Yum-yum Gimme Some MORE Mixed Greens and Edamame Salad

I did it!  Tonight, I made one of the yummiest salads I've EVER made in my LIFE!  OMG!  It was INCREDIBLE and super easy to make!  It was a mixed greens and edamame salad with a homemade ginger-soy vinaigrette.  If you like anything Asian, you have got to, Got To, GOT TO try this!  I want to make another one right now, but that would just be greedy!  I'm definitely having it again for lunch tomorrow though!  Because of how I feel about it, I'm calling this one the Yum-yum Gimme Some MORE Mixed Greens and Edamame Salad.


Salad

Fresh mixed greens salad, chopped
Red cabbage, shredded
Grape tomatoes, halved
Matchstick carrots
1/2 avocado, sliced
1 serving of edamame, shelled


Ginger-Soy Vinaigrette

Juice from 1/4 lime
3 tbsp. of Bragg's Liquid Aminos
3 tbsp. of Rice Vinegar
Garlic powder, ground ginger and raw honey to taste
(This is totally optional, but if you're into spicy food, add a dab of wasabi paste to the vinaigrette.)

Toss veggies in vinaigrette until covered and top with 1 tbsp. of blanched slivered almonds and 1/4 serving size of Trader Joe's sesame sticks.  Allow salad to sit with dressing for 2-3 minutes before eating.  This will be the longest two minutes of your life, but trust me, it is totally worth it!!!!  Once you dig in, you'll be thanking me! 

Bon appetite!

Crunchy Cabbage Stir Fry

Chew on This

This Crunchy Cabbage Stir-fry is one of my absolute favorites.  Before embarking on a clean eating journey, I was frequently found swiping my debit card in Japanese, Thai and Chinese food restaurants.  I freakin' LOVE Asian cuisine!!!!!  So, naturally, I had to create a clean and healthy Asian-inspired dish.  Loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties, your body and your taste buds will get a healthy surprise!  You can serve it atop brown rice with red cabbage for a heartier meal, but I generally cook it without either.  It's SUPER filling without the rice, so I can save the added carbs for a different meal.

If you're trying to eat clean, but you're looking to have a special dinner for Valentine's Day, this recipe is perfectly PERFECT!  Even non-clean eaters like this one!  Hmmmmm...On second thought, consuming garlic, broccoli and cabbage may not make for an alluring, intimate evening.  Perhaps have it on the 15th.  You decide.

Whenever you choose, try this dish for yourself!  It's sure to please!

 
What You Need:

A wok or frying pan
Fat-free cooking spray (I use Pam original)
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped coarsely
Fresh broccoli stalks (Broccoli stalks are always neglected and rejected.  For this recipe, save the florets for another meal.), thinly sliced by width (each slice should be round)
1/2 of a small head of fresh green cabbage, sliced to shreds
A couple of handfuls of shredded red cabbage (optional)
1 handful of matchstick carrots
1 heaping tablespoon of raw cashew butter
Bragg's Liquid Aminos
2-3 tablespoons of Rice Vinegar
Garlic Powder
1 tablespoon of raw honey
1 and 1/2 teaspoons of agave nectar
Chopped, roasted cashews for garnish (optional)
Steamed brown rice (optional)


What You've Gotta Do:

Spray your pan with non-fat cooking spray generously.  Add garlic, cabbage, broccoli, carrots and rice vinegar to the pan.  Cook veggies on medium heat until almost tender.  Be careful not to overcook, you still want the veggies to have some crunch.  Add raw cashew butter, honey and agave nectar and stir until dissolved.   Add Bragg's liquid aminos and garlic powder to taste.  Stir continuously.  Turn the heat to medium high and cook veggies until slightly caramelized, yet still crisp.  Remove from heat.  Stir and serve!  Put veggies atop brown rice and top with chopped cashews if you'd like, but this meal is hearty enough sans grains.  Quick, easy and super YUMMY! 

Bon appetite!


