IT IS TIME TO REBEL

Thank you Greta Thunberg for speaking the truth.

Wake up humanity, the universe is crying out.  With all that is going on in the world, we CANNOT go back to normal.  We must change the way we progress forward with a new beginning.   

IT"S TIME TO REBEL

We are right now, in the beginning of a climate and ecological crisis. And we need to call it what it is. An emergency. We must acknowledge that we do not have the situation under control, and that we don’t have all the solutions, yet. Unless those solutions mean that we simply stop doing certain things. We must admit that we are losing this battle. We have to acknowledge that the older generations, have failed. All the political movements in their present form, have failed. But homo sapiens have not yet failed. Yes we are failing, but there is still time to turn everything around. We can still fix this. We still have everything in our own hands. But unless we recognize that the overall failures of our current systems, we most probably don’t stand a chance. We are facing a disaster of unspoken sufferings for enormous amounts of people. And now is not the time for speaking politely, or focusing on what we can or cannot say. Now is the time to speak clearly. Solving the climate crisis is the greatest and most complex challenge that homo sapiens have ever faced. The main solution, however, is so simple that even a small child can understand it. We have to stop our emissions of greenhouse gases. And either we do that, or we don’t. You say that nothing in life is black or white. But that is a lie. A very dangerous lie. Either we prevent a 1.5 degree of warming, or we don’t. Either we avoid setting off that irreversible chain reaction beyond human control, or we don’t. Either we choose to go on as a civilization, or we don’t. That is as black or white as it gets. Because there are no grey areas when it comes to survival. Now we all have a choice. We can create transformational action that will safeguard the living conditions for future generations, or we can continue with our business as usual, and fail—that is up to you and me. And yes, we need a system change rather than individual change, but you cannot have one without the other. If you look through history, all the big changes in society have been started by people at the grassroots level, people like you and me. So I ask you to please wake up and make the changes required possible. To do your best is no longer good enough. We must all do the seemingly impossible. Today, we use about 100 million barrels of oil every single day. There are no politics to change that. There are no rules to keep that oil in the ground. So we can no longer save the world by playing by the rules because the rules have to be changed. Everything needs to change, and it has to start today. So everyone out there, it is now time for civil disobedience. It is time to rebel.

Greta Thunberg

If you have Netflix, please watch a new series with Zac Efron and my health "Guru" Darin Olien called "Down to Earth". Excellent.

PLEASE WEAR YOUR MASKS!

Have a great week.

Judd

THANK YOU

Gratitude is a practice, which turns into an action,

 which is the foundation of a happy life.

On February 6, 2011, we posted our first post: Skinny Bitch.  A couple of years before, we began our journey on living a healthier life by stopping to consume any animal products. We had read a book by Jonathan Safran Foer titled: Eating Animals.  It totally changed our mindset on animal agriculture and its untold cruelty that it imposed on animals and the environment.  It set us on this journey to living a cleaner and more compassionate life.  We immediately stopped consuming meat of any kind knowing the what went on behind "closed doors" of the agriculture industry.  Our friends began asking us "What do you eat?" and of course "Where do you get your protein?".  

So, we started our blog to share recipes and information on consuming a plant-based diet.

THANK YOU!

Over the past 9 years, for wanting to share information, I have opened my mind to so much knowledge.  By researching a wide variety of information, I have gained so much insight on how what we put in our mouths to feed ourselves creates life or sickness.  We truly are "You are what you eat"

I want to say, Thank you! I have learned a wealth of knowledge by sharing this information.  The time I have spent researching the topics we post has enriched my life.  I look forward to every week anticipating what I can share with you.  The other week I noticed that we had reached over 60,000 views of this blog. WOW!  My hope is it will continue to enrich your life as it has ours.

Our world is at a tipping point.  Both socially and environmentally, we have to make a change.  We have to be the change.  Environmentally, the most profound act that we can do individually, is to change to a plant-based diet.  Animal agriculture is not a sustainable industry   Socially, "BE KIND",  For you Christians, 13 times Jesus commanded "To love one another as I have loved you"

The prophet Muhammad said "You will never enter paradise until you have faith and you will not complete your faith until you have loved one another".

In this time of social unrest and July 4th celebration of Independence, you should read or re-read the Declaration of Independence.  "We  hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness".

THANK YOU, for letting us be a part of your journey towards a healthy life.

Namaste

Judd

SO EASY SOCCA BREAD!

