Raw Tidbits

The Better Chip

2012-02-15T16:18:00.000-08:00

The Better Chip sent me all of these goodies!

My husband endeavors to eat healthy while on the road and will sometimes shop at Meijer's.

One of his staples is hummus. While making his purchase he happened upon, "The Better Chip", Jalapeno flavored. Every week he would tell me how great these chips were and that I would probably like them.... because they were healthy. hmmmm....I thought.

So I contacted the company to see what all the fuss was about.

Oh my goodness!!!

These are the best tasting chips up to date!!!

They are packed FULL of intense flavor and thick and crispy.

Here is some info from "The Better Chip" website

Made with 40% fresh ingredients so the flavor is inside

All Natural

Gluten Free

Non-GMO

Made in a completely nut-free environment. No Kidding. We touch no nuts in our chip facility.

Lactose free (Red Pepper & Salsa Fresca, Jalapeno Sea Salt)

Contain NO animal bi-products

Made on a line dedicated to only tortilla products

I will eat these occasionally

because chips are not part of a nutrient dense diet.

BUT

we all have our weaknesses :)

...and they are vegan :) :)

Bean Mash

2012-02-15T15:47:00.000-08:00

This is one of our family favorite go-to's for snacks or as part of a complete meal.

BEAN MASH

2 cans of organic garbanzo's drained & rinsed

1 to 1 1/2 c. of finely chopped celery (the more the better in my book)

dried onion or chopped onions to taste ( I use about 1/3 c. dried onions)

dill to taste

organic sweet pickle relish to taste

Vegenaise to moisten

Pulse all ingredients except the celery in the food processor until slightly chunky. Be careful not to over process.*

Place into a bowl and add in the celery and enough Vegenaise or almond mayo to moisten.

If you want to make it taste like tuna salad, sprinkle it with dulse granules.

You can use this as a dip, a spread with crackers, as a wrap on a whole grain tortilla, lettuce roll up, or a sandwich on sprouted bread with lettuce and tomato!

As you can see it is very versatile....as always use your imagination and change up the beans, spices and or veggies and make it your own.

*If you prefer a pate or hummus like consistency you can blend it until smooth

My Date with the Blender

2012-02-15T15:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours in my kitchen with my Vita-Mix. A friend had sent me an e-mail question about constipation and sluggish bowels...

I do have some experience in this area with my own GI tract issues, so I was happy to share how I deal with this situation. I then became inspired to do a little cleanse of my own. The pictures below are the recipes I use to get things moving. I find it helpful to consume mainly raw foods in blended forms to move things along and juice to allow my digestive tract to rest in between meals and for their healing properties.

RED LEMONADE

1/2 cucumber

mixed baby greens

collards

1 small beet~unpeeled & quartered

celery

ginger

romaine

water to blend

strain & add

100% organic lemon juice

liquid stevia to taste

This is my finished product and it was refreshing & delicious!

BLENDED SALAD

2 vine ripe tomatoes quartered

baby greens

romaine

lots of celery

cilantro

mango

jalapeno

lemon or lime juice

I like to blend mine into a chunky consistency so that it has some texture with something to chew on. I also find that this helps with bulking things up to get them moving.

ARUGULA SMOOTHIE

1 c. of water

1 c. mixed berries

1/2 c. mango

2 c. of arugula~this has a very unique taste so do not use this much unless you like it

hemp seeds

ginger

blend & serve

These are the ingredients for the smoothie I made for my children.

almond milk

spinach

banana

mango

blueberries

hemp seeds

blend & serve

I really love fresh raw almond milk! We drink a lot of it at our house.

I used one cup of soaked almonds and 6 c. of water and blended

I strain mine through a nut milk bag for a smooth & creamy milk.

If you prefer at more creamy milk, just decrease the amount of water to nuts.

Stevita

2012-02-01T19:12:00.000-08:00

The great people at Stevita sent me a goodie package!

Around my house we love using stevia in place of other sweeteners because it does not affect blood sugar and Stevita is gluten free, sugar free, chemical free, allergen free. I can really tell the difference between it and other brands. Stevita has a very clean taste. My children loved the flavored single packets and the gum! I have used the toffee flavor in my cacao almond milk and it is wonderful! I always carry the single packets in my purse to add to mineral water with lemon for a healthy soda.

