Super Salad from the Younger Thinner You Diet

This recipe is raw (well, if you can find cranberries that have been dried in low temperatures) and comes from the Book: "The Younger Thinner You Diet".  It is not only delicious, it feeds the brain. 

A fresh veetable salad tha is highly seasoned like this one can enhance all of the brain chemicals. 

1 cup spinach, torn into bite-sized pieces
1 cup chopped romain lettuce
1/4 cup shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup diced red pepper
1/2 tomato, chopped
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 avocado, peeled and cubed
1 tsp minced fresh rosemary
1 tsp thyme
1/4 up chopped fresh basil leaves
2 TBS extra vergin olive oil
1 TBS balsamic vinegar

1. Combine spinach, romaine, cabbage, red pepper, tomato, carrot, cranberries, and avocado in a large owl.  Sprinkle with rosemary, thyme, and basil leaves.

2. For the dressing, whisk together the olive oil and vinegar.

3. Toss the dressing with the sala.

Nutrition Information: Per serving: 160 calories, 13 g fat (2 g sat), 0 mg cholesterol, 15 mg sodium, 11 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 7 g sugars, 1 g protein.

Flageolet Beans with Rosemary and Thyme

Anyone know what flageolet beans are?  I don't either, but I'm thinking I would like this recipe since I like beans and carrots and rosemary and thyme!

 

Flageolet Beans with Rosemary and Thyme

 

Serves 4

Takes 2 ½ to 4 ¾ hours to make in slow cooker

 

From Sunset Magazine December 2012

 

Make a big pot of this easy vegetarian dish for a hassle-free dinner.  There’s no need to soak the beans beforehand, they cook up tender straight from the package.

 

12 oz. dried flageolet beans

6 garlic cloves, peeled

2 tsp kosher salt

2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves, plus sprigs for garnish

2 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme leaves, plus sprigs for garnish

2 carrots, peeled and cut into ½ inch slices on a diagonal

2 TB extra virgin olive oil

¼ cup roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley, divided

 

1.    Put all ingredients, including 2 TB oil but not the sprigs or parsley in a 4-6 quart slow-cooker.  Add 5 cups boiling water and stir.  Cover and cook until most of the liquid is absorbed and beans are very tender, 2 ¼ to 3 hours on high, or 4-4 ½ hours on low.

2.    Stir in 3 TB parsley.  Transfer to a serving dish and drizzle with more oil. Garnish with rosemary and thyme sprigs and remaining 1 TB parsley.

raw Guacamole and Cauliflower.....YUM!

My favoritesnack is cauliflower with guacamole dip.  I love it so much more than chips and guacamole.  Here's a recipe for quacamole from "Raw Food Made Easy" by Jennifer Cornbleet.  Her book has many very tasty recipes. 

Guacomole
1 ripe avocado, chopped
1 1/2 tsp minced onion
1 tsp fresh lime juice
1/3 tsp crushed garlic (1 clove)
Dash salt
Dash cayenne
Fresh  jalapenos (if desired, this is not in Jennifer's recipe but I put jalapenos into everything)
Diced Tomatoes (if desired, this is not in Jennifer's recipe either)

Place all the ingredients i a small bowl.  Mash with a fork, leaving the mixture slightly chunky.  Serve immediately.

I clean my cauliflower with fruit and vegetable rinse and then cut into smallish flowerets.  I dip the cauliflwer into the guacamole and ENJOY!

My friend, Diane, sent me this yummy recipe!

Pumpkin Vinaigrette Quinoa

Ingredients

·   1/2  cup  chopped pecans

·   1 cup quinoa

·   2 cups non-chicken vegetable broth (McKay's tastes just like chicken broth)

·   1/2  cup  sweetened dried cranberries or mixed blend of dried berries (I used blueberries, cranberries, raisins and cherries)

·   1  cup  finely chopped celery

·   3/4  cup  chopped green onions

·   ¼   - ½ cup  canned pumpkin

·   1/4  cup  balsamic vinegar

·   1  tablespoon  honey ( or more to taste)

·   1/2  teaspoon  salt

·   1/4  teaspoon  dried thyme

·   ½  tsp pumpkin pie spice (or more to taste)

·   1/4  teaspoon  pepper

·   1/3  cup  olive oil (or less to taste)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant.

