Re-purpose Your Coffee Grounds

Re-purpose Your Coffee Grounds 

We are a coffee loving family!  We mostly have used a single-serve coffee machine over the years.  On occasion we used a French Press or a pour over for something different. The issue is, for the best tasting coffee a French Press can't be beat.  We recently purchased  a Smeg Kettle and a French Press. While it takes a little longer to brew than a K-cup, the wait is worth it. The flavor of the brew is phenomenal and so much more rewarding.

But wait, what do we do with the coffee grounds? We can just throw away the used K-cup, but it ends up in the landfill.  Rather than just dumping the grounds into the trash where they also end up in the landfill or down your kitchen drain which can cause plumbing issues, there are better ways to dispose of them. 

  A couple of ways to re-purpose your grounds are:

*  Turn them into a healthy and earth conscious fertilizer.  This will improve the ability of the plants to retain nutrients and supply additional nitrogen for improved growth. You can also spread them on your lawn or throw them in your compost pile if you are lucky enough to have one.

* Homemade hair and face products. A coffee body scrub can exfoliate and stimulate dry skin.

*Deodorize your fridge. Place a bowl of dried coffee grounds to eliminate unwanted odors.

Thank you for reading!

Be kind.

Judd

Soy Curl Chick'n Salad Sandwich

 

Soy Curl Chick'n Salad Sandwich

This has to be the best vegan version of chicken salad that I have had. Some recipes use chickpeas like our Cowabunga sandwich. This one tops them all!

4oz Soy Curls

2 Organic celery stalks

2 tbs fresh or dried Dill

2-3 diced Dill pickles

2 tsp Dijon mustard

1/4 cup vegan mayo

Black pepper

Salt

Rehydrate the curls in water for 10 minutes, then squeeze out excess water the best you can.

Pulse the Soy Curls in a food processer.

Mix all other ingredients in medium.

 

In medium skillet, sauté' soy curls in 2 tbs olive oil.

Adding 2 tbs. onion powder.

1 tsp. fresh or dried thyme.

1 tsp. celery salt.

1 tsp. Italian seasoning.

1/2 tbs. turmeric.

1 tbs. Nutritional yeast.

When browned add all ingredients into medium bowl.

Serve on whole grain bread or sub roll with sliced tomatoes or 

Avocado Mango Salsa

1 ripe mango

1 ripe Hass avocado

1/2 diced small onion

1/2 tsp. Coriander 

Mix all together to make a delicious salsa

You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.

Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land.

There is no other land, there is no other life but this.

Henry David Thoreau

Be kind

Judd

It's About Thyme!

 

It's About Thyme!

Thyme is a herb whose small leaves grow on clusters of thin stems.  Grown primarily as an aromatic culinary herb it forms a mound 6-12" and 6' wide.  Obviously low growing, it prefers dry, sandy and even rocky soils. It prefers full sun, good drainage and is even drought and frost-proof.  This makes it a very easy herb anyone can grow, even inside year -round!  Just remember to keep it trimmed back. Use cuttings of 5-6" for cooking, leaving 5' of growth for good health of the plant. This aromatic woodsy tasting herb is great on many types of fish, in  soups and veggies. 

What you might not have known about thyme is its medicinal uses!

At a time when antibiotics and drugs of synthetic origin weren't being used, thyme was actively being used by traditional healers to treat a variety of ailments- from coughing to nervous disorders!  The many benefits of using thyme are:

*Immunity booster: packed with vitamins and antioxidants, helping to prevent colds, flus and other illness.

*Cough and sore throat remedy: the essential oils help alleviate the cough and sore throats caused by bronchitis, colds and flu.

*Reduces inflammation and speeds healing: thyme has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and antiseptic properties which is why it has been long used for cuts, scrapes and bruises.

3-Ingredient Immunity Tea

This is excellent for a cough or sore throat also!

Take 3 sprigs of fresh thyme in 1 cup boiled water and let steep for 10 minutes.

Strain into a cup, squeezing a half of a lemon and stir in 1 tablespoon of manuka honey or raw local honey.

Sip and enjoy!

Thank you for reading.

Have a great day.

Judd

The Incredible Soy Curls

The Incredible Soy Curl

 

We have been eating plant-based since 2008, and for some unbeknownst reason, have never heard of soy curls!!  In some Whole Foods they offer a vegan General TSO  Chickin' in the prepared foods.  It seems that it is getting harder to find in most of their stores, which is sad, because it is delicious.

Kris and I have tried to replicate it numerous times, but to know avail.

UNTIL NOW!!

