Kristen's blog

When looking to make the perfect nutrient-rich summer smoothie, few fruits are better suited than tree-ripened peaches. Naturally juicy, sweet, and ever so slightly creamy, peach smoothies are abundant in carotenoids for healthy vision and skin, as well as natural vitamin C for optimal skeletal strength, immune system strength, and tissue healing. Read more

On days when I feel like having an all-raw and relatively light meal, I turn to some type of salad with a handful of raw nuts. The other day, I found a recipe for baby spinach salad with pecans and Bosc pear in a wonderful raw foods cookbook called Living Cuisine. I tweaked the recipe a bit, taking into account the ingredients that we had on hand in our kitchen, and proceeded to have a truly memorable salad meal.

If you enjoy healthy salads that provide a number of contrasting textures and flavors, I encourage you to give the following recipe a try. Did I mention that it's really good for your health? It's rich in calcium, iron, folate, healthy fatty acids, healthy protein, and complex carbohydrates, including fiber. - Ben Kim Read more

This salad brings together a rich blend of antioxidants, easy-to-digest protein, and cucumbers that make it cool and refreshing for after a workout or on a hot day.

Be sure to dry the berries before combining them with the dressing ingredients. Read more

I'm constantly on the lookout for recipes that call for raw red beets, as these root vegetables contain a variety of nutrients that can help prevent heart disease and certain types of cancer, especially colon cancer. Red beets are also rich in B vitamins, including folate, which makes them useful for preventing birth defects. Read more

Looking for a light but filling summer salad while doing our full body cleanse program? Look no further than this colourful medley of antioxidant and protein-rich plant foods. Many thanks to Kristen for showing us the way. - Ben Kim Read more

To keep your blood homocysteine level within a range that's optimal for cardiovascular health, try including leeks in your weekly menu with this restaurant-quality soup.

Leeks are a good source of both folate and vitamin B-6, both essential to preventing buildup of homocysteine throughout your body. Read more

This savory bell pepper soup recipe is rich in a number of antioxidants, most notably, carotenoids and vitamin C. The Yin-Yang presentation is created by pouring red and yellow bell pepper soups into each serving bowl at the same time. Read more

Shiitake mushrooms have long been used in traditional East Asian medicine as a tonic to promote longevity. Rich in healthy protein, a number of B vitamins, and dietary fiber, shiitake mushrooms add significant nutrient value, a chewy texture, and naturally smoky flavor to any dish that you add it to. Read more

To experience optimal health, including flexible and healthy bones and teeth, it's vital that you eat plenty of green plant foods on a regular basis. And ounce for ounce, few green plant foods are more nutrient-rich than green peas.

Green peas are naturally abundant in folate, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, carotenoids, tryptophan, vitamin K, manganese, healthy protein, and a number of other health-promoting nutrients. Read more

For a satisfying treat that's made with all-natural ingredients, these chocolate hazelnut logs are difficult to top. They're abundant in calcium, magnesium, and healthy protein, making them excellent fuel to build and maintain strong bones and teeth. - Ben Kim Read more