Cool Smoothie Cup Find!!!

For the last two days I have been shopping with my daughter for an outfit to get her school picture taken in.  When we were getting in line to check out at Old Navy....what did I spot????  A BPA-FREE, heavy duty plastic cup with screw on lid and a straw that is rigged so it won't fall out!!! The plastic appears to be double thickness for insulating qualities.  I prefer glass, but this is a great travel cup.  My smoothies don't last long, so I'm not too worried about the BPA-FREE plastic.  If I were to make more than I could drink at one time I would store it in Glass.

I am very excited about this, and so is my vegan son....last week he spilled a one quart Banana Split Smoothie all over his car on his way to work...no worries about doing that now!!

Banana Split Smoothie

1 c. unsweetened coconut milk

1 banana

1-2 c. frozen strawberries

1 T. raw cacao nibs

1 squirt of vanilla stevia

a bit of raw honey or raw agave...if  it is not sweet enough

Blend in a high powered blender

Local Friends~Nutty Demo Class

Here are the details of my upcoming class~ Please contact me if you are interested in attending

LEARN HOW TO MAKE NON DAIRY, GLUTEN FREE, EGG FREE, SUGAR FREE, MEAT FREE RECIPES~


NUTTY DEMO

ALMOND/WALNUT DEMO CLASS
               TUESDAY
NOVEMEBER 2, 2010 @ 6:30


ALMOND MILK & VARIATIONS

ALMOND CHEESE

TACO MEAT

FUDGE & NO BAKE BROWNIES


YOU WILL GET TO SAMPLE RECIPES

YOU WILL RECEIVE HANDOUTS WITH RECIPES

Q & A TIME

You will receive directions with the confirmation of your reservation
PLEASE RSVP~ ASAP SO WE CAN HOLD A SPACE FOR YOU!!!
SEATING IS LIMITED

DEADLINE TO ORDER ALMONDS: NOV 12, 2010
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Raw Apple Crisp and Blended Soup

Raw Apple Crisp ~

modified recipe of Rhonda Malkmus

6 organic Red Apples

(thank you Marsha for the gift of apples)

1/4 c. freshly squeezed orange juice

2T. raw unfiltered honey (or agave)

3/4 c. pecans

3/4 c. walnuts

3/4 c. organic raisins

3/4 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 t. nutmeg ( I used allspice)

1/4 t. ginger

pinch of sea salt

Peel and dice apples, place in an 8" square baking dish

combine orange juice and honey and drizzle over apples

toss until apples are well coated and set aside

In a food processor with "S" blade combine pecans, walnuts, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt

Pulse just until nuts and raisins are chopped but not pureed

spoon the nut/raisin mixture over apples and serve or refrigerate until serving time

sliced apples drizzled with oj/honey

bowl of nuts, raisins and spices

nuts/raisins/spices in food processor

process until crumbly

top apples with mixture

This is delicious!!

Blended Soup

1 c. of filtered water

2 T. lemon juice

1 T. Bragg's Liquid Aminos

handful of collard greens

handful of mustard greens

3 big handfuls of mixed baby greens

4 celery stalks chopped

1 small red bell pepper

 2 small vine ripened tomatoes

1 small avocado

1 med. red beet

1 red jalapeno

1 large radish

Blend to desired consistency.  I like mine a bit on the chuncky side...very tiny chunks.  I like to be able to chew it a bit, unlike pureed soups.

**when making a blended soup or salad...use whatever veggies you have on hand and be creative according to your likes.  If you don't have the Bragg's, you can use low sodium soy sauce....Balsamic vinegar/rice vinegar...no vinegar...garlic...whatever you like.  I like to add a hot pepper, because I like spicy and it curbs the bitterness of strong greens.

I topped mine with some crumbly Cheezy Kale Chips

Today's post is dedicated to my sister-in-law Wanda.  Hoping you get well soon!

