Simple Spaghetti Squash

Ingredients:

1 small spaghetti squash
3 tablespoons olive oil2 cloves garlic, finely minced1/4 cup finely chopped basilsalt to taste1/4 cup shredded asiago cheese

Preheat oven to 375F. Pierce squash with a fork. Bake for one hour.Cut squash in half, lengthwise. Use a fork to remove seeds. Continue using fork to scrape the squash to get strands. If the squash seem difficult to scrape, return the squash to the oven until tender . Heat a pan with olive oil and garlic over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes, add basil, salt and spaghetti squash. Sprinkle with Asiago and enjoy!

Food To Age Gracefully

http://www.drweilblog.com/home/2012/11/13/7-foods-for-aging-gracefully.html

Fat Savvy!

Educate.

Nutritional Yeast

Use it. Love it.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/263528-what-are-the-benefits-of-nutritional-yeast-flakes/

Eat Seasonably.

WORLD VEGETARIAN DAY!

IT'S WORLD VEGETARIAN DAY!! Enjoy your Meatless Monday :)

Calorie Counting is Flawed.

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2012/08/27/the-hidden-truths-about-calories/?WT.mc_id=SA_emailfriend

Great Article

Worth reading.

http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/we-should-care-about-where-our-dirt-comes-from/Content?oid=4156561

To all the skeptics!

http://news.yahoo.com/study-placebo-not-acupuncture-helps-pain-211737196.html

Easy Pumpkin Apple Soup

Ingredients:

-1/2 a carton of organic vegetable broth

-2 cans organic and BPA free pumpkin

-1 cup apple sauce

-small piece of ginger root

-1 tbsp chili powder



Bring vegetable broth to a boil. Grate fresh ginger into broth (use as much or as little as desired). When broth comes to a slow boil, add both cans of pumpkin and apple sauce. Stir until smooth (you may add more broth to reach desired thickness). Add chili powder and salt and pepper to taste. Let simmer for 30 minutes then serve.

“Did you ever stop to taste a carrot?  Not just eat it, but taste it?  You can’t taste the beauty and energy of the earth in a Twinkie.” -Astrid Alauda

Organic Consumers Association

http://www.organicconsumers.org/

Real Food Challenge.

http://realfoodchallenge.org/

Plant Based Sources of Iron.

Monsanto and Animal Mutations.

The world's most popular weed killer can induce morphological changes in vertebrate skeletal animals! University of Pittsburgh say Mansanto's Roundup caused the shapes of two species of amphibians to change. This study is the first of it's kind to show the very dangerous consequences of this herbicide. In the presence of predators, tad poles have been shown to change their shape due to stress hormones. Similar shape changes have been seen when tad poles were exposed to roundup sans predators. This development is important because it could potentially affect other animals, our ecosystems health and could be a an indicator of potential dangers to other species in the food chain. Who's at the top of the food chain? Every action has a reaction!

real food.

Software and Sustainable Agriculture.

Good read:

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120806/BUSINESS08/308060040/Software-ease-small-farmer-s-toughest-jobs?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CBusiness%7Cs

Cranshew Quinoa Balls

Ingredients:

1 cup puffed quinoa

1/2 cup cashew butter

3 tbsp agave nectar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup dried cranberries

In a small pot mix everything on low with the exception of puffed quinoa. Slowly add quinoa until everything is thoroughly mixed. Place mixture in the fridge for a half an hour. Once mixture is somewhat firm, roll into small balls and place in wax paper lined container. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” 
― Michael Pollan

Cheat Sheet.

Sticker Stickler.

Spicy Black and White Bean Dip

Ingredients:

1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed, BPA free)

1 can white beans (drained and rinsed, BPA free)

2 garlic cloves

2 tbsp tahini

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 

1 small jalapeno (remove seeds) 

1/4 cup EVOO

1/2 tsp course sea salt

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. 

The greatest delight the fields and woods minister is the suggestion of an occult relation between man and the vegetable. I am not alone and unacknowledged. They nod to me and I to them. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

WHAT A FIND!

French Onion Quinoa Bake.

I make a mean vegetarian french onion soup and I LOVE quinoa mac and cheese, so here is a delicious fusion of both!

