Stuffed Mushrooms

Today was my birthday and I spent it making these stuffed mushrooms! I also made some quiche, which I'll post later since they have to dehydrate for up to 24 hours. It was a great way to spend my birthday since I LOVE trying new raw recipes and I just so happened to have the house to myself for a few hours! Enjoy!


Stuffed Mushrooms
1/3 cup pine nuts

3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, packed leaves, chopped
1/3 cup fresh basil, packed leaves, chopped
1 tbs lemon juice
1 cup tomato, chopped
2 tbs Braggs or to taste

Put all ingredients into a food processor, except the tomatoes, and pulse chop several times. Stop to scrape down the sides and repeat. Add the tomatoes and continue to pulse chop until just blended. Keep a texture to a pesto, it should not be a puree. Remove stems from mushrooms and stuff the filling into the cap of the mushroom. Place on a dehydrator sheet and dehydrate at 105 degrees for 2-4 hours.

Wash mushrooms and remove stems.

Separately, these are some of my very favorite ingredients. I could drink the Braggs and Lemon juice I think!

I seriously wanted to eat this filling with a spoon it was so delicious.

I had some extra filling so I stuffed half of a bell pepper.

These were actually dehydrated 1 hour too long because we were out for my birthday dinner, and I forgot about them! Oops. They still turned out amazing!!

This little stuffed pepper was delish as well!

Garden update.

Do ever really want something for dinner and realize you are out or don't have enough? Tonight, I was really in the mood for a salad, but I knew I was out of greens. Yesterday, I had a veggie salad without greens. It was good!

I was too lazy to go to the grocery, but not to lazy to walk out to my organic raised bed garden in our back yard! Woohoo! How convenient. I decided to just cut a fresh bunch of lettuce and boy was I glad I did! I can't believe how much everything has grown since I last posted about my garden. Hopefully this weekend I can finish my planting:)

Look at those green onions!

My salad was delicious!!

1-minute juice

INGREDIENTS

2 celery stalks

3 small carrots

1 large beet

1/2 small zucchini

1/2 yellow squash

1 whole lime

Clean the above ingredients and place in a juicer. Yep, it's that easy:)

I had no idea what to call this juice I made tonight, but 1-minute juice sounded pretty good since that's about how long it took me to make it. I made it for two reasons. First, I was in desperate need of something healthy and two, I needed to get rid of some veggies and use up my limes. It turned out delicious and refreshing. 

Cleaning binge.

Remember me telling you about my refrigerator cleaning habits? Well, I was on one of my refrigerator cleaning binges the other day and got this out of it:

Yep, that's dried parsley! I had some parsley in the frig and no recipe waiting to use it, so I dried it. My dehydrator was just sitting there on the counter begging to be used, so I obliged! I have since used it in several cooked recipes including chicken and barley stew (AMAZING BTW) and garlic bread. No, my home is not completely "raw." Don't you remember I have a husband that mostly refuses to touch my "raw" creations:( For that matter, he refused the chicken and barley stew too. He's just that picky:) He'd probably live on hot dogs if I'd allow it, but that won't happen! Ever!

Be Creative.

The other day I was looking for something super fast and easy for a little snack, so I decided on trail mix. All you need is some simple raw ingredients to throw together and some creativity! Here's what I used:

Cashews
Almonds
Sunflower Seeds
Pumpkin Seeds
Raisins
Dried Cranberries
Oh yeah, and today I added some chocolate chips to my serving for some added sweetness! Mmmm!

As far as measurements, just eyeball it and see what looks good:) That's really what I did. Here's a big guesstimate, but I probably used about 1/2 cup of cashews and almonds, 1/3 cup of sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and about 1/3 cup of raisins and cranberries. Like I said, that's a big guess!

There are so many options to use for trail mix. If you have any dried fruit like mango, apple, or banana, that would be delicious as well! Or you could add some super foods like goji berries or dried yacon.