2. Rinse quinoa; prepare quinoa according to package directions.  If you have a rice maker – quinoa cooks perfectly on the white rice setting. Let cool completely (about 25 minutes). Stir in cranberries, celery, green onions, and toasted pecans.

3. Whisk together canned pumpkin, next 6 ingredients. Gradually whisk in olive oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking until blended.

4. Pour pumpkin vinaigrette over rice mixture; stir gently to coat. Cover and chill 2 to 24 hours. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Apple Slices with Date Dip from Swayze Foster

Swaze Foster has a "raw" website with lots of YouTube entries.  She has a great recipes and this one sounds absolutely yummy! Her website is www.fitonraw.com and here's the recipe:

4 Apples (choose your favorite)
10 Dates (khadrawy are very moist)
1-2 teaspoons of Carob
2 cups water (use a bit at a time)

Put dates into blender along with some water.  Blend, adding water as needed.
Slice apples.
Dip apple slices into date mixture and enjoy!

Swayze gets her dates from  www.7hotdates.com

Almost Raw Corn and Chipotle Salad

Fresh corn kernels cut from cob
1/3 to 1/2 small can chipotle with adobe sauce (blended)
Fresh celery
Pinch of salt

Cut kernels from corn and put into bowl.  Blend chipotle (more for spicier, less for less spicy). Cut celery into very small bits and add to corn and chipotle mixture.  Sprinkle with salt to taste. 

Easiest Asparagus Ever!

This is the easiest recipe for asparagus you have ever seen!  Get fresh asparagus from your local organic farm.  Wash in fruit and vegetable rinse.  Sprinkle a little lemon juice over the top.  Eat it up1  Yum!

Easy Cheesy Broccoli

I've heard of easy peasy math problems but this is the first I've heard of Easy Cheesy Broccoli (that uses no dairy!).  My friend, Sandra Austin, posted this on her site.  Sounds absolutly yummy, Sandra!

Quick recipe: Cheesy broccoli:
Chop broccoli and throw in a bowl. Sprinkle with nutritional yeast, celtic sea salt (the stuff that isn't white, it's gray), and a little water just enough to coat the broccoli with the yeast mixture.It is one of my favorites!

Delicious Raw Jicama Salad

 

Jicama salad: Combine 1 small peeled, thinly sliced jicama, 1 small red bell pepper diced, 2 sliced scallions, 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro and then whisk together dressing ingredients of 1 Tbsp. olive oil, 1 Tbsp. each fresh lime and orange juice, 1 tsp. honey, ½ tsp. orange zest, ¼ tsp. lime zest, ¼ tsp. chili powder and ⅛ tsp. pepper, pour over salad and mix well.

Raw Pistachio Salad Dressing from Swayze Foster

This is a GREAT salad dressing from Swayze Foster!

Raw pistachios - soak for a few hours
Lemon Juice of 2 small lemons
Celery Powder - a few pinches
1/4 cup water

Put into a blender and blend up.  YUM! 

Variations:
Use other nuts instead of the pistachios
Add 1/2 avocado
Use lime juice instead of lemon juice
Use fresh herbs (your favorite) or dried herbs
Add sun-dried tomatoes

Vice Cream!

My friend, Jeff Rogers, has written a book on Vegan Ice Cream.  It includes raw and almost raw recipes for ice cream with no milk or dairy.  I have tasted his recipes and they are delicious!  Go to his Facebook page to order it.  Below is one of his almost raw recipes.

Chocolate

1 3/4 cups raw organic cashews or cashew pieces
1 cup maple syrup
1 3/4 cups purified water (Ellouise: I would always used distilled for purity of water)
2 teaspoons natural vanilla flavor
1/4 teaspoon almond flavor
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Combine the cashews, water, syrup, vanilla flavor, and almond flavor in a blender. Blend on high until silky smooth, at least 1 minute. With the motor running, add the cocoa powder and blend until evenly distributed.
Place the blender in the freezer for 40 minutes to 1 hour or in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to overnight, until well chilled. Pour the mix into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Serve immediately or transfer to airtight containers and store it in the freezer until ready to serve.

