Easy Recipes - Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator

The Essential Ginger Pickle

Rommy Kirby — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 18:32:30 +0000

Ayurveda, known as Yoga’s sister science, offers an array of practices for radiant optimal wellness.

The Ginger Pickle is a highly prized, incredibly effective, and taste bud tingling recipe that increases digestive agni, (agni translates to fire). Because of this, it is also a fabulous boost to the immune system.

It’s a ‘trick’ used by brides to help them fit into their dress on their special day…

but it’s also amazingly beneficial to three of your body’s systems.

Have you noticed that when you’re coming down with something,

your digestion gets sluggish,
you feel full and bloated,
and you can’t think as clearly?

That’s because your digestive system, your immune system, and your nervous system rely on each other.

Think of it this way, they are the 3 wheels on your proverbial tricycle.

If one of the wheels hits a hard bump and bends, it becomes wobbly and the other 2 wheels have to work double time to keep you moving.

Adding the Ginger Pickle into your daily or weekly regimen will help you stay healthier because you are digesting better.

It’s simple…

Eat it before meals and enjoy better digestion, less gas and bloating, and improved mental alertness.

Great to boost immunity when you’ve been around sick people
Awesome to warm you up and tame your tummy when you need that extra soothing.
Perfect when on a cleanse or detox.
A tonic for those with chronic dry mouth.

INGREDIENTS

Honey – the best you can get
Ginger Root – organic if possible, otherwise peel it before you grate it
Lemon – squeeze the juice
Salt – I suggest Gray Sea Salt for most people

Optional Supportive Additions

Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil – 1-2 drops (supports healthy metabolism)
Lime Essential Oil – 1-2 drops (supports the immune system)
Lemon Essential Oil – 1-2 drops (aids cleansing)

DIRECTIONS

Grate a 2 inch piece of ginger root into a glass bowl.

Add

pinch to 1/4 tsp of gray sea salt

juice of one lemon

drizzle of honey

essential oils to taste

Stir

Now eat it…

Take 1 teaspoon before your meal(s) to increase your digestive fire. Save the rest for later in the day.

Why this works…

There are several elements that make this an effective natural digestive aid.

First there is the 5 elements of taste that help your mouth produce saliva. Saliva is rich in enzymes that begin the digestive process in the mouth.
Second, ginger is renown for it digestive properties that aid all three parts of the digest system, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
Third, an active digestive system is key to greater energy because the system can operate more efficiently.
Forth, the optional addition of essential oils adds supportive chemical properties that are not present in the juice of the the lemon or ginger root.

I adapted my Essential Ginger Pickle recipe from an ancient recipe you can find on Maharishi Ayurveda.

It’s a great recipe to start with for those of you that don’t have quality, safe to ingest essential oils yet. Want to learn about the oils I use and trust? Send me an email.

Like this?

Pin it, share it, tweet it

The post The Essential Ginger Pickle first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.

Easy Summer Sides – Zucchini Carrot Soup

Rommy Kirby — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 17:54:50 +0000

Add this simple summer soup to your slim down menu!

It’s detox friendly, gluten free, dairy free, and vegan.

Zucchini Carrot Soup

1 large onion- chopped
2 large carrots- sliced
2 large zucchini- sliced
2 stalks of celery- sliced
2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
1 handful of spinach
1 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp red pepper
4 cups distilled water or vegetable broth (must be yeast free & organic)

Put all of the ingredients into a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until all veggies are cooked thoroughly, about 20 minutes.
Puree with an immersion blender, Vitamix, or blender. (Serves 4)

Vitamix Quick Tip

Put all ingredients into blender
Secure cover.
Blend on high for 5-7 minutes.

The Vitamix blends at such a high speed that it will actually do the cooking for you!

Did you like this? If so, please share it, tweet it or pin it. Thanks!

The post Easy Summer Sides – Zucchini Carrot Soup first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.

Kale Done Delicious

Rommy Kirby — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:14:38 +0000

Kale is one of the favorite greens in my home. My hubby even has a KALE UNIVERSITY tee shirt he likes to wear.

