Tofu with Kale and Chard in Ginger Sesame Sauce

This easy and delicious meal is full of minerals and vitamins. I eat on average 5 to 6 cups of dark leafy greens a day. The iron and B vitamins keep me feeling energized through out the day!

Tofu with Kale and Chard in Ginger Sesame Sauce

Ingredients:

1 container extra firm tofu (drained of ANY excess water and cut into 1/4 cubes)

2 bunches chard (remove stalks and dispose)

1 bunch Kale (remove stalks and dispose)

3 tablespoons freshly grated ginger

4 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

4 tablespoons tamari (or soy sauce if your in a pinch)

1/4 cup of water

Tofu: 30 mins
Combine ginger, sesame oil and tamari in a small bowl. Pour half of the mixture in small casserole dish. Add tofu cubes to the casserole dish and make sure they are all fully coated. Place in oven for 15 minutes on 35o degrees. Open oven and mix up tofu and place back in the oven for another 15 minutes.

Kale and Chard: 7-8 mins
In large skillet toss greens and remaining sesame ginger sauce over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add 1/4 cup water and cover about 5 minutes or until tender.

Place all the ingredients in a big serving bowl and toss in sesame seeds. Enjoy!

" Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are" ~G.K Chesterton

Vegetarian Kitchen Sink Stew

Vegetarian Kitchen Sink Stew

Ingredients:

3 cups vegetable broth

1 bottle stout beer

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped celery

2 sweet potatoes chopped

1 small red onion finely chopped

3 cloves minced garlic

1 small can tomato paste

1/2 cup lentils

1/2 cup red lentils

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp salt

Combine all the ingredients in a crock pot. Stir until everything is fully coated and the tomato paste is not in chunks. Cook on high for six hours and enjoy!!

Benefits of Vinegar

I am going to go ahead and say that vinegar is a jack of all trades substance. For centuries people have used vinegar for cooking, cleaning, skin care, hair care and medicinally. Here are some facts we do know about vinegar and our health:

- Vinegar only contains 25 calories per half cup. It adds much needed zest and spice to many recipes with very little calories. It can replaces high fat foods like mayo.

- It increases insulin sensitivity for people with type 2 diabetes.

- Vinegar helps the body absorb calcium. Salads made with leafy greens and green veggies are chock full of calcium. Pour some vinegar on that salad and help aid your body in the absorption of calcium.

- Washing your produce in a mixture of water and vinegar gets rid of harmful chemicals.

Vinegar home remedies:

- Cure for Jelly Fish stings

- White vinegar is a great stain remover for clothes

- Fights foot odor and athletes foot

- Soaking in a bath tub of 2 cups vinegar helps soothe sore muscles

- Adding a 1/4 cup vinegar to a vaporizer can help sinus and chest congestion

- Vinegar is great for a bad sunburn

- Vinegar removes build up in hair

Creamy Zucchini and Red Pepper Soup

Ingredients:

3 large zucchinis (cut into chunks)

1 large red pepper (slice and rinse out any seeds)

2 cups vegetable broth or stock

1 1/2 tablespoons minced red onion

1/2 tablespoon minced garlic

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2 fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup pureed silkened tofu (optional if you like a creamier texture)

Bring stock or broth to boil. Add zucchini, peppers and cook until very tender. Strain broth into a seperate pot and keep on medium heat. Puree zucchini, basil and peppers in blender or food processor. Add mixture to stock along with onions, garlic and spices. Stir everything over medium for about 2 minutes, at this time you can slowly add in silkened tofu (I only reccomend this for people who really like tofu. You may add light cream or use nothing at all). Enoy!

"Today, more than 95% of all chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise.”~ Mike Adams

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