Stevita or stevia can be used in smoothies, coffee beverages, cereals, etc.

You can go to their site and request a sample to try it for yourself or follow the link below to purchase yours at Amazon. Amazon carries all of their products!

Daily Greens

2012-02-01T15:34:00.000-08:00

My Green Drink today

romaine

baby mixed greens

celery

kale stems

lemon

ginger

stevia

Make sure you & your family are getting a sufficient & consistent amount of Greens everyday!

They are powerful immune boosting and cancer fighting foods!

My morning

Green Smoothie

water

spinach

blueberries

mango

pineapple

pomegranate seeds

hemp seeds

Always think of the power words have. Everything you hear and read will affect your actions!

Think Happy Thoughts!

Homemade All-Natural Deodorant

2012-01-31T19:20:00.000-08:00

Here is a great video on making your own Natural Deodorant. Thank you Passionate Homemaking.

Please consider what chemicals you are applying to your underarms. This area of the body has several lymph nodes. Follow this link to read about the dangers that may be lurking in your deodorant and for frequently asked questions.
If you have teen girls this is a great project to do together while learning about healthy alternatives!

Ingredients:

6-8 Tbsp Coconut oil (solid state)
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch (arrowroot is preferred)

Directions:

Combine equal portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder.
Slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon or hand blender until it maintains a firm but pliable texture. It should be about the same texture as commercial deodorant, solid but able to be applied easily. If it is too wet, add further arrowroot powder/cornstarch to thicken.
You can either scoop this recipe into your old deodorant dispensers or place in a small container with lid and apply with fingers with each use. Makes about 1 cup. This recipe lasts about 3 months for two people with regular daily use.

Nutrient Dense To-Go Lunch and Raw Corn Chips

2012-01-31T08:17:00.000-08:00

Nutrient dense foods are foods that contain a high level of nutrients compared to the amount of calories they contain. For optimal health and longevity eating a nutrient dense diet is the most important thing you can do for yourself.

The above picture is what my son will be taking for lunch today.~top and center is a romaine salad with celery sticks, tomato and pumpkin seeds; container on the bottom has bean mash (recipe to follow), orange bell peppers, and Wasa multi-grain crackers.

This morning my son began his day with 32oz of Green Smoothie containing~

collard greens, celery, pomagrante seeds, blueberries, pineapple, banana, hemp seeds and water to blend

According to Dr. Joel Fuhrman's research these are the top ten Nutrient Dense foods to consume.The more of these you can put into your diet, raw or lightly cooked, the better your health should be. For a complete listing of the top 30 nutrient dense foods to consume check out this article from Whole Foods.

Top 10 Super Foods

Collard, mustard & turnip greens – Nutrient Score: 1000
Kale – Nutrient Score: 1000
Watercress – Nutrient Score: 1000
Bok Choy – Nutrient Score: 824
Spinach – Nutrient Score: 739
Brussels sprouts – Nutrient Score: 672
Swiss chard – Nutrient Score: 670
Arugula – Nutrient Score: 559
Radish – Nutrient Score: 554
Cabbage – Nutrient Score: 481

REMEMBER THAT GREENS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD TO PUT INTO YOUR BODY!!!

BEAN MASH

(quick version)

2 cans of garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed)

1 can of great northern beans (drained and rinsed)

Vegenaise to moisten

Place first three ingredients in a food processor and blend until slightly chunky. Remove and place in bowl then add the rest of the ingredients and blend together.

4 celery stalks diced (or more)

1/2 c. of dried onion

1 small jar of organic sweet relish

1-2 T. dried dill weed

1-2 T. granulated dulse

Place in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

This is one of my family's favorite dishes. It is filling and nutritious. You can use it as a dip, spread it on crackers or bread or make a lettuce or collar roll up. Sometimes I just eat it with a spoon.

You can change up the herbs for a different flavor. Remove the dill weed and add cayenne or jalapeno, chili powder, cumin...just follow your taste buds and enjoy!

Last week I made Corn Salad and we could not eat all of it so instead of throwing it out I made raw corn chips. Your dehydrator can really save you loads of money by using it to re-create your leftovers.

Recipes below.

