Stocking dry storage for survival and living in a healthy home

You should feel good when you walk into your kitchen and especially upon opening your cabinets. this is the place that you nourish your body! If you are eating and living consciously then hopefully you are avoiding packaged foods and are purchasing bulk foods or growing your own. Bulk foods are stored in glass jars for the best quality. I have collected jars over time to get me to this point, I am thankful to have almost all our dry foods stored in glass jars. This dry storage cabinet could sustain us for months in case of food emergency. In fact I keep very few canned goods in the house because we do not prefer canned goods. Many of these seeds, nuts and grains can be soaked and sprouted for optimal nutrition.

On the bottom shelf I have stored the dry foods we eat most often such as; nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Currently on this shelf are sesame seeds, black caraway seeds, chia seeds, pecans, walnuts, dried fruit, oats (steel cut and rolled), linen bags used for food storage, sprouting, and making nut milks, tahini, almond butter, pine nuts, several varieties of beans, almond slivers, lentils, wheat berries, alfalfa seeds, broccoli seeds, and more!

Baking and more dry storage occupy the second shelf. Although we try to avoid baked goods and sweets, there are times that we will make a healthier version of some popular sweet treats. So any of those ingredients are kept on the top shelf where they are out if reach. Currently on this shelf are: Teff flour, almond meal, flax seed, flax meal, peanut butter, organic spectrum vegetable shortening, dehydrated vegan soups (just add hot water), raw cacao powder, cacao butter, dry coconut, and more!

Dry Brushing Detox

Dry brushing is One of the best routines I have found for smoothing, detoxing, clearing the skin, gently waking up the circulatory system, draining the lymphatic system, and even reducing cellulite. Twice a week before taking an Epsom salt bath is efficient for this technique. Brush the whole body in upwards motion towards the heart. Spend a few minutes doing this, then hop in an Epsom salt bath for at least 20 minutes and you will find yourself feeling refreshed and your skin will be glowing! Do this at least once (twice is best) a week and you will notice a change (as long as you are eating clean and exercising also!!! )

Rest and relaxation

Yes we should drink good water, eat lots of leafy greens, fruits and healthy foods and....YES!!! We should get plenty of quality rest.
Make your bedroom a peaceful place by keeping it tidy, simple and clean. Choose colors that are calming. On your next mattress purchase choose organic, chemical free materials. Make your bed everyday. Don't neglect yourself of rest.
Eating, exercising and living clean all factors in for the body to properly rest. When we are committed to a healthy lifestyle it all syncs up!

Groovy Green Juice

Ingredients:
Kale
Romaine
Celery
Parsley
Cilantro
Kiwi
Cucumber
Pear
Lime
Lemon

Juice. Give Thanks. Drink. Enjoy!!!!

Salmon colored Sunset Juice

This juice is pretty, delicious, and very healthy of course!

Ingredients:
Carrot
Sweet Potato
Orange
Clementine or Tangerine
Apple
Beet
Pear

Procedure:
Juice
Give Thanks
Enjoy

You will see the amounts I used in the photo below. I took the photo before washing or prepping the fruits and veggies for juicing, then I have a photo of the amount of juice it made. It was enough for two people:-)

Tempeh Taco Recipe

The flavors of this particular taco recipe are inspired by Asian food flavors and fresh deliciousness. I suppose a more precise name for the recipe would have something to do with a lettuce wrap but taco is just a fun concept to me:-)

Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
Butter head or Romaine Lettuce
Tempeh (I like Trader Joes 3 grain)
Carrot (2)
Cilantro
Mushrooms, onion, garlic
Olive oil
Sesame oil
Sesame seeds
Dukkah or the contents of the spice blend which are: sesame seed, smoked paprika, cumin, pepper and sea salt.
Lime
Maple syrup or honey
Nama shoyu, Braggs, Tamari or Soy Sauce
Cayenne
Avocado

Procedures: Please note that the ingredients marked with an * are flexible, substitutes are listed in the ingredients list.
1. Sauté chopped onion and several cloves of chopped garlic. Once the onion and garlic is translucent add sliced mushrooms with a couple squirts of Braggs and sesame oil.
2. Heat 2 Tbs olive oil with 1 Tbs sesame oil in a small pan, Add sliced Tempeh let sauté a bit on each side.
3. Wash and dry lettuce leaves, these are your taco shells, so keep them whole.
4. Grate the carrots
5. Wash the Cilantro
6. In a small bowl mix a sauce with two parts maple syrup* to one part sesame oil. Whisk in a tablespoon of the Nama Shoyu* then Squeeze the juice of one lime, add a splash of a apple cider vinegar (raw, unfiltered) if you like, add Dukkah* (i got it at Colonel D's at Findlay Market). Put a dash if cayenne in the sauce if you wish to add heat.
7. Top the grated carrots with a bit of the sauce and sprinkle everything with sesame seeds.
8. Create tacos by using the lettuce as the shell, top with a slice if tempeh, some sautéed mushrooms, shredded carrots, fresh cilantro or basil,and sliced avocado. Finally drizzle with sauce.
9. Give Thanks
10. Enjoy!!!

Music Hall

View from Washington Park. Cincinnati, OH