have to be a super vigorous hike, but getting enough exercise is important for managing diabetes and this is especially true if you’re sedentary for most of the day.
Even more important than the advice to exercise is learning when to exercise. And if you only have time (or the motivation) to move your body once per day, research strongly suggests you should do it after dinner.
Most people eat their heaviest meal at night. And the biggest spike in blood sugar occurs after eating a large meal, especially if it contains lots of carbohydrates that have the potential of converting into sugar. (Think: pasta, bread, rice and other starchy carbohydrates.) Walking after a heavy meal is a proven way to improve blood sugar levels.
Consider this study from New Zealand. Two groups of people, most of whom had type II diabetes for 10 years, were compared. One group walked for 30 minutes a day for two weeks. The other group went for a 10-minute walk after each main meal. The results: blood sugar levels were significantly lower when participants walked after meals compared with the group who only went for one walk a day.
Meanwhile a different study compares exercising before a meal and after. The group with the lower blood sugar levels exercised after their meal, not before. This supports the first study that it’s vital to move around after eating a meal.
Summer is Best Time To Do a Cleanse — Reason #1: You’re not as hungry
Ever watch a nature documentary that shows bears and other animals seemingly eating non-stop during the summer?
The reason bears and other creatures of the forest binge eat in summer is, of course, because they have to fatten up for the winter hibernation.
Sometimes in winter, I feel like hibernating.
But I also feel like eating a lot more in winter than I do in summer. The hot, sticky weather in summer kills the appetite, at least for hearty foods that we usually crave in the winter like stews, meat and starchy carbs such as pasta and bread.
Most people tend to crave fruit in the summer. And unlike meat and starchy carbs, fruit is a safe food to eat while doing a cleanse.
How I start off each morning while I’m doing a cleanse is drink two glasses of water. I like to add some electrolytes to the water to provide the energetic spark plug my cells need (pink sea salt does the trick).
About a half-hour later, I’ll have 16 oz of Organic Green Drink. Shortly after that, I’ll have a handful or so of berries.
This holds me over until it’s time for my vegan protein shake.
Even though I’ve done plenty of cleanses in winter with no problem, I have to admit that summer is my favorite season for detoxing. Simply for the fact that I’m usually not as hungry as I am in the winter.
But be careful to not exercise too much when you’re doing a cleanse in summer. You’re already limiting your calorie intake to begin with. Plus, with the heat, you’re at risk for heat stroke.
So just stick to walks early in the morning and/or evening.
Summer is Best Time To Do a Cleanse — Reason #2: Swimsuit Psychology
It might sound too good to be true. But we’ve had plenty of customer success stories with weight loss of 10 pounds or more within just 7 days.
Reading these success stories that make their way to my email inbox every day is a huge reason why I wake up excited to get to work.
I love hearing from women that a Chef V cleanse helped them look and feel sexier, especially in time for the summer swimsuit season.
Here’s what “Wenderful” says about her experience:
“I lost 10lbs!… This was the perfect start to leaning out for summer….Thank you Chef V….What a great experience!!
Now, I know what you might be thinking….
Sure, it’s great she was able to lose 10 pounds. But what’s going to happen once the cleanse is over?
Well, if “Wenderful” follows my cleanse daily schedule and post-cleanse tips, she’ll have no trouble keeping off the excess weight.
In winter, my hubby Brandon likes to joke that my legs need to be shaved with a lawn mower. Because of body consciousness, summer time gives us extra motivation to get leaner and look our best.
Summer is the best time to do a Cleanse
Reason #3: Salads
If you’re doing a cleanse or longer detox, one of the hardest things is going to a restaurant with friends.
However, in summer, it’s easy to join your friends at dinner. Just order a salad. Make sure to order the dressing on the side.
Most restaurants have at least one veggie they can steam or lightly grill for you, such as broccoli or asparagus.
A large spinach salad (no croutons!) with a side of veggies will fill you up. And because of the hot weather, you’re not going to feel like sinking your teeth into a burger like your friends.
If you’re having a hard time losing those last stubborn 10 pounds, there is no better time to do a Chef V cleanse than right now.
Do it now because in the blink of an eye, you’re going to feel like hibernating. And when that happens, you won’t have the luxury of sleeping the winter off like a bear. You’ll be craving high-calorie foods to make it through those long dark nights.
Fastest Way to Get into Ketosis – Chef V Cleanse
Following a ketogenic (“Keto”) diet puts your body in a state of ketosis. That means your body is burning its stored body fat instead of blood sugar for energy. But getting into ketosis can take up to several weeks if you’re not doing it right. One of the easiest ways to get into ketosis is by doing a Chef V Cleanse. It’s so easy, you won’t have to count carbs…
So you’ve flirted with keto for the last few years. You’re thinking about it but haven’t pulled the low-carb trigger. I get it. Ditching grains and even some of your favorite veggies and fruits is tough. For many people, it takes an extraordinary amount of willpower to eat an ultra low carb diet.