Easy Peasy Salad

I made this salad up tonight, just had a craving for peas!  It's very easy and raw except for the Nayonaise.  I'm sure there's a raw recipe for vegan mayonaisse out there somewhere but I was hungry and didn't look. :)

One package organic frozen peas
One onion (Walla Walla sweets are best but only in season once a year)
4 ribs of celery
Nayonaise - enough to moisten the mixture
Pinch of salt
Pepper (optional)
Lemon juice (optional)

Fresh peas are wonderful but it was 8:30 at night when I got this craving so I got frozen peas.  Put the peas in a bowl. Add finely chopped onion and celery.  Add Nayonaise to taste. Add lemon juice if desired.

Raw Zucchini and Tomato Salad

Zucchini is coming on and so are the tomatoes!  Why not combine them into a delicious salad?

Baby zucchini, diced
Tomatoes (I like grape tomatoes best)
Extra virgin olive oil
Apple Cider vinegar (or any other vinegar you prefer)
Parsley
Basil
Sea Salt

Combine the zucchini and the tomatoes.  Pour the olive oil and vinegar over them.  Add parsley and basil.  Salt to taste (unless you are a salt fiend, which isn't healthy--in which case, use just a pinch of salt!).

Variation: 8-15-12: I put Newman's Shitake Sesame dressing over it instead of the oil and vinegar.  It was delicious.  I know that's cooked so those of you who are "raw" might not want to do it. 

Fresh Raw Summer Red Grape Salad

The idea for this salad came to me because someone gave me a big bunch of seedless red grapes that were absolutely delicious! 

Bananas
Seedless Red Grapes
Gala or Fuji apples

Wash fruit in distilled water with fruit and vegetable rinse in the water.
Dry fruit thoroughly.
Quarter bananas lengthwise, then slice.
Grapes can be halved or left whole (your choice)
Core apples and then dice into small pieces.

Sprinkle lime juice over the top.
Enjoy!

Almost Raw Corn Salad

I found this recipe in the Better Homes and Gardens magazine for July 2012.  Sounds great!

Timing is everything.  Wait until the very last minute to cut the corn from the cobs for thsi salad.  That way, the corn stays as sweet and crisp as possible.

1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp kosher salt or sea salt
1/2 tsp coarsely ground pepper
4 ears fresh corn (cut from cobs)
1/2 cup finely diced red onion (cut to same size as corn kernels), soaked in ice water for 20 minutes and patted dry
1/2 cup cucumber, seeded but not peeled. Dice to same size as onions
1/2 cup red or orange sweet pepper diced to same size as onions
1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered
3 Tbs fresh parsley, finely torn
1 Tbs fresh basil leaves pulled apart
1 Tbs fresh jalapeno, seeds and veins removed, very finely diced
1/2 tsp sea salt or kosher salt
1 to 2 cups small arugula leaves

1. For dressing, in glass bowl whisk together vinegar, sugar, the 1 tsp salt adn black pepper until sugar dissolves.  Allow dressing to stand while preparing salad.
2. For salad, cut corn kernels from cobs (trim base of corn flat and stand it upright on a stable surface.  With a sharp knife use a swing motion to slice kernels from ears)
3. In a large bowl, toss corn and remaining ingredients except sea salt and arugula leaves.
4. At serving time, transfer corn mixture to serving bowl.  Season with the 1/2 tsp salt.  Add the dressing; gently thread in arugula leaves.  Serve immediately.  The Cucumers and tomatoes will begin to break down.  Makes 8 servings.

17 g carb, 2 g fiber, 2 g Protein ra

Are Your Zucchini and Tomatoes Coming In? Here's What to do With Them!

