This Veggie Sandwich that I made for lunch has been a repeat move the past few days- quite simply because I love the way I feel after having it. Perhaps it was the gluten/wheat-free bread I used and the energy packed homemade hummus slathered on it, but I felt charged, nicely full, unbloated, and just oh so satisfied.
What I used:
2 pieces of Gluten Free bread, toasted
Thick layers of homemade Hummus
Slices of Avocado and Cucumbers
Leaves of Basil and Fresh Spinach
Easy, right? Try it. Even you men will enjoy it. Because mine sure did!
xoS
I get a lot of questions from clients and friends about how to make a 'fun' salad or make it a heck of a lot more interesting. My answer: DRESS IT UP! Dressing your salad will drastically make it so much more exciting- especially if it's a yummy, healthy one (not loaded with saturated fats and preservatives). Like this simple Pesto I made. This one's great- not just for salads, but stir frys and pastas as well.
What you'll need:
1 cup Fresh Organic Basil, chopped
1/2 cup Raw Pecans
1/2 cup Olive Oil
1/2 Squeezed Lemon
1 clove Garlic
1 teaspoon Sea Salt
Throw all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. For more zest, squeeze in more lemon.
So simple, I love it! Now mix it into whole wheat pasta and grain salads...
Enjoy!
xoS
The blast of summer in San Francisco as of late has made me hanker for a frothy yummy sweet treat. While at Cafe Gratitude (where else?) the other day, my friend and I shared their Coconut Smoothie and we were both floored... Here's my replication:
Coconut Smoothie
1.5 cups Coconut Milk
4-5 dates, adjust to your sweetness liking
1 heaping tablespoon almond butter
Dashes of Cinnamon
3 Ice Cubes
One Dash of Cacao powder (optional)- for that hint of chocolate...
Blend until creamy perfection!
Potatoes are totally underrated. Kinda. They're so versatile and easy to prepare (saute, bake, boil, roast, or use in soups) not to mention- super highly nutritious. They supply lots of energy since they're high in complex carbohydrates (the good carbs; stay away from bad simple carbs), loaded with essential fiber, which keeps the digestive tract healthy, and has all sorts of Vitamins (C and B6- vital to wound healing and strengthening the immune system) and Minerals such as Potassium (more so than bananas!)- which is important for cell maintenance. Potassium is also an electrolyte that balances the body's fluids. Also, potatoes are a very alkaline food and reduces acidic wastes in the body, thereby balancing pH levels.
I wanted to make something filling yet nutritious and whipped up this unique Potato Salad. Perfect end of summer dish; even more perfect for sharing.
What you'll need:
6 small Yellow or Russet Potatoes, cooked and chopped
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 small red onion
3 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Dill Weed
1 tablespoon Sea Salt
1/2 Squeezed Lemon
1/2 cup chopped Walnuts
1/2 cups chopped Parsley
Loads of ground Black Pepper
Mix together mustard, oil, and lemon. Throw in herbs, onions, parsley and salt, stirring until well mixed. Drizzle over chopped potatoes in a large bowl and mix it up! Enjoy immediately or serve chilled...
xoS
Hummus is superb as a dip for veggies and pita, but it's also quite a big deal on bread for making sandwiches or wraps, and as dressing on a salad; I mean, way to make your salad more interesting: just drop a dollop or two over your greens! Hummus is satiating, delicious and totally good for you. Why? Its main ingredient are Garbanzo Beans, aka Chick Peas. High in essential fiber and protein like other beans, they digest slowly and keep blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly (ideal for diabetics). Chickpeas also contain trace minerals that detoxify sulfites; they also contain iron and manganese, which promote healthy blood and high energy. Blending Chickpeas with essential, monounsaturated, and heart healthy fats such as Olive Oil and Avocados makes for a complete meal!