How low should you go if you’re going Keto, you may ask?
Well, everybody is unique. Some people may go into ketosis after consistently keeping net carbs to roughly grams per day. But for other people, it may require being even more stingy with the carbs to the tune of 25 net grams per day.
(Net carbs equals total grams of carbs minus fiber and/or sugar alcohol. Example: one cup of cooked pasta contains 42 grams of carbs and 2 grams of fiber. So that’s 40 net grams of carbs — definitely way too much to get into or stay in ketosis!)
Maybe every year around the holidays or after a vacation, where you’ve put on a few pounds, you tell yourself this is going to be the year that you conquer Keto.
But you don’t.
Don’t blame yourself. Carbs not only taste great. They are literally addictive. In fact, according to Dr. William Davis, author of the best-selling book, “Wheat Belly” which was instrumental in launching gluten-free and Keto diets, “Wheat is addictive in the sense that, if you don’t have any for several hours, you start to get nervous, foggy, tremulous, and start desperately seeking out another ‘hit’ of crackers, bagels, or bread.”
So it’s not you, it’s the molecules.
Easing Into Keto
I’m not going to lie. Following the keto diet is really challenging at first. There’s the so-called dreaded “Keto flu.”
That’s when your body basically has withdrawal symptoms and has to get used to burning fatty acids (ketone bodies) for its primary source of energy instead of all that circulating glucose.
This phase can last a few days — just like a real flu virus.
It’s always a good idea to gradually phase into ketosis rather than quitting carbs cold turkey like smoking. Try to lower your net carb intake over a two-week period. This will help reduce Keto flu symptoms.
Then, there's getting used to carb counting. But actually, with all the keto apps (not appetizers) these days, it’s easy to get used to. After a short while, you’ll learn the net carb counts of the foods you most often eat.
Now, to be sure, even if you ditch gluten and everything else with tons of carbs, you can’t know if you’re in ketosis unless you test yourself.
Many people use urine strips. But they’re not the most reliable. They are a good bellwether for people with diabetes. However, if you don’t have a blood sugar disorder, urine strips aren’t the best way to test. That’s because urine strips only measure excess ketones—not the level of fatty acids your body is using for fuel.
Urine strips are cheap so it might not be a bad idea to start out with them. But the longer you stay in ketosis, the more your body will adapt. So you’ll need a more reliable way to test. Blood meters are the most accurate. They’re the most expensive way to test, but you get what you pay for.
CHEF V’s CLEANSE: The Easy Way To Get Your Body Ready For Ketosis
A big reason why some people fail with Keto is they just don’t know how to get started. It’s too overwhelming.
The easiest solution for taking all the guess work out is by doing one of my cleanses. The Chef V Cleanse home delivery program offers 1, 3 and 5 day options.
On each day of the CLEANSE, you get:
- 4 servings of Organic Green Drink
7 Leafy Greens with only 5 net grams of carbs each - 2 Vegan Ultra Protein Shakes
One Chocolate, One Vanilla; 2 grams net carbs each - Detox Soup
1 high fiber soup for dinner; 2 flavors: Ginger Carrot (days 1, 3, 5) & Sweet Potato Curry (days 2 & 4)
Now, it would be misleading for me to say that the CHEF V CLEANSE is keto friendly. For some people, the net grams of carbs from the carrots or sweet potato in the DETOX SOUP, even though they are nutrient dense, would prevent ketosis.
However, if you really want to try Keto, the CLEANSE is the best way to transition to a ketogenic diet. That’s because your net grams of carbs will still be under 100. Consider that the average American diet consists of over 300 grams of carbs per day.
And you don’t have to be a certified nutritional therapist like myself to know that most Americans aren’t getting enough fiber.
So let CHEF V do all the work for you. I’ll ship the cleanse right to your door and you won’t have to worry about counting carbs or figuring out what you should eat in order to transition into ketosis.
Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich – Vegan
This Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich recipe uses my tomato-less bbq sauce and is vegan. Serve with my coleslaw on a gluten-free bun.
Ingredients
– 2 cans Jackfruit
– 2 cups Chef V's BBQ sauce
Directions
Remove jackfruit and drain water out from the can. Heat jackfruit and BBQ sauce on the stove for 4-7 minutes until the jackfruit is warm. Shred the jackfruit like shredded “meat”.
Serve hot with your favorite gluten free bun and my coleslaw recipe.
Tasty Lettuce Cups
A delicious combination of water chestnut crunch, meaty mushrooms, fresh zucchini, and savory aminos.
Chef V's Tip: For more protein, add 1 pound ground chicken or turkey. Raw coconut aminos are a fabulous replacement for soy sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 2 cups diced crimini mushrooms
- 1 cup diced zucchini
- 1/2 cup diced water chestnuts
- 2 carrots, shredded
- 1/4 cup raw coconut aminos (I like Coconut Secret)
- 5/6 lettuce cups (iceberg or boston lettuce leaves)
- Optional: 1 pound ground chicken or turkey
Optional toppings:
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped raw cashews
Directions
In a large skillet, sauté onion in coconut oil over medium high heat for 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, then add mushrooms and veggies (or ground chicken) and cook for 3 more minutes. Stir in coconut aminos and cook for 2 minutes more.
