White bean bruschetta with grilled radicchio

Ingredients:

Loaf of multi grain bread

1 can organic white beans (drained and rinsed)

1 minced glove of garlic

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons lemon juice

pinch of salt and pepper

1/4 cup pine nuts

2 cups radicchio

Balsamic vinegar

Slice the loaf of bread into half inch slices. Toast the slices until they are crispy on the outside but a little soft on the inside. Puree the white beans, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper until it reaches a thick smooth texture. Lay the radicchio flat out on a grill, Foreman or grill pan. Grill for 2 1/2 minutes on each side or until the tips are crispy (if you are using a Foreman grill just close it for 4 minutes). Hand mix the pine nuts into the puree mix. Spread a heaping tablespoon onto toast, top with a few pieces of radicchio and sprinkle with balsamic. Bon appetite!

Super foods for radiant skin.

Ruddy, dry winter skin? Are you finding that the gloomy winter months are taking a toll on your face and hair? Here are some super foods that will make your skin and hair radiant. Incorporate these ingredients (that include vitamin A, B's and C. Biotin, Selenium, Zinc and Omega 3's) into each meal and surely you will see and feel a difference.

Wild Salmon

Oysters

Blueberries

Spinach

Walnuts

Tomatoes

Sweet Potatoes

Kiwis

Brazil Nuts

Quinoa

Pumpkin Seeds

Kale

Pomegranates

Aloe Vera

Green Tea

Coconut Oil

The Replacements

Here are some healthy, easy and tasty ingredients to replace not so clean ones.

Replace - for -

Spread avocado for mayo

Agave nectar for sugar

Stevia for sugar (when baking up to 400 degrees)

1/2 cup of apple sauce for an egg in baking recipes

Flavored seltzer for soft drinks

Quinoa for cous cous

0% Greek yogurt for sour cream

Spinach for iceberg

Fresh herbs for salt

Vinegars for dressing

Crushed bran flakes for bread crumbs

Canned pumpkin for butter in baking recipes

Cooked lentils for ground beef

If you decide to incorporate these ingredients into your diet you will not only lose weight but you will feel great!

“Those who think they have no time for healthy eating, will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” – Edward Stanley

Sweet Tooth

I have always had a sweet tooth, but I have found that all the desserts I come across lately are chock full of crap. So yesterday I set out to work to make a great clean dessert that everyone will love.

Oats and Crannie Balls Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups oats

1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup almond slivers

1/4 cup sunflower seeds (no shells)

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 Jar organic peanut butter

In a blender or food processor combine oats, sunflower seeds, almonds and chocolate chips. Blend until finely chopped and then slowly add in cranberries until they are finely chopped as well. Add vanilla extract and mix for 10 seconds. Take mixture and put into a large mixing bowl. Slowly add a cup of organic peanut butter (make sure it is mixed well with the oil on the top of the jar). Since different brands of peanut butter have different consistencies you may need to use more. The mixture should be a large sticky, firm ball. Place in the fridge for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes take out the mixture and start balling into 1 inch balls. Place on cookie sheet and let the firm up in the fridge for a few hours. Enjoy!

You may replace almonds with any nut, cranberries with raisins and add coconut.

"Never eat more then you can lift" -Miss Piggy

Muffins

Here is a great recipe for cranblueberry muffins. They are quick, unrefined, full of protein and are great for a healthy start to the day.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup cranberries

1 egg

3/4 tsp baking powder

2 tsp almond oil

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 organic cranberry juice

pinch of stevia or splenda

1 pinch cinnamon

1 pinch nutmeg

1/3 cup oat flour

1 ounce soy protein

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another. Leave berries aside until the end. Slowly whisk wet ingredients into dry until no lumps remain. Spray muffin tins with non stick BAKING spray. Fill each muffin cup half way and add an equal amount of berries to each cup. Cook for 25 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean, when inserted into the middle.


“Our food should be our medicine and our medicine should be our food.” – Hippocrates