Black Forest Smoothie

A simple and refreshing smoothie from a friend!

Thank you Melissa for the lovely combination!  I've never actually had Black Forest cake, though I'm sure I would love it, and this drink sure hit the spot!

Black Forest Smoothie

1 cup water (so everything will blend)
2 cups fresh spinach (2 hearty handfuls)
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa (or less if you don't want a super strong chocolate flavor)
1 1/2 cups frozen, unsweetened cherries (I used a variety of 3 cherries in bag from Costco)

Blend and enjoy!

Makes 4 cups.

It was perfect right away -- chocolate-cherry yumminess with a milk shake consistency!

Check out: All Things Chocolate and Cherry

and

Chocolate Cherry Torte Mousse

COMMENTS: How is 2014 treating you?  I am very excited about this new year -- I like the look and sound and feel of it, 2014 :)  However, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.  So many wonderful things going on, ... it's challenging to keep track!

Peace be with you :)

Esselstyn Exilir

I was inspired my Dr Caldwell Esselstyn's presentation Tuesday night, and our conversation afterward!

In honor of meeting the amazing Dr Esselstyn, I introduce:
(EXILIR: because on his diet, you're heart attack proof, cancer proof, you won't get cancer or osteoporosis, ...and so, you may LIVE FOREVER!  :)

Esselstyn Exilir

12 c water
1 c brown rice, uncooked
1 lb frozen spinach
4 carrots, sliced
small head of celery, chopped
Italian seasoning (majorum, thyme, rosemary, savory, sage, oregano, and basil)
4 small onions, chopped
Tbsp garlic, minced
10 heads baby bok choy, chopped
Poultry seasoning (sage, thyme, onion, majorum, pepper, celery seed, and red pepper)
2 cans beans (I used cannellini, and 3-bean (kidney, pinto, and black)
1 can diced tomatoes

Boil spinach, carrots, and celery in water with Italian seasoning. Saute onions, bok choy, and garlic in a little water with poultry seasoning, and then add to soup. Let it all simmer for as long as you like. After an hour, it will be a lovely soup, and after 2, it'll be a thick veggie stew!

It's vegetarian (meat-free), vegan (animal-free), oil-free, and nearly sodium-free (it works out to be less than 50 mg per cup!)  Edan Organic beans only contain 30 mg sodium per serving, compared to up to 450 mg per serving beans of other brands.

It also includes two of the six greens that he recommends everyone eat daily! They included spinach, bok choy, kale, collard greens, arugula, and I think mustard greens!

If you have low blood pressure and a healthy heart, adding a few cashews, like we did with leftovers, was yummy!

COMMENTS: Have you heard of Dr Esselstyn or read his book or watched Forks Over Knives?

COMING SOON: A summary of Dr Esselstyn's presentation, our conversation, and my thoughts on it all :)

Simple and Delicious -- Roasted Pepper Snacker!!

This is an AWESOME sandwich! Great on WHOLE WHEAT toast, flat bread, or tortilla as a roll-up!

• 1/2 c fresh spinach - as much as you can get in there!
• 2 slices roasted red peppers or yellow! Y-U-M!
(Costco and Trader Joe's sell jars of this yummy-ness at a great value!)
• Hummus (best option!) or non-dairy cream cheese spread on toast
• Whole wheat toasted bread

I ate two of these sandwiches for dinner tonight, along with some peanut butter chocolate banana ice cream!...healthy enough for me to comfortably give to all three of my kids FOR THEIR DINNER! Hope you like this sandwich!!

COMMENTS: Have any exciting plans for the end of school?!

Field day was today and I am so excited for summer!!!

Tasty Tofu?! YES! Hubby-Approved!!

One of the first meals I started regularly making when I really began cooking about a decade ago. I am not sure what even made me think to try tofu! ...though a discussion of SOY is coming SOON!

My hubby who doesn't (DIDN'T!) like tofu ... thinks this is delicious!!!

Rich and Tasty Tofu Stir Fry


3 Tbsp soy sauce (or to taste)
1 Tbsp garlic, minced 
½ tsp ginger
Cayenne pepper (to taste)
1 lb package tofu, EXTRA-FIRM
2 T sesame seeds
1 onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 c broccoli, chopped
16 oz bag spinach
1 c cashews CLICK HERE to find out about why nuts are wonderful!
2.5 c uncooked brown rice (prepare)
Optional: some cooking wine and a bit of sesame oil...we have been omitting these for several years, but originally included.