Raw Corn Salad/Salsa

6 ears of corn~cleaned and shaved off the cob (you can also use organic frozen corn)

1/2 of a red onion corsely chopped

1/4-1/3 c. jalapeno's diced

splash of lemon juice

cilantro to taste

Mix and let marinate to allow the flavors to mingle

you could also add a dash of salt

other optional ingredients~diced red sweet peppers, diced celery or any other veggie you have on hand

you could leave out the jalapeno's and add the other veggies plus a bit of olive oil so that it is more like a salad rather than hot salsa

You might want to make a corn soup or chowder...

place it in the Vita-Mix and add water, salt, garlic, jalapeno, avocado, a little lime juice and blend

Be creatvive and Enjoy!

When I was ready to make my chips

I placed the leftover corn salad in my Vita-Mix and added water and about 1/2 c. of ground Golden flaxseed, next I spread them onto a teflex sheet and scored them into chips shapes

Dehydrate for until they are able to peel from the teflex sheet

Peel and flip over onto mesh screen and dry until crisp.

*If you use salt be sure to sprinkle it lightly on the wet mixture so that it will stick...for a healthier salt free version sprinkle with a salt-free herb blend or cayenne.

You can use your chips for dipping or eat them with Vegan chili.

Check out this article on fighting cancer with flaxseeds!

Remember to spend time with the people you love, smile and really listen to what they have to say!

Cacao Soft Serve and Daily Greens

2012-01-20T21:56:00.000-08:00

Daily Green Juice

4 collard leaves with stems

big handful of romaine

3 stalks of celery

lemon

ginger

stevia

I made this in my Vita-Mix and strained it through a nut milk bag.

I try to have green juice everyday...

you can click here to read some of the benefits of jucing

(I am not affiliated with this site but they have a good explanation of the benefits of juicing)

Cacao Nib Soft Serve

2 frozen bananas

fresh raw almond milk

vanilla

small handful of cacao nibs

Blend bananas and almond milk in Vita-Mix or food processor until smooth then add nibs

serve as is or place in freezer to eat later

Blended Salad

2 vine ripe tomatoes

large bunch of romaine

handful of cilantro

2-3 celery stalks

small jalapeno

2T. tahini

lemon

water to blend

pulse in Vita-Mix to desired consistency.

I topped mine with ground sesame seeds, nutritional yeast and dulse

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These are some of the good eats we enjoyed at our house today. I also had a green smoothie, a super food cacao smoothie and veggies with hummus.

I encourage you to eat a plant based diet for your good health!

What's For Breakfast?

2012-01-17T08:52:00.000-08:00

At our house we endeavor to eat a nutrient dense vegan diet. We do this for health reasons of course. We want to be healthy and to prevent diet related illnesses.....like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer, and many of the autoimmune diseases
and inflammatory conditions. There is much scientific proof to validate that a nutrient dense vegan diet has this effect and that this type of diet can and does reverse these conditions. I encourage you to do your own research!
You can start by watching a preview to the documentary, "Forks Over Knives", to get an idea the why of a vegan diet. I highly recommend watching the full length version of this documentary.
It just may change your life!

The picture at the top of page is my family's breakfast today.

FRUIT SALAD

blackberries

strawberries

persimmons

oranges

(Cara Cara & Navel)

mango

We usually top our fruit salad with walnuts or other nuts and/or seeds. Hemp seeds are one of my favorite.

Just use whatever fruits you have on hand and create your own blend.

BLACKBERRY PINEAPPLE SMOOTHIE

2-3 c. water

1/2 bunch of kale with stems

1/2 pineapple

2 c. blackberries

1 orange

( I used 1/2 Cara Cara and 1/2 Navel orange)

2 T. chia seeds

2-3 T. dulse

optional~pitted dates or liquid stevia for additional sweetness

Blend thoroughly. This made 2 quarts. I am drinking one now and saving the other for later today or for tomorrow morning.

MANGO SOFT SERVE
1 frozen banana
1 c. frozen mangoes
raw almond milk to blend

You can make this in a high powered blender (Vita-Mix) or a food processor. Process until smooth.
You may also freeze this for later.
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Remember to be kind....use kind words. Words have the power of life and death in them. Bring light and life to those around you, especially your children. Be positive and encouraging. Negative words tend to suck the life out of those who hear them and those who are using them. This also has an impact on your health and the health of those who are the constant recipients of the negativity.

Negativity breeds negativity......Kindness uplifts.....and don't forget to smile.

