Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Organic, Fresh, Rich, Delicious Almond Milk


Organic Almond Milk

1 cup organic raw almonds
5 cups water

salt and sweetener if desired (optional)

Blanche almonds in boiling water for about three minutes. Drain and spread on a flat surface to cool. Once cool you can pop them right out of their skins. Once peeled place almonds in a blender with 5 cups water. Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Strain the mixture through a double layered piece of cheesecloth. Pour almond milk into bottle or pitcher and refrigerate. You can add salt or sweetener to taste if desired or just use as is. You now have fresh, delicious almond milk.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Delicious Raw Kale and Tofu Ricotta Salata Salad

Kale, Kale, Beautiful Raw Kale


Kale is super nutritious and this recipe is super delicious. If you've never eaten kale raw give it a try...you won't regret it! If you prepare the tofu and marinade in the morning it will be ready for a quick and easy lunch.



Raw Kale and Tofu Ricotta Salata Salad


1 1/2 to 2lbs lacinato kale or tender regular kale, stems and center ribs removed

1 lb xtra firm tofu (drained, pressed for 15 minutes and cut into 1/2" cubes)

Marinade/Dressing

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 t red wine vinegar
1 1/2 T fresh lemon juice
2 T finely chopped shallot or red onion
1 small clove garlic minced
2 t sea salt
1 t dried basil
1/2 t oregano
1/2 t black pepper


Whisk all ingredients for marinade together in a small bowl, pour into ziplock bag. Add tofu and marinate for an hour or longer, flipping bag over occasionally to be sure all tofu is covered. Set aside.

Cut kale crosswise into very thin slices. Toss tofu and marinade with kale in a large bowl. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

James' Mean Green Protein Bars


My son James has a problem some of us wish we had. He finds it very difficult to gain or maintain his weight. He has many food issues and often ends up eating badly just to eat enough calories. He recently decided to start the P90x program. He was hoping to be able find a protein bar that was high in calories and protein but it had to have only certain kinds of protein and no sugar or overly sweet fruit. Not an easy task. I told him I would give it a shot. Using a "safe" protein power that I know that he can tolerate I began creating the perfect bar for James. He said they remind him of eating a crunchy carrot cake. I would say that is just fine!

James' Mean Green Protein Bars

3 1/2 cups oatmeal
6 scoops Peaceful Planet "The Supreme Meal" protein powder
1/4 cup flax meal mixed with 3/4 cup water
1 cup chopped almonds
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 T cinnamon
1 1/2 t nutmeg
2 1/4 t ginger
2 t allspice
6 packets of stevia
1 15 oz can or 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
1/2 cup raw almond butter
1 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

additional 1/4 to 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut to sprinkle on top of bars


Preheat oven to 325f

Spray a 9 x 13 pan with oil or cooking spray

In a large bowl combine all ingredients and mix well. Using your hands works the best. If you use the same protein powder it should be bright green! Dump mixture into pan and use you hands to spread out evenly. Sprinkle with additional 1/4 - 1/2 cup coconut and press down with your hands. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Cut into 12 equal bars while still hot but do not remove from pan until cool enough to handle. Wrap individually when completely cool and store in refrigerator.

They are about 335 calories and 16 grams of protein for each bar.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Wouldn't this be amazing?

Vegans and Weight Loss


On average vegans have much healthier body weights than non-vegans. But that is not to say some don't have issues with their body weight. There are some who may just want to shed a few pounds and others that actually struggle with obesity. Obviously, just like with the general public, there are a variety of reasons for this. I think the first thing to consider is, are you consuming too much vegan junk food? With the advent of so many types of vegan convenience foods it is easy to pack on the pounds if that is what the majority of your diet consists of. Just because you eat a vegan diet doesn't mean you eat a healthy diet.

The plain and simple of it is that if you eat less calories than you burn you will lose weight. There are factors that make this harder for some people than others. There are medical conditions or medications that can inhibit weight loss...although your goals can still be achieved it may take more time than for those without such medical conditions. You should be striving for a healthy diet and life stye that will continue even after your weight loss goals have been attained.

Tips -

Drink lots of pure, clean water. It should be your beverage of choice. Aim for 6 to 8 glasses a day. The juice of a lemon added to a glass of warm water in the morning can add flavor but also has the added benefit of helping to flush out toxins accumulated in the body. If you have any problems with constipation, warm lemon water usually stimulates a bowel movement within 20 minutes.

Center your meals around "whole" organic, nutrient-rich foods. Fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Aim for 6 to 8 servings of vegetables a day, 2 to 4 servings of fruit, 6 to 8 servings of whole grains (foods), 2 to 3 servings of dairy substitutes (almond, soy, rice milks) and 2 to 3 servings of beans or bean products like tofu and tempeh, legumes, seitan or seeds. Nuts although very healthy are very easy to over indulge in so be mindful and use sparingly. Also oils and other fats should be used very sparingly.

Fiber is your friend! Read this post for a list of high fiber weight loss power foods

You want to stay away from sugar, artificial sweeteners (this means diet beverages!), refined flour, caffeine, and anything that contains chemicals that you can't pronounce. Just think, If I were to make this food at home would I add this ingredient?

Pick a set time at night (example 7:00 or 8:00 pm) and do not eat after that time.

Move - Find an exercise that you like and do it...often. At least 4 times a week. It can be as simple as walking. I personally love yoga. A good Vinyasa Flow practice can be more aerobic than an aerobics class, in other words a great cardio work out. You will burn calories and stretch and tone all at the same time. What ever exercise you choose, just set aside a time period and do it.

Meditation - Meditation allows you to just sit and be quiet. It is good for stress and enables you to recharge. Think of it as an investment in your health and spirit. A daily practice of at least 20 minutes is ideal but aim for what ever you feel is right for you right now.




List of Healthy Weight loss food choices -

Organic fruits and vegetables
Beans and soy products, legumes, seeds and nuts
Organic canola, olive, sesame, and coconut oil
Brown rice, barley, quinoa, millet, oatmeal, whole-grain cereals and bread, whole grain pastas, and whole grain tortillas
Water, green tea (decaffeinated), kukicha tea, and unsweetened herbal teas

A typical meal plan might look like this:

Breakfast: Lemon water, oatmeal made with almond milk and sprinkled with blueberries

Lunch: Salad with lots of raw vegetables and garbanzo beans (squeeze the juice of a fresh lemon on top or make your own dressing), apple

Snack : eat a small portion of any healthy weight loss food (list above) - only if needed.

Dinner: Stir Fried veggies with tofu chunks serve over brown rice, cup of kukicha tea

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Needed Update...

I know that I have needed to update my blog but I have been feeling so uninspired. It has been either snowing or raining and dark and dismal here in Maine. I guess I need some warm, bright, cheery sunshine! Which is exactly what we have today. I am so happy to see that big yellow ball in the sky I feel like dancing on my deck. I will definitely be meditating (and maybe even doing my yoga practice) outside today. I just want to soak up every bit that I can.

I have been working on my cookbook, testing recipes and creating some new ones. Today's recipe testings are Tofu and Vegetable Pot Pie, Apple Pie and possibly some sort of cookies. That is the plan anyway. I am easily distracted and the sun is shining. ; )

I thought I would post some images of some recent recipe creations.



Not Meat Loaf


Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili with Brown Rice


Hearty Whole Wheat Bread


Blondies

Brownie Sundae with Almond Joy Ice Cream and Rice Mellow on top

Brownies

Lavender Scones