Tuesday "Try"... Okra

Okra

A friend gave me some okra from her garden last year and I have to say I'd never really eaten fresh okra before then, and only knew of the slimy stories that come along when someone mentions the word "Okra." So when I was at the farmers market this past Saturday, I saw this okra and it was so beautiful AND organic. Okra is typically green but don't be afraid to try the same food in a different color. I just bought a few to play with and try something new with it ( now that I have fond memories of eating okra). I found a simple recipe... Just wash and cut the okra in slices.

Then cook some onion, diced fresh garlic, cumin, and red pepper flakes in oil ( I used some homemade beef broth I'd just made a few days ago. More about that in another post to come) until slightly done.

Then put the sliced okra in with the onion mix and continue to cook until the okra in tender as you like it. I left it slightly undercooked. I didn't want it to be to mushy. It was really really good. A nice summery side dish to add to any meal. I can see where this dish could have a lot of different spices added to it, depending on what you were pairing it with. Don't be afraid to play with your food!

If you would like help reading labels, shopping and/or making meal planning easy contact me athttp://www.wholefood-living.com/contact.html

Compost...

As hard as I "try" sometimes, things slip by and I loose and waste a whole batch of greens. So I give myself the space to allow that to happen and know that all is not lost because it will go into my compost pile and begin again.

So the moral of the story is "stuff happens" and it's okay. We just pick up were we left off and keep going. And with the awareness we can be more mindful to maybe freeze or prepare it sooner then later next time.

\\

Tuesday "Try"... Conscious Eating

Try and pick one meal in your day that is not distracted by, TV, cell phones, phone calls, emails, reading, or even conversations and try to consciously eat that meal. Pause ~ take a moment to really look at the colors, smell the aroma that rises up from your plate, feel the work and care that was put into preparing it ( even if it was yourself). Bring your awareness to each small bite and consciously chew and taste your food. Feel the appreciation for the abundance that this meal is on your table and take a breath before the next bite.

Just give it a "try" ~ One meal ~ one try...

Tuesday "Try"... Nurturing Yourself

Do you need permission to take a little time in your day, week or month for "nurturing yourself?" 

     Eating healthy is one component to keeping our bodies nourished, but nurturing our spirit, that part of us that feels overworked, forgotten, unappreciated, needs a little TLC as well. There are times in my life when I forget to give myself permission to do that little extra, "just for me." But when I forget, I am reminded through, something I read in a book, a friend who inspires me with her actions or words, a show I saw on TV, a recording I was listening too, a conversation with my children, music I hear, or a walk in nature. But there was a time in my life when I actually needed a friend to say "I give you permission to take care of yourself. And when you allow that time, you unknowingly offer that same gift to those around you - So if you need that permission in your life today...  

Then I'm here to give you that... Go and be nourished! 

( it doesn't have to be a weekend away ( of course that would be awesome if you can), but it's like when your trying to eat healthy - start small, pick an idea that you know can be accomplished. Here are a few of my favorites:

~Taking that extra moment in the bathroom

~Having a special treat that you wouldn't normal do ( I like to stop in our local bakery for a Gluten/Dairy free treat that I don't have to make and when it's gone it's gone and I don't have the leftovers lingering around)

~Take an epsom salt bath ( the package says only to stay in for 20 min. so you don't have to feel guilty, plus it sooths tired muscles etc), and light some candles even if it's in the middle of the day.

~ Go out in your back yard and take your shoes off and connect with mother nature.

~Make something really easy for dinner, leave the dishes until later or the next day and take the extra time to read or just relax

Find what works for you with your time and schedule, but the most important thing with whatever you choose, do it with LOVE ( and remember you have my permission)!

GO AND BE NOURISHED

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!

Tuesday "Try"... Small Comparisons

     One way to incorporating healthier choices is to start with "small comparisons." Every time you go to the grocery store pick one item you normal buy and compare it to a healthier choice. Start making a list ( one item at at time) so you can see the price difference and if/when you go to another store or see a sale you will be more aware of a good deal, plus when it's written down, you don't have to remember it again. This will help you decide what items you feel are worth the extra difference. 

      I picked a few items that I compared when I was at the grocery store to show you. The prices will vary from store to store but comparing will give you a general idea so you can make more informed decisions and "choose" healthier. You may be surprised at the small difference in some of the items that you weren't even aware until you compared. And when you find them on sale, (if your able) buy more them one.

Store Brand 1 lb butter - 3.44
Name Brand 1 lb butter - 4.39
Store Brand Organic 1lb butter - 4.99 ( on sale for 4.49)
Earth Balance 15 oz Non-butter - 3.69

Pillsbury cinnamon. rolls - 3.09 (hydrogenated oils etc)
Immaculate cinnamon rolls - 3.29 ( not organic but no hydrogenated oils, no corn syrup, etc.)