Sometimes we develop negative habits of thinking and speaking. It is important to break these habits.
This negativity begins in the heart or mind.
First begin to recognize it and then stop and think of positive ways that you can communicate.
Pray. God desires to change us for our good, the good of those around us and for His glory.
He is All Powerful.
I hope you know Him.

Easy Potato Soup

2012-01-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

Easy Potato Soup

2 large cloves of garlic minced~sauteed in saucepan with extra virgin coconut oil

add:

12 c. water

3 small onions sliced in food processor

10-12 red potatoes~sliced in food processor

1 cup sliced baby carrots

2.5 oz of veggie broth powder ( I use Seitenbacher)

1/2 t. Himalayan Salt

1/3-1/2 c. nutritional yeast

fresh kale ~add at the end after potatoes are cooked

Cleansing

2012-01-15T16:15:00.000-08:00

Last week my youngest daughter and I did a liquid cleanse. Our cleanse included many smoothies, carrot juice and Green Lemonade (my favorite)

Green Lemonade

2 bunches of celery

3 cucumbers

1 zucchini

1 bunch of beet greens

1 c. of lemon juice

big piece of fresh ginger

liquid stevia to taste

Coming off the cleanse we ate fresh fruit

Fruit Salad

1 pineapple

1 box of strawberries

3 kiwi

4 navel oranges

big handful of goji berries

.......and I am continuing to eat mostly quick exit foods

blended soups & salads made with

fresh fruits , veggies and

avocados

Today I enjoyed a

Chocolate Smoothie

1 c. fresh raw almond milk

1 small frozen banana

1 small fresh ripe banana

1 heaping T. raw cacao

2 1/2 heaping T. raw cashews

1/4 t. reishi powder

1 T. maca powder

1 t. mesquite powder

1/2 squirt of SweetLeaf Liquid Stevia

Cleansing is a great way to clean out the old stuff that has accumulated in our tissues...

ex. food additives or foods eaten that aren't the best choice and environmental toxins, etc.

I can tell you that my digestion has improved 110%

my eyes are brighter and my sleeping is deep and refreshing

Sometimes we forget how good we can feel when eating only fresh living foods!

Check out Detox Foods Detox Smoothie Recipes & Benefits

for some great recipes and other great information!!!

*********

Drinking Again...day 2 and an Apple Pie Smoothie

2012-01-10T12:03:00.000-08:00

My daughter and I are drinking our food today.

My first smoothie of the day is not pictured.

Here is the recipe~

Veggie Smoothie

1 vine ripe tomato

1 Swiss chard leaf

handful of spinach

2 celery stalks

1/4 red bell pepper

1 hot red sweet pepper

next up....

Green Smoothie

1 c. water

large handful of baby spinach

1 banana

1 c. blackberries & blueberries

1 t. beetroot powder

1 T. ground golden flax seed

blend and enjoy!

Now I am drinking the best one yet~

Apple Salad

3 gala apples chopped & mixed with 1 T. lemon juice

2-3 large stalks of celery diced

large handful of raisins

large handful of walnuts

dash of cinnamon

Apple Pie Smoothie

1 c. coconut milk

1 1/2 t. -1 T. coconut butter

handful of ice

(If you make the salad above..just add 1-1 1/2 c. of the salad to the coconut milk, coconut butter & ice..instead of the ingredients. listed below)

1 gala apple

large celery stalk

small handful of raisins

1/4 c. walnuts

dash of cinnamon

1/4 t. lemon juice

Blend, drink up and Smile.....

Priorities...and My Favorite Blended Salad

2012-01-09T15:44:00.000-08:00

Greetings and Happy New Year to my blog readers. I have been on a leave of absence for a few months while taking care of my family, managing a large group buy and all the Holiday celebrations.

I hope return to blogging on a regular basis again.

*****************************************************************************

Since we are at the beginning of a New Year it is a great time to evaluate our priorities and make adjustments where needed..

It is a good idea to do this from time to time to make sure we are keeping the most important things at the top of our list.

We must be intentional about this or we can allow things to creep into our life that suck up our time and energy. Then we neglect or half heartily attend to the most important relationships or things we need to be about. When we get our priorities out of whack... stress begins to creep into our life. Stress can be the first warning sign that we need to reevaluate.

