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Spice It Up!
If the only spices you have in your cupboard are salt and pepper, it is time for you to “Kick it up a notch!” Cooking with fresh herbs not only makes adds fragrance, color, and curb appeal to your dish; but, it enhances the flavor.
I never used fresh herbs because the dried herbs seemed simpler and less expensive, but it’s cheap if you plant your own herb garden. Spring is the perfect time to do just that! This year, I decided to start my garden from seeds indoors and it has been much cheaper. I only have my spinach in the ground as of now. Here are all my early vegetable starts–radish, pepper, tomato, zucchini, cucumber, onion, beets, squash—
and here are my herb starts—
basil, dill, cilantro, rosemary, chives, oregano, thyme, mint
Here is how easy it is to start your own herb garden…..AND FUN! Here are just a few of the most commonly used herbs:
Rosemary: My personal favorite. It is an annual (have to replant it each year), but can grow from late May thru August. It can flourish with little watering and even though it prefers full sun it can tolerate slightly shady areas.
Basil: It is also an annual, but once it “takes off” there is no stopping it. Plant it in various stages. In other words, plant one or two in May and then another in June and maybe even July. You can never have too much basil. At the end of the season, you can take what is left before the first freeze and make pesto sauce. (I will tell you how to do that later, when we get to that point.) Basil needs lots of sun and normal watering. The most important thing to remember is to always take from the top. You never want it to flower, so keep pinching the tops off.
Chives: Yea! Chives are a perennial (comes back without replanting) so if you get a good base and established roots, they will come back time and time again. Chives are a gimme. It likes sun, but can tolerate it at dusk or dawn. For best results you should divide your root “clumps” every 2-3 years.
Cilantro: Not so easy and personally I think the hardest herb to grow. It too, is an annual. Plant it in early spring. It does great until the end of May and then dies off. At that point I go to market and buy it at a dollar a bunch. Not worth the headache at that price.
Dill: It is technically an annual. However, I have seen dill “pop-up” throughout my yard via the seed that float through air after the season is over. It is pretty easy to grow. Like Rosemary, it prefers sun, but can grow in the shade.
Mint: It is a perennial and will take over your entire yard. Therefore, I would recommend growing it in a pot or other controlled environment. Especially, since I don’t know very many uses for it other than it is fabulous in juicing and beverages/desserts. It likes sun, shade, rain, no rain….beware.
Oregano: Is also a perennial that needs to be controlled or it will turn into fragrant ground cover. Now while there are several more uses for oregano, you need to be sure to keep it contained year after year. Like mint, it requires no TLC and is happy to get what it gets in hopes of being “picked” for that next marinade.
Parsley. It is a perennial. It is one of the most commonly used herbs. In fact, it is probably the only one that most people use fresh or regularly with salt and pepper. I always keep it in my garden mainly for color. It honestly costs about $ .75 a bunch at the store.
Sage. It is a perennial that demands little care. Most importantly, at the end of the season, cut the stems and split the roots periodically through the years. It likes sun or shade. Are you beginning to sense a trend….perennials are a piece of cake!
Thyme. Last but not least. It can come back, but it does demand care. It is a slow-growing herb so it’s only request is to keep weeds and all other herbs AWAY! It needs its space.
Safe grilling!
Grilling is a great way to eliminate fats and oils while preparing meats and veggies. Plus it’s a fun way to stay outdoors to eat and cook. Disposable plates mean you stay out of the kitchen completely.
FoodFacts.com would like to discuss grilling season.
With grilling season just around the corner, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month released a pamphlet with grilling tips for the safe preparation of foods.
E-coli and salmonella are two of the most well-known and common food-borne illnesses in existent, and both illnesses are often contracted through the incorrect preparation of foods. This is especially common in the summer, when grilling is a common means of cooking and the heat outside is high, resulting in a higher chance of bacteria growing within food. So how can you keep you and your family safe during this fun, but risky, time?
It all begins before you even begin cooking, with proper cleanup and preparation of your work area. Cleaning your food items is also a must, specifically fresh fruits and vegetables.
The means in which you transport your food is also important, and transporting foods in an organized manner could be beneficial. Keeping your cold foods cold, specifically in a cooler with the temperature at 40°F or below, is necessary for preventing bacteria growth. Keep the coolers closed, and don’t cross-contaminate foods such as poultry, seafood and raw meat.
What about the actual grilling process, though? How do you keep your foods safe?