Kombucha

G.T.'s Kombucha is back on the shelves.G.T.'s is my favorite brand of Kombucha.
Kombucha is a fermented beverage that has beneficial bacteria..it supports the digestion, immune system, detox's the body, clears lactic acid out of the muscles (lactic acid is what makes the muscles sore, after a workout),  metabolism, appetite control, weight control, liver function, body alkalinity, anti-aging, cell integrity, healthy skin anad hair..My favorite flavor is Ginger!
I found a great link ~instructions for making your own Kombucha at, "The Healthy Home Economist"
Cultures are available through, "Marilyn the kefir Lady" or "Laurel Farms"
I have ordered kefir grains from Marilyn and they were very healthy and productive.  I have not ordered from Laurel but they have a great reputation.
Let me know if you make your own kombucha or you give it a try.  I would like your feedback!

 follow the link above for all of the video instructions at, "The Healthy Home Economist"

here is the first in the series she offers

CSA Share and the Giant Bok Choi

1 extremely large Bok Choi
1 bag of collard greens
1 bag of salad mix
1 bag of tomatoes
1 bag of sweet potatoes
1 bag of sweet bell peppers
1 big bunch of broccoli
several red jalapeno's
cilantro
dill
lemon balm
oregano

I special ordered 10# of red beets
I think I got some other green thing...just can't recall what it is...if I find it later, I'll add it to this post.

Raw milk Gouda Cheese for my non-vegans in the family

 Fruits/Veggie~Wholesale

tomatoes
celery
carrots
kiwi
oranges
granny smith apples
pineapple
mung bean sprouts

My generous friends with the organic garden picked some red apples for our family and brought over two huge bags.  I thought I might make some apple sauce, but the kids are enjoying eating them raw...

Pictured above is the giant bok choi...We got one a couple of weeks ago, but it was not quite this big.  It is a type of cabbage with a very distinct spicy flavor.  I made a raw salad with a mustard type of dressing...not sure what I'm gonna do with this one. 

Today I made a blended salad/soup~
romaine
1 red bell pepper
1 stalk of celery
3 leaves of Napa Cabbage
1/3 c. of beet salad
red jalapeno with seeds
squirt of Bragg's Liquid Amino's
lemon juice
huge spoon of raw almond butter
blended until smooth...I'll be taking this on our outing tomorrow

Here is a blended salad I made yesterday~
salad greens (mix) lots
4 beet leaves including stems
2 celery stalks
4 roma tomatoes
large red bell pepper
cilantro
1 red jalapeno with seeds
Bragg's Liquid Amino's
lemon juice
large spoon of raw almond butter

I blended this one until it was slightly chunky...I wanted a bit more texture.

Fruit Salad

stawberries

oranges

kiwi

sprinkled with unsweetened dried coconut

we will top this with raw walnuts tomorrow for B-fast

Kale and Sweet taters~

this picture was taken at the end of the day...therefore much of the kale has been eaten away and it is a bit more wilted then when I served  it today..

I confess...I love kale...

This was my daughter's lunch today~

Kale and Garbanzo's

wash and remove large stems

2 garlic cloves minced

1 T. dried onion

2-4 T. water

1 can of organic garbanzo's drained and rinsed

cover and steam lightly

add: a drizzle of Annie's Asian Dressing......mmmmmmmm

Sweet Potatoes

wash and slice in  1/4" slices

steam in covered skillet

you can top with cinnamon and powdered stevia or a sprinkle or rapadura

Fruit Salad~not pictured

1 pineapple

1 pint of strawberries

1 pint of red grapes

2 tangerines

washed & cut up

tomorrow we will top it with dried coconut and raw walnuts

A View From My Porch

This is a view from my front porch.  The colors are brilliant. My son and husband have been splitting and stacking wood for the winter...you can see some of it on the right side.  Today we can really feel the cool dampness in the air.  It is reminessant of many past October's here in the midwest.

Darkness is coming much earlier....we are ready for bonfires....

