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Nutrition, Food & Recipes

Project Glow 2010: Cooler Cleanse Day 3 and A Little Soup Detour

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on October 18, 2010

in Before The Bump,General Health & Wellbeing,Nutrition, Food & Recipes,Project Glow 2010

My Healing Miso Soup, perfect for cold and flu season

Today is my third day on the Cooler Cleanse, and it has definitely been the hardest day yet. This is through no fault of the cleanse, but because I seem to have caught a little cold that I am trying my darndest to cut off at the pass. I woke up with a sore throat yesterday morning and immediately went into immune boosting mode which involved: a large dose of Vitamin D (I do this for 3 days, then back to my regular dose of 5,000 IU every day as blood tests showed I’m deficient), Vitamin C, using the Neti Pot, gargling with salt water, taking a hot bath, and drinking hot tea with lemon. I feel good knowing that I’m already flooding my body with lots of healing nutrients with this cleanse. It’s also nice not to have to worry much about food prep, when I want to use all my spare time to rest (rest is best!).

In addition to the aforementioned healing practices, my scratchy throat had me craving something savory and warm and more green vegetables and garlic (nature’s healers!). So I decided to go off plan just a bit. The Cooler Cleanse people do not recommend this, and the point of a juice cleanse is to give the digestive system a total rest, which I do think is valuable. But for me, today, the desire for some additional nutrition outweighed my desire for digestive rest, and I choose to go with my intuition about what my body needs (as long as it was healthy). To invent the right soup, I basically just went into the organic grocery store and got what called out to me. I knew that I definitely wanted green vegetables, onion (I read once that you should eat a whole onion when you’re getting sick and it can make it go away–who knows, but it’s become a bit of a ritual), and some miso, which is full of beneficial and immune boosting bacteria. The rest was chosen because it seemed like a good idea. I don’t measure anything, I just eyeball everything and adjust to taste. Here’s my non-recipe:

The pot ‘o veggies before the miso addition. Just remember, never boil your miso!

Andrea’s Healing Miso Soup

  • Add olive oil to soup pot and sauté garlic, bok choy and thinly sliced kale (I used Lacinto/Dinosaur and eat the stems and all)
  • Once those are nicely sauteed add a little water and the following veggies:
    • Shredded daikon radish
    • Scallions
    • Shitake mushrooms
    • Wakame (this is the seaweed usually in miso soup, prepare per package directions)
  • Add as much water as you like depending on how much soup you want and let it bubble and steam for a little bit (not too long, all of these things can be lightly cooked and will be delicious)
  • Boil a big mug’s worth of water and once it is no longer boiling, stir in miso paste. I used mild white miso.
  • Take the big pot of soup off the stove, and once it is no longer boiling add in the miso. Miso should never be boiled.
  • Optional: I sauteed half an onion in a separate pan until it was well carmalized and added it to the soup at the end. It was a really great addition–slightly sweet, and melty, highly recommended.
  • Seasoning: Salt and pepper to taste (I went heavy on the pepper) and cayenne or hot sauce if you want the added sinus clearing benefits.

Nothing left to do but enjoy!

As for day 3 of the Cooler Cleanse, juice #2 today was Grapefruit Mint. I’m not a fan of grapefruit juice, it’s just never been my thing. That said, I can’t imagine how it could have been any better, and it didn’t even cause me to make the face I typically make when I have a sip of grapefruit juice. Despite wishing I had the Pineapple Ginger or Watermelon Lime instead, I did think that this juice was probably perfect for my coming-down-with-a-cold-ness, and for that I was grateful. I have the red juice and almond milk left for this evening, and am looking forward to them both. It’s early to bed for me, and hey, I’m over half way done!

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Project Glow 2010: Cooler Cleanse Day 2

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on October 18, 2010

in Before The Bump,General Health & Wellbeing,Nutrition, Food & Recipes,Project Glow 2010

This juice is pure perfection. I dare you not to love it.

