Merry Christmas & Cranberry Fluff

 Hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas with a house full of family, friends, and love, enjoy the holiday's!

There is nothing like Grandma's famous cranberry fluff that my aunt makes every year, however I don't eat the usual ingredients of cool whip or marshmallows, so what's a girl to do? Veganize it! So I did, it was delicious and tastes almost just like her yummy recipe I grew up eating :) Hope you enjoy it too!

Makes about 4-5 cups

1/2lb package whole cranberries, or 1 can organic jellied cranberries with cranberry pieces
1 1/2 cups pineapple, or 1 can pineapple chunks, drained (slice if you want them smaller)
1 15oz can organic coconut milk *
1/2 cup vegan powdered sugar, or to taste *
1oz chopped walnuts
2 cups vegan marshmallows (optional)

-First put your can of coconut milk into the fridge overnight, no need to shake or anything else.

-Carefully open your can of coconut milk and scoop out the thick white part into a 1 quart size mixing bowl, it ends up being about 1/2-3/4 of the can, try not to get too much of the more liquid part.

-Use a hand mixer to mix the powdered sugar into the coconut milk until you get stiff peaks like thick cool whip.

- For your cranberries you can grind the whole cranberries into small pieces using a food processor, blender, or if you happened to have a meat grinder :/ that works well.

-Fold all the ingredients together and chill until served.

*UPDATE: since posting this recipe they have come out with vegan "Cool Whip" and other non-dairy alternatives, so if you want you could just substitute the coconut milk and powdered sugar with one of these. My favorite that is pretty easy to find is Coco Whip.

The Best Vegan Cheese Sauce

  This is without a doubt the best nacho type cheese sauce you will ever taste, I served this with pasta, broccoli, asparagus, and with corn chips, or top your baked potato with it. I promise anyone that eats this will love it and want the recipe. The first time I tried a fake cheese with nutritional yeast I didn't like it, I am willing to try nutritional yeast again but I was happy to find a "cheese" sauce without it.

  
   This is originally from VegNews vegan mac & cheese recipe , I changed some of the quantities to fit our tastes at home and thought since I'm always sending people the link to that recipe and then telling them about my changes it might be easier to just post it with the adjustments. But all the credit goes to the original recipe, it's so delicious and so simple to make, I know you'll love it! I promise to get a picture up of it soon, as I'm sure we will be making it again as soon as we can ;)


1 cup red or yellow potatoes, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup carrots, peeled and chopped
1/3 cup onion, peeled and chopped
1 cup water, or just enough to cover
1/4 cup raw cashews (soak 4-6 hrs if you can)
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp garlic, minced (or garlic powder)
1/4 tsp and a tiny dab extra of Dijon mustard
1 tbs lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/4 tsp black pepper
Pinch of cayenne (add an extra pinch if you want it to have an extra spicy kick)

-Place your potatoes, carrots, onion, and water in sauce pan, bring to a boil, cover and lower heat, simmer about 15 mins or until tender.

-While that is cooking, add the rest of the ingredients to your blender, when the vegetables are done add some of the cooking water to the ingredients in the blender and process until smooth (doesn't matter how much just enough to get things moving). Add the rest of the cooking water and veggies to the blender and process again until smooth.

* The original recipe included more salt, margarine, less dijon, and more cayenne.

Grapeseed Oil For Skin and Hair

I love using grapeseed oil as a daily facial moisturizer, there are so many benefits for all skin types including oily and sensitive skin, it's not greasy and a little goes a long way. Click Here for more awesome reasons you should add it to your beauty routine!

Not only is it great for skin, but it's also raved about for hair. I have not tried it in my hair yet, unless it's in my shampoo. Click Here for a list of reasons it's great for hair, and how to use it in your hair.

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a Great Thanksgiving everyone!

