Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Fruity Baked Quinoa

Enjoy for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack!
Baked Fruity Quinoa: Gluten, Sugar & Dairy Free
Ingredients
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa*
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sweetleaf liquid vanilla stevia
  • 1 banana, mashed
  • 1 cup chopped mango
  • 1/2 cup raspberries
Directions
* Cook 1 cup of dry quinoa in a large pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes until all water is absorbed.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix together the quinoa, cinnamon and salt. Add the egg, stevia and banana until combined well. Gently mix in the chopped mango. Spray a pie plate with nonstick cooking spray. Press mixture into pie plate. Bake for 20- 30 minutes until quinoa is lightly  browned on top.
Nutrition Info
Servings: 4* Calories per serving: 190* Fat: 3g* Fiber: 5g* Carbs: 35g* Protein: 6g* Points+: 5*
or make into smaller portions
Servings: 6* Calories per serving: 127* Fat: 2g* Fiber: 3g* Carbs: 24g* Protein: 4g* Points+: 3*

http://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/fruity-baked-quinoa-gluten-sugar-dairy-free/

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Pineapple Coconut Pops







Blend the following:
1 can pineapple w/ juice
1 banana
1 can coconut milk
1/2 tsp vanilla.
 
Freeze in pops. 117 calories per pop.


Top 5 Reasons To Add Raw Food To Your Diets

There has been a lot of attention and hype in the media and among doctors for raw food recently, especially as more studies have shown that our diets consist of mostly processed food.  Here are the top 5 reasons to consider adding raw food to your diets:
  1. Digestive Enzymes – Our body works overtime to create enough enzymes to digest processed food.  This creates an imbalance in the body to the point that bodies start registering a markedly lower threshold for stress.  Raw foods are a GREAT source of natural enzymes and extremely easy for your body to digest.  So not only will your body be able to digest easily, but have enough energy to work on repairing tissues and cells for continued health.
  2. Weight Loss – We automatically associate raw foods with a weight loss diet due to the high fiber content.  It is true to some extent.  By adding raw food at the start of your meal, you automatically eat a smaller portion of a high-calorie processed food because there just isn’t enough space for it.  Fiber fills you up.  Lower amount of calories eventually equal weight loss.
  3. Vitamins and Minerals – What better way to get vitamin C than directly from a juicy orange or even broccoli?  1 orange will also give you natural calcium, vitamins A and B, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Zinc and Potassium.  Who needs a multi-vitamin tablet when you’ve got so many fruits and vegetables to mix and match from?
  4. Anti-aging – Anti-aging thinking has taken on a new dimension recently with vitamins and enzymes being added even to some facial creams!  Why supplement externally when you can add all of these to your diet, and benefit holistically from the inside-out.
  5. High energy and vitality levels – Raw foods give your body a break from the one process that it expends 80% of its energy on for processed foods – the digestion process.  Saved energy means higher vitality levels for you, and an overall better quality of health.  Raw foods provide raw fiber, which also helps with colon health.

http://www.fatlossfactor.com/top-5-reasons-to-add-raw-food-to-your-diet/

Get your Vitamins and Minerals from Fruits and Veggies



Everyone knows that fruits and vegetables have high vitamin and mineral content.  However, raw foods have a higher content than cooked foods.  Heat during the cooking process damages the vitamin and mineral content and kills natural enzymes.

With the bad press that multi-vitamins have gotten recently, we should explore all possible areas for getting our vitamin and mineral requirements met naturally.

The following is a list of raw foods which contain a good supply of some of the key nutrients our bodies need on a daily basis.  When used in addition to a moderate amount of healthy meats, whole grains, and diary products, it is possible to get our nutrients from diet.

It is also important to note that some foods truly are ‘super-foods’ like green leafy vegetables or broccoli.  That’s because they provide a significant amount of more than one nutrient per serving.

Vitamin A
Any green leafy vegetables including Spinach
Peppers
Yellow vegetables like Squash
Dried Apricots
Tomatoes
Broccoli
Asparagus

Vitamin B group
Green leafy vegetables
Avocados
Mushrooms
Currants
Zucchini
Aparagus
Broccoli
Lentils
Blueberries
Seeds and nuts.

Vitamin C
Green leafy vegetables
Peppers
Broccoli
Parsley
Potatoes
Melon
Tomatoes
All berries

Vitamin E
Tahini
Nuts and seeds
Avocados

Vitamin K
Green leafy vegetables
Seaweeds

Iron
Avocados
Green Leafy vegetables
Parsley
Dates
Dried apricots
Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
Almonds

Calcium
Tahini/sesame seeds
Green leafy vegetables
Parsley
Broccoli
Almonds

Zinc
Sesame seeds/tahini
Almonds
Ginger
Eggs

Potassium
Bananas
Watercress
Mushrooms


http://www.fatlossfactor.com/get-your-vitamins-and-minerals-from-raw-food/

Healthy Eating Tips

Most people who find it really difficult to lose weight often shoot themselves in the foot when it comes to the execution of their fitness plans. The reason? Confusion due to unnecessary complexity. For the average person looking to shed some excess pounds, counting calories, keeping food diaries and so on is just too much of a hassle to keep up with, and in the end they’d rather do away with the dieting books and constant obsession with what they have ingested than the fat they initially wanted to lose.

For a beginner to the body recomposition game, you should set some very basic guidelines to begin with. Specialised diets are for specialised trainees. This will help you wade through all the traps complexity has set for you, and give you something to hold on to. The effectiveness of such diets are proven by the Atkins Diet, The South Beach Diet and so on – as the ‘rules’ that are to be followed are really quite simple.

Here’s three ways to clean up your diet, no nonsense style:

1) If God didn’t make it, don’t eat it – Don’t consume processed foods. It’s that simple. That means no TV dinners, sugary cereals, soda’s and so on. It isn’t really that difficult a concept to grasp.
What you should eat are things such as lean meats, eggs, vegetables, salads with olive oil and so on. The change you will see with this rule alone will give you the momentum and confidence to keep on track. Once you do start eating this way, you will notice a drastic change in what you consider ‘acceptable’ to eat. Before, you wouldn’t have a second thought at picking up a bar of chocolate and munching away. This rule simply fixes that in a way where you don’t have to pull out a pocket sized calorie counting book to look up the item you’re about to eat.

