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.
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.
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.
Holistic Nutritionist, Amy Michelle Weiss, shows you how to make a simple Raw Chocolate. Eat this simple recipe as is or use it as a base recipe for other chocolate treats.
1. Base Recipe (Vegan)
Raw chocolate
10 dates
4 tbsp Cacao Powder
1 tbsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 tbsp Honey
Put all ingredients into food processor and blend until it forms a log. Break off chunks and roll into balls or shape into brownie squares. Serve plain or Roll/top in coconut shreds, nuts, cacao nibs or goji berries.
This simple 5 ingredient Raw Chocolate Recipe packs a powerful punch of nutrients and minerals while satisfying the deepest chocoholics chocolate dreams. This recipe is low fat, raw, vegan, gluten free, chemical free with no GMO's and can be eaten in abundance as a superfood that's incredible for your health. Yum!
2. Balanced
10 dates
4 tablespoons cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest or extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean or extract
Dash Black Pepper
Dash Cayenne Pepper
2 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
Put all ingredients in a food processor and pulse and grind until it forms a log.
Break off chunks and roll into balls or shape into brownie squares. Serve plain or Roll/top in coconut shreds, nuts, cacao nibs or goji berries
Adding coconut oil adds fats to the recipe. It's still raw, vegan, chemical free with no GMO's. Due to the fat you need to eat this version of Raw Chocolate in Moderation.
3. Splurge
10 dates
4 tablespoons cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest or extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean or extract
Dash Black Pepper
Dash Cayenne Pepper
2 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons coconut oil
Put all ingredients in a food processor and pulse and grind until it forms a log.
Break off chunks and roll into balls or shape into brownie squares and place on wax paper. Place in freezer for 1 hour. Serve plain or top with coconut shreds, nuts, cacao nibs, salt or goji berries
Adding the extra coconut oil will turn this simple Raw Chocolate into a smooth chocolate raw mouse cheesecake but will load this treat with fat. Although this recipe is still raw, vegan, chemical free, gluten free with no GMO's the high fat content makes it a splurge you should eat on occasion
Health Benefits:
1. Cacoa -
Cacao powder is an unfiltered and more nutritious version of cocoa! Cacao is a super food that has dietary fiber, polyphenols and Magnesium! Polyphenols in Cacao help reduce cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, and is used for cancer prevention. Their antioxidant properties may be responsible for many of their pharmacological effects, including the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the protection of LDL-cholesterol against oxidation, and increase resistance to oxidative stress. The phenolics from cacao also modify the glycemic response and the lipid profile, decreasing platelet function and inflammation along with diastolic and systolic arterial pressures, which, taken together, may reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Cocao polyphenols can also reduce and improve digestion. Cacao protects against diseases which oxidative stress is a contributor to, such as cancer.
2. Dates:
The significant amount of minerals found in dates make it a super food for strengthening bones and fighting off painful and debilitating diseases like osteoporosis. Dates contain selenium, manganese, copper, and magnesium, all of which are integral to healthy bone development and strength, particularly as people begin to age and their bones gradually weaken. They also increase your sex drive
3. Honey -
Possesses antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Honey has been known to help heal wounds, control acid reflux, reduce stomach inflammation and reduce allergy symptoms. (*studies are still being conducted to scientifically show the benefits on a molecular level but historically honey has been known to benefit the aforementioned ailments)
4. Cinnamon-
Cinnamon may reduce inflammation, have antioxidant effects, and fight bacteria. Lab studies have found that cinnamon may lower blood sugar and help reduce cholesterol levels. It's has also been used as an appetite suppressant as well as a natural sweetener to replace refined sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Conclusion:
By learning how certain ingredients can change the health benefits of a dish, we can vary the ingredients to insure we are balanced in our eating. Making the vegan option more often for health centered meals, adding a little something extra for a balanced meal and going all out for a splurge by making educated cooking choices. That's how you create a lifestyle you can live with. Enjoy!
If we are only as great as our weakest link then the only way to build a stronger foundation for America is to start at the bottom of our society. I am very much so a believer in the trickle up system where we implement change in our local government to eventually see change on a federal level.
As it stands right now we have millions of people incarcerated sitting around deemed useless to society. Our government isn't making use of our prison systems to rehabilitate prisoners and create functional human beings. We have huge issues with immigration and education as well in this country, that we don't have the resources to do a total overhaul of these systems. What we need to do is to start implementing a new system that will phase out the old while creating the economy to support the new systems.
My idea is simple and starts with the basic fundamental lessons that a human needs in order to live, teaching man to feed himself. We create an agreement between farmers and the prisons that would allow farmers to use prisoners for day labor instead of illegal immigrants. The prisoners are taught the basics of farming at the same rate that the illegal immigrants were paid, a portion of the prisoners income goes to fund immigration reform. The other portion of their income goes towards the cultivation of the land around the prisons. Prisoners are given a choice for which part of farming they are interested in learning about seeding, cultivation, picking, packaging, distribution, marketing and cooking, for example. They are each given a daily schedule for their participation in the prison farm and they actually learn their role while doing it. Giving them structure, an education and a foundation for being a productive person. When you teach someone with purpose and they feel good in their accomplishments they will continue down that path.
Corporations that want to be involved with the farming program will need to make public bids with full disclosure about what their products contain and the actual impact their products may have on the human body and environment, if chemicals are involved. The general public would vote on which companies will be allowed to provide for this program, in their local area.
The foods that are grown on the property are used to feed the prisoners. The prison is now supporting itself and freeing a large amount of tax payers money for the reform of other programs. Without chemicals in their foods, the prisoners will mentally flourish. Many prisoners mental issues may be alleviated without the effects of improper nutrition and chemicals in the foods. Prisoners who have mental disabilities and aren't able to adhere to proper behavior will be able to be put on courses of medications and get the psychological attention they need because the system won't be overrun with prisoners whose issues were based on the lack of structure, proper nutrition and education. We will truly be able to see who can be rehabilitated and who has mental illness.
The surplus food that is grown by the prisons is shipped to local schools to provide each child with a free lunch and snack of whole foods organically grown. The prisoners being responsible for the shipping and logistics of the delivery of the food, further teaching them skills that they can use when they are released. Providing food for schools would open a large portion of funding for other aspects of education. Also by providing children with food that nourishes them we are increasing their ability to learn and focus.
This simple idea teaches a person how to feed themselves. It can rehabilitate a person who was never given the chance to learn how to be a contributing member of society. We have now taken people who are costing society and turned them into people who are paying their debt to society by creating economy while rehabilitating themselves into someone who can function in society because they were given the structure, education and proper nutrition to succeed in life. The trickle up effects of this program would be insurmountable and would solve a lot of the issues in this country that seem to keep going deeper and deeper into despair.
Like I said at the beginning, the only way to change the problems that have developed because of the corruption of the American government is to start by changing our foundation at our weakest link.
Mmmmmm chocolate pudding with 5 all natural ingredients! This delicious and rich pudding is a super food! High in vitamins and nutrients that prevent diseases and feed your body while delighting your taste buds with deliciousness! There are no chemicals or GMO's and this recipe is fully raw and vegan!
Health benefits of the ingredients:
1. Cacao -
Cacao powder is an unfiltered and more nutritious version of cocoa! Cacao is a super food that has dietary fiber, polyphenols and Magnesuim! Polyphenols in Cacao help reduce cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, and is used for cancer prevention. Their antioxidant properties may be responsible for many of their pharmacological effects, including the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the protection of LDL-cholesterol against oxidation, and increase resistance to oxidative stress. The phenolics from cacao also modify the glycemic response and the lipid profile, decreasing platelet function and inflammation along with diastolic and systolic arterial pressures, which, taken together, may reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Cocao polyphenols can also reduce and improve digestion. Cacao protects against diseases which oxidative stress is a contributor to, such as cancer.
2. Dates:
The significant amount of minerals found in dates make it a super food for strengthening bones and fighting off painful and debilitating diseases like osteoporosis. Dates contain selenium, manganese, copper, and magnesium, all of which are integral to healthy bone development and strength, particularly as people begin to age and their bones gradually weaken. They also increase your sex drive
3. Bananas:
Bananas are a good source of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. The unique mix of vitamins, minerals, and low glycemic carbohydrates makes bananas a go to for physical training and work out endurance.
Overflowing with nutrients and vitamin rich goodness and flavor this pudding is a wonderful way to start your day! Yum!