All that I really want to say about day 2 (which was yesterday) is WATERMELON LIME juice. Oh my yum. It was yesterday’s juice number two, taking the place of day number 1′s Pineapple Ginger. It was wonderful. The other swap was that the final juice was Brazil Nut Milk instead of the Almond Milk. I am surprised to say I think I actually preferred the Brazil Nut Milk. It was rich and creamy and I’ve been craving it ever since.

I unfortunately have to report that I’m coming down with a cold (typically I would think this is a detox symptom, but I spent 40 hours in a hospital last week so I’m 98% sure it’s a little bug) so today I added some homemade vegetable and miso soup to my cleanse. My throat is bothering me and I really felt the need for something beyond tea to warm me up and help clear me out. I’ll share that recipe soon because I invented it on the fly, and it turned out really well! As far as the numbers game goes, today the scale showed another 1.5 pound loss bringing me to 8 pounds lighter after 2 days of Cooler Cleanse juices and nothing else. I’ll be curious to see how my soup affects the numbers tomorrow. I’m ok with whatever it says. The Cooler Cleanse people do not recommend adding solid food mind you, and usually I am a super rules follower about such matters, but I’m working on being less rigid and more intuitive. Now I’m going to get some extra sleep and let my nutrient-filled and juiced-up body do a little healing!

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Project Glow 2010: Juicing with the Cooler Cleanse, Day 1

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on October 17, 2010

in Before The Bump,General Health & Wellbeing,Nutrition, Food & Recipes,Project Glow 2010

Here's a pic from the Cooler Cleanse website. You get one bag just like this for each day of juice cleansing. They are little and cute and have an ice pack to keep everything fresh.

At the beginning of this year I shared that I was preparing for my own pregnancy and birth by creating and committing to some specific health, fitness, and overall life goals to make sure I am happy, healthy, and glowey when the time comes. I called this effort Project Glow 2010, and just decided to add a 5-day juice cleanse to the mix. I am somewhat of a juice cleanse veteran, and last year I even did a 19 day “juice feast” during which I had nothing but highly-nutritious and mostly green juices.  It was a great experience, but to be honest, since that time I’ve been a bit leery of cleansing, and any other dramatic eating program. I realized that in the past few years I got in the habit of using extreme diet changes (including juicing and  cleanses) as a weight management Hail Mary. I was either fasting or feasting, and what could have been healthy practices became part of a yo-yo dieting debacle. I totally know better, and it completely snuck up on me. As did a whole bunch of pounds. I’ve really spent the last year plan-less, somewhat afraid of anything resembling this kooky dynamic I had created.

When you pick up your 3 days worth of juice, be prepared for a 22 pound haul. I transferred 2 of the coolers to my backpack, and am so thankful I did.

That said, I have had amazing health benefits from various cleansing and detox programs, benefits I could really use now. When I did the 19 day juice feast my period that had been wacky for years became like clockwork, as well as PMS-free and headache-free, within 4 days. A cough I’d had for months disappeared, as did some reflux that had been troubling me and a whole slew of other physical annoyances that told me I was not in optimal health. I think I’m finally back in the right frame of mind to use cleansing as a short term medicine to cure what ails me, while committing to a healthy balanced lifestyle the rest of the time (free from the pre-fast feast). So sensing that the time is right for a little healing, I reached out the the folks at the Cooler Cleanse to help me with a 5-day juice cleanse.

The Cooler Cleanse was co-founded by Salma Hayak, a holistic mama in her own right. I got excited about it because I had read a number of reviews that said that of all the cleanse companies, Cooler Cleanse had the best green juice. Well, that good press plus the fact that the Cooler Cleanse is a little less expensive than other juice cleanses (Blue Print Cleanse, Organic Avenue) inspired me to give it a go. I started the cleanse yesterday, and here’s what I think so far:

I picked up my juice at the West Village location at 171 West 4th Street, between Cornelia & Jones streets.

