I share this ambition with John Robbins as he outlines in the video. He and his son Ocean offer so much knowledge freely in this Masterclass:

>> Food for Health Masterclass

Adopting a plant-powered lifestyle is a pivotal step for enhancing personal well-being and promoting planetary health, backed by scientifically proven insights.

Healing ourselves, healing the world :)

To a Life of Love & Laughter,

Merryl @ GreenSmoothie.com

P.S. click this link if you'd like to register now for Free access to the:

>> Food for Health Masterclass

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Arriving in Rio was exciting. We were encouraged onto a trolley car to take us to border control. At border control the foreigners queue was so long that we were sent through the priority lane and were out of there in no time.

Building the bikes on the pavement right outside the Arrivals door was an encouraging experience. Taxi driver’s and shoe-shine boys wanted to know what we were doing and were duly impressed… especially with me. I received a lot of “strong woman” compliments and pats on the shoulder.

I noticed one particular shoe shine lad called Diego, who had announced that he was from the favelas, had a good command of English. He learnt to speak the language so well from spending thirty years speaking to tourists.

Then we headed for the Ibis near Copacabana beach. Patrick set the shortest route with his google maps. We’d be there within two hours. But not!

I was so unprepared for the traffic. I was unprepared to find myself in the middle of 4 lanes of speeding cars and having to cut across to the right side amongst much hooting, brake-squealing and fist shaking.

I managed to convince Patrick to use a more cycle friendly route as I was unaccustomed to the bike, to riding on the right hand side of the road and to carrying loaded paniers on the back of the bike. Plus we had been travelling for twenty four hours.

The route took us through the favelos (slums) of Rio where we got to see life happening on the car-quiet streets. A little girl chased a cat over here, a boy was clothed in ammo over there (complete with automatic weapon), a macaco monkey on a rope, elderly men playing cards on this verandah, a group of housewives gossiping there. Military tanks and personnel stationed on many corners, youths on motorcycles calling to us “Gringos, you will die in there”.

It took us till 3pm to arrive at our hotel, having left the airport at 10am. I was ready for a good shower and to be rid of my stinky sweat soaked clothes. We rested a bit and then went in search of a Churrascaria for Patrick again. No problem for me as I could then load up on clean fresh salads.

Next day after the awesome fruity breakfast, we headed off to see Christ the Redeemer statue. It was a little easier to handle the traffic - no motorways involved. The challenge came with the elevation required to get up that mountain! The road up is brick paved and slippery in the rain. 100% chance of rain of course. I barely started up the mountain when I had to walk. I walked as fast as Patrick cycled.

I did realise that wearing my strong outdoor British raincoat was a waste of energy. I was wet from sweat inside quicker than the rain could drench me from the outside. One just embraces the constant wet. My clothes are damp and wet all the time. I wash clothes but they are as damp the following morning. I have two bags in my panier. One for wet clean clothes and one for wet unwashed clothes.

Lesson learned after two days are that drivers hoot a lot in Brazil:

• A toot means go.

• A toot toot means I am passing you so don’t do anything stupid and all will be fine.

• A tooooooooooot means why are you on my road and in my way!!

I expect to be starving at night but I am not.

Live well and find the happy,

Merryl @ GreenSmoothie.com

P.S. The start to Christ the Redeemer - on cycle paths in the rain.

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Today’s Recipe is here for you.

Bolas de Kala Chana Energy (how’s that for a conglomeration of languages?)

1 cup cooked black Chickpeas (Kala Chana) peeled

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup nut butter

4 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3 or 4 chopped dates

Mix all together in a food processor, blender or even by hand.

Husking the chickpeas is really worth the time it takes. I know the saying “life is too short to shell a pea” but watch a podcast, listen to a loved one, tell a story or merely go into a zen space. Say a prayer for each of your family.

The texture of these balls was a good feel on the tongue.

The mixture held together well and formed easily into balls.

Roll them in raw cocoa nibs or powder, coconut, finely chopped nuts…. I didn’t roll them in anything.

They were delicious and hit the spot for a high energy snack. The honey and dates didn’t taste too sweet at all.

I’m sure the oats could be left out of the mix… let us know in the comment below if you try this.

Lastly, practice restraint! I gobbled mine all too quickly.

I had bought the chickpeas accidentally as I don’t enjoy the texture of chickpeas. It was good to find a delicious way to use them.

Chickpeas are great for:

• fibre (the insoluble sort that feeds your gut microbiome)

• protein (packs a huge punch)

• potassium

• iron

• magnessium

• Calcium

• B6

• C

Now to try them on the grandchildren! Good little treats for Halloween… I can even think of an evil trick here…cackle cackle cackle.

Healing ourselves, healing the world :)

To a Life of Love & Laughter,

Merryl @ GreenSmoothie.com

P.S. I will get better at videos which will come to you from South America next month! whoop whoop

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Full of anti-inflammatory anthocyanins which is just what I need after a molar extraction. Lovely and soft too, for a tender mouth.

I’ve had an unexpected week of feasting on fresh, ripe, local and organic plums.

Watch the video above and get a tip on stoning a plum.

In the video I make a statement about Vit K that I need to clarify… I know you all will pick up on it. I say that Vit K helps your body absorb calcium. In truth, Vitamin K activates osteocalcin, a protein that binds calcium, already uploaded to your blood, to bones and teeth. It also activates matrix GLA protein, which removes calcium from soft tissues like blood vessels and kidneys.

Live well and find the happy,

Merryl @ GreenSmoothie.com

P.S. Val has written a whole section on Vitamin K for stronger teeth and bones. Click here to see it:

> > Vitamin K to Prevent & Heal Cavities in Teeth and Build Strong Bones

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