My list goes something like this... my spiritual life...first, then my family, eating health promoting foods, work, exercise, rest & sleep and laughter & fun sprinkled into everyday.

What does your priority list look like?

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At our house there are a couple of us doing a detox cleanse of smoothies, juices, blended soups and salads....with some fresh fruits and veggies for some chewing action. Tomorrow may be a day for all liquids....we will see as we listen to our own bodies.
This is my favorite Blended Salad or Soup Recipe~

Best Blended Salad

1 Ataulfo mango

(my favorite, but you could also use another variety)

3 small vine ripe tomatoes

mixed salad greens

2 swiss chard leaves

small handful of cilantro

1 1/2 c. celery

3/4 of a large cucumber

jalapeno peppers to taste

lemon juice

Blend to desired consistency

This made a full Vita-Mix container or about 2 quarts

and I topped mine with granulated dulse flakes

Blended soups and salads are easy to digest, filling and delicious. You can make them any consistency you like...smooth for a soup or chunky so you have something to chew. Leave out the fruit for a savory soup or salad...use whatever greens or salad fixin's you have on hand, change up your spices/seasonings, add avocado for a creamy soup or salad.or chop it into the bowl..be creative....if I think it might be too bitter I add jalapeno and it usually cuts right through it.

For the dressings I usually add the ingredients right into the blender...for instance...tahini, lemon juice and Bragg's Liquid Aminos is good....or for Italian...garlic, oregano, basil, dash of Olive oil or leave out the oil and use an avocado for the fat. Sometimes I'll look at salad dressing labels of things I used to eat and create one of my own from their ingredients list that I modify.

Asian Cabbage Salad

2012-01-03T18:56:00.000-08:00

Today I encouraged my yoga students to eat one large green salad each day. I encourage you to do the same. Most of us do not eat enough greens. Greens are vital to our immune function. 70% of our immune function is in our GI tract, which is activated by eating GREENS. Especially cruciferous greens. Try to eat at least 3 servings of cruciferous greens each week or better yet eat 1-2 servings per day. You can add shredded cabbage or bok choi to your daily leafy green salad.

Here is a list of Cruciferous veggies....

Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Collard Greens, Kale, Horseradish, Rutabaga, Turnip, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli Rabe, Daikon, Bok Choy, Radish, Kohlrabi

Below is one of my family's favorite cabbage salads.

Asian Cabbage Salad

Chinese Cabbage~thinly shredded
1-2 c. of chopped celery
1 large colored bell pepper or two med. (red, yellow, orange) ~diced
Chopped red onion (or green onion)
1 large garlic clove minced
slivered almonds

Avocado drizzed with lemon juice

1 bottle of Annies Asian Sesame Dressing

To assemble:
layer vegetables in 13 X 9 in glass dish beginning with cabbage, celery, peppers, onions, garlic, slivered almonds and top with slices of avocado. Pour desired amount of salad dressing over the top..

If you will not eat the entire dish in one setting do not place avocado or dressing on the salad, but top each individual serving so that the remaining salad can be stored in the fridge for later use. If you cover it tightly it will keep for a few days.

If you are avoiding pre-made salad dressings you can make your own avocado dressing and use pumpkin seed oil or toasted sesame oil and water and mix to desired consistency.

Be thankful, kind & forgiving.......and remember to laugh!!!

Super Immune Building Pea Salad

2011-11-08T19:44:00.000-08:00

Super Immune Building Pea Salad

2 bags of frozen green peas

2 large spring onions chopped

1 large orange bell pepper chopped

3 large radishes shredded

1/2 bunch of celery chopped fine

1 very large garlic clove

dollop of Vegenaise to moisten

I made a large bowl of mixed salad greens and topped it with this pea salad and 1/2 of a chopped tomato

and sprinkled it with dulse flakes...yes, it was good!

According to Dr. Furhman every item in that salad is nutrient dense except the Vegenaise....You could substitute an avocado for a healthy fat, then it would all be good....

or make a balsamic dressing with almonds or walnuts for the fat and blend it down.....

next time I think I'll try this....then it would be a Superfood Super Immune Building Salad!!!!

If you want learn about building your Immune System, check out Dr. Furhman's new book, "Super Immunity" The Essential Nutrition Guide for Boosting Your Body's Defenses to Lie Longer, Stronger, and Disease Free

My daughter took this picture today...