Be creative and enjoy!

#1 Superfood

GOJI BERRIES (AKA Wolfberries)

I have David Wolfe's book "Superfoods The Food and Medicine of the Future"that I just love! The information listed below is from his book, and only a small portion of it.

 Goji Berries are referred to as "adaptogens," a term used in the world of medicinal plants to describe a substance with a combination of therapeutic actions on the human body. An adaptogen invigorates and strengthens the system while helping the body to deal more easily with stress by supporting the adrenal glands.  Goji berries are known to boost the immune function, increase alkalinity and vitality, provide liver protection, improve eye sight and blood quality, deliver anti-aging compounds, and possess a number of other qualities. They are a complete protein source and contain 19 different amino acids. They can contain 21 or more trace minerals as well as B1, B2, B6, and vitamin E. They are high in iron as well as beta-sitosterol (an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid), anti-aging sesquiterpenoids, liver healing betaine, anti-oxidants tetraterpenoids. Goji Berries are some of the highest anti-oxidant foods in the world.  They contain 2-4 times the amount found in blueberries. 

Goji Berries are referred to as the "longevity fruit." Evidence from every direction indicates that the goji berry is the leading longevity superfood in the world. Researchers who study medicinal plants have identified a variety of nutrients in the goji berry that may help people enjoy longer and healthier lives. 

Goji berries can help in all of the following categories:

Enhancing Libido and Sexual Function

Antioxidants

Improving Vision

Immune System Booster

Hydration

Supporting Brain and Neurologic Health

Supporting Cardiovascular Health

Keeping Vital Organs Healthy

You'll have to buy the book to see the details under all of the categories, but they are amazing!!

You can buy goji berries at most health food stores. I have bought mine at Hyvee, Willy Street Coop, and Whole Foods. Personally I think the best place to get them is right here off of David Wolfe's site. He sells them in 8 oz bags or you go for a 25 lb bag! That's alot of sexual function and longevity! LOL! The goji's that come from his site seem to be superior if you ask me. They are SO incredibly soft and moist compared to others I have bought!

David suggests that a reasonable daily intake is 15-45gms (a handful).  He also has 7 different recipes in the book. It took me a little while to get used to the taste of them, but now I love them!

Update on the Kale Chips

I forgot to post my update on the kale chips last week! Sorry, sometimes I forget things!!

Mmmmmm! I was right, this is a great recipe. I loved these sweet Kale Chips just as much as I thought I would!! I couldn't stop eating them. Gabe loved them too, and they are so healthy!!

My sister-in-law and another friend were both able to try them this past weekend and they both liked them. 

Diet and Digestion 

One cup of kale has only 36 calories and zero grams of fat, which makes it a great diet aid. Furthermore, one cup contains nearly 20% of the RDA of dietary fiber, which promotes regular digestion, prevents constipation, lowers blood sugar and curbs overeating. Finally, kale contains the glucosinolate isothiocyanate (ITC) that fights the formation of H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori), a bacterial growth in the stomach lining that can lead to gastric cancer. 



Antioxidants

Kale is a superstar in the arena of carotenoids and flavonoids, two powerful antioxidants that protect our cells from free radicals that cause oxidative stress. The key flavonoids kaempferol and quercitin (not to dismiss the 45 other distinctive flavonoids in kale) have also been shown to specifically fight against the formation of cancerous cells. With the addition of high doses of well-known antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and manganese, kale is certainly a smart choice in the battle against cellular oxidation. 



Anti-Inflammatory 

One cup of kale provides about 10% of the RDA of omega-3 fatty acids that helps regulate the body’s inflammatory process. A megadose of vitamin K further aids to fight against excessive inflammatory-related problems, such as arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and asthma. 



Cancer 

Not only do kale's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities work together to prevent and even combat cancer, a healthy diet of kale also provides glucosinolates, which have been shown to prevent colon, breast, bladder, prostate, ovarian cancers, as well as gastric cancer.



