The Lemonade Cleanse

This cleanse is also called The Master Cleanse, attributed to Stanley Boroughs. The purpose is not weight loss, but to cleanse the body of toxins for better health and so that weight loss becomes possible.

Ingredients:
60 ounces distilled water
6 ounces pure maple syrup
6 ounces lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon cayenne

I have found that shaking up the citrus adds variety and flavor--not necessary, but nice.

Always use fresh citrus, never bottled or canned.

This recipe makes a little over 60 ounces, enough for a day or so. I alternate drinking a glass of the lemonade with a glass of distilled water. In actuality, you get about 750 calories a day--enough to make regular activity no problem. I am on day 8 right now--I've swum 16 laps every day, and I feel so much better than when I started.

I was going to stay on this cleanse until I lost 20 pounds, but I'm realizing that is the wrong motivation. The motivation must be for better health, and I feel that I am achieving that. I am going for the full 10 days as is recommended, and then slowly go off the cleanse with fresh squeezed orange juice for a couple of days, then, gradually add vegetables and fruits and resume a regular diet.

Lemons!

Oh, the wonderful things a lemon can do, 

It can alkalize your gut

or disinfect your shoe.

You can eat it, display it, drink it and more

What can You do with a lemon? 

You have a week to explore!

“When fate hands us a lemon, let's try to make a lemonade”-Dale Carnegie

Time to make lemonade ladies! Love you all! 

Here are some pictures from today. I took my kids up to Gramps, Grammy, Tammy, and Amy's plots in Centerville. I was surprised at how emotional I was being there. I couldn't help but cry. I just love them all so much, and I never even met Tammy and Amy. But, I feel a bond to them. I brought a journal of Grammy's and Gramp's with us to read. I opened up to today's date in their books. They are filled with things they did. Grammy cut out a dress for herself and Rene and her helped someone wall paper their house. Gramps was in the military and at a function where they had a band play some musical numbers of Bach and other tunes. I skipped a few pages down in Grammy's and then a few more, and do you know what I found over and over again. She would say how she missed her "darling" and how much she loved him. I was so touched by her devotion and love that was a theme throughout her journals. We come from some really amazing people, all of us do!  
While we were there we picnicked next to their plots. As we were getting ready to go, Gail Pomeroy came. It was great to see her. We visited for a bit and took pictures. Jim couldn't come because he had bad back pain. We drove past Lisa's old house area and then went to the This is the Place Monument Park. It was amazing all the things you could do and see there. I wanted to show the kids that their great great great Grandfather was in the first company of pioneers that came over with Brigham Young into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. We saw his name and all the other amazing men in that company were also listed. (To read more about Francis Martin Pomeroy's life- which is AmAZing- click here.) It is a really  neat place. I think we could have spent a lot more time there. We had a great day and now sleep has overtook them all. ZZzzzzzzzz. I will be soon too! Hope you enjoy the picts! Hope you all had a nice Memorial Day!

I love this picture of my awesome kids on this strong eagle statue! 

THE END :)

Polenta and Black Bean Burger

I am running short on money this month, so I used what I had. I made some polenta for lunch today for the kids and me. They love polenta, especially I think because they know I ate that on my mission to Argentina so much. So, I had a bunch of left over polenta and I had some canned black beans in food storage. I googled a recipe and tweaked it to my liking. Here is the link. Polenta Bean Burgers And here is my recipe with all the tweaking.

  

Polenta Black Bean Burgers
4 c. cooked polenta
2 , 15 oz. cans black beans
1 large onion diced
5 garlic cloves minced
4 c. grated carrots
1/4 c. olive oil
4 T. nutritional yeast (optional, use cheese if you are not following a vegan diet)
1 T. smoked paprika (optional, you can use regular paprika)
1/2 t. coriander
1 T. no salt seasoning, (optional)
salt or liquid aminos to taste
1/4 c. whole wheat flour if needed
Sautee your onions and garlic in 2 T. of your olive oil until fragrant and lightly browned. Put beans and sauteed onions and garlic in a food processor and blend well. Chunks are good. Doesn't have to be smooth. If you don't have a food processor, a potato masher would work well. Add the remaining ingredients and season to taste. Use a couple tablespoons of whole wheat flour, if needed to add if the batter is too wet. It should be like a wet cookie dough consistency. Firm enough, but, too sticky to mold in your hands. I like to use my mason jar rings. I put them on my griddle and put some oil in the center of each circle and then place a large spoonful of mixture in the center. Once they have cooked for about 5 minutes, I take the rings off and turn them over. The rings helps them keep a nice shape. Cook for another 5 minutes on the other side or until browned nicely. This makes a lot, but, they are great to cook and then freeze for later. I made about 20 with this batter! My kids really liked these. We didn't have buns or bread and just used a lettuce leaf with a dopple of ketchup on it to hold it together to pick up and eat. Enjoy!