Friday, May 31, 2013

Lemony Chicken and Grain Medley Soup


We had soup and salad for dinner last night. I wish soup pictured better, because this soup is my favorite soup I have made this year. Yet it is impossible to get a good photo of it. It is healthy and lite and very tasty. 

I plan on making a bunch of this soup and canning it for a time when I am under the weather. It hit all the right spots and left me full and satisfied. 

Lemony Chicken and Grain Medley Soup
Bon Appétit | April 2013

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium leek, white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced crosswise 1/2" thick
1 celery stalk, sliced crosswise 1/2" thick
12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken thighs
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1 cup grain medley (use your favorite, I used split pea, wild rice, brown rice, and quinoa)
juice of one lemon
Lemon slices (for serving)

Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add leek and celery and cook, stirring often, until vegetables are soft, 5-8 minutes. Add chicken and broth; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer until chicken is cooked through, 15-20 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate. Let cool, then shred chicken into bite-size pieces.

Meanwhile, return broth to a boil. Add grain medley( I used split pea, wild rice, brown rice, and quinoa. Lentils would be good too) and cook until al dente, 20-25  minutes. Add lemon juice.

Remove pot from heat. Stir in chicken. 
Serve with lemon slices.
Don't forget you can order my cookbook HERE!
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Thursday, May 30, 2013

The Non-GMO march continues...

"Control oil and you control nations; control food and you control the people." - Kissinger

Time for me to get back up on my soapbox for just a second. Many of you know I took place in my first ever march. I am not an activist. I have never attended any sort of political march before. After reading, watching documentaries, doing my homework, I got on the Non-GMO project hard core. 
On May 25, 2013 at 2pm est, this Global rally was in 51 countries and over 2 million people stood in March Against Monsanto. This day will forever be remembered in history thanks to Tami Canal.
On May 25, 2013 at 2pm est, this Global rally was in 51 countries and over 2 million people stood in March Against Monsanto.

 Our house is completely non-gmo and all Organic now. I know so many people don't even know about Monsanto, or the dangers ahead of us. So many people don't even know what GMO is. While this power hungry company now owns 80% of the world's food. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING!!!

For those skeptics out there... Here are just a few fun facts to chew on.

Monsanto’s GMO products distort nature’s foods in ways that can now rewire your body and have been shown in animal tests to cause sterility, illness and death.

See:





Footage of GMO-Corn Fed Rats with Tumours:

In the U.S., GMOs can be snuck into our bodies because they don’t yet have to be labeled.

Under the new “Monsanto Protection Act” GMO crops can be planted and grown without courts stopping them, even if there is evidence of danger (see Section 735 of H.R. 933), until an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared — which can take years.

The Monsanto “rider” (Section 735) was snuck into a 240-page government funding bill and was hidden so most politicians, who rarely read the actual bills, probably did not even know it was there.

To date, no one in Congress claims ownership of Section 735, though speculation is emerging that Roy Blunt, a Senator from Missouri, is responsible. Blunt has serious financial ties to Monsanto. Monsanto’s home state is Missouri.

In Europe, which has mostly banned GMOs, the tide turned when people actually took to the fields to destroy the crops that were destroying their farms and their lives. We need to ask ourselves where self-defense starts when toxins are being snuck and forced into our bodies through the food, water, air and “laws.”



Even the birds and squirrels are smart enough to know not to eat GMO:

I am writing this today because Hollywood is now getting on board and trying to put into production production on our Science-Fiction(Faction) film about the danger of GMO and its consequences in the future, done in the spirit of "Blade Runner," "Terminator" and "Soylent Green," with a hint of "Schindler's List." 
Their hope? To get out the word about the dangers of modified food. How it is killing people left and right. Communities being wiped out. 
HELP THEM! Spread the word. Sponsor. Do what you can. Please share on twitter, facebook, pinterest... anywhere. Let's educate our kids to prevent this. 
Nothing catches peoples attention more than a movie.  I am a backer and I hope those of you that care about our futures will too. 
Thank you!

No Nut Peanut Butter


Wow. That is what I have to say about this amazing product. I had to write it up immediately after having a spoonful of this creamy wholesome goodness!

The Sneaky Chef, who is known for hiding veggies in kids food, has come up with an amazing No Nut Butter. The Sneaky Chef® Creamy No-Nut Butter is made from naturally sweet and "nutty" tasting golden peas. It is a delicious peanut butter alternative, without a trace of peanuts, tree nuts, seeds, or soy! Filled with only non-GMO wholesome ingredients too!