Raw Zucchini and Tomato Scramble

Zucchini (however much you can eat in a day)
Tomatoes (to make a pretty look)
Extra virgin olive oil
Apple cider vinegar
Parsley
Basil
Sea Salt

Peel zucchini and dice very small.  Dice tomatoes a bit larger.  In a bowl, mix the olive oil, vinegar, parsley, basil.  Pour over the zucchini and tomato mixture.  Add salt to taste.  YUM! 

Yummy Raw Avocado Salad!

Avocado salad, mix together 1/2 pound romaine lettuce, 1 ripe chopped avocado, 1 cup grape tomatoes halved, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 3 packets stevia, 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic, 2 tablespoons diced sweet onion, sea salt and pepper to taste.

Easy and Yummy Salad!

This salad was created because I was given the ingredients for it and just combined them into a salad!

1 small container organic spinach
1 red bell pepper
1/4 cabbage, shredded very fine
1 tomato, diced
6 baby carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/4 fresh pineapple, diced

Put it all together and top with your favorite dressing.  The one I put on today was Newman's Light Cranberry Walnut.  Great summer salad!

Amazing Salad!

Tired of your same old spinach salad?  Here's a salad with a juxtiposiiton of many flavors that will perk up your taste buds!

2 cups organic spinach
2 cups organic cabbage, shredded fine
3 radishes
4 baby carrots, chopped
3 stalks celery, sliced and chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 red bell pepper
1 small tomato chopped
1/2 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
top with Newman's Own - Lite Balsamic

I put the first ingredients into my container and the ingredients that would moosh up the spinach into separate little containers.  When I'm ready to eat, I add the little containers to the big container (see the raisins?) and then add the sliced strawberries and the Lite Balsamic.

This salad is very different but the sweet of the raisins and strawberries and the spicy of the radishes and cabbage along with the balsamic make for a very yummy taste sensation.

Magaly's Salad

One of my best friends, Magaly, gave me this recipe and when another friend  gave me some avocados I decided to make this for myself.

Magaly’s Salad

2 can black beans

2 red bell peppers, diced

2 cups frozen corn

2 avocados, diced

1 large Walla Walla sweet onion, diced

Juice from 2 limes

Rinse black beans. Add rest of ingredients.  Squeeze lime juice over the salad.  If you want to use this as a dip, you can use the lime tortilla chips.  I have also used it as the filling for a soft tortilla.  

Wild Rice and BBQ Tofu

The last time I went to the food bank, I got a package of wild rice and a package of Tofu.  I cooked the wild rice according to package directions. It took an hour.

I carefully cut the tofu into 1" cubes.  I put some Walla Walla Sweet Onion BBQ sauce in the bottom of a baking dish and put the tofu on top of it.  Then I poured the rest of the BBQ sauce over the tofu.  I baked it at 300 for about 15 minutes. 

I put some wild rice in a bowl and topped it with the tofu mixture.  It was very good but I was wishing that I had more BBQ sauce!

Kinda Sorta Minestrone

Over the last few weeks, I've received all of the ingredients in this soup.  Tonight, I put them all together and it was very tasty.

2 cans tomato soup
2 Tablespoons Italian Seasoning
5 potatoes (washed in fruit and vegetable rinse and diced small)
1 onion diced small
1 can corn
1 can green beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can mixed vegetables
1 can white beans
1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans

Reconstitute the tomato soup and add potatoes, onion and seasoning.  Bring to a boil and then turn heat down to medium.  Cook until potatoes are soft.  Add rest of ingredients and simmer for about 30 minutes. 

I like my soup to be very much like stew but, if you like yours thinner, just add another can or two of the reconstituted soup.

Vegan Chipotle Potato Soup

I looked into my fridge and the only things there were potatoes, onions and a bunch of condiments.  What to do?  I decided that I would make potato soup.  I also found some chipotle and decided to try adding it for a new recipe. So, I did and it was yummy! Here's the recipe:

10-15 medium potatoes, rinsed with Fruit and Vegetable Rinse and then diced
2-3 onions, diced
1 can chipotle, blended to a smooth paste

Rinse and dice the potatoes and onions.  Steam until soft.  Put them into a large crockpot.  Put about 2 cups of the potatoes, onions and chipotle into your blender (VitaMix works best) and blend to a smooth consistency.  Pour the liquid over the potatoes and onions in the crockpot and gently stir.  Add water if the consistency is too "gluey".  Turn crockpot on high for about an hour and then turn to low.  Cook for a total of about 3 hours. 

