Monday, July 4, 2016

Spicy Sweet Pickling Recipe


When you create the perfect pickling recipe for the win! 

Use a Mason Jar or old Pickle Jar

Add in this order:

1/2 cup Kosher Salt
1/2 cup Coconut Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon (I use 1 tbsp, but I love cinnamon)
1/2 diced White Onion
1 Jalapeño Pepper Sliced
1 Serrano Pepper Sliced
1 Large Carrot Sliced
1 Large Cucumber Speared

Fill Jar with Distilled Vinegar (5% acidity)

Seal Jar tight! Shake and Roll the Jar until everything has intermingled. 

Place in refrigerator for 12hrs minimum.
 
This is a healthy spicy & sweet snack you can always have on hand! Yum! 

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Vegan Layered Greek Briám Recipe


Vegan Layered Greek Briám! 

Prep: 1 cup Brown Rice 
         1 can Garbanzo Beans
          Zucchini Noodles

Pre heat oven: 400 (optional)

Chunky Veggies in Sauce Recipe:

10 minced garlic cloves
1 minced Serrano Pepper 
1 cup chopped Parsley
1 cup chopped Cilantro 
1 tbsp chopped Chives
1/2 cup chopped Onions
1 sliced Red Pepper
2 diced Roma Tomatoes
1/2 cup diced Zucchini 
1/2 cup diced Eggplant
1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Vegan Worcestershire Sauce 
2 tablespoons Dried Basil 
1 teaspoon Black Pepper

Last Ingredients: 
1/2 cup distilled Vinegar 
5 oz Organic Tomato Paste

Lightly Spray pot with Spectrum Expeller Pressed Coconut Oil Cooking Spray

Saute' all ingredients except "last" ones

Wait about 3 minutes; add Vinegar & cover
Let simmer 2 minutes; stir in Tomato Paste

Layers:
1. Zucchini Noodles
2. Chunky Veggies in Sauce 
3. Brown Rice
4. Chunky Veggies in Sauce 
5. Garbanzo Beans, Parsley, Cilantro, Chives and Micro Arugula 

Place in oven for 5-7 minutes or eat as is!

I can't even with this deliciousness! 

Nutrition and Diet



Fruits and Veggies keep you alive, alert and enthusiastic! 

By definition: Nutrition is the science that interprets the interaction of nutrients and other substances in food in relation to maintenance, growth, reproduction, health and disease of an organism. 

Humans are Multicellular Organisms who consume a diet to get their nutrition. 

The word diet to most means a restriction one puts themself on in order to lose weight 

The original definition of diet: the kinds of foods a person, animal or community habitually eats that are indigenous to their geographical location. 

Your diet needs to be full of positive, living, natural foods in order to maintain health, mentally and physically grow, be capable of reproduction, have good health and prevent disease! 

Is what you are eating capable of doing that for you? 

Did you know Protein doesn't keep you alive, alert and enthusiastic. Over consumption of protein keeps you thin not healthy and it actually contributes to disease. Fruits and Veggies are the part of your nutrition that do that for you. Look it up! Be educated about the truth. Protein is a small fraction of your nutrition while all other nutrients found in fruits and veggies are more crucial to you maintaining health and preventing disease. 


Saturday, June 18, 2016

Quinoa "MeatBalls" Recipe


Quinoa "Meatballs" Recipe:

2 cups Quinoa 
1/2 Cup Portobello Mushroom
1/2 Cup Red Pepper
1/4 Cup White Onion 
1/2 Cup Parsley
5 oz Tomato Paste
1 tablespoon Liquid Smoke
1 packet Simply Organic Spicy Chili 

Grease Pan - 1 tsp Avocado Seed Oil
Drizzle "Meatballs" lightly with Avocado Seed oil before Baking
Bake: 350 for 20 minutes or longer for crispier balls!

This is a well balanced and nutritious meal.  The ingredients are all beneficial to your health and feed your body a great amount of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and protein. It's low in fat, vegan, has no GMO's, has a low amount of processing chemicals, is gluten free and has an absolutely delicious smokey flavor.  

