Nuts are crazy awesome. Versatile, flavorful and nutrient-dense, they're easily the biggest protein source for me on a daily basis. How can one eat so many nuts? Let me count thy ways. They don't have to be straight out of the bag. Nuts are great as a 'pate' or in this case, as nut butter for slathering on morning toast finished with your fav jelly. Remember my old post on why it's advised to soak nuts? It's the best way to destroy enzyme inhibitors that allow us to fully digest and take in nutrients from the nuts. The other method is to roast them....

Homemade Almond Butter
1 cup Raw, Unroasted, Unsalted Almonds
First, roast the almonds by placing them on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until slightly darker and fragrant. Let cool (30 min), then transfer almonds to a Vitamix, food processor or blender, and blend on high for 2 minutes until almonds are ground to a fine powder. Keep blending until a smoothy and creamy paste forms (another 2 minutes), but be sure to stop the machine for a minute so it doesn't burn out and to scrape down sides. Keep repeating these steps. Add a little salt to taste, slather over toast along with a spoonful of jelly!

Radishes are rad.. and so are you. Stay tuned for a rad radish recipe...
xoS

Feeling stuck in a rut and want to feel energized and happy? Want to dive into Spring feeling awesome and charged? Join me on a 21-day cleanse! It's really not like the others. You will learn how to feel amazing via eating really good food and tweaking your lifestyle a bit. It's fun and totally worth it!
Sign up through Yoga Garden and check out these frequently asked q's. Sign up before March 1 and get a lil early bird special- and ps- it sounds far away but March 1 is in FIVE DAYS!
Ask me anything...
xoS

Power Smoothieshake
1/2 cup Frozen Organic Blueberries
6 Frozen Organic Strawberries
1/4 cup Frozen Organic Spinach
1 Banana
3/4-1 cup Nut Milk (super easy to make!)
2 Tbsp Flaxmeal (optional)

Blend all ingredients in a blender for 30-60 seconds (really depends on your blender), adding in more liquid as desired to achieve preferred consistency. Transfer to mason jar and get your power day started!

Have Some Now and Have Some Tomorrow Winter's Stew (makes about 6-8 servings)
1 can Organic Aduki Beans, drained and rinsed (I use the Eden brand)
1 can Organic Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
4 stalks Organic Celery, chopped
4 Carrots, chopped
1 medium Organic Sweet Potato, chopped 
3 Organic Tomatoes, chopped
1 cup Organic Frozen or Fresh Corn Kernels
4 Organic Collard Greens or Kale, chopped
2 cups Organic Veggie Stock
3 cups Water
1 small Shallot 
3-4 Garlic Cloves, crushed
Herbs and Spices
Cinnamon Stick
Bay Leaf
Cumin
Cayenne
Turmeric
Paprika
Sage
Thyme
Oregano
Lemon Pepper
Black Pepper
1-1/2 Tbsp Sea Salt
(or pretty much everything in your herb/spice pantry)

In a large pot, bring together garlic, shallot and 3 Tbsp of Olive Oil over medium heat. Once the sizzle, add in potatoes (for 5 minutes- stirring), then carrots, celery and tomatoes. Cook for another 5 minutes. Add in Cinnamon Stick, Bay Leaf and Veggie Stock. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Add in corn and beans, then stir in more and more water to your liking- depending on how thick or runny (like soup!) you like it. Then in go all the herbs and spices.. It's your experiment, therefore there's no such thing here as the "right amount" of anything, because everyone has a preference. I like it spicy, others do not. I like a little less salt, my boyfriend is the opposite. I pretty much use 1/2-1 tsp of mostly everything listed under Herbs and Spices, but that's just me. Try it! Have fun.. and here's to staying even cozier this winter!

Enter, the Sesame Seed.. Small in shape but loaded with goodness, these nutty seeds contains substances that belong to a group of fibers called lignans, which lower cholesterol. Due to its high levels of copper they are a wonderful ant-inflammatory food and can be beneficial for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Copper also activates an enzyme necessary for building elastin and collagen, which provides structure and elasticity to the bones and joints. In the hull of the seeds are loads of calcium, which is a mighty mineral that lowers blood pressure, reduces migraines (which are caused by blood vessel spasms) and builds bone structure and overall health.

Grind up some Sesame Seeds with a bit of oil to make Tahini Dressing, a wonderfully tasty Middle Eastern fundamental.Drizzle over a boring salad and bam, best salad ever it becomes..

Here's how easy it is:
Homemade Tahini
2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
1 tsp Olive or Unrefined, untoasted Sesame Oil
1/8 cup Water (or more depending on desired consistency)
Juice of 1/2 Lemon
1 tsp Sea Salt 
In a food processor (or blender) grind Sesame Seeds until smooth, then add in Oil and Salt. Slowly add in water and lemon juice, blending until smooth. Enjoy over everything...

xoS

Do what you love and love what you do.
xoS