Yum!

Spinach Salad with Coleslaw

We got an abundance of spinach yesterday, along with a coleslaw mix.  I put the two together for a salad.  I used a non-fat Italian dressing over it.  It was very good.

Enchiladas

Two weeks ago, I received some enchilada sauce, yesterday I received corn tortillas and a can of beans.  So, I warmed the corn tortillas and heated the beans.  I poured a little enchilada sauce into the bottom of a glass baking pan.  I put about 2 tablespoons of heated beans into the center of the warmed corn tortillas and rolled them so the edges were down.  I laid them into the enchilada sauce and poured the reaminder of the enchilada sauce over them.  I baked them for about 30 minutes at 350.  It was delicious!

Easy and Nutritious Stir Fry

Although not every item in this recipe was received yesterday at the Food Bank, it is a really good tasting stir fry.

Create an easy nutritious vegetable stir fry, heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a wok, add 1 chopped onion and 1 clove crushed garlic, cook for 2 minutes and then add 2 cups shredded cabbage, 2 cups sliced mushrooms and 2 cups chopped bok choy, cook for 4 minutes and serve immediately.

Yummy Green Tropical Smoothie!

To make a blended tropical green smoothie, blend one mango, one frozen banana, 2 cups fresh spinach and 1/4 cup coconut water.

Quick and Easy Tomato Soup with Pizazz!

2 cans Tomato soup
1 can black beans (rinsed)
1 can corn (or 2 cups frozen corn)
3 potatoes (small diced)
Chili (to taste)

This soup is healthy but does use canned foods so some may choose to do something different.  However, if there were a disaster, and you had the ingredients, it would work.  I put in lots of chili because I like it HOT!

Spring Mix Salad with Kale

Two weeks ago, I was given a bag of kale salad (with carrots, purple cabbage, and white cabbage), a container of organic spring mix and some very small tomatoes.

 I put them all together and had a wonderful salad.

Tofu Pumpkin Pie and/or Pudding

Last week, we received both Tofu and Canned Pumpkin at the Food Bank and I remembered that I had made Tofu Pumpkin Pie for my school. I originally found it on the MoriNu Tofu package and adjusted it to fit our needs. I used to make it for breakfast (lots of protein in the Tofu and, of course, the Pumpkin has many nutrients. The students in my school thought they were really getting away with something when we had "pudding" for breakfast!)

Here it is:

Tofu Pumpkin Pie
3 packages Mori Nu silken lite Tofu (asceptic packaging)
1 1/2 cups honey
4 cups canned, pumpking
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbs pumpkin pie spice

Blend tofu in food processor until smooth. Add honey, pumpkin, vanilla extract and pmpking pie spice. Blend well. Pour into individual little pie shells or a 9" pie shell. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for approximately 1 hour for the large pie shell and for less time for the small pie shells. Filling will be soft, but will firm up as it chills. Chill and serve. This can also be used as a pudding (without the pie shells). Just put it into custard cups instead of the pie shells.

Tofu Whipped Cream
(from Fresh from a Vegetarian Kitchen by Meridith McCarty)
We never actually made this but it would be festive for a family dinner.

1 lb tofu, fresh
1/3 Cup pure maple syrup
1 Tbs vanilla extract
Sea salt - a few grains
2 Tbs to 1/2 Cup water, only if necessary to blend

Absolutely fresh tofu is a neccasity her or hte flavor will be chalky. Blend ingredients until creamy smooth. I usually do not boil the tofu for this topping, as boing tends to make it firm up. If you do boil tofu ahead, store "cream" in blender an whip it up again just before serving. For large amounts, mix all ingredients except water, then add it gradually until desired consistency is reached. Less will be needed. Use as a more healthy altrnative to dairy whipped cream on pumpkin pie, cobblers, etc. Be creative!