1 1/2 cups of quinoa (cook quinoa in vegetable stock instead of water)

1 cup of chopped onions (caramelized in sautee pan)

1 minced garlic clove

1 1/2 cups of cheddar/gruyere blend

1 1/2 cups of skim, soy, rice milk

1 cup of bread crumbs or panko

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Warm milk on stove on low. Grease casserole dish. Combine cooked quinoa, garlic and onions in mixing bowl. Combine warm milk and cheese in pot. Slowly add cheese and milk mixture to mixing bowl. Gently toss until mixed well. Transfer to greased casserole dish. Dust the top with panko or bread crumbs and grate a light layer of gruyere over top of the dish. Bake for 30 minutes and enjoy the gooey goodness!

Drink more green tea.

Alice Waters

. . .if you do not know a lot about Alice Waters, then you should familiarize yourself with her. She is a culinary trailblazer!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Waters

http://www.chezpanisse.com/about/alice-waters/

http://edibleschoolyard.org/

advice from a tree.

Consumers beware!

http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/

Canned BPA

A recent study by Harvard School of Public Health discovered that people who consumed one serving of canned food or soda daily for five days had significantly elevated levels of BPA. BPA is an endocrine disruptor sometimes found in food and soda cans and plastic bottles. The spike in BPA levels that were recorded was one of the highest seen in any study. Luckily you can find BPA free cans at your local health food store. Here are some brands that ARE BPA free:

-Eden Organic
-Native Forest
-Trader Joe's
-Eco Fish
-Wild Planet
-Vital Choice
-Muir Glen Tomatoes

Updated Avocado and Egg

Avocado for Breakfast? Yes Please! It's simple. . . 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut Avocado in half and remove pit. Crack egg into center. Cover top with fresh grated parm or asiago cheese. Add a dash of pepper and hot sauce and voila! Keep in oven until desired consistency is achieved.  This recipe is sure to make any Avocado lover happy :) 

I would like to find a stew that will give me heartburn immediately, instead of at three o'clock in the morning.  ~John Barrymore

very interesting. . .

http://now.msn.com/now/0523-shooting-tiger-poachers-in-india.aspx?ocid=vt_fbmsn

Cha Cha Cha Chia

. . . Not just for your ceramic animals anymore!

Chia is an annual herb that is grown commercially for it's seeds. Chia seeds are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, calcium and  are a good form of protein and fiber. Chia sprouts are great in salads and on sandwiches. Chia seeds can be ground and used in baking or they are great plain and sprinkled over salads or put in granola or oatmeal!

Chia Oatmeal:

1 cup of cooked steel cut oats

1/2 cup warmed vanilla rice milk

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/2 sliced banana

2 tablespoons chia seeds

Mix and enjoy!

Support.

Let us all support the community we live in!
http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Chilled Cucumber Avocado Soup

Ingredients:
2 ripe, peeled avocados
4 cucumbers, peeled and seeded 
2 scallion stalks, whites only
1/4 cup lemon, lime juice mixture
2 cups cold water
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 minced garlic cloves
1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped 
1 tablespoon chopped basil
1 teaspoon  sea salt


Combine all ingredients in blender until smooth. Add more water if consistency is too thick. Place in refrigerator for an hour. Garnish with toasted pine nuts or fresh basil.

Great article!

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/the-yoga-and-diet-connection/

Watermelon Basil Cocktail

It's certainly warming up here in Charleston! I made a non alcoholic cocktail that is super refreshing and tasty!

Ingredients:

4 cups chopped seedless watermelon

1 cup of water

1 cup coconut water

5 large basil leaves

juice from half of a lemon and half of a lime

1 tablespoon agave nectar

Combine all ingredients in a blender and served in a chilled glass over ice. Garnish with a slice of lemon and piece of basil and enjoy!

Interesting. . .

Pink Slime
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/04/pink-slime-maker-afa-files-for-bankruptcy/

Edamame Summer Salad

Ingredients for salad:
2 cups edamame (shelled and cooked)
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup fresh corn off the cob
1/4 cup black sesame seeds

Ingredients for dressing:
3/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 tbsp. juice from an orange
2 tbsp. minced ginger
1 minced garlic clove

Combine all ingredients for the salad in a large mixing bowl. Combine all ingredients for  the dressing in a small bowl and whisk until blended together. Combine as much dressing as desired. Chill for an hour and enjoy.