The Pick Up

You can have the cleanse delivered (Cooler Cleanse delivers nationwide via FedEx Priority Overnight Shipping), which if you have the extra money, or aren’t in NYC is totally worth it. I decided to pick it up (which is free) at one of 3 Juice Generation locations in Manhattan where you can grab your cleanse anytime from 10 am – 8 pm, any day of the week. I received my first 3 days worth of organic, unpasturized, raw juice yesterday, and will pick up the last 2 days on Monday. The big drawback to picking it up, which did not occur to me until I was in Juice Generation, is that Juice Generation sells super delicious muffins, sandwiches, and soups. I used to live around the block from a Juice Generation and their pumpkin muffin and vegetarian soup were frequently in my lunch rotation. So if you’re like me, get in and get out, and try not to peep the product lest you’re foiled before you even begin. Another important note, 3 days of juice weighs 22 pounds, which is serious business. I brought a backpack and put 2 of the 3 coolers in there and it helped immensely.

Three days of cooler cleanse juices all lined up in my fridge. What you see is the first two for each day side by side (juices 3 - 6 are behind).

The Juices

The juices are numbered in the order you are to drink them, which is handy and keeps you from drinking the very best first and then kicking yourself for the rest of the day. I love a tasty juice, and consider myself somewhat of an aficionado, that said I have also consumed tons of non-delicious items in the name of health. Here’s what I found: PURE DELICIOUSNESS. I honestly cannot believe how pleasant all of the juices were. Not a clunker in the bunch, nothing I had to just get down knowing it is good for me. Here’s the breakdown of what was in my day 1 cooler:

Juice 1: Essential Green

This juice was light, mild, and for lack of a better word, nice. Yes it was green, but it didn’t taste oh-so-green, which I appreciated. I also love that it includes dandelion greens, which are great for cleansing the kidneys and liver. This was the easiest drinking green juice I’ve ever had.

Juice 2: Pineapple and Ginger

This juice was lovely. It definitely had some heat from the ginger, which is wonderful at this time of the year. Sometimes pineapple can be syrupy sweet, but this wasn’t. It was perfectly balanced.

Ingredients: cucumber, celery, parsley, spinach, kale, dandelion greens, watercress, pear, lemon, ginger.

Juice 3: Essential Green

Same as before–a minimum of 2 green drinks on any juice cleanse is super important.

Juice 4: Young Coconut Water

I am a huge promoter of coconut water (just ask my clients) and this one did not disappoint. It was a bit better than the kind you can buy at the grocery, I’m sure it is because it is fresher.

Juice 5: Essential Red

This is the juice I was most worried about. I have never liked any of my juice concoctions that have included beet, so I thought this might be “the one.” The one I had to just get down, and get on with it. Nope! It was so good. It was at this point that I was like, come on Cooler Cleanse…where have you been all my life?

Juice 6: Almond Milk

Well, you just can’t go wrong here. I love almond milk, and use it as my milk of choice already for cereal, smoothies, baking, etc… Ending the day with something a little richer, and that has some good fat in it, is really a wonderful treat.

I couldn't help myself and took a big sip before I clicked the pic on this one!

Overall Impression

I am starving, but I am in love. My body has not yet adjusted to the liquid only, and no, I did not bound out of bed this morning full of energy. My cravings are still really distracting (I have never wanted a bowl of brown rice, broccoli, scallions, carrots, and almonds, with lemon-garlic-tahini dressing so badly in my entire life). That said, did you hear how healthy that craving is? In terms of weight I am down a shocking 6.5 pounds today. What that tells me is that I had been eating something that had me retaining water. The key at the end will be to figure out what that was, and to keep avoiding it. I knew something was going on because at about 8 pm I started diuresing (a nursey word for peeing) like crazy, and aside from the juice I had not done a great job of having additional water or tea all day. So I have to say that day one, though full of cravings and temptations, was a big success. I have 4 more to go, and will keep you posted!