Don't Worry About Protein, Have Some Comfort Food!

Last night, I had steamed potatoes and carrots for dinner (we received lots of carrots and potatoes at the food bank), . I just love them and they are very easy to make if you have a steamer. My favorite steamer is Black & Decker Handy Steamer/Rice Cooker. I use it for both veggies and for rice. There's not really a recipe but I'll put down what I did.

Wash potatoes and carrots with fruit and vegetable rinse. Cut them into smallish pieces and put into steamer basket (not the rice cooker part). Put water into bottom of steamer and put the drip pan on top and then the steamer basket on top of that.

Put the timer onto 45 minutes and plug it into the socket.

When the potatoes and carrots are soft, take them out of the steamer basket and put them onto a plate. My favorite margerine is Earth Balance and I put that on top and salt and pepper them.

Do You Have the "Protein Monster" in Your Head?

I know some of you are cringing as you read these recipes! You are saying, "Yikes! Where's the Meat!"
I have responded to that below:

When I owned my vegetarian school, one of the first questions I got from prospective clients was: "Well, then how will my child get his/her protein if s/he eats vegetarian?" I, too, wondered about this before reading nearly 300 boooks for my Masters' Thesis. I, too, had the "protein monster" in my head and thought if I didn't eat meat I had to at least eat lots of dairy products! These attitudes came as a result of my "nutritional education" in the public schools. But, the reality is just the opposite! Actually, because of the extensive advertising (that same "nutritional education" mentioned above), Americans are suffereing a myriad of illnesses caused by the over-proteining of America.

An article by Debra Blake Weisenthal entitled "Shattering the Myth of Protein" states: "If you are getting enough calories, just about no matter what you're eating, you're also getting sufficient protein." So, our worry about getting enough protein is not only not necessary but is actually detrimental to our health.

In "Fat Burning Foods", the authors state: "The trouble is, most people consume too much meat and cheese and not enough potatoes and bread. You need only about an ounce of protein for every 18 pounds of ideal body weight. In other words, a 126 pound woman needs only about 7 ounces a day."

Dr. Pritikin, famed expert on nutrition, agrees and says: "Vegetarians always ask about getting enough protein. But I don't know any nutrition expert that can plan a diet of natural foods resulting in a protein deficiency, so long as you're not deficient in calories. You need only 6% of total calories in protein....and it's practically impossible to get below 9% in ordinary diets."

John Robbins, in Diet for a New America, wrote about research that actually lowers that percentage to between 3% and 5%. And, he adds, "a potato has 13% protein"!

Another issue for many people is that of "combining foods" to get a "complete" protein. This is a myth which came about because of some studies done on rats in the 1940's. Rats, which differ from humans in many ways, also have different nutritional needs. Not surprisingly, once research was conducted on people, the results were quite different and they resulted in a change in the way proteins are rated. The current standard for humans is known as the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS).

 Using the PDCAAS scale, soy protein receives a top rating. Unfortunately, the Meat and Dairy Council (for its own nefareious reasons) still sites the old, inaccurate studies when convincing the public that getting "protein" is very hard as a vegetarian but very easy with their products.

In Francis Moore Lappe's 20 year anniversary edition of "Diet for a Small Planet", she bemoans the way most people have accepted the 1940's study over the more recent studies. Her original book, with the incorrect study in it, is what made the "combining" strategy so popular. There's certainly nothing wrong with combing beans with a grain (almost every culture has some variation of beans and rice) but it's not really necessary!

So, relax! And have some comfort food for dinner once in a while without feeling guilty. I did....and it was yummy!

Red Bell Peppers, Celery, Onions and Zucchini over Basmati

Red Bell Peppers
Celery
Onions
Zucchini
Lawry's seasoned salt
Basil
Parsley
Olive Oil

Basmati Rice (steamed in a Rice Cooker)

Chop up the veggies and put into a stainless baking pan. Sprinkle basil, Lawry's and Parsley over top. Drizzle oil over top. Put into a 450 oven and bake until the veggies are soft, gently turning occasionally.