Did you know that eating greens is good for your respiratory system and helps with liver toxicity and lymphatic cleansing? That’s why kale is part of the whole food cleanses my clients enjoy. Lots of greens are a eaten!

Did you know that you can make this particular super green even healthier and more digestible? You can, and I’ll show you how.

First, gather your ingredients for super tasty, super nutritious

Kale Done Delicious

Ingredients

Kale
Grape Tomatoes or the ones you’ve grown yourself
Mushrooms
Shallots (Garlic optional)
Coconut Oil
1/4 cup water

Organic is best!

Directions

To your preference, remove the ribs from the Kale. I save mine for juicing.

Slice thinly. Kale is a tough green. The smaller you slice it, the easier it is to chew. Chewing your kale until it is liquid will help you absorb the nutrients better because your body needs your salivary juices to breakdown carbohydrates.

Slice mushroom and shallot. Optional, mince the garlic. These are the super chargers that help pack a higher nutritional punch to your greens.

Heat 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil. Healthy fats are important to a healthy brain. The amount depends on how much kale you are preparing. Think 4-5 leafs per person.

Place shallots and mushrooms in hot coconut oil and saute until tender. Veggies like shallots, onions and garlic increase the nutrients you get from your greens. I add a dash of black label Borsari seasoning.

Add 1/4 cup water.

Add kale and grape tomatoes.

Toss and cover for approximately 5 minutes.

Simple, one dish deliciousness!!!

Serve and enjoy!!!

The post Kale Done Delicious first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.

Essential Detox Fizzy

Rommy Kirby — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 19:41:34 +0000

You know that urge when you really want the bite of fizz on the back of the tongue but every single fizzy drink on the market is loaded with chemicals, artificial flavors, neurotoxic sweeteners and sugar.

I used to love the first sip if a freshly opened Coke! I liked the way it bit into the throat and feel of the effervescence in my mouth. I thought I would be able to stop at just one sip, but no, I wanted more and more until the entire syrupy chemical concoction was gone.

I still love that occasional bite! Here is my recipe for a delightful detox treat that I can whip up in less than 5 minutes.

Ingredients

1 cup (+/-) Sparkling Mineral Water – I like Pellegrino

1/2 – 1 cup Cranberry Juice – For detox use Just Cranberry by Knudsen and I like it strong

1 tablespoon Coconut Sugar or Manuka Honey

Essential Oils (use all or just the ones you like)

2 drops Cinnamon Bark

2 drops Ginger

2 drop Lime

1 drop Lemon

1 drop Wild Orange

Put it together

1 – Measure sugar or honey into a small glass container

2 – Add desired essential oils so honey or sugar can absorb them

3 – Pour sugar into tall serving glass

4 – Add sparkling mineral water. Allow fizz to dissolve coconut sugar. Stir slightly if necessary.

5 – Add cranberry juice.

6 – Stir gently

7 – Enjoy!!!

Your kidneys will thank you for the real cranberry.

Your liver and gallbladder will thank you for the Lemon, Lime and Wild Orange.

Your pancreas will thank you for the Cinnamon.

Your belly and digestive system will thank you for the Ginger.

The sharp tartness and slightly sweet fizz satisfies the urge for commercial chemically formulated soft drinks.

I do not use ice and suggest that you do not because it is hard on the digestive system and particularly the kidneys.

The essential oil I use are pure, therapeutic grade and certified by a 3rd party to be free of microbes, pathogens, pesticides, herbicides, molds, mildew and fungus. They are the only essential oils I use, teach about and recommend. Send me an email to learn more about the oils I use and trust.

The post Essential Detox Fizzy first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.

Essential Hot Cocoa

Rommy Kirby — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 18:27:20 +0000

There is just something yummy and cheerful about a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter day!