P.S.:  Wanna add some kick?  It's up to you!  If you like spice, add a bit of fresh minced ginger and red pepper flakes to taste.  I just prefer my foods mild.  I reserve sniffling and sweating for influenza infections (which I no longer get since eating clean), not for mealtime.  Okay, now.....

Bon appetite for real this time!  Chomp, chomp!

The Yummy Tummy-ache Annihilator

I never really get sick, but when I do, I turn to Mother Nature (not the local pharmacy) to find a cure! Yesterday, I had a killer tummy-ache accompanied by multiple trips to the potty (I know, TMI), so I concocted the best fresh ginger tea I've ever tasted!!!  Knowing the amazing impact that fresh ginger has on digestive health, I did a happy dance when I found just enough in my fridge to make my concoction.  When your tummy is doing flips or if you just want a nice, flavorful and spicy tea, try this: 

The Yummy Tummy-ache Annihilator

A 3 inch piece of fresh, organic ginger, peeled and sliced thinly
1/4 lemon squeezed
1/4 lime squeezed
Organic raw honey to taste

Boil ginger for 10 minutes then pour liquid into a large mug. Add lemon and lime juices and honey and stir. Drink while hot. Yummy (and calming) for my tummy!  

Thanks, Mother Nature!  Muah! 

Sip on This: Poppin' Pineapple Pina Colada

Sip on This

 

My Poppin' Pineapple Pina Colada is a healthy virgin alternative to the original island treat!  Okay, I know pineapple and pina are the same thing, but the double dose of pineapple in this thirst buster demands the repetition!  This drink is sweet, cool, refreshing and packed with Vitamin C, potassium, manganese, iron, copper, B vitamins and loads of fiber. To top it off, the ingredients offer healthy fats (if you choose to add coconut milk), electrolytes (if you opt for the coconut water), anti-inflammatory benefits and a boost to the immune system. All of that and it's absolutely delicious to boot! Try it for yourself! 

 

YUMMY!!!!!!
1-2 cups of frozen pineapple
1/2 cup fresh pineapple
1/2 frozen or fresh banana (I prefer frozen)
1/4-1/2 cup of shredded organic coconut

Soy and/or coconut milks OR coconut water with pineapple

 

Toss ingredients into a high-powered blender or emulsifier and gradually increase to the highest speed.  Slowly pour soy and/or coconut milks or coconut water with pineapple (try Vita Coco Coconut Water with Pineapple, pictured below) into the top of the blender until the desired consistency is reached (I recently tried making this with the pineapple coconut water and it was pretty tasty, but I prefer soy milk.). 

 

Pour in your favorite glass, toss in a paper umbrella, put your feet up and ENJOY! You'll absolutely love it!

Sip on This: Hello, Yellow!

Sip on This

 

For increased energy, decreased bloating and inflammation, a boost of Vitamins A & C and potassium and a GLOWING complexion, try sipping on one of these in the mornings.

Hello Yellow!
1/2 organic carrot
2 spears of fresh pineapple
1 cup of frozen pineapple
1/2 cup frozen mango and/or peaches
1-1/2 cups of cold distilled water or organic soy milk (if you prefer a creamier texture)
1/...8-1/4 inch piece of ginger root (You may use it without peeling if it's organic. Go for more if you like the spicy kick of ginger!)
1/2 fresh or frozen banana
1/2 fresh navel orange, peeled

Blend to desired consistency. Bon appetite!

Leek y Kale Lentil Soup

Playing in the kitchen, I fell in love with this soup this winter!  It's hearty, full of nutrients and flavor and it has an incredible texture!  I imagine it would also be good adding other veggies and/or potatoes to the base.  It has a really versatile flavor.  Try it and tell me what you think!


What you'll need:

1 large frying pan
1 pot
A blender or, even better, an emulsifier
6 cups fresh organic kale, chopped or torn, stems removed (Sometimes I leave a few stems on; it still tastes great!)
1 large leek, cleaned and sliced (discard all upper leaves)
2 shallots, sliced
2-3 cloves of garlic, peeled
1-2 teaspoons olive oil
4 cups vegetable broth
1-2 cans of lentil beans, rinsed and drained
Sea salt
Cracked black pepper

What you've got to do:

Sauté leek, shallots and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add kale and cook until it begins to wilt.