Pour above mixture over cooked basmati rice. 

Red, White and Blue Salad

This was a traditional morning snack for our July 3rd celebration.  The children thought they were getting away with something by eating this yummy dessert for a snack.  But I knew the tofu made it a very high protein snack!

Strawberries
Blueberries

Slice stawberries and put into bowl with blueberries.  Use Tofu Whipped Cream to mix.  This is a VERY tasty alternative to dairy whipped cream or the chemical ones.

Tofu Whipped Cream (recipe below by Meridith McCarty)
1 lb. Tofu, fresh
1/4 C pure maple syrup
1 T vanilla extract
Sea salt, just a pinch
2 T to 1/2 cup water, only if necesssary to blend

Absolute fresh tofu is a necessity here or the flavor will be chalky.  Blend ingredients until creamy smooth, I usually do not boil the tofu for this tipping, as boiling tends to make it firm up.  If you do boil tofu ahead, store "cream" in blender and whip it up again just before serving.  For large amounts, mix all ingredients except water, then add it gradually until desired consistency is reached.  Less will be needed.  Use as a more healthy alternative to dairy whipped cream on pumpkin pie, cobblers, etc.

Kale, Spinach Salad

Yesterday, I was given a lot of items.  I put them all together and made a salad.  Here's the recipe:

Spinach
Kale
Cabbage - shredded white and red
Grape tomatoes
Carrots
Celery
Cauliflower

Yellow raisins
Pistachio nuts (unsalted)
Raw Sunflower seeds
Raw almonds
Raw walnuts

Vary amounts according to your own taste.
Wash all the veggies in Fruit and Vegetable Rinse.  Rinse off the rinse with distilled water.
I use plastic containers to put the salad into.  I had enough yesterday to make 6 large servings. 
Put the spinach in, then the kale, then the cabbage.
Dice the carrots and celery and put on top.
Cut cauliflower in small florets and put on top.
Put raisins, shelled pistachio nuts, sunflower seeds, almonds and walnuts into small container and put on top of the salad in one corner.

When serving, choose your favorite salad dressing. 

Magaly's Salad

When I  owned my school, my Assistant Director was Magaly.  We had great times slicing and dicing together and feeding the children in my school.  Magaly shared this recipe with me and I really like it.  It's not raw, but it's quick and not very expensive and tastes wonderful.

2 cans black beans

2 red bell peppers, diced

2 cups frozen corn

2 avocados, diced

1 large Walla Walla sweet onion, diced

Juice from 2 limes

Rinse black beans. Add rest of ingredients.  Squeeze lime juice over the salad.  I don't care for chips myself, but Magaly served it with Lime Tortilla Chips. I have also used it as the filling for a soft tortilla.  But, most often, I just eat it with no chips or tortilla!  Yummy!

Raw Zuccini Chips

This recipe comes from http://goneraw.com/.  It looks so very tasty!

Raw Zucchini Chips

Submitted by therawmichelle on February 10, 2012 - 11:18am

Average:

4

Average: 4 (1 vote)

Servings: 

1-2

It is safe to say that raw zucchini chips are the ultimate comfort food. Reminiscent of their not-so-healthy cousins, the potato chips, in terms of crunchiness and flavor, zucchini chips are light, healthful and can easily be consumed at any time of the day as a snack or part of a main meal. I love to snack on these in the morning, before starting work, alongside my usual green smoothie.
More info about the health benefits of this recipe: http://rawfoodhealthwatch.com/raw-vegan-recipes/raw-zucchini-chips/
More raw vegan recipes: http://rawfoodhealthwatch.com/raw-food/raw-vegan-recipes/

Ingredients: 

• 2 medium sized zucchinis
• 3 to 4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon finely minced shallots
• 1/2 tablespoon paprika
• a dash of cayenne pepper (you can use more if you want the chips to be more spicy)
• 2 finely chopped cloves of garlic
• 1 tablespoon basil
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• a dash of sea salt

Preparation: 

1. Slice the zucchini into very thin slices.
2. Mix the rest of the ingredients into a marinade. Let the zucchini slices sit in the marinade for at least an hour.
3. Place zucchinis onto dehydrator trays in single layers and dehydrate until crisp, for about 14 to 16 hours.