*NOTE FOR PREGNANT MAMAS: I want to be clear that I do not recommend juice cleansing/fasting for pregnant mamas. I think it can be great for mamas-to-be like me who are endeavoring on their own project glow. What I do recommend if it appeals to you, is that pregnant mamas add juices, in particular green juices, to an otherwise healthy balanced diet. They are also great healthy-diet additions post delivery, especially for mamas who delivered via caesarean. In that case, green juices are more important than ever as they help with tissue repair.

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Meatless Mondays | Tacos a Billion Ways, Plus Guacamole, Salsa, and Massaged Kale Salad Recipes

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on September 13, 2010

in Holistic Health,Nutrition, Food & Recipes

Sprouted grain tortilla, tempeh, grilled scallions, tomato, avocado, red onion, and hot sauce. Delish!

Tacos have been a regular part of my dinner rotation since childhood, when my dad would warm up corn tortillas in an electric skillet right at the dinner table. As a vegetarian, I love tacos for their great versatility, but mostly for their yumminess. The beauty of tacos is that there is no recipe, per se, there is simply a mix and match of ingredients, which means you can have exactly what you like, and you can switch it up for variety. Last summer I started to try to add as many green leafy vegetables into my diet as I could, and found that even if I added a large handful of massaged kale salad* to my tacos, they were still delicious, but packed an even bigger nutritional punch. Here are some of my favorite taco ingredients, which you can combine in a billion (well, almost) different ways for many a delicious meatless meal!

Taco shell options

  • Corn tortillas
  • Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Tortillas
  • Flour tortillas, white or wheat
  • Hard shell corn tortillas (I like the Bearitos brand)
  • Romaine lettuce

Awesome veggie alternative to Taco Bell-style taco "meat"

Great vegetarian protein choices

  • Black beans, pinto beans, or a combo, whole or smashed with garlic, onion, and hot sauce
  • Lightlife Smart Ground Mexican Style
  • Seitan (the meat of wheat–and my personal favorite “faux meat” product): I like the White Wave Stir-Fry strips for this, though any seitan can simply be sliced into strips. This protein is perfect for fajita style tacos. I sauté it in olive oil and tamari just like the tempeh.
  • Tempeh (fermented soy beans): I sauté it in olive oil and tamari

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Pregnant Ladies, You Probably Need (a lot) More Vitamin D Than You’re Getting

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on September 1, 2010

in Before The Bump,General Health & Wellbeing,Nutrition, Food & Recipes

Photo credit: Leo Reynolds

Most prenatal vitamins have only 200 – 400 IUs of vitamin D, though new research is showing that more vitamin D can have very important benefits. In a recent study, 500 women who were 12 or more weeks pregnant took either 400, 2,000 or 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily. In the group of women taking 4,000 IU there was a decreased incidence of early labor, premature birth, and infection. I’ve written about the link between infection, premature labor, and vitamin D previously, in Tips for a Holistic Pregnancy and Birth:

The latest research on Vitamin D tells us that this essential nutrient is protective of just about everything. Seriously. Everything. Unfortunately, we’re almost all deficient in this wonder vitamin, a deficiency that may begin in utero. Prenatal vitamin D deficiency may play a role in increased rates of cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and bacterial vaginitis. Risks to the child long-term relate to brain and immune system function. I talked to Dr. Zina Kroner, Medical Director of New York City’s Advanced Medicine of New York, about vitamin D in pregnancy….Dr. Kroner believes that “checking a prenatal patient’s vitamin D levels is imperative.” When I asked her about cost, she said “insurance will cover the cost if the right diagnostic code is provided. Even if the patient lacks insurance, the cost is approximately $150 at a private lab and labs will usually give a 50% discount if they know that a patient does not have any insurance.” Dr. Kroner believes that “knowing what the level is allows a nutritionally oriented physician to prescribe a more exact dose of vitamin D and decrease the likelihood of undershooting.”