Here’s how I like to enjoy mine…

courtesy of doTERRA blog

Ingredients

1 cup water

5 tsp. cocoa powder

2 teaspoons Coconut Sugar (adjust to desired sweetness)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 cups coconut milk

Essential Oils to Flavor (I add a drop of the oil to my coconut sugar then add the sugar to my other ingredients)

Cinnamon Bark

Peppermint

Wild Orange

Put it together…

1 – Measure dry ingredients into a bowl.

2 – Heat water in saucepan on stove

3 – Add dry ingredients and stir until smooth

4 – Add Coconut Milk and heat until simmering

5 – Pour into warm mugs

6 – Enjoy!!!

The post Essential Hot Cocoa first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.

Essentially Happy Head Elixir

Rommy Kirby — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 17:56:45 +0000

It is estimated that 25 million working days are lost due to headaches, particularly migraine.

I suffered..scratch that, I was actually I was debilitated by them, for over 6 years!

It was a vicious cycle…

migraine, meds, recover from meds, 1 maybe 2 good days of bright hope, then it started all over again.

It took a lot of work, a thorough detox, and years of living a daily detox lifestyle to enjoy the health I have today. Seldom do I get a migraine. When I do, most of the time, I can nip it in the bud naturally.

Here is one natural and delicious way of staying in the game without the nasty side effects…by the way, this is also great for those times when you have overindulged…

Essentially Happy Head Elixir

Ingredients:

3 Granny Smith Apples
4 Stalks Celery
1/4 cup fresh clean water
1-2 Lemons
2 drops Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
2 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil
1-2 drops Ginger Essential Oil

Directions:

Juice apples, celery and lemon.
Pour water through juicer to get all the goodies
Drop Cinnamon Bark, Grapefruit, and Ginger Essential Oils into glass
Pour juice into glass
Enjoy

This recipe

aids the liver
helps to emulsify fats
supports digestion

Next time, you’ve been over served (hangover anyone?), over eaten or feeling Captain Head Tension rally her Storm Troopers, give this a try. Your body will thank you.

Know someone that can use this?

Use one of the buttons below, share it, send it their way.

*I only use and recommend pure, 3rd party tested, therapeutic essential oils. Send me an email to get yours today

The post Essentially Happy Head Elixir first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.

Make it healthier….Sweet Potato Brownies

Rommy Kirby — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 19:39:44 +0000

The other day at the yoga studio we were talking about cooking for the holidays. One of my students was telling me about a new recipe she was going to try. I asked her to let me know how she liked them.

I’m happy to welcome Megan as a guest to my blog. Here’s her recipe and story about this healthier chocolate treat…

Megan Wage…

I’m so excited to be a guest blogger today for Rommy and share a new found recipe with all of you! As I’m sure you all know Rommy recently has been talking about the bad side of sugar…..but who isn’t a sucker for sweets?

I happened to stumble upon this recipe for a “healthier” version of brownies and thought I’d try it. As a disclaimer when I say “healthier” I do not mean it is good for you…..do not substitute your fruits and vegetables for these brownies. But if you are looking to calm that craving these can be a great treat!

Warning! Do not attempt these if you do not like sweet potatoes as the flavor is very prominent. A few side notes are: I subbed all purpose flour for the coconut flour and they still came out yummy and the brownies texture is slightly different, almost spongy.

So now I’ll cut to the chase:

You will need…

1 large sweet potato
3 eggs, whisked
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/3 cup raw honey (or agave)
3 tablespoons coconut flour
2 tbsp. special dark cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of salt
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

First off bake the sweet potato. Preheat the oven to 425 F. Clean and wrap the sweet potato in aluminum foil. Bake it in the oven for about 45 minutes, until it is soft and cooked through. When the sweet potato is finished, turn the oven down to 325 F. Peel the skin off the sweet potato (when it’s cool enough to handle) and mash it in a mixing bowl.

Add the wet ingredients to the mashed sweet potato…eggs, oil, honey, and vanilla extract.

Once it is all mixed together, add the dry ingredients…coconut flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

Mix well. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Place the brownie mix in an 8×8 brownie pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Finally, bake for 30-35 minutes, until a fork comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and let cool (or go ahead and have at it if you just can’t wait!).