Good for Your Heart

Love Your Heart!
These foods will help your heart be healthier:
1.  Oatmeal - well known for the ability to lower cholesterol significantly (by 8 to 23 percent) in people with elevated levels, oatmeal is also a good source of fiber, omega 3's, vitamin B1 and magnesium.  Toss in a handful of almonds or walnuts to up its heart benefits and add a nutty crunch. 
2.  Blueberries - packed with antioxidants, blueberries are a ood source of beta carotene, lutein, calcium, viatmin C adn fiber.  They're also versatile.  Pop them into your mouth for a snack add to a green salad, mix them into a yogurt smoothie, or use them as a filling for breakfast crepes.  They're available frozen or fesh year-round. 
3. Spinach - Popeye was right; this dark green, leafy vetable is good for you and for your heart.  With the carotenoid lutein, B vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, and fiber, it's a terrific heart-healthy substitute for lettuce in dalads and sandwiches.  you can also steam it, toss it into an omelet, layer it in lasagna, or simmer it in soup.
4.  Garlic - this amazing and pungent herb has been shown to decrease total cholesterol while increasing good (HDL) cholesterol-with the addedbenefit of lowering high blood pressure.  It'll add zing to your stir-fries, sauces, soups, and mashed potatoes.  Steep it in olive oil for a week, andthen use the oil in dressings and marinades.
5.  Brown Rice - In addition to being a good source of B vitamins, iron, selenium, and magnesium, brown rice contains gamma-oryzanoi, which lowers cholesterol.  Substitute it for white rice, which is leached of its nutrients during processing.  Cooked rice can be used in stir-fries, as a side dish, in desserts, or scrambled into eggs.
6. Tomatoes - these cookign staples contain carotenoids, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.  Their heart benefits come from lycopene, a red carotene that's been shown to lower the risk of heart disease.  Use them on sandwiches, in salads, or cook them into sauces and soups.

Another Simple Dinner-- of Oats

I have never really cared for cereal in the mornings but I do like a bowl of oatmeal for dinner.

Tonight's simple dinner was oatmeal.  Here's my recipe:
3 cups distilled water (or apple juice)
1 cup flaked oaks

Put cold water or apple juice into pot.  Add oats and THEN turn on the stove to low-medium heat.  Cook while stirring  occasionally until the oats are very well done.  (I like to have the oats be very smooth.). 

Add Earth Balance.

Add cinnamon, if you wish.

Additions:
1. add fresh bananas
2. add granola to the top
2. add raisins, cranberries, dates or fig pieces
3. go WILD and add all of the above!

Simple Dinner of Rice

Three nights ago, I had a simple dinner of basmati rice, Earth Balance, salt & pepper.  It was very delicious and, since I hadn't had rice for some time, it was a nice change.
Here's how to cook it:
2 cups brown basmati rice (smells wonderful as it cooks!)
4 cups distilled water
Cook in rice cooker for 1 1/2 hours or until moisture is absorbed.

Serve immediately with Earth Balance, salt and pepper to taste. 

Variation:
1. add frozen peas the last 20 minutes
2. add celery and vegetarian "chicken" broth
3. add celery, vegetarian "chicken" broth, medium can of green chilis and 1/4 can of jalapenos (this is YUMMY!)  I made this variation last night.

Steamed Potatoes and Broccoli

Yesterday, I steamed diced potatoes and broccoli for dinner.  I added just a little Earth Balance and salt and pepper.

Yum-m-m-m, m-m-m Good!

Tonight, I had a simple dinner of steamed wax beans and carrots (both of which I received at the Food Bank in the frozen state).  I put a small amount of Earth Balance on them and then just a little salt and pepper.  It was SO good!