To serve, spoon mixture into lettuce cups. Top with cilantro and cashews.
Grilled Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chef V's Tip: Substitute the chicken with 2 cups of your favorite grilled veggies to make this dish vegan.
SERVES 2
Ingredients
- Sea Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa pasta
- 1/2 cup Chef V's Easy Raw Pesto
Directions
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Lightly salt and pepper the chicken (or veggies) and grill for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until thoroughly cooked. Cut chicken into pieces and combine with cooked pasta and my Easy Raw Pesto.
Chef V’s 5 Easy Healthy Gut Makeover Tips
Have you ever heard the saying, “a healthy mind lives in a healthy body?” The way Chef V founder Veronica “V” Wheat sees it, a healthy mind exists because of a healthy gut. But it’s not just mental health that’s linked to gut health. The immune system, cardiovascular health, skin appearance, and, of course, how you look in a swimsuit is all controlled by the health of your gut. So V is here to offer 5 easy tips to boost gut health.
Healthy Gut Makeover Tip #1: Take It Easy On The Kombucha
When it comes to improving gut health, some people think all it takes is drinking some kombucha.
But as I mentioned here, many brands of kombucha are just glorified sugar water. The major selling point of kombucha is that it’s loaded with probiotics. Probiotics just so you know are clinically-proven strains of bacteria that may offer health benefits. (Lactobacillus and bifidobacteria are two of the most common species of probiotics).
Forget the fact that the probiotic content in kombucha is hardly ever verified. So it’s hard to tell if you’re getting any of the friendly-bacteria boosting benefits of kombucha to begin with. Not to mention if you struggle with yeast infections, drinking kombucha is the last thing you want to do. That’s because chugging a whole bottle of it, as refreshingly bubbly as it may be, may cause harmful bacteria and yeast to grow in your gut.
So my first healthy gut makeover tip is don’t be fooled thinking that kombucha is a magical elixir. Instead, eat and drink other things that are fermented with beneficial bacteria that aren’t loaded with sugar like coconut yogurt, sauerkraut/kimchi, beet kvass, tempeh and miso.
#2: Probiotics
Popping probiotic pills might help improve gut health, then again it may not. Many brands of probiotics are low quality. So don’t buy the cheapest probiotic supplement you can find because you’ll just be throwing your money away.
The reason why is that in order to colonize in your large intestine (also called the colon), the friendly microorganisms have to travel through some dangerous territory: the stomach.
You can think of your stomach as a swimming pool filled with acid. Containing the lowest pH level in the digestive system, the stomach and its highly acidic juices help break the big bites of food you swallow into partially-digested morsels called chyme.
Chyme then passes into the small intestine where enzymes further break it down into amino acids and nutrients.
So the cards are stacked against probiotics surviving this harsh acidic environment. Only high-quality probiotics that are formulated to break down once they reach the relative safety of the intestines are worth paying for. But even if you splurge on a pricey probiotic, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to have the best gut makeover…
#3: No Added Sugar Diet
Taking a probiotic supplement and eating and drinking things with added sugars is like not flossing and expecting your dentist to tell you that your gums look great.
(By the way, you should be flossing every day because if you don’t, the unhealthy bacteria will take over in your mouth and possibly other organs—including your gut!)
Sure, taking a really good probiotic is better than not taking one and consuming lots of sugar. The problem is, you might think you’re not consuming that much added sugars because you don’t eat candy, drink soda or other typical junk foods. But food manufacturers are sneaky. They put added sugars into all kinds of things, from salad dressing to coffee creamer to salsa, pasta sauce, bread … you name it.
So start paying attention to food labels on every single item you purchase from a supermarket. This is especially true of anything that comes in a package or can.
Consuming sugar from natural sources like vegetables and fruit is fine. But added sugars are to your bad gut bacteria what gasoline is to a car. Excess sugar fuels the pathogenic, disease-causing invisible critters in your gut.
I’m a purist when it comes to this rule. If I even see that a product contains just one gram of added sugar, I won’t buy it.
#4: Take It Easy
Constantly being on the go is the American way. But that lifestyle is terrible for gut health. And remember, if it’s terrible for gut health, it’s bad for your overall health and wellness. There are a ton of research studies (like this one) that show a connection between excess bad stress and poor gut health. In order to have great gut health, your brain and gut need to have great communication, just like in a healthy marriage.
The problem with chronic stress is that it totally disrupts gut and central nervous system communication. And when that happens, your happy hormones and chemicals like serotonin won’t get activated.
Even if you have a super slammed schedule like yours truly, you must take the time to decompress from stress.
