Sunflower Sprout Salad

Crunchy, sweet and so full of color!   Enjoy

 Sunflower sprout salad:  Approximately 4 cups of sunflower sprouts, 5 med. beets; baked and sliced, 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts, a handful of dried cranberries, and 2 Tablespoons feta cheese and 2 sliced celery stalks.

 Dressing:  1 Tablespoons agave nectar, 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar.  

No Fuss

I am not a Baker, all that measuring, and temptation. When I do have to bake something, it is usually a whole day process. But, I found an Easy, Delicious and Pretty dessert that everyone will love.
Boxed brownie mix (cupcake pan)
Cream cheese and powdered sugar frosting
Fresh raspberries

Enjoy

Heart Health

You say you don't like Oatmeal, I say you never tasted mine.  Although Steal Oats have more fiber and a very nutty flavor, they take 40 minutes to cook.  I can get Organic Rolled Oats in bulk for $1.20 a lb. So, for pennies, I have an Extremely healthy meal in less than 5 minutes. Please avoid any Boxed oats, they are loaded with sugar, salt and are very costly.

single serving:
half a cup of oats to 1cup water.
bring to boil, turn to low for remaining 2 minutes.
add dried cranberries, walnuts and sliced apple.  For the sweet tooth; add a little Real 100% Maple Syrup or sprinkle with cinnamon.  Be Bold, experiment with brown rice for breakfast, or oatmeal for lunch. Be different, take a new path and EnJoy

Soup

  

There is nothing like soup in cold weather.

My soups are never the same, because I use whatever I have on hand, so this is the best recipe for my green tortilla soup. I use Organic ingredients, but do the best you can for your location. I also cook dried beans and make broth to have on hand, but now our stores are filled with so many organic choices.

1 box vegetable or chicken stock (about 4 cups homemade)
2 cups of water
1can of small White beans or 1/2 cup dried beans.
2 Carrots, 3 celery ribs, as many green chilies as you like (I use 5) or 2 small cans, 3 tomatoes or 1 can when tomatoes aren't in season, 3 small potatoes, 2 tblsps Cumin and cayenne pepper to taste. Bring to boil, reduce heat and cover for half an hour. Uncover add 2 small zucchini diced and a half cup of frozen corn. I serve this with Fresh tomatoes (or fresh salsa), Avocado, feta cheese and fried corn tortilla strips. So Yummy! Many more soup recipes to come, share your favorite and EnJoy!


Mushrooms

Mary Jo's Stuffed Mushrooms:
Approximately 20 Mushrooms
1 Pack Cream Cheese
1 medium Onion
8 slices Bacon ( 8 slices veggie bacon strips)
1 dash liquid smoke, a few dashes of Tabasco sauce, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.

De stem and clean mushrooms. Prepare bacon, Finely chop onion, mix all into cream cheese. Stuff mushrooms, bake at 400 for 20 minutes.

I use the veggie bacon strips because they have more flavor and stay crunchier in the cheese.

Feta Walnut Mushrooms:
20 mushrooms
1 small onion (1/2 med. onion)
1/4 cup Feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped Walnuts
Bake at 400 for 20 minutes

Lemon Twist Mushrooms:
10 mushrooms, set aside stems
1 small onion
1/2 cup bread crumbs
mushroom stems


Saute stems and onions in a little olive oil or butter. Mix in bread crumbs and fill Mushrooms.  Bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Squeeze with Lemon Juice before serving.  EnJoy
For additional flavor, add garlic, Italian bread crumbs, Italian sausage, or Parmesan cheese.  If you like add all of these.  If you like Mushrooms, experiment and find your favorite way to stuff.

Sweet Chips

 

These are a few of my favorite things. Call them Natures Candy, and those that know me, know I love SWEETS. Nothing sweeter and Healthier than Yams. So many ways to serve this nourishing treat, but making chips is fast, fun and so easy.

1. Peel and slice 1 Yam.  2.  Toss in bowl with about a tablespoon of olive oil and mix with hands to evenly distribute.  I used to brush on the oil and found I used too much and they took longer to bake. 

 3. Place evenly on baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt, cinnamon or any of your favorite spices.  4.  Place in a 400 degree oven for 15 min. Depending how thin you slice them and how hot your oven runs, be sure to check  after 10 minutes. 

For an added treat, Slice an apple and bake with the yam chips.  This is only One Yam and One very small apple.  The results fulfill your cravings.  EnJOY

Kale Chips

Kale is a rich source of vitamins and minerals.
As a dark leafy vegetable, it is a true Super Food.  So easy to grow, I use it daily.  I juice it, toss it in soups and salads, even make a mean potato sausage kale stir fry. But my family's favorite way to eat this versatile goody is the Chip.  This is such a simple delight, you will deliberately buy kale, if you're not growing it.