When grilling, it is important to marinate your food safely – keep it in the refrigerator, rather than the counters or outside. Keep already grilled food hot until it is served. Also, and this is very important – cook food thoroughly. To find out proper cooking temperatures, please refer to the FDA link at the bottom of this blog. Finally, when cooking, keep utensils separate to prevent cross-contamination. It might be a good idea to wash utensils after each use to be extra safe.
So, folks, there you have it. Separation, refrigeration, and proper cooking temperatures are the basics.
With that said, we’re wishing you a happy and healthy grilling season from FoodFacts.com!Another note from Dee: if you use a liquid marinade, be sure to discard it after use, do not put it back on meat that’s been cooked. Remember, it was in close contact with the raw meat and should be treated that way. Here’s the FDA link: FDA.
Yummy Paleo Burgers
Happy 4th of July
Check out this great recipe for some paleo burgers for your 4th of July cookout!!!
Pinterest Epic Fails
Paleo Banana Zucchini Bread
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups almond flour or almond meal
4 pastured eggs
1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
3/4 cup coconut sugar
2 ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup shredded zucchini
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (mini preferred)
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix all wet ingredients together first and then add in the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pour into a loaf pan greased well with coconut oil and cook for 75 minutes or until a toothpick or fork comes out clean (aside from melty chocolate ). Let cool before slicing and serving but it tastes best when still slightly warm. Enjoy!!
HERE’S ANOTHER GREAT HEALTHY RECIPE—I MADE THIS FOR SIDNEY’S 13TH BIRTHDAY PARTY—please note the pinterest picture I copied and the actual picture of my dish—BAHAHAHA!
Sweet Potato & Pomegranate Salad
2 medium sweet potatos, cubed, plus olive oil, sea salt and pepper for roasting
2 cups baby salad greens (kale, spinach, arugula, etc)
1/3 cup pomegranate seeds
1/3 cup crumbled feta
1/4 cup almonds
handful of chopped cilantro
2-3 chopped scallions
DRESSING
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 clove minced garlic
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
1. Roast the sweet potatoes: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Chop the sweet potato into bite sized cubes. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast in the oven for 20-30 minutes.
2. Make ther dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, honey, garlic, salt and pepper
3. Assemble and toss lightly—and ENJOY
Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers
Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers
makes 7-8 large patties
2 cans cannellini white beans, drained
1 large sweet potato, baked/peeled/mashed (about 2 cups)
2 Tbsp tahini
2 tsp maple or agave syrup
1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning OR Cajun seasoning (or another fave spice!)
1/4 cup almond flour
optional: additional seasoning (whatever you have on hand – I used a few dashes cayenne, black pepper and a scoop of nutritional yeast)
salt to taste if needed
plentiful Panko crumbs
safflower oil for pan
burgers: avocado, Dijon mustard, grain buns, romaine, onion, olive oil, pepper
Directions:
1. Bake sweet potato. Peel, place in large mixing bowl.
2. Add drained beans to mixing bowl. Mash beans and potato together.
3. Mash in seasoning, flour and any additional seasoning. Your mixture will be quite soft and moist. But you should be able to form a patty. Add more flour or a scoop of breadcrumbs – or dry rice to thicken the mixture if needed.
4. Heat 1 Tbsp safflower oil in a pan over high heat.
5. Form a patty from mixture and coat in Panko crumbs. Thick coating. Then drop the patty in the pan. Repeat until the pan is filled. Cook until browned on both sides. You could also bake. If baking, use less Panko.
6. Transfer cooked patties to paper towel. Cool for a few minutes.
7. Serve on toasted bun with lotsa toppings
Cranberry Smoothie
Here’s another great recipe for this week! I want to remind everyone that I am posting the smoothie posse recipes and experiences from last week because I leave for a nutrition conference this week so I can’t participate. The one major note that I will tell you before starting the fest is to not forget to drink water!!! By day #2, I was cranky, tired, and really hungry! Also, (spoiler alert) that the beet juice recipe from day #2 will make you pee red!
Very happy with my cranberry smoothie this morning. Fresh cranberries. ’nuff said.
1/2 cup frozen cranberries
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen blackberries
5 frozen whole strawberries
1 ripe banana
1 Tbsp hemp seeds
1/2 cup soy milk
1/2 cup brewed green tea, cooled (i’ve brewed a bunch and it’s chillin’ in my fridge for upcoming smoothies).
1 ripe banana
1 Tbsp hemp seeds
1/2 cup soy milk
1/2 cup brewed green tea, cooled (i’ve brewed a bunch and it’s chillin’ in my fridge for upcoming smoothies).