Cooking tip: I keep a few extra Simply Organic spice packets on hand. They make it easy for me to put together a healthy meal on a night where I don't feel like having to think up what to make but want something flavorful, healthy and satisfying. 




Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Black Bean Dip Recipe


Black Bean Dip with Cucumbers, Yellow Peppers, Beets and Carrots! 

Black Bean Dip:

1 can Organic Black Beans (no salt, drain and wash)
1 tsp Chili Powder
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Organic Ground Horseradish 
1 tbsp Fresh Thyme Leaves 

Blend in Food Processor or good old fashion elbow grease. 

Yum! 

Health Benefits:

1. Black Beans: 

The black bean's fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin B6 and phytonutrient content, coupled with its lack of cholesterol, all support heart health. The fiber in black beans helps lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood and decrease the risk of heart disease.

2. Cucumbers:

Cucumbers are a valuable source of conventional antioxidant nutrients including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese. In addition, cucumbers contain numerous flavonoid antioxidants, including quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, and kaempferol. Cucumber also contain phytonutrients known to provide anti-cancer benefits which are called lignans. The lignans pinoresinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol have all been identified within cucumber. When we consume plant lignans like those found in cucumber, bacteria in our digestive tract use the lignans and convert them into enterolignans. Enterolignans have the ability to bind onto estrogen receptors and can have both pro-estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects. Reduced risk of estrogen-related cancers, including cancers of the breast, ovary, uterus, and prostate has been associated with intake of dietary lignans from plant foods like cucumber. (Source: www.whfoods.com)

3. Yellow Pepper:
Yellow bell peppers are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, protein and iron.  They have a very sweet taste and can accentuate the flavor of most ingredients you add to a dish. 

4. Beets:
       Beets are high in immune-boosting vitamin C, fiber, and essential minerals like potassium which is essential for healthy nerve and muscle function, and manganese which is good for your bone health, liver functions, kidney functions, and pancreas. Beets also contain the B vitamin folate, which helps reduce the risk of birth defects.

5. Carrots:
    
Carrots contain high levels of beta carotene and fiber. This root vegetable is a good source of antioxidant agents as well, that support healthy visions, skin and teeth. Carrots are also, rich in vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, vitamin B8, pantothenic acid, folate, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese.

This healthy snack feeds your body the nutrition it needs to support your bodily functions while reducing your risk for disease. It has no fat, no chemicals, no GMO's, is gluten free, vegan and extremely delicious. 

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Baked Sweet Potato Steak Fries Recipe


Baked Sweet Potato Steak Fries 

Pre-heat oven to 425*

Cut Sweet Potatoes into Long Strips

Spray baking sheet w/  expeller pressed coconut oil cooking spray (see below)

Place Potatoes on Baking sheet 

Sprinkle Potatoes with:

Cinnamon 
Cayenne Pepper
Coconut Sugar 

Lightly mist Potatoes w/ expeller pressed coconut cooking spray 

Baked for 40 minutes or longer for crispier 

Yum! 


Sunday, June 5, 2016

Sunshine Juice Recipe


This juice is so refreshingly delicious, it'll make the sun shine through a storm and even give a #lakers fan hope again! 

Sunshine Juice:

Cold Press or Blend (Servings: 1)

5 peaches 
2 Carrots
1/2 inch Ginger
1/2 inch Turmeric 

Health Benefits: 

1. Peaches:

Peaches are rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, phosphorous, zinc, and copper. Peaches are low in calories, contain no saturated fat or cholesterol, and are a good source of dietary fiber. They can help reduce nerve pain and spasms 

2. Carrots:

Carrots are a good source of antioxidant agents and are rich in vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, vitamin B8, pantothenic acid, folate, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese. They're good for your skin, vision and oral health

3. Ginger:

Ginger has a long history of use for relieving digestive problems such as nausea, loss of appetite, motion sickness and pain.

4. Turmeric:

Turmeric is a powerful medicine that has long been used in the Chinese and Indian systems of medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent to treat a wide variety of conditions, including flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties, bloody urine, hemorrhage, toothache, bruises, chest pain, and colic.

Nutritious and delicious!  Yum!