Megan is a newly domesticated, animal and yoga loving online marketing consultant. To follow her discovery of being a home management diva and for tips in online marketing go check out her website meganswage.com.

The post Make it healthier….Sweet Potato Brownies first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.

Bone Broth Made Easy

Rommy Kirby — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 15:57:11 +0000

“Good broth will resurrect the dead”…

In my quest for optimal health and vibrant radiance I learned about traditional healing foods. I kept hearing about ‘bone stock’.

Frankly, because it sounded like work I wasn’t truly intrigued until…friends took me to a Neiman Marcus restaurant.

We were in Chicago, it was cold, it was windy. I was chilled and travel weary. Sitting in the oh so posh restaurant was a welcome treat.

Once we placed our orders, the server brought each of us the most delicious cup of golden broth. It was warm, full of flavor and just what I needed to make it through the day. In that moment I understood the restorative power of bone broth.

I would have loved a quart that blustery yet sunny day! It revived me and gave me the stamina I needed to have fun and enjoy myself even though it was so very cold.

Then in my New Master Healers classes with my teacher Andrea Beaman, I learned that bone stocks are full of nourishing goodness.

A good stock is loaded with easily absorbable vitamins, minerals and collagen that can repair and heal the digestive tract, especially the lining of the small intestine. Vanity bonus is that it will also improve skin tone, strengthen nails and grow long lustrous hair.

Have you ever wondered why your grandmother gave you chicken soup when you were sick?

Briefly, there are two reasons.

First, traditionally, chicken soup is made by boiling the left over bones of Sunday’s roasted chicken. Remember, the entire animal was used and nothing went to waste. The bones are not only flavorful, they contain life giving marrow and trace minerals. The joints are loaded with collagen, the building block of protein.

The second reason is that chickens are an energetic animal. Because they are generally always on the move, they have a high metabolism. So energetically, chicken is what you want to eat when you feel the need for more energy. Chicken soup is loaded with vitamins and skin luscious minerals to give your body the energy it needs to heal and recover faster.

One of my favorite and fun Facebook status updates is ‘It’s a bone boiling kind of day’. Hubby likes to joke to his friends that if he ever disappears they should look in the soup.

Today, I am sharing with you my basic recipe for boiling beef bones. Use this recipe as a guide, make it yours by simply changing up the ingredients a bit. You can use it with chicken bones, fish bones or pork bone stock.

You can even saved bones in the freezer until I have enough…which, come to think about it, makes me a bone collector.

So why not just use the broth or stock that come in a can, jar or the tetra box at the grocer?

Because they are just not as nourishing. They are ‘from concentrate’ which means they are diluted with water. Most of the time there are added sugars, MSG and way too much salt to flavor it. And it is just so easy to make your own. (when you do need to resort to store bought, by the best you can and look for the USDA Certified Organic, that’s what I do)

Over the last 12 months, I have been experimenting with different bone brews…I mean recipes. I’ve finally found a base recipe that works.

Basic Bone Stock Recipe

2 Pounds of Bones – the highest quality available to you
1 Large Onion
1 Garlic Bulb
4-6 Stalks Celery
2-3 Carrots
2 Bay Leafs

Other spices I use…

Peppercorns
Cloves
Cardamon Pods

7 Simple Steps

Step 1 – If bones are raw, roast in a 400 degree oven for 1 hour. I like to salt and pepper them. I will even, time permitting, roast the onion (quartered) and garlic (whole) at the same time but it is not necessary.

Step 2 – Place bones, vegetables and spices in 6 quart stainless steel pot.

Step 3 – Cover with fresh clean water to within 2 inches of rim.

Step 4 – Bring to a soft boil over medium high heat, then lower heat to low gently rolling simmer uncovered for 4-24 hours.

Step 5 – Remove from heat, allow to cool. Using tongs remove bones and large vegetables.

Step 6 – Carefully strain into large glass bowl. Cover and place in refrigerator until fat solidifies. About 4-6 hours.