This product is close to my heart because I have so many friends and readers who are allergic to peanuts and tree nuts! I was so skeptical to try it, but it tastes just like Jif or skippy peanut butter. Kudos Sneaky Chef! I don't have peanut allergies and I would much rather buy your healthy no nut butter!

This butter has a smooth texture, "peanutty" taste, no nut allergens, great for nut-free schools. Get ready to experience the taste of a PB & J again!

Ingredients: Non-GMO Golden Peas, Non-GMO Canola Oil, Powdered Sugar (contains Corn Starch), Salt, Palm Fruit Oil, Mono- & Diglycerides (Vegetable Source), Citric Acid.
CONTAINS PEAS (LEGUME) - 18 oz jar.
  • FEATURES:
  • 100% peanut and tree nut-free
  • Produced in a nut-free facility
  • Great for nut-free schools
  • Soy free
  • No high fructose corn syrup
  • No hydrogenated oils
  • No artificial colors or flavors
  • Gluten free
  • BPA free jar
  • Awesome taste!
AVAILABLE NOW AT NETGROCER.COM
FOR TONS MORE RECIPES, TIPS, & HEALTHY IDEAS, be sure to check out the free recipes and tips pages. 

40 Garlic Clove Chicken

 

It is no secret how much I love garlic. I always joke that I need a sign outside my front door that reads: "If you don't like garlic, don't bother coming in!". It is true. I love it in almost anything. The flavor it adds sends my taste buds into overdrive. It also has a lot of health benefits. It has been proven to reduce cholesterol, it is full of allicin which is one of the world's most powerful antioxidants as well as an Antibiotic. So eat up! 

This 40 clove garlic chicken has been a favorite of mine for years. I thought it was time to finally get it down here on the blog. It is actually a lite dish, so I was so happy to make this today! It is also one of my best dishes to reheat. Turns out perfectly every single time.

Gluten-Free 40 Garlic Clove Chicken
4 small skinless bonless chicken breast halves
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 TBSP cooking oil.
40 small cloves of peeled garlic
1/2 cup chardonnay white wine
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 TBSP lemon juice
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
4 tsp corn starch to thicken (use bob's red mill they are gmo free)
4 TB white wine or chicken broth.

Rinse the chicken; pat dry. Season with salt and pepper. In a skillet heat oil over medium high heat. Add chicken and garlic cloves.
Cook chicken for 2 - 3 minutes on each side or just until brown, turning once. Slowly add 1/2 cup white wine and broth, lemon juice, basil and oregano. 
Simmer, covered for 6-8 minutes or until chicken is tender. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken and garlic to a warm serving platter; keep warm.
In a small bowl or cup, mix together corn starch and the 4 TBSP wine or broth. Stir into pan juices. Bring to boiling then pour over chicken and serve. I serve it over rice or quinoa with a side of garlic green beans. 

Don't forget you can order my cookbook HERE!
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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Chocolate Coffee Larabars


Today the Larabar recipe's continue. I previously brought you Apple Pie Larabars, Cinnamon Roll Larabars, and now it is time for Chocolate Coffee Larabars! These are my husbands favorite. I don't put any added chocolate chips to mine. Traditional bars have mini chocolate chips added. Feel free to do so. If you add them I would recommend 2 TBSP of them stirred in at the end. I am just off all refined sugar. I only eat sugar in it's natural form right now. That is why dates are my best friend! When I get a sweet tooth, I just reach for one of these bars and I am satisfied. These are the perfect breakfast bar because of the caffeine. Eat with a cup of strong coffee in the morning for added enjoyment! 

Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Chocolate Coffee Larabars

1 1/4 cup medjool dates, pitted
1 cup almonds
1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 cup cashews
2 TBSP cocoa powder
1 TBSP ground coffee beans
1/4 tsp vanilla extract


Add all ingredients to your food processor and pulse until fulling incorporated. 
Spread into an baking dish lined with parchment and freeze for 1 hour before cutting. 

I had to share this picture because my dog peanut was so interested in these bars, I had a hard time keeping her out of the picture. You can see her blurry face to the right. Even dogs love larabars!
Don't forget you can order my cookbook HERE!

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

100 Calorie Gluten-Free Snack

Taylor is happy to have a new snack! El’s Kitchen sent us some Snaps® Bagel Chips, a Gluten-Free Snack at 100 Calories or Less! I wanted to share these with my calorie conscious readers. 