2) Do not consume High Glycemic Index carbohydates – Low carbohydrate diets are the in thing nowadays, but there are carbohydates you can consume that do not affect your blood glucose (and therefore insulin and fat levels) to such a high degree. Fruits for example, are low on the GI scale. It would be wise to have a look at a GI chart and identify foods you eat normally and simply cut out the one’s that have a GI that is unacceptable

3) Do not engage in a major lifestyle change: Works for some, but doesn’t for many. The slower the pace you go at, the smoother you will ease into it. If you all of a sudden decide to not eat High GI carbohydates, it will be unnecessarily difficult. Don’t make it hard on yourself, ease into it and take it one step at a time.

Raw Buckwheat Breakfast Porridge


Yield: Four 1-cup servings.
Porridge:
  • 2 cups raw Buckwheat Groats, (note: this is not the same as Kasha or toasted buckwheat) soaked in water for minimum of 1 hour or overnight
  • 1.25 cups non-dairy Milk (I use vanilla almond milk)
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup liquid sweetener (use Agave if you want it raw. I used maple syrup), or to taste
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Optional Toppings:
  • Chopped fruit or dried fruit (banana, Berries, kiwi, apple, peaches, nectarines, raisins, mango, etc)
  • Chopped nuts and or seeds (I used almonds)
  • Nut Butter or ABU
  • Toasted coconut, chocolate chips, etc

Directions:
1. In a bowl, pour 2 cups of raw buckwheat groats (not Kasha, but RAW buckwheat groats) and 4 cups of water. Soak for at least 1 hour or overnight. After soaking, rinse well in a strainer several times.
2. Place buckwheat groats in food processor or blender, along with the almond milk, chia seeds, and vanilla. Process until combined and slightly smooth. Now add in the sweetener and cinnamon to taste (I found 1/4 cup of sweetener was enough, but others might like a bit more or less than that).
3. Scoop into bowls or parfait glasses and add your desired toppings & mix-ins. Serve immediately cold. Place leftovers into fridge and enjoy for the next few days. Makes 4 cups at about 385 calories per cup (using 1/4 c maple syrup, but without toppings).

http://ohsheglows.com/2011/07/11/raw-buckwheat-breakfast-porridge/

The Un-Diet


 
 The diet consists of 4 days and than you repeat. Every 29th day you must have the WATER day. You will have to do this for 90 days without breaking any rules. After 90 days you will still have to do the breakfast rule but the rest you must pause. You might continue this diet again after 90 days of recess. Drinking water is the main keyyou must drink at least 50 oz per day.
 
Breakfast is always 2 pieces of fruit every day for the 90 days and beyond. Alcohol is forbidden in this diet and because we are trying to change our metabolism, if you decide to have it, you must stop this diet 48 hours in advance. The diet must be followed in this order: protein day, starch day, carbohydrates day, fruit day and then water day.
 
Day 1: The protein day
 
BREAKFAST  2 pieces of fruit
 
LUNCH  You can have lean meat, vegetables (steamed or sauteed), salad (as much as you can)
OR
Eggs, vegetables, salad, 1 slice of whole grain bread
 
This day you can also consume dairy products, but you can't mix it with eggs. Meat and dairy can be mixed, but not eggs and dairy.
 
You can have coffee, tea and non sugar drinks (diet) without milk. I use Stevia.  On this day, milk is allowed in your coffee.
 
DINNER  The same as lunch but half of the size.
Please note that you must eat the same type of food for lunch and dinner.
So if you had meat for lunch, that is what you need to have for a dinner. The same goes for eggs and so on.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 2: The starch day
 
Breakfast  2 pieces of fruit
 
Lunch  On this day you can consume beans, peas, green beans, chickpeas, or rice or potatoes, but do not mix them together. You can stew them, boil, steam and try to use less fat as possible,  usually use one table spoon of olive oil and PAM spray is good.
You can also have steamed or sauted vegetables with unlimited salad (use vinegar or apple cider vinegar for your salad dressing) and also slice of whole grain bread.
 
Dinner  The same as lunch but half of the size.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 3: Carbohydrates Day
 
Breakfast  2 pieces of fruit
 
Lunch  Personal size pizza without cheese. I make my own or order one with veggies (tomatoes onions and green papers) and it tastes great.
Pasta with marinara sauce and spices that you like.  Be creative.
 
Dinner  Dessert. 1 piece of nice cake or 3-4 smaller ones.
If you do not like deserts you can have half of the serving of your lunch leftovers.
Note please that on this day,  you might need to be home after the dinner,  as a big bowel movement might be necessary, mostly diarrhea (Changes in the metabolism).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Day 4: Fruit day
 
  Today you can only eat fruits. You can have snacks but those have to also be fruit. You can have 1/2 of cup of dried fruit. I make my own fruit salads (no sauces) drink lot of water, tea and have 1 glass of diet juice. I also drink coffee and decided not to give it up at all. You can also eat almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts but be careful with how much. Canned fruit is fine but try not to consume so much of the syrup that comes with it.  Get the Lite and not heavy syrup.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Day 5: Water Day
 
  This day must be done after the fruit day.
You can only have water this day. You can have tea or coffee (black only).
 
NOTE: Please know that the weight might not come off in the first month or it might be coming off fast and than stall. People who followed it said that after the 29th day, the Water day they have lost 10 lbs in 3-4 days. Also, it is known that if you follow this diet that you will probably loose between 35-50 lbs in 90 days. Your metabolism will change but only if you follow the 90 day rule.
 
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOU MUST HAVE 3 MEALS A DAY AND TRY TO KEEP THEM AT THE SAME TIME EVERY DAY. ON THE CARB DAY TRY NOT TO HAVE ANY FOOD UNTIL NOON. ON FRUIT DAY YOU CAN HAVE SNACKS BETWEEN MEALS. WEIGH YOURSELF EVERY MORNING OF THE PROTEIN DAY.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

PB&J with SB&G Flatout Wrap






1 Flatout® Light Flatbread
1 Tbs reduced fat peanut butter
1 Tbs sugar-free jam
2 strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/4 banana, cut in half lengthwise
2 Tbs low fat granola

Spread peanut butter evenly over entire Flatout. On one rounded end, spread jam. Layer strawberry, banana and granola. Roll, cut and enjoy!