Cardiovascular Support 

The high fiber content of kale lowers our cholesterol by binding with bile acids that the liver produces from cholesterol for digesting fat. Because many of these bile acids are coupled with fiber, the liver is charged with producing more bile acid to digest fat, and therefore requires more cholesterol to so, ultimately lowering the amount of cholesterol within our bodies. 



Detox 

The isothiocyanates (ITC) from glucosinolates found in kale aid in both phases I and II of the body’s detoxification process. The high sulfur content of kale has further been shown essential for phase II of detoxification. 



Vitamin K 

Kale provides a whopping dose of vitamin K (providing 1327% of the RDA in one cup), which is necessary for the synthesis of osteocalcin, a protein that strengthens the composition of our bones. Vitamin K also prevents calcium build-up in our tissue that can lead to atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Finally, vitamin K is essential for synthesizing sphingolipid, the fat needed to maintain the myelin sheath around our nerves, and therefore our nervous system as a whole. 



Vitamin A 

With over 192% of the RDA of vitamin A, one cup of kale is an effective antioxidant, boosts immunity, maintains healthy bones and teeth, prevents urinary stones, and is essential to our reproductive organs. 



Vitamin C 

Vitamin C, which one cup of kale heartily provides (over 88% of our RDA), is not only a powerful antioxidant, but also lowers blood pressure, ensures a healthy immune system, and fights against age-related ocular diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration.





Eat up!!

Essential Oils

About 2 weeks after I signed up and placed my first order with Young Living, I read the following article. Yes, it's about damage from radiation and chemo, but the article gives some great praise to Young Living Essential Oils, which was great to read. I'm glad I decided on a reliable company with quality oils. 


David and Goliath: Essential Oil Science vs. Industrial Radiation – Nancy Orlen Weber, RN

In a world where greed is common and the results devastating, we need to be both politically active and self-care active. In a world of giant institutions, the greed can be giant-sized as well; we’ve seen this with the two dangerous genome-destroying and uninsurable technologies that are threatening us right now: Nuclear Power and GMO products, including dangerous recombinant vaccines. We can overcome these giants with knowledge, in fact, that’s what we are here for! Remember David defeated Goliath.

Dr. Daniel Penoel, who introduced the world to Eucalyptus stated:

“The irresistible attraction toward essential oils and the extraordinary development of aromatherapy worldwide constitutes a strong and beautiful expression of our innate instincts toward survival & conservation.”

At its core, therapeutic qualities of essential oils repair damaged cells and cause cells incapable of repair to die a natural death. Several processes are involved, some are:

1. Inhibiting expressed genes through modifying the decorated methyl groups.
2. Recognizing mutations on a chemical level. The structure of a mutated cell has been modified by the high energy radiation. Docking sites open up which the essential oils are inherently able to fill.
3. Essential oils, while not recognizing a radioactive Caesium 137 atom, recognize the damage it causes and can repair same down to the replicating factor of the DNA.
4. Radiation assault on the body weakens the immune response, creating an opportunity for pathogens to proliferate.

Instead of having episodic releases of nuclear fission products we now have chronic releases. It is important to continue the use of natural remedies, including essential oils, even after all symptoms have dissipated (or in the absence of noticeable symptoms) using them to support normal tissue structure and function, against further tissue damage.

Dr. Rima has identified Ionizing Radiation as the cause of major free radical storms in the body and she has recommended natural means to support the body’s normal response. Here we go beyond just supporting to finding the ways and means to support reversal of DNA damage. Here are some powerful and unique aromatherapy products that we can all use.

All are taken in vegan capsules, topical application (except lemon oil if going outdoors within 2 ½ hours – photosensitive) and diffusion.