The Perils of Dairy, Dr.McDougall MD

Yes I have another video for you about dairy foods, this one is so important to watch I cannot stress enough. This video is so full of information I am just sitting here in jaw dropping awe. Watch it, share it, take it seriously, it is life changing. I promise it's worth your time, watch it in parts if that makes it easier, that's how I did it-

http://youtu.be/TJvrlwnEqbs

His website- http://www.drmcdougall.com/

Vegan Alfredo Sauce

Vegan Alfredo Sauce:
1 cup unsweetened soy milk (or other unsweetened milk alt)
1 1/2 Tbs flour
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
S&P to taste
*optional- any additional seasonings of your liking, or add some vegan cream cheese/sour cream.

-In a small sauce pan whisk your flour into the soy milk, add the rest of the seasonings and heat on med/high until it thickens. This will also thicken more as it cools.

-Top your spaghetti squash or regular pasta with the sauce and devour. Peas, broccoli, or mushrooms are also a good addition, yummy!

Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone had an awesome scary day!

I started my day with delicious Happy Herbivore Pancakes and I boiled a sliced apple with 1 tsp of cinnamon and a splash of water, added in 1 tsp of arrowroot powder (like cornstarch) with 1/4 cup water and made a delicious sauce for the top, Yum! My sister said the pic looked like it was smiling lol :)



We originally planned on raking some leaves today since it needed it badly but instead we decided to hit up a thrift store and the used book store for fun. I tried on a million pairs of jeans and didn't find any that fit well enough to buy, oh well that's how it goes!

This evening we made Sweet (Split) Pea Soup which is delicious with some garlic toast, then set out a basket of candy for the kiddos, next year I will get back to making my little gift bags that don't contain sugary candy, I feel bad contributing to unhealthy things. Anyway now were going to go watch a Halloween movie :)

I hope it's this one!

Oh I almost forgot, check out this awesome pumpkin art- Click Here

Pumpkin Pie (V)

I love pumpkin pie, and this is my first holiday eating completely plant based so I'm testing out some recipes and thought I would share with you my progress so far. I had some leftover canned pumpkin from using just a dab in my oatmeal and thought I would try making pumpkin pie without dairy or egg and this is what I came up with, it turned out more like a custard but is super delicious and I don't care, custard is yummy :) Anyway here's the recipe, feel free to tweak it to your liking:

I used this pie crust-Betty Crocker Pat in the Pan Pie Crust, or you can try this Grandma Woodwards Simple Pie Crust from Vegweb.com (I haven't tried this one yet) I used earth balance butter instead of oil, same thing. Or just buy a pre-made crust, I know the whole foods by me carries a whole wheat one.

Filling:
1 can pumpkin
1 cup milk alternative (I used soy)
1/2 cup vegan cane sugar
1/2 cup vegan brown sugar
prepare egg replacer for 2 eggs, I used 2 tbs ground up flax seeds and 6tbs water mix and let sit 5-10 mins
3 Tbs cornstarch, or arrowroot powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger


-Preheat oven to 450 degrees

-Combine all ingredients except milk and pumpkin until all incorporated.

-Blend in pumpkin and milk carefully and mix well, (I use a hand mixer, works great and fluffs it up)

-Bake at 450 for 10 mins, then reduce heat to 350 for 50-55 mins, cover the edges of your crust with foil or crust protector if it's getting too dark. If at 45 mins it's too dark, your pie will probably be ok to take out here. That is what a regular pie cooks for, however I cooked mine longer since I wasn't sure how this would firm up and rather liked the longer cooking time.

- Inserting a knife to see if it's done doesn't quite work with this recipe since it will remain custard like, when you take it out let it cool for a long time, as long as you can, after cooling it will still hold it's shape when cut but it's even better overnight in the fridge and will be much firm and more similar to a regular pumpkin pie texture, enjoy!

Benefits of Pumpkin

I love pumpkin and can't wait to eat some in a smoothie or pie or well.. anything, Yum! I came across this and thought it was interesting enough to share :)

Click picture to enlarge :)

Why Dairy Is NOT a Health Food

 Hi everyone, I put together some links for you to read about why dairy consumption is not good for us. It's a lot of information and is all scientifically backed up and proven, please read why we should not be consuming this product that isn't made for us, this includes raw and organic milk:

-The Milk Letter by Robert M. Kradjian, MD
-Ten reasons for zero dairy
-White Poison ColorLines, by Shanti Rangwani
-Marketing Milk and Disease by John McDougall, MD
-Milk The Deadly Poison Video, 60 mins
-Also some information about Carrageenan, a common thickener in most products



-Homemade Almond Milk Recipe

-My previous post on why I don't eat cheese

- Also check out my Health Videos

Let's Try Eggplant!