I like to take mini-meditation breaks. You can meditate even while you’re stuck in traffic. Instead of being annoyed that you didn’t make the light, take advantage of the situation by taking some slow deep breaths. Notice the plants and scenery around you. Don’t stare at the red light with nervous energy.
Do a 5-minute yoga routine a few times a day, take a walk during lunch. Knit, garden, do whatever it takes to chill out—in a healthy way.
#5: Sleep Like A Baby
Like the link between gut and brain communication, there’s been a lot of research lately on the association between sleep quality and gut health.
It’s easy to say get enough sleep but if you’re stuck in a vicious cycle of insomnia and poor sleep quality, what can be done?
I recommend meditating or doing deep, steady breathing at 9:00 at night for about 20 minutes. Then, take a warm bath with soothing, relaxing essential oils and bubble bath. You can also try drinking some chamomile tea and then get in bed with all electronics out of the room and your phone in airplane mode several feet away from you. If you’re still having trouble getting enough deep sleep after trying these tips, you may want to try a full-spectrum CBD oil or consult with a natural health professional.
Personally, I don’t think getting 8 hours of sleep is necessary. Not if you’re eating clean and drinking organic greens, managing your stress, getting plenty of movement activity during the day and having an attitude of gratitude.
I hope that these tips help you achieve a healthy gut makeover!
Love,
V
Chef V’s Cooking with V – Chicken Pot Pie
Welcome to Chef V's Cooking School!
I'm Veronica, Certified Nutritional Therapist, author, and proud owner of Chef V. You might know me for my Green Drink and Cleanses, but I started Chef V as a personal chef. In my first video cooking series, I'll be sharing some of my clients' favorite recipes with you.
Using this blog and my YouTube channel, I welcome you to my kitchen. We're going to laugh, learn and cook – together.
This month we are making Chicken Pot Pie with my trusty sous chef and husband, Brandon.
CHICKEN POT PIE
Watch Veronica make the recipe in the video above and follow along with the directions, below.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tbsp. olive oil (separated)
- ½ white onion, diced
- 1 Gluten Free pie crust
- 1 lb. Organic Chicken, poached or use rotisserie chicken
- ½ cup Fresh or frozen Peas
- 1 Carrot, chopped
- 1 Celery, chopped
- 2-3 tbsp. Gluten Free flour (separated)
- 2 cups Chicken or vegetable stock.
- ½ cup dairy free milk
- 1 egg white to brush the top of pie crust.
- 1 tsp. salt
- dash of pepper
DIRECTIONS
PREPARE THE CHICKEN
You can poach the chicken or I like to use a rotisserie chicken, it’s easier and has more moisture. I like to shred the chicken instead of chop it.
PREPARE THE VEGGIES
Chop the carrot, onion, and celery.
Sauté the vegetables in a pan – heat 1 tbsp. olive oil and add onion, add carrot, then celery to the pan. Add salt and pepper. Sauté lightly for 2 minutes.
MAKE THE ROUX (SAUCE)
In another pan create the roux. Add 1 tbsp. olive oil and add 1 tbsp. gluten free flour and stir until golden brown (about 2 minutes). Slowly add chicken or vegetable stock ½ cup at a time and stir until you have like a gravy. Add salt to taste. Reduce the heat to low, add the dairy-free milk, and continue to stir.
PREPARE THE PIE
Add the gravy, the chicken, and cooked vegetables to a pie pan.
MAKE THE PIE CRUST
This recipe uses a purchased gluten-free dough. Or you can use my recipe for gluten-free pie crust.
Roll out the gluten-free dough. Place 1 tbsp gluten-free flour on a surface and roll the dough into a circular shape, slightly larger than the pie pan, with a rolling pin.
ASSEMBLE THE PIE
Place the crust over the pie pan and press the edges with a fork. Add some slits at the top for air and decor. Mix one egg white and brush the top of the pie.
BAKE AND SERVE
Bake in the oven uncovered for 30-45 minutes until the crust is a nice golden brown. Serve hot.
NOW THE BEST PART – THE TASTE TEST!
Brandon says “winner winner, chicken dinner.”
Peaches & Cream Smoothie
June 21st is National Smoothie Day and National Peaches and Cream day so you know we had to make up a healthy Peaches and Cream Smoothie.
Ingredients
Serves 2
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1/4 cup organic cashews
- 1 cup frozen peaches
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp. vanilla pea protein
- 1 dash of cinnamon (trust me!)
- 1 cup ice
Directions
Blend the cashews with the water for one minute. Then add peaches and the rest of ingredients and blend for 1 minute.
Pour and enjoy. This recipe is perfect anytime this summer.
Morning Mojito Smoothie
Keep it up! After you cleanse, it is important to maintain healthy habits – have 16 oz. of Chef V's Organic Green Drink first thing in the morning, then followup with a healthy smoothie.
TOTAL 10 minutes
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Serving Size: 1 Person
Ingredients
- ½ cup ice 2 cups organic spinach
- ¼ cup fresh or frozen pineapple (skinned and chopped)
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 cup filtered water
- 5-10 mint leaves (depending on how minty you like it!)