Kraft Mac and Cheese 11oz. - 2.99
Annie's Mac and Cheese 11oz - 2.29 (organic ingredients )

Skippy Natural Peanut Butter  15oz - 2.69 (non hydrogenated oils or corn syrup)
Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter 15oz - 2.99 (non hydrogenated oils or corn syrup)
Organic Smuckers Peanut Butter 15oz - 4.19

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!

Tuesday "Try"... Skinny dipping

Homemade Hummus

Looking for something to dip your naked vegetables or chips in? 

Try homemade hummus! 

http://allrecipes.com/Video/172/How-to-Make-Hummus/Detail.aspx

     I have to admit, I've never made it before, but it was SO easy and really good!! And like a lot of my cooking, I didn't make it all in one day. When I made dinner (and with planning to make hummus on my mind) I decided to cook the chickpea's ( you can use canned, but I like to use fresh when possible) and then put them in the refrigerator until the next day when I had more time. I also made a double batch so the next time I want hummus that part is already done. 

      Hummus is one of those foods that you can do so much with. You can taylor it to your liking, with extra garlic, hot chili peppers etc. You don't even have to use chickpea's (garbanzo beans) - try making a bean free hummus with, spinach, beets, cauliflower or carrots. Even the traditional recipe you can played with like, extra tahini, lemon juice etc. just taste and adjust.

       Try making hummus to take to a party, spread it on your sandwich or hamburger bun instead of mayo, turn it into a salad dressing with vinegar, salt and pepper, or just have something yummy and healthy to use as a dip. The idea's are endless... google it!

       A few health benefits are: there high in fiber, minerals and vitamins (manganese, zinc, magnesium, copper and iron) and lots of protein. And it only takes a few ingredients, a blender or food processor and a desire. 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/hummus-for-real-recipe.html

2 cups of cooked chickpea's (garbanzo beans)

2 cloves of garlic

1/2 tsp. salt

4 Tb. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/8- 1/4 cup water

1/3 cup tahini

1/8-1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

(This is my adjusted recipe from the original link posted above)

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!

Tuesday "Try"... Mochi

Mochi is a traditional Japanese food made from a special short-grain sweet rice. It's steamed then the rice is pounded to accentuate its chewy texture and nutty flavor.

I found a cinnamon raisin Mochi the other day marked down, so I thought why not give it a try ( there is a plain flavor available too). The recipe on the back of the package was, Raisin Cinnamon Mochi Danish that I decided to follow and see what happened, but Pinterest is full of ideas for what to do with Mochi. I even saw one idea to make waffles.

This is what it looks like when you take it out of the package.

The recipe said to cut 2 inch squares and follow baking instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Place pieces at least 1 inch apart on a baking sheet

Bake 8-10 minutes, until Mochi pieces puff up and brown.

Here is what they look like after they come out of the oven.

The recipe said to remove them from oven, let cool and take a sharp knife, cut a slit in one side of each Mochi pocket and stuff with cream cheese, nuts and honey.

I didn't have cheese or non-dairy cheese on hand, so I used peanut butter, honey and chopped up some walnuts. I'd like to try the cream cheese ( non - dairy for me) next time. It would add a very nice contrast that the peanut butter didn't. But it was still really good, easy and fun to play around with. 

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!

Tuesday "Try" Cacao Nibs..

Candied Cacao Nibs

http://candy.about.com/od/chocolate/r/candiedcacaonib.htm

In honor of Valentines day this week I thought I would try something with chocolate ( any excuse to eat chocolate is good enough for me!) Cacao nibs are a healthier option then most chocolate consumed and they offer great benefits for your body http://www.livestrong.com/article/462015-benefits-of-cocoa-nibs/. They contain, magnesium, calcium and zinc to name a few, and what better way to get these minerals then through eating chocolate. Now with that said they do have a dark chocolate bitter taste and the internet if full of great ideas to remedy that without loosing all the good qualities. I found this recipe for candied cacao nibs, and it was easy to make and great to put away for later use, like sprinkling on my coconut yogurt, or grind them up and put in a smooth or just nibble on them, which I found myself doing and put the rest away before they were all gone.

This is what they look like. They have a rough crunchy texture with somewhat of a bitter taste.

I put the sugar ( the recipe didn't specify what kind of sugar, so I used my coconut sugar to add a more brown sugar/molasses like taste). Then put on med. high heat and continued to stir.

The recipe said to wait till the sugar was dissolved to put the butter in ( I used Earth Balance instead of butter to make it dairy free) but after a few minutes I put the Earth Balance in and it did fine. It got a caramel like coating on all the cacao nibs ~ Yum! Once it was all incorporated I spread them out on parchment paper and sprinkled some salt while still hot. I love sweet and salty.

~Happy Valentines Day~

You can follow me on https://www.facebook.com/WholeFoodLiving

and visit http://wholefood-living.com/index.html to see how I can help you on your way to a healthier you!