My new monthly food to try is eggplant, I know what your thinking- "What? You have never eaten eggplant?????" You got it! So I picked up an eggplant today at the farmers market and it was only 50 cents, can't beat that, especially if I don't like it. So I think I'm going to try a recipe from vega-licious.com - http://www.vega-licious.com/vegan-recipes/eggplant-bites/  in a few days, I'll let you know how it goes, I hope I like it :)

For nutritional information and benefits of eggplant Click Here

What's your favorite way to eat eggplant?

Produce Codes You Should Know

Sometimes organic doesn't even mean organic, make sure it's the correct code! It's that easy :)

Red Cabbage Salad (V)

This salad goes great with my favorite oil free salad dressing, it's quick, easy to make, and delicious! After reading a different cabbage salad recipe on vega-licious.com I was inspired to try this, and I'm glad I did, I love it.

-Makes 1 large serving or 2 small:

Salad:
1 cup (100g) red cabbage
2 tbs raisins
1 tbs raw sunflower seeds, or cooked and unsalted.

Dressing:
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 Tbs + 1tsp flax meal
1 Tbs maple syrup, or another liquid sweetener
1 Tbs mustard
1 Tbs molasses

-First add all the dressing ingredients into a jar or something with a tight lid, shake and let sit so that the flax can help thicken it up a bit while your getting the salad ready.

-Chop the red cabbage into thin short strips, or use a food processor, crunch it in your hands to release the juices

-Top your salad with sunflower seeds, raisins and mix in 2 Tbs of your dressing, let sit to incorporate the flavors or eat right away :) Let me know what you think!

*If the flavor is too strong for you just add a little more sweetener or molasses. Or don't add as much vinegar and water.

Click here to learn why cabbage is so great!

Oil Free Salad Dressing (V)

I was trying to make a salad dressing without oil one day and this is what I came up with. Besides the natural oil in the flax meal it's oil free, it's similar to a vinaigrette. This is my new favorite, and the one I use the most. Let me know if you like it too.

Makes about 5-6 servings of 2 Tbs:

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 Tbs + 1tsp flax meal
1 Tbs honey or other liquid sweetener
1 Tbs mustard
1 Tbs molasses

-Mix all the ingredients into a jar or container with a tight lid, shake it up, let it sit for a few minutes to let the flax meal help thicken it up, and there ya go! Keep in the fridge for a few days.

*If the flavor is too strong for you just add a little more sweetener or molasses. Or don't add as much vinegar and water.

* This salad goes great with my Red Cabbage Salad Recipe.

Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death

Another great video everyone should watch.

Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death | NutritionFacts.org

My Favorite Veggie Wrap (V)

(Sorry, not the best pic)

This has become my new favorite lunch lately, I love that you can change it up to whatever you have in your fridge. I suppose veggie wraps don't really need a recipe but just in case you don't know where to start here is a great suggestion, measurements don't really matter, just add how much you like and whatever you like, this is my favorite combo:

Serves 1:

1 whole wheat tortilla
2 tbs hummus
2 oz tomato
4 thin slices of cucumber
1/2 avocado
1 tbs onion
1 oz spinach or other leafy green
1 pinch of dried basil, or your favorite seasoning
S&P to taste

-Easy! Just heat up your tortilla a little bit so it's a little softer, spread hummus on one side of tortilla, pile on the rest of the ingredients, season to taste, roll it tucking in the sides and eat it up. So delicious!

My Shopping Guide & List

Hello everyone, I thought I would give you some ideas on what to go shopping for if you are trying to transition towards a more plant based unprocessed lifestyle, or just want healthier ideas, this will be updated as I find new things or if I forgot something, so check back periodically. These are just some basics, obviously feel free to include other healthy items :)
 

A few things to remember:

-Dry beans are cheaper than canned, and are better for you since a lot of cans contain the bpa lining, some are also higher in sodium than dried or have extra ingredients, some may not have used proper cooking methods and can cause tummy upset. Canned is ok if you need it for back up, I like to get a couple "no salt added, bpa free lining" cans just in case, for when you forget to soak your beans or need a quick meal.