Can anyone tell me what this is?

Since we moved out here 12 years ago I have seen the most unusual critters and such. :)

God's handiwork never ceases to amaze me!

Make sure you are taking time to behold of the beauty around you....

Final CSA share of the Season!

2011-11-08T19:15:00.000-08:00

Pictured top center and clockwise~

red leaf lettuce

bag of spinach

bunch of celery

sweet potatoes

chives

celery tops

sorrell

hot peppers

green tomatoes

daikon radish

beets

radishes

bag of mixed greens

In the center~garlic cloves

On the left side of the picture on the floor is my teenage daughters legs... :)

we were in a rush to take this photo...so please excuse the mess

Cheezy Pea-zy Artichoke Roll Up

2011-10-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

Cheezy Pea-zy Artichoke Roll Up

Cheezy Peas & Artichoke Salad

1 bag of frozen peas

1 c frozen artichokes chopped up

1 green onion diced

2 small sweet red banana peppers chopped

2 cloves of garlic minced

nutritional yeast to taste

Mix in bowl and add enough Vegenaise to moisten

You can eat this alone...on top of a salad or roll it up!

I used a Sun-dried Tomato Tortilla added a little seasoned brown rice and rolled it up...don't forget to add some greens like spinach or romaine

CSA Share Week #24

2011-10-27T15:51:00.000-07:00

Pictured from top~

broccoli

green beans

sweet potatoes

5lbs tomatoes

bag of mixed greens

bell peppers

2 heirloom tomatoes

green onion

hot peppers

green ice lettuce

turnips

in the center~arugula, cilantro,

As you can see our CSA is plentiful! God is good!

I have more veggies than I can eat! I need to make some fermented veggies and dehydrate a few more items

Broccoli Salad

1 1/2 bunches of broccoli cup into bit size pieces

2 garlic cloves minced

1/4 c. red onion diced

handful of raisins

1/4 c. lemon juice

1/4 c. ev olive oil

drizzle with Raw Agave

dash of salt

Broccoli Salad

1 head of broccoli~chopped

1 red onion~diced

handful of raw sunflower seeds

handful of organic Thompson raisins

Dressing

1/4 c. raw honey or raw agave

1/2 c. lemon juice

1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil

Himaylayan salt

blend dressing ingredients in blender and pour over salad and marinate

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Last week we received Chinese Cabbage in our CSA share.

I love to make Spicy Cabbage Slaw with it!

Recipe below...sorry no picture.

CABBAGE SLAW

1/2 head of cabbage~shredded
4 stalks of celery chopped
1 bell pepper chopped
jalapeno chopped
guacamole
squeezed lime
nutritional yeast to taste
veggie broth powder to taste
top with sunflower seeds

Massage together with your hands. This is one of our family favorites! Sometimes I use it as a complete meal because it is so filling.

Thanks for taking time to read my blog!

I once heard someone say that, "Grace is allowing others to be human".....

something to ponder....

CSA Share Week #21, #22 and #23

2011-10-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

As you can see the harvest has been plentiful.

I've been preoccupied with a group order I am putting together, therefore it has taken me awhile to post pictures.

We have received lots of greens~including mustard greens, swiss chard, spinach, lettuces, broccoli, cilantro, dill, basil, parsley, arugula, Chinese cabbages, green beans...sweet potatoes, peppers galore, tomatoes and a little squash

There are several items I have not listed...

We have a light frost yesterday and we are expecting warmer weather at the beginning of the week, so we should continue to reap a good harvest til the end!

A New CSA in the Neighborhood!

2011-10-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

I have been involved with a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) for the about 7 years. I drive about 16-18 miles into town to pick it up, but it is worth it! CSA's are a great way to support your local farmer's and get fresh, chemical free produce. (always ask how they grow their food)

CSA~Local Harvest.org

click on the links to find out about CSA's and look for one in your area.

This summer I was asked by a local farmer to help get a farmer's market in our community, so I jumped on the bandwagon! Now after introducing fresh local produce to our neighbors our farmer is ready to introduce them to a CSA. Our farmer brought a 1/2 share of produce to the market today to show people what they might receive in their weekly box. It was the end of the day for our farmer's market so I asked to purchase the box. The cost was $12!!! This was the regular price for anyone purchasing 1/2 share. As you can see this is an abundant amount of produce for that price.