"Eating is always a decision, nobody forces your hand to pick up food and put it into your mouth"

Albert Ellis, Michael Abrams, Lidia Dengelegi

Coriander to the rescue!

Coriander has been used in homeopathy for things such as: easing pain and convulsions, fighting fungal infections and helping nausea. Researchers from the University of Beira Interior have found another highly effective use for it! The oil from the aromatic plant has been found to be very effective in killing E.Coli, Salmonella and MRSA. It may be very useful in preventing and treating food-borne illnesses in the future.

Vegan Chocolate Pudding

This pudding is raw and vegan but contains GOOD fats. It is great on it's own or as a dessert filling.

Ingredients:
3 ripe avocados
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup agave nectar
1 tbsp almond extract
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup of water
1 cup chocolate almond/rice milk

Blend all ingredients except water in a blender. Add water to reach desired consistency.

Greener With H2O2

Like apple cider vinegar, food grade hydrogen peroxide is a versatile home remedy. H2O2 has one atom of oxygen more then water and is a healthy and inexpensive way to help the body receive more oxygen.

Ailments:

-Acne

-Gingivitis

-Ear wax

-Athletes foot

-Cold and Flu

Household Use:

-Sanitizer

-Stain remover

-Treats mold

-Washes fruits and veggies

-Water plants

Farm Food Freedom Coalition

Take a look:
http://farmfoodfreedom.org

Southern BBQ Tempeh Wrap

Ingredients:
1 pack of tempeh
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 fresh cob of corn, kernels sliced off
1 small tomato, seeds squeezed out and finely chopped
1 cup shredded cabbage
1/4 cup bbq sauce (I like trader joe's and 365 brand)
2-3 spinach wraps

Directions:
Put oven on 350 degrees. Place tempeh steaks on an oiled pan for ten minutes and then flip for another ten minutes. While steaks are in the oven, saute onions in a skillet. Finely chop tempeh steaks and add to skillet. Saute with tomato, corn, olive oil and onion until tempeh is soft. Slowly add bbq sauce, mix together well. Place bbq tempeh and cabbage into spinach wraps and enjoy!

Pineapple Mango Fresh Fruit Pops

This is a great recipe for adults and kids!

Ingredients:
1 can organic crushed pineapple
1/2 cup of orange juice
1 very ripe mango, peeled and and chopped
2 cups lemon seltzer

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on low until smooth. Pour mixture into small plastic dixie cups or ice pop molds. Freeze and enjoy :)

Feel free and add fresh berries to the mixture for an extra little something. . .

Summer Melon Salad

Ingredients:
For Salad:
3 peaches, peeled and sliced
1 cantaloupe, sliced
1 honeydew melon, sliced
10 strawberries, sliced
1 bag of mixed greens

For Dressing:
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp agave nectar
juice from half an orange
zest from half a lemon

Blend ingredients for dressing in blender until smooth. Drizzle over salad and enjoy!

Old blog. Great concept.

A great way to ease into a healthier happier you :)

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/vegan-before-dinnertime/

Day 7 of Juicing

Day 7 juice:
2 apples
1 lemon
1/4 bulb of fennel
1 cucumber

Supplement:
Dandelion Root- A blood purifier that neutralizes acids.

Wonder Food:
Lemon- Aids the body in flushing out toxins, as well as jump-starts the digestive tract with enzymatic processes.

Day 6 of Juicing

Day 6 juice:
2 apples
12 oz. black cherries
1 orange

Supplement:
Burdock- Eases liver problems and digestive disorders. It helps skin problems such as acne, as well as digestive problems.

Wonder Food:
Artichoke- Promotes a healthy liver and gallbladder.

Day 5 of Juicing

Day 5 juice:
1 handful dandelion leaves
1 grapefruit
4 carrots
1 dash cayenne pepper

Supplement:
Chlorella- Because of it's unique ability to bind with mercury, lead, and cadmium, it has be known to be a metal detoxifier.

Wonder Food:
Watercress- Contains glucosinolates which are substances that pep-up and regulate detoxification enzymes in the liver.