-Frozen fruits and veggies can also make things easier and cheaper for you. I don't like the extra packaging but they are nice to have on hand if the regular produce isn't looking too fresh, or if you are too busy to get to the store again within the week. Obviously some are essential like frozen corn etc.

-Buy ingredients that you will only be using for the week, you don't have to buy everything on the list all at once, otherwise you wont be able to eat it before it goes bad, and will cost too much. Just think of staples like brown rice, and some fruits and veggies/leafy greens to last you about 3 days or so. It helps to plan out your meals so you get only what you need.

-Try to not buy roasted nuts/seeds, these are usually cooked at higher temperatures and/or with oils, and no longer have the nutritional enzymes, instead buy them raw, soak them over night, and dehydrate them at a lower temperature, or buy them sprouted.

-Buy organic when possible to reduce the amount of pesticides etc. You can also spray your produce with white distilled vinegar to help clean them before you rinse, or let them soak in vinegar and water for a few mins, this will help remove any residue and dirt, it will not alter the flavor, and just remember the pesticides and chemicals are also in the dirt and when the food grows it's inside and can't be washed off.

*Click Here to see what pesticides were found on certain foods and the harm they cause.

*Click here for a very informative website about the benefits of some foods, how to store them, and the nutritional information.

*Check out my favorite websites for more food and product info, also recipes, and cooking tips.

Shopping List:

Veggies:

Kale  
Spinach
Collards
Swiss Chard
Any other leafy green            

Broccoli

Carrots

Onion

Sweet Potato
Red Potatoes
Other Potatoes

Frozen veggies

Celery

Zucchini
Cucumber
Bell Peppers

Squash

Asparagus

Cabbage

Brussels Sprouts

Other

Fruits:

Bananas

Berries

Oranges

Apples

Dried apricots, preservative free

Raisins

Dates

Pineapple

Tomato

Avocado

Other

Grains:

Brown Rice

Pasta, whole grain

Corn meal, no other ingredients

Whole wheat flour

Oats, old fashioned, or steel cut

Bread, sprouted, or whole grain (or make your own)

Quinoa

Beans/Lentils:

Kidney beans

Split Peas
Red Lentils

Pinto beans

Navy beans

Black beans
Garbanzo/Chickpeas
Other

Nuts/Seeds:

Walnuts
Almonds

Sunflower seeds

Pepitas

Chia seeds

Flax meal

Hemp seeds
Tahini (sesame seed paste)

Sauces/Condiments:

Maple Syrup

Mustard

Molasses

Apple cider vinegar (unprocessed, with the "mother")

Hummus (I get wild garden brand when I don't make my own, it has the best ingredients)

Drinks:

Herbal Tea

Herbal natural coffee/tea like Teeccino or Pero

Seasonings:

Garlic

Dill

Italian seasoning

Bay leaf

Cinnamon

Parsley
Cilantro

Chili powder

Cumin
Turmeric
Mrs.Dash

Himalayan Salt

Miscellaneous:

Dulse

Cocoa Powder
Carob Powder

Pre-Packaged Foods:

Tomato sauce, no salt added

Tomato diced, no salt added

Sprouted or whole grain tortillas

Salsa

Milk substitute, I prefer westsoy unsweetened soy milk (I try to stay away from the ingredient carageenan, and fortified foods, better to make your own)

Applesauce
Corn tortillas
Other oil free tortillas
 

Supplements:
Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin)

Tools/Tips:

• Reusable bags, for produce and checking out
• Jars
• Other containers
• Choose glass over plastic
• Try to buy in bulk at a co-op to reduce waste, and you can get only what you need.
• Don't forget the Farmers Market, great for fresh produce.
• I rarely go outside the produce and organic/natural areas at a regular grocery store unless I'm getting something for someone else, my Kavli crackers, or some condiments like pickles or olives even though some pickles contain food coloring, so read labels on everything.