263 Calories ● 14g
Protein ● 50g Carbs ● 12g Fiber ● 8g Fat
http://www.flatoutbread.com/pbj-with-sbg-flatout-wrap/

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Tricolor Bean Salad




Make early to allow the flavors to blend.
Servings: 6-8
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour or longer

  • 1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15 oz. can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15 oz. can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 4 chopped green onions
  • 1 thinly sliced celery stalk
  • 1 chopped tomato
  • 2 tablespoons canned chopped green chilies
  • 1 cup Mexican salsa, mild or medium
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

Combine beans, onions, celery, tomatoes and chilies in a large bowl. Place the salsa in a small bowl or jar. Add the lime juice and chili powder. Mix well.

Pour the salsa mixture over beans. Toss to mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to blend.

HINT: Use different kinds of beans to vary the taste of this delicious salad.


http://www.drmcdougall.com/free_5c.html

Monday, June 18, 2012

Raw Brownies



Raw Brownies
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups walnuts
  • pinch sea salt
  • 13-14 large Medjool dates, pitted
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (you could also use mint extract or cherry extract, or orange...)
Instructions
  1. Place walnuts and salt in a food processor.
  2. Process until finely ground.
  3. Add remaining ingredients and process until all mixed and uniformly crumbly.
  4. With the machine running, add a few drops of water at a time, just until the mass starts to stick together in a big ball. (Better to add too little that too much!)
  5. Roll mixture into balls or press into a square pan and cut into squares.
  6. Balls can then be rolled in dried coconut, chopped nuts, or cocoa powder if you wish.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Raw Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • dash sea salt
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup pitted Medjool dates
  • 2 Tbsp peanut butter (OK to leave out to make nut-free)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Put oats and salt in food processor.
  2. Process until finely ground.
  3. Add remaining ingredients and process until fully combined.
  4. Add a few drops of water if needed to form balls.
  5. Form into balls or press into a square pan and cut into squares.

Some may ask what is the difference between eating these and eating a real cookie.  Calorically, there is no difference.  Same amount of calories.  My raw cookies have a bit more nutrition, fiber, protein and healthy fats.  The fiber slows down the entry of sugar into your bloodstream.
But the big difference is that they do not cause binging the way real cookies do. I don’t know why, but I have never met anyone who binges on these after the first week of making them.  (The first few times there is sometimes an excitement binge, but then it goes away).

I can, and do, keep these cookies in my fridge at all times.  My kids eat them.  Their friends eat them. I serve them to company.  No one knows they are “healthy” or sugar-free.  And my mind is peaceful with just eating one. Maybe it is the lack of refined sugar, flour and fat?  Maybe it is something else?  Not sure, but they work.
Amen.
This post is participating in Wellness Weekend at DietDessertNDogs.com


http://triumphwellness.com/healthy-sugar-free-cookies/

Saturday, June 16, 2012

How to cook dried Garbonzo Beans (Chickpeas)




1. Obtain chickpeas
If you shop at a supermarket that has a bulk bins section you’re bound to find them there, if not in regular pack sizes with other pulses and beans. If there’s an Indian/ethnic foods market near you try picking them up (and other assorted beans) in bulk from there.
2. Rinse and soak overnight
Measure out 2 cups (makes about 5 cooked), rinse and cover well with filtered water. Add in 1/2 tsp baking soda to the soak water. This helps the chickpeas soften and will significantly speed up your cooking time.
3. Boil!
Add o a pot of boiling water along with 1 tsp sea salt, and another 1/2 tsp of baking soda. I also add 1 tsp of cumin powder, this is optional but it’s something I picked up from my mama who claims this aids in the digestion of dried beans. I’ve never had any problems in that department so I can’t really verify those claims – but then again perhaps that’s why?
Bring to a boil then simmer and cover. Cook for about 20-25 minutes or until the chickpeas are soft. As a general rule of thumb you want them to retain their shape but be soft enough to squash in with your fingers.
4. Storage
If storing in the fridge, make sure you keep them in (new clean)water to prevent them from drying out. You can also freeze them if you wish, just drain and keep in plastic freezer bags.


http://www.onearabvegan.com/2012/01/26/hotw-spinach-artichoke-hummus-cooking-dried-chickpeas-tutorial/

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Orange Mango Popsicles-no sugar added






Ingredients

Directions
Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth. Taste and see if you need to add stevia. Pour into Popsicle molds and freeze.
Makes about 4 cups after blending.
Servings: 12* Calories per serving: 49* Fat: 0* Fiber: 1g* Carbs: 13g* Protein: 1g* Points+: 1*

http://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/orange-mango-popsicles-dairy-freeno-sugar-added/


10 Ways to Get Healthier



If you are eating the Standard American Diet (SAD), such as potato chips, cheese burgers, pizza, and donuts, you are damaging the health of your body.  Believe it or not, most of this food is fake and is laden with fat and sugar.  Even worst, most of the food in this diet has chemicals such as high corn fructose syrup, ammonia, artificial dyes, artificial favors, hydrogenated oil, sodium nitrate, or monosodium glutamate (MSG) added to them.  Some of them are genetically modified and include hormones which you digest when you eat it.

Eating this type of diet will not only cause you to be overweight and feel sluggish, but it will rob you of the energy you need work on your dreams.  Even worst, it will poison your body and makes it toxic which  can lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and sleep apnea just to name a few.

 If you are following this lifestyle and you desire live a prosperous life, you must take responsibility for health.  You cannot continue eating these foods and expect your body to perform optimally, and if you fail to change course, you will continue to suffer from aches, pains, and sickness that are by-products of the Standard American Diet.

