Berry Chia Jam, Lemon-lime "soda" and BerryACV

Berry Chia Jam

Here's a quick all natural jam recipe;

1 cup of diced fresh strawberries, blueberries or raspberries.

(Combine them for a awesome flavor.)

A dash of vanilla extract

1 pack of Stevia or 1 tsp Coconut Palm Sugar

1 tb chia seeds

In a glass bowl mix/stir all ingredients.

Microwave for 2 minutes.

Stir and let cool.

Store in an old jelly/jam jar in refrigerator.

PBJ's never tasted better!

Lemon-Lime "soda"

This what "Sprite" ought to be!

Squeeze 1/2 lemon and 1/2 lime and 1 pk of stevia into a tall glass.

Fill with chilled Sparkling water (Acqua di Nepi or Pellegrino,etc.)

Add ice and enjoy refreshing "Sprite"

Berry ACV Energy Drink

The benefits of apple cider vinegar are amazing!

Discovered  around 5000 BC, it has been used as a food preservative and soon found its way for 

medicinal purposes.  Hippocrates used it to manage wounds and since the 1700's has been used for

everything from skin issues, stomach ailments and even diabetes treatment. (Note: last week while at work, I was stung by ground hornets at least 10 times, I applied ACV to the stings. The itch and pain wasn't as intense!) Check out: Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits.  Here's a easy morning drink recipe to start your day.

In a tall glass;

1 heaping spoonful of fresh or frozen berries.

"Muddle" the fruit with the back of a spoon.

Add 1/2 to 1 tbs of organic apple cider vinegar.

Stir and fill with chilled filtered water.

You can add Stevia or honey to taste.

Thanks for reading!

Have a great week and be kind.

Judd

Sauteed Kale and Quinoa with Spiced Chick Peas

Kale and Quinoa with Spiced Chick Peas

Here's a quick and energizing lunch or light dinner recipe.

Quinoa is a quick-cooking, gluten-free grain known for its amount of protein.

But it is not the amount of protein, but the type of protein.  Quinoa has the perfect balance

of all nine amino acids essential for human nutrition. Though common in meats, it is rarely

found in plant foods.  Quinoa also offers a good dose of fiber and iron.  It comes in a rainbow 

of colors, but most commonly in white(fluffier), while red and black have a crunchier texture.

Prepare the amount of Quinoa you want according to directions.

(leftovers can be eaten with a combination of fruits or veggies)

When it's done, set aside and let the Quinoa cool.

Rinse and drain a 15 oz.can of chick peas.

In a small skillet, heat 1 tbs of olive oil.

Add;

Chick peas

2 tbs lemon juice

1 tsp Braggs amino acids(soy sauce)

2 tsp smoked paprika

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp maple syrup

Stir until well coated and warm.

In another larger skillet;

Heat 2 tbs olive oil

Add sea salt and pepper to taste

Add 4 cups chopped organic kale

Stir kale until coated and wilted.

The kale will wilt and shrink as it warms.

In a large bowl combine Quinoa, Kale and top with spiced Chick peas.

I always add sliced avocados on top!

Quick and easy!

My daughter creates a delicious Cold Raspberry Sorbet Lemonade with hers.

In a tall glass add 2 scoops of Raspberry Sorbet and fill with  Raspberry Lemonade, 

Enjoy!

Back on June 7th I did a post on Iron Cowboy James Lawrence.

He was attempting to do 50 Ironman distance races in 50 consecutive days in all 50 states.

Yesterday July 25th he did it!!

Incredible!

Have great week.

Be kind.

Judd

Dessert Waffle

Dessert Waffles

Most everyone loves dessert, and most love waffles. 

When the weekend comes,  family breakfast choices change from oatmeal, multi-grain cereals, or fruit bowls to something different.

  Like, breakfast tofu/potato scrambles, or blueberry pancakes, etc.

I believe dessert can be eaten at any time of the day!

This morning we had dessert waffles.

You do need a waffle maker for this recipe, but you should have one any way.

This is a good excuse to purchase one.

For your toppings:

To make coconut whipped cream,

put a small metal bowl and whisk in the freezer for about 20 minutes.

When chilled,

Mix:

The cream off the top of 1 can of chilled coconut milk (not lite)

Refrigerated Coconut milk forms a 2/3 can of cream. DO NOT SHAKE OR STIR THE CAN

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbs powdered sugar

Put all in the chilled metal bowl and whisk until creamy.

Chocolate Ganache:

1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

1-2 tbs non-dairy milk

Melt it in a double boiler, stirring constantly.

Waffles:

I use a recipe from "Thug Kitchen"

2 cups almond or your favorite nondairy milk

1 tsp. apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

1 1/2 cups organic cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose or whole wheat flour

2 tbs brown sugar

1 1/2 tbs baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp cinnamon

2 tbs oil ( grapeseed, olive or safflower)

Heat your waffle iron

Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl and

slowly stir in milk, oil and cider vinegar until blended.

Pour mixture on iron and cook accordingly.

Top your waffles with your favorite berries, 

covered with ganache and a spoonful of whipped cream!

Add walnuts or whatever else you want.

Just to let you know, you can enjoy these any time of the day!

Have a great week and be kind.

Judd

I need a drink!