SO EASY SOCCA BREAD-VEGAN , GRAIN-FREE AND GLUTEN-FREE

 Socca has got to be the easiest bread to make!  Easier than "Crockpot Bread", 

Made with only chickpea flour, water and salt, Socca is a savory, simple and unleavened round flatbread.  The origin of this bread is believed to be from Italy, where Roman soldiers roasted chickpea flour on their shields before battle.  Others say it originated from the French Riviera.

Chickpea flour is high in protein(11g per cup), fiber(5g), low in carbohydrates, calories and full of micronutrients.

SOCCA

Using a batter rate of 1 part flour-1 part water, plus salt and oil

(Makes 6 small breads)

2 cups chickpea flour

2 cups water

2 big pinches of sea salt

1 tb olive oil

Blend all together in mixing bowl

Add any spices if you like

Let batter set for 10-15 minutes

Heat a non-stick skillet on medium high heat, adding a small amount of oil

Pour in 1/4 cup of batter  like you are making pancakes!

Cook for 3-5 minutes until edges are crispy, then flip for 3-5 minutes

They will be crispy outside and soft and savory inside.

TOPPINGS

While the batter is setting, caramelize a small sliced onion then add some half sliced cherry tomatoes and fresh chiffonade basil.

Let simmer while making "pizzas"

When your bread is done, add your toppings and enjoy a delicious healthy treat.

Your choice of toppings are endless like:

Roasted carrots, avocado with cilantro or Asparagus, zucchini and mint.

For a larger bread like the photo above, use 1/2 the amount of mixture and bake it in the oven.

Pre-heat the oven to 450'

Place medium sized cast-iron skillet (or oven safe pan) in while pre-heating.

When ready, slightly oil the skillet and pour in your batter, filling skillet.

Bake for 12-15 minutes

When done gently lift edges with spatula and remove.

This can be eaten with soups, topped with veggies or even a large pizza.

For more Socca information check out: "A Brief History of Socca"

Have a great week.

Be kind.

WEAR YOUR DAMN FACE MASK!

WASH YOUR HANDS!

Judd

Recommended Reading 05/16/20

Recommended Reading

Some of this month's reading suggestions obviously will relate to the Covid-19 crisis.  Many of you have experienced the virus either yourself, relatives or friends.  A few work-related colleagues have been infected with the virus and one's elderly father succumbed to complications arising from it.  Being considered an "essential worker", I was and will continue to be very safety oriented.  Consuming a plant-based diet and keeping my immune system as strong as possible is #1.  Here in Florida, the State has lifted "stay at home" restrictions, while trying to inform residents to be safe.  Encouraging CDC recommendations on wearing face masks, keeping 6' social distancing, etc.  Unfortunately, most are not doing that.  Retail/Grocery workers are definitely abiding by these rules, but only a small amount of residents are.  It's all or nothing!  I will be wearing a face covering and continuing safe clean practices indefinitely! Please be safe and do what we can to stop the spread, if not for yourself, for those who have compromised health issues. 

So let's get started:

ENVIRONMENTAL

We don't want to go "back to normal", we need to go forward and build a healthier and cleaner world.

From 350.org, "How We Build Back Better"

It's a start in the right direction: U.S. Renewables are Set to Generate More Electricity Than Coal For The First Time

Meet the new "Citizens of Costa Rica".  The country is a leader in environmental measures, planning to be carbon neutral by 2050, and currently gets 98% of its energy from renewable sources!

Positive consequences are happening because the Covid-19.  Air quality has improved dramatically worldwide, even in the U.S. Air Pollution Decreases Over Southwest U.S. 

Check out the "Tesla" of  electric boats at X Shore from Sweden.

WELLNESS

The world is realizing that factory farming is not sustainable.  The way people eat all around the world, is a major risk factor for pandemics: The Meat We Get From Factory Farms

With the "shortage"of meat in grocery stores, the demand for plant-based meat alternatives are skyrocketing, like The Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat Beast Burger.

Need to lower or maintain your Triglycerides? Try Red Quinoa.

Green tea consumption is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.  But what about Cancer?

Establishing Healthy Habits during Social Distancing by Dr. Garth Davis

Go outside, breathe in nature.  Why You Should Walk More.

More powerful than antibiotics?  This has been used since ancient Grecian times.  Oregano Oil to the rescue!

VIDEOS

Five Kitchen Hacks from The Happy Pear

The Nantucket Project with Dr Zach Bush and Rich Roll

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

2 Super Simple Sunday Recipes

I usually eat avocados 5 out of 7 days per week.  If I was stranded on a desert island, there had better be an avocado tree!  Most everyone has had avocado toast and if you haven't, why the hell not!  There are so many different ways to create avocado toast, you can let your creativity flow.  Our daughter Bree makes an awesome avo toast:

Avocado Toast

Toast 2 Slices whole grain bread.