 It is decision time — are you ready to take responsibility for your life?  If you are, start with the health of your body by setting an intention in this moment to start eating healthier.  To help you make the lifestyle change, I have included 10 guidelines you can use to get healthier:
  1. Detox your body for 3 days by drinking only fresh fruit and vegetable juices and water to release toxins and to give your digestive system a rest. After the 3 days, eat plenty of fiber including brown rice and organically-grown fresh fruits and vegetables such as radishes, beefs, artichokes, cabbage, and broccoli, and to continue the detox process over the next 4 days.
  2. Replace food in the SAD such as hamburgers and pizza with an organic raw fruits and vegetables.  If you must eat meat, eat it only once or twice max a week, and choose meats that organic, free range, antibiotic-free, or kosher.
  3. Replace white breads with multigrain bread, and eat whole brown rice instead of white.  White bread contains processed flour which is bleached, preserved, and aged with chlorine dioxide.  Eating white bread places tremendous strain on the pancreas.
  4. Drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water a day.  Stay away from city water since it contains fluoride and chlorine which is toxic to your body.  Alkalize you drinking water by adding a lemon wedge to it. 
  5. Eliminate dairy products from your diet. If you must drink milk, drink almond or sow milk because cow milk contains hormones and depletes calcium from your bones. 
  6. Eat dark green and yellow vegetables, soy beans, nuts, seeds, grains, and fatty acids from deep sea fish.  If possible, eat the vegetables raw to preserve the nutrient content.  Occasionally I blanch my vegetables by streaming them for a few minutes to remove the bitter flavor in some vegetables such as broccoli.
  7. Eliminate caffeine such coffee, soda, and cocoa.  Although caffeine can stimulate your nervous system and alleviate fatigue, it can prevent calcium from absorbing in your body, it’s a diuretic which can cause unwanted fluid loss, and it is associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
  8. Avoid foods that are laden with processed or refined sugar.  This sugar is very acidic and increases the glucose in the blood which can cause mold and fungus in your body.  Sugar is addictive and can cause diabetes, obesity, coronary thrombosis and tooth decay.
  9. Stop using a microwave to warm or cook your food.  A microwave radiates the food, changes the molecular structure of the food, and damages the nutrients in the food.  
  10. Get a juicer and use it to juice fresh organic fruits and vegetables daily.  If you can’t afford a good juicer, sell your television set because it is just poisoning your mind, but    that’s  another topic.
 When you follow these guidelines you will begin to experience optimum health, and you will be amazed at how much more energy you have for life. You do not have to take my word for it, so I ask you to do this as a 10 day challenge and commit to completing it. After the 10 days, see if you feel better.


http://theprosperityguru.net/10-ways-to-get-healthier/

Don’t Call It Chicken: The Burger King Spicy 'Chick’n' Crisp Sandwich:







Burger King’s Spicy Chick’n Crisp Sandwich is so cheap (at $1 on Burger King value menus across the nation), they couldn’t even afford the “E” in chicken... Or is the missing letter due to the fact that Burger King can’t legally call the food substance it’s serving “chicken” because it contains so many byproducts?

Listen closely to the Burger King ads on television, and you will hear this sandwich described as “chicken-y” or “chick’n,” but Burger King is careful never to use the word “chicken” whenever describing this sandwich. Look closely at the fried patty of meat-stuffs that Burger King is selling as chick’n (if you dare) and you will see that this ultra-thin fried patty is a far cry from a real breaded and fried piece of chicken.

By now, everyone should know that fast food chicken is not the same as the fried chicken you make at home. Homemade fried chicken is made from chicken, flour, egg, oil and spices – a handful of ingredients.

At 460 calories, 30 grams of fat (5 grams saturated fat), 4 grams of sugar, 30 mg of cholesterol and 810 mg of sodium, the Spicy Chick’n Crisp Sandwich is no deal for your body. But the poor nutrition is just the start of the horrors of this chick’n patty, which starts with mechanically reclaimed meat and then throws in dozens of additives, including:

MSG – The Chick’n patty doesn’t just contain monosodium glutamate, but it’s the fourth ingredient listed!

Partially Hydrogenated Oils – Soybean & cottonseed oils go into the patty long before it is deep fried at the restaurant.

Artificial Colors – Yellow 6 and Red 40 brighten the color of the processed patty – and have both been linked to behavioral problems in children.

Silicon Dioxide – Don’t inhale silicon dioxide, which is added to prevent caking – it irritates the lungs and can lead to bronchitis and cancer.

What else lurks beneath the guise of “chick’n?” Read for yourself (from the Burger King website):

SPICY CHICK'N CRISP PATTY (Fried):

Chicken Breasts with Rib Meat, Water, Salt, Monosodium Glutamate, Chicken Flavor (Sunflower Oil, Flavors, Chicken Fat, Artificial Flavors, Polysorbate 80, Chicken Powder, Chicken Broth, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean & Cottonseed Oil, Papain, and Thiamine Hydrochloride), Flavoring.

Breaded with: Bleached Wheat Flour, Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour (Enriched with Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Salt, Spice, Dextrose, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Extractives of Paprika, Soybean Oil.

Battered with: Water, Bleached Wheat Flour, Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Spices, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Soybean Oil, Onion Powder, Dextrin, Extractives of Paprika, Yellow 6, Red 40, Natural & Artificial Flavor (Including Butter Flavor), Lactic Acid, Not more than 2% Sodium Silicone Aluminate added to prevent caking.

Predusted with: Wheat Flour, Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Wheat Gluten, Spice, Extractives of Paprika, Soybean Oil, Onion Powder, Less than 2% Silicon Dioxide Added to Prevent Caking.

Breading Set In Vegetable Oil.

Whether or not Burger King has chosen the label “chick’n” for their fried food-stuff patty due to government regulation or not – this sandwich is not healthy for anyone. The Spicy Chick’n Crispy may “taste like chicken,” but its effects on the human body and brain are not the same as grandma’s fried chicken.

Choose wisely for yourself and your family, choose real food.

~Organic Authority




Wednesday, June 13, 2012

God's Natural Cure for Cancer

God's Natural Cure for Cancer
     I heard a testimony by a man who had been healed of cancer. He said that the Lord had told him to just eat vegetables. He obeyed and his cancer disappeared. Then someone told me about the ph balance in our bodies. We are a combination of alkaline and acidic. Cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment. Our bodies become alkaline by eating fruits and vegetables and other foods that are alkaline. 

      I also heard of the testimony of a doctor who had cancer. The Lord told her that she had been overworking and her body had become run down. He told her to eat fruits and vegetables. She blended them and took them as a beverage. Her cancer left after a year. Her mother got cancer and she did the same thing as her daughter and her cancer left in six months.

      A woman who had been medically cured of breast cancer came to me for prayer. With tears in her eyes she told me that the cancer had returned. As I was praying for her, I had to stop by the Lord’s prompting. “The Lord wants you to eat vegetables,” I said. 

      She replied, “He told me that too.” 

      “The cancer came back because your system was too acidic,” and I explained to her what I had learned about our ph balance and why it was important. 