Day 4 of Juicing

Day 4 juice:
2 cups of spinach
1 orange
1 large apple
1/2 cucumber

Supplement:
Magnesium- Is a primary mineral for detoxification and also brings acid levels down when your body is purging toxins during a detox program or cleanse.

Wonder Food:
Fennel- Cleanses the liver and clears up uric acid build up in the joints.

Day 3 of Juicing

Day 3 juice:
2 small tomatoes
2 small green apples
1 garlic clove
1 sprig parsley
1 tbsp flax seed

Supplement:
Probiotics-  Cleanses the colon.

Wonder Food:
Radicicchio- Contains the compound intybin, which helps with digestion and is known as a liver detox aid.

Fight for the future!

http://sopastrike.com/

Day 2 of Juicing

Day 2 Juice:
4 carrots
1/2 of a beet
1 inch peeled ginger root
1 small bunch of parsley

Supplement:
Organic triple fiber- Helps moves waste through the intestines and balances pH.

Wonder Food:
Sunflower Seeds- High in Vitamin E and Selenium which naturally detoxify the body.

7 Days Of Juicing.

After the holidays, a person might feel sluggish and feel the need to kick those new years resolutions into full gear. Hitting the gym, losing weight, toning up and becoming a more active person is great, but I always find that a detox works wonders to jump start a new fitness program. For the next seven days I will post a daily juice recipe, supplements and other foods to aid in detoxification. With any detox or cleanse their are many things a person cannot consume: Sugar, dairy, caffeine, meat, eggs, gluten, alcohol and unnecessary medications.


Day 1 Juice:
 1 cup of spinach
 1/2 cucumber
 2 stalks of celery including leaves
 3 carrots
 1/2 apple

Supplement:
Milk Thistle- aids in the detoxification of the liver.

Wonder food:
Mung Beans- These beans are very easy to digest and absorb toxic residue on the intestinal wall.


Until tomorrrow. ..

Pecan Almond Pate

1 cup almonds, soaked for 24 hours
1 cup pecans, soaked for 24 hours
1/4 cup chopped spinach
2 cups of carrots
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp finely chopped scallions
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp sea salt

Chop nuts, one cup of carrots and spinach in a blender. Juice remaining cup of carrots. Combine all ingredients and mix well in a bowl. Take mixture and tightly press into a small casserole dish. I enjoy flax seed crackers to dip in pate.

Overnight Crock-Pot Oatmeal

This recipe is great for clean parents to give their kids! Prepare this at night and have a wonderful, warm breakfast waiting for you in the morning.

Ingredients:

1 cup steel cut oats

1 cup quinoa

2 cups vanilla rice or almond milk

3 cups water

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup raisins

1/4  cup dried mango

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 tbsp. agave nectar

Combine all ingredients in crock-pot, cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.

Americans and Ivy Leagues.

Why is it that the "experts" at Harvard School of Public Health have declared that dairy fat is not good for humans AND NOW everybody is listening?  Vegans, clean eaters and health conscious people alike have been saying for years and years and literally have been laughed at! I have told my friends, family and clients for a long time that humans are the only mammals who consume milk after they are weaned off mothers milk AND are now consuming milk from other mammals. This does not happen in nature except for a few reasons, such as a mother dying and a baby feeding off another mammals milk for survival. Here are a few fun facts (but they didn't come from experts at an Ivy League so I suppose a lot of people will ignore it)

One study compared cancer rates of vegetarians and meat-eaters in 34,000 Americans. The results showed that those who avoided meat, fish, and poultry had dramatically lower rates of prostate, ovarian, and colon cancer compared to meat-eaters.

An 11-year-long German study involving more than 800 vegetarian men found that their cancer rates were less than half those of the general public. The lowest cancer rates were found in those who had avoided meat for 20 years or more.

A 2007 study of more than 35,000 women published in the British Journal of Cancer found that women who ate the most meat had the highest risk of breast cancer.

A study comparing the dietary habits of men in 32 countries found that the highest risk factors for prostate cancer mortality were meat and dairy products. By contrast, another study of men diagnosed with prostate cancer showed that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains can slow or even halt the progression of the disease.

Scientists from the Bremen Institute for Prevention, Research, and Social Medicine and the German Cancer Research Center observed in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that "the relationship between a vegetarian and fiber-rich diet and a decreased risk for colon cancer has been reported in many studies."