Harney and Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea

I LOVE this tea and had to share. It is actually sweet, but there is no added sugar or artificial flavor. The sweetness comes from the sweet cloves in the tea bag. It's perfect for a cold day (-: It definitely satisfies a sweet tooth and has been said to possibly reduce inflammation and provide antioxidant effects.

Raw Banana Walnut Bread

I couldn't resist posting at least one more item from the previous Raw Food website I found. This looks so delish and all her recipes look low glycemic as well. Not only has she posted recipes for dessert type items, but also dinner and lunch dishes as well. Here is the link to this Banana Walnut Bread recipe. http://bit.ly/S9DHaD Enjoy!

Raw Food Recipe: Hazelnut and Coconut Chai Brownies

So, I started my quest for some Raw Diet recipes and came across this website with some amaaaaaaazing recipes! Of course I go straight for the chocolate and this one really stuck out to me. This is a Hazelnut and Coconut Chai Brownie - yum! Here is the link for how to make it http://bit.ly/X3HC6D. The website for more fantastic Raw Food Recipes is http://nouveauraw.com/. Enjoy!

RAW DIET

Has anyone ever wondered what it would be like to eat a RAW DIET???? I have been mulling this over for awhile now and I can't see the downside. This is the way our ancestors ate before we had today's modern conveniences. If anything, I think we would all probably feel amazing after eating this way. I am a little scared to get started though, because we usually have some sort of meat or fish with each dinnertime meal. If anyone has suggestions on some great Raw Diet Recipes, please post them here to share! Below is a link that I found interesting with information on eating a Raw Diet. I will be on the lookout for yummy Raw Diet recipes and will post them here in the future.

http://on.webmd.com/OYpYfZ

Cooking with Quinoa Flour

I wrote an article on the examiner.com today about how to use quinoa flour in baking. Check it out - there are a ton of great low glycemic, gluten-free recipes!
http://exm.nr/hP5BQK

Gluten-Free Beer Here

Thousands of people in the U.S. are affected by Celiac Disease and/or have a sensitivity to gluten (wheat, rye, barley and oats). "Celiac Disease is a lifelong inherited autoimmune condition affecting children and adults. When people with CD eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed." (www.celiac.org)  This can be extrememly frustrating for the person affected because wheat, rye, barley and oats are in so many foods and beverages. There are many tricks and tips to avoid gluten while still being able to eat and drink like a king, but it takes a little education.

Beer is an important food group to many in America. It doesn't seem fair that an American should have to miss out on the experience of cracking a cold one in the summer months, while flipping burgers on the bbq. People with Celiac or a sensitivity to gluten may think their beer drinking days are over, but this couldn't be further from the truth! There are many different kinds of gluten-free beers that are available online and even locally. Here is a list of beers to try:

Bard's Beer - www.bardsbeer.com. This beer can be found at the local Whole Foods store on San Jose Blvd, the Native Sun on Baymeadows Rd, Total Wine and More on Town Center Pkwy, and Broudy's Liquor on Marsh Landing Pkwy.

Redbridge - www.redbridgebeer.com. This beer is more widley available and can be found in mostly any Publix, Winn Dixie, or Walmart

Green's Gluten Free Beers - www.glutenfreebeers.co.uk. This is a Belgium based company that offers 3 varieties of gluten-free, vegan beer in the U.S.

Nick Stafford's Hambleton Ales. www.hambletonales.co.uk/gfa.htm. This is another U.K. based company that offers both a gluten-free ale and a gluten-free lager.

Ramapo Valley Brewery - http://www.rvbrewery.com This N.Y. based brewery offers a blue ribbon winning Honey Beer.
This is just a start as breweries are becoming more aware of Celiac Disease and are learing to cater more to people afflicted by the disease.

Food For Life Sprouted Grain Bread

For all my non-gluten free fans, this bread is fantastic and low glycemic. My husband loves it for sandwiches, and toast with all natural peanut butter and low sugar jelly. I posted some information from the Food For Life website below so you can learn more about the benefits of sprouted grain breads and why they are a much better choice than enriched white or wheat bread. A trick that we use to keep the bread fresh is to store it in the freezer right away. Hope this helps!

 

What does "Live Grain Difference" mean?

Through the sprouting process the grains become living, nutrient-rich, food. It is these “live” grains we use to make our breads. Different from other breads, we sprout all of the grains used in our bread prior to using them in our products. During our unique sprouting process, enzymes are released from the germ of the grain

What Is The Difference Between Enriched White Breads And Sprouted Food For Life Breads?