- 1 serving of Chef V Ultra Shake protein powder or Powder of your choice
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add ¼ cup filtered water if necessary. Bon Appétit!
Your Body Has An Internal Bliss Chemical, Anandamide.
Your Body Has An Internal Bliss Chemical, Anandamide. Here’s How To Activate It…
How do you bliss out?
Yoga retreat (can’t wait to do one of those again!)? Essential oil bath? A day at a spa? Meditation?
All these external, get-your-Zen-on rituals are fantastic for stress-management.
But I bet you didn’t know that deep within your body’s miraculous inner-workings is a neurotransmitter that when activated, can help you feel more joyous. And the best part about it is you don’t need to spend hundreds of bucks on a yoga retreat to activate this chemical.
The catch is that anandamide, the bliss chemical I’m talking about, needs to be activated over and over again. It’s effects are very short-lived. But in a little bit, I’ve got some great tips for you on how to frequently stay stoked.
Anandamide: A Molecular Mirror of Marijuana
First, though, a little background on this bliss chemical. If you’re wondering why you never learned about it in high school chemistry, there’s a couple good reasons. For starters, anandamide wasn’t discovered until 1992.
And second, researchers discovered it is because they were studying how THC—the chemical in marijuana that makes users feel high—interacts with certain receptors in the brain. That’s not something a high school chemistry curriculum covers.
In 1988, specific THC receptors in the brain were discovered. A few years later, anandamide was singled out as the molecule that most closely resembles the molecular structure of THC.
Anandamide is Sanskrit (the ancient language of India) for “extreme joy” or “bliss”. The molecule plays a role in memory, pain, depression, appetite and even fertility.
So … am I getting at that the best way to stimulate anandamide and feel ecstatic bliss is by getting high?
It’s quite the opposite actually. Research shows that too much anandamide stimulation induces forgetfulness. That’s why if you smoke pot, you may forget where you’ve put your keys. Although similar in molecular structure to THC, whatever joy one feels from anandamide is very short lived, unlike pot, which can make you feel high for hours. Anandamide breaks down very rapidly.
The trick to feeling steady joy throughout the day, then, is not by getting high off the wacky weed…
Feel Normal By Activating The Endocannabinoid System
One way to activate anandamide is by using the second most common chemical compound in cannabis sativa: CBD. CBD doesn’t get you high like THC. CBD comes from industrial hemp and marijuana. It’s legal in all 50 states as long as it comes from hemp and contains less than 0.3% THC.
CBD works by indirectly activating two types of receptors—CB1 and CB2—in the endocannabinoid system (the ECS). The ECS is definitely something that should be taught in high school chemistry. Consisting of receptors all over the body, the ECS is like your body’s internal health spa. Anandamide stimulates the ECS, and in doing so, promotes a state of homeostasis.
If there’s anything in life that you should wish for, it’s homeostasis. Homeostasis is a perfect state of balance. All body systems are functioning as they should. Mood, appetite, detoxification, digestion, immunity are normal. Everything is peachy keen when the body achieves homeostasis.
But CBD alone isn’t the answer to activating anandamide and feeling great. First of all, many CBD products, because they are not regulated and new to the market, are garbage. I highly recommend CBD but only if it’s full-spectrum CBD oil grown organically and sold by a company that prominently shows on its website 3rd-party- verified lab results for every batch it sells. This way, purity is guaranteed.
Best Foods For Bliss
There’s a good reason why eating certain meals or individual foods makes you feel happy. Eating ice cream or a donut elicits a feeling of guilty pleasure. But one reason why the pleasure is short-lived is because, as mentioned above, the effects of anandamide quickly wear off. After anandamide binds to its receptor, the molecule quickly dies.
Certain foods, however, can activate anandamide in just the right amount. And in doing so, the ECS is better able to promote homeostasis. (Remember: anandamide is a chemical in your body that activates receptors in the ECS.)
Jump for Joy with Organic Green Drink
And wouldn’t you know it, in researching this topic, I’ve discovered yet another selling point for my Organic Green Drink. It turns out that certain cruciferous green veggies such as kale (one of the 7 veggies in my Green Drink recipe; actually there are 2 types of kales!) are rich in a compound contained in sulfur called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane interacts with the ECS and prevents the breakdown of anandamide.
There’s a lot of times I get up in the morning, feeling a bit on the groggy side even if I got plenty of sleep the night before. Then, after drinking some water and then having some Green Drink, I feel great … back to normal! After reading about this fascinating bliss chemical, I wonder if that blissed-out feeling I get after having my daily morning Green Drink is because of anandamide activation?