I hope you are enjoying the season as it changes

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As we approach the holiday's remember this can be a stressful and sometimes sad time for many people... be aware and reach out to those in need...especially if they live alone, or have lost someone dear to them...look to how you can include them in your traditional festivities or  make new ones and gather others around you, so you can be a blessing to one another.

Blessings to a New Friend and her Daughters!

Welcome to my kitchen!  Today I met some new friends and I want to dedicate this recipe and this post to my new friend and her daughter's as they embark on their healing journey to good health.

Beet Salad

2 bunches of red beets~shredded

5-10 garlic cloves

( used 10 because they were not very big)

1/4 to 1/3c. of extra virgin olive oil

1/4-1/3 c. of 100% pure lemon juice

(no preservatives-look in the health section at Kroger)

Himalayn Salt or sea salt/real salt to taste

clove powder~taste often as this is very strong (optional)

Mix together and let marinate for a little while..if you can wait, if not~ it is still delcious.

Save the beet tops ~wash and drain~ and shred them~layered on a plate and top with the beet salad

sometimes I add dulse flakes and/or raw sunflower seeds

Click here for the health benefits of beets

I have found that consuming RAW beets daily in addition with adequate amounts of high water content fruits and veggies ,and sufficient filtered drinking water keep my digestion in optimal condition.

What works for me is to have at least 2-4 Tablespoons with each meal.  Sometimes I eat more, because they are sooo good.

CSA work day and Co-op pick up

Today was my last day to help with our CSA this year.  New faces, new friends and information shared.  This is one of the many benefits of joining your local CSA.  We shared recipes, talked about health and nutrition, shared hugs and love for one another.  What a great way to start the day!  Oh, yeah and we worked too....unloading the truck, processing special orders, posting signs and filling cooler's full of ice for the raw milk delivery. 
I encourage you to start thinking about joining a CSA next spring.  It will provide you with delicious, clean food for the harvesting season and you will be helping the small farmer and keeping a small part of the environment clean and green.  You can find a link on my sidebar to connect to your local CSA.

Today's share included:

sweet potatoes
eggplant
lots of bell pepper
chinese cabbage
green tomatoes
salad greens
broccoli
hot peppers
okra
lemon balm
cilantro
dill

We only have two more weeks for the CSA shares left, but after that we can order weekly....beets, kale,salad greens, sweet potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers and whatever else endures the weather.....  We had a nice dose of rain today, which was much needed.  Our weather has been nice and pleasantly warm for this time of year.  I am hoping this continues for a good while as nothing in the store compares to locally grown organic produce.

I also received my co-op order for this month~
10# 5 grain granola~for my hubby
Ezekiel 4:9 large tortilla's
Daiya Cheese 2-5# bags of cheddar
Dr. Bonner's citrus castile liquid soap
Unsweetened Coconut milk for my hubby's smoothies
Newman's organic dog food
Bragg's Liquid Amino's

Cheezy Kale Chips and my dog...

Cheezy Kale Chips

2 bunches of Kale washed and large stems removed

place in a large bowl

In a blender or Vita-Mix blend until smooth & then pour over kale and massage until completely covered

1/4 c. Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 C. Bragg's Liquid Amino's

1/2 c. filtered water 

*you may need a little more water~you need to be able to pour this out of the blender,

 but you don't want it runny.

3/4 c. Tahini

1 garlic clove

2 T. dried onions

1/4 t. sea salt

1/4 c. nutritional yeast

Place on Teflex sheets in dehydrator and dehydrate for 6 hr @ 115 degrees. 

I made 6 trays of kale chips....mmmmm....as you can see my doggie likes them too!  He is always waiting to eat up whatever falls from the dehydrator.