Disclaimer- I am not telling anyone what to eat or do, only showing you what I eat and do, you are following my ideas at your own will, always consult a doctor before taking supplements to make sure you need them.

Is sugar toxic 60 minutes 1 April 2012

Check out this CNN video, sorry but when I put the video directly on my blog it makes it scroll a lot slower but please check it out, it's very informative: Click Here

Also read: http://www.vega-licious.com/health-nutrition/the-sugar-trap-sugar-is-more-addictive-than-cocaine/

How To Cook And/Or Freeze Dried Beans

Today I'm going to cook a big ole batch of black beans and freeze some for later, Yum!

Click Here for a super easy tutorial!

The Power Plate

Here's my "food pyramid" Click Here for more info!

Why I Live This Way

If you have an open mind, are concerned about your health, want to live as healthy of a lifestyle as you can, or are wondering about my choices, I highly recommend subscribing to vega-licious.com. You will get her detailed story, nutrition facts, and a lot of the the why's and how's. I agree with 99.9% of what she says and I strive to make the choices she suggests. If you don't want to subscribe you can read her Detailed Story, however you will get more information when you subscribe and download the free pdf. You can always unsubscribe afterwards. Wow I said subscribe a lot! However it is a lot to take in if you haven't done much research already, but very informative and backed by science. Everything she talks about is information that I have been trying to relay to you, she just does a much better job. It will not be a waste of your time I guarantee it, you don't have to read it all at once of course, her website is very informative as well, she interacts with her fans/viewers often and answers questions, her stories are amazing, heartfelt, and she is sincere in helping others. She does provide classes and support to those trying to transition to a plant based diet, and free information on the subject, just check out her site at vega-licious.com , you will not be disappointed.

I hope I told you everything I meant to, and this is all coherent since I am up way too early and not sure about my brain function at the moment, but I felt compelled to give you this information a.s.a.p., apologies for misspelling's and such, I'll be editing this when I wake up more I'm sure, thanks for reading.

My "food pyramid" - The Power Plate

Twin Cities Veg Fest!

Click Picture For More Info!

Why I Don't Take A Multivitamin

    A lot of people are asking me lately what vitamins they should take or why don't I just take a multivitamin, well the answer is simple, I get most of it from the food I eat. Most people are low in vitamin B12 regardless of diet type so I take that. I eat enough green vegetables, dark leafy greens, chia seeds, and ground flax seeds for omega 3 ALA but it's said we may not convert to DHA and EPA efficiently so I take an algae supplement for those. I believe diet is more important than we realize and what you put in your body plays a huge role in your health. Everybody has different nutritional needs, if you aren't sure or want to know where your at it's always a good idea to have your minerals and nutrient levels checked by a dietitian or someone that specializes in food and nutrition (I hear most doctors do not study nutrition). I'm not a dietitian and I'm not telling you what to eat, especially if you are on medication it's always good to consult one. I'm just telling you what I eat and do.

Some videos on why multivitamins may not be beneficial:
Multivitamin Supplements And Breast Cancer
Some Dietary Supplements May Be More Than A Waste Of Money

Also:
Click here for a basic requirement of nutrients.

Obviously there are a lot of other nutrients you should be considering especially if you are a woman and in certain times of life, for instance- folate/folic acid, this I get plenty of from foods, you also want to make sure you are not taking a lab created folic acid, natural folate is better for you.

   What I eat in a day changes depending on if I cooked something or not like soup or another dish, or what fruits and veggies are in season, sometimes I have oatmeal with raisins, it just depends. I like to bake so I might have a biscotti or a cookie but it's not as often as it used to be and I try to make it healthier. I'm always trying something new, for example I will be getting some hemp seeds soon, and I'm going to try some beets, I keep a variety of foods and have fun trying new things. My diet consists of mostly fruits, veggies, nuts/seeds, grains, beans/lentils and I drink mostly water, and tea, I try to stay away from most processed foods, fast food, and oils that have been extracted from their original form like walnut oil etc. I try to eat organic when possible to limit my intake of GMO and pesticides etc. I also exercise with cardio and weights.

