Our bodies need to maintain a slightly alkaline PH for optimum health, but most of us flood our bodies with acidity. Excess acidity puts strain on our organs, produces damaging free radicals and depresses our immune system. Some of the biggest offenders are black tea, coffee, alcohol, animal protein, sugar, processed oils and refined grains. We can balance our levels by making sure we regularly flood our diets with green vegetables. This week my fridge is full to the brim with green leaves and veg. You can add them to smoothies, juices soups, salads, and side dishes. A couple of my recent favourites are coconut cucumber raita, and avocado cucumber dip. Both work really well as a side to curries, roast veg, salad or in a wrapped in a lettuce leaf wih some crunchy veg and pulses.
Coconut Cucumber raita
1 cucumber
3 tbsp Coyo (coconut milk yoghurt)
Handful coriander
Handful mint
1 lemon
Salt and pepper
Chop the cucumber and herbs, mix with the juice of the lemon and the Coyo coconut yoghurt (you could use soya instead if preferred). Season to taste.
Avocado cucumber dip
1/2 cucumber
1 avocado
Handful coriander
1 lemon
Chilli flakes
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
Peel the cucumber. Juice the lemon. Add all the ingredients to the blender and mix for a smooth dip.
Finely chop corriander, cucumber and avocado. Add the oil, juice and seasoning and mash for a chunky dip. Both taste amazing.
pretty beets 