When you get to the bottom of the jar or bag of chips and all that is left are crumbs....I say let nothing go to waste.....place them in a glass jar to add to soups...or grind them up and put into a shaker jar to use as a salt substitute

Dr. Blaylock's book~"Health and Nutrition Secrets~that can save your life"

I've been reading Dr. Russell L. Blaylock's book, "Health and Nutrition Secrets~that can save your life".  This is one of the best books I've read in a while about nutrition, chemicals and food additives and their role on our health.  I have the revised edition that has a special section on fats.
Dr. Blaylock is a Board certified neurosurgeon and  he recently retired as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Mississippi.  He has practiced neurosurgery for more than twenty-four years and now runs a sucessful private nutrtional practice. 
Dr. Blaylock has also authored, "Excitotoxins: The taste that Kills", and "Natural Strategies for Cancer Patients"
I have found this to be a pretty easy read with a short lesson on lipid chemistry. If you are into science and the biology of the human body you will throughly enjoy this book.  Dr. Blaylock explains the biology, chemistry and the history of the sources of some of the chemical/food additives and the foods that we consume and how the body responds and develops disease conditions. He also gives solutions to remedy these conditions.  He has a huge section on the history of flouride and the terrible consequences of ingesting it. He prepares you for a trip to the hospital and informs you of how anesthesia affects and depletes your body of certain vitamins and minerals...how it brings on depression and what you can do to help yourself.
This book is 469 pages of pure education with scientific backing.... if you are concerned about your health of the health of your loved ones I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy.  You can order through the link below for the best prices.  I usually buy used books and have never been unhappy with them or you can get your hands on a copy at your local library.  I like to keep mine for reference and highlight pertinent info pretty heavily, so I tend to buy.

Oriental Broccoli Salad & CSA pick up

ORIENTAL BROCCOLI SALAD

1 head of broccoli~chopped

(including stems~peeled and diced)

1 container of mushrooms~sliced

2 bell peppers cut into strips

small thumb of ginger~minced

4T. extra virgin olive oil

4T. Bragg's Liquid Amino's

1/4 c. sesame seeds

Mix and let marinate for several hours

Check out the Benefits of Broccoli here

CSA share for this week:

large bag of sweet potatoes

 butternut squash

mustard greens

salad greens

broccoli

bell peppers

lemon balm

chives

3 more weeks left for our CSA this year~

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Life is so busy

~ remember to take time out each day to meditate on Jesus, who He is........

and Thank Him for Life

Walnut Tapenade, Pea Salads and packing up to go!

Walnut Tapenade

1c. of kalamata black olives (pitted) or pitted black olives

1 c. of stuffed green olives

1 c. raw walnuts

2 large garlic cloves minced

2 T. extra virgin olive oil

1 T. plus 1 t. lemon juice

1/2 t. basil

1/2 t. thyme

1 t. oregano

Pulse in a food processor until slightly smooth but not totally pureed.  It should appear to have a bit of texture like very small crumbs.

you can dip some of those fantastic jalapeno tortilla chips from Food Should Taste Good or Mary's Gone Crackers or use it to stuff small bell peppers (pictured below)

My Daughters appetizer/dinner  plate...she was very proud of herself and said I should take a picture for my blog. Pictured is a bowl of organic Italian  baby greens with organic yellow heirloom tomatoes, a honeycrisp apple from one of our local orchards, carrot juice, organic raisins and pineapple chunks...obviously she likes fruit more than greens.....so I had her drink some Barley juice before eating.   :)

Pea Salad

1 bag of organic frozen peas

1 small red onion diced

sliced fennel with tops

balsamic vinegar

Creamy Pea Salad

1 bag of organic frozen peas

1/2 bunch of radishes cut in matchsticks

1 red bell pepper diced

1/2 small red onion choped

1-2 heaping T. Vegenaise

fresh dill

blend together

This is part of my young adult son's lunch he is taking with him to the, "Feast of the Hunter's Moon".  He will also be taking~garbanzo dilly bean mash, Jalapeno Chips, Green Superfood smoothies, honeycrips apples & bananas.  We checked out the menu at the event and it is full of meaty choices.  My son is a strick vegan, so I will load him up with eats for the day. 

Always plan ahead and make sure if you are planning a trip or an all day event that you will be able to eat according to your diet plan that works for you.

This cool container above was purchased at Big Lots for about $3 and the lid has built in fork & knife. It is great for packing a meal to go.