Packed with flavor and with the texture of true bagel chips, you’d never know they’re gluten-free.
El’s existing gluten-free Medleys Snack Mixes, Cheddar, Zesty Original and Sour Cream & Onion are now joined by the three varieties of Snaps Bagel Chips:
  • Cinnamon & Sugar – the perfect combination of spice and sweetness makes these chips hard to resist
  • Garlic & Herb – a classic flavor profile blends perfectly with the crunch of a classic bagel chip
  • Simply Sea Salt – sea salt crystals sprinkled by hand give just the right amount of irresistible flavor to lightly baked chips.
Don't sacrifice flavor for health. Enjoy delicious gluten-free snacks
that have a whole lot of nothing except flavor:
Medleys and Snaps
  • No gluten
  • No preservatives
  • No trans fats
  • No cholesterol
  • No fake colors
  • No fake flavors
  • No hydrogenated oil
  • No eggs

Want to know where to buy them? Find out HERE

Help Dad make that perfect burger! GIVEAWAY



I have a confession to make. I am one of those people that will pay more for pre-cut burgers, because I hate touching and shaping beef. So I was really excited to find out about the Burger Stomper™! With this simple affordable tool, you can make burgers or sliders in under 5 seconds! Read below to see how you can win this fabulous tool!




Making the perfect burger every time has been an ongoing quest and challenge for many burger lovers. But now, thanks to the unique and patented Burger Stomper™, making the perfect burger is quick and easy – in fact, you can make them in under 5 seconds flat!


After receiving a sample from Burger Stomper™,  I was curious to see if it really worked that fast. It did! 
I simply screwed in the proper size. 
It comes with a burger attachment that Makes 6oz Burgers, and a slider attachement that makes 2oz Sliders that fit buns perfectly - This 2-in-1 Burger Press is the only press that has interchangeable forms to choose burger size. It compacts the meat perfectly. 

I did a test run of this tool at a Memorial day barbeque event and the burgers were raved about. I simply added some steak seasoning and then stomped the meat and grilles. They came out perfectly shaped and perfectly tasty. 
See how it works HERE
If you want to try this tool, You can buy yours here: Amazon
Here are the great highlights this tool has to offer:
  • The Ultimate Burger Press, makes perfectly uniform better tasting burgers AND Sliders in under 5 seconds!
  • 2-in-1 Burger Press with Patented no stick technology - your patties will never stick to press
  • Makes 6oz Burgers, and 2oz Sliders that fit buns perfectly - This 2-in-1 Burger Press is the only press that has interchangeable forms to choose burger size
  • High quality stainless steel, dishwasher safe and disassembles to store easily in drawers
  • Includes a color gourmet recipe guide that can be used all year round, this burger press makes a great gift.
With Father's day right around the corner, I am proud to be hosting a giveaway for the Burger Stomper™ Use the rafflecopter below to enter! Good luck!

Vegan Kale Caesar Salad


I love cheese. Bummer it is not part of my slim down regimen. So I have been finding ways to get the flavor I love, but without all the dairy I love to consume. This recipe hit the spot. It tastes so much like the traditional Caesar salad I love, that I may just make it like this from now on! I am making a wrap out of the leftovers today. 

Now I love to use baby kale, baby arugula and baby spinach together. Packed with omega 3's, The blend hits the spot. My favorite brand is Organic Girl, if I can't get it from my local farmers market,  you will always find several of these packages in my fridge. I love that it is washed 3 times. Their Powerhouse blend is my favorite. I still spritz it with my veggie cleaner and do a quick strain. Just because I am paranoid. 
If you like Caesar salad, I would highly recommend this. It is extra tasty with blackened salmon on top. Yum! We don't enjoy croutons, so I didn't include them. If you do, the instructions to add croutons are below


Vegan Kale Caesar Salad
adapted from Lemon Stripes

15 ounces of your favorite kale or mixed baby greens
Juice from 1 lemon
1/4 cup raw cashews
2 TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP apple cider vinegar
1 TBSP dijon mustard
1 TBSP Worchester sauce
3 cloves garlic
*optional croutons: 1 slice of your favorite gluten-free  bread, cubed and tossed with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper
Sea salt and pepper to taste

Mix cashews, lemon, oil, vinegar, Worchester sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender and blend until creamy.
For optional croutons: Broil the seasoned bread for 2 minutes in the broiler or until crunchy
In a large bowl, mix together the kale, dressing, and croutons.


Don't forget you can order my cookbook HERE!
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