Each person’s needs differ, please email for specifics. General usage – diffuse at night (Therapro Diffuser by Young Living, best for this), topical application of all mentioned, as light massage morning and night with organic coconut oil or YL’s V6 Mixing Oil. Take Cypress, Peppermint, Lavender, Lemon oil in vegan capsules 3 times daily of 5 drops of each.

Peppermint vs. Radiation Damage (Samarth and Kumar, 2004) Journal of Radiation Research – ingesting peppermint oil reversed declines in glutathione caused by treatment with gamma radiation. Glutathione is the most important antioxidant and detoxification enzyme in the liver. Peppermint reduced levels oxidized (rancid) fats in the tissues caused by radiation damage.

Lavender vs. Inflammation (Hajhashemi et al., 2003) A study conducted by the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences tested the effect of ingested lavender oil on inflammation. Test subjects fed 200 mg/K body weight of lavender oil displayed substantially reduced inflammation (as shown by carrageenan-induced edema). Smelling Lavender & Rosemary increases free radical scavenging activity and decreases cortisol level in saliva. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17291597

Melaleuca Alternifolia commonly known as Tea Tree Oil Effectively Kills Resistant Micororganisms

WESTPORT, June 13, 2000 (Reuters Health) – Tea tree oil, a substance extracted from the leaves of an Australian tree, is effective in killing a variety of resistant microorganisms commonly found in hospitals, British and Australian researchers report in the May, 2000 issue of the Journal of Anti-microbial Chemotherapy.

David Stewart, Ph.D., says regarding chemotherapy radiation about the white blood cells:

“Use lots of Cypress (Essential) Oil. It builds blood corpuscles, especially the white cells. Apply it on the skin, breathe it and take capsules of it. It will accelerate the rebuilding of your immune system after chemo has destroyed it. The doctors will be amazed at the speed of recovery from chemo when Cypress Oil is used like this.”

Myrtle Oil research can be found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20428077
Essential oil of Myrtus communis L. as a potential antioxidant and antimutagenic agents.
Oregano Oil – Very powerful essential oil that has a significant effect.

J Food Sci. 2009 Nov-Dec;74(9):M499-508. Effect of gamma radiation and oregano essential oil on murein and ATP concentration of Staphylococcus aureus. Caillet S, Ursachi L, Shareck F, Lacroix M.

Lemon Essential Oil – known for its antiseptic properties, Essential Science Publishing: According to Jean Valnet, M.D. the vaporized essence of lemon can kill meningococuccus bacteria in 15 minutes, typhoid bacilli in one hour, Staphylococcus aureus in two hours and Pneumococcus bacteria within three hours. Lemon also improves microcirculation, promotes white blood cell formation, and improves immune function.

Other beneficial products: Omega Blue (refrigerate), enteric coated omegas for the immune system.

Inner Defense capsules – blend of strong essential oils that supports normal response to pathogens.

Raindrop Kit – group of essential oils for cleansing all cells and repair of damage. Weekly use.

Please note that only Young Living guarantees every batch meets and exceeds the standards set worldwide for therapeutic value. Caution: do not expect the same results from any other company. Some in fact may be quite toxic, not ingestible and not to be put on the skin.

Click here to view the Natural Solutions Foundation webpage that this article came from 

Raw Oatmeal

Raw Oatmeal

by Nomi Shannon
© 1998 Nomi Shannon. Please copyright notice below.
1/2 Cup raw whole oats *, soaked overnight in pure water to cover.
1/4 Cup almonds, soaked overnight in pure water to cover.
2 figs or 2 pitted dates, soaked in 1/2 cup pure water overnight.
1/2 banana 
dash of cinnamon
In the morning, drain and discard water from oats and almonds. Rinse almonds. Put oats, almonds, fruit and fruit soak water in blender and blend until fairly smooth. Add banana and cinnamon and blend quickly. Serves 1. Eat immediately.


This is AMAZING! I really liked the slight taste of almonds, while still tasting so similar to real oatmeal. I personally think it's better than your typical everyday oatmeal! Super easy recipe!!