*If you would like to know more about what I buy check out my Shopping Guide & List.

The Little Things

Even though everything in the world might seem crazy, and it might be hard to let it go once in a while because your worried about so many things, don't forget to have fun and enjoy what we still have, green grass, tall breathtaking mountains, exotic animals, snowflakes, our pets, a pretty flower, beautiful scenery, wonderful family and friends. Stop and look around at what is here for us to enjoy, take a breather and just appreciate what's in front of you. Don't forget the little things :)

Click here for pictures that will restore your faith in humanity.

Click here for hundreds of more "little things" :)

Pictures That Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity

Click Here For Pictures That Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity

A friend posted this on a social site we share and I just thought it was really awesome and brought tears to my eyes. This is definitely worth taking the time to look at. These pictures really inspire me to help people, and it's nice to know that other people still do.

Why I Don't Eat Cheese

I came across some disturbing studies about cheese and thought I would share them with you just in case you wanted to know, otherwise just ignore it, it's up to you. But these are just a few of the many reasons why I don't eat cheese-

Apparently cheese contains the highest amount of Aluminum in your diet. This is toxic and is linked to Alzheimer's.

I discovered Cheese mites and maggots, how gross is that? Just click on the link, yuck!

Also Saturated fat and breast cancer is an informative video.

Of course there are plenty of videos about dairy and saturated fats on that website, but I don't want to list them all, that would be overwhelming, so feel free to look at them or other subjects, I could watch them for hours! Also check out more of my posts under Dairy is NOT a Health Food.

Air Freshener Spray

Could it be any easier? 
Who needs aerosol cans with chemicals, just try this:

1 small spray bottle

1 cup water
10 drops of essential oil

-Put it in a spray bottle and there ya go!

I like to use Lavender because it has antibacterial properties and it smells nice :)

*You can probably find essential oils at any health food store or even in the organic area at the grocery store, just make sure it isn't "fragrance"

Click here to go to a website full of information about essential oils.

Chia Seeds

Well, I guess I'm the last person to find out how great Chia Seeds are, but hey better late than never right? And just in case you are also out of the loop here is some info on these wonderful tiny seeds:

Chia Seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 and fiber, when mixed with water they turn into a gel like substance and become soft, I like to use them for thickening up my smoothies. You don't have to rinse them first, you can add them directly to salads, energy bars, cereals, make a tapioca like pudding, or even use as an egg replacer! I found mine at a co-op, you can also find them at health food stores or online.

Click Here for more ways to use chia seeds!

More info about Chia Seeds.

Foods That Kill Healthy Eating

Hello there! I have another wonderful video for you! This one is super informative, this is a doctor that talks about what you may be doing to your body in a more detailed way, and will help you realize how important diet is. I'm watching it right now, so far it's simply amazing- feel free to join me! Click Here!

Cinnamon, Ceylon (Say-lon)

      We all know cinnamon tastes great, studies show it has a beneficial effect on blood sugar, antibacterial and antifungal properties, and may lower cholesterol. Cinnamon is also a great source of manganese, dietary fiber, iron, and calcium. Apparently just smelling it helps brain activity, now I'm up for that I love the smell of cinnamon! (Pregnant women should avoid excessive amounts of cinnamon and shouldn't take it as a supplement.)
      Most people just think what you see is what you get, well I suppose it's true. But a lot of us don't know there are different kinds of cinnamon. I have discovered Ceylon Cinnamon is actually better for you, some call it "true cinnamon".  It does taste a lot better and smells wonderful! I came across this video about different types of cinnamon and found out most of what we get isn't all that healthy, you can find Ceylon Cinnamon at a co-op, health foods store, or online.

Video about types of Cinnamon

How do identify Ceylon Cinnamon

More info on the benefits of Cinnamon

Are Raw Almonds Raw?