Bruce Hollis, Ph.D., director of pediatric nutritional sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston, was one of the authors of the study comparing different doses of vitamin D in pregnancy. In terms of a generalized dosage recommendation he believes “Pregnant women need to take 4,000 IU of vitamin D a day,” and that “we didn’t see a single adverse effect. It was absolutely safe, and we saw a lot of improved outcomes. The risk of preterm labor was vastly decreased and so was the risk of other complications of pregnancy.” [as reported by Denise Mann for Health.com] One hypothesis about how vitamin D can contribute to a healthy birth is that premature labor is often a consequence of a sub-clinical (meaning you don’t know you have it) infection. Studies have shown that the incidence of an infection called bacterial vaginosis–the number one cause of preterm labor–increases along with vitamin D deficiency.

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Nausea Breaking Food List for Morning Sick Mamas {from Miriam Erick’s book}

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on August 31, 2010

in Nutrition, Food & Recipes,Pregnancy

Click the pic to check out the book behind this nausea breaking food list.

While researching my latest post about morning sickness I came across what I found to be a super clever resource. Miriam Erick, a perinatal dietician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, created a list to help her clients identify what foods did sound good to them in the midst of an attack of morning sickness. Being familiar with that “nothing sounds good” feeling, I find this cheat sheet both simple and ingenious. Erick believes that whatever jumps out from the list above, is you personal “nausea breaking food.” So if you’re suffering from frequent morning sickness, you may want to print out a copy of Erick’s food words, stick it on your fridge, and see if it helps you plot your path out of yuckville. For more tips, check out Seven Tips for Quieting the Morning Sickness Demons. Good luck mama…this too shall pass!

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Seven Tips for Quieting the Morning Sickness Demons

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on August 31, 2010

in Holistic Health,Must Know Info,Nutrition, Food & Recipes,Pregnancy,Yoga, Acupuncture, and Other Healing Traditions

Mint tea, hot or iced, and lemonade are both good morning sickness remedies.

For the second time in just a few weeks I’ve been approached by a colleague who is battling the morning sickness demons. Since morning sickness affects 50 – 80% of all pregnancies, I figured that it was time to put my fingers to the keyboard and share my favorite morning sickness cures here.

Seven Tips for Quieting the Morning Sickness Demons

1. Eat, drink, and do whatever you can manage…and then try not to stress about it

For almost everyone, morning sickness truly is just a phase, easing up around week 14. The first trimester is just about getting through it, resting well, and trusting your body (and baby) to do their thing. Eat and drink what sounds good and plan to get back to your healthier diet as soon as this passes. Balancing fats (to the degree you can tolerate them), protein, and carbs can be helpful, as can eating small meals frequently. (Check out the end of this post for some info on why fats in particular can be a bit tricky.)

Ginger Chews or other crystalized ginger products can be found at most health food stores and Whole Foods. You can also order them online. Click the pic for Amazon.com's Ginger Chews.

2. Get yourself some ginger

Ginger has been well researched for its anti-nausea affects and can be taken in myriad ways. You can slice up raw ginger and pour hot water over it for instant ginger tea. You can add a bit of the root to any fresh-pressed juice, or you can grate a little into a smoothie. Ginger Chews are a popular and easy ginger delivery system as well. I will say, I’ve also met people (and I’m kind of one of them) who find that ginger brings on stomach upset. If you’re like me, skip ahead to tip number four for a better tea recommendation.

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Raw Foods and Pregnancy {Plus My Mama Glow Smoothie Recipe!}

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on August 30, 2010

in Holistic Health,Nutrition, Food & Recipes

I always have a huge bowl of lemons and limes around, they make everything come alive.