Soak overnight.

Add to food processor. 

You can add almond milk or more date soak water  if you prefer a more runny oatmeal.

Sorry about the quality of this picture. I'm not a photographer! This picture does not in any way, shape, or form do the oatmeal justice:)

I made my oatmeal for 4 people, and instead of using 2 dates per serving, I used 1. I didn't want it to be too sweet. I also used 3/4 cups of water to soak the dates  in instead of the 1/2 cup. I did add about 1- 1 1/2 tsp of raw agave nectar in mine. We put bananas, raisins, and cinnamon on top. Get this: MY HUSBAND ATE SOME, and liked it! HALLELUJAH! This is the first thing he's actually tried, so it made me happy:)


My brother and sister-in-law were here to try it, and they both thought it was amazing as well. Nice and filling:)

Raw Kale Chips.

Let me just start out by admitting that I have tried kale chips in the oven and they did NOT taste good at all. I hear people talking about how amazing they are, and I have yet to experience that. I'm hoping the dehydrator will do the trick this time. I found this recipe at The Sunny Raw Kitchen, and she has some other really great recipes that I've tried. This particular recipe, she also borrowed from another site, Raw Food Talk. I knew this one would be especially good because I love apple cider vinegar (I think I could drink it) and also lemon! Mmmmmm:) Kale is not one of my favorite raw greens, but I think these might change my mind! They are in the dehydrator as I type, making my kitchen smell pretty tasty, so I will post and update on them later!

Chrissy's Goddess Chips
Posted by Chrissy on Raw Food Talk

2 bunches kale, broken into large pieces by hand (preferably dino kale)

Dressing:
¾ cups sesame tahini
¼ cup nama shoyu
½ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup water ~ more if needed
2 scallion
1 clove garlic
1 lemon, juiced
¼ t. sea salt
¼ cup fresh parsley

Place kale in a large mixing bowl. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth to get a thick consistency. You may have to add more water. Pour over kale and mix thoroughly with your hands to coat the kale. You want this mixture to be really glued onto the kale.

Place kale onto a Teflex sheet, on top of a mesh dehydrator screen, and dehydrate for 4 hours @ 110 degrees. You'll need to use two trays. Rotate kale occasionally to dry uniformly.

I did not put any water in my recipe. I can't imagine the dressing sticking to the kale if I had added the water. You could always add the water at the end to see how much you will need. I also didn't have nama shoyu on hand so I just used my tamari. It can't make that big of a difference:)

After I washed the kale, I placed them on paper towels and dried them so the dressing would stick. 

I made sure to mix mine extra good so all of the kale was completely coated. 

Ready to dehydrate!

In 4 hours I'll be eating some delicious kale chips, I hope!

I will be feeding them to Gabe to see how he likes them. That's always a good test of deliciousness! I don't know if that's a word, but it sounded good!

Orange and Beet Salad

Orange and Raw Beet Salad Recipe

    4 small beets, peeled and grated
    2 carrots, grated
    1 cup broccoli, chopped
    2 oranges, zested, 1 peeled and chopped, 1 juiced
    2/3" slice ginger, grated and juiced
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    pinch salt

1. Put the beets, carrots and broccoli in a salad bowl.  Zest the oranges into a jar or bowl for the dressing. Add the chopped orange to the salad bowl.

2. Squeeze the juice from the other orange into the jar/bowl with zest. Grate the ginger and squeeze the juice from the ginger pulp into the jar/bowl as well. Add the olive oil and salt, and shake or whisk to combine.

3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss, then leave it to marinate for 30 minutes, or up to a couple hours.

I hope you enjoy this orange and raw beet salad, the latest of my healthy vegan recipe

Add caption

Make sure to use a stainless steel bowl since the beets can stain. I  love the color of beets and think I'd like to develop a new lipstain from them! 

