Creamy Coconut Milk Chickpeas with Spinach

It's been a while since I have posted a recipe but I've been inspired lately to create new dishes. I have switched from a 90% raw food diet to about 65-75%. Unfortunately this is partly due to my budget, but also my curiosity to experiment with more cooked foods. I cannot wait to grow my own food and get back to more raw food eating and organic fresh foods. I am still preparing healthy meals, some organic and some non organic - again, due to budget. I refer to the dirty dozen list so I can avoid buying toxic non-organic foods. I am going to be preparing more vegetarian meals that focus on different nutrients and vitamins that we need in or order to stay healthy. For this recipe, my focus is Iron and Vitamin C. Vitamin C increases iron absorption, so it should be taken into consideration when preparing iron rich foods. Spinach, Chick Peas and other Leafy Green vegetables are a good source of iron. Tomatoes along with Citrus and Leafy Green vegetables are a good source of Vitamin C. There are other foods that contain both iron and Vitamin C, however I am focusing on the foods I just mentioned because they are the main ingredients of my recipe. Chickpeas also contain protein, fiber and other nutrients. Turmeric heals wounds, balances blood sugar, encourages normal lipid levels, supports the stomach lining and more! Check out my delicious recipe below for good health...

Pin It

Avocado and Cabbage Soup

Turmeric is one of the best spices to have for multiple health benefits. It is commonly used in India as an anti-inflammatory agent to treat a wide variety of conditions such as flatulence, jaundice, bloody urine, hemorrhage, toothache, bruises, chest pain, inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis. It's anti-oxidant properties has been shown to inhibit growth of colon 'cancer' cells and the phytonutrients helps prevent prostate 'cancer'. Its properties aids in digestion and can ease the pain of osteoarthritis. The antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties strengthens your immune system - perfect for the winter season (colds and flu season). Aside from all the health benefits it provides, Turmeric can be used in a variety of dishes such as curry and it tastes great! I decided to make a soup out of some ingredients I had lying around that I wanted to use up before heading out for my grocery shopping. I put together an avocado, some cabbage (1 cup shredded) that I fried with garlic in coconut oil. I then created a broth by adding 1 1/2 cups of water to fried cabbage. I blended it all together with a small piece of cucumber I had left, seasoned it and topped it off with some healthy turmeric powder! Very tasty and wholesome soup - give it a try!

information sources:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=78
http://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/stories/the-amazing-health-benefits-of-turmeric
http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/the-amazing-health-benefits-of-turmeric/

http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/1821027/4b2736dd64/TEST/TEST/

Pin It

Sesame Seed Treats - Raw Food Dessert

Sesame seeds provide nutrients that include copper, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, selenium, fiber and magnesium! Magnesium supports vascular and respiratory health. It lowers blood pressure and prevents migraines. Calcium and zinc are good for bone health which prevents osteoporosis. There are many health benefits to eating sesame seeds and it makes great raw food desserts! I only used organic pre-soaked sesame seeds and organic dried dates for this recipe and it tastes great! More benefits from eating sesame seeds include healthy skin, cardiovascular health, DNA damage from radiation, healthy digestion and they also help reduce pain and swelling. Try this simple recipe out and gain health benefits!

Information sources:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=84
http://naturalsociety.com/12-health-benefits-of-sesame-seeds-sesame-oil/

Pin It

Fruits Rich in Calcium

Parathyroid hormone and calcitonin (one of the hormones made by the thyroid gland) have key roles in regulating the amount of calcium in the blood and within the bones.

Calcium is the only mineral in the body that has a group of glands entirely responsible for controlling it within our blood, and the parathyroid glands do this continuously. A hormone called calcitonin is secreted by the thyroid gland and works in conjunction with parathyroid hormone, or PTH. Parathyroid Hormone takes from the bones to top up the level in the blood stream. When the level is adequate, it stops making the hormone, but when there is calcium deficiency, it will start to take from your bones. Calcitonin works to reduce the amount of calcium your body takes from its own bones.
For healing bones or good bone health in general, it is important to include foods high in calcium (fruits being the most powerful) and I do not recommend milk or dairy. 10 fruits rich in calcium include oranges, dried figs, rhubarb and dates. Read more.
Sources:
http://www.well-women.com/parathyroid.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/504174-thyroid-calcium-deficiency/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parathyroid_gland

Pin It

Coconut Cream Of Broccoli

Happy World Vegetarian Day! According to wikipedia, a day established by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 to bring awareness to the ethical, environmental, health and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle. Awesome. For this day, I made some Coconut Cream of Broccoli to celebrate my vegetarian lifestyle.
Broccoli is great for the kidneys and provides anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and detoxification benefits and is ideal for vitamin D deficiency. When vitamin D is needed to offset deficiency, vitamin K and vitamin A help keep our vitamin D metabolism in balance. Broccoli has an unusually strong combination of both vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) and vitamin K, so broccoli is an ideal food to include in one's diet. Soups are great for colder seasons so why not incorporate some steamed broccoli into a coconut cream broth, along with some spinach and carrots....mmmmmm yummy. Recipe coming soon.