Add broth and cook for 30 minutes on medium-low heat. 
Let the mixture cool for a few minutes and then pour into blender.
Blend until homogenous.

Pour the soup base into a pot and add lentil beans.  
Heat on medium-low for 5-10 minutes.
Season soup with salt and cracked black pepper.

Serve hot with a salad and whole wheat Ezekiel bread or Ezekiel English muffins.  Scrumptious!

J*
 

Sip on This: The Incredible Hulk

Sip on This

With loads of antioxidant power and a boost of vitamins C, E and K, beta-carotene, manganese, zinc and selenium, you'll turn the hands of time backward when you guzzle down one of these babies! Delish!  P.S.: My kids love this one!

The Incredible Hulk

2 overflowing handfuls of organic baby spinach
1/2 banana
1 cup frozen peaches
1/2 organic honeycrisp apple
1/2 cup cold, distilled water

Blend to desired consistency. Enjoy!

My Salad was SOOOOO Freakin' Good Today!

Yeah, what the title says.  OMG!  That salad was delicious!  I had to do a little work beforehand to prep some of the ingredients (I pickled some red onions and boiled and pickled some beets---BTW, I pickle without sugar.), but the rest you can easily grab at local grocery stores.  All of the ingredients were squeaky clean and perfect for anyone trying to steer clear of animal products.  So, here's how you put together your very own Purple People Pleaser (Yes, I name my food.):

A few handfuls (or more) of spring mix salad
A handful (or 3) of shredded red cabbage
A handful of grape tomatoes, halved
One 1/2 Haas avocado, sliced lengthwise
Two heaping spoonfuls of pickled beets (I used a slotted spoon to avoid getting too much liquid in my salad)
Two heaping forkfuls of pickled onions
A pinch of blanched, slivered almonds
10-12 Trader Joe's Sesame Sticks

I made a dressing with freshly squeezed lemon juice and Bragg's Liquid Aminos.  Distribute the dressing evenly on your veggies and dig in! 

Freakin' delicious!!!!!  I'm having another one for lunch tomorrow!

If you try it and like it, let me know!

J*

Bite for Your Life!!!

Consistently ingesting a high vibrational diet (HVD) rich in living and whole foods (fruits, veggies, beans, seeds and nuts) is HIGHLY beneficial in keeping the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies balanced and in harmony. As I am an avid promoter of holistic health and fitness, I'd be remiss not to include some nutritional info on my blog.  So, lucky for you, periodically I'll be sharing some of my favorite HVD recipes and their health benefits so that you guys can begin to see and feel remarkable changes from the inside out! I'm SO excited about the changes we'll see in 2014! Stay tuned!

Please note, I am not a licensed Nutritionist nor do I aspire to become one.  I am just really passionate about creating a healthier world.  Maybe we can do this together one bite at a time.  Feel free to share your favorite recipes in the comments section.  I'm always open to trying something new!

Twinkle and Beam, Starlights!  

Muah!

J* 

My Banana Soy Milkshake Brings All the Boys to the Yard

Mmmmmm.....my absolute favorite Summer (or Winter...or Spring...or, even Fall) treat is a tall, cold, refreshing banana milkshake from Johnny Rockets or any old-school diner or restaurant that specializes in shakes and malts.  They're just....GOOD!  Trouble is, they're not good for you.  So, last year, when I embarked upon my squeaky clean eating journey, I HAD to figure out a healthy adaptation of this yummy delight. 

Here's my far healthier version of the banana milkshake:

Original Silk Soymilk frozen into cubes (use 2-4 for one shake)
Original Silk Soymilk (4-6oz.)
1-2 frozen banana(s), sliced in half
Vanilla extract to taste
Blend until smooth.

Pour in your favorite cup, sip and enjoy!  Heavenly!

NOTE:  I've since replaced the soy milk with unsweetened almond milk and this recipe is even better!