The key to promoting balance in your body is to keep fueling your cells with high-nutrient density foods that prevent anandamide breakdown. Using essential oils (especially citrus, eucalyptus and lavender) also stimulate the body’s internal cannabinoid receptors. So on that note, off I go to take a nice relaxing bath…
Chef V’s Pistachio Crusted Salmon
This salmon dish is delicious and super easy to make. It’s also filled with lots of healthy fats and omegas. It takes less than 5 minutes to prep and less than 20 minutes to cook. It also makes great leftovers. Or you can serve 4 with this recipe.
I usually buy a large piece of salmon, make the whole thing, serve my husband and myself, and then have leftovers for my lunch salads. I love having extra protein prepped and ready to just toss on a mixed green salad during the week. It makes meal prep easy and that much healthier.
I recommend wild caught salmon like Coho or wild Alaskan salmon. I’m not a huge fan of sockeye salmon because it’s not as fatty and tends to cook more dry, but use whatever type your heart desires or what’s fresh and wild for your availability.
This dish was made by a dear friend for me one night @msjulesfit on Instagram and I’ve been making it at least once a month ever since. I promise this will be one of your favorite salmon recipes!
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb salmon
- 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 1/4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 + cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup crushed pistachios
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Rinse and pat dry your salmon fillet. Cut slits on top to soak in the flavor. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and heat oven to 375. Put the salmon on the lined baking sheet and salt and pepper the salmon.
Mix the marinade ingredients together. Oil, lemon, Dijon, honey, and garlic. Pour over the salmon and add the crushed pistachios on top.
Bake for 18 minutes, remove and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy! The best part is that it’s pre-cleanse approved!
Serves 4 or 2 with leftovers
Ginger Apple Berry Smoothie
This ginger apple berry smoothie not only tastes great but is loaded with antioxidants to fight free radicals and reduce inflammation.
Antioxidants are substances that may prevent cell damage. Berries are great natural sources of antioxidants.
Enjoy this popular smoothie in the morning after your 16 oz. of Organic Green Drink.
TOTAL 10 minutes
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Serving Size: 1 Person
Ingredients
- ½ Fuji apple
- ½ cup blueberries
- ½ cup raspberries
- 2 small pieces organic red chard
- 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced (I use a garlic presser)
- 1 cup ice
- ¾ cup almond milk
- Optional: 1 serving of vegan protein powder (hemp, pea, or brown rice)
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add ¼ cup filtered water if necessary. Bon Appétit!
5 Best Homeopathic Remedies For a Cold free, Healthy Spring
Veronica Wheat, aka Chef V, the innovator behind Organic Green Drink and cleanse/detox programs, is all about using all-natural solutions to improve health. This last winter, lots of people were nailed by colds and flu. In this article, Chef V takes a look at homeopathy and the best homeopathic remedies for quickly kicking colds to the curb – in any season.
What a crazy winter it’s been! I feel bad for anybody who has recently moved to San Diego, where I live and home to Chef V’s West Coast headquarters. It has been insanely rainy, blustery and cold. In fact, just the other night, we had a hailstorm that dusted our back yard with strange-looking white stuff. SNOW! In San Diego!
Add to that insanity the fact that I’m now pregnant and, during the last rain storm, our condo got flooded! But hey, enough about my first world problems. Let’s talk about you. How are you handling this bizarre winter? If you’ve been struck down by a cold or flu, what’s the quickest way to get over it and feel like yourself again? Spring is just about here, and now is the time to conquer a cold.
Have you ever heard of homeopathy or homeopathic remedies? If not, let’s dive in.
What is Homeopathy?
Out of all the alternative and complementary forms of medicine like acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, etc., I think homeopathy is the most fascinating. That’s because it’s the only form of healing to my knowledge that operates on the principle of “like cures like.”
What “like cures like” means is that one natural substance can cause symptoms in a totally healthy person while the same substance can be used to treat the same symptoms in a healthy person.
Let me give you an example. Take onions for instance. If you’re a chef like me, you’ve probably experienced watery, itchy eyes when chopping onions. So if my eyes are fine to begin with, onions make my eyes water. However, and here’s where homeopathy is so interesting … If I already have watery, itchy eyes because of an allergy, a trace amount of onion in a homeopathic solution can relieve my symptoms.
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How Old Is Homeopathy?
Unlike other modalities like acupuncture that date back thousands of years, homeopathic remedies are the relatively new kid on the block. Invented in the late 1700s by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann, homeopathy, like other forms of holistic medicine, doesn't just treat symptoms. The idea is to treat the whole individual.
Another example of the “like treats like” principle was discovered serendipitously (by accident) like Viagra by Hahnemann himself. Searching for a treatment for malaria, Hahnemann was turned on to the bark from a South American tree called cinchona. Not sure what dose to take, Hahnemann took a high dose of the tree bark extract and developed malaria-like symptoms.
It’s fitting that homeopathy was invented in Germany because in modern times, homeopathy remains widely accepted even in the mainstream medical community. This is widely different from the attitude that mainstream medicine has towards homeopathy here in the U.S., which is downright hostility.
How Does Homeopathy Work?