Simply Become Who You Are
The “Simply Become Who You Are” cookbooks are in and now available for only $10.00. These cookbooks are complications of recipes received by you wellness warriors over the last 16 months. Many thanks go out to all of you skinnies that have helped contribute and participate in keeping our Wellness Program going. The cookbooks make a fabulous gift for the holidays as I can’t imagine a better gift than giving someone the gift of health. We only have around 50 copies left so get a move on! The book has hundreds of recipes of healthy cooking options! The books aren’t vegan or paleo but they are easy recipes that can be modified to fit the type of whole foods you are trying to incorporate into your diet. Free of artificial ingredients and additives is how we roll! Whole foods baby and eat your veggies!!!!
Call and reserve one today or stop by and pick one up at the office.
Michelle or Kathy 317-217-2626
Also a quick reminder that the IU West Fall Farmers Market will be held this Friday November 2nd from 10:30 to 2:00pm to get locally grown inexpensive whole food ingredients. Happy cooking!
Another big reminder—The Biggest Loser contest will start Nov 1st!!!! We already have many enrolled so get signed up!
Indiana Persimmon Pudding
It’s that time of the year to harvest those Indiana persimmons. Many of my patients make that traditional persimmon pudding and have offered to share their favorite recipe. We have modified it some to make it a little friendlier to the Angela MD plan. Persimmons have wonderful health benefits in that they contain the tannins catechins and gallocatechin which are antioxidants and help improve lipid metabolism. They also contain the anti-tumor substance betulinic acid. There is no fat in persimmons and they are loaded with vitamin c and calcium. They also contain the substance Zea Xanthin which is thought to help with age related macular degeneration. Cooked persimmons are used in many other cultures as a treatment for diarrhea.
Traditional Indiana Persimmon Pudding
2 cups persimmon pulp, removed from the skin
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup sugar (substitute with agave syrup)
2 cups all-purpose flour (substitute with 2 cups gram flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 cups milk (substitute with almond milk)
1 egg (pastured and organic)
1 tablespoon melted butter, plus more for buttering dish
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9×9 baking dish and set aside
Stir the baking soda and sugar into the persimmon pulp and set aside. This mixture may thicken as it sits… that’s ok!
Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and spices. Add to the persimmon mixture all at once and stir until flour is almost completely incorporated.
Whisk together milk, egg and butter and add to the persimmon and flour mixture. Batter will be very loose. Pour into the baking dish.
Bake for 1 hour covered with foil, or uncovered. If you make the pudding covered, you’ll have a very wet and moist pudding. If you bake the pudding uncovered, you’ll have a drier pudding topped with a bread like crust.
Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Crazy Sexy Kitchen–by Kris Carr
I can’t wait for this! I think I have a girl crush on Kris Carr because of her fabulous fun-loving attitude and charisma–watch the trailer to her new book which is available to order at her website http://www.kriscarr.com
Intimidated by an Eggplant
So I received an eggplant in my Green Bean Delivery organic veggie bin and I had no idea what to do with it. I have ordered eggplant parmesan out at a restaurant before and liked it. However, my novice cooking skills have made me quite intimidated to buy one and actually cook it myself. Not to mention my girls have automatic scowl mode ingrained when they see a plate that isn’t filled with mac-n-cheese or pizza. Here is a great recipe by Irene Young passed down by her mother Linda from the village of Mesta, Xios, Greece.
Linda’s Summer Vegetables
1 lb eggplant cut into chunks
1 zucchini, cut into chunks
sea salt
olive oil- 1/2 cup
1/2 lb trimmed, fresh green beans
2 large potatoes diced
2 large bell peppers diced
2 large carrots sliced
2-3 cloves of garlic
2 medium onions
6-8 mushrooms
2 lbs ripe tomatoes quartered
1/2 cup parsley chopped
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Clean eggplant and zucchini and cut into chunks and salt—then let sit for 1-2 hours–this is called bleeding the eggplant which helps take the bitterness out of the meat and draws the moisture out so that the eggplant doesn’t absorb too much liquid when cooking.
2. Pat the eggplant dry and saute in olive oil. Then add a dash more oil and add the green beans, potatoes, peppers, carrots and mushrooms; cook for 15 minutes and then add onions and garlic; cook 5 minutes and add tomatoes and parsley; cook for 10 more minutes.
3. Place the vegetable mixture in an oven-safe dish. Cover and bake for 45 min at 350 degrees. Add cheese and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes.