Spaghetti Squash With Vegan Alfredo Sauce

Well winter is just around the corner and here comes squash season! This was my first attempt at making spaghetti squash, (shocking I know, lol) and it was actually quite fun, something about how it magically becomes spaghetti like when you scrape it with a fork, it was amazing ;) I know a lot of people make spaghetti squash with a red sauce, or they like they're squash with butter and brown sugar for a sweeter dish, but I wasn't quite in the mood for that, so I just whipped up this easy to make creamy sauce to go with it and it was delicious, hope you like it!

1 medium sized spaghetti squash:

-This can be roasted whole for easier cutting: Set your oven to 375 degrees and while it's preheating wash your squash ;) and dry it. Poke it a few times with a fork or knife, place it on a baking sheet and bake for about an hour, let it cool for handling, then cut it in half and scrape out the seeds, and the fun part is just using a fork to rake out the squash and it will automatically make it's own noodles like magic.

-To cut before cooking: Set your oven to 375 degrees and while it's preheating wash your squash ;) and dry it. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and roast it in a roasting pan or glass dish with the cut sides down and add about 1/2 inch of water to the pan, cover with foil or lid and bake for 45 mins- 1 hr.

*Spaghetti squash will still have a slight crunchy texture when done.

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 then heat on med/high until it thickens. The sauce 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!

Some squash cooking info came from forealslife.com

100% Whole Wheat Pita Bread

This recipe is from Forealslife.com, this is the easiest pita bread recipe I have ever come across, and tastes great!

1 Tablespoon instant dry yeast (or you can use 1 package of instant dry yeast - it is a bit less but that's okay!)

3 cups whole wheat flour (I used white whole wheat)

1 teaspoon sugar

1.5 cups warm water (not hot!)

1 teaspoon salt

• First you are going to proof your yeast. Mix together the water, yeast and sugar in a large mixing bowl. First the yeast will dissolve and then it will turn all foamy/bubbly. Congratulations! Your yeast is alive and it's time to move ahead. (If this doesn't happen at all it's time to start with new yeast.)
  
  
• Now mix the remaining ingredients together. You may need to add additional water (at times I have had to add up to 1/3 cup additional warm water) depending on the humidity and your flour. You want the dough to be soft and supple but not super sticky.
  
  
• Knead the dough until smooth and elastic (5 minutes or so by hand or be clever and do it in a stand mixer or food processor with a dough blade.)
  
  
• Now place your dough into a large clean bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size. It will rise a bit quicker if it is kept in a warmer place (like next to a bubbling crockpot!)
  
  
• Now take the dough and push out the air. Separate into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball. Keep the dough balls separate and cover. Rise again for another 30-40 minutes.
  
  
• Meanwhile heat your oven to 475 degrees. You want it to be HOT! If you have a pizza stone you can put that in your oven to heat up or you can instead use a large baking sheet. Either way put them into the oven cold and let them preheat.
  
  
• Once your dough has risen again take one out at a time and roll them into a flat disc shape. You want them to be 7-8" in diameter ( around 1/4" thick.) Roll 2-3 out at a time and then open your oven and put them in. Be careful!!
  
  
• Set your timer for 3 minutes and have fun watching them balloon up!
  Some may not balloon up but that's okay. Take them out after the 3 minutes and put them on a plate. Cover them with a towel to help soften them up.
  
  
• Repeat with your remaining dough.
  I find it works best to let the oven heat for a couple of minutes between each batch since you've opened it up twice for the batch before.

Processed People

Another great video to watch about what Americans are doing wrong with their diet and why you should change your lifestyle. Educate yourself so you can lower your chances for diseases, and have so much more energy, and feel amazing, can't hurt to try :) :

Click here to watch

Check out some other documentaries, or my websites page for more info, and learn how to get started.

Quinoa With Mushrooms

This has to be my favorite quinoa dish so far. The mushrooms really make it what it is. You can add anything you want but just make sure to include those mushrooms! :) If your not familiar with quinoa Click here for some info.

Serves 4:
1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
1 1/2 cups of water, or broth*
1 8 oz package of mushrooms, stems removed and sliced. (my favorite are baby bellas)
1 medium onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 cob of corn, kernels removed, or 1/2-1 cup corn
3/4 tsp garlic powder or favorite seasoning mix like Mrs. Dash
S&P to taste before eating


-Easiest recipe ever! Just add everything to a rice cooker and give it a stir. You could also simmer everything in a pot on the stove until the water has been soaked up.

-Keep an eye on it towards the end in the rice cooker, sometimes mine sticks a tiny bit but comes up when stirred with a wooden spoon. (I just have a basic cooker and turn it on to "cook") I would assume you would otherwise put it on the rice setting.

* The mushrooms create moisture but if you think you need more water towards the end then add a splash or 2.

Black Bean & Corn Salsa

Sorry this isn't the best picture, I'll get a better one up soon I promise!

The taste however is delicious, I just made it one day and added what I could remember from some other recipes I had seen, and then whatever else sounded good at the time :) I don't really get picky on measuring so you can adjust the ingredients as you like.

Makes about 4 cups:

1 can of black beans

1 cup corn

1 bell pepper, chopped small (I like to use red and yellow)

2 Tbs chopped onion

1 large chopped tomato, or handful of cherry tomatoes cut in desired size pieces

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped fresh

1/2 avocado, diced*

1/4 tsp ground cumin

Juice from 1 lemon

10 dashes or more of green tabasco sauce*

S & P to taste

-Mix everything together and let all the flavors mingle for a while in the fridge if you want, serve on your favorite tortilla,  pita bread, or dip into it with some corn chips or sliced jicama.

*It's best to add the avocado right before serving so that it doesn't discolor, although the lemon juice does help. If you are storing the other half of the avocado it's best to keep the seed with it, this will help keep the color as well :)

*Green tabasco sauce is not as hot as regular tabasco, and gives a mild heat and is more "warm" than hot, if  that makes sense.



Coconut Oil And It's Many Uses

   Many things can be done with coconut oil, however I don't support the consumption of it Click Here to read why.

   My favorite thing to do with coconut oil is to use it as a moisturizer, it has antibacterial properties, helps with acne, and soothes irritated skin without clogging pores. I also make homemade deodorant, it's easy, cheap, and works awesome, Click Here for the recipe.

For more ways to use coconut oil check out these links:

• http://www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/articles/814761/kitchen-beautician-one-ingredient-12-beauty-products-1
• http://www.crunchybetty.com/a-millionish-uncommon-and-not-so-uncommon-uses-for-coconut-oil
• http://www.cookingwithsugar.com/coconut-oil-beauty-and-health-secrets-50-ways-to-use-organic-virgin-coconut-oil-shower-scrub-video/
• http://www.naturalnutritionadvisor.com/blog/?p=981

Everyday Is Earth Day

Hi everyone! Earth day is coming up but you don't have to wait to get started on treating the planet better. I know last year I said I would start my compost bin but I didn't get to it unfortunately, so this year it is my main goal and I would have had it started already but winter doesn't seem to want to end here in MN so I will have to wait a bit longer. I have also noticed store bought compost bins have gotten a bit cheaper, I've seen them as low as 50$, they are also super easy to make and keep up, all you have to do is a google search. Check with your city guidelines and buy or make one today, it reduces so much waste you won't believe it. There are other ways you can help out the environment as well, it doesn't take much and it's easier than you think, treat every day like it's earth day and be the change you want to see in the world.
*Check out my Help The World page for more ways to treat the earth with respect.

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something. ~Author Unknown