Creamy Avocado Smoothie

The Creamy Avocado

Avocados are a staple for most veg nuts and raw foodists and for very good reasons. They are packed with nutrition, have healthy fats, and can be used as a thickener for smoothies and pudding. Not to mention a multitude of recipes that will satisfy the fat that we often crave in our foods without all the guilt.

The health promoting monounsaturated fats along with all of the other health benefits makes this an ideal, almost perfect food, to satisfy and even help prevent overeating.  One of my favorite ways to use the avocado is in a smoothie.  Who does not adore smoothies?

Avocado Smoothie Recipe

Oatmeal Jam Cookies

Freshly Grated Nutmeg

What is better this time of year than the comfort of cookies and tea? Add in oatmeal to the mix and you have a great wintertime cookie.

I have been trying to practice more calm in my life this month.  Refusing to get pulled in to the holiday craze, I am enjoying more tea time, with little healthy bites, walks and talks and enjoying the blessings in my life.

Here is a recipe I have learned about at a veg class last month.  Perfect with your favorite cup of tea:

Oatmeal Jam Cookies:

• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1-2 Tbsp freshly ground flax seed
• 1 3/4 cups regular oatmeal, ground to coarse
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1 cup quick oatmeal, NOT ground
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• jam, thick and old-fashioned (boysenberry, blackberry, or raspberry)

Eggnog Cheer

Vegan Eggnog

Love eggnog but hate the calories and fat?

Here is a wonderful example of how you can veganize just about any recipe and have it not only be a nutritious alternative but also taste delish!

Over the years I have veganized tons of recipes and it feels good knowing that the changes that I make are good for my friends and family.  One of my goals that I strive for when I read a new recipe is how to switch out the eggs, butter, cream and sugar.  It just takes some willingness to try the tried and true substitutes until you get it the way you like.

 

Raw Christmas Carob Mincemeat Pie

Raw Mincemeat

With the holidays there is always the wonderful but fattening foods that are in front of you at every get together.  How do you avoid those temptations and eat healthy?

The best way I know is to bring something tasty and healthy to a gathering.  Then I know I can enjoy a treat and not overdo it in all the fat, calories and sugars that are lurking everywhere.

One of my favorite Christmas indulgences is the mincemeat pie. I have always loved the rich intense flavors of the fruit and nuts with a big dollop of sweet whipped cream.  Whip up a nut milk cream and you are ready!

Elderberry Syrup and the Common Cold

Elderberries have been used for centuries to help with a variety of ailments and it is known to help strengthen the immune system and is especially beneficial for coughs, colds, flu, tonsillitis, bacterial and viral infections.

Elderberry is also used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, to improve vision, to boost the immune system, and to improve heart health.

It has been reported that bioflavonoids and other proteins in the juice destroy the ability of cold and flu viruses to infect a cell. People with the flu who took elderberry juice reported less severe symptoms and felt better much faster than those who did not.

Elderberry is listed in the 2000 Mosby’s Nursing Drug reference for colds, flu, yeast infections, nasal and chest congestion, and hay fever. In Israel, the Hasassah’s Oncology Lab has determined that elderberry stimulates the body’s immune system and they use it with their cancer and AIDS patients.

They are ALWAYS eaten cooked, as they are considered poisonous raw.  You will find these dark elderberries in some cough syrups.  Elderberry syrup is a great preventative to boost the immune system or as medicine for sore throats or cough.  I stumbled upon this scrumptious medicinal elderberry syrup recipe and an elderberry fudge recipe!  What a marvelous way to get your elderberries.

Elderberry Fudge with Rosehip Syrup

Say no to colds and use medicinal elderberry!

Rhonda

Delicious Creamy Smoothies

IF there is only one tip I could give you to help improve your diet it would be…GREEN SMOOTHIES.  Yes, you heard right. I know, I know, everyone thinks a green smoothie is something you have to choke down because it tastes weird, but I assure you smoothies can be creamy and delicious!  There is a lot of nutrition packed into a smoothie, more than you could eat in one sitting. And better yet, they are guilt-free, good for you. The secret: there are a few simple tips to make green smoothies a nutritious drink you want to grab everyday.

Medicinal Tea

Lets talk over tea.

I am like a kid in a candy store when I go into a tea shop! So many teas to try.  Some are a wonderful beverage and others are medicinal. Go to a natural health food store and walk to the tea section. There are shelves of boxes of teas for different ailments.  Tea has been used for centuries as medicine for healing.

Kimchi Nutrition

Kimchi

Love kimchi? Hate kimchi? Don’t know what kimchi is?

Kimchi is raw, live food with enzymes and probiotic health benefits. It is a fermented, Korean side dish. Traditionally, it is made with tiny shell fish, shrimp or fish sauce, but it works as well without the fish sauces as you will see in these vegan recipes. 

Cheesy Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional Yeast Flakes

I love nutritional yeast!  It has this cheesy, creamy taste to it and it is nutritional, hence the name.

What is nutritional yeast? Nutritional yeast is not bakers or brewers yeast.  Nutritional yeast is produced by culturing a yeast in a nutrient medium from either beet molasses or glucose, for several days.

All nutritional yeast is not the same and nutritional values vary from one manufacturer to another. On average, two tablespoons provides 60 calories, 9 g of protein and is a complete protein, providing all nine amino acids the human body cannot produce. It is also a source of selenium, potassium, folic acid, selenium, zinc, and iron.  Nutritional yeast has a nice bonus of 35 to 100 percent of all of the B vitamins, except for B12. It is also naturally low in fat and sodium and is free of sugar, dairy, and gluten.

Chocolate Almond Halvah

Almonds

A DIVINE recipe!!
This is a decadent healthy treat. Cacao, almonds, honey and tahini…we are talking gorgeous here!  Mix a few ingredients together, chill, cut into cubes and, wait, its done? So easy!

The best part is (well second best next to the yumminess) is that the ingredients are good, nutritious and healthy ingredients. You won’t feel any guilt indulging on this dish or giving it to your loved ones.

Here is the link to the recipe for Chocolate Almond Halvah! My treat to you!

Rhonda

Honey