Step 7 – Using a ladle, carefully place your golden elixir into glass jars or even ice cube trays for easy measuring. (I’ve recently found out that you can freeze glass jars as long as you leave room for expansion at the top.)

How to use your liquid gold…

Warm it in a sauce pan and drink it from your favorite mug.

Use it as a soup base.

Add it to stir fry, saute or sauce.

My Number 1 use and favorite quick meal…

Simple Egg Drop Soup

Notes…

You know you have made a truly magical brew if your bone broth congeals. It’s the gelatin that grows strong healthy nails, radiant skin and lustrous hair and heals the digestive system. That’s why hospitals serve jello, though, what they serve has no resemblance to life giving gelatin given to patients in the old days.

I’ve tried using vinegar to pull the collagen from the bones, but have not had success and my broth has been to brightly flavored. I use the French method of per-roasting and long simmers.

You can experiment with your vegetables.

Be open to experimenting with your vegetables and spices. Remember that cooking, unlike baking, is as much art as science. Have fun!

Add additional water as necessary throughout your simmering process.

Every good and thorough detox or cleanse program has a component to rebuild the digestive tract.

The post Bone Broth Made Easy first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.

Simple Roasted Butternut Squash with Apples – Detox Decadently

Rommy Kirby — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 20:57:41 +0000

Did you have strange aversions to foods when you were a kid?

I sure did, weird ones.

Take Squash for instance…

I didn’t like it simply because of the name. Seriously, my kid brain reasoned, “you squash bugs, so why would you eat something called squash? eeeewwww, gross!”

My mother would coat it and fry it, but it seemed mushy and slimy in my mouth.

Then in my 30’s someone brought a squash casserole to a potluck. My brain instantly thought…“squashed bugs with cheese. YUCK!“

Honestly, it wasn’t until I began training as a health coach and enrolled at the Institute of Integrated Nutrition that I decided to be more adventurous to give it another shot.

Boy, oh boy! Was I in for a sweet surprise…Bonus, you can use this 1 recipe 2 ways!

Roasted Butternut Squash with Apples

You will be amazed at the versatility of squash! Especially hard squashes, like Butternut.

This recipe is from my Cook Once, Eat Twice Collection. You can easily make 2 different dishes with this basic recipe.

This recipe is detox approved.

Simple Roasted Butternut Squash with Apples (Cook Once)

From the oven to the plate…

Serves 4 – can be easily doubled

Prep time – 20 minutes, it takes time to cut and peel a Butternut Squash.

Cook time – 30 – 40 depending on cut size of vegetables and desired tenderness
Ingredients

1 Butternut Squash (medium)
2 Granny Smith Apples
1 Red Onion
1-2 Garlic Cloves
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
3 -4 Fresh Thyme Sprigs (you can substitute dried, dried herbs have a stronger taste, so use less)

Optional Spices

Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Coriander
Rosemary
Ginger

Directions

Pre-heat over to 375 degrees
With a very sharp knife, cut Butternut Squash in half, then into long pieces for easier peeling. (retain peels for vegetable broth if desired)

Remove seeds (save them for soups or smoothies)
Cube Butternut Squash

Cut, core and cube Granny Smith apples (save for juicing if desired)
Slice Onion
Smash, peel and slice garlic

Add all ingredients to baking dish.
After 5 minutes, stir to distribute oil and seasonings.

Bake an additional 30 – 40 minutes to desired tenderness, stirring occasionally.

Remove from oven and enjoy!

One concept I learned in nutrition school that really fits my busy life and improves the lives of my clients is to cook once, eat twice. Try it.

You can easily enjoy more healthy meals and save valuable time!

Tell me…

Do you have a strange and weird aversion to a food? What is it?

Oh…here’s the other recipe

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup (Eat Twice) CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

The post Simple Roasted Butternut Squash with Apples – Detox Decadently first appeared on Manage Stress | Increase Energy |Simple Solutions | Rommy Kirby, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Personal Trainer, Essential Oil Educator.