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

Easter Is Coming...

And it's coming up pretty quick, you know what that means...a gazillion eggs will be bought to eat and color. Well if your looking for an alternative I came across this site with some great ideas. I really like the felt ones, however I would use a non-animal material :) Also remember kids like other things besides a bunch of candy in their baskets, try making some homemade sidewalk chalk, or add things like bubbles, coloring books and crayons. Healthier treats would be good too like fruit leather, or freeze dried fruits, nuts, or even homemade goodies that don't contain artificial ingredients, or food coloring.

Although they are not a health food, here are some recipe's I would like to try:

Homemade Rolo Knock-offs

Homemade Twix Bars

Peanut Butter & Peppermint Cups

By not buying eggs you show that you do not support the egg laying industry which causes hens to suffer and have a shorter lifespan, yes even "cage free" hens still suffer, please Click Here to learn more. When I learned about the horrible way animals are treated and realized they don't need to die I stopped consuming them. They are no different then a pet dog or other loved animal in your life. It just breaks my heart to see what they go through and knowing this isn't necessary.


*Eggs are also very high in cholesterol, and other things that are not healthy, for more information on why it's a good idea to eliminate them from your diet Click Here and Here

*Click Here for ways to substitute eggs in baking.

What Pesticides Are On Your Foods

Hi all, I just found this great website that lists the pesticides on certain foods, and what harm they cause, quite interesting. Also remember washing your food doesn't eliminate all pesticides, it is also in the soil and grows into the food and cannot be removed. Even if you buy organic you should still wash your food well, I spray everything with white distilled vinegar no matter what I buy, also even if you don't eat the outside you should still wash it because when you cut the food it could easily contaminate the inside.

Check it out- Whats On My Food