One bunch of Kale, torn into bite sized chips (no stems) Toss into a bowl with a tablespoon of olive oil, mix well, place on baking sheet for about 15 min. at 400, salt as desired, cool and EnJoy. 

Apples

The Bay Area is known for morning fog. This is a nice warm up, without the guilt.  Slice One Apple, sprinkle Cinnamon, drizzle Honey and EnJOY. 

       We all know an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but do you know why?  This miracle food prevents all types of cancer, asthma, and protects bones.  Honey is another, the ancient Egyptians called it the Nectar of the Gods. I always knew eating what the bees pollinate locally is beneficial to allergen, that is why I buy my honey from Farmers Market.  My Honey Guy told me a teaspoon lowers Cholesterol levels. Cinnamon is another cholesterol lowering food that also regulates blood sugar in the body.  Check it out, it's True. Cook this on an iron skillet for an added bonus.   So, this recipe, although simple, is a guilt free healthy one.

Won ton Romance

Carrot Ginger Won ton Filling:

1 carrot

1 inch fresh ginger

1 scallion and 1 green onion

1/2 cup fresh cilantro

1 Tblsp peanut oil

juice from a lemon

1 Tblsp raw sunflower seeds, and 1 tsp sesame seeds

Process into a thick paste

Drop and roll into won ton wraps

Fry in hot peanut oil (I did not submerge, I turned, you can also brush with oil and bake, turning once.)

Remove from pan when golden brown.

Sesame Salad: Carrot,Cucumber, Red peppers,

Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and Cilantro.

Salad Dressing: 1 Tblsp Rice Wine Vinegar,1 tspn honey, and 1/2 tsp sesame oil.

Toss with dressing and let salad sit half an hour.

Won ton Dipping Sauce: 2 Tblsp Tamari, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp rice wine vinegar (make it to your taste)

This is a nice light meal.  Have fun experimenting with the way you roll the won ton wraps.  My husband liked the simple triangle way. The paste filling helps them stick together.

As always, Have fun making the recipe your own.  I enjoyed picking from my own garden to make this romantic meal for two.  EnJoy 

Fresh

Fresh Summer Wrap

Blend the following:
Black Beans, Tomatoes, and Cilantro
Spices: Onion, garlic, cumin and cayenne pepper. (as desired)

Julienne slice the following:
Jiccama, Cabbage, Red Pepper, Mango, Avocado

Make a mini vegi taco, add salsa and sour cream if desired.  



Fresh squeezed lime juice.. and EnJoy

sushi Yum

 

How to make a great vegan sushi roll.  Step One: soak and dry 1 cup of raw almonds, blend in a processor or Vitamixer, add the juice of 1 lemon, wasabi to taste and about 1/4 cup water; mix. This will be your main filling.  Step Two: Prepare avacado, cucumber, water cress, radish sprouts, and red pepper.  Step Three: Roll up your nori rolls.  Step Four: Serve with your favorite fruits and vegetables, and Miso soup. Step Five:  Eat and EnJOY

eggroll pizza crust and crisps

1. Eggroll wraps, save corners for crisps.

2. Fry up till crispy

3. Add toppings

4. Bake till cheese melts

Extra: Fry up the corners with a little parm.

 Serve and . . .

Enjoy!  "They're so good Mom"

This is so easy, sure beats making crust from scratch and it's nearly homemade.  It's cheaper, fewer calories and everyone gets to pick their own toppings.

Get the whole family envolved and have FUN! 

Two Salads

Easy salads to have on hand:  Artichokes, broccoli, celery, red pepper, red onion, and olives with vinegarette.


Greek salad:  Couscous, lettuce, watercress, sunflower sprouts, cucumber, red pepper, tomatoes, and feta with vinegarette. 

GREAT GRATIN

 Vegetable gratin is like a lasagna without the pasta.  It's simply layering vegetables with your favorite cheese, and how could that ever go wrong?  You can make it with whatever vegetables you have available.  It's fun dreaming up different variations.

 

Zucchini Gratin: 4 sliced zucchinis, 4 medium tomatoes sliced, 1thin sliced onion, 1/2 cup fresh cut basil, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper and shredded white cheddar between layers. Make two layers. Sometimes I use a breadcrumb topping. Bake covered 350 for 40 minutes, remove foil and let top brown about 10 minutes.