Source:
http://healthimpactnews.com/2013/5-health-benefits-of-broccoli/
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=9 Pin It

Fermented Sprouted Soy/Tofu With Veggies

Soybeans contain phytochemicals that have toxic effects on the human body. It has been linked to digestive distress, allergies and immune system breakdown. However, fermented soybeans releases nutrients and transforms soybeans into healthy nutritious food. When you consume small amounts of fermented soy foods, they help provide a wealth of friendly microflora to the intestinal tract that aids in digestion and assimilation of nutrients, as well as boost immunity.
Miso neutralizes toxins and alkalizes the blood. It contains an excellent source of digestive enzymes, probiotics, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals!
'Fermented soy in small, condimental amounts as practiced in traditional Asian cultures is the only safe way to consume this legume and even then, only for those who have healthy thyroid function because it is so extremely goitrogenic. Miso, tempeh, natto and soy sauce (If traditionally brewed) fall under this category.' (see full article in link below)
Sources:
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/why-sprouted-soy-is-worse-than-unsprouted-even-if-organic/
http://www.organicauthority.com/health/what-are-the-safest-nongmo-soy-products.html
http://www.wildwoodfoods.com/products/tofu
http://ourearthland.blogspot.ca/2012/06/releasing-nutrients-in-soybeans.html
http://naturalsociety.com/miso-soup-protects-against-radiation-exposure/
http://www.naturalnews.com/025513.html
http://ourearthland.blogspot.ca/2012/08/the-benefits-of-barley-miso-soup.html

Pin It

Cucumber Noodles With Spinach Pesto

"I'm strong to the finish, 'cause I eats me Spinach, I'm Popeye the sailor man" (from theme song). Spinach is rich in minerals and vitamins including vitamin K which is found in plant foods. It is concentrated in phytonutrients such as carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) and flavonoids which provide us with powerful antioxidants. Spinach also helps us maintain bone health since it is an excellent source of calcium and magnesium. Eat your organic spinach!
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=43
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=112
More info on the benefits of avocado available here:
http://www.well-beingsecrets.com/health-benefits-of-avocado/

Pin It

Simple Avocado Soup

The wide range of nutrients found in avocados have been associated with cardiovascular benefits which consists of avocado fats. These fats contain large amounts of the monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, as well as the unusual phytosterols, including beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. For summer time I like to make cold soups like Gazpacho and Avocado and Cucumber. I decided to try an Avocado Soup with a broth base instead of a cucumber and it's very tasty and simple to make. This soup is served at room temperature or slightly warm but not hot enough to kill the enzymes from the avocados or other raw ingredients. Check out my simple recipe below.
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=5

Above: photos from today's weather (clear skies followed by rain, with a little hail in the morning...)

Pin It

Cucumber Noodles With Cabbage And Pesto

Bell Peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C, containing twice the amount than what is found in an average orange. They contain antioxidants such as Vitamin E which protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Bell peppers make a refreshing addition to your meals. I decided to make a light pesto sauce using yellow bell peppers and added them to some fresh cucumber noodles. I also threw in some cabbage to help bulk it up! Cabbage is great for the kidneys which will aid in your overall health. Try out my simple recipe below. Enjoy!
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=50&tname=foodspice
http://www.yourkidneys.com/kidney-education/Diet-and-nutrition/15-super-foods-for-kidney-health/2924

Pin It

Leafy Greens With Avocado

Broccoli is great for the kidneys and provides anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and detoxification benefits. It contains calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium and more! It is rich in vitamin C and repairs skin damage. Since our skin is known as the third kidney, having skin issues such as dark circles under our eyes and pimples, is a clear sign that we are having problems filtering our kidneys and it would be wise to detox and eat fruits and vegetables that can benefit them. Such foods include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, bell peppers, grapes, strawberries and blueberries. Enjoy!
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=9
http://www.yourkidneys.com/kidney-education/Diet-and-nutrition/15-super-foods-for-kidney-health/2924
http://healthimpactnews.com/2013/5-health-benefits-of-broccoli/
http://www.kidneyservicechina.com/diet/1469.html