      We need a balance of both in our systems and it varies with individuals but the best balance should be 75% alkaline and 25% acidic. It takes discipline to eat the things that are good for us, but it is pleasing to the Lord when we take care of these “temples” He has given us. We can have faith to believe that God will heal us, but if we are abusing our bodies by continually eating the wrong things we can negate any healing unless we make a conscious effort to take care of ourselves. God has established certain natural laws and when we disobey them we will suffer the consequences. For example, if we defy the law of gravity and presumptuously jump off a building believing that God will intervene and save us at the last minute, there is a very good possibility that He may just let you discover for yourself the folly of testing Him this way. Common sense is not a unique gift reserved for just a few, He’s given it to all upon whom He has bestowed a brain, and it’s up to us to utilize it. He has designed our bodies to be nourished in specific ways and when we are in harmony with His design by our obedience, good health will naturally follow. 

      Here is a list of foods that are alkaline and acidic. As you will see, brussel sprouts are our friends. Pray, follow your doctor's advice - and eat your vegetables!
Note: If you opt for a 100% vegetarian diet which is the best, proper food combining is important in order to get the right amount of protein. Combine either dairy and grain or bean and grain.

Alkalizing Foods
Vegetables:
Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Chorella, Collard Greens, Cucumber, Dulce, Dandelions, ,Edible Flowers, Eggplant, Fermented Vegetables, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Onions, Parsinps, Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Rutabag, Spirulina, (Note: Spirulina is a fresh water grown alge that is a complete food. It contains all the vitamins and even b12 which is absent from vegetables. It is great for energy and can be taken by powder or pill.) Sprouts, Squashes, Alfalfa, Barley Grass, Wheat Grass, Wild Greens, All Green Jouces, Vegetable juices, Watercress.
Oriental Vegetables:
Maitake, Daikon, Dandelion Root, Shitake, Mushrooms, Kombu, Reishi, Nori,Umeboshi, Wakame Sea Vegetables (I don’t recommend these unless you know the source. If they are harvested too close to shore they may contain contaminants.)

Fruits:
Apples,Apricots,Avocados,Bananas,Cantaloupe ,Cherries, Currants, Dates, Figs, Grapes, Grapefruit, Limes, Honeydew Melons, Nectarines, Oranges, Lemons, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples ,Berries, Tangerines, Tomatoes Tropical Fruits, Watermelon, Fresh Fruit Juice.

Protein:
Eggs, Whey Protein, Cottage Cheese, Chicken Breast, Yogurt, Almonds, Chestnuts, Fermented Tofu, Flax seeds, Pumpkin seeds, Fermented Tempeh, Squash Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Millet, Sprouted Seeds

Miscellaneous Alkalizing Foods :
Alkaline Antioxidants, Banchi Tea, Dandelion tea, Green Tea,,Ginseng Tea, Herbal Teas, Water, Stevia (a sweetener), Apple Cider Vinegar, Bee pollen, Lecitin Granules, Probiotic Cultures, Mineral Water, Kombucha

Spices:
Ginger, Cinnamon, Mustard, Chili Pepper, Tamari, Miso, All Herbs, Sea Salt

Acidifying Foods
The foods on this list can be eaten, but in moderation and organic whenever possible. Beef that is not organic contains a lot of pesticides and it is best not to force your body to have to fight an inordinate amount of toxins in addition to the cancer.
Animal Protein:
Beef,Carp, Clams, Fish, Lamb, Lobster, Mussels, Oysters, Pork (Pork is highly toxic and should be avoided completely. Pigs will eat anything, including their own poop!) Rabbit (Please don’t eat the bunnies, they are too cute.)Salmon, Shrimp, Scallops, Tuna, Turkey Venison

Our bodies require whole grains and they are good for us, however, the proportion should always be less than our vegetable intake when cancer is present.
Grains:
Rice Cakes, Rice Milk, Wheat Cakes, Amaranth, Barley, Buckwheat, Corn, Rolled Oats, Quinoi, All Rice, Rye, Spelt, Kamut, Wheat, Hemp Seed, Flour, Wheat Germ, Pasta

Dairy:
Eat organic whenever possible to avoid excess pesticide intake. Cow, Sheep and Goat Cheese, Processed cheese, Milk, Butter

Sugar
Fruits:
Cranberries

Vegetables:
Potatoes

Beans:
Black Beans, Chick Peas, Green Peas, Kidney Beans, Lentils, Lima Beans, Pinto Beans, Red Beans ,Soy Beans, Soy Milk, White Beans

Nuts and Nut Butters:
Almond Milk, Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Peanuts (Organic only. Peanuts get a fungus that requires extra pesticides.) Peanut Butter (Organic only) Pecans, Tahini, Walnuts

Oils:
Avacado Oil, Canola Oil, Corn oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Flax Oil, Lard, Olive Oil, Safflower Oil, Sesame Oil, Sunflower Oil

Miscellaneous:
Don't abuse your body with alcohol or drugs!
Beer, Distilled Vinegar, Liquor, Wine, Chemicals, Medicinal Drugs, Drugs, Herbicides

An Important Note: Because the soils have been so depleted over the years, many foods do not contain enough vitamins any more. Always supplement your diet with a high quality multiple vitamin. Many of them now have antioxidant formulas within them. Also Alfalfa contains many minerals. The roots of this plant grow deep into the soil and can pick up more nutrients. Alfalfa pills are relatively inexpensive and are a good source of additional nutrition.
And God said,
Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
Genesis 1:29

Cancer Update from John Hopkins .This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well.
No plastic containers in microwave.
No water bottles in freezer.
No plastic wrap in microwave.
A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. 


Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers... This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body... Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food... You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons... Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead. This is an article that should be sent To anyone important in Your life! ALSO ------------------------------------- Bottled water in your car very dangerous. 


    This is how Sheryl Crow got breast cancer. This has been identified as the most common cause of the high levels in breast cancer, especially in Australia .
    A friend whose mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and the Doctor told her: women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car.
    The doctor said that the heat and the plastic of the bottle have certain chemicals that can lead to breast cancer. So please be careful and do not drink bottled water that has been left in a car, and, pass this on to all the women in your life. This information is the kind we need to know and be aware and just might save us! The heat causes toxins from the plastic to leak into the water and they have found these toxins in breast tissue. Use a stainless steel Canteen or a glass bottle when you can!



http://www.cafelogos.org/cure.html

About Cancer and the Foods that FEED Cancer




Cancer The Shocking Truth
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion.When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow,gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumour size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumour destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

CANCER CELLS FEED ON: (things to stop eating)
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Mänuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts.Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened Soya milk cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and Meat also contains live stock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites,which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds,nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans.

Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including beansprouts)and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrefied and leads to more toxic build-up.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat, it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence,Essiac,anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger,unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Designed for those who have had difficulty losing weight in the past.



All Raw Vegetables and Cooked Green Vegetables can be eaten in unlimited quantities. Eat lots of green leafy vegetables. They have the greatest amount of nutrients per calorie of any food. You may also eat as many nutrient rich non-green vegetables as you want (eggplant, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, carrots, peppers, tomatoes). The more you eat, the more weight you will lose. Try to eat a pound per day of raw and a pound per day of cooked vegetables. If you can't eat this much, don't force yourself, but the idea is to completely rethink what your idea of a portion is: make it huge.

You may also eat as much fruit as you want. You should have at least four fresh fruits daily. Finish lunch or dinner with watermelon, a whole cantaloupe of a box of blueberries or strawberries. On this aggressive weight loss diet, limit dried fruit like dates, raisins or apricots to 2 tablespoons per day.

Starchy vegetables (Butternut or acorn squash, corn, potatoes) and Whole Grains are grouped together because they can be a problem for those who have difficulty losing weight. While wholesome high carbohydrate foods are a valuable addition to a disease prevention diet, they are more calorically dense than the non-starchy vegetables. These foods are limited to one serving (1 cup) per day in these aggressive weight loss menus.

Eat beans every day; they are a dieter's best friend. The goal is to eat an entire cup of beans daily and you may have more then a cup if you chose. Beans reduce cholesterol and blood sugar and help prevent food cravings. They are digested slowly, which gives them a high satiety index. Consume nuts and seeds every day in limited amounts (1 ounce daily). Almonds, walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and others may be rich in calories and fat, but scientific studies consistently report that nuts and seeds offer disease protection against heart attacks, stroke and cancer and also help you lower cholesterol. Always eat nuts and seeds raw because the roasting process alters their beneficial fats. Nuts and seeds are ideal in salad dressings because when eaten with greens, they greatly enhance the absorption of nutrients from the vegetables. You may also use an additional 1 tablespoon per day of flax seed.

Refined grains, sugar, oil and added salt are off limits on this meal plan.

Herbal teas with no caffeine are permitted. You may use garlic, flavored vinegar, lemon, and spices or herbs for seasoning.




5 Foods That Starve Cancer






New research indicates that preventing cancer cell growth can be as simple as eating the right foods. Improve your nutrition know-how. Fill up on the following foods that starve cancer.


Disturbing new research suggests that microscopic cancer, small cancer cells that can only been seen under a microscope, is widely prevalent. A recent study of women in their 40s indicated that 40% of them had microscopic breast cancer. Even more shocking, almost 100% of people in their 70s will have microscopic cancer in their thyroid glands.

A microscopic tumor can grow up to 16,000 times its original size in as little as 2 weeks. But new groundbreaking research from The Angiogenesis Foundation proposes that you can stop cancer before it begins to grow. This new preventive approach is called anti-angiogenesis. To learn more about anti-angiogenesis and the groundbreaking research at The Angiogenesis Foundation, click here. Anti-angiogenesis encourages that, by changing the way you eat, you can change your “internal environment,” thereby depriving cancer cells the opportunity to grow and multiply.

Certain foods, eaten in the correct portions and frequency, can provide cancer-starving benefits. Below are 5 foods to eat that can prevent cancer growth:
  1. Bok Choy This type of Chinese cabbage contains brassinin; a powerful cancer-fighter, also found in broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Bok Choy should be eaten 3 times a week, in 1/2 cup servings to obtain its full benefits.
  2. Cooked Tomatoes have more cancer-fighting properties than raw tomatoes. Both contain the molecule lycopene, but heating the tomato changes its chemical structure and makes the benefits more readily available to your body. You should eat 2-3 (1/2 cup) servings of cooked tomatoes a week.
  3. Flounder This fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in mercury. Three 6-ounce servings a week is ideal.
  4. Strawberries The antioxidants in this berry help fight cancers. You should eat 1 cup a day, including the juice.
  5. Artichokes contain 3 different cancer-fighting molecules. Enjoy ¼ cup of hearts per day.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/5-foods-starve-cancer


Hard time losing weight? Try this for 7 days!


Want to lose weight and NO counting calories over the next 7 days:

For the next 7 days, you’ll eat 90% nutrient-dense foods – veggies, fruits, seeds and nuts, beans and whole grains. For the remaining 10%, you can have healthy oils, meat and dairy

Detox with a Skinny Shake




To flush fat from your body, you’ll need to release the toxins that are keeping you swollen with fat and fluid. To repair cellular damage from processed foods, make a Skinny Shake of pomegranate juice, strawberries and lemon. Pomegranates are anti-angiogenic and can reduce inflammation. Strawberries are anti-angiogenic and protect against oxidative stress. And lemon juice has vitamin C, natural antibacterial properties, can aid digestion, and helps reduce stress.

Skinny Shake

Ingredients
1 cup of ice
4 oz of pomegranate juice
1 cup frozen strawberries
Squeeze of lemon

Directions
Add all ingredients to a blender and enjoy. Add water to reach your desired consistency.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Sugar-Free Banana Popsicles


Ingredients

  • 6-7 large, ripe organic bananas
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries or cherries
  • 2 tbsp raw cacao powder
  • 12 Dixie cups
  • 12 popsicle sticks

Preparation

  • Set up 12 Dixie cups, or, if you have perfect popsicle molds, get them ready
  • In a food processor, blend 5 peeled bananas
  • With a spoon, fill Dixie cups 1/3 of the way with the mixture
  • Add strawberries/cherries to the remaining banana mixture and blend until smooth
  • With a spoon, fill Dixie cups 2/3 of the way with the mixture
  • Add renaming peeled bananas and cacao powder to the renaming mixture in the food processor and blend until smooth
  • Fill Dixie cups with the mixture all the way to the top, place popcicle sticks in the middle and freeze until hard–about 2-3 hours