Mash 1 ripe avocado in a bowl.

Season with ground pepper or we use:

Trader Joe's "Everything but the Bagel Sesame" seasoning blend which is: white and black sesame seeds, sea salt, dried minced garlic, onion and poppy seeds

Spread mixture on toast.

Top it with a Free-range organic egg.

I mostly adhere to a plant-based diet, but occasionally I will have an egg for an additional dose of B12. I guess I am a "veggan".😊

Add a bowl of mixed fresh organic berries.

If I will be working locally the following week, on Sundays I will do a little lunch meal prepping.  

One of my favorite recipes is;

Coconut Ginger Beans and Rice

Prepare one cup rice of your choice.

Prepare beans of your choice and season with spices you like.( cumin, smoked paprika, garlic salt, etc., get creative.

Dice and saute sweet onions in coconut oil.

When rice is done, add 1 tb. each coconut oil, ground ginger and ground turmeric.

Stir in beans and onions.

Cube a small pack of cooked seasoned tofu or "Tossables"

This makes around 4-5 lunches, including bowls or wraps with fresh greens.

Have a great week.

Be kind.

WASH YOUR HANDS
Judd

Earth Day 2020

EARTH DAY 2020

This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.  In the Spring of 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson(D-Wisconsin) proposed a national "teach-in" after touring an oil spill devastation off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, which happened a year earlier in January of 1969.  As his idea blossomed, he set up an independent organization called Environmental Teach-In to handle the grass-roots movement which created "Earth Day".  On April 22,1970 more than 20 million Americans participated in the first awareness.  It worked, in December of 1970 the Environmental Protection Agency was created to tackle all environmental issues, including the Clean Air Act ,the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Needless to say, the EPA has changed leadership in this administration and most rules and regulations have been relaxed or removed, not to the benefit of the environment.  For a more in depth look at Earth Day please see The History of Earth Day. 

We must take care of our planet and its environment, human existence depends on it.  We have seen the effects of Coronavirus , with us having to be sequestered, the capabilities the planet can heal itself without us.  Just think what together the possibilities can be, living in harmony with nature.  

There is no planet "B"

Have a great week.

Be kind.

WASH YOUR HANDS.

Judd 

Benefits of Garlic

Don't you just love the smell of garlic roasting in olive oil?  It's the organic sulfur compound allicin that gives it the pungent smell.  When he garlic is crushed or chopped the amino acid allicin is released.  Garlic is one of the most beneficial spices/herbs that can be added to your diet.  Garlic is in the same family as onions, leeks and shallots, the Allium family.  Each segment is called a clove with 10-20 cloves per bulb.  Being a popular cooking ingredient, garlic is and can be grown throughout the world, even in your own window garden.  Throughout history it's main use was for health and medicinal purposes. 

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food"

Hippocrates (the Father of Western medicine) prescribed garlic to treat a variety of medical conditions.

Benefits:

*Highly nutritious but very few calories-containing a little of all the minerals you need every day.

*Can combat sickness, including the common cold- boosting the immune system is very important.

The active compounds in garlic reduce high blood pressure- cardiovascular diseases are the #1 killers in the world.  In one study, 4 cloves of garlic per day were just as effective as the drug Atenolol at reducing blood pressure over a 24 week period, with NO SIDE effects. The red blood cells turn the sulfur into hydrogen sulfide gas which expands our blood vessels helping to regulate blood pressure.

*Improves cholesterol levels- reducing total and/or LDL levels by 10-15%. The red blood cells turn the sulfur into hydrogen sulfide gas which expands our blood vessels helping to regulate blood pressure.

*Garlic contains high antioxidants-antioxidants protects against cell damage and aging, helping to reduce the risk of  Alzheimer's and dementia. 

*May help min detoxing your body from heavy metals- it has shown to reduce lead toxicity and other heavy metals.

Boosts immunity-  in studies, garlic appears to kill cancer and viruses cells. 

Protects our food- the antibacterial properties in garlic can kill the bacteria that lead to food poisoning, including salmonella and E.coli.

*It just makes your  food taste great!

Here's a great video from Dr Michael Greger;

Benefits of Garlic for Fighting Cancer and the Common Cold

Have a great week.

Be kind. 

WASH YOUR HANDS!

Judd