Pin It

Green Tea Latté With Sprouted Almond Milk

I love lattés! Once I found out about the dangers of cow's milk, I switched to homemade almond milk or coconut milk for my drinks. Processed almond milk that is sold in stores is not healthy due to the fact that they do not sprout their almonds before processing. All nuts must be pre-soaked in order to activate the nutrients and release the enzymes. Nuts that have not been pre-soaked contain enzyme inhibitors that are toxic to our bodies! Check out my simple recipe for a Green Tea Latté With Sprouted Almond Milk below! Enjoy good health!

Pin It

Cucumber Noodles with Pesto

Cucumbers are fruit vegetables that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. They are 95 percent water so they help hydrate the body, as well as aid in digestion and in getting rid of toxins! They also contain Vitamins B, C and K. If you love zucchini noodles as an alternative to pasta, you should give cucumber noodles a try. They go great with pesto and tomato sauces. Top them off with some lemon, mushrooms and avocados and it makes for a wholesome meal. Be sure to include the skin because it contains a high source of vitamin C. Learn more about the health benefits of cucumbers in the links below. Enjoy!
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=42
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/cucumber.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/036769_cucumbers_health_benefits_rehydration.html

Pin It

Bean Soup (Sopa De Frijoles) with Faux Sour Cream

Sunflower seeds are high in Vitamin E - a potent antioxidant. It offers protection against damage to the fats that line the outside of every cell by traveling throughout the body neutralizing free radicals. Why bother with dairy when there are plenty of healthy alternatives, such as faux sour cream made with organic pre-soaked sunflower seeds! It's a simple recipe that goes great with Bean Soup and Avocados, Bean Salads, Yam Gnocchi and more! Nuts, seeds and coconuts are amazing alternatives for those of us who grew up on dairy not knowing about the harmful effects. Some of our favorite foods are hard to give up and now we don't have to. I'll be posting more recipes with faux dairy ingredients so stay tuned.
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=57

Pin It

Green Beans Please

Green beans contain minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium and also have anti-inflammatory benefits (carotenoid and flavonoid). They provide nutrients such as vitamin C and beta-carotene as well as the mineral manganese - all of which are antioxidant nutrients! Green beans are also an excellent source of vitamin K and are great for cardiovascular health. You can eat them raw or slightly cooked. Boil them in a small amount of water, drain and then chop into pieces (make sure to cut off the ends). Then add them to some of your favorite meals with some lemon and salt for extra flavor!
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=134
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/green_beans.html
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-eating-raw-green-beans-5207.html

 

Pin It

Why are you drinking milk?

There are many claims that milk/dairy is good for our bodies, supposedly by providing us with Vitamin D and calcium. However, fruits give us as much or more calcium and vitamin D as they claim milk provides, and animal milk is not actually digestible by our bodies. After the age of 2, humans lose the enzymes needed to digest milk. It is clear that it is not meant for human consumption after this age. It makes no sense to take milk from an animal (such as a cow) that has produced it for her calves. Even worse, most farmers separate the cows from their calves and continue to repeatedly milk the cows for mass production. The only kind of milk that babies should be consuming is their mother's milk.

It is also important to take into consideration the negative effects of animal milk. Cow's milk has up to 200 times the safe levels measurable quantities of herbicides, pesticides, dioxins and up to 52 powerful antibiotics, blood, pus, feces, bacteria and viruses. Cow's milk can have traces of anything the cow ate, including radioactive fallout from nuke testing. If you don't find this disturbing, you are not very concerned for your health or the well being of others.

Milk causes mucus build up in our bodies because it cannot be digested and when the body builds up acids, it forms deficiencies and toxicities known as 'diseases'. Why would we want to put indigestible milk that does not in fact provide us with calcium and vitamin D inside our bodies, when we can get the calcium and vitamin D from living foods such as fruits and vegetables. Milk does not do a body good.