Remove paper cups and indulge in these sugar free popsicles…

or, serve them dipped into sugar free melted chocolate syrup with crushed Macademia nuts!
Freeze leftover popcicles in a plastic bag.


http://www.vega-licious.com/vegan-recipes/its-always-time-for-sugar-free-banana-popsicles-recipe/

Homemade Choc. Almond Butter Cups




Homemade Almond Chocolate

Ingredients

¼ cup raw organic cacao powder
¼ cup organic coconut oil or coconut butter
5 mls vanilla essence
1 1/2 tbs almond butter
10-12 drops liquid stevia plus 1/2 tsp powdered stevia (sweeten to your taste with more or less stevia, do a taste test before freezing).
1 TBS shaved cacao butter (optional)
Melt cacao and coconut oil over boiling water add additional ingredients and stir until smooth

Place in a container (I used a shallow muffin pan you could use chocolate paper cups) and freeze for 30 minutes.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Blueberry Banana Cobbler

Ingredients
1 banana
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 tablespoon raisins
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons chopped raw almonds
2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions
Combine banana, berries, oats, currents and vanilla in a microwave safe dish. Microwave for 2 minutes.
Top with almonds, coconut and cinnamon and microwave for 1 minutes. Serve warm.


How to Pick a Ripe Watermelon

Did you know that most watermelons have a sign that tells you when its ripe? The sign says "I'm ripe!" If you look for it, you will find it.

Instructions


Step 1
Look for the yellow
On most watermelons there is a tell-tale mark that you should look for when buying or picking a watermelon. Pick up the melon and or turn one over and look on its underside.If it is a ripe melon it will have a yellow round spot on its underside.  Most stores hide that yellow mark and show only the pretty green rattle-snake rind. Any green rinded watermelon will have this yellow circle on its underside, this is the side that touches the dirt the melon was growing on and it will be there, if the melon is ripe.Keep looking until you find that yellow mark, you are the one paying for it so dig, dig, dig.

Step 2
Inspect the stem end. A ripe watermelon, no matter the color or if its seedless or has all its seeds, will have this sign of ripeness. The stem will be withered and turn brown.  If this stem is green, that melon is not ripe - pass on by!

Step 3
Knock and you will know
Last but not least and less reliable is the rap-test. You can do the rap test, however it is not always the best test for ripeness.Gently knock on the melon and listen to the sound it makes. A ripe watermelon will sound hollow when you tap on it with your bent knuckle; do this just like you knock on your neighbors door. Do not buy a melon that doesn't sound hollow. When you knock, it should answer.

The yellow mark!

Here is a good example of the yellow mark on the underside of the watermelon. This is the mark for which you are looking. When you find a watermelon with the yellow mark, buy it.  It will be found on any ripe watermelon with a green rind.

Tips & Warnings   
*Watermelons will not ripen if picked when under-ripe or green, they just go bad.
*Do not wait too long to eat the watermelon, they do not get sweeter with age.
*Do not waste your money on a melon that does not have the yellow mark on its belly.
*Watermelons can be heavy, make sure you can lift it before you try to carry it to your car.
*Once in your car, place the watermelon where it will not roll around - a ripe melon can break easily  and make a mess.
*To safe-guard against contamination from a broken melon-If you pick your own watermelon, make sure to cut it off the vine as opposed to pulling. Pulling the melon off the vine could crack the melon rind.


http://cuisine-food.helium.com/how-to/11120-how-to-pick-a-ripe-watermelon

Apple and Mango Muesli




  • 1 apple, shredded
  • 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 dates, chopped
  • 1/2 cup cubed mango
  • 1/2 cup nuts (I used a combination of walnuts and almonds)
  • Yogurt or milk to serve
  • Extra fruit and nuts to top
- Shred the apple in a food processor. Remove and set aside.
- Place the oats, dates, and nuts in the food processor and pulse until lightly chopped.
- Return the shredded apple to the food processor along with the mango and pulse until everything is roughly chopped.
- Place your preferred serving size of yogurt in a bowl and top generously with the muesli mixture. Add extra chopped nuts and fresh fruits on top (I added more mango and banana).

This is the muesli of my dreams – soft and moist yet still feels raw and chewy. The fruits do their job of adding sweetness though you can add the sweetener of your choice if needed. Leela of the kitchn describes the feeling of this as a “deconstructed, fruity oatmeal cookie”, and this is indeed what it tastes like. Another thing I love about this recipe, as opposed to the others I’ve tried, is that no soaking is required. It does acquire a pleasant mellowness after having rested in the fridge overnight but really, I could eat this straight out of the food processor with a spoon. Feel free to try this with fruits other than mango (blueberries were used in the original recipe). Whatever is in season on your side of the world would be ideal. Change the nuts around too, use your favorites or what you've got in your pantry.

http://80breakfasts.blogspot.com/2011/04/breakfast-38-apple-and-mango-muesli.html

Best Quinoa-Black Bean Burgers


makes 4

2 cups or 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup dry
quinoa
1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs (sub corn meal for gluten-free)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 small onion, finely chopped


2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
pinch salt 

1. In a small sauce pan, toast the quinoa in olive oil for a few minutes. Add a cup of water and a pinch of salt, cover, and cook until the water is absorbed (about 15 minutes).

2. Put the black beans, cooked quinoa, bread crumbs, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and tomato paste into a mixing bowl. Mix everything together with your hands until it's evenly mixed. Really go after it and squish the mixture between your fingers, mashing the beans up. You want it to hold together well.
 
 
3. Preheat a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Divide the burger mixture into four equal pieces. I like to trace a line with my hand before forming patties. Use your hands to build the burgers.



4. Pour a layer of olive oil into the pan. Cook the patties (be careful not to overcrowd the pan) for 5 minutes on each side, until they are a deep brown. While the burgers cook, mix honey mustard together.

