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!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

This a easy and quick treat to make!

All you need is :

Semi sweet chocolate chips

All natural peanut butter(creamy or chunky)

Cupcake papers

Line the bottom of papers with a layer chocolate chips and microwave for 1 minute.

Carefully smooth out melted chips.

Add  1 spoonful of peanut butter.

Cover with another layer of chocolate chips.

Microwave for another 1 minute.

Carefully smooth out chips to make a cover if you want.

Put in freezer for a few hours to harden.

Enjoy!... homemade Reese Peanut Butter Cups

Have a great week!

Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.

Iron Cowboy

Iron Cowboy

James Lawrence is a restless man.  He holds two Guinness World Records.

The most 70.3 Ironman races in a calendar year(22 in 30 weeks), and also the most Ironman 

triathlons in a calendar year(30). Doing just one is an accomplishment.

He knows he is capable of doing so much more and believes we are no different in our abilities 

On June 6th he began his journey to complete 50 Ironman distance triathlons(2.4 mi swim, 112 mi bike and a 26.2 mi run..140.6 miles) in 50 days in all 50 states.  He is doing it to bring awareness to

the declining health of our nation, especially our children.  He is a husband and a father of 5 elementary age children.  Please watch this video:Iron Cowboy 50 50 50 ;

then listen to a podcast he did with Rich Roll a couple of weeks ago;Rich Roll and James Lawrence 

You can follow his progress at Iron Cowboy .

"You can set as many goals as you want. But without belief and conviction, it won't happen"

James "Iron Cowboy" Lawrence

Have great week!

Judd

Veggie Ramen with Hoisin Tofu

Veggie Ramen with Hoisin Tofu

We all have eaten ramen noodles, they're quick and cheap.

But the seasonings that come with it are terrible for you!

Here is a fun recipe that Kris, Bree and I made together this afternoon.

It's always fun to prepare meals as a family.

You can purchase your favorite brand of Hoisin sauce or make your own using this recipe:

4 Tbsp- Braggs Liquid Amino Acids

1 Tbsp-molasses

2 tsp-Rice Vinegar

2-crushed garlic cloves

2 tsp-sesame oil

Mix together in a small bowl.

Next, drain and press a package of sprouted extra firm tofu and cut into 1/2" cubes or smaller.

Marinate the tofu in the Hoisin sauce while you prep everything else.

TOFU:

In a large skillet heat small amount of coconut or olive oil.

Carefully add marinated tofu and cook on medium heat until tofu browns.

Don't burn it!  Deep turning it!

VEGGIES:

 In another skillet, saute chopped green onions and pressed garlic cloves until tender.

Add broccoli florets, snow pea pods, shredded carrots, bean sprouts and 

chopped water chestnuts (our choice, but you can use any combination of veggies you want).  Cook until veggies are just a little tender. The longer veggies cook the more nutritional value you lose.
Keep them crisp!

 RAMEN:

4-packs ramen noodles(an Asian market has the best)

4 cups vegetable broth

In a large wok, cook noodles and veggie broth until noodles are tender.

When they are finished, add veggies to wok.

Serve in individual bowls and top with marinated tofu.

Enjoy!

Thank you for viewing.  ~Judd

   

Roasted Potatoes and Okra

Roasted Potatoes and Okra

I don't eat okra very often... hardly at all.  Not too many people I have come across do

My friend (The Barefoot Farmer- Tomazin Farms) offered me some fresh okra last week, I 

wanted to find some way to prepare them. Okra is a great source of fiber, improves blood 

sugar levels and reduces your risk for heart disease.  It is high in Vitamin C, K, A, manganese 

and magnesium folate, beta carotene and lutein.

Here is a quick and easy recipe:

Preheat oven to 425'.

Cut 2-3 potatoes into 3/4"-1' cubes.

Largely dice 1/2 onion (red if you have it).

Cut your fresh okra into 1/2" slices.

 In a mixing bowl add okra and small amount of olive oil.

Coat the okra and then mix in 2 tbs of cornmeal, pepper and salt.

The cornmeal will cut down on the "slime".

Place it on a baking sheet.

Mix potatoes and onions in same bowl, adding a little more olive oil,

smoked paprika,salt and pepper. Coat well and place on baking sheet.

Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Stir mixture, sprinkle with fresh rosemary sprigs and garlic powder.

Bake for another 10-15 minutes until potatoes are soft and okra is browned.

Remove from oven, mix all together in a large serving bowl.

Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over all.

Serve with organic or homemade ketchup. Or even with your favorite hot sauce!

It can be a great weekend breakfast when joined with tofu scramble.

Here's a quick tofu scramble recipe:

Drain and press a package of sprouted "extra/super" firm tofu, between two plates.

In skillet, heat 1 tbs. coconut or olive oil.

Crumble the tofu into scrambled egg size pieces into skillet.

Season with turmeric, smoked paprika and salt&pepper.

Stir/cook the tofu while coating it with the seasonings and oil until it looks like scrambled eggs.

Sprinkle nutritional yeast on top, and you have the best "cheesy" scramble ever.

Enjoy!

Have a great week!

The Plantpower Way

"The Plantpower Way"

I am a big fan of Rich Roll.  I'm not sure where or how I learned of him.

After reading his book "Finding Ultra", (several times now) I have found I can relate to his story,

his drive, and his desire to help others to become more "healthy" in there own lives.

He began doing podcasts back in November 2012, and I have listened to every one of them. 

The insight and knowledge I have gained has been invaluable. Not only on nutrition, but a myriad

 of topics!  I travel all over the state of Florida for work. Being behind the wheel for long periods of time gives me ample time to listen uninterrupted. Knowing that it will playing, my coworkers when driving with me, now ask what the podcast is going to be about. I look forward to Monday mornings

to see what new the podcast will be.

Rich and his wife, Julie Piatt have just released a new book called The Plantpower Way . Two years in the making, it just released last month.  GET IT!  It will change the way you think about your life.

Please watch the trailer here:Trailer; The Plantpower Way 

It was on my wishlist to purchase, but I was blessed by receiving it a gift from my very good 

friend, Damien. THANK YOU!

"This not your typical  recipe book.  It is a book about hope and the universally shared

belief that anyone of us can be better...You will not find better guides in that quest"

Dr. Sanjay Gupta

Thanks for reading and have a great week!