 Remember to make it your own! I've used fresh spinach and yellow squash. I think the the fresh tomatoes give it the WOW!  Bon Apetite

Summer Vegetables

Must Have Ingredients for Meals in Minutes:
Pasta or Rice

Zucchini and Tomatoes

Onions and Garlic

Nuts and Cheese

It's almost 6 pm and you have no idea what to make for dinner. Start boiling water. Either for pasta or rice. If dieting on less carbs omit this step.

Wash some spinach, basil, onion, zucchini, and tomatoes, slice the zucchini, tomatoes, and onion. When water is ready, make any nutritional pasta you have on hand. I used whole wheat spaghetti, but there are so many varieties.
When pasta is ready, remove from water and toss in a pan with a little olive oil, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Throw in your sliced onions, zucchini a few tomatoes, and walnuts. When pasta starts to sizzle, turn heat to low, throw in spinach and basil , cover and let it wilt. This only takes a few minutes.
To plate, be sure everyone has ample amounts of pasta, nuts and vegetables. Garnish with fresh tomatoes and feta cheese. Remember, don't be afraid to use other varieties of nuts, cheeses, pastas or even substitute with rice. This is a staple dish in our home, and so easy.
I am loving summer, with the freshness of all these vegetables.

Wake me up

Smoothies; so many variations, so many possibilities.

Use what you have, use what is in season, use what is local.

One comes to realize that this illusory world tries to convince us we need some magic pill or potion.  That there is some wonder herb or magical food or drug that will solve our problems.  This disrupts us from seeing the truth and wonder around us right here, right now. 

I hope we all see the wonder and find that truth.  Extend compassion, and walk lightly. Nameste

Love being crabby

Real crab is my favorite! It's also hard to clean and expensive. Imitation crab has extra starches added to the fish to give it the crab texture. However, some people don't like the real deal and this recipe is easy, low in calories and delicious.
16 oz pack imitation crab
1 sliced small onion
4 sliced large celery stalks
Dill, about 1/2 cup cut
Dressing: 2 Tbsp. light sour cream, Vinegar

Rinse crab, then marinate crab in 1/4cup vinegar an hour or overnight is fine. If you don't have time, make the whole batch and let it sit an hour to meld flavors, cooked shrimp is a good substitute. Mix everything and add 2 Tbsp of low fat sour cream and 2 Tbsp. vinegar, this gives it a creamy texture but low on fat.  Mix well and refrigerate at least an hour.  Serve on any type of lettuce. My husband loves it on a fancy croissant roll. It's great for potlucks or to keep for a quick lunch. A true cool Summer delight.

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa is an excellent source of protein and delicious with just about anything. It sprouts in a day and keeps in the refrigerator for a few more.  You can also cook it up a little quicker than rice and is good warm and cold with anything.  I buy it in bulk, but have seen it in a package and is known as an ancient Peruvian grain.  This salad was inspired by the Nectarine,  I love stone fruits that are so plentiful at market in June.  Enjoy this blend of crunch and color.

4 cups Romain and  2 cups Arugula, 1 cup cooked Quinoa or 2 cups sprouted, 1/2 cup slivered Almonds, 1 red bell pepper sliced, 2 Nectarines sliced.
Dressing: 1/4 cup orange juice
                2 Tbsp. honey mustard
                2 Tbsp. ground flax seed
                2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

CURRY UP

I made this in less than 30 minutes, and what a delicious surprise!

Heat skillet with a tbls. olive oil.

Thinly slice the following:

4 small carrots

1 small potato

1/4 onion

2 cloves garlic

1 stalk celery

Turn heat to med., cover and let veg. cook 5 minutes. Then add: 

1tsp. curry powder

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

3 tbls. coconut milk

1 tblsp. honey

Add water as needed. (I like it creamy)

Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes.

Then Add:

2 cups sprouted lentils

1/2 apricot

5 sliced grapes

Cover another 5 minutes,  just to warm.

Garnish:

1/2 Apricot

5 sliced grapes

parsley and chive

Now remember folks, I am not a chef. I do not measure accurately and adjust as needed. I encourage everyone to experiment and have fun making it your own.

Hearty Salad

Brown Rice Salad

1cup small grain brown rice

1 sliced red bell pepper

4 stalks sliced celery

1 cup raw sweet peas (or bean sprouts) whatever is in season.

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 cup sliced almonds

DRESSING:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tblsp. agave nectar

2 tblsp. sesame oil

I tweak this recipe all the time, to be truthful I never really measure anything.  I put (oranges) mandarins in when they are in season.  I have also used sunflower seeds when I was out of almonds.  You can make it your own.  It's the best feel good vitamin B energy booster.  Good for breakfast, lunch or a great side dish.  Make is once and you'll be hooked.