5. Toast the buns, slather them with honey mustard, and assemble the burgers with avocado, tomato, arugula, cilantro, a fried egg, or whatever else catches your eye!


http://www.twobluelemons.com/2012/02/best-quinoa-black-bean-burgers.html

Vegetarian Spicy Black Bean Burgers







Spicy Black Bean Burgers
Serves 4

Ingredients:
burger patties:
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
3 garlic cloves
1 (14.5 ounce) can black beans, drained
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons rolled oats
1 ear yellow corn, kernels and milk removed from husk
1 green onion, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 whole wheat burger buns
 
optional toppings/condiments:
sprouts
tomatoes
guacamole
avocados
cheese
lettuce
onions
caramelized onions
ketchup
mustard
mayonnaise
pickles


1. Place onion, jalapeno and garlic in a food processor and pulse 5 or 6 times.
2. Add beans, oats, corn, green onion, cumin, curry powder, and cayenne. Season with salt and pepper and pulse 8 times. Scrape downs sides of the bowl and pulse an additional 5 to 8 times (depending on desired texture).
3. Place mixture into a mixing bowl, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
4. Remove chilled mixture from refrigerator and stir in breadcrumbs. Adjust seasonings.
5. Pour oil into a heavy bottom skillet and place over medium. Form mixture into four equal patties. Cook patties for 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until a crust develops and the patties are heated through.
6. Remove patties from heat and place onto burger buns. Assemble burger with toppings and condiments of your choice and serve.

http://spoonforkbacon.com/2012/03/spicy-black-bean-burger/

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Blueberry-Oat Bars



If you prefer a sweeter bar, add more agave nectar, sugar, stevia, or your favorite sweetener to the blueberries as they are cooking. Or add a sugar glaze on top by mixing a little vegan powdered sugar with water until it’s the right consistency for drizzling.

Ingredients

  • 1 pint blueberries
  • 1/4 cup agave nectar
  • 1/4 cup apple juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with enough water or juice to form a smooth paste
  • 3 cups oatmeal* (regular, not instant)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 ounces unsweetened applesauce
  • 6 tablespoons (3/8 cup) agave nectar
  • 6 tablespoons (3/8 cup) water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
*Use gluten-free oats to make these gluten-free.

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375F. Oil an 8×8-inch baking dish.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, agave nectar, and juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When it boils, stir in the vanilla and the cornstarch mixture. Continue to stir as the mixture boils and thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Put 1 1/2 cups of the oatmeal into a blender and grind it to a fine powder. Pour it into a medium-sized mixing bowl and add the remaining oatmeal, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Stir in the apple sauce, agave nectar, water, and vanilla, and mix well.
  4. Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing well to cover the bottom of the pan. Spoon the blueberry filling over the batter, and cover the blueberries with the remaining batter.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. Allow to cool before cutting into bars.
Preparation time: 5 minute(s) | Cooking time: 35 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 16

Nutrition Facts

Makes 16 bars. Each contains 117 Calories (kcal); 1g Total Fat; (7% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 26g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 81mg Sodium; 2g Fiber. Weight Watchers 2 Flex Points.


Quinoa Cereal



  • 1 cup prepared quinoa
  • 1/2 – 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon honey (or to taste)
  • Dried fruit and nuts (the amount depends on how chunky you want it and the kinds are up to your taste – I used a small handful of raisins, dried figs, walnuts, and pine nuts)
- Place prepared quinoa in a small saucepan with milk, butter, honey, dried fruit, and nuts.
- Simmer, stirring often, until thickened slightly...about 5 minutes.
- Garnish with extra nuts and honey if you want. This will feed one hungry person or two regular ones :)


http://80breakfasts.blogspot.com/2008/06/breakfast-21-breakfast-quinoa-cereal.html

Scranbled Eggs with Avocado


  • A pat of butter
  • A scant teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 quarter of an avocado, peeled and cubed
  • Sea salt flakes
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 slice of toast (preferably whole wheat or a nice grainy type)
- Beat the eggs lightly with a fork just until homogenously yellow.
- Heat the butter and oil in a non-stick skillet. When the butter has melted and the bubbles subside, pour in the egg.
- As the bottom of the egg sets, push gently with a wooden spatula towards the middle, letting the uncooked egg run underneath. Keep doing this slowly and methodically until you have very softly set curds of egg. I usually take my pan off the heat in the middle of all this to avoid overcooking the eggs. I like my eggs runny.
- When the eggs are partially set but still wet in places, add the avocado and fold gently.
- Take the pan off the heat (if you haven’t already) and pile the eggs onto the toast. Sprinkle generously with sea salt flakes and freshly cracked black pepper.

When I saw this dish in the kitchn I knew I had to try it. It is luscious, creamy on creamy, cozy made edible…perfect on a rainy morning. Perfect on any morning truth be told. So easy to whip up that I’m a touch embarrassed I went and made a recipe out if it. Really, just make the scrambled eggs the way you do best and fold the avocado in. You won’t be sorry. Unless you don’t like avocado. Then try this instead.

http://80breakfasts.blogspot.com/2011/07/scrambled-eggs-with-avocado.html

Savory Oatmeal






This is hardly a recipe, and really, I suggest you go with your favorite basic recipe for oatmeal (I usually go with 1/2 cup of oats and 1 1/2 cup of water -- this will make me two servings). I used steel cut oats here because I felt the texture would lend itself well to savory preparation (although I am sure rolled oats would be good as well). What is key here is that you use the best possible ingredients you can find. I know, when is that ever not key right? Well, in this case more than others as there are so few ingredients so each is a major player. Now place one serving of hot oatmeal in your favorite cuddle bowl. Top with a couple of swirls of olive oil, a sprinkling of sea salt flakes, a grinding of black pepper, and generous shavings of parmesan cheese. Now tuck in and prepare to be converted. I suggest keeping the condiments near because you may want to adjust as you work through you bowl. I definitely like adding more parmesan at some point.

http://80breakfasts.blogspot.com/2011/03/breakfast-36-savory-oatmeal.html

How to Cut a Mango




Champagne® Mangos have a thin pit in their core.  When you slice them, be careful to cut slightly off center so you do not to cut through it.











1.  Start by holding the mango with the smaller end facing up and stem-side down.  Cut the mango in half by slicing off its sides.  There will be a little "meat" on the pit of the mango. You can use your knife to slice it off, then discard the pit.





2.  Use a knife to make slices along the length of each mango half, then again across to make a crisscross pattern.  Just be careful not to cut through the skin. TIP:  At this poing, you can take a spoon an scoop out the cubes, or, you may follow Steps 3 & 4.






3.  Holding a half mango, use your finger to press gently on the skin, pushing the mango cubes out.





4.  Slice cubes off with a knife, or scoop out with a spoon before you push the cubes out. Discard the skin.






http://www.champagnemango.com/site/cutting