Pictured from top right and clockwise~

large bunch of red beets with tops

collards

kale

basil

sweet peppers

parsley

sweet potatoes

1 turnip with greens

mustard greens

radishes in the center

Again I want to say that this was only 1/2 of a share!!!

If you live locally and want to participate in a CSA message me and I will be glad to help you get plugged in!

CSA share Week 20 of 25 and Recipes for Your CSA Share

2011-09-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

Top left corner and clockwise!

Beets with tops (slightly hidden~you can see the tops)

bag of basil, arugula, dill and hot peppers

5 lbs of tomatoes (I ordered these as an extra item)

radishes

variety of sweet peppers

2 heirloom tomatoes

bag of sweet potatoes

kale

bag of mixed salad greens

Basil~a gift from a friend!

I am dehydrating it for the winter

Pictured are dehydrated sweet peppers. The aroma in the house is amazing while these are drying!

The picture above is how they looked before I sliced them in the food processor and the image below is what they looked like before removing the sunburned spots. Most folks would not want these peppers, but they are perfectly fine. Sometimes they will get sunburnt in the field, just like we burn when we are out in the sun too long. I admit they do not look appetizing, but they taste perfectly delicious after removing the spots.

Recipes of the week for your CSA share!

Look below for ideas for using your CSA share...be creative according to your family's taste.

Kale and Garbonzo's and Sweet Potatoes~not pictured

Cheezy Kale Salad~pictured below

KALE SALAD

1 bunch of kale

radished~diced

mini sweet pepperrs~chopped

chives~finely chopped

Chinese Five Spice to taste

lemon juice

extra virgin olive oil

Himalayan salt

handful of raw pumpkin seeds

BEET SALAD

1 bunch of beets

garlic~to taste..I use lots

lemon juice

extra virgin olive oil

Himalayan Salt

dash of ground cloves

Oriental Kale Salad~

not pictured

2 bunches of kale cleaned and shredded

1 red bell pepper diced

handful of raw pumpkin seeds

1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil

1/4 c. lime juice

garlic to taste

Chinese Five Spice~lightly sprinkled over the top

Mediterrianean Kale Salad~pictured above

follow the link for a video

kale

yellow bell peppers

olives

olive oil

lime juice

Himalyan salt

CHEEZY KALE CHIPS

not picturedIngredients:

2 heads of Kale, Washed and Torn~SIT ASIDE

3/4 cup Tahini
1/4 cup Tamari
1/4 cup Cider Vinegar
1/2 cup Water
1/4 cup dried onions
1 clove garlic
1 lemon (juice of)
dash of Sea Salt
1/3 cup of nutritional yeast

Blend everything but the kale until it is creamy and pour over kale and massage into it and let it sit for 10 mins.
spread on Teflex sheets and dehydrate at 115 until crispy.
I had some leftover sauce so I cleaned and de stemmed some rainbow chard and used the rest of it on it. I'll let you know how it turns out.

The weather is just right for a nice warm soup!

Sweet Potato Lentil Soup

10-12 c. water

1/2 red onion chopped

4 garlic cloves minced

14 oz of lentils rinsed and drained

1/4 to 1/2 c. barley or wild rice or another grain of choice (optional)

4 stalks of celery chopped

2 carrots diced

2 sweet potatoes peeled and diced

2 t. rosemary

1 t. oregano

2 t. sea salt or real salt or Himalyan salt

1 t. Italian seasonings

1/4 c. Seitenbacher vegetable broth

1/4-1/2 c. nutritional yeast

strip of wakame or sea veggie of choice (optional)

put all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil, then simmer until done

I try to make my soups early in the day and then place them in the crock pot on warm then they are always there waiting to be eaten

or my favorite way to make soup is to place all the ingredients in the crock pot overnight on a low setting and it will be done in the morning, then stir the ingreds and set to keep warm setting

This is what I am doing with my bag of mixed greens this week!

Layered Salad

in a 9 X 13 dish layer

Mixed baby greens or greens of choice

1 c. chopped celery

1 bunch of green onion chopped

1 bag of frozen peas

1/2-1 c. of raw walnuts broken up

I ladded 1 red/yellow or orange bell pepper chopped

diced radishes are optional

Cheezy Mustard Dressing

1 small jar of Vegenaise

1/4-1/2 c. nutritional yeast

1/4-1/2 t. dried mustard

1-2 T. lemon or lime juice

water to thin

blend and store in fridge..this will make more than you need for this salad

Here is an idea for using your fresh Basil

Basil Pesto

In Vita-Mix, food processor or Magic Bullet place:

small handful of basil

small handful of pine nuts

1 large clove of garlic

dash of Himalyan Salt

splash of lemon juice

Blend until smooth and enjoy!

You can use this as a dip, mix into zucchini noodles or as a spread on raw crackers

CSA Share Week 19 of 25, Dried Purslane and Chinese Cabbage Salad

2011-09-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

Beginning with top left and clockwise

5# of tomatoes (I ordered these as extras)

bag of salad mix

chinese cabbage

variety of bell peppers

lemon balm

hot peppers

basil

sweet/hot banana peppers

garlic

spaghetti squash

sweet potatoes

Dried Purslane

Our herbalist recommended Purslane to my son, who is vegan, as a substitute for Fish oil. This weed is packed with omega-3's. Check out the link to find out how you can use Purslane in your diet.

The weather here is beginning to cool down and Purslane will not be around during the winter months, therefore I decided to dehydrate some to put up for the future. We will be adding the dried Purslane to smoothies.

Chinese Cabbage Salad

4-5 shredded cabbage leaves

2-3 chopped celery stalks

diced bell pepper

diced red jalapeno or fresh ginger

1 avocado

lemon juice

nutritional yeast

mix together with hands

then add:

frozen peas ( I added a handful after I had taken the picture

instead of the peas you can add shaved almonds

Superfood Apple Breakfast Bowl

2011-09-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

Today I was craving apples and celery, so this is what I threw together to power me up for the day!

Superfood Apple Breakfast Bowl

one Fuji apple diced

2-3 celery stalks chopped

small handful of raw walnuts

small handful of raisins

splash of lemon juice

dash of cinnamon

shake of Spirulina~that is the green powder...mmmm

Check out what the Health Ranger has to say about Spirulina

Here is a link to the Benefits of Spirulina

Both of these are my brands of choice are available on Amazon's subscribe and save!!!
This means an additional 15% off of their already low price and free shipping!!!
Gotta love Amazon!

Have a great day!!!

Remember to Be thankful and Smile!!!

CSA week 18 of 25

2011-09-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

Pictured top and center and clockwise~

bok choi

turnips

2 heirloom tomatoes

rosemary

basil

parsley

one lonely hot pepper ( I received more that are not pictured)

2 onions

butternut squash

red banana peppers (a member gave me hers, so this is addition to our regular share)*

mustard greens

okra ( this bag was leftover from last week, no one wanted them)*

5 pounds of tomatoes ( I special ordered these so they are not part of the regular share)*

center

red banana peppers

*these items are not part of our regular share, I either ordered them as extras or they were given to me! :)

Check the links out below to find out more about a CSA in your area!

Heart Health and CNN's "The Last Heart Attack

2011-09-18T15:29:00.000-07:00

Every year Americans are having one Million heart attacks. That is about one heart attack every thirty seconds. Most of us know someone who is at risk for a heart attack or perhaps you or a loved one has had one. This month on CNN Dr. Sanjay Gupta, M.D. explored signs, tests and lifestyle changes that could result in, “The Last Attack.” If you missed this program you can watch it on-line at CNN.com or Vegsource.com or view it below.

Dr. Gupta interviews former President Bill Clinton and the discusses the route he has taken to reverse his own heart disease. You will hear from Medical Doctors about what you can do to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease.

Recommended reading:

“Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease”, by Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., M.D

“Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease”

Both Drs. Esselstyn and Ornish were featured on this program.

Warning signs and when to call 911

Heart Attack~ call 911

Chest and Upper Body Discomfort~ Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

Shortness of Breath~with or without Chest Discomfort

Other symptoms~ may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Cardiac Arrest Symptoms ~call 911 and begin CPR right away

Sudden loss of responsiveness~ No response to tapping on shoulders.

No Normal breathing~ The victim does not take a normal breath when you tilt the head up and check for at least five seconds

Please don’t wait until you reach this point. Educate yourself about what you can do to prevent heart disease for yourself and your loved ones.

Remember to always check with your doctor before starting or making changes in your diet or fitness routine.
God Bless