Let's do fika!

According to many worldwide studies Sweden is one of the happiest countries to live. Fika, the delightful custom of enjoying a coffee and a treat with friends is as Swedish as ABBA. 

Surely it's just a coffee break?  Fika is much more than that, to Swedes, fika is something of a ritual. It typically consists of coffee and a sweet treat shared with friends on a regular basis.  It is a deliberate way to share a social connection with friends and colleagues during work times.  More importantly, a way to enjoy time with those you love and just connect, especially in nature.  Our daughter Briana spent time in Sweden and recently came back with fika as a daily ritual. Kristen and I have made it a weekly connection to spend quality time together.  That is what fika is all about. 

Let's do fika!

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd 

Quick and Easy

Quick and Easy

Here are two easy recipes:

Pickled Red Onions

This simple recipe comes from Earthy Andy.

 Red onions promote healthy digestion, fight inflammation, boosts your immune system and tastes delicious!

1 large red onion sliced very thin

1 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tbs sugar

1 tbs salt

2 cups water

In a small bowl mix ingredients and bring to a simmer.

Load up a medium Mason jar with the sliced onions; pack it in!

Pour liquid mix over the onions and let rest.

They're ready to eat now, but better if left a few days to absorb the flavor.

English Crumpet Pizza

We use Trader Joes English Crumpets for the base, but any English Muffin will work.

Place your "crumpets" on a baking sheet.

Layer on  pizza sauce or pesto sauce of your choice.

I use Vegan Kale Cashew Basil Pesto or Pizza Sauce, both available at Trader Joe's.

Top with your choice of cheese.

I use Dairy free Cashew Mozzarella Style Shreds from Trader Joe's.

Top with a sliced red bell pepper or topping of your choice.

Bake at 350' for 12-15 minutes.

Top with fresh basil.

I just realized this whole recipe came from Trader Joe's!

Be kind,

Judd

13 yr Anniversary of Blog/ Recommended Reading

 13 year Blog Anniversary!

We started writing this blog in February 2011.  We started on a journey for better health and to do our part to bring awareness to animal cruelty in the agriculture industry.  Friends were always asking us for the recipes of delicious food we shared with them.  Kristen suggested we start a blog to share those and other insights into being more conscious about living a more sustainable life.  Now here we are, with over 100,000 views on the blog, and I am so grateful that we are able to share those ideas we have learned.  Over the years I have had to go back to certain posts and update on the information that has changed.  My ideas on health are always improving and I like to suggest to those that read theses posts to continue to do the same.  After all, it has to work for you! We are all different in what we need to thrive.  

In the past couple of years the Blogspot.com has changed their platform with how it works.  July 2021 was the last post I was able to put in the sidebar😒😒. It was beyond my control.  Please feel free to explore any posts from now going back in time.  

Thank you for coming along with us!

Recommended Reading

Some good news

Pedaling Kindness this is what is all about, generosity.

Tony the Tiger says It's great!

This is a Whale of a Story  Humpbacks on the rebound.

Health

Milk DOESN'T do a body good!

The Top 10 videos of 2023 from NutritionFacts.org

18 Ways to Prevent Heart and Reverse Heart Disease

Why you should Eat Clean

This podcast from Darin Olien on Sprouts with Doug Evans will blow your mind.

Nut Health Benefits 

What are AGES? and how to avoid them.

Environment

A Ranch Rewilded transforming California's next State Park

Being an ISA Certified Arborist this really interested me.. NYC will plant thousands of trees

Panama Canal traffic cut because of drought.

What you eat can impact Climate Change

Crazy Shit

Aviation Company created jet fuel from human poop!

WTF! Why? Inside the Golden Globe Swag Bag

That's all I've got for now.

Be kind

Judd

2 Awesome Muffin Recipes

Everyone Loves Pizza

 I don't think I have ever heard of someone that doesn't love pizza.

That being said, going plant-based you choose to go dairy-free..."I can't quit the cheese!" Finding a plant-based cheese that actually melts reasonably well is hard to find.

Trader Joe's "Dairy free Mozzarella Style Shred" made with Cashews is the answer.

This simple Mini Pizza Muffins recipe comes from Weight Watchers but with a little twist.

1 lb pre-made pizza dough (Trader Joe's)

3/4 cup pizza sauce (Trader Joe's)

1 cup Dairy free Mozzarella Shreds (Trader Joe's)

Preheat oven 450'

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and press into a silicone muffin pan, pressing down the middle. Slightly brush dough with olive oil/garlic powder.

Add 1 tb sauce, 1-1/2 tb "cheese"

Bake for approximately 15 minutes, then let cool and enjoy!

Just Bananas Muffins

This recipe comes from Forks Over Knives and Chef AJ

Oats, bananas and applesauce are the base ingredients.

These make an easy breakfast along with a bowl of berries etc.

No dairy, no sugar, no flour, no oil and no salt!

4 very ripe bananas

2 cups oats, ground into flour

1/2 cup unsweetened organic apple juice

1/2 cup unsweetened organic applesauce

2tb ground flax seeds

1tsp gr cinnamon

1/2tb vanilla extract

1/2tb apple cider vinegar

1/2tb baking powder

1/2tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 350'

Grind oats into flour and add all other dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl.

Puree or mash bananas until smooth.

Add the apple juice, apple sauce, extract and cider vinegar to banana puree until combined.

Pour over dry ingredients until combined.

Optional- Add 1/2 cup frozen blueberries

Pour into silicone muffin pan until 3/4 full.

Bake for 20-25 minutes(28-30 minutes if added blueberries)

Enjoy!

Be Kind

Judd