“Enriched” Breads are made from the endosperm of the wheat kernel (the inside portion), which contains few vitamins and minerals (most carbohydrates). The milling of grain into white flour requires the removal of the bran and the germ. During this process, important natural fiber and bran are lost (including 21 vitamins and minerals). 5 vitamins and minerals (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid) are added back into the flour and are thus, called “enriched”. By contrast, Food For Life sprouted breads are made from freshly sprouted grains which contain all of the fiber, bran, vitamins and minerals of the original grain plus an average of approximately 100% increase in those vitamins and minerals.

Sprouting Grain and the Glycemic Index

High-glycemic-index foods trigger strong insulin responses, exposing the
body to stress. By comparison, low-glycemic value foods usually do not provoke a strong, stressful insulin response.
When sprouting occurs, the grain is partially predigested. This creates vitamin nutrients which help your body digest and absorb the healthy content of the grain. As well, the starches have already started being converted into maltose during the sprouting process, reducing the final maltose content and producing a lower glycemic response. People who are diabetic do a lot better eating our sprouted grain bread.

Cooking With Quinoa

Quinoa is an ancient grain that is is grown in the Andes Mountains of South America and dates back for over 5,000 years. Quinoa is low GI and gluten free, and has a similar consistency to couscous. It has a good amount of protein, amino acids, essential minerals and fiber. Below is a recipe that I just got from my friend Jaclyn and it looks really good. Let me know if you have any tasty Quinoa recipes. Enjoy!

Ground Turkey and Quinoa Meatballs

Serves 6

Sneak whole grains and veggies into crowd-pleasing meatballs with this easy recipe that will stretch your food dollar, too. Serve with your favorite low GI pasta and marinara sauce.

Nutrition

Per serving (about 4oz/113g-wt.): 150 calories (45 from fat), 5g total fat, 2g saturated fat, 75mg cholesterol, 470mg sodium, 8g total carbohydrate (1g dietary fiber, 2g sugar), 17g protein

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
1 pound (95-percent) lean ground turkey

3/4 cup cooked quinoa
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/4 cup grated carrots
1/4 cup grated zucchini
2 tablespoons organic ketchup
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 egg

Directions

Preheat oven to 500°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil then grease with cooking spray; set aside.

To cook quinoa, bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small pot. Pour in ½ cup quinoa, cover and simmer until water is absorbed, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside off of the heat for 10 minutes then fluff with a fork. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

In a large bowl, mix together turkey, cooked quinoa, onions, carrots, zucchini, ketchup, garlic, soy sauce, pepper, salt, oregano, thyme and egg until well combined. Shape mixture into 16 balls and transfer to prepared baking sheet. Roast until cooked through and golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve hot.

(Note: To cook quinoa, bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small pot. Pour in ½ cup quinoa, cover and simmer until water is absorbed, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside off of the heat for 10 minutes then fluff with a fork. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.)

Cedar Plank Salmon on the Grill

 This beautiful day in Jacksonville, FL makes me want to make something tasty on the grill tonight. I found this great recipes on www.allrecipes.com. This would be delicious served with some grilled brussels sprouts (just toss in olive oil and garlic salt and grill for about 10 minutes) and basmati rice. Extremely healthy and easy. Enjoy and let me know if you try it and like it!

 

Ingredients

• 3 (12 inch) untreated cedar planks
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 (2 pound) salmon fillets, skin removed

Directions

1. Soak the cedar planks for at least 1 hour in warm water. Soak longer if you have time.
2. In a shallow dish, stir together the vegetable oil, rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, green onions, ginger, and garlic. Place the salmon fillets in the marinade and turn to coat. Cover and marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to one hour.
3. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat. Place the planks on the grate. The boards are ready when they start to smoke and crackle just a little.
4. Place the salmon fillets onto the planks and discard the marinade. Cover, and grill for about 20 minutes. Fish is done when you can flake it with a fork. It will continue to cook after you remove it from the grill.

Trying to Get Pregnant?

OPC's are a widely studied group of anitoxidants that are used throughout the world to treat people who suffer from diseases like high cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis, MS, asthma, allergies and even infertility. I have been taking Isotonic OPC-3 for about 5 years and while pregnant. I believe this is why I have had no swelling, no morning sickness and lots of energy throughout my pregnancy. I am 35 weeks pregnant now and starting to feel a little tired from not sleeping as well as usual, but I made it pretty far in my pregnancy feeling great and I attribute a lot of that to OPC-3!

Check out this great website and article that I found on OPC. Also, on this website there are many articles and tips on getting pregnant, even what types of foods to eat to help support fertility. 

OPC Article

*It is recommended to stop taking OPC later in pregnancy because it thins the blood and if you have an emergency C-section it is best to not be taking it. It takes about 72 hours for OPC to leave the system.*