Apricot Bars

Pic to come of fabulous raw Apricot Bars!  Wow- check out this delicate sweet succulent dessert...
1C Dried Apricot (pureed in food processor)
1 C Raw Cashews
1 1/2 T Extra Virgin Coconut oil
pinch salt
Vanilla

Puree all of the ingredients in the food processor, press down in a oiled or lined pie pan.  Refrigerate if you don't eat them all at once:)  This is the best dessert I have made in a long time!

Apple Cider Vinegar

So I have always loved the taste of ACV as an additional flavoring to greens, cabbage, salad dressings, etc. I have used ACV for several home remedies as well.  ACV is an excellent cure for dandruff, it balances high cholestorl, reduces sinus infections and sore throats, fights allergies, strengthnens the immune system,improves digestion, cures constipation,increases metabolism, alleviates the symptoms of gout and arthritis, cures hangovers, prevents bladder stones, cures urinary tract infections, and so muchmore. I have recently read hundreds of testimonies that ACV cures PMS. WHAT!?!? Yeahhhh!!

Make sure you get the raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar!  Braggs brand is great! 

Soaking beans

Why soak beans? Canned beans are loaded with salt and have less nutritional content than beans you soak yourself, Canned beans are also more expensive and you are left with the can. Cut out the waste, save some money, and make the healthier choice to soak your own beans, its easier than you might think:) Buy your beans in the bulk foods section wherever you shop. Rinse the beans in water, then soak in water for about 8 hours. Soaking the beans releases the gases that cause flatulance, as well as activates the beans to sprout. After soaking the beans you can cook them or sprout them. The ones pictured here will be cooked and added to vegan chili. I hope you consider giving up the canned beans for your health and the planets health.

Tabouli:)

This is last nights dinner. Tabouli is my favorite!!!! I am listing the recipe here:)
1 bunch of chopped parsley (I used flat leaf italian style for this recipe)
Freshly chopped tomatoes
Bulghar wheat (soaked in warm water) This is optional, a great substitute is corn which I used in this recipe
Corn Cut off the cob (you want fresh corn to add the juicy crunch
Chopped garlic
Chopped green onion
Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
Ground Pepper
pinch of cayenne
splash of Braggs (or sea salt)

Additional fresh herbs such as basil, mint, chives, oregano also compliment this refreshing delicious salad. This is easy to make and everyone loves it! This is good eaten on its own or with hummus and wraps or however you like. I had some this morning with scrambled teggs (tofu). Enjoy!

Urban Gardening

TWO WORDS... Urban Gardening......Okay you know I can't stop there. Sprouts are instant gratification of Gods Goodness  Sprouts grow in jars in just a few days and there are many different ones to suit your taste preference and power your house with essentials.

I have alfalfa  and red clover sprouts pictured here:)  

Beans for the week ahead....

CHECK! Last night I soaked two different types of beans for meals this week. Lima Beans and Black Beans (Soaked separatley for two different meals).

I soaked the dry bean rather than buying the cans- its less expensive, its easy, its less waste, and its less salt. You just soak the dry beans in water overnight, rinse the next day, then simmer over low heat for a few hours (without salt, salt dries out the beans).

After the beans simmered for a little while, I added shallots, garlic, onions carrots, and peppers to both. I added sliced potatoes to the lima beans which made the soup much thicker.

The lima bean soup is seasoned with fresh herbs of thyme, sage, and rosemary, and freshly chopped ginger root.

The black beans are seasoned with fresh cayenne pepper, onions, fresh oregano and fresh thyme. When the black beans are finished I will serve them with brown rice, fresh cilantro and fresh tomato salsa.

Gametime snacks!

Featuring my new favorite Summer Rolls with an asian inspired sauce. 1/2 and 1/2 Hummus and pesto, zucchini slices, seaweed sheets, basil, sprouts and pesto. Dip and wrap to your hearts content :)  This platter offers a little something for everyone!

Bulk Foods

Bulk Items from Market

Just back from Market

Smoothie of the Day!

Powerinyourhouse Blend! 1/3 Mixed Berries, 1/3 Mango, 1/3 Spinach. This Smoothie is LOADED! Fill the blender up with the three ingredients- dont forget to pack in the greens, top with 2pints of H2O. Blend (I use the puree button) if your smoothie starts moving slowly pour in a bit of water or juice (fresh) or apple cider.

A call this Powerinyourhouse because of what this smoothie brings to your house- your body.

Antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Minerals such as Manganese, Potassium, Zinc, Magnesium, not to mention Protein, Beta-Carotene and Phyto-Chemicals. If that doesn't sound like enough- look up the ingredients and you will find more.

These healing ingredients are also anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, protect the brain and nervous system, guard skin against sun damage, and are beneficial for people with angina, high cholesterol, heart disease, and acne.

Sooooo... Enjoy! The sweet smooth replenishing drink with plenty of sweetness from the mangoes and the berry blend.

Quick Green Smoothie!

First step of creating green smoothie is to fill the blender half full with the fruits.

Next step is to stuff the blender full of Green Leaves!  I have the ingredients listed in more detail below.  Please continue to see the next steps and how easy it is to start the day off great!

Cover fruit and half of leaves with water (I added a little apple cider here too).  Secure the blender lid tightly and.....

So I have to admit that I get a little dizzy during this part sometimes... lol... Watch the ingredients turn from chunks.....

Wait for it!  The best smoothies are smoothed for a whole minute!  This one is perfect!  Frothy, smooth, silky, and packed full of necessary vitamins for a blessed day:)You know the smoothie is finished when the chunks are gone and it is glowing green- no artificial color added please! 

 

Green Smoothie Ingredients

Good morning, afternoon, and evening! Need an energy boosting breakfast full of brain food? Green Smoothie is the answer! The ingredients are simple and may consist of what you already have on hand! To make the perfect green smoothie there are a few key ingredients
1. Something to make the smoothie smooth- be it banana (fresh or frozen), avocado (fresh), mango, or peach.
2. Greens- Spinach are my favorite, Romaine comes in close second, I have used salad mixes as well (which tasted beautifully).
3. Something to add the extra umph.. for sweet with antioxidants add berries! Mango is my personal favorite- its sweet and sour:) I showed frozen fruits from Trader Joes here- they are priced great and soooo easy. I also buy a lot of fresh when fruits are in season and freeze them myself- sticking to simplicity with this post.. stay on track Ali!
4. Liquid- 99% of the time I just use filtered alkaline water- however coconut milk, almond milk, whole grain milk, hemp seed milk or apple cider are tasty and may contain extra needed vitamins- I am saving mine for my oats:)
Please note that this is the second time that I have posted green smoothie recipe because of how vital I believe it can be- the post from a little while ago is even better with the watermelon juice or coconut water!

Bonfire Snack Tray

Want to show your friends and family that you LOVE them? An appetizer tray such as this has everyone feelin the goodness of nature. Last weekend we went over to our dear friends place for a bonfire and QT and this is what we took to share. Here you see mango salsa, 1/2 and 1/2 sundried tomato pesto and hummus topped with a drizzle of hemp seed oil, pine nuts and herbs, grapes, olives, thin slices of peppers, heirloom tomatoes and one of my favorites zucchini chips. I just recently fell in love with slicing zucchini thin (1/4 inch) and using it as a chip! OR for a bite size app, spread the hummus on each one then top each one with a dallop of pesto and an olive slice or a few pine nuts or something and they are soooo good. This was more of a dipping group so we just went with this method. Btw, this is a great platter for chillin, watchin the game, mingling.
Wow! This has me thinking are we really rewarding someone by giving them candy or junk food? The other day I saw a 15 month old pick out a king size Snickers bar at the store- the grandma bought this for her baby! Working with children I often see them receiving candy as a reward. How bout a peice of fruit for a reward? Unfortunately getting God's goodness is more difficult and costly than grabbing a bag of candy. Hey ya'all break the cycle- I know a lot of our food choices are inherited but that does not mean thier right and thats not to say that our parents are wrong, they are just misinformed- and it has been this way for a long time! I am going to stop now. Peace up! I share this because I LOVE YOU ALL!