Creamy Dreamy Hummus:
1 cup Chick Peas, soaked overnight, rinsed and drained OR 1 cup no-sodium canned Chick Peas
1/2 Avocado
3 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Cumin
1 Squeezed Lemon
1 clove Garlic
1/2 tablespoon Sea Salt
1 tablespoon Tahini (make it yourself- just grind up 1/2 cup Sesame Seeds with 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil)
Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth, creamy and thick. Scoop out, serve and enjoy!! If you're using it as a dressing and want it to be thinner, add 1/2 cup water and blend until desired consistency.
xoS
Kale Chips. You've either heard of these, had them before, and are quite intrigued, or you're grossed out because you don't eat much kale, let alone know about it. Let me introduce you to or reacquaint you with this amazing leafy green.
A highly nutritious vegetable with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, kale is also very high in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, and calcium. Because of its high vitamin K content, people taking anti-coagulants are encouraged to avoid this food since it increases the vitamin K concentration in the blood, which is what the drugs are often attempting to lower. Kale, as with Broccoli and other brassicas (or cabbage family), contains sulforaphane, a chemical believed to have potent anti-cancer properties.
There are so many great ways to use kale. One of my favorite ways is in a salad with a great marinade. But recently, I've had hankerings for a yummy snack to go well with Mad Men watching. Kale Chips hit the spot. I'm gonna finally get a dehydrator soon, but for now, baking will do.
What you'll need:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon light non-gmo miso
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 lemon squeezed
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional, but gives it a great cheesy flavor)
Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Throw in 2 cups kale, removed from stem, rinsed, patted dry, and cut into bite sized pcs. Massage well with hands until kale is nicely coated in mixture. Lay down on a cookie sheet and place in oven at 200 degrees for 30 minutes, until crunchy. Turn off heat, and mix around. Let cool in oven for 10 minutes. Serve, enjoy and repeat, again and again.
Happiest Weekend. Make some kale chips!
xoS
Cacao (the raw material for chocolate making) is considered a superfood because of its high content of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. It was used medicinally among the Indigenous to treat fatigue, anemia, low sex drive, respiratory problems, and poor appetite, among others. Cacao lowers cholesterol, stimulates the production of natural antidepressants in the body, and improves digestion and elimination. Cacao in the raw will get you all these benefits, more so than eating the end result of the process from cacao to cocoa (or chocolate). Watch out for highly processed chocolate like Hershey's. As a good rule of thumb, lean towards dark chocolate, which contains more cacao content and less fats/sugars.
What you'll need:
1 frozen banana
1 avocado
1 cup almond milk
3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
2 tablespoons raw honey
2 tablespoons flax meal
1 tablespoon coconut oil
3 ice cubes
Blend all ingredients until thick, smooth & creamy or desired consistency. Add more milk to thin it out..
*Big Thanks to Sarah Britton*
I love a shop that aspires to teach greenness by carrying products that reflect this ideal. Green Rainbow is one such online store that has everything from organic clothing to candles, natural soaps, recycled kitchen stuff like glass plates, recycled jewelry, toys, stuff for her, him and pets. Here are some of my top picks:  6"x8" party bowl, ideal as a serving platter for salads and such and would be so useful for all the dinner parties I love throwing. It's chemical free, non-toxic, compostable, biodegradable, reusable, fridge safe. Comes in a pkg of 8. $5.5.
 This Wild Sunflower Soap comes nestled in a round terra cotta dish. Ingredients include saponified oils of coconut, palm, castor, and safflower, soybean protein and essential oils of sweet orange and cinnamon. $8.
 This owl-head wallet is a hemp and organic cotton blend, and is screen-printed by hand using water based inks. Classic billfold with six pocket interior. $24.
 Loving this vintage metal sign.. Hand rusted, with grommeted corner holes for easy hanging. Other signs in the collection include "Laundry" and "Bath". $32.
 This cool 19 pc dragon puzzle is made of Basswood from managed forests and can be painted! Doubles up as a great kid toy/activity as well as home decor. Other puzzles in the collection include a butterfly, dinosaurs, a train and boat. $25.
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