   

This is a great salad actually. I was wondering how the beets would taste. I happen to like beets, but they do kind of smell like dirt! They turned out excellent and I can't even say I could tell a huge difference between the beets and the carrots. Next time I make it, I will be putting more oranges and ginger juice in it. If you have a food processor, that is the fastest way to get the grated beets and carrots.  Of course, I was the only one partaking in this salad at dinner, but I didn't expect anything different:) 


Don't forget about all of the amazing health benefits of beets:


Good for heart: Beet fiber helps to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides by increasing the level of HDL. High level of triglycerides increases the risk for heart related problems. The presence of the nutrient betaine lowers the levels of homocysteine in the body which can be harmful to the blood vessels. Thus, consumption of beetroot helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases


Avoids birth defects: Beet is good for pregnant women since it is a source of B vitamin folate which helps in the development of infant’s spinal column. Deficiency of folate could lead to the condition called neural tube defect.


Prevent certain cancers: Studies revealed that beet are good in preventing colon cancer, as it contains the pigment betacyaninis, which counteracts cancer. Nitrates used in meats as preservatives, cause the production of nitrosamines compounds in the body resulting in cancer. Studies reveal that beet juice inhibits the cell mutations caused by these compounds. Researchers in Hungary have also discovered that beet juice and its powdered form slows down tumor development.


Good for liver: Betaines contained in the beet juice stimulates the functions of liver.


Prevent respiratory problems: Beetroot is a source of vitamin C which helps to prevent asthma symptoms. The natural beta-carotene in beetroot also helps to prevent lungs cancer.


Boosts energy: Beetroot contains a significant amount of carbohydrates that provides fuel for energy and prolonged sports activities.


Prevent cataract: The presence of beta-carotene (vitamin A) helps to prevent age related blindness called cataract.


Capillary fragility: The flavonoids and vitamin C in beets help to support the structure of capillaries.


Macular degeneration: The beta-carotene present in beetroot avoids macular degeneration.


Stroke: Low level of potassium in body increases the risk of stroke. So potassium-rich beetroot is recommended in that aspect.


The presence of the mineral Boron in beetroot juice helps in the production of human sex hormones.


In ancient times Beetroot was used to cure fever and constipation. In the Middle Ages, beetroot was also used as a remedy for digestive disorders.


Beet leaves are also good for curing wounds.

Natural Remedies

V-6 to help dilute some of the oils when using topically and thieves hand sanitizer with peppermint oil. I keep it in my pocket at work since I think it's more natural than the purell we are given at work.

Just a small sample of oils.

If you remember, sometime ago, I mentioned that I would occasionally be doing some blog posts about natural remedies that I have found to be helpful. I am big in to using natural remedies and preventions because I work in a very busy emergency room, which means I'm constantly being subjected to every kind of "bug", "virus", and disease out there. The last thing I want to do is be sick all of the time or bring something home to my family. Eating a "live food" diet is of course extremely helpful in keeping our immune systems working full force. Most recently, I have been using many different essential oils and have found them to be amazingly helpful. I've always enjoyed oils and just bought whatever brand I happened to run in too.  My acupuncturist has used several on me during acupuncture or massage that have really made a world of difference. She has also given me "recipe ideas" that I can use at home, and have used with success! Just like fresh produce, you want to make sure you buy good quality oils that are made without chemicals. I use Young Living Essential Oils.

So, today's natural remedy using oils:

During the winter, my son gets colds all of the time. He had a cold back in March that was just awful. He had the worst congestion and I could even feel his chest rattle. The nurse in me was praying that he didn't develop a pneumonia.  Chandon, my acupuncturist, suggested that I diffuse some Thyme by boiling it. She said to just boil it while we were hanging out in the kitchen. I did that, but then I put several drops in his humidifier in his room and diffused it over night. The next morning Gabe's nose was running like crazy, but the chest rattling had completely gone. Thyme helps to fight several disease causing bacteria and viruses. It's great for colds and Germany even uses it to treat whooping cough and emphysema. It's an expectorant, which is great for kids when they are young and can't consciously cough up their phlegm. It has several other medicinal properties, but it definitely helped us get through some of Gabe's nasty colds this winter!

