Spice up Your Life with Spice Mixes! (3 recipes to save your life, time, and money)

Dr Michael Greger's book, How Not to Die, has most influenced my family's diet and the recommendations I give in my practice by encouraging the use of many SPICES throughout the day, everyday! We eat veggies for their vitamins, minerals, fiber, phytochemicals, and ANTIOXIDANTS! It turns out that SPICES contains loads more ANTIOXIDANTS than most veggies! FUN FACT: coffee is the top source of antioxidants for Americans!

SPICES flavorfully replace salt, AND fill us with an abundance of antioxidants! FLAVORS in foods indicate nutrient richness in the same way COLORFUL foods indicate nutrient abundance. The superfood sweet potato is much brighter and flavorful than a white potato, which lacks nutrient richness.

• One great way to add lots of spices to your life is through spice MIXES. 
• Save TIME by measuring one mixture when cooking, rather than various individual spices. 
• Save MONEY because prepared mixes charge you extra $ for the convenience they provide. There is a super selection of individual, organic spices at Whole Foods Market. 
• You gain QUALITY by avoiding extra chemicals, preservatives, bulking agents, salt, and other junk found in prepared mixes. 
• Additionally, the bulk spices I use are ORGANIC! Amazingly, organic homemade seasoning mixes are much cheaper than alternatives that often aren't even organic! 
• Finally, these mixes have superior TASTE!

Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 c organic cinnamon

1/2 c organic ginger

1/2 c organic nutmeg

1/4 c organic cloves

1/4 c organic allspice

Italian Seasoning

1/2 c basil
1/2 c oregano
1/4 c marjoram
1/4 c garlic
1/4 c thyme
1/4 c rosemary
1/4 c black pepper
1/8 c crushed red pepper

Taco Spice Mix

1/2 c each of oregano, cumin, garlic, and paprika
1/4 c each of cayenne, onion, and black pepper
1/8 c of unsweetened cocoa

I am so very grateful that some blessed soul introduced me to the amazing Richa Hingle, and her outstanding gold mine of a website, www.veganricha.com! I just cannot wait to savor her entire website, and I even imagine buying her cookbook (and I don't use or own many cookbooks)!

Vegan Richa's Indian Kitchen

Richa shares an Indian spice mix (which I haven't tried yet) called Panch Phoran, as well as a recipe for, and other information about, Garam Masala! But really, while these mixes are fitting for the post, they are not even the tip of the iceberg for all that I want to try! Yum, and thank you, Richa!

Try ITALIAN SEASONING!
Penne Italiana   
Easy Eggplant "Parm"   
Tricky Traditional Lasagna   
Meatless Meatballs   
Hearty Lentil Stew

Try PUMPKIN PIE SPICE!
Spicy Ginger Latte
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Pumpkin Overnight Oats
Creamy Carrot Soup
Jamaican Ginger Cake

Try DIY TACO SPICE MIX!
Lentil Tacos
Tamale Pie
Avocado Quesadillas
Mexican Lasagna
Tofu Scramble

OR you can try one of these spice mixes for a quick breakfast or snack, using the EASIEST COUSCOUS PREPARATION!

Mexican Couscous = 1/2 c couscous + 1/4 tsp taco spice + black beans + diced tomato
Other add-ins: bell peppers, red onion, frozen corn

Pumpkin Couscous = 1/2 c couscous + 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice + sliced banana
Other add-ins: nuts, raisins, berries

Italian Couscous = 1/2 c couscous + 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning + diced tomato
Other add-ins: white beans, greens, hemp seed

Meatless Meatballs! AND Homemade Italian Seasoning!

My hubby used to love meatball sandwiches, and so we make MEATLESS MEATBALLS! They're great for a sandwich or with pasta! I've used lentils for "meat" in Tricky Traditional Lasagna, Tamale Pie, and Easy Lentil Tacos. This time I used TEMPEH (more on it's awesomeness in another post). For now, I'll just say it's the HEALTHIEST way to eat beans!

Also, all ingredients are on Dr Greger's Daily Dozen! (6 ingredients = 6 checkmarks!) Here is a cool animated summary of How Not to Die.

Meatless Meatballs

2 packages of tempeh (photo of package below)
1 c walnuts
2 Tbsp Italian seasoning**
1 c ground flaxseed
1 c whole wheat bread crumbs*
2 c warm tempeh water

Cook tempeh by steaming for 10 min or drop in boiling water for 5 min (reserve water for mixing with other ingredients). In food processor, blend tempeh, walnuts, and Italian seasoning. In mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, and prepare balls.*** Bake on cookie sheet for 30-50 min at 375 degrees. Top with sauce and enjoy! We love sandwiches and of course with pasta and marinara!

Check out this awesome idea for pasta! Zuchini swap with a peeler! (And this makes it even faster! A SPIRILIZER...post coming soon!)

*Manischewitz Whole Grain Matzo Meal has just ONE ingredient (in photo below on left).

** Homemade Organic Italian Seasoning
1/2 c basil
1/2 c oregano
1/4 c marjorom
1/4 c garlic
1/4 c thyme
1/4 c rosemary
1/4 c black pepper
1/8 c crushed red pepper

Combine in large shaker container (I use old spice mix containers), and store in cool, dry place.

***Avoid "food hands" by mixing and preparing balls from outside a gallon sized resealable plastic bag! Transfer tempeh mixture, remaining dry ingredients, and water (all ingredients) into a large resealable bag. Seal, shake the bag, and blend everything together. Prepare balls from outside bag, and drop each ball onto cookie sheet. Cook and enjoy!

While meatless meatballs are cooking, prepare pasta, and enjoy!

For now, read more on tempeh here from Vegan Coach

Healthy Girl's Kitchen (Wendy Solganik) and Chef AJ make some lovely, raw marinara sauce (fun video, and the marinara recipe begins at about minute 51: healthiest marinara!)

Though, we are now eating our healthier versions, we have enjoyed these: Trader Joe's Meatless Meatballs (I didn't read the article, but there is a pic of the product and the nutrition label at the bottom, so you can check them out...website looks like a cool spot to check out TJ products :)

Coming soon: tempeh introduction, some yummy tempeh sandwiches, my spiralizer!, a sodium/oil-reducing marinara sauce trick, and more!

PS - I'm teaching some classes (Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Sports Nutrition: Fueling Your Young Athlete) in January, email me if you're interested! colleen@fresh-you.com