It’s easy to see why some people think homeopathy is a snake-oil disguised as medicine. (If you’re curious, the best homeopathic remedy for snake bites: ledum palustre, aka Labrador tea.)
This is because homeopathic remedies are extremely diluted in water or alcohol. You can say that the “trace essence” or the “spirit” of the homeopathic remedy—usually a plant, mineral, or even a virus—is what’s left. The highly-diluted remedies are supposed to kickstart the body’s natural healing processes. In homeopathy, the dilution process is based on the principle of potentization. Basically, the remedy is vigorously shaken each time after it’s diluted. This action is what theoretically increases its potency.
Again, it’s easy to see why mainstream medicine bashes homeopathy because of these woo-hoo principles. But there are plenty of people who swear by it. I’m not here to take an official position on it. I just want to introduce it to you as an option for when you’ve got a nasty cold or flu. It’s up to you to decide whether homeopathy is right for you. Millions of people around the world have successfully used homeopathy. Whether it’s because of a placebo effect or the remedies actually work, who is to say.
pasqueflower – used to make Pulsatilla
Best Homeopathic Remedies for Colds and Allergies
As I mentioned, it’s a nasty cold and flu season, at least out here in the west, where it’s been COLD A.F. (Earmuffs, little one in my belly.)
Here are 5 homeopathic cold, flu and allergy remedies.
- Allium cepa: Remember the onion example? Well, that’s what allium is (garlic, too). Made from red onion, allium is used for symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes.
- Oscillococcinum® is a patented homeopathic medicine that is made from a 1% solution of wild duck heart and liver extract. Obviously, you’ll pass on it if you’re a vegetarian. But keep in mind it’s diluted 200 times with water and alcohol. So the true amount of animal parts is like a grain of sand on a beach.
- Arsenicum album – Ingesting arsenic can kill you, but a homeopathic remedy with a trace amount of arsenic may help sneezing, coughing, and sore throats.
- Nux vomica – Although it sounds way too similar to “vomit” this remedy can help you if you have a stuffy nose, headache, and feel like a whiny bitch (the less politically incorrect term: irritable). And don’t be turned off by the fact that it’s made from strychnine. Hey, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?
- Pulsatilla – This one’s good for nasty mucus and noses that think they’re running a marathon. Vegetarians will delight that it’s made not from weird animal parts but the pasqueflower.
For best results, I recommend not self-treating but actually visiting a homeopathic practitioner. Or at the very least, research the bejeezus out of it to make sure you’re taking the right remedy not only for your symptoms but other patterns.
nux vomica evergreen tree used to make nux vomica
Does Research Support Homeopathy?
Like I said, your average mainstream whitecoat probably has a negative opinion about homeopathy. Most of Google’s top listings for the search “is homeopathy effective” links to articles that bashing it.
Yet for every article that bashes it, you’ll find a study that supports it.
Here’s one study from Brazil that examined the effects of administering homeopathic remedies to 445 children. The conclusion of the study:
“These results suggest that the use of homeopathic medicines minimized the number of flu and acute respiratory infection symptomatic episodes in children, signalizing that the homeopathic prophylactic potential should be investigated in further studies.”
In another peer-reviewed study, the researchers made a bold statement: “There is little evidence that the decongestant, antihistamine, or cough suppressant medications commonly used to treat cold symptoms in preschool children are effective.”
So the researchers set out to see if 154 kids ages 2-5 years old who were diagnosed with an upper respiratory tract infection would get better when given a commercial homeopathic cold syrup versus a placebo. The syrup was given to them for 3 days. The outcome of the study was that the homeopathic syrup “appeared to be effective in reducing the severity of cold symptoms in the first day after beginning treatment.”
In another study, this one published in Global Pediatric Health, the efficacy of a commercial brand of homeopathic medicine called Influcid was examined. The 2016 study recruited 261 kids in Germany and Ukraine. Researchers concluded that the group treated with Influcid used less medication and their symptoms were resolved significantly earlier. Not only that, the kids had higher proportions of fever-free from day 3 onwards.
Cleanse Your System To Fine Tune Your Immune System
Maybe you’ve been eating like crap lately? And not exercising. And maybe you’ve had a lot of stress and you’re not managing it …well, if you recently have been sick, doing a CHEF V Cleanse is the best way to reboot your immune system and your digestive system.
Choose between a 5 DAY, 3 DAY or 1 DAY CLEANSE.
That’s all the work you have to do. Chef V will take care of the rest.
Diabetes: Whitney’s Chef V Experience
Can the answer to managing diabetes be as simple as chugging a 16 oz. glass of juice every day? Not if it’s orange juice, or other fruit juice. But managing diabetes with blended veggie juice like Chef V’s Organic Green Drink is an easy, sustainable solution.
Happy Pancreas, Happy Life
Whitney Louis is one customer living with diabetes who credits Green Drink with helping manage her A1C levels. Take a look at Whitney’s Instagram profile. (Her tongue-in-cheek profile name: HappyPancreas).