Drain water from tofu as much as possible. Chop tofu in ½-inch cubes. Heat skillet or wok. Bring soy sauce, garlic, ginger, pepper, and some water to boil. Add tofu, cover, and simmer about 15-20 minutes, until tofu well-soaked with sauce; stir occasionally. I don't get tofu to crisp, unless I cook it in the oven, but it's always tasty. Remove tofu and remaining broth from skillet. Heat skillet and cook vegetables over medium-high heat, about 5 minutes, until crisp-tender. Add tofu, remaining broth, and cashews. Heat together. Serve over brown rice.

You could probably use any type of veggies for this; any frozen bag of mixed or stir-fry veggies would work. The sauce flavors are so tasty -- they make anything really yummy -- like tofu!!

BONUS HINT about tofu: Firm is for savory dishes, and silken is for smoothies and desserts!

Reversing can be disastrous! Once, around the time I started making this recipe, I tried making a smoothie with firm tofu -- no matter how many pieces or varieties of fruit I added, I could not get rid of the unpleasant, tofu taste! I think he avoided trying new foods for a long time after that experience! Sorry, Nicholas.

As for stir-fry, you simply need the firmness to hold shape!

Read 5 BIG Reasons to Make Your Meat Portions Small!

Coming soon: Benefits of Soy; Soy and Cancer, and Milk Comparisons!

COMMENTS: How do you like your soy? How are you spending Mother's Day?

You're Gonna Wanna THIS Penne Italiana!

This MEATLESS meal couldn't be EASIER, or more TASTY! think I had thirds!

To read more about the benefits of meatless meals CLICK HERE :)

FOOD Attitude for Picky Eaters!

Even though my 3YO daughter was fussing that she did want this dish, she LOVED it! She even went on and on, explaining how very much she was LOVING EVERY part of the dish -- even the green leaf parts! HOW?

When she was all upset while I was making dinner, I talked to her about considering the fact that the meal MIGHT ACTUALLY be yummy. I asked her if she usually, or even sometimes, likes foods that I cook.  She said yes. That was about it, but really just talking about another PERSPECTIVE changed her ATTITUDE for when she actually tried the meal a little later. I had told her if she didn't like it, she wouldn't have to eat it all up, just a taste. So she felt independent, and in control. Turns out she had SECONDS!

Click HERE for 8 Tricks and Tips for PICKY EATERS!

Penne Italiana (quick pasta dish, healthy pasta recipe!)

1 box whole wheat pasta OR click HERE for yummy PASTA ALTERNATIVES
3-4 Tbsp garlic, minced
5-6 vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped in wedges
~1 Tbsp basil (or plenty of fresh -- yum!)
3-4 Tbsp nutritional yeast!
1-1/2 to 2 lb fresh baby spinach

Saute garlic, tomatoes, and basil in a bit of water on a hot pan, for 5-10 min, until tomatoes appear loose.  Then stir in yeast, simmer for another 5-10 min.  Add spinach and cover for 5-10 min.  Stir in pasta, and enjoy!

COMMENTS: How did you spend this beautiful day? Did you get outside and enjoy some fresh air?

Hearty "Turkey" Meatloaf

This one we have been making for years, slowly adapted from a recipe my aunt and uncle made for us when I was pregnant with our almost 6 yr-old! Back then, I was pretty inexperienced with cooking, so if you're in that boat, have NO FEAR!  SO here it is!

Hearty "Turkey" Meatloaf

2 onions, large, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped1 tsp pepper
1 tsp thyme
1 lb spinach
1 c ground lentils
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp tomato paste
¼ c Worcestershire sauce
10 slices whole wheat bread, toasted, ripped in pieces
¼ c chia seeds
¼ c + 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed½ c warm water
ketchup (optional)

*Cook 1 cup lentils 20 min, combine with Italian seasoning, chop in food processor until it appears like "ground meat", adding 2 Tbsp flaxseed and ½ c warm water. Add more water as necessary.

Sauté onions and red pepper with pepper, and thyme for a few min. Add spinach, cook few more min. Add Worcestershire and tomato paste; mix well. Let mixture cool. Add ground lentils, bread, chia, and flax; mix well. Add up to 1.5 c water, so it is nice and moist. Smash into 9 x 13” rectangular glass pan (don't need to grease). Spread ketchup on top. Bake at 350° for 1 hour. Enjoy!