I have a friend who is a raw foods chef and she recently approached me with a few questions about raw foods and pregnancy. Here are her questions, and my 2 cents. The recipe I posted below is for a smoothie I became obsessed with this winter. It is incredibly creamy, sweet, salty, tart, and delicious. It basically hits every craving you could possibly have. I love it, and I hope you do too!

What raw foods are great for expecting mothers and why?

Fresh raw fruits and vegetables are wonderfully nourishing and healing foods for all of us, including mamas-to-be. For the mamas I work with, one category of foods I recommend in particular is high-water content foods. Pregnant women need to be diligent about staying hydrated, and foods like cucumber (95% water), watermelon (92% water), and lettuce (95% water) can be a great for that. I also like to recommend foods that help keep the skin supple as it expands, and ready to bounce back and heal right after birth. Here’s a perfect smoothie for pregnant mamas–prenatally and postpartum.

If your baby happens to come via caesarean delivery, the bromelain in pineapple can help with postoperative healing.

ANDREA CROSSMAN’S MAMA GLOW SMOOTHIE

Adjust the quantities to taste, and don’t make more than will be consumed immediately. Fresh is best!

  • 1 young Thai coconut*, water and meat: Loaded with antioxidants plus lauric, capric, and caprylic acids which are antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antifungal, raw coconut is a super healing food, while coconut water is perfectly electrolyte balanced for maximum hydration. Don’t have access to a Young Thai coconut? You can use coconut water and a spoon of organic extra virgin raw coconut oil instead. {NYC tip: You can order young Thai coconuts from Fresh Direct or pick them up at Whole Foods, your local co-op, and many Asian markets.}
  • ¼ of a pineapple, including the center core: Pineapple’s main enzyme, bromelain, helps with tissue repair and prevention of scar tissue.
  • ½ of an avocado: Rich in vitamin E, avocado is great for healthy hair, skin and nails.
  • 1 skin-on (unwaxed) cucumber: Keep the skin on and you get the benefit of silica, a wonderful beauty nutrient.
  • A hand-full of spinach or kale: Nothing helps with healing more than dark leafy greens, make your drink as green as you can.
  • 1 small piece of raw peeled ginger (grate it if you don’t have a super strong blender): Ginger is anti-inflammatory and a great anti-nausea addition for mamas with morning sickness.
  • Juice of 1 lime and 1 lemon: High in vitamin C for healthy tissues and immunity boosting.
  • A pinch of good quality salt, like Himalya salt: Essential for good electrolyte balance, and adds to the hydrating quality of the smoothie.
  • Sweetener if you need it: Honey, agave or maple syrup are all good choices.

Instructions

Combine everything in a high-powered blender like a Vita Mix if you have one. Add filtered water and ice until your smoothie is just the right consistency for you. Enjoy!

*Not sure how to open a young Thai coconut? Check out this great video.

Designed by artist and crafter Heidi Kenney of My Paper Crane, and available for download on Re-Nest. Click the pic!

Any warnings about raw foods?

Most raw foodists are raw vegans, but nonetheless I have to mention that it is wise for pregnant women to avoid raw meat, fish, and soft cheeses. Conversely, raw fruits and vegetables are fantastic pregnancy foods—just make sure to wash them well, especially if buying conventional produce. If you don’t go entirely organic, it can be very helpful to make your fruit and vegetable purchases in alignment with the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Clean Fifteen and Dirty Dozen recommendations. For instance, it may be ok to purchase conventionally grown onions, avocados, and mangos, but the pesticide load on peaches, apples, and bell peppers makes going organic for these foods a much better choice. For more information check out my previous post about the Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen.

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Meatless Monday Recipes: Chilled Soups & Gazpachos | Beat the Heat and Enjoy Summer Produce at its Finest

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on August 16, 2010

in Holistic Health,Nutrition, Food & Recipes

As we head into the last half or August, I woke up thinking about delicious recipes based on raw vegetables (it’s true). Wanting to get while the getting is still oh-so-good, gazpacho and chilled soups came to mind as a great way to increase the amount of fresh veggies in my life, while enjoying produce at its best. A quick search netted me 7 recipes I can’t wait to try, and I thought you might feel the same. These soups are fantastic for mamas-to-be and everyone else for a number of reasons. Here are a few:

  • Tons of vitamins, minerals and enzymes to be had here
  • All are super (souper?) hydrating
  • These recipes require no or minimal cooking which 1) is energy-saving, 2) keeps the kitchen cool, 3) maintains more nutrition than when foods are processed with heat
  • Happy Meatless Monday! All of these recipes are meat free and most are dairy optional
  • Within these recipes are some veggies known for particular benefits. To mention just a few: beets are considered blood building and liver cleansing, cucumbers are great for the skin, garlic is good for the heart, avocado is one of the healthiest (and most delicious) fats around, and kefir is full of good bacteria for your gut and immune system.

Good for you and delicious? It really doesn’t get any better than that. I hope you’ll try some of these recipes and let us know what you think. I’m also pleased to introduce you to these great food bloggers–enjoy!

*One quick and important note: I feel that where dairy is concerned it is awfully important to get full-fat, organic, rBHT free, antibiotic-free, quality products. I do believe that for some people dairy can be a healing food, but only when it is used in its whole food form, free of toxins. If you choose not to consume dairy at all, I applaud that as well. Recipes number 2, 5, and 6 are vegan. Recipe number 1 is vegan simply by eliminating 1/2 tablespoon of sour cream.

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Horchata Recipes | A Most Delicious Way To Stay Hydrated

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on August 13, 2010

in Holistic Health,Nutrition, Food & Recipes

Mouth watering horchata from the blog No Recipes. Yum! Click the pic for the full post. Photo credit norecipes.com.

I’m very passionate about the topic of staying well hydrated (along with well nourished and well rested) during pregnancy. I shared some reasons why it’s so important in this post, and some great recipes for aguas frescas in this one. But my new found love horchata deserved a post all unto itself.

I first experienced horchata during a childbirth education class when we ordered in Mexican food (my classes are always as casual as they are information filled). I enjoyed my first horchata, but didn’t give it much thought until a few weeks later when I saw a beautiful glass carafe holding the pretty snow-white beverage at the Carroll Gardens Street Fair. It was on this second tasting that I really found the magic in horchata. It is creamy, homey, and refreshing, all at the same time. Lightly sweet and infused with cinnamon, it cooled me off and warmed my soul in that way comfort foods do. I’ve been searching for recipes to make it at home and have found a couple to share. The first comes from the blog No Recipes, and includes cashews (most of the recipes I’ve seen call for almonds–so I like the twist!). It is what you see in the pic above and it looks delicious.

from No Recipes

Horchata

  • 1/2 C uncooked long-grain white rice
  • 1 C raw cashew nuts
  • 1 toasted cinnamon stick
  • 4 C water
  • 1 C sugar
  • 2 1/2 C crushed ice or 1 1/2 cups water

Wash the rice and cashews to remove any starch or debris on the exterior then add 2 cups of cold water and a toasted cinnamon stick. Toasting the cinnamon releases the flavourful oils in the stick and will enhance your finished horchatta. Soak for at least 3 hours, or preferably, overnight.

Dump the water, rice, cashews and cinnamon into a blender and blend for a few minutes until it is very smooth. Add the sugar and an additional 2 cups of water and continue to blend for another few minutes.

Pour the mixture through a double mesh sieve into a bowl with a spout. Then pour the mixture through a sieve with even smaller holes (I used one made for separating oil from water). You could also wash your double mesh sieve and line it with a quadruple layer of cheesecloth. Use a spoon to stir the solids around, which will help the liquid pass through.

Your horchata should now be free of any chalkiness. If you want to serve it right away, add 2 1/2 cups of crushed ice. If you’re going to store it, add 1 1/2 cups of water and refrigerate.

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