I NEED A DRINK!

Of water that is.

Did you know our bodies are approximately 60-70% water.

And our brains are 80-90% water.  That is why it is so important to 

stay hydrated.  During this time of the year we lose 10-15 cups of water daily,

through sweating, urinating,and even breathing. How much do we need to drink

to replace and replenish that what we lost?

It is a good rule of thumb to at least drink half of your bodies weight in water.

(ex. 130 lbs= 65 oz. water)

This alone would not match what you lose during any exertion or exercise.

By eating a lot of fruits and vegetables that are have a high water content.

Watermelon, cucumbers and iceberg lettuce are all 90-95% water! Eat your Water.

I work outside 10-12 hours a day. And in the summer heat, I consume a lot of water.

I don't consume any sports drinks because of all the added sugar and food coloring, etc.

Gatorade is just not like it was in the 70's.

Here is a recipe for my own alkaline-hydrating/electrolyte replenishing drink:

4 cups warm filtered water.

Juice of 1-2 lemons or limes.(oranges work great also)

2 tsp honey or agave.

1/4-1/2 tsp Pink Himalayan salt.

Mix well

Chill

That's it!

I put them in a mason jar or BPA free plastic bottle and keep them in my cooler.

It's amazing how refreshed and energized you feel instead of plain water.

Here's a few links to more information:

Water Cure

10 Reasons to Drink More Water

16 Health Benefits of Drinking Water

Here's 2 great podcasts from Rich Roll:

Full Raw Kristina

Darin Olien:Super Foods for Super Life

Have a great week.

Judd

Chef Chloe's Grilled Pesto Kale Sweet Potato Pizza

Grilled Pesto Kale Sweet Potato Pizza

If you haven't heard of Chef Chloe Coscarelli, you had better get with it!

She is the author of 3 cookbooks and is opening a new vegan restaurant this summer in NYC. 

She was a winner of Food Networks Cupcakes Wars in 2009. 

She creates the most healthy, amazing vegan dishes you will ever taste!

Our household is a big fan of hers, and love to create her delicious recipes.

A few years back a movie called Julie & Julia, starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, was about a blogger who wanted to recreate every recipe in Julia Childs first cookbook and blog about it. Inspired by that movie, Kris and Briana are on a mission to prepare every recipe in Chloe's first cookbook, Chloe's Kitchen.  It has been great, because I love to eat!

Our usual pizza recipe is Chloe's BBQ Pineapple Tofu Pizza, which is awesome!

But last week we tried her Grilled Pesto/Kale/Sweet Potato Pizza. Kris doesn't care for kale

as much Bree and I do, but she couldn't get over how flavorful this pizza was.  It just might take over 1st place as our pizza choice.

We use Chloe's recipes on a regular basis and highly recommend them to everyone.

Please view her website here: Chef Chloe

 Thanks for viewing and have great week! ~Judd

.

Watermelon Steak

Watermelon Steak

Since 4th of July is next weekend, I thought I would share a recipe that is all about watermelon.

You can have this as a salad or dessert. 

We make a quick dressing with "Simply Organic" garlic vinaigrette.

You should be able to get this at any supermarket or health food store.

A quick dressing recipe from Gwyneth Paltrow.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette

1 tbs. Dijon mustard

3 tbs. apple cider vinegar

2 tbs. maple syrup

1/2 cup olive oil

sea salt

black pepper

whisk together mustard, vinegar and maple syrup in a bowl.

slowly drizzle in olive oil.

season with salt and pepper.

It is important you use arugula because of its slightly bitter, peppery taste. Combined with

the sweet watermelon, it makes for a delicious blended flavor.

Here's a link to benefits of arugula: Food Facts.

Also some interesting facts about watermelon: Food Facts

Slice a chilled watermelon into 1-1/2" to 2" thick slices.

Cut into "steak-like" shapes.

Top with a hand full of Arugula, sunflower seeds or pine nuts.

Drizzle with a small amount of dressing.

That's it!

Quick, refreshing and very nutritious.

Have a great week.

Next week.......

Sweet Potato Kale Pesto Pizza!

Father's Day Waffles

Father's Day Waffles

A few weeks back we bought a waffle maker. I love it!

Most hotels have waffle makers on their buffet lines, but the waffle mix is......?

I found a waffle mix recipe in Thug Kitchen Cookbook, that is easy, taste great and is nutritious.

If you haven't seen or heard of this awesome cookbook, please check this video trailer.

Beware of the language!

Thug Kitchen Cookbook Trailer

Waffle Mix:

2 cups almond or any nondairy milk

1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

1 1/2 cup organic ground cornmeal(Bob's Red Mill)

1 cup all-purpose or whole wheat flour

2 tbs. brown sugar

1 1/2 tbs. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. cinnanmon

2 tbs. oil

Mix together the "milk", vinegar and oil in a small bowl.

In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients and form a "crater" in the middle.

Whisk all together until smooth.

Heat up your waffle maker, coat the plates with oil.

Pour in some batter and cook according to your waffle maker.

This mix makes approximately 5-6 waffles.

Add whatever toppings you like.

Today, I had Earth Balance Spread, with chia seed gel, sliced avocados and maple syrup!

Happy Father's Day!

Have a great week!