"Neither vitamins, minerals nor hormones can do any work - without enzymes." - Dr. Edward Howell

 

 

More calcium rich foods:

https://blissreturned.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/calcium-the-best-foods-for-bones-fruits-and-vegetables/

Information sources:

10 Fruits High in Calcium info via Global Healing Center

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D62m5nmn_sk&feature=youtu.be

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/high-calcium-fruits.php

http://www.lcanimal.org/index.php/campaigns/other-issues/factory-farming

http://www.dietandfitnesstoday.com/fruits-high-in-vitamin-d.php

http://notmilk.com/

http://www.rawfoodexplained.com/why-we-should-not-eat-animal-products/the-digestion-of-milk.html

Alternative farming:

http://veganorganic.net/

http://afsic.nal.usda.gov/list-alternative-crops-enterprises-small-farm-diversification

Anyone know of any dairy farmers who switched from producing milk to growing fruits and vegetables as an alternative, so they can still be farmers and not have to give up their livelihood? I would love to share those stories!

Pin It

Kale For Christmas

Kale chips are a great snack for the Christmas holidays! Kale alkalizes the body and contains many health benefits, including antioxidant nutrients. It is high in vitamin K and contains anti-inflammatory benefits. Research shows the omega-3s in kale are an important part of these benefits, by providing over 350 milligrams of the most basic omega-3 fatty acids (100 calorie intake). I use a dehydrator to make this snack so they are served raw with enzymes. Eating raw (living) food assists in digestion, and helps the body to focus on rebuilding new and healthy cells through the use of the metabolic enzymes. Kale is also great for detoxifying the body. Enjoy!

Pin It

Homemade CornChips With 'Sour Cream' (Sunflower seeds)

Over the summer, we bought some organic corn and made dehydrated corn chips with homemade 'sour cream'. We don't have dairy in our diet so we love to discover alternatives to our favorite dairy foods, such as sour cream. The recipe uses sunflower seeds as the key ingredient for the cream. We only eat certified organic food - both our sunflower seeds and corn were organic. We also made sure to pre-soak the seeds! Buying organic corn is a healthier option because Certified Organic farmers are not allowed to plant GMO seed. You can find out more information at the Non GMO Project website. Check out the simple recipe below - enjoy!

Pin It

Creamy Pumpkin Pie (50% raw and dairy-free)

Winter squashes are vegetables proven to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, as well as anti-diabetic and insulin-regulating properties. They can be prepared cooked, raw, sweet or savory. There are a variety of winter squashes to choose from, such as sweet dumplings and pumpkins. In celebration of Autumn, we decided to make a homemade organic pumpkin pie! Although we like to eat raw, we decided to bake our pumpkin in order to get a smoother texture, but our crust and some of our pie filling is raw! Growing and eating organic fruits and vegetables is important for good health. You can learn to grow your very own organic winter squashes by clicking here.

Pin It

Get Away From All This Crap

The power of berries prevent nerve related degeneration and enhance the neuroplasticity of cells, the transmission of nerve signals and calcium buffering functions.
Below is a snippet from Dr. Robert Morse's latest Q&A video where he responds to the concerns of a health provider, asking about a Nestle formula used on a patient with neurological problems.
"There is not a manufacturer out there that can make a living food formula for people with neurological injuries that is going to help them. None of these formulas is worth a crap. You have to have living foods, living vibrational energetics with chemistry that is put together as 'God' did it. You can not use anything man makes, and most formulas are not built as carbon, but as protein and nitrogen based - high fat high nitrogen. Carbon and oxygen are the fuel of life. These pre-made formulas are way out of balance chemically, and cause mucus to develop in people. There is a huge difference between a formula and a bowl of fruit, in terms of energetics and in the ability to clean, heal and regenerate the human body. I don't care what you do...
You don't make a milky chocolate drink that is like a bowl of fruit "- Robert Morse

Related article: Why is pesticide used as an ingredient in infant formula?

Above: Samples of crappy manufactured foods.

Pin It

Raw Zucchini Spaghetti

Raw Zucchini Spaghetti topped off with some raw homemade tomato sauce is great for the summer! It's easy to make and extremely healthy for your body. Enzyme researcher Dr. Edward Howell treated chronic degenerative diseases with a raw food and juice diet that resulted in healing! The upper portion of the stomach does not secrete enzymes. It provides the space for enzymes to digest foods, allowing the metabolic enzymes to rebuild or repair (cure) the body of any deficiency or toxicity. Food that sits in our stomach, doing nothing (cooked foods) for half an hour to an hour starts to become acidic at which point the stomach enzyme pepsin takes over (digestive enzymes), which results in the use of metabolic enzymes, that can be better used to repair the body.
 "Neither vitamins, minerals nor hormones can do any work - without enzymes."- Dr. Edward Howell

Pin It