An Inspiration for Creativity and a Tasty Snack

For this week,

1) Boston Marathon's pre-race non-dairy dinner sponsor!

2) an inspiring National Geographic video!

3) and a simple and oh so tasty snack! 

I'm settling nicely into my taper, and getting excited to have another try at the Boston Marathon! It's been 6 years since my first experience in an extraordinary year! 2013 Boston Marathon Post: Heartbreak Like None Other . As a sign of a change in the times, it's exciting that the pre-race dinner is sponsored by a non-dairy brand - Almond Breeze! You used to hear so much about chocolate milk for athletes; heck, I even gave that advice years ago! Now, Canada isn't recommending dairy, and Boston Marathon is open to alternatives!

Dewitt Jones

Get ready to feel full (of life) and fired up and overflowing and compassionate and inspired by Dewitt Jones, an amazing National Geographic photographer!

"There is more than one right answer" -- Dewitt Jones

Celebrate What’s Right in the World!
(Click on words above to see TED talk video)

Please also click here for Dewitt Jones' Gallery showing what's right with the world! Just click on an image and a set of breathtaking photos!

This is great page which combines Dewitt's most loved quotes with his beautiful photography. Check it out and share with a friend! Celebrate What's Right with the World Quotes

"Find guides - people who are in love with their life. See the world through their eyes" -- Dewitt Jones. Dewitt left the greatest impression on me when I first heard him talk, and he was speaking with a talented weaver, and asked her what she thinks about when she weaves, and her response still stays with me: "When I weave, I weave." It's a simple reminder of mindfulness, and staying IN the PRESENT moment. When I do, the peace I feel is a lot like Dewitt describes...full, in love, passionate! And I'll add a couple of my words: satisfied, bursting!

Ants-on-a-Log Salad

Here's a quick and satisfying snack! It contains 1) other veggies, 2) berries, and 3) nuts, and 4) flaxseed Daily Dozen Checkmarks!

Ants-on-a-Log Salad

3 stalks celery, chopped
1/4c raisins (always double-check that there is no sugar added)
1/4c peanuts (ideally unsalted)
1 Tbsp flaxseed, ground (optional)

Combine ingredients and enjoy!

You might also enjoy: Sweetly Stuffed Celery

Easy Egyptian Stew

Easy Egyptian Stew is a colorful and tasty variation of Hearty Lentil Stew. I used sweet potatoes and black rice, since I was out of white potatoes and brown rice. Continuing my quest to increase turmeric intake, I added it, as well as cloves and cumin, also known for their awesome health benefits.

By the way, this is perhaps a 6 check mark meal from Dr Greger's Daily Dozen?! Beans, rice, flax, spices, seeds, two other vegetables, and hey, this stew is delicious on a bed of greens!

Easy Egyptian Stew

1 c lentils
1 c black rice
1/4 c ground flaxseed
1/4 chia seeds
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp turmeric (or 1/2" fresh turmeric)
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
10 c water
2 carrots

1 large sweet potato
1 red onion
4 celery stalks

4 cloves minced garlic
(Jenny, thanks for the awesome press!)

Chop onion, carrot, celery, and potato; I used my food processor, one vegetable at a time. Bring everything to a boil in a large pan, and let simmer for about an hour (or more!), and enjoy!

INSTAPOT directions: on MANUAL for 15 min.



PS - this recipe was titled when my sister-in-law was teaching my daughter's Girl Scout troop about Egypt. She started talking about Egyptian food, mentioning lentils, cloves, cumin, and sweet potatoes. LIGHT BULB! I had a name for the stew I made earlier that day! EASY EGYPTIAN STEW! Thanks, Tanya! Here are a few pics from our lesson:

COMMENTS: Do you enjoy foods from around the world? I love Indian, Italian, Mexican, Lebanese, and pretty much most non-American food! There are so many awesome vegetarian options from around the world! What do types of food do you like?

Sweetly Stuffed Celery!

This is a refreshing way to have a Laraball, get some extra veggies, and cool off on a hot spring day! Most flavors of Laraballs (or sweet balls, as some call them!) will work.

Except, and I never thought I would say this, but I can't see chocolate tasting great with celery!

PB&J Poppers, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough, and Cashew Cookie work especially well.

Here I used Cinnamon Cranberry Confections, yum!

1/3 c walnuts

1/4 c almonds

1/3 c raisins (with no added sugar!)

1/8 c dried cranberries (unsweetened - finding is a challenge!)

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Blend above ingredients all together in a food processor, fill your celery slices, chill for a bit (optional), and enjoy!

 

OTHER great ways to enjoy Laraballs!

Apple Brownie Sandwich

Berry Berry Brownies

Best Banana Bites

Old-Fashioned, Crunchy Potato Salad

Homemade, nutritious, and crunchy!

Compared to most potato salad, there is EXTRA protein, vitamin A, fiber, and monounsaturated fat (this is a HEALTHY FAT!)!!

Imagine with MORE pepper (if you like pepper like me!)!

Old-Fashioned, Crunchy Potato Salad

4 lb potatoes, boiled (~25 min), cooled, and chopped in large pieces
1 lb carrots, thinly sliced
1 head of celery, chopped
1 c non-dairy Greek yogurt (optional, or 1 avocado)
1 c vegan mayo
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
Pepper, to taste

Combine, chill, and enjoy!

I recommend including potato peels, carrot peels, and celery leaves.  This adds fiber, some nutrition, and best of all -- saves TIME!

HAPPY PICNICKING!!

Cranberry Pesto Pasta Salad

After devouring the leftovers that my mom shared with me, from a delightful lunch she'd just been to, I created THIS recipe!

Mine is certainly a much healthier pasta salad, and still very tasty!

Cranberry Pesto Pasta Salad

2 c celery, chopped (most of a bunch of celery), include the leaves in the middle!

1/2 c garbanzo beans (used to be a cheese stick, but we don't eat cheese any more)

1 red apple, chopped

1 c walnuts, broken up pieces or whole

1/2 c freeze dried cranberries or raisins, unsweetened (Whole Foods carries cranberries), OR 1/4 c Craisins (I prefer less because of the sugar), OR while I haven't, you could try fresh berries and/or grapes! 

1 jar pesto (or this EASY HOMEMADE PESTO!)

1 box pasta, whole wheat, prepared

While pasta is cooking, chop other ingredients.

Drain pasta and mix in all ingredients.

Chill for a while, and enjoy!

This salad is great for hot days, picnics, and parties!

It is also surprisingly yummy when quickly heated in the microwave :)

BONUS TIP #1: avoid rinsing cooked pasta to retain vitamins which are otherwise washed away!

BONUS TIP #2: re-heat only as much food as you think you'll need, since foods should only be reheated ONE TIME (FOOD SAFETY!).  Single serving dishes are also great because they heat through quickly.  

For more on FOOD SAFETY click on either of the links Some Like It Hot! or We Gotta Chill!

COMING SOON: Benefits of Cranberries