Memorial Day Recipes Ideas

Memorial Day is here and it is hard to believe 2019 is almost half way over.  Most Americans celebrate the day remembering those who gave their lives for our country's freedom, and by having the first cookout of summer time.  Except here in Florida it seems like it is summer all the time.

Here are a few summertime recipes we have shared on the blog over the years.

The first is a Beet/Black Bean Burger from Rich Roll and Julie Piatt's  The Plantpower Way cookbook.

These always go great with Sweet Potato Fries or

Kale and Chickpea Mash:

Saute several diced garlic cloves over medium heat in a small amount of olive oil or coconut oil.  Add approximately 1/4 of a diced onion and cook until soft.

Add 3-4 cups of chopped kale and 1/4 cup of Bragg's Liquid Amino Acids 

(1/2 the amount of sodium of soy sauce) or Coconut Amino Acids (1/2 the amount of sodium

of Bragg's).  Cover and let kale begin to wilt.  Add one-15oz. can of drained and rinsed

chickpeas.  Make sure you rinse them a few times to get rid of excess salt etc.

By now the kale has wilted.  Mash about half the chickpeas while they are in the pan cooking, then sprinkle with Nutritional Yeast for a great 'cheesy' flavor.

This whole process should only take 10-15 minutes.

Watermelon Steak

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.

For a quick dessert try: 

Pina Colada Sorbet 

3 cups frozen pineapple

1 banana

1 16oz. can of full fat coconut milk

Blend all together in blender,

Transfer to airtight container and freeze for 2-3 hours.

You can add some rum if desired!

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

London / Amsterdam Recap

For the past few weekends we have been traveling, so there was no post this past Sunday.

We had a wonderful time in London and Amsterdam.  The two cities were quite different, but we thoroughly enjoyed both.  We had hoped for good weather and we definitely got it, mostly sunny skies and upper 50' temperatures.  Perfect weather for walking, running in London's Hyde Park, and of course biking in Amsterdam's Vondel Park.  According to Captain Jack and Kim at Flagship Canal Cruises, there are over 800,000 people in Amsterdam and 1.3 million bikes!  300,000 bikes end up in the canals every year.  If you ever are in Amsterdam, definitely go on the canal cruise with them.

While in Amsterdam we had a few local foods we wanted to try: 

Stroopwafels

Frites

Dutch Apple Cake

Almost every restaurant has plant-based options, and many only serve vegan meals.

Such as:

The Dutch Weed Burger Joint

I was inspired and in awe of the environmental importance with public transportation, rail and subways (London) and organic food choices in both Amsterdam and London.  Most vehicles were either electric, hybrids or diesel powered.  Our taxi from Schipol International Airport in Amsterdam was a Tesla! I did not see one full-sized pickup truck or SUV.   Even UPS trucks were electric.  Gasoline was almost $7 per gallon.

While Amsterdam was busy, it was very laid back and everything just moved in harmony.  

London, on the other hand was very proper and very clean.  

Very Royal, very polite, great customer service was its priority.  

Plant-based Deliciously Ella Deli ironically in an old dairy.

Local market

Nice billboard

Overall, it was a wonderful trip, spending time with the family,
 and we are looking forward to returning another time.

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

Recommended Reading 05/05/19

I hope you enjoy these blog posts as much as I like doing them.  At this time, we are enjoying our time in London, England and later in the week we will be in Amsterdam.  We have been looking forward to this trip for a long time.

Let's get started:

Wellness

Environmental Working Group's: 2019 Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce

Four weeks to a better, happier and less-stressed life: Welcome to the Blue Zones Life

Lifehack.org's: 10 Shocking Facts About processed food.

EurekAlert.org: A healthy plant-based diet may lower kidney disease risk.

NPR: What if Americans Ate Like South Africans and Vice Versa?

Mindbodygreen.com: Healthy Magnesium Rich Foods You Should Be Eating.
Forksoverknives.com: 7 Ways Milk and Dairy Products are Making You Sick

Environment

Outsideonline.com: Just How Scary These Times Are.

Global Citizen: The First Road Made From Plastic Waste in the U.S..

Conservation.org: Ocean Pollution:11 Facts You Need to Know.

Conservation.org: Climate Change: 5 Myths Debunked.

Independent.co.uk: Emissions From Thawing Artic Permafrost.

Recipes
Nutritionstripped.com: Buffalo Cauliflower Bites.
Happy Pear: 3 Best Ways to Cook Tofu.
NoMeatAthlete.com: 15 Vegan Lunches.

Have a great week.
Be kind.
Judd

In Memory

It saddens my heart to say but we had to say goodbye to our sweet cat Lizzie this week.  She came into our lives as a  scrappy little alley/barn kitten, infested with fleas and ear mites, but full of sass.  She blessed us with 18 years of love and companionship and did things her way.  From being on the streets to living like royalty, she lived a long wonderful life.  We have been blessed to be a part of it.  She will be truly missed. She has graced every "Recommended Reading" blog post and will continue to be the happy little face every month.

Here are  several photos in memory:

Just a little "boober"

Hanging with friends

Camping out in the living room

Usual day

Watching over her subjects

You still there?

Her last Christmas

Good Night

Be kind to your pets, YOU are everything to them.

REST IN PEACE LIZZIE

Earth Day 2019

Earth Day should be a National Holiday

Sign the petition here

Our planet and the life we know environmentally is under attack.  There is no denying that climate change is a REAL thing.  We as the human species are in the midst of the 6th mass extinction and we are the cause.  It is said we have 12 Years to Make the Change, and even though the United States opted out of the Paris Climate Agreement, many states and companies are still targeting to do what they can in the fight to curb climate change.  New ideas to address the issue are happening every day and in more States, like Minnesota and even NYC.

We must all do our part: 

*Change to a plant-based diet, how much water is involved in your 1/4 lb burger?

*Drive less, consolidate your errands.  Take public transportation if available.

Ditch the single use plastic bags! USE RECYCLED GROCERY BAGS, not only do they hold more items they come in so many different designs.  And very reasonable in price, starting at 99 cents.

Turn the A/C off when possible and let clean fresh air cleanse your house of stale, stagnant oxygen.

Just get out in nature and enjoy the beauty of Mother Earth.

Let's celebrate Earth Day all the time.

Have a great week.

Be kind. 

Judd

Recommended Reading 04/07/19

If you are new to our blog, Lizzie our reading mascot turned 18 this week!  She spends most of her day sleeping, laying in the sun, cuddling up on a blanket and occasionally attacking one of her "pet" mice toys. Mostly telling her "servants" what she wants. God bless the Queen.

Let's get started on this month's recommendations,

WELLNESS:

Eastern Medicine vs Western Medicine:Creation vs Chemicals

The Great Oil Debate: Everything You Need To Know

Top 8 Myths About Eating Vegan, Busted

What are the health benefits of beetroot juice?

3 Ways to Use Magnesium That You Haven't Heard Of 

What's the Best Mouthwash?

BOOKS I"M READING:

Born To Run by Christopher McDougall

SuperLife by Darin Olien (the 5th time)

RECIPES:

Beyond Meat's Tuscan Style Sausage Pasta

Tarahumara Pinole and Chia

EXERCISE:

The Surprising Reason We Don't Fall When We Run

Yoga Poses When You Are Short on Time

Get the Core of Your Dreams

ENVIRONMENT 

Meet the Poop-Sniffing Dog Helping Map a Giant Wildlife Sanctuary

It Was 70' degrees in Alaska This Week

It's Time to Talk Dog Poop

CRAZY

Slacklining Through the Waves of Nazare

The Roof of The Car: Where We Tempt Fate

Note the date:

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

Pantry Refill

Just a short post this week. 

We've been pretty busy these last several weeks and the cupboards were a little bare.  So it was time for a Trader Joe's trip to refill the pantry.  I know I talk about how great Trader Joe's is, but you can not find better deals on fresh veggies, pastas, seeds, nuts, frozen fruits, etc. and Kris says wine!  If you blessed with a Trader Joe's near you, I sure hope you are taking advantage of it.  We have a distribution center here, but no store.  We are glad to make the 45 minute drive over to Winter Park to stock up.

The bargain prices are too many to list, but just a few are organic canned beans..99cents, 1 lb. organic ground flax seed..$2.99,  roasted sunflower seeds, 16oz ..$1.99, bananas..19 cents each, 20 oz. extra firm tofu..$2.49, 2lb bag organic Fuji apples..$2.99, the best organic Taco shells..$1.99 with 12 oz. "beef-less"ground beef..$2.99 for the best tacos !

The list goes on..there is no reason you can't eat healthy for less.

Next week.. Recommended Reading

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd