Berry Buckwheat Griddle Cakes.

Best breakfast ever!

1/2 cup buckwheat flour

1/2 cup quinoa flour

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 cup vanilla almond or rice milk

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 tbsp egg substitute

1 large handful of muddled fresh berries (whatever is in season)

1 tsp. lemon zest

Mix all ingredients in mixing bowl and stir until smooth. Cook griddle cakes over lightly oiled skillet.

FINALLY!

It's like a groupon for vegetarians and clean eaters :)

Spencersmarket.com

Coconut Cranberry No Bake Cookies

1 1/2 cup dates

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup almonds

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup shredded almonds

1/2 crushed pecans

2 tbsp orange zest

1 tbsp almond extract

Mix all ingredients in mixing bowl with hands. Roll into small balls and ENJOY!!!

Please read.

http://www.live5news.com/story/16350020/stolen

TAKE A STAND AGAINST ANIMAL ABUSE!

Donate today:

http://autismservicedogsofamerica.com/

The gift that keeps giving.

Help an animal in need for the holidays! Donate, adopt, foster or volunteer. Fergus (Left) Byrdie (Right) are my rescues from the North Shore Animal League and ASPCA Summerville : )

humanesociety.org

aspca.org

animalleague.org

vrcpitbull.net

bestfriends.org

Walnut Pesto

Ingredients

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

2 handfuls fresh basil

1 handful baby arugula

5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 pinch of sea salt and course black pepper

Add all dry ingredients in a food processor and finely chop. Slowly add olive oil while pulsing the mixture. This pesto is excellent over spelt pasta or even used as a dip for crackers and veggies. Happy Holidays!

. . .

"We have been led to believe that our genetics are fixed, but they are not. While our genes don't change, the environment in which our genes are bathed in does change" Dr. Mark Hyman

food for thought.

The Union of Concerned Scientists have estimated that 24 million pounds of antibiotics are used each year. Here is the break down:

2 million lbs used to treat sick animals

3 million lbs used to treat human infection

19 million lbs are given to animals to prevent sickness

CHEW ON THAT!

Mega Green Salad

Ingredients:

1 cup spinach
1 cup arugula
1/4 cup dulse flakes
1/2 diced cucumber
1/2 cup sprouts
1 small diced avocado
1 tbsp. black sesame seeds
1 tbsp. sesame oil
pinch of sea salt and pepper.

toss gently and serve.

“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.” -Buddha

Worth reading!

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/12/01/7-foods-should-never-eat/

Baked Sweet Potato and Oatmeal.

4 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 cup prepared sweet potato puree
1/2 cup crushed pecan/walnut mix
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. agave nectar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups steel cut oats
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 375. Combine all ingredients (except nuts) in a casserole dish. Layer nuts on top and bake on bottom rack of oven for an hour or until cooked through. Happy Thanksgiving!

Nightshades.

"Nightshade" is actually the common name used to describe over 2,800 species of plants, many with very different properties and constituents. All of the plants, however, belong to a scientific order called Polemoniales, and to a scientific family called Solanaceae. To give you an idea of the diversity associated with this group of plants, consider the fact that tobacco, morning glory, potato, and tomato are all classified as nightshades.

Nightshades contain substances known as alkaloids. These substances can impact nerve muscle function and joint function. Cooking nightshades lowers the alkaloid content by about 40-50% The steroid alkaloids in potato - primarily solanine and chaonine - have been studied for their health effects in two areas. First is their ability to block activity of an enzyme in nerve cells called cholintesterase. Many of the alkaloids found in nightshades possess this kind of activity, called cholinesterase inhibition. If the activity of cholinesterase is too strongly blocked, the nervous system control of muscle movement becomes disrupted, and muscle twitching, trembling, paralyzed breathing, or convulsions can result. Nightshade has widely been known to aggravate arthritis and other joint diseases. Some people are very sensitive to alkaloids and find that cutting out nightshades relieves such symptoms.

If you think you may have a sensitivity to alkaloids then you should try to cut them out of your diet and see if you notice any difference :)

Yoga For Digestion

Eat well. Be well.

http://www.divinecaroline.com/22177/114912-seven-gentle-yoga-poses-better

"Like" on Facebook

New group page on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eating-Clean-Better-Well-Being/275398182501937

Sweet Potato Curry Soup

This soup will keep you full and warm on an autumn day :)

Sweet Potato Curry Soup:

3 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut
4 1/2 cups organic vegetable broth
1 can light coconut milk
1/2 cup red lentils
1 red apple, peeled and cut
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tbsp. curry powder

Directions

Put all ingredients into a large soup pot and bring to a medium boil. Cook on medium until the apples and sweet potatoes and lentils are soft. Using a hand blender, blend until the soup is smooth. Serve with Whole grain toast points and enjoy.

Local.

http://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/

Farm to School.

Every parent and every person who wants to fight childhood obesity in the U.S, should take a look at this sight. Get involved!

http://www.farmtoschool.org/

Peppery Sprouted Toast

This is a great breakfast on the go or a quick snack!

1 piece sprouted toast

1/2 avocado sliced thinly

3 large basil leaves

4 large slices of roasted red pepper

4 large pieces of arugula

salt and pepper to taste

drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic

Tasty Greens Smoothie

Most people do not get enough dark leafy greens into their diets. This smoothie is a great way to incorporate it into your daily diet.

• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 banana
• 2 cups chopped Kale


Blend until smooth and enjoy :)




“Leave the drugs in the chemist’s pot if you can heal the patient with food” -Hippocrates

Green+Music=Brilliant

Eco-Friendly Music :)

http://greenmusicgroup.org/

Moms! Take a look.

http://www.breastcancerfund.org/big-picture-solutions/make-our-products-safe/cans-not-cancer/bpa-in-kids-canned-food.html

Farm to table.

Bon Appetit' #1 restaurant in the U.S is Charlestons own Husk  Restaurant!


http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/07/us-food-charleston-husk-idUSTRE7856XL20110907

Inspires me everyday. . .

http://livingbeyondbc.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/cancer-before-and-after/

Pumpkin Orange Smoothie

The benefits of Pumpkin are endless. They contain Alpha-Carotene, Beta-Carotene, Fiber, Vitamin C and E, Potassium and Magnesium. Here is a recipe that is a great alternative to your typical fruit smoothie and will keep you feeling fuller longer. 

16 oz can of organic pumpkin puree

2 cups almond milk

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

The juice from half an orange.

Blend until smooth and enjoy. Serves 4.

Activia

Activia is a brand of probiotic dairy products owned by Danone (known as Dannon in the United States). Activia is marketed as a beneficial health product, with a focus on improved digestion for both men and women. Activia products contain the probiotic bacterium Bifidobacterium animalis DN 173 010, but Danone predominantly uses the trade names Bifidus Regularis or Bifidus Actiregularis. Activia is classified as a functional food designed to address digestive health. Danone claims that the Bifidobacterium animalis helps relieve digestive discomfort and irregularity.

Activia Claims that you'd have to eat it THREE times a day for two weeks, before you notice any improvement in your digestive health. After the two weeks is up, a person would still have to consume it 3x a day to continue the benefits of the probiotics. I personally know a ton of women who "swear by" Activia and I cannot help but laugh. The cost of Activia is $6.99 for a twelve pack, Therefore a twelve pack would last for four days. That roughly amounts to $650 dollars a year, after taxes. Mind you, the light yogurt contains about 70 calories per 1 serving and the regular Activia contains about 110 calories per 1 serving. 3x a day @ 100 calories a serving for 365 days would equal 109,500 calories a year for "good digestion". I am not even mentioning sugar, sodium and saturated fat, but it sure seems like consuming and spending a lot to reap the benefits of Activia. A person would be better off educating them self on how to achieve a diet that is healthy and clean. Also, a person could buy a bottle of probiotics from a company like Swanson for two bucks for 60 capsules that deliver 3 billion CFU of beneficial bacteria per capsule. You do the math. Once again. . .Do not believe the hype!

High fructose corn syrup.

Have you ever seen a corn syrup commercial? They are so popular, SNL spoofed one of them. They try to make it seem like Corn syrup is not bad and is equal to sugar. Well. . . Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have come to the conclusion that High Fructose Corn Syrup deactivates the brains satiation response. Therefore it appears to increase obesity and diabetes. Steer clear and READ LABELS. The U.S is notorious for putting it in tons of products.

Meatless Mondays

Food service giant Sedexo is introducing "Meatless Mondays" to 3,000 corporate cafeterias and hospitals in the U.S.  Arlin Wasserman, the company's vice president for sustainability says "We make it attractive, compelling and much easier than anything else to eat vegetarian."

Meatless Mondays is great for your health and the environment. Give it a go!

Grist.org

Grist.org is a very educational website and I encourage everyone to take a look! 
http://www.grist.org/sustainable-food/2011-03-08-finally-the-usda-names-names-in-its-dietary-guidelines

Food Additives.

Take a look at this website. It's very interesting and helpful.

cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm

Cranberry Cous Cous Summer Salad

This is a great recipe as a side or a meal and especially wonderful on a hot day : )

1/2 cup organic orange juice

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup whole wheat cous cous

1 cup diced mango

1 cup dried cranberries

1/3 cup chopped yellow onion

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp olive oil

pinch of salt and pepper

Bring all liquids to a boil. Add cous cous, remove from heat and cover until all water has absorbed and the cous cous is fluffy. Let the cous cous cool in the fridge for an hour. Add the rest of the ingredients, put in serving bowl and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Bon appetit!

be fierce, be fit, be kind, be happy, be you.

I wanted to share this blog with my readers. The title says it all :) Jackie Roth is an inspiration to women, young and old!

http://livingbeyondbc.wordpress.com/2010/12/21/be-fierce-be-fit-be-kind-be-happy-be-you/

Enhanced water is a hype!

I constantly see people walking around with vitamin water and other enhanced waters in their hands. I really just want to shake them and let them know that their $3 beverage is a waste of money, time and calories. These drinks claim that they are enhanced with B vitamins, minerals and vitamin C. News flash, B vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble and you SHOULD be getting these vitamins through your diet. So, in the long run you are paying three bucks to pee out whatever vitamins and minerals you are "drinking" because your body excretes what you don't need. If your enhanced waters contain fat-soluble vitamins(vitamins A, E, D, and K) then you would have to eat a meal that contains a good amount of fat directly before drinking it. So, stop wasting money on a drink that DOES NOT contain real fruit juice, has empty calories and really will not provide any nutritional value. Instead, eat a diet rich in fruit and veggies and if need be, take a quality multi vitamin :) Do not believe the hype!

Also. . .

Coca Cola owns Glaceau Vitamin Water

Pepsi Co owns SOBE

The Gluten Craze!

Every time I turn on E! or read a magazine, I am hearing about gluten free diets. This celebrity lost weight on a gluten free diet or so and so went gluten free and lost 40 lbs. UGHHHHHH it's exhausting.
Gluten (from Latin gluten "glue") is a protein composite that appears in foods processed from wheat and related species, including barley and rye. It gives elasticity to dough, helping it to rise and to keep its shape, and often giving the final product a chewy texture. Gluten is the composite of a prolamin and a glutelin, which exist, conjoined with starch, in the endosperm of various grass-related grains. Gliadin, a water-soluble, and glutenin, a water-insoluble, (the prolamin and glutelin from wheat) compose about 80% of the protein contained in wheat seed. Being insoluble in water, they can be purified by washing away the associated starch. Worldwide, gluten is a source of protein, both in foods prepared directly from sources containing it, and as an additive to foods otherwise low in protein.

The fact of the matter is that a gluten free diet is not a fad weight loss trend! It is a serious problem. Many many people have a wheat intolerance and do not even know it. Gluten is in so much stuff now a days and it causes symptoms that you may not even know you have because you have lived with them so long that it seems normal. Abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhea. Unless you cut out gluten for a period of time and start to notice a difference, you may never know you have an intolerance. An intolerance and a wheat allergy are different because unlike allergies, most intolerances are not caused by an immune system response but by a reaction in the digestive tract. Celiac disease is popping up left and right in our country and it is another major problem. Celiac disease is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy. The damage is due to a reaction to eating gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats. I know a handful of people who are in their 30's who are JUST NOW getting diagnosed. I do not believe in fad diets and I do not believe that their are short cuts for being healthy and losing weight. If you think you have a gluten intolerance then cut it out of your diet for 2 weeks. Most people feel less bloated and they are more regular, it is similiar to a dairy intolerance. Oh and one more thing. . . EAT LOCAL!!!

Community Supported Agriculture

Everyone can make a difference!

http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Spelt Pasta with Artichoke and Spinach

This is a great gluten free pasta recipe for any occasion

Ingredients:

3 cups spelt pasta

1 shallot, finely chopped

6 oz artichoke hearts

1/2 cup basil, finely chopped

3 minced garlic cloves

2 1/2 cups chopped spinach

3 tbsp lemon juice

3 tbsp EVOO

2 cups dry white wine

Cook pasta. In a large saute pan, saute shallot and garlic in olive oil for two minutes. Add white wine until it reduces by half. Add lemon juice and artichoke hearts. Saute until artichokes are hot and tender. Add pasta to the pan and toss together. Place in a large serving bowl and slowly fold spinach and basil into the pasta. Drizzle a little EVOO and salt and pepper to taste!

ASA

Take a look.

http://www.agstewardship.org/

Autism Awareness Month

http://www.autismspeaks.org/

Bloody Mary Soup

This is a great recipe for a hot day!

Bloody Mary Soup:

4 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and seeded

1 1/2 cups of tomato juice

1 small white onion, chopped

1 yellow or green pepper, chopped and seeded

1 garlic clove, sliced

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 large stalk of celery, chopped

4 shakes of hot sauce

Combine all ingredients (except for lemon and tomato juice) in blender and blend into paste. Slowly add in tomato and lemon juice until smooth. Give a couple dashes of salt and pepper to taste. Let chill in the fridge for 4-6 hours and serve in glasses or goblets.

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”
- Virginia Woolf

Appalling

Please take a moment and read this.

http://inhabitat.com/godaddy-ceo-hunts-elephants-for-sport/

Facebook

Join the Eating Clean. Better Well-Being page on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134020343285937&ref=ts

Chickpea, Tomato and Cucumber Salad

This is a quick refreshing salad that is great for a summer day :)

1 can of chickpeas, drained

2 Tomatoes scooped and chopped (you only want the firm outsides)

1 small cucumber peeled and chopped

1 Scallion, chopped

1 minced garlic clove

3 large mint leaves finely chopped

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Drizzle of olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Combine everything in a bowl and place in the fridge for an hour. I enjoy serving this with a pitcher of water with cucumber slices in it.

Sea Vegetables

Sea Vegetables (Spirulina - kelp - Chlorella) have been acknowledged as a detoxifyer, a balanced nourishment and a miraculous healing plant. They empower immune system function and have been credited with increasing energy, improving general well being and accelerating wound healing. They contain such minerals and vitamins as:

Selenium
Boron
Chromium
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamin C
B12

Kai Nation

Take a look.

http://www.kaination.com/

Twitter.

Follow me on Twitter @CleanEatingSC

Faux Chicken Salad.

8 Morningstar frozen Chik’n Strips
1/3 red onion, cut into 1-2inch long strips
1 tsp – 1 tbsp olive oil
Sea salt + pepper to taste

(slice onion into strips, add Chik’n and oil + Salt + pepper on the cutting board, before laying single-layered onto griddle pan our sauté pan preheated under medium heat. Cook Chik’n + red onions until dark sear lines show, turning to add color to each side).
Dressing:
Tsp fresh garlic
Tsp sea salt
Tbsp white wine
Tbsp dijon mustard
Tbsp balsamic vinegar
Tsp lemon juice
Pinch red pepper flake, pepper, sugar
Tbsp hard cheese
1-2 tbsp oil

Mince 2 small/1 large clove of garlic, place into small mixing bowl. Add 1 tsp of sea salt and mash into a paste in the bowl with the back of a spoon. Add 1 tbsp of white wine and microwave for 30 sec. Stir in (following measurements to taste:) 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp lemon juice, ½ tsp red pepper flake, ½ tsp pepper, 1 tbsp hard cheese and emulsify with 1-2 tbsp quality olive oil.
Prepare bed of mixed greens on dinner plate, add 4-5 pickled peppers/jalapeños (or pepperocinis), mincing one to add to bed of greens. Place grilled Chik’n and red onion over bed of greens. Add 1 tbsp grated Parmesan/Romano or blend cheese (or other flavorful cheese) and dress with pre-made dressing. Serve and enjoy!

Millet with Corn and Arugula

1 cup millet

1 sliced ripe avocado

2 cups arugula

1 cup fresh corn kernels

juice from one lemon

2 tablespoons olive oil

pinch of sea salt and black pepper



Prepare millet as directions say on bag or box. Let cool. Combine all ingredients (except arugula and avocado) in a serving bowl. Layer arugula and avocado over millet mixture and enjoy :)