Well I was looking up ways to dehydrate soaked nuts and of course more eye opening news found it's way in my path again. I swear this always seems to happen to me, just minding my own business and then Bam here ya go something to be disappointed about.
              I just found out that if you purchase your "raw" almonds from the U.S. that they are no longer raw even though the package states they are. That's right, due to a couple salmonella outbreaks a few years ago from raw almonds that apparently didn't even come from the U.S. they have been pasteurizing almonds which of course removes all the healthy enzymes. They either have to be steamed or irradiated.
             I am very saddened by this and now feel like finding a healthier milk substitute. Maybe make my own hemp milk, I have found some good information on the health benefits of hemp and will keep you posted on that. I did find some pre-made hemp milk w/o carrageenan, however it is a little too expensive for my taste.

Click Here for only 1 of many articles on the subject if you want to read more.

Italian Pasta Salad (V)

This is a great summer salad and it feeds a lot of people, it's also very easy to make, you can use whatever pasta you like, my mom always used Wacky Mac veggie spirals for the colors, however I would suggest something else if you wanna go the healthier route.

Makes 1 huge bowl for a crowd:

1 12oz package of Wacky Mac or other pasta, spirals work best.

1 bundle of raw broccoli (about 3 cups)

1/2 head of raw cauliflower
2 large carrots or 2 cups baby carrots
1 5.75oz jar of green olives
1 can of black olives (optional)
2 bottles of zesty Italian dressing* 

*If you don't like the ingredients in store bought dressing Click Here for an oil substitution & italian dressing recipe. It works just the same! You can also use any favorite vinegar based dressing you like, I love Maple Grove Farms Fat Free Greek as well.



-Break apart broccoli and cauliflower in desired bite sized pieces, cut carrots in small strips about 2 inches long, baby carrots would be cut in 4 pieces, (cut in half and then in half again). Regular carrots depending on the thickness might need more cuts. As long as it's bite size your fine :)

- Cook your pasta in a large pot,(we like it al dente) and while it's cooking steam your veggies for only 2-3 mins, you want them to still be hard but not raw, or soft.

-Rinse veggies in cold water and put in a large bowl, when pasta is done also rinse in cold water and add to the same bowl.

-Add the rest of the ingredients and only 1 bottle of dressing to your bowl and mix gently, refrigerate until ready to serve. Keep the other bottle of dressing to add right before serving if it's not served right after making, it can get a little dry without oil.

Aluminum In Food

This video states there is more aluminum in this food than in vaccines and other products! It's shocking information! It is scientific research and proof, simply amazing what we don't know.

Click Here to see the video.

Click Here for some more info on aluminum.

Top 10

I found this website that has top 10 lists for fruits, veggies, and what foods contain which vitamins etc. It's very nice and a good resource! Check it out! :) Click Here

Can Folic Acid Be Harmful?

I'm always looking into nutrients, vitamins, the ingredients in supplements and which forms are the most health promoting and safe. Therefore I will start sharing with you things I've learned or come across. Here is a video I found to be helpful about Folic Acid and Folate:

Click Here

For those of you who would rather get Folic Acid from food Click Here for a list of foods, looks like an easy one to eat instead of supplementing.

Vodka, not just for drinking!

Thanks to my sister for pointing out the many uses of vodka! :) These are great:

-Goo Remover: Got a price tag, sticker or label that just won't peel off? Bring on the vodka. Simply saturate a sponge (or paper towel) with the strong stuff, apply to the sticker and wait about a minute.
The paper (and tacky residue) will come right off.

-Chrome "shiner": Restore the beauty of chrome fixtures in seconds with this easy trick. Just moisten a soft cloth with vodka, and then rub down the fixture. Good as new. (This will also work on porcelain and glass!)

-Room Deodorizer: Since air fresheners can often leave a room smelling worse, try this no-odor fix. Fill a spritzer bottle with a 1:1 ratio of water to vodka (this is a good time for the cheap stuff) and mist the air. Surprisingly, the room won't smell like a vodka martini.

-Bouquet Preserver: Bacteria growth can make a pretty bouquet fade fast. To prevent this, add a few drops of vodka to every time you change the water. The flowers will stay lovelier longer.

-Shower Cleaner: The moist, humid environment inside a bathroom can often lead to mold. To clean AND prevent it from happening again, spritz the shower, curtain liner and all, with vodka. Chemical-free and effective.