If you're ever interested in purchasing good quality essential oils from Young Living, let me know and I'll help you place an order! I'll be posting more uses for oils from time to time! I'm addicted!

Creamy Corn Soup

"CREAMY" CORN SOUP

    2 ears sweet corn
    1 avocado
    1 clove garlic
    1/2 red bell pepper
    1/4 cup walnuts
    1/2 to 1 tablespoon Braggs Liquid Aminos (to taste)
    1/4 cup olive oil
    1 cup water

1) First, prepare all your ingredients. For the corn, cut the corn kernels off the cob. You can run the knife along the edge of the cob. Put half in a blender cup and keep the other half. Cut the avocado in half and peel. Put half of the flesh in the blender with the corn. Dice and reserve the flesh from the other half. Cut the bell pepper half in half. Add 1/4 to the blender and dice the other quarter and reserve.

2) Place the rest of the ingredients  into the blender. Pulse blender until large chunks are broken up and then run briefly until it is smooth.  Make sure you don't run it too long (esp. if you have a Vita-Mix!) because you don't want the soup to get hot.  Adjust water if you want it a little thinner. You can also taste and add more Braggs if you want.

3) To serve, divide soup base between bowls. Divide up the avocado, pepper, and corn that you chopped and set aside earlier between the bowls. Enjoy!

Serves: 2 to 3, Preparation time: 15 minutes

Here's what the bottle of Braggs looks like in case you aren't familiar with it.

Sorry about the glare on this. I was hoping you could see all of the amino acids in it:)

I sprinkled a touch of Braggs on to of my bowl since I didn't use the whole amount in the recipe.

I will be eating the left overs for lunch tomorrow!

    


This is a super easy and fast soup. Cutting the corn off the cob takes the longest. It tastes wonderful, and I can only imagine how much better it will be when corn is "in season".  I recommend using the whole tablespoon of Braggs, but you can always add more if you start with less!

Organizing

I happen to be a very organized person, but not always in the kitchen. Since I have been buying more staples for my raw foods, I have lost control of organization. My cupboards tend to get a bit messy because I seem to pile things on top of each other. The canned goods are all nice and neat, but chips, nuts, and baking goods get very little attention. My frig is another story. I can't stand a messy refrigerator. Since I buy lots of groceries at once, and they fill all empty spaces, I have to clean it often, or I go crazy.  I would do it one a week if I didn't have a little 17 month old thief that runs away with things! Ok, back to the cupboards. I decided one day last week that I would go through the messiest cupboard and clean and organize it. Cleaning cupboards goes along with spring cleaning! I  ended up going to Bed Bath and Beyond and buying Good Grips canisters for all of the chips, nuts, and baking goods. Let me just tell you that I love them! They make the cupboard look so amazing and they are BPA free! There are many sizes to choose from and they stack on top of one another. There are of course a multitude of options for storage containers. 

BEFORE

It's embarrassing to think that my cupboard looked this bad:)

 AFTER

Much improved if you ask me! I can actually find what I'm looking for without digging!

All of the nuts, seeds, raisins, and goji berries are perfect for these canisters. It's a match made it heaven! My next task will be to label the canisters, mostly for my husband. Not that my husband would use half of these things, but I doubt he would know what hemp seeds or pine nuts look like:)

Baking goods and the hubby's chips!

The other thing that I did back in January was to throw away all of our old plastic food containers, with the exception of a couple of pieces. We stored our left overs in them, and even though we never heated things in them, I didn't even want them in our cupboards. We have been using Pyrex glass storage containers for years, but I did have to go out and stock up on a few extra bowls. I just like knowing that there is no chance that chemicals from the plastic can leach off onto our food.