I regularly watch a Youtube channel called "The Narddog Cooks" https://www.youtube.com/@thenarddogcooks

No this isn't Andy Barnard from "The Office", but he shares the same name! He introduced us to Soy Curls and it hasn't been the same. Andrew shares some of the easiest and most nutritious recipes, all the while in a most relaxing setting. He is truly the best presenter I have come across.

His Chickin' Noodle Soup is awesome and made with Soy Curls.

Butler Foods is one of the most known producers of Soy Curls. Curls are Non-GMO soy beans, high in protein, fiber and are grown without chemicals and pesticides.

Here's our easy 4 ingredient recipe for General Tso Chickin': 

Pre-soak Dry Soy Curls in filtered water for 10 minutes.

Dry soy curls with a paper towel.

then brown them in a med-heat skillet until curls begin to firm.

Season with Adobo All-purpose seasoning.( we use Goya)

Add 2-3 tbs. of Tamari or Coconut Amino Acids to darken the curls.

Add 2-4 tbs. of Trader Joe's General Tsao stir fry sauce to taste.

Serve over Brown rice, Quinoa or choice of noodles, adding vegetables of your choice.

Hope you enjoy!

Be kind.

Judd

Andrew Bernard | The Nard Dog Cooks@thenarddogcooks

Recommended Reading 05/30/22

It's Recommended Reading Time

Even if the world seems to be crashing down,

let's get started with some good news:

 32 Reason Everything Will Be Ok

                                                 37 Ways to Make a Difference in the World

Environment

Renewables Met All of California's Energy Needs for the First Time.

10 Best Environmental Documentaries To Watch according to David Attenborough.

How Sweden is Turning Waste to Energy

4 EU Countries Pledge 10 Fold Rise in Offshore Wind Capacity come on US, you can do the same.

Regenerative Farming Can Combat Climate Change

Health

10 Surprising Plant-Based Food Facts

How a Plant-based Diet Changes Cortisol Levels

The No Bullshit Guide to Plant-based Protein

How to Mimic Chicken Flavor in Vegan Dishes

Recipes

Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwich

This the best and easiest High Protein Wholefood Bowl:

Happy Pear

Have a great week.

Be kind

Judd

Be Kind

Be Kind

This post is a little different than most.  I hope it speaks to you and lifts you up.  If you're having a rough day, I hope you know that you are loved and you matter. 

 Our world is changing.  Oftentimes it seems as though friends, family and strangers are treating each other with less and less compassion and understanding.  If others don't share the same beliefs, they are wrong.  I heard a podcast recently with Guru Singh talking with Rich Roll.  He made a very enlightening statement:  The way of educating children needs some changes.  Instead of (or in addition to) the 3 R's, what should be taught is the 3 C's: Compassion, Collaboration and Communication.  This way children will learn how to deal with the real problems of our time.  By learning how to be compassionate towards others and  collaborate and work in unity with one another, there will be less conflict.  When these children become adults, they in turn will teach their children and the world will be a better place in which to live.  Eventually the cycle will stop and adults will live a more harmonious life with others, and our differences will be cause for celebration and not contention.

This week, let's all try to be more compassionate towards our loved ones.  Be kind to strangers!  Your kind words might be the healing words they need to hear.

This week, let's communicate with each other.  Be honest.  Be uplifting; encouraging words have life. Let your loved ones know what's in your heart.  Life is too short; it could end tomorrow.  Let your love flow out of you.

This week, work as a team; collaborate with one another.
A three strand rope is stronger than a thread!

 Have a great week.

BE KIND.

Judd 

Recommended Reading 03/26/22

 

Miso says it's time for Recommended Reading!

Some housekeeping first. A while back, Blogspot changed its format, resulting in not being able to edit the "Menu Sidebar".  I am no longer able to add new posts to the sidebar. My last post on July 31, 2021 is on the sidebar. After that, you will have to scroll back from new posts. It is what it is.

Let's get started with:

Health and Food

The Superfoods You Should Be Eating

Regenerative Farms: This dramatically increases the nutrient density of your food.

The Amazing Benefits of Arugla

Oven Baked Broccoli and Cauliflower Steaks

Environment

Wildfires Continue to Increase and Spread

What is Really Going On With Gas Prices?

Geothermal Plants Could Solve The Lithium Problem

Human Role in Climate Change is Nothing New

Crazy Shit

What Happened to Starbucks?, maybe this will help: EV charging stations?

 Too "Baaad", this isn't happening more often.

This is just "CRAZY SHIT": God help us, what planet is he from?

Stay The Course

Actions ripple out, both good and bad.

So let's just take a minute to remind ourselves of the importance of spreading love.

Thank you for reading, Judd

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. 

Jimi Hendrix