“Diabetes makes it super hard to follow cleanses because many out there are juice based (i.e. 100% sugar). This requires a lot of [monitoring], and increases the variability in our blood sugar numbers,” says Whitney.
“The foundation of Chef V is BLENDED super greens so the fiber stays put and blood sugars keep stable … [and] if you are seeking the ultimate reset: minimizing cravings, removing built up toxins, calming inflammation, increasing your insulin sensitivity, AND shedding a few stubborn lbs…. this is a great starting point!” adds Whitney.
Now it might sound like Whitney is a paid shill for Chef V. She’s not. Whitney is just sharing with her followers what she believes is one easy [and tasty] solution for managing diabetes. She says on her blog:
“p.s. not sponsored, just showing the love when well deserved! they ship to your door and available across the u.s.“
Inflammation Fighters Your Doctor Won’t Tell You
When you hear the word, “inflammation” what comes to mind? You probably think it’s something bad. Well, I’m here to tell you inflammation is great! Wait … what? That’s right, you see, you need a little inflammation in your body.
The inflammation process helps get rid of nasty germs. It also heals injuries. Any time you burn your skin or have some other physical trauma, inflammation comes to the rescue. Your white blood cells, which kick in to fight infections are part of the inflammation process. So, you see, inflammation ain’t so bad….
When you’re healthy, inflammation does a delicate dance. It stays in control, out of sight and mind.
But if you party like a rock star, don’t exercise and eat like crap, here’s what happens….
Certain substances that are in the cells of your immune system and are involved in the inflammation process go crazy. That, of course, isn’t the official scientific explanation. But essentially what happens is, as with the case in autoimmune disease, the inflammation response becomes excessive. And that’s where my two powerful inflammation fighters come into play: a 21 day Detox, and the use of CBD oil – and CBD oil is getting easier to find across the USA.
Symptoms of Inflammation
So how do you know if you have inflammation? And what can you do about it? Well, let’s answer the first question.
Beyond the obvious signs of inflammation such as swollen joints or red skin from an injury, here are some signs you may have excessive inflammation:
- Constantly tired
- Getting sick often
- Gaining weight easily and having trouble losing it
- Digestive issues
- Skin breakouts
- Trouble concentrating (brain fog)
- Headaches
Can you relate to any of these issues? Let’s say you get headaches and acne breakouts from time to time. Sure, you could pop an over-the-counter pain-reliever and use an acne remedy. Problem solved, right? Well, for now, maybe. But putting a “band-aid” on inflammation (no pun intended) does not solve the root cause of inflammation.
But I’m about to share with you 2 things that will greatly reduce it and put your body back in balance….
21 Day Detox
If you’ve legitimately eating healthy (by that I mean eating minimally-processed-at-most organic plant-based food 90% of the time), and you exercise, and don’t use harsh chemical cleaners at home yet you still have some signs of inflammation, I recommend seeing a functional medicine doctor.
But for most people, it is caused by lifestyle factors. Needless to say, diet is a big one.
And sometimes, it’s not just enough to say to people, “eat a healthy diet.”
Sometimes, you just need somebody to hold your hand.
That’s where I come in.
With a background as a certified nutritional therapist, I created the recipe for my Organic Green Drink. Since then, I’ve created recipes for a plant-based Protein Shake and Detox Soups. These 3 items form the core of my Cleanse and Detox programs.
Now, I’m not just trying to sell you on stuff I sell. My intention is to reset your body and provide you with the lifestyle education you need to keep eating healthy long after you’re done with my cleanse and detox program.
So if you’re ready to dramatically lower your body’s inflammation response, I suggest trying my 21 Day Detox.
The 21 Day Detox combines my 3 Day Cleanse and Healthy Eating recommendations. There’s 3 different plans to choose from: Starter, Classic, Obsessive. The Starter Detox features one 3-Day Cleanse. The Classic has two different stretches of doing the 3 Day Cleanse and the Obsessive has three. For each day during the 3 Day Cleanse phase, here’s what you’ll get in these powerful fighters:
- Four 16-oz servings of Organic Green Drink
- 2 packets of Chocolate Vegan Protein Shake
- 1 container of Detox Soup (either Sweet Potato Curry or Ginger Carrot Zing)
For the rest of the time you’re doing the 21 day detox, you’ll get a 16oz Green Drink and Protein Shake each day. I recommend having those two for breakfast. Then, you have lunch and dinner. I provide you with a meal planner, as well as a Healthy Eating Guide, which includes a “Eat This, Not That” easy-to-follow chart, and a Healthy Portions chart.
We deliver the Green Drinks, Protein Shakes and Detox Soups right to your front door. And you’ll get my healthy eating advice emailed as soon as you order.
If you’re suffering from excessive inflammation, doing a 21 Day Detox could finally provide the relief you’re looking for.
And not only that, it will educate and inspire you to stick with healthy eating habits long after the 3 weeks are over.
